DE10021462A1 - Machine and method for applying a coating - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine (10) for applying a thin layer (23) to the surface of an object. The machine (10) contains a deck (11) and a hood (12), which are in relation to each other from a loading position (Figure 2), in which an object (21) to which the layer (23) is to be applied, on the Deck (11) can be placed in an operating position (Figure 3) can be moved to apply the layer (23) to the object. The hood (12) contains heating means for heating the layer (23), and the deck (11) and the hood (12) are sealed together in the operating position to define a vacuum chamber between them. In use, the layer (23) is positioned for application to the object (21) so that it overlaps the object (21) and divides the chamber into upper and lower partial chambers (29, 30) above and below the layer (23). The machine (10) can be operated in such a way that it generates an essentially identical vacuum in both subchambers (29, 30) and dissolves the vacuum generated in the upper subchamber (29) in such a way that the layer (23) is caused under the influence of the greater pressure in the upper partial chamber (29) in connection with the object (21).

Description

The present invention relates to a machine for Applying a thin layer on the surface of an ob object or coating the surface of an object with egg such. The invention is particularly applicable to the Application of synthetic layers on cabinet doors, and it is appropriate to the invention in view of this to describe the area of application. However, it is on it to point out that the invention does not apply to this is limited.

The application of layers such as thin coatings Vinyl or plasticized plastic on cabinet doors too decorative and protective purposes as well as an alternative to egg A painted surface is a known method. The application of such layers is under certain order would be preferred to a coat of paint, as one coat of paint can be time-consuming and inexpensive, especially in the course of medium or large production runs finished doors. Above all, the application of the Layer generally a high quality, more aesthetically pleasing  Surface of the door and can also last a give a more solid outer protective layer, that is, less be prone to chipping than a coat of paint. Of further layers of vinyl or other mate rialien in a selection of different colors and mu produce on a door for direct order.

Cabinet doors are generally made of chipboard made, for example, of MDF (chipboard medium Density), and the process of applying a layer such doors are known. In the past they have Devices for applying a layer the application extremely high pressure through a membrane or mat calls for the layer to be in close contact with the surface to bring the door. The extremely high pressure is first Line needed to make sure the layer on everyone Surface of the door is satisfactorily fixed, in particular right on decorative indentations, recesses or grooves or something like that from the flat surface of the door deviate inside. Such indentations are in closet doors usually provided to the aesthetic appearance of the Door to improve, but the presence of this book tion increases the difficulty of applying the layer. The difficulty of applying the layer to such a layer Door relates to the way in which the layer in Kon tact with the surface of the indentation can. In known machines that ver a membrane to press the layer into the indentation, he the difficulty of the process increases with the depth of the Indentation. In some cases it is also under extreme Contact pressure not possible, the layer on the right To fix the surface of the indentation.  

Another difficulty in applying one Layer on a door with decorative indentations is provided, lies in the formation of air pockets inside half of these indentations when the layer against them Surface is pressed. If there is only a small air forms the printing process against the layer Air in the sense of a better application of the layer com prime, but when the air pocket is compressed, he the pressure inside the bag increases, causing one further compression resistance is opposed which is why at least a small part is inevitable the layer is lifted from the surface of the indentation remains.

The difficulty described above was solved by the Ma overcome in the Australian patent 675627 of the applicant has been disclosed. In this machine de creates a vacuum below the layer, and through the Air closet door was drawn so that the layer with the outer surface of the door has been connected; any air present in decorative indentations was removed from this by blowing the air through the door was pulled. This machine was widely recognized on the market although it had the disadvantage of only opening doors a porous material processed with this machine Since it was important, air could be drawn in through the door pull. Therefore non-porous materials such as Plastics or very hard woods, not for treatment with this machine.  

Another disadvantage of the machine described above affects doors on the back of which a non- porous laminate is applied. With such doors openings are created at the back to allow air could be pulled through the board. The need before the lamination process holes in the back of the Creating boards, however, was a distraction from the machine operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a measure machine and to create a method for applying a Layer on an object, which has one or more disadvantages overcome the older technology. It is another goal of the invention to provide a machine and a method to apply a layer to an object made of non- porous material. It is another object of the invention to create a machine and method for application a layer on an object without using a membrane.

According to the present invention, a machine created that serves a thin layer on the upper surface of an object, using this machine Cot and a hood that is proportionate to are movable from one another in a loading position in which a Object on which the layer is to be applied the bed can be placed in a company pool sition for applying the layer on the object, the Hood is provided with heating means for heating the layer and the support bed and the hood in the operating position are connected to each other in a sealed manner to form a vacuum chamber, the on the Object to be applied layer is positioned so that it  in use lies above the object and the chamber in one upper and a lower subchamber above and below the Layer divided, with the machine being able to each of the two subchambers is essentially the same Generate vacuum and the vacuum generated in the top Dissolve sub-chamber to cause the layer to under the influence of the greater pressure in the upper part chamber pressed into a connection with the object the.

The present invention further provides Method of applying a thin layer on top surface of an object, whereby the method involves placing the Object on a bed, the overlay of the object with one layer, creating a vacuum above and below the layer, heating the layer and egg At a certain point in time, the vacuum is released of the layer so that the layer under the one flow of the greater pressure in the upper sub-chamber into fixed Connection with the object is pressed.

A machine according to the invention is therefore advantageous clinging because it doesn't use a membrane to get the layer in Press connection with the object. The Ma machine compared to known membrane presses considerably be dimensioned smaller and comes with much less pressure. Known membrane presses can weigh more than 20 tons and a pressure of 250-300 Tons are exposed, so their operation is very expensive. Advantageously, the invention overcomes the known problems related to membrane presses because the air that otherwise the formation of air pockets in indentations of the  Door can effect, essentially by generating the Va kuums is removed in the lower part of the chamber. If so the vacuum in the upper part of the chamber is released and connecting the layer with the door surface becomes the Layer by means of the pressure in the upper part of the chamber without Disability and resistance of ver permanent air in the indentations and against their upper pressed. It is understood that not all Air can be removed from the lower compartment, especially this would require a perfect vacuum, but the distance A significant proportion of the air has changed according to the Insights of the inventor prove to be sufficient to to achieve highly satisfactory results. Be Known membrane presses tried to turn the presence on deal with enclosed air by letting the air into it covering board is forced. You do this through the massive pressure referred to above. The Invention, however, removes the air that otherwise would could be closed, thereby avoiding the problem becomes.

In a preferred arrangement, the vacuum chamber evacuated to a value in each sub-chamber that approaching a perfect vacuum. This vacuum can change of the order of 96-98 KPa. In this arrangement Essentially most of the air is taken up by the individual subchambers removed, but the layer remains from negative pressure practically unaffected because it is the same There is pressure above and below it. After reaching the ge desired vacuum pressure, however, the vacuum in the upper sub-chamber dissolved, preferably suddenly Lich and without influence on the existence of the vacuum in the  lower subchamber, so that the layer immediately against the load-bearing surface of the support bed and thus in connection with all objects on it.

The bed and the hood can be used on any suitable te way to move together, but the inventions manure contains a special pendulum arrangement, in which the bed in a horizontal plane between the Loading and operating position changes. In this arrangement the height of the machine is extremely compact. In the The loading position is accordingly the hood ho horizontally offset to the supporting surface of the support expose bed on which the objects to be coated lie on. Advantageously, the bed can ver that it is set from every side and each end of the same is accessible (assuming a rectangular or square beds), although in the preferred Arrange access from both sides and one end possible and grasp the other end in the loading position stays on the hood. In practice, access is sufficient to the support bed from both sides, under the prerequisite tion that the width of the cot is usually not is so big that a normal tall worker at the full access to the entire surface of the bed is prevented.

The arrangement, in which the support bed in Ver ratio slides to the hood (or vice versa), the next part of the unwieldy size of the older technology. The press machine of the prior art described above requires a large and secure upper structure to the lower support of the pressing device when it is under high load  is pressed against the bed on which the ob objects, and when the press is away from the bed is raised. The arrangement of the invention is also more compact than the applicant's older machine, in which one Hood was used, which is between open and closed position has been pivoted. The hood itself was one somewhat bulky and required hydraulic lifting device movements between the two positions. Before al The lifting arrangement had to be extremely safe, especially workers leaned under the raised hood to to place layered objects on the bed. Un depending on how secure the hood is in the open position was on, it was a problem for the workers convenience when loading the cot under to put the hood on.

The sliding movement of the bed is preferred thereby facilitated that the support bed or the load-bearing Surface of the support bed on wheels or castors mon tiert, who is guided in or on suitable tracks the. The support bed is preferably attached so that whose movement is sideways to the direction in which it is moved between loading and operating position, which preferred as a linear movement is limited. So can the bed can be attached to wheels that are in a Ka walk that prevents such lateral movement, or there can be suitable guides for the same purpose be used.

The movement of the bed in relation to the Hood can be reached and in any suitable way In a preferred arrangement, a chain drive is used.  In this arrangement is at both ends of the edition betts a chain in a loop, and this Chain runs over a gear. The gear is on one Drive shaft attached, and rotation of the drive shaft causes the bed to move. The reverse ro tion of the drive shaft causes the movement of the support in the opposite direction. The drive shaft can are in turn driven by a chain drive that is connected to an electric motor. Without a doubt are but other arrangements are possible and lie in the gel scope of the present invention.

As an alternative, the bed can also be moved manually what, given the possibly considerable Ge weight of the support bed, however, only in smaller machines NEN is preferred. In one arrangement, the body of the Support beds attached to the structure of the machine or forms part of it and it is only the load-bearing one Surface of the bed movable, for example on the described wheels or rollers. This arrangement significantly reduces the weight of the moving part of the support bed, which makes manual operation easier is tert.

The arrangement described above also enables Use a pair of load-bearing surfaces that are under different directions can be offset, so that a bearing surface in the operating position and the other is brought into the loading position. That way you can one of the load-bearing surfaces has a coating be led, and at the same time be on the other load-bearing  Surface doors loaded. This promotes more advantageously use the machine more efficiently.

The movement of the support bed in the operating position can also include a movement that leads to a dense ver bindings of the bed and hood leads. In one execution Example of the invention moves accordingly Support bed in relation to the hood from the loading position to the operating position in a horizontal plane. In this operating position lifting devices are used to Raise the support bed so that it connects to the hood comes about. The lifting means can one or more hy include draulic or pneumatic cylinders, or older ones A cam mechanism can also be used for this the. As an alternative, the hood can be placed under its own important or a positive influence in connection with the Support bed can be lowered. This relative movement must only be sufficient to provide a light seal between between the bed and the hood. This means, the bed does not have to be with the hood under one pregnant burden. After the sealing Connections made and the vacuum created, pulls the vacuum increasingly seals the support bed in tight Connection with the hood.

As described above, the bed can be in the Move in relation to the stationary hood, or as an alterna tive the hood can be moved and the support bed stationary his. Both arrangements are possible.  

The support is in the operating position of the machine bed tightly connected to the hood, and in one preferred The arrangement contains both the support bed and the Cover a full rubber or rubber seal synthetic rubber or other suitable, flexible sealing material. After suitable movement of the Aufla bedding in relation to the hood the respective Seals in connection with each other, and that between on bed and hood formed chamber can by suitable Means are evacuated to create the desired vacuum gene.

When operating the machine and in its operating position on extends a layer over the supporting surface of the support bed, and to separate the vacuum chamber into to ensure two independent subchambers Layer between the sealing surfaces of the bed and hood introduced. The presence of the layer between sealing surfaces can not be so be that the integrity of the seal is disturbed, however when selecting a suitable sealing material, this is un probably. In particular, the layer is very thin ne and flexible and adapts to the surfaces of you of bed and hood.

It is obvious that the edition of a thin layer over the bed in the loading position of the bed bedding is a simple process. Around the shift during the movement of the support bed from the loading into the loading can keep the drive position in place Clamping agents are used which cover the layer in the ver Hold on to the bed.  

Such clamping means can be fixed on the support bed or also be separable from this.

The upper and lower chambers preferably have essentially the same volume so that the air discharge from each compartment at the same speed can be performed and the vacuum in each sub-chamber can be kept substantially constant. Little deviation The volume of the two subchambers are generally inevitable, especially since the layer is flexible and flexible created differently for each coating process. Al However, such deviations do not have an adverse effect on the performance of the invention. If necessary, the Vacuum value in each compartment with the help of control be monitored to ensure that they are in place are essentially the same.

Before the vacuum was removed in the lower part mer can coat the layer above or the the object / s due to slight deviations in the respective Vacuums in the upper and lower part of the chamber for floating be brought. To monitor the upward floating of the A light barrier can be used so that layer the relative vacuums are adjusted every time the Layer interrupts the light barrier so the layer floats down, after which the respective vacuums are newly started be adjusted so that the layer floats upwards. The An order can be such that the layer is very slowly up and down within a very small amplitude hovers.  

In a preferred form of the invention extends a plate over a lower section of the upper part chamber, and during the operation of the machine the Layer connected to the lower surface of this plate brought while the layer warms up and the vacuum is produced. For this purpose the vacuum is in the upper one Partial chamber slightly larger than that in the lower one Subchamber to the layer in relation to the plate in Hold position. The vacuum difference can vary in size order of 2 or 3 Kpa.

The plate can be arranged to face the top Partial chamber completely closes, and with this arrangement openings are provided through the plate to the vacuum in the upper compartment to allow through the plate and act on the layer. The openings are preferred wise small so that the layer does not go through it can be gen; contained in a preferred arrangement a plate with dimensions of approximately 1.2 m × 3 m approximately 200 needle stitch openings.

The plate is preferably made of stainless steel, although other materials, especially metals, are also can be used.

Everyone can create the required vacuum appropriate means are used. In a preferred one Embodiment is air from a pump Suction tank, which is in separate connection with the hood and the bed is standing.  

Appropriate valves can be used to communicate control cation between the hood and the tank so that the evacuation speed from the vacuum chamber con can be trolled.

The support bed preferably comprises a sealed one Chamber below the supporting surface on which to be layered objects are placed. This chamber is in Connection with the vacuum generating agents, preferably via a movable line that ver with the bed remains bound when it is moved away from the hood. As an alternative, the vacuum generating agent can only then be connected to the support bed when hood and The bed is in the operating position. The vacuum generator Medium draws air from the chamber below the load-bearing one Surface from and around in the chamber above the load-bearing Surface, d. H. between the bed and the hood, To create a vacuum, there must be a connection between the chamber of the support bed and the ge in the operating position formed vacuum chamber. This connection can be in any suitable manner, and in a preferred manner th arrangement, the supporting surface contains an or several openings through it. In a particular The preferred arrangement contains the supporting surface a plurality of small openings that cover the entire tra surface are distributed to ensure an even surface Air discharge from inside the lower part of the Va to ensure the vacuum chamber.  

The air discharge from the upper part of the chamber can even if achieved in any appropriate way, and one or more are in a preferred arrangement Openings in a side wall of the hood in connection with the vacuum generating agent. Every opening can be in one Channel element are formed, which extends to a line stretches, which are associated with the vacuum generating agent is. The flow through the line can be adjusted with suitable Valve means are controlled to remove air to restrict the upper part of the chamber. However, the Provision of valve means more preferred to a Dissolution of the vacuum in the upper part of the chamber during the To enable coating process. In a preferred one Arrangement, the valve means includes a ball valve that is of a solenoid arrangement is controlled, or by hy draulic or pneumatic cylinders or other ge own means. The ball valve enables the immediate bare and sudden separation of the upper part of the chamber vacuum generating agents, if necessary, and the simultaneous connection with the atmosphere to create the Va dissolve vacuum. In this arrangement the vacuum is through resolved the same openings that are used to Air from within the upper compartment to generate the Derive vacuum. Other arrangements to dissolve the Vacuums may be equally applicable and are in any case within the scope of this invention.

The invention normally requires application of heat on the layer before the vacuum in the top Chamber is dissolved. The heat is usually required necessary to increase the flexibility of the layer these attach themselves more easily to the surface of the surface to be coated  Object can customize. Heat can be applied to the layer before Generation of the vacuum applied in the vacuum chamber the, but preferably the heat is simultaneously with the Creation of the vacuum applied. Such an equal time shortens the cycle of the coating process. The heat can be applied in any suitable way and in an arrangement is a series of infrared heating panels elements in the hood, directly above the layer when hood and support bed are in the operating position sition. The use of infrared heat is advantageous sticky because such heat is not absorbed by aluminum becomes and in this way a support bed surface made of aluminum can be used during the Lamination cycle not warmed. The advantage is here in that workers put the objects on the supporting surface load, no hot surfaces and thus a pot are at risk. Other parts of the machine may need to be shielded from the heating elements be, especially since the heating elements continue to heat witness when the bed is moved away from the hood is, whereby machine parts below the bed of the Exposed to heat. In a machine one preferred th configuration are the vacuum generating, medium and that Means for displacing the bed in relation to the Hood in the operating position all below the Aufla attached to the bed and would be in the loading position of exposed to the heating elements coming heat when they would not be shielded. The shielding can take the form of Sheet metal or other heat absorbing materials The use of infrared heating elements is wide Ren advantageous because more conventional heating elements, at for example electric radiators, on the heat conduction  the medium of the environment is based, which is normally the air is. However, such a line takes place in a vacuum not because the key medium is withdrawn. Infrared- Heaters are not based on heat conduction via the air and are therefore particularly suitable for use in of the present invention.

The accompanying drawings represent an execution example of the invention as described above. The specific character of these drawings and the proper description is not suitable for the general Validity of the previous general description of the Restrict invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a membrane (without coating machine) according to the invention. The representation is highly schematic, but illus strative for the machine, while the following figures describe actual components of the machine more specifically.

In Fig. 1, a machine 10 is shown, which includes a support bed 11 and a hood 12 . The support bed 11 can be moved on the rollers 13 via a web 14 . The web may be in the form of a channel in which the rollers 13 are guided, or a further set of rollers may be provided which run on the inner edge of the web 14 and rotate about an axis which is at right angles to the axis of the Rolls 13 stands.

The support bed 11 is rectangular and comprises side and end walls 15 , 16 and a supporting surface 17 . The supporting surface is the surface on which objects for coating can be placed in the machine 10 .

The hood 12 is fi xed in relation to the support bed 11 and is held by the support elements 18 in an elevated position in relation to the support bed 11 . The base of the machine 10 is enclosed by a panel 19 .

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the machine 10 is in the loading position in which the support bed 11 for loading objects to be coated on the supporting surface 17 is placed horizontally away from the hood 12 . Unobstructed access to the bearing surface 17 is provided around each side 15 and the distal end 16 of the bed 11 . When the objects to be coated are loaded onto the supporting surface 17 , a layer sheet is placed over the support bed 11 , which extends at least slightly above the upper edge 20 of the support bed 11 . The support bed 11 can be brought into an operative coating position by moving it in direction A. In this position, as described below, a vacuum can be created in order to connect the layer to the surface of objects which lie on the surface 17 .

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the machine 10 in Fig. 1. In this figure, the cabinet doors 21 have been placed on the support elements 22 which stand on the supporting surface 17 and which may have the shape of wooden blocks. It should be noted that the outer edge of the support elements 22 is attached within the respective edge of the doors 21 and this enables the complete lamination of a layer against the outer edges of the doors 21 . If the doors 21 had not been lifted from the surface 17 as shown, it would be more difficult to achieve a complete connection with this edge due to the proximity of the outer edge to the supporting surface 17 .

In Fig. 2, a layer 23 has also been extended over the bed 11 , and it can be seen that the layer extends slightly beyond the ends 16 of the bed 11 . The upper surface 20 (see FIG. 1) of the support bed 11 is formed with an elastic rubber seal 24 that fully encompasses this, and the seal rests on this seal 24 . Clamps can be used to securely fasten the layer over this edge, and the clamps can be permanently fixed or removable on the support bed.

Also shown in Fig. 2 is the hood 12 , which is raised above the support bed 11 . Like the support bed 11 , the hood 12 includes downwardly extending end walls 25 and side walls 26 (see FIG. 1). The end and Seitenwän de 25 , 26 comprise a hanging edge on which a seal 27 is attached. The seal 27 can also be made of a rubber material.

Fig. 3 shows the machine 10 when the support bed 11 has been moved so that it is under the hood 12 . The mechanisms for moving the hood 12 are further explained below with reference to FIG. 7. In the position of the support bed 11 and the hood 12 in FIG. 3, it should be noted that there is a gap G between the seals 24 , 25 , and it is necessary for this gap to be closed in order for the support bed 11 and the hood 12 to be joined together connect to create a vacuum in the chamber that exists between the two. It is accordingly ei ne vertical movement between the support bed 11 and the hood 12 towards each other, and in the Darge presented embodiment, this is carried out by means of a plurality of pneumatic lifting means, one of which is shown in Fig. 3 under 28. In practice, 3 or 4 of these lifting means are mounted spaced along both sides of the support bed 11 .

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the machine 10 , which shows the support bed 11 in the operating position in relation to the hood 12 . In this position, the support bed 11 is raised vertically so that the seal 24 connects to the seal 26 (the layer 23 coming to lie between the two). In this operating position, a vacuum can be created in the chamber between the support bed 11 and the hood 12 , and this chamber is divided into a pair of subchambers by the layer 23 , namely the upper subchamber 29 and the lower subchamber 30 . These sub-chambers are separate and each can have its own vacuum. In the process of the invention, a simple vacuum pump draws air through a vacuum tank that is separately connected to each of the subchambers 29 and 30 . In Fig. 5 this arrangement is shown, the vacuum pump is shown under 31 and the vacuum tank under 32. Alternatively, separate vacuum pumps can be used for separate vacuum generation in each compartment.

The vacuum is generated in the lower subchamber 30 by releasing the air from a lower chamber 33 which lies below the supporting surface 17 of the support bed 11 . The chamber 33 is in communication with the lower sub-chamber 30 via a plurality of smaller openings extending through the supporting surface 17 ; these openings are shown in Fig. 1. Each opening preferably has a diameter of about 2 mm, and about 200 openings are preferably to be provided for a support bed with the dimensions 1.2 m × 3 m.

The vacuum is drawn through the hood 12 through a series of openings in the side wall of the hood; these openings are shown in Fig. 6, which forms an Innenan view of the hood, the support bed 11 is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The openings 34 are formed in a channel 35 which is connected to the vacuum tank 32 via a line (not shown) connected thereto.

In the arrangement described above, the vacuum can be applied to each of the subchambers 29 and 30 independently, so that the existence of the layer as a release agent does not affect the vacuum generation. Similarly, the layer within the vacuum chamber is not affected by the generation of the vacuum, because the vacuum to the sides thereof, ie within the subchambers 29 and 30 , can be generated at substantially the same speed and these are essentially on the same Remain worth.

It should be noted that when a vacuum is created in the subchambers 29 and 30 , the support bed 11 and the hood 12 are pulled closer together, so that the seal between these components becomes more secure. If the vacuum increases, the security of the seal between the support bed 11 and the hood 12 also increases.

When the bed 11 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3, the layer 23 is heated by means of a plurality of infrared heating elements 36 . These heating elements are mounted inside the hood 12 , and during the operation of the machine 10 , the heating elements remain activated. Accordingly, as soon as the support bed 11 moves in relation to the hood 12 into an underlying position, the layer 23 and all the doors 21 located on the support bed 11 under the hood 12 are heated. A sensor fixed in the supporting surface 17 of the support bed 11 can monitor the temperature of the layer. The layer 23 is further heated when the support bed 11 is lifted by the lifting elements 28 into the position shown in FIG. 4, as well as during operation when the vacuum is generated in the subchambers 29 and 30 .

When the layer has reached a predetermined temperature, the lamination step can be carried out. At this time, a valve is switched so that the vacuum connection to the. Vacuum chamber 29 interrupted and a connection between the vacuum chamber 29 and the atmosphere is made. In this way, ambient air penetrates into the partial chamber 29 and forces the layer 23 in connection with the outer surface of the doors 21 . The layer is also caused to wrap around the side edges of the doors 21 ; as a reference to the shape of the layer 23 after the vacuum in the partial chamber 29 is broken, a dot line 37 is drawn in FIG. 4.

The vacuum in the sub-chamber 30 is maintained for a predetermined time in order to ensure a complete connection of the layer 23 to the doors 21 . After this predetermined time, the vacuum in sub-chamber 30 is released , so that both sub-chambers 29 and 30 are now under atmospheric pressure. The pneumatic lifting elements 28 then move the support bed 11 down into the position shown in FIG. 3, and the support bed 11 can be moved horizontally into the position shown in FIG. 2. In this position, the clamps can be released from the layer 23 and the layer can be cut away from the individual doors 21 . This process can be carried out on the surface 17 of the support bed 11 , or the doors 21 are lifted with the layer 23 into an adjacent area in order to load the support bed 11 with a new row of doors 21 and a new thin layer 23 to enable.

To cool the layer applied to the doors, coolant can be used, and in the illustrated embodiment, during the movement of the support bed 11 into the unloading position from next to the end wall 25 of the hood 12, a cooling air curtain can be blown onto the layer. The curtain could also be applied elsewhere, or other coolants could be used.

In accordance with known technology, an adhesive is used to firmly secure the layer to the outer upper surface of the doors 21 . The adhesive can be applied ent either on the underside of the layer 23 or on the outside of the door 21 or on both. The adhesive is preferably heat-active and quick-curing.

In Fig. 7, one end of the machine 10 and the arrangement is shown with which the support bed 11 is displaced in relation to the hood 12 . In this figure, an electrically operated motor 38 is provided with a belt or chain drive 39 for driving a shaft 40 which has two drive teeth 41 , around which a chain is guided, which is connected to both ends of the support bed 11 . Thus, driving the motor 38 in one direction causes the movement of the support bed 11 against and under the hood 12 .

The machine 10 may include various safety devices that would normally be used in such a machine. For example, a mechanical brake could be used to abruptly stop the movement of the support bed 11 when a light barrier extending across the opening below the hood is interrupted, for example by the operator's hand. Various other security devices would be well known to those skilled in the art.

The following example shows a typical operation ner membrane machine according to the embodiment just described Example described:  

The layer used is in the professional world as art known fabric film, for example in thicknesses of 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.7 mm is supplied. The sample layer was 0.4 mm thick. A lot of doors were on the load-bearing Surface of the bed loaded on wooden Lifting devices moving inwards from the outer periphery of the doors were placed. Every door was on the outside with one Pre-coated adhesive. The layer was over the tra the surface of the machine's support bed clamped around the edges of the same. The bed was like this then moved to the position below the hood and to Connection with the hood raised. The layer was then preheated under the heating elements that are at temperatures were set between 190 ° and 200 ° C. As the tempera When the layer was measured at 60 ° C, production began vacuum. When the vacuum about 96 Kpa to 98 Kpa and the layer reached a temperature of about 90 ° C the vacuum in the upper part of the chamber is released, and the Layer was associated with atmospheric pressure pressed the doors on the supporting surface. The Aufla bed stayed in this position for about 50-60 seconds, after which it is lowered and from its position from below the hood has been moved out. The vacuum in the bottom Partial chamber was maintained during this movement. As the bed reached the unloading position, that became Vacuum dissolved in the lower part of the chamber and the layer separated between adjacent doors, and the doors were removed for final treatment. The total cycle time was about 120 seconds.  

The membrane is the Er without a coating machine finding - highly compact, simple and convenient to use load and very effective when fully attached a layer on the surface of an object, regardless whether this object has decorative indentations or not.

The invention described here is for variations Modifications and / or additions of another kind than those explicitly described here are open and it is firm keep the invention all such variations, modes fications and / or additions included under the Principle and within the scope of the previous Be spelling fall.

Claims (19)

1. Machine for applying a thin layer on the Surface of an object, the machine being a deck and includes a hood that is movable relative to each other are from a loading position in which an object to which the Layer to be applied, placed on the deck can be in an operating position for applying the Layer on the object, using the hood as a heating medium Heating the layer contains and the deck and hood in the operating position are connected to sealed in Ge need to form a vacuum chamber between them, the Layer is positioned for application to the object that it overlays the object and the chamber into an upper one and a lower subchamber above and below the Layer divided and using the machine can be essentially the same vacuums in each of the to create two partial chambers and that in the upper part Chamber generated vacuum to dissolve the layer underneath the influence of the higher pressure in the upper subchamber in Connection with the object can be pressed.   2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein that came in each part vacuum created a perfect vacuum in the Approximate magnitude of 96-98 KPa. 3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deck and the hood each have a circumferential edge, which in the operating position connecting and sealing together ken. 4. Machine according to claim 3, wherein the layer in Ge need in the operating position between the connected around catchy edges of the deck and hood over their full Length is jammed. 5. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the Machine control means which the layer of egg Disconnect from the object until the vacuum is in the upper sub-chamber is dissolved, the control mit tel can be operated so that the vacuum values in the slightly deviate upper and lower subchamber so the layer is made to sweat over the object ben. 6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the machine means for monitoring the shift lift above the object, these means have a light barrier which is extends across the deck, so in use when the Layer interrupts the light barrier, the respective vacuum so adjusted in the upper and lower subchamber that the lifting of the layer over the object onto a Extent is reduced at which the barrier again closes.   7. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the Deck substantially horizontal relative to the hood can be moved to the loading position. 8. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the Deck substantially vertically adjacent from one position to the hood in a sealing connection with the hood can be moved. 9. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the Deck consists of a supporting surface on which a Object to be covered with a layer, plat is decorated, and further from a support structure for Support the load-bearing surface, the load-bearing surface Surface in relation to the support structure and the hood who moves essentially horizontally into the loading position that can. 10. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the Heating means in the form of infrared heating elements are given. 11. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the Deck is shaped so that it is essentially closed its chamber forms that in connection with vacuum generating It stands in the middle and the one between the hood and the Deck limited vacuum chamber communicates through openings that are formed in the surface of the deck that the Object is placed on which to apply the layer is.   12. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the Hood contains a substantially closed channel which forms one of its side walls and in connection with the Vacuum generating means and openings for communication tion with the vacuum chamber. 13. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein Ven til mean the dissolution of the vacuum in the upper part mer control to a sudden release of the vacuum enable. 14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the valve means in is in the form of a ball valve, that of valve timing is checked. 15. Method of applying a thin layer on the Surface of an object, the method being the sub supporting the object on a deck, superimposing the ob with the layer, creating a vacuum over and under the layer, heating the layer and dissolving the vacuum at a certain point in time to cause the layer under the influence of the height pressure in the upper part of the chamber in connection with the Object is pressed. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the over and under The vacuum created a perfect vacuum approximates in the order of 96-98 KPa. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the over and vacuum generated under the layer in separate upper and lower sub-chambers is generated by the layer ge be separated.   18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the layer by means of a small and variable pressure difference reference between the vacuum over the layer and the vacuum is brought under the layer, over the object too float before the vacuum above the layer is released. 19. The method of claim 18 comprising monitoring lifting the layer over the object using a light barrier that extends across the deck and which that Vacuum over the layer adjusts so that it gets a little clogged is greater than the vacuum under the layer when the light barrier is interrupted by the layer, and which the adapts the respective vacuum in the opposite sense if the Layer is lowered and the light barrier again closes.