CA1266370A - Apparatus and method for applying a fabric material to a frame - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for applying a fabric material to a frameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1266370A CA1266370A CA000523148A CA523148A CA1266370A CA 1266370 A CA1266370 A CA 1266370A CA 000523148 A CA000523148 A CA 000523148A CA 523148 A CA523148 A CA 523148A CA 1266370 A CA1266370 A CA 1266370A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- cord
- fabric
- displaceable
- side members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/04—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
- B23P19/047—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts for flexible profiles, e.g. sealing or decorating strips in grooves or on other profiles by devices moving along the flexible profile
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING
A FABRIC MATERIAL TO A FRAME
An apparatus and a method for applying a fabric material to a rectangular frame having a fabric retention groove along respective side members thereof. The apparatus comprises a support structure having a planar frame support which is comprised of two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members. One of the frame engaging members of each of the pairs is an adjustably displaceable member. Each frame engaging member has one or more gripping elements for holding respective ones of the side members of the frame along a substantially straight axis and actuable to release the side members. A jaw member is provided to position a predetermined length of the fabric material over the frame to overlie the fabric retention groove of the frame side members. A spline cord positioner is displaceable in alignment with the retention grooves for applying a spline cord in the grooves from above the fabric material to retain the material therein. A fabric cutting device is also displaceable across the fabric for severing same from a supply roll. The fabric may be a wire cloth screen fabric, a sheet of plastic or fiberglass material, a silk screen sheet, or the like fabrics which may require to be attached to such frames.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING
A FABRIC MATERIAL TO A FRAME
An apparatus and a method for applying a fabric material to a rectangular frame having a fabric retention groove along respective side members thereof. The apparatus comprises a support structure having a planar frame support which is comprised of two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members. One of the frame engaging members of each of the pairs is an adjustably displaceable member. Each frame engaging member has one or more gripping elements for holding respective ones of the side members of the frame along a substantially straight axis and actuable to release the side members. A jaw member is provided to position a predetermined length of the fabric material over the frame to overlie the fabric retention groove of the frame side members. A spline cord positioner is displaceable in alignment with the retention grooves for applying a spline cord in the grooves from above the fabric material to retain the material therein. A fabric cutting device is also displaceable across the fabric for severing same from a supply roll. The fabric may be a wire cloth screen fabric, a sheet of plastic or fiberglass material, a silk screen sheet, or the like fabrics which may require to be attached to such frames.
Description
37~
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and a method for applying a fabric material, preferbly but not exclusively a wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame having a fabric peripheral retention groove and securing the fabric material therein and wherein the apparatus is substantially entirely automatic.
Description of Prior Art It is known to apply a cloth material such as a screen material to a rectangular frame by the use of substantially automatic machinery as is disclosed, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,695,445. However, such methods and apparatus have not proven successful due to various reasons such as inoperability, malfunction, machine down time, high cost, bulky machinery, and particu-larly slow operation. Also, with the above referenced patent, it is necessary to cut sheets of the screening material with precise dimensions, and if such sheets are not oriented perfectly over the retention frame, then an improper assembly results. Also, if the sheet material sags or has a ripple therein, then it will not be secured entirely along the retention groove of the frame.
U.S. Patent 2,753,897 teaches a further method of assembling a screening material to a rectangular frame, and again in this method the fabric material is cut into sheets and secured to the frame in a die wherein the sp~ine cord is pushed into the retention groove of the frame by a single piston action. Such a machine is very labor inten-sive as it requires personnel to position the spline cord, : ::
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and a method for applying a fabric material, preferbly but not exclusively a wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame having a fabric peripheral retention groove and securing the fabric material therein and wherein the apparatus is substantially entirely automatic.
Description of Prior Art It is known to apply a cloth material such as a screen material to a rectangular frame by the use of substantially automatic machinery as is disclosed, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,695,445. However, such methods and apparatus have not proven successful due to various reasons such as inoperability, malfunction, machine down time, high cost, bulky machinery, and particu-larly slow operation. Also, with the above referenced patent, it is necessary to cut sheets of the screening material with precise dimensions, and if such sheets are not oriented perfectly over the retention frame, then an improper assembly results. Also, if the sheet material sags or has a ripple therein, then it will not be secured entirely along the retention groove of the frame.
U.S. Patent 2,753,897 teaches a further method of assembling a screening material to a rectangular frame, and again in this method the fabric material is cut into sheets and secured to the frame in a die wherein the sp~ine cord is pushed into the retention groove of the frame by a single piston action. Such a machine is very labor inten-sive as it requires personnel to position the spline cord, : ::
-2- ~ ~
-: :,. , :, .
i3~
the screening sheet and the frame into the die and then actuate the die and remove the screen frame. It is also necessary to ensure that the screen is entirely flat in the die cavity and free of ripples. This method is also time consuming and not commercially feasible.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for securing a fabric material to a rectangular frame and which substan-tially overcornes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provlde a method and apparatus for securing a wire or iberglass cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the apparatus is substantially all automatic and fast to execute.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the fabrlc is fed to the frame from a continuous roll and severed only after the spline cord is applied in the retention groove of the frame.
Another feature of the present invention is to :
provide an adjustment means to assure for the parallelism of the frame members prior to the application of the cloth.
; Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the frame corner connections ~are posltioned to their final closed i3~7~
position with the frame being squared off by the machine prior to the application of the wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric thereto.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the spline cord is positioned by a positioner device which is displaced entirely along the retention groove of the frame and which simultaneously cuts the wire cloth as it applies the spline cord, and wherein the speed of the applicator is in the range of
-: :,. , :, .
i3~
the screening sheet and the frame into the die and then actuate the die and remove the screen frame. It is also necessary to ensure that the screen is entirely flat in the die cavity and free of ripples. This method is also time consuming and not commercially feasible.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for securing a fabric material to a rectangular frame and which substan-tially overcornes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provlde a method and apparatus for securing a wire or iberglass cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the apparatus is substantially all automatic and fast to execute.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the fabrlc is fed to the frame from a continuous roll and severed only after the spline cord is applied in the retention groove of the frame.
Another feature of the present invention is to :
provide an adjustment means to assure for the parallelism of the frame members prior to the application of the cloth.
; Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the frame corner connections ~are posltioned to their final closed i3~7~
position with the frame being squared off by the machine prior to the application of the wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric thereto.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame and wherein the spline cord is positioned by a positioner device which is displaced entirely along the retention groove of the frame and which simultaneously cuts the wire cloth as it applies the spline cord, and wherein the speed of the applicator is in the range of
3 to 4 feet per second.
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame wherein there is provided an automatic control device for effecting the entire assembly of the wire or fiberglass cloth to the rectangular frame while taking count of the number of frames assembled and the size of the frames.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for applying a fabric material to a rectangular frame having~a~fabric retention groove along respective side members thereof. The apparatus comprises a frame support struc-ture having a planar frame support surface which is comprised of two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members. One of the frame engaging members of each of the pairs is an adjustably displaceable frame. Each frame engaging member is further provided with gripping means for cla~ping a .x;
.. ~
, ~ :
~2~3'7~3 respective one of the side members of the frame along a substan-tially straight axis when actuated to a gripping posi-tion and for releasing the side members when actuated to a release position. The other ones of the frame engaging members of each of the said pairs are stationary and provided with displaceable bars to apply clamping pressure on the side members of the frame to ensure proper corner connections. An adjacent end of the displaceable bars is spaced from one another and pivotally connected on a flat support plate. The support plate exceeds a straight frame abutting edge of the other ones of the frame engaging members to constitute a frame support surface. The frame abutting edge extends at right angle to the frame support surface. Fabric positioning means is provided for positio~ing a predetermined length of the fabric material over the frame to overlie the fabric retention groove of the frame side members. A spline cord positioner is displaceable in alignment with the retention grooves for applying a spline cord in the grooves from above the fabric material to retain the material in the grooves. Cutting means is further provided for severing the fabric material from the frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a fabric material in a retention groove disposed circumferentially about a rectangular frame by applying a spline cord in the groove with a fabric portion being disposed therein. The method comprises storing data in an electronic controller means with data pertaining to ~2~63~0 the dimensions of a rectangular frame. A frame support structure having four frame engaging members is automatically displaced to a frame receiving position. The frame is then disposed on the frame support structure.
At least two frame engaging members of the frame support s-tructure are then moved to position side members of the frame to a desired configuration. The side members are gripped by gripping means -to maintain the side members along respective straight transverse axes. A predetermined length of the fabric material is then positioned over the frame to overlie the retention groove in the side members. Engaging means is then displaced to engage a leading edge portion of the fabric adjacent dispensing pincer rolls. A retracting force is applied to the engaging means whereby dispensing a predetermined length of fabric by controlling the revolutions of the pincer rolls. The spline cord positioner is displaced to a predetermined position on one of the side members of the frame. A
spline cord is then disposed in the groove by displacing the positioner along the entire length of the grooves in the side members while forcing the spline cord in the groove over a portion of fabric.
Simultaneously the fabric is trlmmed adjacent the spline c~ord which is positioned in the groove. The spline cord is then severed and the fabric is cut to disconnect same from a supply of fabrlc. The frame is then disconnected from the frame support structure.
.. ~.
3~C~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the example thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a simplified top view of the apparatus showing parts thereof in schematic form;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the elements constituting the frame engaging members;
FIGURE 3A is a section view of a stationary frame engaging member;
FIGURE 3B is a simplified side view showing the construction of the gripping means;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top view of the corner intersection of the stationary frame engaging members illustrating the construction of the displaceable bars and ejectors;
FIGURE 5 is a side view of the jaw member ~ constituting the fabric positioning means;
; : FIGURE 6 is a simplified perspective view showing the construction of the spline cord positioner and its bri.dge bar;
~; FIGURE 7 is a simplified fragmented section view showing the construction of the cord applicator :head and its posltion relative to the retention groove of a frame member :~ : :
: :
- 6a -~' .. ' .: :, . :~
3~
FIGURE 8 is a section view showing the spring coupling between the inner and outer cylinders of the cord applicator head of Figure 7;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic view showing the dispIacement of the cord applicator head along a corner portion of a rectangular frame;
FIGURE 10 is a schematic perpective view of the spline cord accumulator mechanism;
FIGURE 11 is a side view of the screen mesh cutting device;
FIGURE 12 ls a schematic view showing a supply roll of screen fabric material and its relationship with respect to the pincer drive rolls and the jaw bar fabric positioner;
FIGURE 13 is a simplified schematic view illus-trating a turret frame supply device; and FIGURES 14A and 14B are fragmented top views showing two different types of corner connectors for screen supporting rectangular frames.
DESCRIPTION-OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and more particu-larly to Figure 1, there is shown the fabric applying apparatus 10 of the present invention for securing a fabric material 11, herein a wire cloth screen fabric, to a rectangular frame 12. The rectangular frame 12 is constructed of four side members with the pair of side frame members 13 being disposed parallel to one another and the end pair of transverse side members 14 also disposed 37~
parallel to one another.Each of the side members 13 and 14 are connec-ted at their corners by corner connectors 15 and 15' respectively, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B.
The frame 12 is disposed on a planar frame support surface which is comprised by two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members 16-19. The frame engaging members consist of two adjustably displaceable frames 16 and 17 and two stationary frames 18 and 19. These frame engaging members 16-19 retain the pair of rectangular frame side members 13 and 14 in a squared off position prior to the applica-tion of the wire cloth material 11 thereover.
Disposed o~er the Erame engaging members 16~19 is an elongated jaw bar member 20 which is displaceable to a "pick up" position ad~acent the end beam structure 21 of the support structure 9 where the jaw bar member 20 will engage a leading edge 11' (see Figures S and 12) of the wire cloth screen fabric 11 and pull same over the frame side members 13 and 14 so that the fabric material overlies the retention grooves 13' and 14' of the pairs of side members 13 and 14.
A spline cord 22 feeds a positioner device 23 which is secured and displaceable along a displaceable bridge bar 24 whereby to apply the spline cord 22 in the grooves 13' and 14' of the side:members 13 and 14 and over the fabric material 11 positioned across the frame, whereby to retain the fabric material 11 captive within the grooves 13' and 14'. As the spline cord 22 is applied within the grooves, a trimming knife 25 (see Figure 7) associated with the positioner 23 severs the screen within the grooves of the frame side members 13 and 14. At a predetermined position along the circumferential groove of the frame, ~2~i~3~C~
the spline cord 22 is severed and the positioner terminates its cord application path. Thereafter, the positioner head 23 (see Figure 6) is disengaged from the frame and the bridge bar 24 is moved to the forward end position 26 of the support structure where a trimming device 27 attached to bridge 17 ~see Figure 6) engages the screen material and cuts it along a straight line as the bridge bar 24 is retracted as required across the support structure to a rearward end position toward 28. The pincer rolls 29' (see Flgure 12) then retract the fabric to posi-tion the leading edye 11' of the screen fabric to a receiving position for the jaw member to engage in the next cycle.
As shown in Figure 1, an electronic controller module 29 is also provided and has a display screen 30 for displaying various stored informa-tion in the me~ory of the control device. Keyboards 30l are also provided to enter information within the control module 29. This module also controls various circuits and swltches in the control panel 31 to effect the automatic control of the various parts of the machine~ mounted on the support structure 9. For example, the module 29 w~ll store data relating to the dimensions o-f the rectangular :frames, the quantity of the frames to be assembled, the length of spline cord 22 remalning in~ its storage spool, the length of wire cloth screen also remaining in it supply spool, etc.
As also shown in Figure 1, an accumulator device 32 is also`provided to accumulate and dispense spline cord 22 to the positioner 23. The construction and operation of this device will be descrlbed in detail later.
.....
._~.0, , i37~
Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, and 14A and 14B, there is shown the construction of the Erame engaging members 16, 17, 18 and 19. Each opposed pair of these members has a displaceable member and a stationary member with members 16 and 17 being displaceable, and members 18 and 19 being stationary. The stationary members 18 and 19 are each provided with displaceable flat bars 33 and 34 to apply clamping pressure on the frame side members to ensure proper corner connections. The adjacent ends 33' and 34' of these bars are spaced apart from one another a predeter-mined distance and pivotally connected at a pivot connec-tion 33" and 34" to flat support bars 18' and 19'. The flat support bars extend beyond a straight vertical abutting edge 35 of each of the plates 33 and 34 to consti-tute a frame abutting edge surface which extends at right angles with the top surface of the support bar 18' and 19'.
When the frame side member is positioned on the top surface of the bar 18' adjacent the abutting edge 35 and the displaceable frame members 16 and 17 have all moved into position to close the frame side members at their corner connections, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B, these dlspl~aceable bars 33 and 34 will move inwardly in the direction of arrows 36 whereby to ensure that all the corner connectors 15~and 15' are properly secured.
The adjustably displaceable frame member 17 is constituted by a flat bar member 38: having a flat support surface and a right angle rear plate 39 spaced rearwardly of the forward edge of the flat support bar 38. ~his displaceable frame member 17 is interconnected at opposed ends thereof on a support guide block 37 which is secured to a respective one of opposed parallel guide rods 40 and ~ -10-,: , 3'7~
displaced thereon by drive means in the form of a link belt41 driven by suitable motor means ~not shown). The link belt provides accurate parallel displacement of the dis-placeable frame member 17 with respect to the stationary frame member l9.
The other adjustably displaceable frame 16 is constituted by a plurality of frame retention blocks 42 which are axially displaceably mounted on the bridge arm 43 whereby to move closer or further away from one another by means of an accordion link connector 44. This connector comprises a plurality of pivotally connected bars 45 arranged in a criss-cross manner, as is well in the art.
The accordion connector 44 is also connected to -the other adjustably displaceable frame 17 which moves at right angles to the straight bridge arm 43, and by doing so displaces the retention blocks 42 toward or away from each other as the frame 17 is displaced. Each of these blocks 42 has a frame support surface 46 and a straight frame abutting edge 47 extending at right angles to the surface 46.
The straight bridge arm 43 is also secured at opposed ends thereof to a respective one of opposed guide :
rods 48 which are~ secured parallel to one another ln channel members~9' of the support structure 9. The arm 43 is dlsplaceable on these guide rods 48 by drive means which is also constituted by a pair of link belts 49 driven by motor means (not shown) whereby to~displace the bridge arm 43 and the blocks 42 in parallel relationship with respect to the stationary frame engaging member 18.
~:
637~
In operation, the adjustable frame members 16 and 17 are moved to a frame receiving position which is deter-mined by the data supplied in the control module 29 and an opera-tor places a preassembled frame in the condition, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B, wherein the side members 13 and 14 are not fully engaged with their connectors 15.
This last assembling step is made by the machine as soon as the operator depresses pedal 50 after the frame is posi-tioned on the support surfaces of the stationary and displaceable frame members 16-19. The displaceable frame members then advance to effect a corner closure of the partially assembled corner connectors 15 of the frame.
When the displaceable frame members 16 and 17 are displaced, the side members 13 and 14 will move in the direction of arrows 51, as shown in Figure 14A. Figure 14B
shows a different corner connectors wherein the ends of the side meMbers 13 and 14 are squared and the channel por-tions 13' and 14' are cut at 45 degrees to form an abutment end and a continuous channel in the corner section of the frame. The connector 15' is herein shown as an injection molded plastic corner piece with a square corner portion 15" thereof being exposed.
After the frame is rigidly squared off and retained by the frame engaging members, a gripping means, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, in the form of an ~abutting nk finger 52 is moved to an engaglng clamping position as shown in ~igure 3 with the frame side member 15 being clamped between the abutting straight edge 35 and the finger element 52 whereby to clamp the side member to maintain it along a straight axis guided by the abutting straight edge 35. Accordingly, all of the side members of ,~,"~,., -~ .
., , : .. , 37~
the frame are retained rigidly along straight transverse axes. The gripping means is a chain link 53 disposed about a drive sprocket 54 and an idle sprocket 55 whereby to position the link finger 52 against the frame member 12.
The finger 52 is retracted under the flat support base 18' when in a nonclamping position. As shown in Figure 2, such gripping fingers 52 are located at predetermined locations under the inner edge of the displaceable and stationary frame engaging members. The gripping means will be acti-vated only where a frame will be positioned.
Referring to Figures 2 and 4, there is also shown the provision of ejector pins 56 mounted in the stationary and displaceable frame engaging members. These ejector pins are located in a slot cavity (not shown) under the flat support surfaces 33, 34, 39 and 47 of the stationary and displaceable frame members and are movable outwardly along an arc, such as 57 in Figure 4, about a pivot connec-tion 58. Only a single ejector 56 is provided on the accordion blocks 42. However, these are provided in a spaced apart manner along the other frame members to ensure that an ejector is present when small or large frames are . .
assembled. For this reason, the ejector pins 56 are located close to the corner pivot connection of the bars 33 and 34 and also close to the end of the bar 17. These ejector ~ :
pins assure that the frame is released from the stationary and displaceable frame engaging members for the release of the frame in the area 59 between these members and onto a conveyor belt 60 displaceably movable thereunder, whereby to eject the frame and the screen excess clippings after an assembly cycle.
r/ -13-- : , , , -376:~
After the frame side members are rigidly held and positioned and aligned by its planar frame support members, the plane of which is depicted by numeral 61 in Figure 6, the elongated jaw bar member 20 (see Figures 1, 5 and 12) moves to its "pick up" position, as shown in Figure 12, where the jaws are opened to receive the leading edge o~
the screen material 11 and closed to engage the leading edge portion 11' of the screen material 11. As shown in Figure 5, the jaw member comprises a lower stationary jaw member 62 and a pivoted -top jaw member 63 interconnected by a hinge member 6~. A chamber 65 is defined between both members adjacent the hinge member 64 and an in:Elatable -tube 66 is disposed longitudinally in this chamber 65. By inflating the tube 65 the pivoted jaw member 63 is caused to move to its position as shown at 63', and namely its closed position. When the tube 65 is deflated, the pivoted jaw member 63 rises to its open position, as shown at 63", due to the counter weight in the rear portion 66 thereof being heavier than the front portion forwardly of the hinge pin 67. As soon as the jaw is closed to retain the leading edge 11' of the materialj the pincer rolls 29 are then driven by a drive servo motor 68 which is interconnected by a link belt 69 whereby to release a predetermined amount of screen material frorn the roll 70 of material contained in the bin 71. At the same time as the motor 68 is actuated, a piston means applies a re-tracting force 72, to the elongated jaw bar member 20 whereby to pull the fabric 11 and maintain it taut but unstretched, whereby to prevent sagging and rippling therein. As soon as the proper length of fabric is released by the pincer rolls, the pressure in the cylinder (not shown~ pushing the jaw member is released .~ . .l .,, :
.
~637~
and the screen material 11 is positioned to overlap at least the retention grooves of the side members 13 and 14 of the frame. The spline cord positioner 23 and its associated bridge bar 24 then moves into position over the retention groove of the outermost side member, and that is the one secured to the displaceable frame engaging member 17. Preferably, but not exclusively, this position is at a predetermined location along one of the side members and not in the corners of the frame whereby to provide more rigldity in the corner by eliminating a spline joint at that position.
Referring now more specifically to Figures 6 to 9, there will be described the construction of the spline cord positioner 23. As herein shown, the positioner is provided on a displaceable carriage 72 which is secured to a guide rail 73' attached to the bridge bar 24. The posi-tioner 23 has an applicator head 73, a cord guide tube 74, and cord severing means 75 associated with the cord guide tube. As shown in Figure 7, a trimming blade element 25 is also associated with the cord applicator head 73 for severing the screen fabric 11 in the groove of the frame side members ad~acent the cord 22 positioned therein.
As shown in Figure 7, the cord appllcator head comprises a vertically displaceable support cylinder 74 supporting a cord positioning wheel 77 on an axle 77' at a lower end thereof. A guide channel 78 locates the spline cord 22 under the wheel 77. A drive wheel 114 holds and advances the cord 22 in the cylinder 74. An outer cyllnder 79 is axially rotatable independently of the inner cylinder and connected to the inner cylinder 74, at its top periphery by a torsion spring 80 whereby tO position the . ~., ~,, . ~
.", ! ,.
~, ;37~ :
cutting edge 25' of the trimming element 25 at a predeter-mined location behind the wheel 77 whereby to sever the screen material 11 in the groove 14' of the frame member 14. The torsion spring 80 also applies pressure on the cutting edge and permits the blade cutting edge 25' to be displaced around the corner portions of the frame, such as shown at 81 in Figure 9, and along the arc 82 as shown in Figure 8, whereby the blade reassumes its normal blased position with respect to the planar axis of the wheel 77.
This spring connection 80 is inside the housing 76.
It is po.inted out -that when the wheel reaches the corner position of a frame, the control module 29 has this information in memory and automatically causes the inner cylinder 74 to retract or move upwardly within the outer cylinder 79 to lift the wheel by means of the friction coupling of a top extension portion of the inner cylinder 74 which is in friction coupling with a drive wheel 84 which is operated to move the inner cylinder upwardly or downwardly. The wheel 77 is then rotated by rotating the inner cylinder 74 which is coupled to motor 83 by a link belt 85. After the wheel 77 has been oriented at a right angle:it is -then lowered in the right angle groove 14' of the adjacent frame side member 14. As soon as the wheel proceeds from the corner position, the torsion spring 30 has been wound a quarter turn and wiI1 move the cutting edge ~25 of the blade along the arc 82 as :soon as the positioner advances whereby to sever the screen material in the corner portion and reassume its normal position, as shown in Figure 8.
. ~
i3~
The upper portion of the inner cylinder 74 also constitutes a guide for the spline cord 22 as shown in Figure 6. Preferably, but not exclusively, the spline cord 22 is also suspended centrally over the frame by a pulley 87 whereby to have minimum distortion and drag on the spline cord. Before the cord applicator head 73 reaches its initial starting position along the side frame member during a spline application cycle, at a predetermined distance from this position, the extension portion of the inner cylinder has reassumed its initial axial position. An opening or sli-t 88 in the cylinder 74 is aligned with a cutting blade 89 which is act~lated in and out of the opening 88 by an air cylinder (actuator) 90 whereby to sever the cord, at a predetermined length whereby the free end of the cord will terminate very close to the starting end of the cord within the retention groove of the frame.
After the cord application cycle is terminated, a displace-able connector block 91 is commanded to move upwardly to displace the cord applicator head 73 from the frame to permit the frame and the screen material secured thereto to be released. It is pointed out that the spline cord is applied at a speed of 3 to 4 feet per second and that total assembly time of a frame, of approxlmately 2 feet by 3 feet, would take approximately 20 seconds. Also, the spline cord is applied about the frame with the ends of the spline cord lying within a tolerance of 1/8 of an inch from each other.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 6 and 11, there will be described the operation and construction of the cutting device 27. After the spline cord positioner 23 has lifted, the bridge bar 24 advances in the direction 1;26~3'7~
of arrow 92 to a screen fabric trimming position. At that stage of the assembly, the jaw bar 20 still engages the fabric leading edge and side sections of the fabric, which have not been cut remain taut with the pincer rolls 29.
The bridge bar is displaceable on a pair of opposed guide rods 93 through a support coupling 94 at opposed ends of the bridge bar. The displacement of the carriage 72 is effected by a link belt 95 which is driven by a motor 96 and all controlled by the control module 29. The cutting device 27 is also secured to a carriage 97 displaceable on the guide rod 93 at the feed end of the fabric and is displaceable relative to the bridge bar 24. A vertically displaceable coupling 98 is actuable whereby to move the cutting device 27 along a vertical axis whereby the trim-ming device may be positioned to receive the side edge of the fabric material.
As shown in Figure ll the cutting device comprises a cutting wheel 99 secured to a displaceable support lO0. A guide plate lOl positions a free edge portion ll' of the fabric ll elevated from the upper surface 33' of the movable bar 33 and locates the screen material on the guide plate and under the cutting wheel 99 whereby to sever same. By retracting the bridge bar 24 the cutting device is also retracted and the wheel 99 cuts the ~screen entirely across its width. Thereafter, the bridge bar retracts a predetermined distance, in this partlcular case 3 inches, and the ejectors 56 are actuated to make sure that the frame side members are released from their frame engaging members. The frame engaging member 16 having the blocks 42 is then retracted and the assembled frame and screen clippings ~all on the lower conveyor 60.
~2Çi~3'7~
As previously described, the spline cord posi-tioner opera-tes very quickly and therefore minimum drag and resistance in the spline cord is desired. For this purpose, there is provided a cord accumulator 102, as shown in Figure 10. The cord accumulator permits a predetermined length of spline cord 22 to be applied by the positioner device 23 without having to dispense the spline cord from a storage spool 103 where considerable resistance to pulling would be present due to friction and the weight o the roll. The cord accumulator 102 comprises a pair o spaced apart guide rolls, herein a lower vertically displaceable roll 104 and a stationary upper roll 105. The lower roll 104 is vertically displaceable along a guide track 106 secured to the vertical side members 9" of the support structure 9. As herein shown, there are various loops of spline cord 22 wound about these rolls, and the number of these loops is calculated to provide an ample storage length of the cord to permit the positioner to apply the spline cord without the need o~ pulling or having to simultaneously dispense cord from the storage spool 103.
As soon as the cord begins to be dispensed by the posi-tioner 23, the lower roll 104 moves upwardly along its guide track 106 and the spline cord is dispensed quickly with minimum resistance.
As soon as the positioner is lifted from the frame~ member, a~ter t~he application cycle of the spline cord is terminated, a cord dispensing drive device 107 is actuated to rotate its drive wheels 108 which dispense a predetermlned quantlty spline cord 22. As the spline cord is dispensed, the weight o the lower roll 104 (which is ~airly light) causes the roll to move downward and to store , - :
7~
the spline cord about both rolls. As soon as the lower roll has reached a prede-termined lower position, a stop switch 109 is activated by the roll support whereby to stop the dispensing drive device 102. A further switch 110 is located below the stop switch 109 and this switch is activated should the spline cord 22 be accidentally released from ~he cord positioner 23, or for any other reason, break. Once the lower spool 104 touches the switch 110, the operation of the device stops and an alarm is actuated. A foot pedal 111 is also provided for threading the spline cord 22 through the cord dispensing drive wheels 108 when a new spool 103 is positioned on the spool support shaft 112: A length of spline cord is threaded about the rolls 104 and 105, the gulde pulley 113, and the suspension pulley 87, and back into the positioner 23. The spline cord is prevented from being withdrawn by the cord engaging drive wheel 114 associated with the cylinder 74.
Referring now to Figure 13, there is illustrated a modification of the supply end of the machine and wherein a plurality of rolls 70 of screen fabric may be supported on a turret frame 115 about a support shaft 116 whereby to selectively position a predetermined one of the rolls 70 for supplylng the pincer rolls 29. These various rolls 70 may, for instance, be of varying widths or be of the same widths but arranged on this turret frame for ~uick connec-tion to the machine to provide minimum machine down time in interchanging fabric rolls. It is also within the ambit of the present invention to provide different types of fabric such as for the fabrication of silk screens ox even provide plastic film materials, such as polyethylene to assemble plastic insulation frames. The material could also be , : ;, : :
.
applied to bo-th sides of the frames by providing a frame with opposed grooves, and not necessarily aligned. The assembled frame, with one sheet secured thereto, may be repositioned in reverse onto the frame engaging members for the application of the second sheet on the opposed side of the frame. All that is necessary to do to effect such an operation is to program this information into the control module 29 and the machine will automatically adjust for a different location of the retention groove and length of spline cord.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any other obvious modifications of the preEerred embodiment described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
:
~ :
. . . .
It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for securing a wire cloth screen fabric to a rectangular frame wherein there is provided an automatic control device for effecting the entire assembly of the wire or fiberglass cloth to the rectangular frame while taking count of the number of frames assembled and the size of the frames.
According to the above features, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for applying a fabric material to a rectangular frame having~a~fabric retention groove along respective side members thereof. The apparatus comprises a frame support struc-ture having a planar frame support surface which is comprised of two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members. One of the frame engaging members of each of the pairs is an adjustably displaceable frame. Each frame engaging member is further provided with gripping means for cla~ping a .x;
.. ~
, ~ :
~2~3'7~3 respective one of the side members of the frame along a substan-tially straight axis when actuated to a gripping posi-tion and for releasing the side members when actuated to a release position. The other ones of the frame engaging members of each of the said pairs are stationary and provided with displaceable bars to apply clamping pressure on the side members of the frame to ensure proper corner connections. An adjacent end of the displaceable bars is spaced from one another and pivotally connected on a flat support plate. The support plate exceeds a straight frame abutting edge of the other ones of the frame engaging members to constitute a frame support surface. The frame abutting edge extends at right angle to the frame support surface. Fabric positioning means is provided for positio~ing a predetermined length of the fabric material over the frame to overlie the fabric retention groove of the frame side members. A spline cord positioner is displaceable in alignment with the retention grooves for applying a spline cord in the grooves from above the fabric material to retain the material in the grooves. Cutting means is further provided for severing the fabric material from the frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a fabric material in a retention groove disposed circumferentially about a rectangular frame by applying a spline cord in the groove with a fabric portion being disposed therein. The method comprises storing data in an electronic controller means with data pertaining to ~2~63~0 the dimensions of a rectangular frame. A frame support structure having four frame engaging members is automatically displaced to a frame receiving position. The frame is then disposed on the frame support structure.
At least two frame engaging members of the frame support s-tructure are then moved to position side members of the frame to a desired configuration. The side members are gripped by gripping means -to maintain the side members along respective straight transverse axes. A predetermined length of the fabric material is then positioned over the frame to overlie the retention groove in the side members. Engaging means is then displaced to engage a leading edge portion of the fabric adjacent dispensing pincer rolls. A retracting force is applied to the engaging means whereby dispensing a predetermined length of fabric by controlling the revolutions of the pincer rolls. The spline cord positioner is displaced to a predetermined position on one of the side members of the frame. A
spline cord is then disposed in the groove by displacing the positioner along the entire length of the grooves in the side members while forcing the spline cord in the groove over a portion of fabric.
Simultaneously the fabric is trlmmed adjacent the spline c~ord which is positioned in the groove. The spline cord is then severed and the fabric is cut to disconnect same from a supply of fabrlc. The frame is then disconnected from the frame support structure.
.. ~.
3~C~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the example thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a simplified top view of the apparatus showing parts thereof in schematic form;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the elements constituting the frame engaging members;
FIGURE 3A is a section view of a stationary frame engaging member;
FIGURE 3B is a simplified side view showing the construction of the gripping means;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top view of the corner intersection of the stationary frame engaging members illustrating the construction of the displaceable bars and ejectors;
FIGURE 5 is a side view of the jaw member ~ constituting the fabric positioning means;
; : FIGURE 6 is a simplified perspective view showing the construction of the spline cord positioner and its bri.dge bar;
~; FIGURE 7 is a simplified fragmented section view showing the construction of the cord applicator :head and its posltion relative to the retention groove of a frame member :~ : :
: :
- 6a -~' .. ' .: :, . :~
3~
FIGURE 8 is a section view showing the spring coupling between the inner and outer cylinders of the cord applicator head of Figure 7;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic view showing the dispIacement of the cord applicator head along a corner portion of a rectangular frame;
FIGURE 10 is a schematic perpective view of the spline cord accumulator mechanism;
FIGURE 11 is a side view of the screen mesh cutting device;
FIGURE 12 ls a schematic view showing a supply roll of screen fabric material and its relationship with respect to the pincer drive rolls and the jaw bar fabric positioner;
FIGURE 13 is a simplified schematic view illus-trating a turret frame supply device; and FIGURES 14A and 14B are fragmented top views showing two different types of corner connectors for screen supporting rectangular frames.
DESCRIPTION-OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and more particu-larly to Figure 1, there is shown the fabric applying apparatus 10 of the present invention for securing a fabric material 11, herein a wire cloth screen fabric, to a rectangular frame 12. The rectangular frame 12 is constructed of four side members with the pair of side frame members 13 being disposed parallel to one another and the end pair of transverse side members 14 also disposed 37~
parallel to one another.Each of the side members 13 and 14 are connec-ted at their corners by corner connectors 15 and 15' respectively, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B.
The frame 12 is disposed on a planar frame support surface which is comprised by two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members 16-19. The frame engaging members consist of two adjustably displaceable frames 16 and 17 and two stationary frames 18 and 19. These frame engaging members 16-19 retain the pair of rectangular frame side members 13 and 14 in a squared off position prior to the applica-tion of the wire cloth material 11 thereover.
Disposed o~er the Erame engaging members 16~19 is an elongated jaw bar member 20 which is displaceable to a "pick up" position ad~acent the end beam structure 21 of the support structure 9 where the jaw bar member 20 will engage a leading edge 11' (see Figures S and 12) of the wire cloth screen fabric 11 and pull same over the frame side members 13 and 14 so that the fabric material overlies the retention grooves 13' and 14' of the pairs of side members 13 and 14.
A spline cord 22 feeds a positioner device 23 which is secured and displaceable along a displaceable bridge bar 24 whereby to apply the spline cord 22 in the grooves 13' and 14' of the side:members 13 and 14 and over the fabric material 11 positioned across the frame, whereby to retain the fabric material 11 captive within the grooves 13' and 14'. As the spline cord 22 is applied within the grooves, a trimming knife 25 (see Figure 7) associated with the positioner 23 severs the screen within the grooves of the frame side members 13 and 14. At a predetermined position along the circumferential groove of the frame, ~2~i~3~C~
the spline cord 22 is severed and the positioner terminates its cord application path. Thereafter, the positioner head 23 (see Figure 6) is disengaged from the frame and the bridge bar 24 is moved to the forward end position 26 of the support structure where a trimming device 27 attached to bridge 17 ~see Figure 6) engages the screen material and cuts it along a straight line as the bridge bar 24 is retracted as required across the support structure to a rearward end position toward 28. The pincer rolls 29' (see Flgure 12) then retract the fabric to posi-tion the leading edye 11' of the screen fabric to a receiving position for the jaw member to engage in the next cycle.
As shown in Figure 1, an electronic controller module 29 is also provided and has a display screen 30 for displaying various stored informa-tion in the me~ory of the control device. Keyboards 30l are also provided to enter information within the control module 29. This module also controls various circuits and swltches in the control panel 31 to effect the automatic control of the various parts of the machine~ mounted on the support structure 9. For example, the module 29 w~ll store data relating to the dimensions o-f the rectangular :frames, the quantity of the frames to be assembled, the length of spline cord 22 remalning in~ its storage spool, the length of wire cloth screen also remaining in it supply spool, etc.
As also shown in Figure 1, an accumulator device 32 is also`provided to accumulate and dispense spline cord 22 to the positioner 23. The construction and operation of this device will be descrlbed in detail later.
.....
._~.0, , i37~
Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, and 14A and 14B, there is shown the construction of the Erame engaging members 16, 17, 18 and 19. Each opposed pair of these members has a displaceable member and a stationary member with members 16 and 17 being displaceable, and members 18 and 19 being stationary. The stationary members 18 and 19 are each provided with displaceable flat bars 33 and 34 to apply clamping pressure on the frame side members to ensure proper corner connections. The adjacent ends 33' and 34' of these bars are spaced apart from one another a predeter-mined distance and pivotally connected at a pivot connec-tion 33" and 34" to flat support bars 18' and 19'. The flat support bars extend beyond a straight vertical abutting edge 35 of each of the plates 33 and 34 to consti-tute a frame abutting edge surface which extends at right angles with the top surface of the support bar 18' and 19'.
When the frame side member is positioned on the top surface of the bar 18' adjacent the abutting edge 35 and the displaceable frame members 16 and 17 have all moved into position to close the frame side members at their corner connections, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B, these dlspl~aceable bars 33 and 34 will move inwardly in the direction of arrows 36 whereby to ensure that all the corner connectors 15~and 15' are properly secured.
The adjustably displaceable frame member 17 is constituted by a flat bar member 38: having a flat support surface and a right angle rear plate 39 spaced rearwardly of the forward edge of the flat support bar 38. ~his displaceable frame member 17 is interconnected at opposed ends thereof on a support guide block 37 which is secured to a respective one of opposed parallel guide rods 40 and ~ -10-,: , 3'7~
displaced thereon by drive means in the form of a link belt41 driven by suitable motor means ~not shown). The link belt provides accurate parallel displacement of the dis-placeable frame member 17 with respect to the stationary frame member l9.
The other adjustably displaceable frame 16 is constituted by a plurality of frame retention blocks 42 which are axially displaceably mounted on the bridge arm 43 whereby to move closer or further away from one another by means of an accordion link connector 44. This connector comprises a plurality of pivotally connected bars 45 arranged in a criss-cross manner, as is well in the art.
The accordion connector 44 is also connected to -the other adjustably displaceable frame 17 which moves at right angles to the straight bridge arm 43, and by doing so displaces the retention blocks 42 toward or away from each other as the frame 17 is displaced. Each of these blocks 42 has a frame support surface 46 and a straight frame abutting edge 47 extending at right angles to the surface 46.
The straight bridge arm 43 is also secured at opposed ends thereof to a respective one of opposed guide :
rods 48 which are~ secured parallel to one another ln channel members~9' of the support structure 9. The arm 43 is dlsplaceable on these guide rods 48 by drive means which is also constituted by a pair of link belts 49 driven by motor means (not shown) whereby to~displace the bridge arm 43 and the blocks 42 in parallel relationship with respect to the stationary frame engaging member 18.
~:
637~
In operation, the adjustable frame members 16 and 17 are moved to a frame receiving position which is deter-mined by the data supplied in the control module 29 and an opera-tor places a preassembled frame in the condition, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B, wherein the side members 13 and 14 are not fully engaged with their connectors 15.
This last assembling step is made by the machine as soon as the operator depresses pedal 50 after the frame is posi-tioned on the support surfaces of the stationary and displaceable frame members 16-19. The displaceable frame members then advance to effect a corner closure of the partially assembled corner connectors 15 of the frame.
When the displaceable frame members 16 and 17 are displaced, the side members 13 and 14 will move in the direction of arrows 51, as shown in Figure 14A. Figure 14B
shows a different corner connectors wherein the ends of the side meMbers 13 and 14 are squared and the channel por-tions 13' and 14' are cut at 45 degrees to form an abutment end and a continuous channel in the corner section of the frame. The connector 15' is herein shown as an injection molded plastic corner piece with a square corner portion 15" thereof being exposed.
After the frame is rigidly squared off and retained by the frame engaging members, a gripping means, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, in the form of an ~abutting nk finger 52 is moved to an engaglng clamping position as shown in ~igure 3 with the frame side member 15 being clamped between the abutting straight edge 35 and the finger element 52 whereby to clamp the side member to maintain it along a straight axis guided by the abutting straight edge 35. Accordingly, all of the side members of ,~,"~,., -~ .
., , : .. , 37~
the frame are retained rigidly along straight transverse axes. The gripping means is a chain link 53 disposed about a drive sprocket 54 and an idle sprocket 55 whereby to position the link finger 52 against the frame member 12.
The finger 52 is retracted under the flat support base 18' when in a nonclamping position. As shown in Figure 2, such gripping fingers 52 are located at predetermined locations under the inner edge of the displaceable and stationary frame engaging members. The gripping means will be acti-vated only where a frame will be positioned.
Referring to Figures 2 and 4, there is also shown the provision of ejector pins 56 mounted in the stationary and displaceable frame engaging members. These ejector pins are located in a slot cavity (not shown) under the flat support surfaces 33, 34, 39 and 47 of the stationary and displaceable frame members and are movable outwardly along an arc, such as 57 in Figure 4, about a pivot connec-tion 58. Only a single ejector 56 is provided on the accordion blocks 42. However, these are provided in a spaced apart manner along the other frame members to ensure that an ejector is present when small or large frames are . .
assembled. For this reason, the ejector pins 56 are located close to the corner pivot connection of the bars 33 and 34 and also close to the end of the bar 17. These ejector ~ :
pins assure that the frame is released from the stationary and displaceable frame engaging members for the release of the frame in the area 59 between these members and onto a conveyor belt 60 displaceably movable thereunder, whereby to eject the frame and the screen excess clippings after an assembly cycle.
r/ -13-- : , , , -376:~
After the frame side members are rigidly held and positioned and aligned by its planar frame support members, the plane of which is depicted by numeral 61 in Figure 6, the elongated jaw bar member 20 (see Figures 1, 5 and 12) moves to its "pick up" position, as shown in Figure 12, where the jaws are opened to receive the leading edge o~
the screen material 11 and closed to engage the leading edge portion 11' of the screen material 11. As shown in Figure 5, the jaw member comprises a lower stationary jaw member 62 and a pivoted -top jaw member 63 interconnected by a hinge member 6~. A chamber 65 is defined between both members adjacent the hinge member 64 and an in:Elatable -tube 66 is disposed longitudinally in this chamber 65. By inflating the tube 65 the pivoted jaw member 63 is caused to move to its position as shown at 63', and namely its closed position. When the tube 65 is deflated, the pivoted jaw member 63 rises to its open position, as shown at 63", due to the counter weight in the rear portion 66 thereof being heavier than the front portion forwardly of the hinge pin 67. As soon as the jaw is closed to retain the leading edge 11' of the materialj the pincer rolls 29 are then driven by a drive servo motor 68 which is interconnected by a link belt 69 whereby to release a predetermined amount of screen material frorn the roll 70 of material contained in the bin 71. At the same time as the motor 68 is actuated, a piston means applies a re-tracting force 72, to the elongated jaw bar member 20 whereby to pull the fabric 11 and maintain it taut but unstretched, whereby to prevent sagging and rippling therein. As soon as the proper length of fabric is released by the pincer rolls, the pressure in the cylinder (not shown~ pushing the jaw member is released .~ . .l .,, :
.
~637~
and the screen material 11 is positioned to overlap at least the retention grooves of the side members 13 and 14 of the frame. The spline cord positioner 23 and its associated bridge bar 24 then moves into position over the retention groove of the outermost side member, and that is the one secured to the displaceable frame engaging member 17. Preferably, but not exclusively, this position is at a predetermined location along one of the side members and not in the corners of the frame whereby to provide more rigldity in the corner by eliminating a spline joint at that position.
Referring now more specifically to Figures 6 to 9, there will be described the construction of the spline cord positioner 23. As herein shown, the positioner is provided on a displaceable carriage 72 which is secured to a guide rail 73' attached to the bridge bar 24. The posi-tioner 23 has an applicator head 73, a cord guide tube 74, and cord severing means 75 associated with the cord guide tube. As shown in Figure 7, a trimming blade element 25 is also associated with the cord applicator head 73 for severing the screen fabric 11 in the groove of the frame side members ad~acent the cord 22 positioned therein.
As shown in Figure 7, the cord appllcator head comprises a vertically displaceable support cylinder 74 supporting a cord positioning wheel 77 on an axle 77' at a lower end thereof. A guide channel 78 locates the spline cord 22 under the wheel 77. A drive wheel 114 holds and advances the cord 22 in the cylinder 74. An outer cyllnder 79 is axially rotatable independently of the inner cylinder and connected to the inner cylinder 74, at its top periphery by a torsion spring 80 whereby tO position the . ~., ~,, . ~
.", ! ,.
~, ;37~ :
cutting edge 25' of the trimming element 25 at a predeter-mined location behind the wheel 77 whereby to sever the screen material 11 in the groove 14' of the frame member 14. The torsion spring 80 also applies pressure on the cutting edge and permits the blade cutting edge 25' to be displaced around the corner portions of the frame, such as shown at 81 in Figure 9, and along the arc 82 as shown in Figure 8, whereby the blade reassumes its normal blased position with respect to the planar axis of the wheel 77.
This spring connection 80 is inside the housing 76.
It is po.inted out -that when the wheel reaches the corner position of a frame, the control module 29 has this information in memory and automatically causes the inner cylinder 74 to retract or move upwardly within the outer cylinder 79 to lift the wheel by means of the friction coupling of a top extension portion of the inner cylinder 74 which is in friction coupling with a drive wheel 84 which is operated to move the inner cylinder upwardly or downwardly. The wheel 77 is then rotated by rotating the inner cylinder 74 which is coupled to motor 83 by a link belt 85. After the wheel 77 has been oriented at a right angle:it is -then lowered in the right angle groove 14' of the adjacent frame side member 14. As soon as the wheel proceeds from the corner position, the torsion spring 30 has been wound a quarter turn and wiI1 move the cutting edge ~25 of the blade along the arc 82 as :soon as the positioner advances whereby to sever the screen material in the corner portion and reassume its normal position, as shown in Figure 8.
. ~
i3~
The upper portion of the inner cylinder 74 also constitutes a guide for the spline cord 22 as shown in Figure 6. Preferably, but not exclusively, the spline cord 22 is also suspended centrally over the frame by a pulley 87 whereby to have minimum distortion and drag on the spline cord. Before the cord applicator head 73 reaches its initial starting position along the side frame member during a spline application cycle, at a predetermined distance from this position, the extension portion of the inner cylinder has reassumed its initial axial position. An opening or sli-t 88 in the cylinder 74 is aligned with a cutting blade 89 which is act~lated in and out of the opening 88 by an air cylinder (actuator) 90 whereby to sever the cord, at a predetermined length whereby the free end of the cord will terminate very close to the starting end of the cord within the retention groove of the frame.
After the cord application cycle is terminated, a displace-able connector block 91 is commanded to move upwardly to displace the cord applicator head 73 from the frame to permit the frame and the screen material secured thereto to be released. It is pointed out that the spline cord is applied at a speed of 3 to 4 feet per second and that total assembly time of a frame, of approxlmately 2 feet by 3 feet, would take approximately 20 seconds. Also, the spline cord is applied about the frame with the ends of the spline cord lying within a tolerance of 1/8 of an inch from each other.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 6 and 11, there will be described the operation and construction of the cutting device 27. After the spline cord positioner 23 has lifted, the bridge bar 24 advances in the direction 1;26~3'7~
of arrow 92 to a screen fabric trimming position. At that stage of the assembly, the jaw bar 20 still engages the fabric leading edge and side sections of the fabric, which have not been cut remain taut with the pincer rolls 29.
The bridge bar is displaceable on a pair of opposed guide rods 93 through a support coupling 94 at opposed ends of the bridge bar. The displacement of the carriage 72 is effected by a link belt 95 which is driven by a motor 96 and all controlled by the control module 29. The cutting device 27 is also secured to a carriage 97 displaceable on the guide rod 93 at the feed end of the fabric and is displaceable relative to the bridge bar 24. A vertically displaceable coupling 98 is actuable whereby to move the cutting device 27 along a vertical axis whereby the trim-ming device may be positioned to receive the side edge of the fabric material.
As shown in Figure ll the cutting device comprises a cutting wheel 99 secured to a displaceable support lO0. A guide plate lOl positions a free edge portion ll' of the fabric ll elevated from the upper surface 33' of the movable bar 33 and locates the screen material on the guide plate and under the cutting wheel 99 whereby to sever same. By retracting the bridge bar 24 the cutting device is also retracted and the wheel 99 cuts the ~screen entirely across its width. Thereafter, the bridge bar retracts a predetermined distance, in this partlcular case 3 inches, and the ejectors 56 are actuated to make sure that the frame side members are released from their frame engaging members. The frame engaging member 16 having the blocks 42 is then retracted and the assembled frame and screen clippings ~all on the lower conveyor 60.
~2Çi~3'7~
As previously described, the spline cord posi-tioner opera-tes very quickly and therefore minimum drag and resistance in the spline cord is desired. For this purpose, there is provided a cord accumulator 102, as shown in Figure 10. The cord accumulator permits a predetermined length of spline cord 22 to be applied by the positioner device 23 without having to dispense the spline cord from a storage spool 103 where considerable resistance to pulling would be present due to friction and the weight o the roll. The cord accumulator 102 comprises a pair o spaced apart guide rolls, herein a lower vertically displaceable roll 104 and a stationary upper roll 105. The lower roll 104 is vertically displaceable along a guide track 106 secured to the vertical side members 9" of the support structure 9. As herein shown, there are various loops of spline cord 22 wound about these rolls, and the number of these loops is calculated to provide an ample storage length of the cord to permit the positioner to apply the spline cord without the need o~ pulling or having to simultaneously dispense cord from the storage spool 103.
As soon as the cord begins to be dispensed by the posi-tioner 23, the lower roll 104 moves upwardly along its guide track 106 and the spline cord is dispensed quickly with minimum resistance.
As soon as the positioner is lifted from the frame~ member, a~ter t~he application cycle of the spline cord is terminated, a cord dispensing drive device 107 is actuated to rotate its drive wheels 108 which dispense a predetermlned quantlty spline cord 22. As the spline cord is dispensed, the weight o the lower roll 104 (which is ~airly light) causes the roll to move downward and to store , - :
7~
the spline cord about both rolls. As soon as the lower roll has reached a prede-termined lower position, a stop switch 109 is activated by the roll support whereby to stop the dispensing drive device 102. A further switch 110 is located below the stop switch 109 and this switch is activated should the spline cord 22 be accidentally released from ~he cord positioner 23, or for any other reason, break. Once the lower spool 104 touches the switch 110, the operation of the device stops and an alarm is actuated. A foot pedal 111 is also provided for threading the spline cord 22 through the cord dispensing drive wheels 108 when a new spool 103 is positioned on the spool support shaft 112: A length of spline cord is threaded about the rolls 104 and 105, the gulde pulley 113, and the suspension pulley 87, and back into the positioner 23. The spline cord is prevented from being withdrawn by the cord engaging drive wheel 114 associated with the cylinder 74.
Referring now to Figure 13, there is illustrated a modification of the supply end of the machine and wherein a plurality of rolls 70 of screen fabric may be supported on a turret frame 115 about a support shaft 116 whereby to selectively position a predetermined one of the rolls 70 for supplylng the pincer rolls 29. These various rolls 70 may, for instance, be of varying widths or be of the same widths but arranged on this turret frame for ~uick connec-tion to the machine to provide minimum machine down time in interchanging fabric rolls. It is also within the ambit of the present invention to provide different types of fabric such as for the fabrication of silk screens ox even provide plastic film materials, such as polyethylene to assemble plastic insulation frames. The material could also be , : ;, : :
.
applied to bo-th sides of the frames by providing a frame with opposed grooves, and not necessarily aligned. The assembled frame, with one sheet secured thereto, may be repositioned in reverse onto the frame engaging members for the application of the second sheet on the opposed side of the frame. All that is necessary to do to effect such an operation is to program this information into the control module 29 and the machine will automatically adjust for a different location of the retention groove and length of spline cord.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any other obvious modifications of the preEerred embodiment described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
:
~ :
. . . .
Claims (46)
1. An apparatus for applying a fabric material to a rectangular frame having a fabric retention groove along respective side members thereof, said apparatus comprising a support structure having a planar frame support surface which is comprised of two pairs of opposed parallel frame engaging members, one of said frame engaging members of each said pairs is an adjustably displaceable frame, each frame engaging member having gripping means for clamping a respective one of said side members of said frame along a substantially straight axis when actuated to a gripping position and for releasing said side members when actuated to a release position, the other ones of said frame engaging members of each said pairs are stationary and provided with displaceable bars to apply clamping pressure on said side members of said frame to ensure proper corner connections, an adjacent end of said displaceable bars is spaced from one another and pivotally connected on a flat support plate, said support plate exceeding a straight frame abutting edge of said other ones of said frame engaging members to constitute a frame support surface, said frame abutting edge extending at right angles to said frame support surface, fabric positioning means for positioning a predetermined length of said fabric material over said frame to overlie said fabric retention groove of said frame side members, a spline cord positioner displaceable in alignment with said retention grooves for applying a spline cord in said grooves from above said fabric material to retain said material in said grooves, and cutting means for severing said fabric material from said frame.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fabric is a wire or fiberglass cloth screen fabric.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said adjustably displaceable frame is a displaceable bar interconnected at opposed ends thereof on support guide means, and drive means for displacing said support guide means to move said bar parallel to an opposite stationary frame engaging member of a pair thereof.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bar has a straight frame engaging edge extending at right angles to an adjacent frame support surface of said flat support plate.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support guide means is a straight guide rod secured to said support structure and a guide block displaceable along said rod and secured to a respective end of said opposed ends of said bar said drive means constituted by a pair of driven link belts and each secured to a respective guide block for displacing said bar to a predetermined position parallel to said opposite frame engaging member.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the other of said adjustably displaceable frame is constituted by a plurality of frame retention blocks axially displaceable on a straight bridge arm, and drive means for displacing said bridge arm parallel to an opposite stationary frame engaging member of a pair thereof.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said frame retention blocks are connected to adjacent blocks by an accordion link connector whereby said blocks are axially displaceable closer or further from one another depending on the displacement of said displaceable bar.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said accordion link connector is secured to said displaceable bar which is displaceable at right angles thereto, each said block having a frame support surface and a straight frame abutting edge extending at right angles to said frame support surface.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said bridge arm is secured at opposed ends thereof to a respective guide rod secured to said support structure, said bridge arm being displaceable on said guide rods by said drive means constituted by a pair of driven link belts and each secured to a respective end of said bridge arm for displacing same to a predetermined position parallel to said opposite frame engaging member of a pair thereof.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said gripping means is an abutting element displaceable to a clamping position adjacent a frame abutting straight edge disposed at right angles to a frame support surface of said stationary and adjustable frame engaging members whereby to clamp each said side members of said frame against said frame abutting straight edge to maintain said side members along straight axes.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said abutting element is constituted by a link finger element secured to a chain link of a chain drive motor disposed under said frame support surface and operable to apply or withdraw said finger element from clamping pressure against a respective one of said frame side members.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein there is further provided ejector means secured at spaced apart locations on said stationary frame engaging members and said displaceable bar, said ejector means also being secured to at least one of said frame retention blocks.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said ejector means is an ejector pin displaceable in and out of a frame abutting straight edge disposed at right angles to a frame support surface of said stationary and adjustable frame engaging members whereby to displace said frame side members away from said frame abutting straight edge.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spline cord positioner is a displaceable carriage which is displaceably secured to a support bridge bar and axially movable therealong; said carriage having a cord applicatior head, cord guide means and cord severing means.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein there is further provided a trimming element secured to said cord applicator head for severing said screen fabric in said groove of said frame side members adjacent said cord positioned therein.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said cord applicator head comprises a vertically displaceable support having a cord positioning wheel for positioning said spline cord within said retention groove of said frame side members, said vertically displaceable support having a rotatable coupling for orienting said wheel along right angle axes.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said vertically displaceable support is an inner cylinder movably secured within an outer cylinder, said outer cylinder being axially rotatable independently of said inner cylinder, and a torsion spring rotatably coupling said outer cylinder to said inner cylinder with said trimming element positioned relative to said wheel position.
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said trimming element is a blade having a cutting edge spring biased against an inner wall of said retention groove of said frame side elements by said torsion spring.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cord guide means is constituted by an extension portion of said inner cylinder, said inner cylinder being displaceable along its longitudinal axis to move said wheel in and out of said frame retention groove.
20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said extension portion is in friction coupling with a rotatably driven drive wheel to effect said axial displacement, and cord engaging means associated with said extension portion.
21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said cord severing means is a cutting element in and out of a slot in said extension portion below said cord engaging means to intersect and sever said cord when said inner cylinder is in a lowered position with said positioning wheel in said retention groove of said frame side members.
22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said displaceable carriage is secured to a track coupling which is displaceably secured to a track extending along said support bridge bar, said track coupling having a displaceable connector to move said carriage along a vertical axis to a cord application position and to a retracted position, and drive means to displace said carriage along said track.
23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said positioning means is an elongated jaw bar member displaceably secured to said support structure and displaceable in parallelism with one of said stationary frame engaging member, said jaw member having a gripping jaw,said gripping haw having a stationary jaw member and a pivoted jaw member to define an articulated mouth opening to clamp a leading edge portion of said screen fabric, said screen fabric being provided as a continuous length of fabric with said leading edge portion clamped between a pair of pincer drive rools with at least one of said pincer drive rolls being rotatably driven.
24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said elongated jaw member is displaced to a fabric pick up position and guided to a fabric positioning position by said pincer rolls, said pincer rolls delivering a predetermined length of said screen fabric with said jaw member applying a slight pulling force to prevent said fabric from sagging and to maintain it in planar alignment over said planar frame support.
25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said pivoted jaw member and said stationary jaw member are interconnected by a hinge member connection, said pivoted jaw member being normally biased to an open jaw position by its weight distribution relative to said hinge position, a jaw activating member disposed in a cavity adjacent said hinge member connection for urging said jaw members to a closed mouth position.
26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said jaw activating member is an inflatable tube, said tube when inflated urging said pivoted jaw member to tilt on said hinge connection to move said jaw members to a closed mouth position.
27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said screen fabric is provided as a roll having a predetermined continuous length thereon.
28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein two or more rolls of said screen fabrics are supported on a turret frame to position a selected roll of said screen fabric adjacent said pincer rolls.
29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cutting means is constituted by a trimming blade associated with said spline cord positioner for severing said screen fabric adjacent said spline cord when positioned in said groove of said frame side members, and a screen cutting device displaceable across said screen fabric and adjacent a pair of pincer rolls which feed a predetermined length of said screen fabric.
30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said screen cutting device comprises a cutting wheel secured to a displaceable support, and a guide plate to guide said screen fabric under said cutting wheel.
31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein said displaceable support is vertically adjustable to position said guide plate at a desired height, said displaceable support being secured to drive means for displacing same along straight guide means and back to its initial position.
32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein there is further provided cord accumulator means for permitting a predetermined length of cord to be applied by said cord applicator head without having to dispense said cord from a storage spool whereby there is minimum drag on said cord.
33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein said cord accumulator means comprises a pair of spaced apart guide rolls having a predetermined length of cord wound therebetween, a lower one of said rolls being displaceably mounted along a vertical guide means and moving closer to an upper roll by the application of a pulling force on said cord by said cord applicator head, said lower roll descending along said guide means when a cord dispensing drive is operated, and switch means to shut off said cord dispensing device.
34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said switch means is actuated by said lower roll when reaching a predetermined position along said guide means.
35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein there is further provided second switch means which is actuable by said lower roll when tension is removed from said cord wound about said rolls causing said lower roll to fall by gravity to a lower end of said guide means.
36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein there is further provided automatic control means having electronic storage means for storing data relating to said rectangular frame dimension and quantity of frames to be assembled, said control means effecting the sequential operation of drive means to automatically assemble individual ones of said frame and screen fabric upon receipt of a starting signal.
37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is further provided conveyor means for transporting said frame after said screen fabric has been secured thereto an unloading area of said support structure.
38. A method of applying a fabric material in a retention groove disposed circumferentially about a rectangular frame by appling a spline cord in said groove with a fabric portion disposed therein, said method comprising the steps of:
(i) storing data in an electronic control means, said data pertaining to the dimensions of a rectangular frame;
(ii) automatically displacing a frame support structure having four frame engaging members to a frame receiving position;
(iii) placing a frame on said frame support structure;
(iv) moving at least two frame engaging members of said frame support structure to position said members of said frame in a desired configuration;
(v) gripping said side members by gripping means to maintain said side members along respective straight transverse axes;
(vi) positioning a predetermined length of fabric material over said frame to overlie said retention groove in said side members by (a) displacing engaging means to engage a leading edge portion of said fabric adjacent dispensing pincer rolls;
(b) applying a retracting force to said engaging means, (c) dispensing a predetermined length of fabric by controlling the revolutions of said pincer rolls;
(vii) displacing a spline cord positioner to a predetermined position on one of said side members of said frame;
(viii) disposing a spline cord in said groove by displacing said positioner along the entire length of said grooves in said side members while forcing said spline cord in said groove over a portion of fabric;
(ix) simultaneously with step (viii) trimming said fabric adjacent said spline cord in said groove;
(x) severing said spline cord;
(xi) cutting said fabric to disconnect same from a supply of fabric; and (xii) disconnecting said frame from said frame support structure.
(i) storing data in an electronic control means, said data pertaining to the dimensions of a rectangular frame;
(ii) automatically displacing a frame support structure having four frame engaging members to a frame receiving position;
(iii) placing a frame on said frame support structure;
(iv) moving at least two frame engaging members of said frame support structure to position said members of said frame in a desired configuration;
(v) gripping said side members by gripping means to maintain said side members along respective straight transverse axes;
(vi) positioning a predetermined length of fabric material over said frame to overlie said retention groove in said side members by (a) displacing engaging means to engage a leading edge portion of said fabric adjacent dispensing pincer rolls;
(b) applying a retracting force to said engaging means, (c) dispensing a predetermined length of fabric by controlling the revolutions of said pincer rolls;
(vii) displacing a spline cord positioner to a predetermined position on one of said side members of said frame;
(viii) disposing a spline cord in said groove by displacing said positioner along the entire length of said grooves in said side members while forcing said spline cord in said groove over a portion of fabric;
(ix) simultaneously with step (viii) trimming said fabric adjacent said spline cord in said groove;
(x) severing said spline cord;
(xi) cutting said fabric to disconnect same from a supply of fabric; and (xii) disconnecting said frame from said frame support structure.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein after step (iv) there is provided the steps of:
(a) displacing adjustable pivot bars on two stationary ones of said frame engaging members to apply pressure to said frame members to ensure that the corners thereof are well connected and squared off; and (b) detecting the presence of said frame at each corner thereof.
(a) displacing adjustable pivot bars on two stationary ones of said frame engaging members to apply pressure to said frame members to ensure that the corners thereof are well connected and squared off; and (b) detecting the presence of said frame at each corner thereof.
40. The method of claim 38 wherein said step (viii) comprises;
(a) applying a force on said spline cord by a wheel supported on a vertically displaceable cylinder;
(b) lifting said wheel from the groove of one side at a corner intersection of said grooves of two right angle side members;
(c) reorienting said wheel at 90 degrees into said groove of the other; and (d) advancing said positioner by displacing a support bridge bar along said other right angle member while simultaneously causing a trim knife to trim cut said fabric in said corner portion of said two right angle side members.
(a) applying a force on said spline cord by a wheel supported on a vertically displaceable cylinder;
(b) lifting said wheel from the groove of one side at a corner intersection of said grooves of two right angle side members;
(c) reorienting said wheel at 90 degrees into said groove of the other; and (d) advancing said positioner by displacing a support bridge bar along said other right angle member while simultaneously causing a trim knife to trim cut said fabric in said corner portion of said two right angle side members.
41. The method as claimed in claim 38 wherein said step (x) comprises:
(a) severing said spline cord inside a guide channel of said positioner at a predetermined location of said positioner near an end portion of its travel path along said grooves; and (b) disposing said cut end portion of said spline cord in the remaining groove portion of said grooves.
(a) severing said spline cord inside a guide channel of said positioner at a predetermined location of said positioner near an end portion of its travel path along said grooves; and (b) disposing said cut end portion of said spline cord in the remaining groove portion of said grooves.
42. The method of claim 38 wherein after step (x) and before step (xi) there is provided the step of:
(a) lifting said positioner out of contact with said frame side member.
(a) lifting said positioner out of contact with said frame side member.
43. The method of claim 38 wherein said step (xi) comprises:
(a) simultaneously displacing a support bridge bar to position same and a cutting device to an out-of-way position.
(a) simultaneously displacing a support bridge bar to position same and a cutting device to an out-of-way position.
44. The method of claim 38 wherein after step (xi) and before step (xii) there is provided the steps of:
(a) releasing a grip leading edge portion of said fabric material; and (b) removing said gripping means from gripping engagement with said frame side members.
(a) releasing a grip leading edge portion of said fabric material; and (b) removing said gripping means from gripping engagement with said frame side members.
45. The method of claim 38 wherein said step (xii) comprises:
(a) retracting said at least two frame engaging members of step (iv) to a retracted position;
and (b) activating ejector pins associated with said frame engaging members to release said frame.
(a) retracting said at least two frame engaging members of step (iv) to a retracted position;
and (b) activating ejector pins associated with said frame engaging members to release said frame.
46. The method of claim 38 wherein there is further provided the steps of:
(a) accumulating a predetermined length of spline cord in an accumulator means; and (b) automatically replenishing said accumulator after a predetermined operation of said position.
(a) accumulating a predetermined length of spline cord in an accumulator means; and (b) automatically replenishing said accumulator after a predetermined operation of said position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000523148A CA1266370A (en) | 1986-11-17 | 1986-11-17 | Apparatus and method for applying a fabric material to a frame |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000523148A CA1266370A (en) | 1986-11-17 | 1986-11-17 | Apparatus and method for applying a fabric material to a frame |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1266370A true CA1266370A (en) | 1990-03-06 |
Family
ID=4134367
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000523148A Expired - Fee Related CA1266370A (en) | 1986-11-17 | 1986-11-17 | Apparatus and method for applying a fabric material to a frame |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1266370A (en) |
-
1986
- 1986-11-17 CA CA000523148A patent/CA1266370A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US7174695B2 (en) | De-packaging machine | |
| US6378586B1 (en) | Apparatus for automated application of spacer material for window assembly | |
| US8685199B2 (en) | Tire preparation ply manufacturing apparatus and method | |
| US5478428A (en) | Label separator and method for separating a label from a backing | |
| NZ286777A (en) | Load strapping; method and apparatus for applying tensioned strapping to load in which an edge protector applicator assembly positions a protector against load edges prior to strapping | |
| JPS5982465A (en) | Sheet stacker and label adhering device of automatic control cutting machine | |
| JPH0126985B2 (en) | ||
| US4766661A (en) | Apparatus for applying a fabric material to a frame | |
| WO1996004138A9 (en) | System for separating a label from backing | |
| US7100526B1 (en) | Label/tag inserter system | |
| WO2004069705A1 (en) | Apparatus to replace a feed reel for feeding a covering film, to lay and cut a segment of film, and relative method | |
| US4856171A (en) | Method for applying a fabric material to a frame | |
| MXPA02002177A (en) | Apparatus and a method for rolling compressible sheet material. | |
| US4700642A (en) | Joining continuous lengths of web materials | |
| GB2192853A (en) | Pallet wrapping apparatus | |
| EP1384671B1 (en) | A method for stopping and starting an automatic wrapping machine during a product change | |
| CA2340838A1 (en) | Apparatus for bagging material | |
| CA1266370A (en) | Apparatus and method for applying a fabric material to a frame | |
| US6629662B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for rolling carpet | |
| CA2178166C (en) | Strip conveyor and stacker | |
| CN212197936U (en) | Automatic wire spool loading and unloading system for tire steel wire winding device | |
| EP0097415A2 (en) | Automatic valve bag placer | |
| WO1993002924A1 (en) | Packaging apparatus | |
| CA2277565C (en) | A wrapping machine for wrapping an article and a related method | |
| JPH05329960A (en) | Method and device for providing recognition label |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |