DE3438489A1 - Process for the surface lamination of self-supporting mouldings, for example for the interior lining of motor vehicles, and device for carrying out the process - Google Patents

Abstract

A process is described for the surface lamination of self-supporting mouldings such as are used for example in the lining of specific surface regions in interiors of motor vehicles. A liquid adhesive for producing a permanent bond between the lamination material and the moulding is applied in the form of an adhesive layer of specifiable thickness onto a temporary carrier having at the most only slight adhesion properties with respect to said moulding, subsequently the adhesive layer on the temporary carrier is dried to form a peelable adhesive film and then the adhesive film is peeled off from the temporary carrier. If appropriate, after intermediate storage for a limited time, the solid adhesive film is transferred to the reverse side of the lamination material, which side is to be adhesively bonded to the moulding, and then the lamination material thus coated is laminated onto the surface of the self-supporting carrier part. An appropriately designed device serves for carrying out the process. <IMAGE>

Description

Process for surface lamination of self-supporting molds

parts, for example for the interior trim of motor vehicles, and device for carrying out the method Surface lamination process self-supporting molded parts, for example for the interior trim of motor vehicles, and Apparatus for Carrying Out the Method The invention relates to a method for surface lamination of self-supporting molded parts according to the preamble of the claim 1 and to a device for carrying out the method.

The problem of surface lamination of carrier parts of all Kind and thus creating a decorative surface for an otherwise optical unappealing support part exists in a variety of applications and ranges from toys to the furniture industry and other products for the home to industrial machines and the like. Especially in the automotive industry In this sense, efforts are made to produce molded parts for the interior trim of passenger cars in their surface design visually appealing, acoustically optimized and easy to grip. Made of a wide variety of plastic or nonwovens Composition pressed such molded parts are therefore known by means of a thermally deformable plastic film, a textile fabric, a leather fleece or the like more surface-laminated, for which this laminating material covers the entire surface on. the visible side of the molded part, which forms a self-supporting unit, is glued on and preferably bent over along the edge areas.

For a permanent connection between the surface-refining Decorative goods on the one hand and the self-supporting molded part on the other hand is an adhesive used, which is generally in liquid form on the side to be glued Molded part is applied in particular by spraying. The one for the spraying process or the like required viscosity until glue is by solvent or Dispersant achieved as a liquid component. The one in a sprayable consistency Any liquid adhesive that is present dries after it has been applied to the surface of the molded part by evaporation of the solvent at least partially before in a separate Laminating device, the molded part is laminated with the respective decorative goods. A Spraying liquid glue on the; Decorative goods are recommended in a large number of applications, especially not if the decorative goods are so absorbent is that the risk of at least partial impregnation of the same by means of the Liquid adhesive exists, or it is to be feared that the decorative goods through the Solvent of the adhesive is partially dissolved or the liquid component of the adhesive is retained by layers of the lamination material. Also is at a direct application of a liquid adhesive to the liner or the like there is an increased risk of contamination of the same. Especially when laminating with S-foam-backed, vapor-impermeable thermoplastic films, their application is carried out on the molded part at elevated temperature, prepare previously absorbed and thus retained solvent residues within the lamination layer are considerable Problems as they lead to the formation of bubbles and thus to defective end products.

Since, according to what has been said above, the direct application of adhesive of the lamination material before the lamination process for a large number of lamination materials ruled out from the outset, the only option left here is an adhesive coating of the molded part and the subsequent application of the prepared and in the meantime at least sufficiently surface-dry molded part again before the application of the non-adhesive decorative goods for the lamination process. The application of glue on the surface to be concealed in the case of molded parts that are used as interior cladding in the Automotive industry application, has so far been done using spray guns, this procedure results in a very significant loss of liquid adhesive in the case of environmental pollution that is difficult to justify, especially due to the evaporation Liquid glue solvent, not avoided.

In this way, non-recoverable adhesive losses were up to 50% in the well-known way of working, which is also supported by working with the Spray gun was laborious and time consuming.

This is where the present invention comes in, which is based on the object is to create methods and devices for implementation that make it possible Laminating processes using a liquid adhesive as the starting material for any lamination material to save time with the least possible loss Glue and environmentally friendly process, labor saving and more To be able to minimize the reject rate.

This object is achieved for the procedure according to the invention achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Advantageous refinements of this method result from the Subclaims 2 to llond 19.

The device for performing the method is identified by the features specified in claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the Device according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims 13 to 26.

The fact that the liquid adhesive before the known lamination process neither directly on the lamination material nor on the molded part carrying it in liquid form Form is applied, but first of all on an intermediate carrier which the adhesive layer becomes an adhesive film is dried up, to be transferred to the laminating material in this form so that it can be removed from the intermediate carrier To be able to become, is any penetration into the liner or a hold of the solvent by this excluded from the start. The direct application of the adhesive film on the liner reduces the use of the required Liquid adhesive considerably, without the risk of contamination of the laminate itself or the environment of the workplace or that the environment by evaporating Solvent can be contaminated.

The laminating adhesive is applied in the form of an adhesive film in a predeterminable desired geometry without the risk of inhomogeneities being formed consists. The labor requirement is considerable for comparable work processes less than was previously the case, which is a considerable saving in costs has an additional effect here that the necessary to carry out the process The device can be implemented in a space-saving manner through a relatively simple arrangement leaves. The profitability of the procedure is further improved by the continuous work possibility given herewith, whereby the application speed of the adhesive film produced, which can be removed from the intermediate carrier, onto the lamination material can be adapted to the processing speed of the lamination material.

The subregions in which the laminating adhesive to be applied to the back of the laminating material the Intermediate carriers are chosen so that the cutting waste generated during the lamination of the lamination material remains uncoated by adhesive. Another essential one The advantage of the present process is that the solvent or dispersant from the liquid adhesive applied to the intermediate carrier layer in a very limited area of constant geometry can be driven out, preferably within an area limited by microwave heating. By being surrounded this area with a relatively small volume and thus with a high Efficiency working suction device can be the escaping solvent or the like can be discharged and recovered without damaging the environment. As a further conclusion This results in a cost-effective reduction in solvent consumption and a substantial improvement of the occupational health and safety conditions, in addition to the advantageous expulsion of the solvent from the liquid adhesive by exposure to microwaves is the Exposure to others accelerates the evaporation of the solvent and dispersion medium Energies are conceivable, such as the application of negative pressure to the adhesive layer or the combination of temperature and negative pressure on the still liquid Adhesive layer. Through these measures, the expulsion time of the volatile Shorten adhesive components and adjust them optimally, with one for drying out of the Flyssig adhesive required a relatively small area. This diminution both the space required for carrying out the process as well as the device effort implies other significant benefits. For the drying process of the liquid Adhesive layer to a firm, peelable adhesive film, it is advantageous if the effect of temperature takes place simultaneously over the entire volume of the applied adhesive layer. if the heat is applied only passed over the surface of the adhesive layer, so A thin, solvent-free or dispersant-poor skin forms on this surface which hinder the further expulsion of the residual solvent not insignificantly would. This is done by heating the adhesive layer in the area of the expulsion zone the liquid component by microwaves a particularly advantageous procedure, the high throughput speeds for the intermediate carrier and thus the Removal of the adhesive film from this allows the known laminating systems can be loaded directly without intermediate storage and without waiting times.

It can also be particularly advantageous to use the laminating adhesive only in To apply partial areas to the lamination layer, so that with such lamination, where there is no full-surface bonding between the lamination material and the molded part or Carrier should be made, not only the effort required for laminating adhesive but also reduces the way of working with the laminating foils prepared in this way becomes a lot easier. It is particularly advantageous if the mentioned Sub-areas in which the laminating adhesive is applied to the laminating layer, be chosen so that the cutting waste generated during the lamination the The lamination layer remains uncoated.

In this case, any unnecessary consumption of laminating adhesive becomes practical reduced to zero and at the same time the possibility of recycling the resulting cutting waste improved because they are not contaminated with glue.

The device required to carry out the method can but advantageous with regard to the intermediate carrier made of a continuous endless belt also consist of a rotating drum, whereby the overall structure is operationally reliable, is easy to maintain and space-saving. The surface coating of the circumferential Tape or drum made of fluorinated PE (TEFLON) is beneficial for everyone previously known liquid laminating adhesive, which after expelling the solution or dispersant because of the little existing adhesion to this tape can easily be peeled off as a film. ~ Other coatings or surface treatments, des-tape respectively.

the drum to achieve this purpose are conceivable. When using an endless belt as an intermediate carrier, the belt length can be adjusted without difficulty the necessary distances between the following sub-assemblies in the overall production adjust.

The coating device for the insulation or. containing dispersant FL: "Liquid adhesive can in the described device from a spray device exist, which is operated advantageously airless. Since the application of the glue If the geometry is always the same, the spray losses can be minimized. It is also favorable if the coating device for the Liquid adhesive consists of at least one wetting roller, which the adhesive consists of a Transferring storage container to the revolving belt.

Finally, it can be advantageous to use the glue through a variety arranged from above the Teflon-coated tape transversely to its running direction Holes or a corresponding row of holes in the conical lower part of a storage container for liquid adhesive on the tape with the interposition of a homogenization apron to let flow. In conjunction with the use of a wetting roller it is advantageous, according to their surface structure not only homogeneous throughout Produce adhesive films, but also, for example, grid-structured adhesive tapes or a plurality of spaced apart adhesive strips and the like more.

It is also particularly advantageous that, as a result of the poor adhesion of the adhesive film after the solvent or dispersant has been driven out of the liquid adhesive layer can be peeled off and on without the risk of tearing the back of a laminating material wound, for example, in the form of a roll can be transferred, which is possible in the simplest way by means of a pair of rollers. The adhesive strength of the adhesive film on the back of the laminating material to be glued can be specified and optimally adjusted with the pressure size of these rollers. Ever Depending on the adhesive material and / or lamination material used, it can also be be advantageous, for example that roller of the pair of rollers mentioned above which the laminating film is fed to heat.

With the help of the accompanying drawings, two exemplary embodiments are intended possible device structures for carrying out the present method in more detail explained.

It means: FIG. 1 a schematic side view of such a device Contraption; and FIG. 2 shows a corresponding representation for a drum design as an intermediary.

As can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 1, are on a table-like Underframe 5 attached a plurality of rollers, at least one of which, such as is indicated with the direction of the arrow within the roller 3, by means of a not shown drive member can be set in rotary motion. Over three deflection rollers 2, 3 and 4 is a Teflon-coated endless belt 1 as an intermediate carrier for production an adhesive film out with the help of an adjustable tension roller 6 can be tensioned. In the circumferential area der.Umlenk- 'roller 3 is with the surface of the endless belt 1 a wetting roller 16 in engagement, which by its rotation an adhesive trough 18 continuously promotes liquid adhesive and onto the surface of the Teflon-coated endless belt 1 transfers. A downstream homogenizing roller 17 ensures an even distribution of the adhesive or also for the introduction a pattern in the adhesive layer.

The one on the intermediate carrier, in this case the Teflon-coated endless belt 1, liquid adhesive layer homogenized or patterned by means of the distributor roller 17 subsequently runs in the exemplary embodiment along the table surface of the underframe 5 into a suction hood 8 in which there is a microwave heating strip 7 which the endless belt is passed through in the manner shown. Just before the microwave heating section 7 openings 5 'are provided, which allow better suction the liquid content of the laminating adhesive that evaporates within the heating section to serve.

After leaving the heating section, the previously still liquid adhesive layer is in place in the form of a solid adhesive film or optionally an adhesive grid or the like before, which is guided into the nip between a pair of rollers 11 and 2, of which the lower roller 2 is the one deflection roller for driving the endless belt 1 and the upper roller 11, the take-off and counter-pressure roller.

The pair of rollers 2, 11 thus form the take-off and transfer device of the adhesive film from the intermediate carrier, i.e. the endless belt 1, onto the lamination material 10. For this purpose, the covering material 10 is in the form of a web-like material hung on a supply roll 9 unwindable. The feeding of the lamination material 10 to the extraction device takes place together with the drive movement of the intermediate carrier respectively.

of the endless belt 1 and the withdrawal of the adhesive film from this synchronously. After leaving the pair of rollers 2, 7, the back is coated with the adhesive film Laminating material 1.0 is then passed around a guide roller 12 in the exemplary embodiment an overhead lead above: the # device via this to a known per se and therefore not shown concealing device out.

Around the barrel of the backing material to which the backing adhesive is applied to homogenize, this passes through a pivotable by means of spring force Compensation device 15 and a pair of rollers 13, 14.

The volatilized solvent or dispersion medium is removed via the suction hood 8 fed to a recovery device, not shown, or at least from the environment of the device discharged in an environmentally friendly manner. The openings 5 'within the table-like support surface of the underframe 5 improve the suction facility the volatile component of the liquid adhesive.

A particularly advantageous mode of operation results from the above described method if the adhesive film at the time of peeling off Intermediate carrier on its side facing the lamination material has a larger one Has residual solvent or dispersant content than on the side with the intermediate carrier is in touch. The degree of drying must be greater on the intermediate carrier side be than on the opposite side. With this training it is achieved that the adhesive film due to the residual content of solution or

Dispersants on the side that is in Is brought into contact, adheres better than on the side with the intermediate carrier is in contact, so the less solvent or dispersant su this Point in time. This enables the transfer of the adhesive film or the adhesive layer on the lamination material facilitated and favored.

The easiest way to determine a concentration gradient in solution resp. Achieve dispersants in the adhesive film, seen across its thickness, in that the Intermediate carrier is heated. The then developing temperature gradient between the heatable intermediate carrier and the environment causes a corresponding concentration gradient of the solvent or dispersion medium over the thickness of the adhesive layer.

In devices according to FIG. 1, the intermediate carrier can thereby be heated be that the plate of the table-like base 5 is heated directly or indirectly will.

In a further embodiment of the devices according to FIG The heating of the intermediate carrier can be realized in that the with a coating The drum provided is heated from the inside with the aid of a plurality of heating elements will. The fact that the rotational speed and temperature of the heated intermediate carrier 1 'or 19 to 21 can be regulated, the device can be switched on in a simple manner adapt the drying characteristics of the adhesive or its viscosity behavior. The thickness of the adhesive film is adjustable by a variable distance between Wetting roller and intermediate carrier.

Fig. 2 explains the scheme of a device in which the intermediate carrier Is drum-shaped. Then there is a drum 19, which is a relative has a large diameter, with a non-stick coating 20 on the outer peripheral surface coated. With the help of heating elements 21 but also a liquid heat transfer medium or the like, the drum can be heated from the inside. The indicated The direction of the arrow is the direction of rotation of the drum required Drive device is not shown. The surface 20 of the drum-shaped The intermediate carrier is with the help of the wetting roller 16 with the adhesive liquid 18 'wetted, the thickness of the adhesive film being formed by changing the distance 16 'between the wetting roller 16 and the intermediate carrier 20 is set can be. The lamination material 10 is pulled off the supply roll 9 and with With the help of the deflection and tensioning rollers 23 guided over the pressure roller 22, which with the help a pressure device, not shown, for example a hydraulic one or pneumatic cylinder, against the surface 20 of the drum 19. The adhesive film that is produced by the rotation of the drum 19 from the wetting roller 16 has migrated to the line of contact of the pressure roller 22 and this becomes a self- - - -supporting adhesive layer solidified, i.e. dried or partially dried is, is transferred to the back of the lamination material 10 here. Favored This process is characterized by the fact that the drum heater 21 is followed by drying of the adhesive film with a concentration gradient of the residual solvent or dispersant content connected is. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is thus for the Take-off station only the pressure roller 22 is required. Then the back is covered with an adhesive film be; laminated laminating material in the direction of the arrow of a laminating device, not shown respectively.

fed to a winder. Will the glue-coated Laminating material is wound up again, it is advantageous in a manner known per se a layer of release paper rolled up, to a mutual sticking to prevent the individual winding layers.

Compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the device has according to Fig. 2 shows the advantage of the more compact design. Your space requirement is less, at the same time the wear of the intermediate carrier is reduced and the ease of maintenance the device improved.

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Claims (26)

Claims method for surface lamination of self-supporting Molded parts, for example those used for cladding predetermined surface areas Serve in the interiors of motor vehicles, using a liquid adhesive to create a permanent connection between a surface lamination predetermined decorative goods or the like lamination material and the molded part, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the liquid adhesive on one opposite this intermediate carrier having at most only low adhesive properties in the form an adhesive layer of predeterminable thickness is applied that the adhesive layer on the intermediate carrier is dried to a peelable adhesive film that subsequently the adhesive film is peeled off the intermediate carrier and optionally after intermediate storage transferred to the back of the laminating material to be glued to the molded part wirã and that then the essentially dry adhesive-coated laminating material is laminated onto the surface of the self-supporting carrier part. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate carrier is moved relative to the application device for the liquid adhesive. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the adhesive film is adjustable and uniformly homogenized. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid adhesive by means of at least one wetting roller and / or via nozzles onto the intermediate carrier is applied. 5. The method according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that as Liquid adhesive a solvent-based or dispersion-based laminating adhesive ## is used. 6. The method according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the dry adhesive film from the intermediate carrier on one or both sides of the molded part and / or the laminating material is applied. i 7. The method according to claim 1 to 6,. characterized in that the liquid from the adhesive layer applied to the intermediate carrier through Microwave heating is driven out of the same. 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid in the form of a solvent or dispersion (solvent, aie from the liquid adhesive is expelled for the production of ice peelable adhesive film, recovered will. 9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the expulsion the liquid from the liquid adhesive by applying temperature and / or negative pressure is made. 10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that for one if necessary, intermediate storage of the adhesive film with interposition a separating layer is rolled up alone or together with the lamination layer. 11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid adhesive on the intermediate carrier in Eprm of a pattern, like continuous stripes, like a grid or is applied in another form that only partially covers the lamination material. 12. Device for performing the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by an application device (16, 17, 18) for the liquid adhesive, one of these opposite the movable intermediate carrier (1) for the circulation device (1) forming the liquid adhesive, a volatilization device (1,8), which enables the liquid contained in the liquid adhesive to be dispensed, a pull-off device (2,11) for removing the adhesive film from the intermediate carrier (1) and the transfer to the adhesive side of the laminating material (10), and optionally a recovery device for the accumulating in the volatilization device # (7,8) Vapor component of the liquid adhesive. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the Intermediate carrier (1) consists of a revolving endless belt, the surfaces of which is coated with Teflon (fluorinated PE). 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the The intermediate carrier (1) is a rotating drum. 15. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that in the direction of movement of the intermediate carrier (1) initially the application device in operative engagement with it (16,17,18) for the liquid glue followed by the volatilization device (7,8) and finally the extraction device (11) for the removal and transfer of the Adhesive films are arranged. 16. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 15, characterized characterized in that the take-off device for the adhesive film consists of a pair of rollers (2,11) consists, through the clamping point of which the lamination material (10) ~ the adhesive film and the endless belt (i) are passed through in synchronism, with di # <# alzen mit that of the transfer of the adhesive film from the intermediate carrier (1) to the back of the laminating material (10) necessary pressure against each other are biased. 17. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 16, characterized characterized in that at least one roller of the roller pair (2,11) can be heated and / or is coolable. RE, 18. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the take-off device (11,2) a winding device for the rear with the Laminating adhesive coated laminating material (10) is arranged downstream. 19. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized characterized in that a predrying of the adhesive layer on the character carrier in the Way takes place that at the time of peeling off the only partially dry layer from Intermediate carrier (1 or 19 to 21) on the facing material (10) Page a larger solution resp. Residual dispersant content is present than on the side, die'mit the intermediate carrier (1 or 19 to 21) is in contact during drying. 20. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 19, characterized characterized in that the intermediate carrier (1 or 19 to 21) can be heated. 21. Apparatus according to claim 12 and 20, characterized in that the plate of the table-like underframe (5) can be heated jst. 22. Device according to claim 12, 14 and 20, characterized in that that the intermediate carrier consists of an internally heatable drum (19) which is provided with a coating (20). - 23. Device according to at least one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that the intermediate carrier (1 or 19 to 21) can be heated by means of a plurality of heating elements (21). 24. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 23, characterized characterized in that the rotational speed and / or the temperature of the intermediate carrier (1 or 19 to 21) are adjustable. 25. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 24, characterized characterized in that a wetting roller (16) is provided, the spacing (162) of which to the intermediate carrier (1 or 19 to 21) can be varied. 26. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 25, characterized characterized in that the drum (li) is double-walled in the area of its peripheral surface is designed to receive a liquid heat transfer medium.