Technical field

The invention relates to a magnetic pressing device, a kit, and a method for repairing damaged and deteriorated works of art, preferably paintings.

Background art

The increasing physical size of contemporary works of art has made handling, storing, and moving such artworks an increasingly difficult challenge. Contemporary artworks often use more sensitive materials than historical paintings, so moving them involves a risk of damage, which restoration experts strive to minimize as much as possible in order to protect the artwork.

Repairing the indentations, i.e., smaller-scale damage to large-sized canvas paintings has hitherto been possible only by removing the painting from its ornamental frame, transporting it to the restoration workshop, and correcting the defects after laying the painting on a workshop table and pressing it utilising weights, for example marble blocks. This solution requires the work of more than one people and involves a lot of dangers, which increases the risk of further damaging the painting.

Brief summary of the invention

The objective of the present invention is to replace the known process of restoring artworks - which poses a risk of damage to the artworks - with an alternative solution, such that the process can be performed on-site, utilising portable devices, without substantially moving the work of art.

The technical solutions according to the invention are based on the recognition that the gravitational force utilised in prior art solutions can be replaced by magnetic force, and thereby not only the size of the devices can be reduced, but it is also not required to bring the surfaces to be restored of the artworks in a horizontal position, so the restoration operation requiring pressing can be carried out even on-site, at the original position of the work of art.

The objective of the invention can be most generally fulfilled by providing a magnetic pressing device that comprises an active magnetic pressing member and a passive magnetic pressing member, where the active magnetic pressing member and the passive magnetic pressing member each comprise a respective flat press surface, wherein the active magnetic pressing member comprises at least one active magnetic means and the passive magnetic pressing member is provided with a passive magnetic portion. In the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, in the joined together state of the press surfaces of the active magnetic pressing member and the passive magnetic pressing member a surface pressure is generated between the press surfaces of the pressing members in proportion to the magnetic force arising between the active magnetic means and the passive magnetic portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, at least one and preferably all of the pressing members are provided with a handle.

In the case of a further preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, at least one of the press surfaces of the active magnetic pressing member and the passive magnetic pressing member is formed of a transparent material, preferably of transparent plastic or resin over at least a portion of its surface.

In the case of another preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention at least one of the press surfaces of the active magnetic pressing member and the passive magnetic pressing member comprises a transparent window portion and an opaque frame portion.

In a further preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the press surface of the first pressing member is larger than the press surface of the second pressing member.

In a further preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the press surface of the first pressing member and the press surface of the second pressing member have identical size.

In another preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, one of the active magnetic pressing member and the passive magnetic pressing member comprises an internal cutout, and the magnetic pressing device comprises an insert that is adapted to fit into the internal cutout of the respective pressing member, wherein the insert is removable from the cutout of the corresponding pressing member independently of the respective other pressing member.

In a further preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the pressing members have a circular, oval, rectangular, square, rhomboidal, trapezoidal, triangular, rounded-corner rectangular, rounded-corner square, rounded-corner rhomboidal, rounded-corner trapezoidal, rounded-corner triangular, or other basic geometric shape.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the press surface of at least one of the pressing members is covered with a wettable layer, for example a cloth, felt, or paper material.

In the case of a yet another preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the magnetic force arising between the pressing members is maximum 500 N, preferably maximum 300 N, more preferably maximum 100 N.

In the case of certain preferred embodiments of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the magnetic means is a permanent magnet, preferably a neodymium magnet. In the case of another preferred embodiment of the magnetic pressing device according to the invention, the active magnetic pressing member and the passive magnetic pressing member are provided with different colour codes or other identifiers.

The objectives of the invention are further fulfilled by providing a kit that includes a plurality of different magnetic pressing devices of the kind described above.

In a preferred embodiment of the kit, the pressing members of the different magnetic pressing devices of the kit are interchangeable with each other.

The objectives of the invention are further fulfilled by a method for repairing damaged and deteriorated works of art, preferably paintings, which comprises at least the following steps: providing an area to be restored of a work of art, providing a magnetic pressing device that comprises two magnetic pressing members, placing one of the pressing members behind the area to be restored of the work of art, placing the other pressing member in a perpendicular direction on the area to be restored, pressing the area to be restored for a predetermined period of time utilising the surface pressure provided by the magnetic interaction arising between the pressing members, and removing the pressing members in a direction perpendicular to the area to be restored.

In a preferred way of carrying out the method according to the invention, the area to be restored of the work of art is arranged in a substantially vertical position.

A further preferred way of carrying out the method according to the invention comprises - prior to applying the pressing members - wetting the area to be restored with water or with an adhesive, and removing the pressing members only after the area has dried.

Compared with prior art methods and devices, the technical solutions according to the invention have the advantage that damage to the artworks, preferably paintings, can be repaired preferably on-site, in the original ornamental frame, in a short period of time, which greatly speeds up the preparation of the artworks for expositions, and reduces the risks of restoration operations.

Brief description of the drawings

The magnetic pressing device and method according to the invention will now be described referring to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1 illustrates a magnetic pressing device having a quadrangular press surface,

Fig. 2 illustrates a magnetic pressing device with a circular press surface,

Fig. 3 illustrates a magnetic pressing device with a circular press surface configured to include a removable insert,

Fig. 4 illustrates a small button-like magnetic pressing device, and

Fig. 5 illustrates a magnetic pressing device according to the invention in an implementation of the method according to the invention. Description of the technical solution

The magnetic pressing device according to the invention can be implemented in numerous different embodiments, and in each case (Fig. 1-4) comprises an active magnetic pressing member 1 and a passive magnetic pressing member 2 that can be joined together along their press surfaces 11 and 21, and, with the help of the force produced by the magnetic interaction arising between at least one active magnetic means 3 of the active magnetic pressing member 1 and a passive magnetic portion 4 of the passive magnetic pressing member 2, a surface pressure may be generated between the press surfaces 11 and 21.

In the case of the preferred embodiments, the active magnetic means 3 is a permanent magnet, preferably for example a neodymium magnet.

The passive magnetic portion 4 can be made of simple iron or steel sheet material, of a sheet formed of other magnetizable materials or alloys, or as a composite material formed of the finegrained powder or grinds thereof.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment comprising the active magnetic pressing member 1 and the passive magnetic pressing member 2, of which the press surfaces 11 and 21 are substantially quadrangular, preferably having a square or rectangular shape. The edges and corners of the press surfaces 11 and 21 are preferably rounded to a small extent to minimise the possibility of damaging the artwork during restoration. The amount of rounding, i.e., the rounding radius can be for example between 0.5 and 2 mm, but such embodiments are also conceivable wherein the rounding radius is multiple times that.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the active and passive magnetic pressing members 1 and 2 are each configured to include a respective transparent window portion 7, such that the user can monitor the pressing process on both sides of the artwork during the restoration operation. The window portion 7 is surrounded by a coloured, opaque frame portion 8 that has substantially identical material to the window portion 7, and in the case of the active magnetic pressing member 1 and the passive magnetic pressing member 2 comprises and conceals, respectively, a plurality of active magnetic means 3 and a passive magnetic portion 4 arranged in such a manner that it can be joined with the active magnetic means 3. The colouring of the frame portion 8 configured in such a manner may be applied for distinguishing the active magnetic pressing member 1 from the passive magnetic pressing member 2 such that the frame portion 8 receives a different colour, or the frame portion 8 can be provided with additional text or other markings indicating the maximum force of the magnetic portions 3.

For configuring the window portion 7 and the frame portion 8 the primary consideration is that the press surfaces 11 and 21 are formed continuously and uniformly, optionally from a single material, for example by casting, such that the surface pressure required for pressing can be provided along the surface to be restored in a uniform manner, along an uninterrupted flat surface. Such a solution for implementing the pressing member can also be conceived wherein the frame portion 8 and the window portion 7 are not formed separately but instead the entire pressing member is transparent; in such a case the active magnetic means 3 and the passive magnetic portion 4 are both visible. In another embodiment the pressing members may not be transparent.

The embodiment according to Fig. 1 further comprises handles 5 adapted for facilitating placement and removal. In the various embodiments the handles 5 can be fold-down or dismountable handles or can even be fixedly attached. In the figure a fold-down handle can be preferably seen.

Fig. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment, wherein the active magnetic pressing member 1 and the passive magnetic pressing member 2 have circular press surfaces 11 and 21. The edges of the press surfaces 11 and 21 are preferably rounded to a small extent to minimise the possibility of damaging the artwork during restoration.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the active magnetic pressing member 1 is configured to include a transparent window portion 7, such that the user can monitor it on one side of the artwork during the restoration operation. The window portion 7 is surrounded by a coloured, opaque frame portion 8 that has substantially identical material to the window portion 7, and in the case of the active magnetic pressing member 1 comprises and conceals a plurality of active magnetic means 3.

For configuring the window portion 7 and the frame portion 8 the primary consideration is that the press surface 11 is formed continuously and uniformly, optionally from a single material, such that the surface pressure required for pressing can be provided along the surface to be restored in a uniform manner, along an uninterrupted flat surface.

Preferably, in this embodiment the passive magnetic pressing member 2 may for example be configured to be opaque in its entirety, which allows the press surface 21 of the passive magnetic pressing member 2 to include a passive magnetic pressing portion 4 in its entirety, or to be implemented as a passive magnetic portion 4. The press surface 21 configured in such a manner can be of the same size or greater than the press surface 11.

A further exemplary embodiment, depicted in Fig. 3, comprises, in line with the solution set forth in Fig. 2, an active magnetic pressing member 1 having circular press surfaces 11 and 21, and a passive magnetic pressing member 2, wherein the press surface 21 of the passive magnetic pressing member 2 includes a passive magnetic pressing portion 4 in its entirety, or is implemented as a passive magnetic portion 4.

In such an embodiment, the press surface 21 of the passive magnetic pressing member 2 can be covered with a wettable layer, for example a cloth, felt, or paper material, or an additional element covered with cloth, felt or paper can be placed thereon.

In the case of such embodiments the configuration of the active pressing member 1 includes a preferably circular cutout, into which an additional pressing insert 6 can be separately inserted. The pressing insert 6 is made of a transparent material, and is provided with a handle 4, and with active magnetic means 3. The pressing insert 6 is preferably configured to have a transparent window portion 7, wherein the window portion 7 is surrounded by a coloured, opaque frame portion 8 that has substantially identical material to the window portion 7, and in the case of the active magnetic pressing member 1 comprises and conceals a plurality of active magnetic means 3.

The embodiment according to Fig. 3 preferably allows for performing other intermediate operations during artwork restoration, for example minor fixes, additional restoration, retouching, or other surface treatments.

Fig. 4 depicts another possible embodiment wherein a configuration is provided for treating smaller-sized surfaces. In such an embodiment the active magnetic pressing member 1 is formed of a press surface 11 that is essentially an active magnetic means 3 in itself, while the passive magnetic pressing member 2 can even be constituted by only a passive magnetic portion 4. The active and passive magnetic pressing members 1 and 2 can be of identical size or of different sizes, with either one or both of the pressing members 1 and 2 being provided with a handle 5 to allow removability. Such configurations are excellently suited for correcting minor damage.

The embodiments according to Figs. 1-4 have been presented as exemplary embodiments, i.e., features of the embodiments can be interchanged and combined with each other. In the case of certain embodiments, the press surfaces can be configured not only with the shapes depicted in the drawings, i.e., they may also have rhomboidal, trapezoidal, triangular, or other basic geometric shapes.

A number of magnetic pressing devices configured according to different embodiments of the device according to the invention can be arranged as a kit. The kit may preferably comprise one or all of the embodiments according to the figures, or perhaps other embodiments conforming to the disclosed features. Such a magnetic pressing device kit may comprise further means required for restoration work or for maintaining the magnetic pressing devices, as well as storage units and replacement or spare parts.

The invention further relates to a method wherein the magnetic device according to the invention, or other alternative prior art magnetic devices are applied for the restoration of artworks, preferably for example paintings.

Such a method is illustrated in Fig. 5, with a preferred way of carrying out the method comprising providing an area to be restored 200 of an artwork, and a magnetic pressing device 100 comprising two magnetic pressing members 1 and 2. One of the pressing members 2 is placed behind the area to be restored 200 of the artwork, while the other pressing member 1 is placed onto the area to be restored 200 in a perpendicular direction such that the area to be restored 200 is pressed for a predetermined period of time utilising the surface pressure provided by the magnetic interaction arising between the pressing members 1, 2, where the length of the pressing period depends on the material of the area to be restored 200 of the artwork, or on the protocol of the restoration process. Thereafter, the pressing members 1 and 2 are removed in a direction perpendicular to the area to be restored 200.

During the method, furthermore, the area to be restored 200 can be wetted applying an adhesive, simply water, or - with a suitably configured magnetic pressing device - utilising the press surface of the magnetic pressing device; in such a case, the predetermined pressing time is substantially identical to the drying time of the area to be restored or is longer than that.

Preferably, in the case of canvas or other fabric -like materials, the area to be restored 200 of the work of art is in a vertical position, and therefore the magnetic pressing device does not pull the material sideways (in a lateral direction), i.e., the material remains tight and has more favourable load-bearing characteristics.

However, in the case of artworks on wood, modern artworks on chipwood board, or wooden works of art being restored by carpenters, vertical orientation is not a requirement, i.e., the pressing method can be carried out and applied in any position.

The magnetic pressing device according to the invention and the kit formed thereof have the advantage that they provide a more lightweight, portable alternative of the prior art pressing devices, so smaller restoration operations can even be carried out on-site. When performed utilising such devices, the restoration process becomes quicker and safer.

List of reference numerals

1 - active magnetic pressing member

2 - passive magnetic pressing member 3 - active magnetic means

4 - passive magnetic portion

5 - handle

6 - pressing insert

7 - frame portion 8 - window portion

11 - press surface

21 - press surface

100 - magnetic pressing device

200 - area to be restored