EP3611001A1 - Method and device for coating workpieces - Google Patents

Method and device for coating workpieces Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3611001A1
EP3611001A1 EP19184393.7A EP19184393A EP3611001A1 EP 3611001 A1 EP3611001 A1 EP 3611001A1 EP 19184393 A EP19184393 A EP 19184393A EP 3611001 A1 EP3611001 A1 EP 3611001A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
functional layer
outlet opening
gas
coating material
compressed gas
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP19184393.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3611001B1 (en
Inventor
Johannes Schmid
Ralf Garnjost
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Homag GmbH
Homag Kantentechnik GmbH
Original Assignee
Homag GmbH
Homag Kantentechnik GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Homag GmbH, Homag Kantentechnik GmbH filed Critical Homag GmbH
Publication of EP3611001A1 publication Critical patent/EP3611001A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3611001B1 publication Critical patent/EP3611001B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/04—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases
    • B05D3/0466—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases the gas being a non-reacting gas
    • B05D3/0473—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases the gas being a non-reacting gas for heating, e.g. vapour heating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/04—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases
    • B05D3/0406—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases the gas being air
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/10—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by other chemical means
    • B05D3/104—Pretreatment of other substrates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27D—WORKING VENEER OR PLYWOOD
    • B27D5/00—Other working of veneer or plywood specially adapted to veneer or plywood
    • B27D5/003—Other working of veneer or plywood specially adapted to veneer or plywood securing a veneer strip to a panel edge

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method with a device for coating workpieces, which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, with a coating material using hot gas.
  • the EP 1 800 813 a method and an apparatus for coating components using a laser.
  • the invention is based on the idea of working with a comparatively simple energy source for activating a functional layer which can be made liable and of using it so effectively that today's requirements for a high-quality joint and a economical production process.
  • the method according to the invention provides that the functional layer is at least partially activated by gassing with a heated gas, the heated gas being released to the functional layer via at least one outlet opening and an overpressure, preferably with a pressure, in the region of the at least one outlet opening Has pressure of at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably at a pressure of at least 3 bar.
  • hot compressed gas as an activating agent for the functional layer, it is possible within the scope of the invention to work with a relatively simple energy source which is associated with low investment costs. At the same time, however, this energy source is suitable for activating a wide variety of functional layers, in particular also the so-called zero-joint functional layers, which otherwise require the use of a more complex energy source, such as a laser or a plasma source.
  • the release of the hot gas to the functional layer with an overpressure enables a high energy input to be achieved in the respective functional layer. This fact not only makes it possible to work at comparatively high production speeds, but also represents a key factor in being able to activate special functional layers using hot air.
  • the functional layers used often have a very short "open time", so that the functional layers can only be activated within a very short time window before the joining process.
  • an activation of the functional layer is only possible in that, according to the invention - thanks to the overpressure - an increased energy input into the functional layer takes place.
  • the method according to the invention therefore makes it possible for the first time, by means of hot air, to also use functional layers of the latest generation, such as those for example for zero joint technology.
  • the gas in the region of the at least one outlet opening has a temperature of at least 300 ° C., preferably at least 350 ° C. In this temperature range there is a sufficiently high energy input without fear of damage to the functional layer to be activated.
  • the at least one outlet opening is at a distance of at most 10 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, in particular 2 mm, from the functional layer.
  • This comparatively small distance not only ensures that no undesired cooling of the emerging hot air occurs. Rather, the comparatively small distance between the functional layer and the outlet opening contributes to the build-up of a dynamic pressure in the region of the outlet opening, which enables an increased energy input into the functional layer. As a result, a significant contribution is made to achieving the advantages mentioned above.
  • a plurality of outlet openings are provided, the gas in the region of at least two outlet openings having a temperature which is different from one another and which preferably increases in the direction of a relative movement between the outlet openings and the functional layer to be activated.
  • the energy input can also be particularly advantageously adapted to the particular boundary conditions of the joining process. This applies in particular if the gas has a different temperature in the region of at least two outlet openings. Because in this way, a preheating of the functional layer can be achieved by means of a first outlet opening before it is then completely melted in the region of a second outlet opening. In this way, impairments of the functional layer or possibly also of the coating material or the workpiece can be avoided, and the functional layer can be optimally adhered to.
  • the functional layer can be designed in the most varied of ways and, in principle, can also be formed as a simple hot-melt adhesive layer or the like.
  • the functional layer has means for increasing the thermal conductivity, such as in particular low-melting polyolefins and / or metal particles. This enables the heat energy introduced by means of hot air to penetrate the functional layer sufficiently quickly and deeply, so that the functional layer is fully activated with a correspondingly optimized adhesive bond.
  • the functional layer is essentially free of absorbers for laser light or other radiation sources.
  • This further development is based on the knowledge that the functional layers, which are tailored for lasers, for example, are complex and expensive to produce, since special absorbers for laser light have to be buffered so that the functional layer can be activated at all by means of a laser (or another comparable radiation source).
  • Such additional measures can advantageously be dispensed with in the context of the invention, since activation of the functional layer by means of high-pressure gas does not require such absorbers. The result of this is that it is possible to work with functional layers that can be manufactured much more easily and cost-effectively.
  • the gas supplied to the coating material is at least partially recuperated and used at least indirectly, in particular via a heat exchanger, to heat the supplied gas stream.
  • the economy and the environmental friendliness of the method according to the invention can be significantly increased.
  • the recuperation of the gas helps to avoid excessive heating of the machining environment, which could have an adverse effect on the coating process.
  • a device according to the invention for performing the method according to the invention is defined in claim 9 and enables the advantages according to the invention discussed above to be achieved.
  • At least one outlet opening is designed as a nozzle with a variable cross section.
  • Such a nozzle represents a particularly simple and yet effective means of forming a turbulent flow.
  • the compressed gas source has a heat exchanger section which is set up to heat supplied compressed gas to a temperature of at least 450 ° C., preferably at least 600 ° C.
  • a separate heat exchanger section contributes to the fact that the device according to the invention can work autonomously, it being a special feature according to the invention that the heat exchanger section can be supplied with compressed gas from a compressed gas source, that is to say for heat exchanger operation is suitable under pressure.
  • the compressed gas at the preferred temperature of 450 ° C or even 600 ° C receives a high energy density as a result of pressure and temperature, which makes it possible to make the desired high energy input into the functional layer.
  • the compressed gas is advantageously heated to a comparatively high temperature, so that later heat losses on the way to the outlet opening are harmless and, if necessary, even cold compressed gas can be mixed into the process.
  • the device according to the invention can also be supplied by an external compressed gas supply, it is provided according to a development of the invention that the compressed gas source of the device has a compressed gas generation unit. In this way, compressed gas generation and heating can be coordinated with one another in a particularly advantageous manner, and autonomous operation of the device according to the invention is made possible.
  • a material with low thermal conductivity and / or low heat storage capacity is provided in the area of the outlet opening. This helps to ensure that there is no heat-related impairment of the coating material, the functional layer or the workpiece as a result of an excessive ambient temperature, which overall contributes to a reliable coating process and a high-quality coating result.
  • the feed device for feeding the coating material is at least partially thermally insulated.
  • the device has a discharge device which is set up to at least partially discharge and preferably also to remove the gas supplied to the coating material recuperate, for example via a heat exchanger for heating the supplied gas stream.
  • the heat exchanger section can be designed in a wide variety of ways. According to a development of the invention, however, it is provided that the heat exchanger section has at least one heat exchanger element which is provided with cavities, in particular porous and / or has a porous structure and / or has through openings, since it is connected to a heat source. This results in a particularly efficient and therefore economical and environmentally friendly generation of the hot compressed air with a simple construction.
  • At least one section of at least one heat exchanger element consists of a material that is selected from rust-free sintered metal, porous ceramics, metal foam, in particular aluminum foam, and combinations thereof. These materials not only enable very good heat transfer between the heating source and the air to be heated, but also have a high level of durability and are easy to process.
  • the heating source has heating elements which are selected from heating cartridges, ceramic heating elements, high-current heaters, lasers, infrared sources, ultrasound sources, magnetic field sources, microwave sources, plasma sources and gassing sources. These different heating sources or combinations thereof can be advantageously selected depending on the respective requirements and environmental conditions in order to achieve the desired heat output with optimum economy and environmental friendliness.
  • the device can have a second compressed gas source which is set upstream of the at least one Outlet opening to feed compressed gas in order to increase the pressure of the gas emerging at the at least one outlet opening
  • This configuration is particularly advantageous when the heat exchanger section is able to heat the compressed gas to a significantly higher temperature than that required at the outlet opening.
  • a higher volume flow and / or a higher pressure can be achieved in the hot compressed gas emerging at the outlet opening by admixing a further compressed gas, so that in turn an increased energy input into the functional layer to be activated results.
  • FIG Fig. 1 A device 10 for coating workpieces 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG Fig. 1 represented schematically in a top view.
  • the device 10 according to the invention can be used for coating a wide variety of workpieces, it is preferably used for coating workpieces which at least in sections consist of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, as is widely used in the furniture, kitchen and component industry Come into play. Any surface such as narrow or wide surfaces can be coated.
  • the coating material 4 can likewise be a very wide variety of materials, a coating material provided with a functional layer 4 ′ preferably being used.
  • the functional layer 4 ′ can also be an integral part of the coating material 4, for example in the sense of a co-extruded or even completely monolytic coating material.
  • the functional layer 4 is already provided on the surface of the workpiece to be coated and / or is also fed separately into the area between the coating material 4 and the surface of the workpiece 2 to be coated.
  • the functional layer 4 ′ develops adhesive properties through the introduction of energy (such as, for example, heating), so that the coating material can be joined to the workpiece.
  • energy such as, for example, heating
  • the compound effect can also be based wholly or in part on other mechanisms.
  • the functional layer in the present embodiment can have means for increasing the thermal conductivity, such as low-melting polyolefins and / or metal particles.
  • the functional layer 4 ′ is essentially free of absorbers for laser light or other radiation sources.
  • the device 10 comprises a pressure device 14 for pressing the coating material 4 against a surface of the workpiece 2, for example in the form of one or more pressure roller (s).
  • the feed device 12 for feeding the coating material 4 is at least partially thermally insulated in the present embodiment.
  • the device 10 further comprises a conveyor 16 for causing a relative movement between the pressing device 14 and the respective workpiece 2
  • the conveyor 16 in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment is designed as a continuous conveyor (for example in the form of a conveyor chain).
  • the device according to the invention can also be designed as a stationary machine in which the workpieces are essentially stationary in the course of the coating process and the conveying device 16 is used to move the pressing device 14 and other components relevant to the coating process. Combinations of both concepts are also possible.
  • the decisive factor is the possibility of a relative movement between the pressing device 14 (or possibly further components) and the respective workpiece 2, possibly in several spatial directions or around one or more axes of rotation.
  • a wide variety of facilities can be used for this, such as conveyor belts, portals, but also robots and much more.
  • an activation unit 20 ' is provided, which in the present embodiment has a plurality of outlet openings 20 for supplying a heated compressed gas (or gas mixture such as air) 6 to the respective one Has functional layer 4 '.
  • the outlet openings 20 are directed correspondingly to the functional layer 4'.
  • the outlet openings 20 are at a distance of at most 10 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, for example about 2 mm from the respective functional layer 4 '. It is also possible that the activation unit 20 ', as in FIG Fig. 1 indicated, has corresponding outlet openings 20 in several directions, the respective outlet openings being able to be switched on and off as required.
  • the compressed gas source 22 provides heated compressed gas 6 to the respective outlet openings 20 in such a way that it has an overpressure in the region of at least one outlet opening 20.
  • Advantageous values for the overpressure present in the area of at least one (preferably all) outlet opening (s) 20 are at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably at least 3 bar.
  • FIG. Fig. 2 A possible configuration of the activation unit 20 'is shown in FIG Fig. 2 shown schematically in a side view. It shows Fig. 2 that side surface of the activation unit 20 'which faces the functional layer 4' to be activated.
  • the activation unit 20 'in the present embodiment has a plurality of outlet openings 20, the gas in the region of at least two outlet openings 20 being able to have a temperature which is different from one another.
  • the temperature of the exiting compressed gas in the direction of a relative movement between outlet openings 20 and functional layer 4 'to be activated ie in the present case in the direction of passage (from left to right in Fig. 2 ), increases.
  • at least individual nozzles can have means for adapting to the geometry of the functional layer to be activated.
  • nozzle geometries can be used, such as round, polygonal, elliptical, etc.
  • means for forming a turbulent flow when the heated compressed gas 6 emerges can be provided in the region of one or more outlet openings 20. Although in Fig. 2 Not shown, this can be achieved, for example, by designing the respective outlet opening 20 as a nozzle with a cross section that is at least partially variable in the flow direction.
  • a material with low thermal conductivity and / or low heat storage capacity can be provided.
  • FIG Fig. 3 A preferred, exemplary embodiment of the compressed gas source 22 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown schematically.
  • the compressed gas source 22 has a heat exchanger section 24, which is set up to heat supplied compressed gas to a temperature of at least 450 ° C., preferably at least 600 ° C.
  • the overall system is coordinated such that the gas in the region of the at least one outlet opening 20 has a temperature of at least 300 ° C., preferably at least 350 ° C.
  • the heat exchanger section 24 can have, for example, at least one heat exchanger element which is provided with cavities, in particular porous and / or main factory porous and / or has through openings and which is connected to the heat exchanger element shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown heating source is connected.
  • the heat exchanger element can consist at least in sections of a material which is selected from rust-free sintered material, porous ceramics, metal foam, in particular aluminum foam, and combinations thereof.
  • suitable materials can of course also be used, in particular if they have a high thermal conductivity and / or a high heat storage capacity.
  • the heating source 28 has heating elements not shown in detail, which can be selected, for example, from heating cartridges, ceramic heating elements, high-current heaters, lasers, infrared sources, ultrasound sources, magnetic field sources, microwave sources, plasma sources and gassing sources.
  • the compressed gas source 22 in the present embodiment has a compressed gas generation unit 26, for example in the form of a compressor. This can suck in a gas to be compressed from the environment or from a gas supply and pass it on to the heat exchanger section 24.
  • the heat exchanger section 24 can also be fed from an external, possibly central, compressed gas source, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown.
  • the device 10 according to the invention can furthermore have a second compressed gas source which is set upstream of the at least one outlet opening (far right in FIG Fig. 3 ) Feed compressed gas in order to increase the pressure of the gas emerging at the at least one outlet opening.
  • the device 10 further comprises a discharge device 32, such as a collecting funnel.
  • a discharge device 32 such as a collecting funnel.
  • the gas supplied to the functional layer 4 'can be at least partially removed and preferably also regrouped.
  • a heat exchanger 30 is shown downstream of the removal device 32, by means of which the waste heat of the gas supplied to the functional layer 4 'can be collected and, for example, returned to the compressed gas source 22 as thermal energy.
  • the device 10 operates, for example, as follows.
  • a workpiece 2 to be coated is moved in a conveying direction (from left to right in FIG Fig. 1 ) promoted.
  • a coating material 4 is fed synchronously to this by means of the feed device.
  • the functional layer provided on the coating material and / or workpiece (or separately) is activated by means of the heated compressed gas 6 emerging from the outlet openings 20, specifically immediately before the coating material is pressed onto the surface of the workpiece 2 to be coated by means of the pressure device 14.
  • the coating material 4 is activated by means of the Functional layer 4 'added to the workpiece 2.

Abstract

Verfahren zum Beschichten von Werkstücken (2), die bevorzugt zumindest abschnittsweise aus Holz, Holzwerkstoffen, Kunststoff oder dergleichen bestehen, mit einem Beschichtungsmaterial (4), wobei das Verfahren die Schritte aufweist: Bereitstellen einer durch Energieeintrag haftend machbaren Funktionsschicht (4'), Zuführen eines Beschichtungsmaterials (4) zu einem zu beschichtenden Werkstück (2), zumindest teilweises Aktivieren der Funktionsschicht (4') durch Begasen der Funktionsschicht (4') mit einem erwärmten Gas (6), wobei das erwärmte Gas (6) über mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung (20) an die Funktionsschicht (4') abgegeben wird und im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (20) einen Überdruck, bevorzugt von mindestens 1,5 bar, besonders bevorzugt mindestens 3 bar aufweist, und Fügen des Beschichtungsmaterials (4) an das Werkstück (2) mittels der aktivierten Funktionsschicht (4').Method for coating workpieces (2), which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, with a coating material (4), the method comprising the steps of: providing a functional layer (4 ') that can be made liable by energy input, feeding of a coating material (4) to a workpiece (2) to be coated, at least partially activating the functional layer (4 ') by gassing the functional layer (4') with a heated gas (6), the heated gas (6) via at least one outlet opening (20) is delivered to the functional layer (4 ') and has an overpressure, preferably of at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably at least 3 bar, in the region of the at least one outlet opening (20), and joining the coating material (4) to the workpiece (2) by means of the activated functional layer (4 ').

Description

Technisches GebietTechnical field

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren mit einer Vorrichtung zum Beschichten von Werkstücken, die bevorzugt zumindest abschnittsweise aus Holz, Holzwerkstoffen, Kunststoff oder dergleichen bestehen, mit einem Beschichtungsmaterial unter Einsatz von heißem Gas.The invention relates to a method with a device for coating workpieces, which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, with a coating material using hot gas.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Verfahren und Vorrichtungen der eingangs genannten Art kommen im Stand der Technik verbreitet zum Einsatz, insbesondere im Bereich der Möbel- und Bauelementeindustrie. Lange Zeit war es üblich, mit einem Kleber vorbeschichtetes Beschichtungsmaterial, wie beispielsweise Kanten, zu einem Werkstück zuzuführen, den Kleber aufzuschmelzen und das Beschichtungsmaterial mit dem Werkstück zu verkleben. Zum Aufschmelzen des Klebers kamen unterschiedlichste Mittel zum Einsatz, wie beispielsweise Heizelemente jeglicher Art, Heißluft oder dergleichen.Methods and devices of the type mentioned at the outset are widely used in the prior art, in particular in the field of the furniture and component industry. For a long time, it was customary to supply coating material, such as edges, precoated with an adhesive to a workpiece, to melt the adhesive and to glue the coating material to the workpiece. Various means were used to melt the adhesive, such as heating elements of any kind, hot air or the like.

Allerdings hat sich gezeigt, dass diese traditionellen Verfahren nur begrenzte Fertigungsgeschwindigkeiten zulassen. Darüber hinaus sind die Anforderungen an die Qualität und das optische Erscheinungsbild der Fugen zwischen Beschichtungsmaterial und Werkstück immer weiter gewachsen, sodass die traditionellen Verfahren den Anforderungen oftmals nicht mehr genügen.However, it has been shown that these traditional processes only allow limited production speeds. In addition, the requirements for the quality and the visual appearance of the joints between the coating material and the workpiece have grown steadily, so that the traditional methods often no longer meet the requirements.

Vor diesem Hintergrund wurden in den letzten Jahren unterschiedlichste, neuartige Energiequellen erforscht und zur Marktreife gebracht, um den Kleber zwischen Werkstück und Beschichtungsmaterial zu aktivieren. So offenbart beispielsweise die EP 1 800 813 ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Beschichtung von Bauteilen unter Einsatz eines Lasers.Against this background, a wide variety of novel energy sources have been researched and brought to market maturity in order to activate the adhesive between the workpiece and the coating material. For example, the EP 1 800 813 a method and an apparatus for coating components using a laser.

Alternativ haben sich jedoch auch andere Technologien entwickelt, wie beispielsweise der Einsatz von Plasma oder Ultraschall zur Aktivierung des Klebers (vgl. beispielsweise WO 2010/009805 ). Hinzu kommt, dass sich auch bei der Klebeverbindung selbst Fortschritte ergeben haben, denn häufig kommt anstelle eines reinen Schmelzklebers eine (häufig auch auf Schmelzkleber basierende) Funktionsschicht zum Einsatz, die sehr präzise in derselben Farbe wie das Beschichtungsmaterial eingefärbt und daher im gefügten Zustand kaum sichtbar ist. Dies lässt beim Betrachter den Eindruck entstehen, es handle sich um eine "fugenlose" Verbindung.Alternatively, however, other technologies have also developed, such as the use of plasma or ultrasound to activate the adhesive (cf. for example WO 2010/009805 ). In addition, progress has also been made in the adhesive connection itself, because a functional layer (often also based on hot-melt adhesive) is often used instead of a pure hot melt adhesive, which is colored very precisely in the same color as the coating material and is therefore hardly visible in the assembled state is. This gives the viewer the impression that it is a "seamless" connection.

Diese neueren Technologien eignen sich auch für hohe Produktionsgeschwindigkeiten. Allerdings erfordern die neueren Technologien eine relativ aufwendige Konstruktion und vergleichsweise hohe Investitionskosten, insbesondere für die Energiequellen zum Aktivieren der Funktionsschicht. Darüber hinaus ist je nach Energiequelle meist eine maßgeschneiderte Funktionsschicht erforderlich, was ebenfalls zusätzlichen Aufwand und zusätzliche mit sich bringt.These newer technologies are also suitable for high production speeds. However, the newer technologies require a relatively complex construction and comparatively high investment costs, especially for the energy sources for activating the functional layer. In addition, depending on the energy source, a tailor-made functional layer is usually required, which also entails additional effort and additional effort.

Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention

Es ist daher Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art bereitzustellen, die bei einfacher Konstruktion und geringen Investitionskosten eine hochwertige Fügeverbindung zwischen einem Beschichtungsmaterial und einem Werkstück ermöglichen.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset which, with simple construction and low investment costs, enable a high-quality joint connection between a coating material and a workpiece.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch ein Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 und eine Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 gelöst. Besonders bevorzugte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen angegeben.This object is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 9. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Der Erfindung liegt der Gedanke zugrunde, mit einer vergleichsweise einfachen Energiequelle zum Aktivieren einer haftend machbaren Funktionsschicht zu arbeiten und diese derart effektiv einzusetzen, dass auch die heutigen Anforderungen an eine hochwertige Fügeverbindung und einen wirtschaftlichen Produktionsvorgang erfüllt werden.The invention is based on the idea of working with a comparatively simple energy source for activating a functional layer which can be made liable and of using it so effectively that today's requirements for a high-quality joint and a economical production process.

Zu diesen Zweck ist bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren vorgesehen, dass die Funktionsschicht durch Begasen mit einem erwärmten Gas zumindest teilweise aktiviert wird, wobei das erwärmte Gas über mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung an die Funktionsschicht abgegeben wird und im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung einen Überdruck, bevorzugt mit einem Druck von mindestens 1,5 bar, besonders bevorzugt mit einem Druck von mindestens 3 bar aufweist.For this purpose, the method according to the invention provides that the functional layer is at least partially activated by gassing with a heated gas, the heated gas being released to the functional layer via at least one outlet opening and an overpressure, preferably with a pressure, in the region of the at least one outlet opening Has pressure of at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably at a pressure of at least 3 bar.

Durch den Einsatz von heißem Druckgas als Aktivierungsmittel für die Funktionsschicht kann im Rahmen der Erfindung mit einer relativ einfachen und mit geringen Investitionskosten verbundenen Energiequelle gearbeitet werden. Gleichzeitig eignet sich diese Energiequelle jedoch zum Aktivieren vielfältigster Funktionsschichten, insbesondere auch der sogenannten Nullfugen-Funktionsschichten, die ansonsten den Einsatz einer aufwendigeren Energiequelle wie beispielsweise eines Lasers oder einer Plasmaquelle erfordern. Dabei ermöglicht das Abgeben des heißen Gases an die Funktionsschicht mit einem Überdruck, dass ein hoher Energieeintrag in die jeweilige Funktionsschicht erzielt werden kann. Diese Tatsache ermöglicht nicht nur, dass mit vergleichsweise hohen Produktionsgeschwindigkeiten gearbeitet werden kann, sondern stellt einen Schlüsselfaktor dafür dar, überhaupt spezielle Funktionsschichten mittels Heißluft aktivieren zu können.By using hot compressed gas as an activating agent for the functional layer, it is possible within the scope of the invention to work with a relatively simple energy source which is associated with low investment costs. At the same time, however, this energy source is suitable for activating a wide variety of functional layers, in particular also the so-called zero-joint functional layers, which otherwise require the use of a more complex energy source, such as a laser or a plasma source. The release of the hot gas to the functional layer with an overpressure enables a high energy input to be achieved in the respective functional layer. This fact not only makes it possible to work at comparatively high production speeds, but also represents a key factor in being able to activate special functional layers using hot air.

Denn häufig weisen die zum Einsatz kommenden Funktionsschichten eine sehr kurze "offene Zeit" auf, sodass eine Aktivierung der Funktionsschichten nur innerhalb eines sehr kurzen Zeitfensters vor dem Fügevorgang möglich ist. Innerhalb dieses kurzen Zeitfensters ist eine Aktivierung der Funktionsschicht nur dadurch möglich, dass erfindungsgemäß - dank des Überdrucks - ein erhöhter Energieeintrag in die Funktionsschicht stattfindet. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ermöglicht es daher erstmals, mittels Heißluft auch Funktionsschichten der neusten Generation, wie sie beispielsweise für die Nullfugen-Technik zum Einsatz kommen, zu verarbeiten.This is because the functional layers used often have a very short "open time", so that the functional layers can only be activated within a very short time window before the joining process. Within this short time window, an activation of the functional layer is only possible in that, according to the invention - thanks to the overpressure - an increased energy input into the functional layer takes place. The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible for the first time, by means of hot air, to also use functional layers of the latest generation, such as those for example for zero joint technology.

Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist vorgesehen, dass das Gas im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung eine Temperatur von mindestens 300°C, bevorzugt mindestens 350°C aufweist. In diesem Temperaturbereich ergibt sich ein ausreichend hoher Energieeintrag, ohne dass eine Beschädigung der zu aktivierenden Funktionsschicht zur befürchten ist. Somit lassen sich die oben erläuterten Vorteile der Erfindung besonders ausgeprägt und effizient erzielen.According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the gas in the region of the at least one outlet opening has a temperature of at least 300 ° C., preferably at least 350 ° C. In this temperature range there is a sufficiently high energy input without fear of damage to the functional layer to be activated. The advantages of the invention explained above can thus be achieved in a particularly pronounced and efficient manner.

Darüber hinaus ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass die mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung einen Abstand von höchstens 10 mm, bevorzugt höchstens 4 mm, insbesondere 2 mm von der Funktionsschicht besitzt. Durch diesen vergleichsweise geringen Abstand wird nicht nur sichergestellt, dass keine unerwünschte Abkühlung der austretenden Heißluft entsteht. Vielmehr trägt der vergleichsweise geringe Abstand zwischen Funktionsschicht und Austrittsöffnung dazu bei, dass sich im Bereich der Austrittsöffnung ein Staudruck aufbaut, der einen erhöhten Energieeintrag in die Funktionsschicht ermöglicht. Im Ergebnis wird somit ein wesentlicher Beitrag zur Erreichung der oben genannten Vorteile leistet.Furthermore, according to a development of the invention, it is provided that the at least one outlet opening is at a distance of at most 10 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, in particular 2 mm, from the functional layer. This comparatively small distance not only ensures that no undesired cooling of the emerging hot air occurs. Rather, the comparatively small distance between the functional layer and the outlet opening contributes to the build-up of a dynamic pressure in the region of the outlet opening, which enables an increased energy input into the functional layer. As a result, a significant contribution is made to achieving the advantages mentioned above.

Darüber hinaus ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass mehrere Austrittsöffnungen vorgesehen sind, wobei das Gas im Bereich mindestens zweier Austrittsöffnungen eine voneinander unterschiedliche Temperatur aufweist, die bevorzugt in Richtung einer Relativbewegung zwischen Austrittöffnungen und zu aktivierender Funktionsschicht ansteigt. Durch das Vorsehen mehrerer Austrittsöffnungen kann nicht nur eine Erhöhung des Energieeintrages erreicht werden, sondern der Energieeintrag lässt sich auch besonders vorteilhaft an die jeweiligen Randbedingungen des Fügeprozesses anpassen. Dies gilt insbesondere, wenn das Gas im Bereich mindestens zweier Austrittsöffnungen eine voneinander unterschiedliche Temperatur aufweist. Denn auf diese Weise kann beispielsweise mittels einer ersten Austrittsöffnung eine Vorwärmung der Funktionsschicht erreicht werden, bevor diese dann im Bereich einer zweiten Austrittsöffnung vollständig aufgeschmolzen wird. Hierdurch können Beeinträchtigungen der Funktionsschicht oder gegebenenfalls auch des Beschichtungsmaterials oder des Werkstücks vermieden werden, und es kann vorteilhaft ein optimales Haftvermögen der Funktionsschicht erreicht werden.In addition, according to a development of the invention, it is provided that a plurality of outlet openings are provided, the gas in the region of at least two outlet openings having a temperature which is different from one another and which preferably increases in the direction of a relative movement between the outlet openings and the functional layer to be activated. By providing several outlet openings, not only can an increase in the energy input be achieved, but the energy input can also be particularly advantageously adapted to the particular boundary conditions of the joining process. This applies in particular if the gas has a different temperature in the region of at least two outlet openings. Because in this way For example, a preheating of the functional layer can be achieved by means of a first outlet opening before it is then completely melted in the region of a second outlet opening. In this way, impairments of the functional layer or possibly also of the coating material or the workpiece can be avoided, and the functional layer can be optimally adhered to.

Die Funktionsschicht kann im Rahmen der Erfindung auf unterschiedlichste Art und Weise ausgestaltet sein und prinzipiell auch als einfache Schmelzklebeschicht oder dergleichen gebildet sein. Im Hinblick auf die Aktivierung mit Heißluft ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung jedoch vorgesehen, dass die Funktionsschicht Mittel zur Erhöhung der Wärmeleitfähigkeit wie insbesondere niederschmelzende Polyolefine und/oder Metallpartikel aufweist. Hierdurch wird ermöglicht, dass die mittels Heißluft eingebrachte Wärmeenergie auch ausreichend schnell und tief in die Funktionsschicht eindringt, sodass sich eine vollständige Aktivierung der Funktionsschicht mit entsprechend optimiertem Haftverbund ergibt.Within the scope of the invention, the functional layer can be designed in the most varied of ways and, in principle, can also be formed as a simple hot-melt adhesive layer or the like. With regard to activation with hot air, however, according to a development of the invention it is provided that the functional layer has means for increasing the thermal conductivity, such as in particular low-melting polyolefins and / or metal particles. This enables the heat energy introduced by means of hot air to penetrate the functional layer sufficiently quickly and deeply, so that the functional layer is fully activated with a correspondingly optimized adhesive bond.

Darüber hinaus ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass die Funktionsschicht im Wesentlichen frei von Absorbern für Laserlicht oder andere Strahlungsquellen ist. Dieser Weiterbildung liegt die Erkenntnis zugrunde, dass die beispielsweise für Laser maßgeschneiderten Funktionsschichten aufwendig und teuer in der Herstellung sind, da spezielle Absorber für Laserlicht eingepuffert werden müssen, damit die Funktionsschicht überhaupt mittels eines Lasers (oder einer anderen vergleichbaren Strahlungsquelle) aktiviert werden kann. Auf derartige Zusatzmaßnahmen kann im Rahmen der Erfindung vorteilhaft verzichtet werden, da eine Aktivierung der Funktionsschicht mittels Hochdruckgas keine derartigen Absorber erfordert. Im Ergebnis führt dies dazu, dass mit Funktionsschichten gearbeitet werden kann, die deutlich einfacher und kostengünstiger hergestellt werden können.Furthermore, according to a development of the invention, it is provided that the functional layer is essentially free of absorbers for laser light or other radiation sources. This further development is based on the knowledge that the functional layers, which are tailored for lasers, for example, are complex and expensive to produce, since special absorbers for laser light have to be buffered so that the functional layer can be activated at all by means of a laser (or another comparable radiation source). Such additional measures can advantageously be dispensed with in the context of the invention, since activation of the functional layer by means of high-pressure gas does not require such absorbers. The result of this is that it is possible to work with functional layers that can be manufactured much more easily and cost-effectively.

Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist ferner vorgesehen, dass das zu dem Beschichtungsmaterial zugeführte Gas zumindest teilweise rekuperiert und zumindest mittelbar, insbesondere über einen Wärmetauscher, zur Erwärmung des zugeführten Gasstromes genutzt wird. Auf diese Weise lassen sich die Wirtschaftlichkeit und die Umweltfreundlichkeit des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens deutlich steigern. Darüber hinaus trägt die Rekuperation des Gases dazu bei, eine übermäßige Erwärmung der Bearbeitungsumgebung zu vermeiden, die einen nachteiligen Einfluss auf den Beschichtungsvorgang besitzen könnte.According to a development of the invention, it is further provided that the gas supplied to the coating material is at least partially recuperated and used at least indirectly, in particular via a heat exchanger, to heat the supplied gas stream. In this way, the economy and the environmental friendliness of the method according to the invention can be significantly increased. In addition, the recuperation of the gas helps to avoid excessive heating of the machining environment, which could have an adverse effect on the coating process.

Eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ist in Patentanspruch 9 definiert und ermöglicht, die oben diskutierten, erfindungsgemäßen Vorteile zu erreichen.A device according to the invention for performing the method according to the invention is defined in claim 9 and enables the advantages according to the invention discussed above to be achieved.

Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist vorgesehen, dass im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung Mittel zur Bildung einer turbulenten Strömung beim Austritt des erwärmten Druckgases vorgesehen sind. Hierdurch lässt sich der Energieeintrag in die zu aktivierende Funktionsschicht mit geringem Aufwand weiter erhöhen, sodass die oben genannten Vorteile noch ausgeprägter sind. Dabei ist es besonders bevorzugt, dass mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung als Düse mit veränderlichem Querschnitt ausgebildet ist. Eine derartige Düse stellt ein besonders einfaches und dennoch wirksames Mittel zur Bildung einer turbulenten Strömung dar.According to a development of the device according to the invention, means are provided in the region of the at least one outlet opening for forming a turbulent flow when the heated compressed gas exits. As a result, the energy input into the functional layer to be activated can be increased further with little effort, so that the advantages mentioned above are even more pronounced. It is particularly preferred that at least one outlet opening is designed as a nozzle with a variable cross section. Such a nozzle represents a particularly simple and yet effective means of forming a turbulent flow.

Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist ferner vorgesehen, dass die Druckgasquelle einen Wärmetauscherabschnitt aufweist, der eingerichtet ist, zugeführtes Druckgas auf eine Temperatur von mindestens 450°C, bevorzugt mindestens 600°C zu erwärmen. Zunächst trägt das Vorsehen eines eigenen Wärmetauscherabschnitts dazu bei, dass die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung autark arbeiten kann, wobei es eine erfindungsgemäße Besonderheit ist, dass die Wärmetauscherabschnitt mit Druckgas von einer Druckgasquelle versorgt werden kann, das heißt für einen Wärmetauscherbetrieb unter Druck geeignet ist.According to a development of the device according to the invention, it is further provided that the compressed gas source has a heat exchanger section which is set up to heat supplied compressed gas to a temperature of at least 450 ° C., preferably at least 600 ° C. First, the provision of a separate heat exchanger section contributes to the fact that the device according to the invention can work autonomously, it being a special feature according to the invention that the heat exchanger section can be supplied with compressed gas from a compressed gas source, that is to say for heat exchanger operation is suitable under pressure.

Insgesamt erhält das Druckgas bei der bevorzugten Temperatur von 450°C beziehungsweise sogar 600°C eine hohe Energiedichte in Folge Druck und Temperatur, die es ermöglicht, den gewünschten hohen Energieeintrag in die Funktionsschicht zu leisten. Dabei wird das Druckgas vorteilhaft auf eine vergleichsweise hohe Temperatur geheizt, sodass spätere Wärmeverluste auf dem Weg hin zur Austrittöffnung unschädlich sind und gegebenenfalls sogar noch kaltes Druckgas in den Prozess zugemischt werden kann.Overall, the compressed gas at the preferred temperature of 450 ° C or even 600 ° C receives a high energy density as a result of pressure and temperature, which makes it possible to make the desired high energy input into the functional layer. The compressed gas is advantageously heated to a comparatively high temperature, so that later heat losses on the way to the outlet opening are harmless and, if necessary, even cold compressed gas can be mixed into the process.

Obgleich die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung auch von einer externen Druckgasversorgung gespeist werden kann, ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass die Druckgasquelle der Vorrichtung eine Druckgaserzeugungseinheit aufweist. Hierdurch lassen sich Druckgaserzeugung und - erwärmung besonders vorteilhaft aufeinander abstimmen, und es wird ein autarker Betrieb der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ermöglicht.Although the device according to the invention can also be supplied by an external compressed gas supply, it is provided according to a development of the invention that the compressed gas source of the device has a compressed gas generation unit. In this way, compressed gas generation and heating can be coordinated with one another in a particularly advantageous manner, and autonomous operation of the device according to the invention is made possible.

Um eine übermäßige Aufheizung der Arbeitsumgebung zu vermeiden, ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass im Bereich der Austrittsöffnung ein Material mit geringer Wärmeleitfähigkeit und/oder geringer Wärmespeicherkapazität vorgesehen ist. Hierdurch wird dazu beigetragen, dass keine wärmebedingte Beeinträchtigung des Beschichtungsmaterials, der Funktionsschicht oder des Werkstücks in Folge einer übermäßigen Umgebungstemperatur auftritt, was insgesamt zu einem zuverlässigen Beschichtungsvorgang und einem hochwertigen Beschichtungsergebnis beiträgt. Aus denselben Gründen ist gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ebenfalls vorgesehen, dass die Zuführeinrichtung zum Zuführen des Beschichtungsmaterials zumindest abschnittsweise thermisch isoliert ist.In order to avoid excessive heating of the working environment, it is provided according to a further development of the invention that a material with low thermal conductivity and / or low heat storage capacity is provided in the area of the outlet opening. This helps to ensure that there is no heat-related impairment of the coating material, the functional layer or the workpiece as a result of an excessive ambient temperature, which overall contributes to a reliable coating process and a high-quality coating result. For the same reasons, a further development of the invention also provides that the feed device for feeding the coating material is at least partially thermally insulated.

Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist ferner vorgesehen, dass die Vorrichtung eine Abführeinrichtung aufweist, die eingerichtet ist, das zum dem Beschichtungsmaterial zugeführte Gas zumindest teilweise abzuführen und bevorzugt auch zu rekuperieren, beispielsweise über eine Wärmetauscher zur Erwärmung des zugeführten Gasstromes. Hierdurch lassen sich die bereits vorstehend im Zusammenhang mit der Rekuperation des Gases diskutierten Vorteile erzielen.According to a development of the invention, it is further provided that the device has a discharge device which is set up to at least partially discharge and preferably also to remove the gas supplied to the coating material recuperate, for example via a heat exchanger for heating the supplied gas stream. In this way, the advantages already discussed above in connection with the recuperation of the gas can be achieved.

Der Wärmetauscherabschnitt kann im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung auf unterschiedlichste Art und Weise ausgestaltet sein. Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist jedoch vorgesehen, dass der Wärmetauscherabschnitt mindestens ein mit Hohlräumen versehenes, insbesondere poröses und/oder haufwerksporiges und/oder mit Durchgangsöffnungen versehenes Wärmetauscherelement aufweist, da es mit einer Heizquelle in Verbindung steht. Hierdurch ergibt sich eine besonders effiziente und somit wirtschaftliche und umweltfreundliche Erzeugung der heißen Druckluft bei einfacher Konstruktion.Within the scope of the present invention, the heat exchanger section can be designed in a wide variety of ways. According to a development of the invention, however, it is provided that the heat exchanger section has at least one heat exchanger element which is provided with cavities, in particular porous and / or has a porous structure and / or has through openings, since it is connected to a heat source. This results in a particularly efficient and therefore economical and environmentally friendly generation of the hot compressed air with a simple construction.

Dabei ist besonders bevorzugt, dass mindestens ein Wärmetauscherelement zumindest abschnittsweise aus einem Material besteht, das ausgewählt ist aus rostfreiem Sintermetall, porösen Keramiken, Metallschaum, insbesondere Aluminiumschaum, und Kombinationen hiervon. Diese Materialen ermöglichen nicht nur einen sehr guten Wärmeübergang zwischen Heizquelle und zu erwärmende Luft, sondern besitzen auch eine hohe Dauerhaftigkeit und lassen sich gut verarbeiten.It is particularly preferred that at least one section of at least one heat exchanger element consists of a material that is selected from rust-free sintered metal, porous ceramics, metal foam, in particular aluminum foam, and combinations thereof. These materials not only enable very good heat transfer between the heating source and the air to be heated, but also have a high level of durability and are easy to process.

Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist ferner vorgesehen, dass die Heizquelle Heizelemente aufweist, die ausgewählt sind aus Heizpatronen, Keramikheizelementen, Hochstromheizern, Laser, Infrarotquelle, Ultraschallquelle, Magnetfeldquelle, Mikrowellenquelle, Plasmaquelle und Begasungsquelle. Diese unterschiedlichen Heizquellen beziehungsweise Kombinationen hiervon können je nach den jeweiligen Anforderungen und Umgebungsbedingungen vorteilhaft ausgewählt werden, um bei optimaler Wirtschaftlichkeit und Umweltfreundlichkeit die gewünschte Wärmeleistung zu erzielen.According to a development of the invention, it is further provided that the heating source has heating elements which are selected from heating cartridges, ceramic heating elements, high-current heaters, lasers, infrared sources, ultrasound sources, magnetic field sources, microwave sources, plasma sources and gassing sources. These different heating sources or combinations thereof can be advantageously selected depending on the respective requirements and environmental conditions in order to achieve the desired heat output with optimum economy and environmental friendliness.

Weiterhin kann die Vorrichtung gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung eine zweite Druckgasquelle aufweisen, die eingerichtet ist, stromaufwärts der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung Druckgas einzuspeisen, um den Druck des an der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung austretenden Gases zuFurthermore, according to a development of the invention, the device can have a second compressed gas source which is set upstream of the at least one Outlet opening to feed compressed gas in order to increase the pressure of the gas emerging at the at least one outlet opening

erhöhen. Diese Ausgestaltung ist insbesondere dann vorteilhaft, wenn der Wärmetauscherabschnitt in der Lage ist, das Druckgas auf eine deutlich höhere Temperatur zu erwärmen, als die an der Austrittsöffnung benötigt wird. In diesem Falle kann durch das Zumischen eines weiteren Druckgases ein höherer Volumenstrom und/oder ein höherer Druck in dem an der Austrittsöffnung austretenden, heißen Druckgas erzielt werden, sodass sich wiederum ein erhöhter Energieeintrag in die zu aktivierende Funktionsschicht ergibt.increase. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the heat exchanger section is able to heat the compressed gas to a significantly higher temperature than that required at the outlet opening. In this case, a higher volume flow and / or a higher pressure can be achieved in the hot compressed gas emerging at the outlet opening by admixing a further compressed gas, so that in turn an increased energy input into the functional layer to be activated results.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

  • Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch eine Draufsicht einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung; Fig. 1 schematically shows a plan view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;
  • Fig. 2 zeigt schematisch ein Detail aus Fig. 1; Fig. 2 shows schematically a detail Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 zeigt schematisch ein weiteres Detail aus Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows schematically another detail Fig. 1 ,
Ausführliche Beschreibung bevorzugter AusführungsformenDetailed description of preferred embodiments

Bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung werden nachfolgend ausführlich unter Bezugnahme auf die begleitenden Zeichnungen beschrieben.Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Eine Vorrichtung 10 zum Beschichten von Werkstücken 2 gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung ist in Fig. 1 schematisch in einer Draufsicht dargestellt. Obgleich die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung 10 zum Beschichten unterschiedlichster Werkstücke eingesetzt werden kann, dient sie vorzugsweise zum Beschichten von Werkstücken, die zumindest abschnittsweise aus Holz, Holzwerkstoffen, Kunststoff oder dergleichen bestehen, wie sie im Bereich der Möbel-, Küchen- und Bauelementeindustrie verbreitet zum Einsatz kommen. Dabei können beliebige Oberflächen wie Schmal- oder Breitflächen beschichtet werden.A device 10 for coating workpieces 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG Fig. 1 represented schematically in a top view. Although the device 10 according to the invention can be used for coating a wide variety of workpieces, it is preferably used for coating workpieces which at least in sections consist of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, as is widely used in the furniture, kitchen and component industry Come into play. Any surface such as narrow or wide surfaces can be coated.

Bei dem Beschichtungsmaterial 4 kann es sich ebenfalls um unterschiedlichste Materialien handeln, wobei vorzugsweise ein mit einer Funktionsschicht 4'versehenes Beschichtungsmaterial zum Einsatz kommt. Dabei kann die Funktionsschicht 4' auch integraler Bestandteil des Beschichtungsmaterials 4 sein, beispielsweise im Sinne eines koxtrudierten oder sogar vollständig monolytischen Beschichtungsmaterials. Alternativ oder zusätzlich ist es ebenso möglich, dass die Funktionsschicht 4 bereits auf der zu beschichtenden Oberfläche des Werkstücks vorgesehen ist und/oder auch separat in den Bereich zwischen Beschichtungsmaterial 4 und zu beschichtender Oberfläche des Werkstücks 2 zugeführt wird.The coating material 4 can likewise be a very wide variety of materials, a coating material provided with a functional layer 4 ′ preferably being used. The functional layer 4 ′ can also be an integral part of the coating material 4, for example in the sense of a co-extruded or even completely monolytic coating material. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that the functional layer 4 is already provided on the surface of the workpiece to be coated and / or is also fed separately into the area between the coating material 4 and the surface of the workpiece 2 to be coated.

Die Funktionsschicht 4' entfaltet in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform durch Energieeintrag (wie beispielsweise Erwärmung) haftende Eigenschaften, so dass das Beschichtungsmaterial an das Werkstück gefügt werden kann. Die Verbundwirkung kann auch ganz oder teilweise auf anderen Mechanismen beruhen. Ferner kann die Funktionsschicht in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform Mittel zur Erhöhung der Wärmeleitfähigkeit aufweisen, wie beispielsweise niederschmelzende Polyolefine und/oder Metallpartikel. Ferner ist es besonderes bevorzugt, dass die Funktionsschicht 4' im Wesentlichen frei von Absorbern für Laserlicht oder andere Strahlungsquellen ist.In the present embodiment, the functional layer 4 ′ develops adhesive properties through the introduction of energy (such as, for example, heating), so that the coating material can be joined to the workpiece. The compound effect can also be based wholly or in part on other mechanisms. Furthermore, the functional layer in the present embodiment can have means for increasing the thermal conductivity, such as low-melting polyolefins and / or metal particles. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the functional layer 4 ′ is essentially free of absorbers for laser light or other radiation sources.

Ferner umfasst die Vorrichtung 10 eine Andrückeinrichtung 14 zum Andrücken des Beschichtungsmaterials 4 an eine Oberfläche des Werkstücks 2, beispielsweise in Form einer oder mehrerer Andrückrolle(n). Die Zuführeinrichtung 12 zum Zuführen des Beschichtungsmaterials 4 ist in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform zumindest abschnittsweise thermisch isoliert.Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a pressure device 14 for pressing the coating material 4 against a surface of the workpiece 2, for example in the form of one or more pressure roller (s). The feed device 12 for feeding the coating material 4 is at least partially thermally insulated in the present embodiment.

Wie in Fig. 1 zu erkennen ist, umfasst die Vorrichtung 10 ferner eine Fördereinrichtung 16 zum Herbeiführen einer Relativbewegung zwischen der Andrückeinrichtung 14 und dem jeweiligen Werkstück 2, wobei die Fördereinrichtung 16 in der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform als Durchlauffördereinrichtung (beispielsweise in Form einer Förderkette) ausgestaltet ist. Es ist jedoch zu beachten, dass die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung auch als Stationärmaschine ausgestaltet sein kann, bei der die Werkstücke im Zuge des Beschichtungsvorgangs im Wesentlichen stationär sind und die Fördereinrichtung 16 zum Relativbewegen der Andrückeinrichtung 14 und anderer für den Beschichtungsvorgang relevanter Bauteile dient. Auch Kombinationen beider Konzepte sind möglich. Entscheidend ist die Möglichkeit einer Relativbewegung zwischen der Andrückeinrichtung 14 (bzw. ggf. weiteren Bauteilen) und dem jeweiligen Werkstück 2, ggf. in mehreren Raumrichtungen oder um einer oder mehrere Drehachsen. Hierfür können unterschiedlichste Einrichtungen zum Einsatz kommen, wie Förderbänder, Portale, aber auch Roboter und vieles anderes mehr.As in Fig. 1 can be seen, the device 10 further comprises a conveyor 16 for causing a relative movement between the pressing device 14 and the respective workpiece 2, the conveyor 16 in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment is designed as a continuous conveyor (for example in the form of a conveyor chain). However, it should be noted that the device according to the invention can also be designed as a stationary machine in which the workpieces are essentially stationary in the course of the coating process and the conveying device 16 is used to move the pressing device 14 and other components relevant to the coating process. Combinations of both concepts are also possible. The decisive factor is the possibility of a relative movement between the pressing device 14 (or possibly further components) and the respective workpiece 2, possibly in several spatial directions or around one or more axes of rotation. A wide variety of facilities can be used for this, such as conveyor belts, portals, but also robots and much more.

Unmittelbar stromaufwärts der Andrückeinrichtung 14 ist im Bereich zwischen dem Beschichtungsmaterial 4 und der zu beschichtenden Oberfläche des Werkstücks 2 eine Aktivierungseinheit 20' vorgesehen, die in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform mehrere Austrittsöffnungen 20 zum Zuführen eines erwärmten Druckgases (bzw. Gasgemisches wie Luft) 6 zu der jeweiligen Funktionsschicht 4' aufweist. Je nach Lage der jeweiligen Funktionsschicht 4' bzw. auf dem Beschichtungsmaterial 4 oder dem Werkstück 2, sind die Austrittsöffnungen 20 entsprechend zu der Funktionsschicht 4' gerichtet. Dabei besitzen die Austrittsöffnungen 20 einen Abstand von höchstens 10 mm, bevorzugt höchstens 4 mm, beispielsweise ca. 2 mm von der jeweiligen Funktionsschicht 4'. Auch ist es möglich, dass die Aktivierungseinheit 20', wie in Fig. 1 angedeutet, in mehreren Richtungen entsprechende Austrittsöffnungen 20 aufweist, wobei die jeweiligen Austrittsöffnungen je nach Bedarf zu- und abgeschaltet werden können.Immediately upstream of the pressing device 14, in the area between the coating material 4 and the surface of the workpiece 2 to be coated, an activation unit 20 'is provided, which in the present embodiment has a plurality of outlet openings 20 for supplying a heated compressed gas (or gas mixture such as air) 6 to the respective one Has functional layer 4 '. Depending on the position of the respective functional layer 4 'or on the coating material 4 or the workpiece 2, the outlet openings 20 are directed correspondingly to the functional layer 4'. The outlet openings 20 are at a distance of at most 10 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, for example about 2 mm from the respective functional layer 4 '. It is also possible that the activation unit 20 ', as in FIG Fig. 1 indicated, has corresponding outlet openings 20 in several directions, the respective outlet openings being able to be switched on and off as required.

Die Austrittsöffnungen 20 der Aktivierungseinheit 20' stehen mit einer Druckgasquelle 22 in Verbindung. Die Druckgasquelle 22 stellt erwärmtes Druckgas 6 derart zu den jeweiligen Austrittsöffnungen 20 bereit, dass es im Bereich mindestens einer Austrittsöffnung 20 einen Überdruck aufweist. Dabei liegen vorteilhafte Werte für den im Bereich mindestens einer (bevorzugt aller) Austrittsöffnung(en) 20 anliegenden Überdruck bei mindestens 1,5 bar, besonders bevorzugt mindestens 3 bar.The outlet openings 20 of the activation unit 20 'are connected to a compressed gas source 22. The compressed gas source 22 provides heated compressed gas 6 to the respective outlet openings 20 in such a way that it has an overpressure in the region of at least one outlet opening 20. Advantageous values for the overpressure present in the area of at least one (preferably all) outlet opening (s) 20 are at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably at least 3 bar.

Eine mögliche Ausgestaltung der Aktivierungseinheit 20' ist in Fig. 2 schematisch in einer Seitenansicht dargestellt. Dabei zeigt Fig. 2 diejenige Seitenfläche der Aktivierungseinheit 20', die der zu aktivierenden Funktionsschicht 4' zugewandt ist.A possible configuration of the activation unit 20 'is shown in FIG Fig. 2 shown schematically in a side view. It shows Fig. 2 that side surface of the activation unit 20 'which faces the functional layer 4' to be activated.

Wie in Fig. 2 zu erkennen ist, weist die Aktivierungseinheit 20' in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform mehrere Austrittsöffnungen 20 auf, wobei das Gas im Bereich mindestens zweier Austrittsöffnungen 20 eine voneinander unterschiedliche Temperatur aufweisen kann. So ist es beispielsweise bevorzugt, dass die Temperatur des austretenden Druckgases in Richtung einer Relativbewegung zwischen Austrittsöffnungen 20 und zu aktivierender Funktionsschicht 4' d.h. im vorliegenden Falle in der Durchlaufrichtung (von links nach rechts in Fig. 2), ansteigt. Unabhängig hiervon können zumindest einzelne Düsen Mittel zur Anpassung an die Geometrie der zu aktivierenden Funktionsschicht aufweisen. Ferner können - unabhängig von den vorstehenden Ausgestaltungen - unterschiedlichste Düsengeometrien zum Einsatz kommen, wie rund, polygonal, elliptisch, etc.
Ferner können im Bereich einer oder mehrerer Austrittsöffnungen 20 Mittel zur Bildung einer turbulenten Strömung beim Austritt des erwärmten Druckgases 6 vorgesehen sein. Obgleich in Fig. 2 nicht gezeigt, kann dies beispielsweise dadurch erreicht werden, dass die jeweilige Austrittsöffnung 20 als Düse mit in Strömungsrichtung zumindest abschnittsweise veränderlichem Querschnitt ausgebildet ist.As in Fig. 2 can be seen, the activation unit 20 'in the present embodiment has a plurality of outlet openings 20, the gas in the region of at least two outlet openings 20 being able to have a temperature which is different from one another. For example, it is preferred that the temperature of the exiting compressed gas in the direction of a relative movement between outlet openings 20 and functional layer 4 'to be activated, ie in the present case in the direction of passage (from left to right in Fig. 2 ), increases. Irrespective of this, at least individual nozzles can have means for adapting to the geometry of the functional layer to be activated. Furthermore, regardless of the above configurations, a wide variety of nozzle geometries can be used, such as round, polygonal, elliptical, etc.
Furthermore, means for forming a turbulent flow when the heated compressed gas 6 emerges can be provided in the region of one or more outlet openings 20. Although in Fig. 2 Not shown, this can be achieved, for example, by designing the respective outlet opening 20 as a nozzle with a cross section that is at least partially variable in the flow direction.

Ferner kann, obgleich in Fig. 2 ebenfalls nicht gezeigt, im Bereich der Austrittsöffnung(en) 20 ein Material mit geringer Wärmeleitfähigkeit und/oder geringer Wärmespeicherkapazität vorgesehen sein.Furthermore, although in Fig. 2 also not shown in In the region of the outlet opening (s) 20, a material with low thermal conductivity and / or low heat storage capacity can be provided.

Eine bevorzugte, beispielhafte Ausgestaltung der Druckgasquelle 22 ist in Fig. 3 schematisch dargestellt. Die Druckgasquelle 22 weist in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform einen Wärmetauscherabschnitt 24 auf, der eingerichtet ist, zugeführtes Druckgas auf eine Temperatur von mindestens 450°C, bevorzugt mindestens 600°C zu erwärmen. Das Gesamtsystem ist derart abgestimmt, dass das Gas im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung 20 eine Temperatur von mindestens 300°C, bevorzugt mindestens 350°C aufweist.A preferred, exemplary embodiment of the compressed gas source 22 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown schematically. In the present embodiment, the compressed gas source 22 has a heat exchanger section 24, which is set up to heat supplied compressed gas to a temperature of at least 450 ° C., preferably at least 600 ° C. The overall system is coordinated such that the gas in the region of the at least one outlet opening 20 has a temperature of at least 300 ° C., preferably at least 350 ° C.

Dabei kann der Wärmetauscherabschnitt 24 beispielsweise mindestens ein mit Hohlräumen versehenes, insbesondere poröses und/oder Hauptwerks-poriges und/oder mit Durchgangsöffnungen versehenes Wärmetauscherelement aufweisen, das mit der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Heizquelle in Verbindung steht. Das Wärmetauscherelement kann in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform zumindest abschnittsweise aus einem Material bestehen, das ausgewählt ist aus rostfreiem Sintermaterial, porösen Keramiken, Metallschaum, insbesondere Aluminiumschaum, und Kombinationen hiervon. Selbstverständlich können jedoch auch andere geeignete Materialien zum Einsatz kommen, insbesondere wenn sie eine hohe Wärmeleitfähigkeit und/oder eine hohe Wärmespeicherkapazität besitzen.In this case, the heat exchanger section 24 can have, for example, at least one heat exchanger element which is provided with cavities, in particular porous and / or main factory porous and / or has through openings and which is connected to the heat exchanger element shown in FIG Fig. 3 shown heating source is connected. In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger element can consist at least in sections of a material which is selected from rust-free sintered material, porous ceramics, metal foam, in particular aluminum foam, and combinations thereof. However, other suitable materials can of course also be used, in particular if they have a high thermal conductivity and / or a high heat storage capacity.

Die Heizquelle 28 weist in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform nicht näher gezeigte Heizelemente auf, die beispielsweise ausgewählt sein können aus Heizpatronen, Keramikheizelementen, Hochstromheizern, Laser, Infrarotquelle, Ultraschallquelle, Magnetfeldquelle, Mikrowellenquelle, Plasmaquelle und Begasungsquelle.In the present embodiment, the heating source 28 has heating elements not shown in detail, which can be selected, for example, from heating cartridges, ceramic heating elements, high-current heaters, lasers, infrared sources, ultrasound sources, magnetic field sources, microwave sources, plasma sources and gassing sources.

Ferner weist die Druckgasquelle 22 in der vorliegenden Ausführungsform eine Druckgaserzeugungseinheit 26 auf, beispielsweise in Form eines Kompressors. Dieser kann aus der Umgebung oder aus einer Gaszufuhr ein zu komprimierendes Gas ansaugen und an den Wärmetauscherabschnitt 24 weitergeben. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann der Wärmetauscherabschnitt 24 auch von einer externen, gegebenenfalls zentralen Druckgasquelle gespeist werden, wie in Fig. 3 gezeigt.Furthermore, the compressed gas source 22 in the present embodiment has a compressed gas generation unit 26, for example in the form of a compressor. This can suck in a gas to be compressed from the environment or from a gas supply and pass it on to the heat exchanger section 24. As an alternative or in addition, the heat exchanger section 24 can also be fed from an external, possibly central, compressed gas source, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown.

Wie in Fig. 3 zu erkennen ist, kann die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung 10 ferner eine zweite Druckgasquelle aufweisen, die eingerichtet ist, stromaufwärts der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (ganz rechts in Fig. 3) Druckgas einzuspeisen, um den Druck des an der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung austretenden Gases zu erhöhen.As in Fig. 3 can be seen, the device 10 according to the invention can furthermore have a second compressed gas source which is set upstream of the at least one outlet opening (far right in FIG Fig. 3 ) Feed compressed gas in order to increase the pressure of the gas emerging at the at least one outlet opening.

Wie in Fig. 1 am besten zu erkennen ist, umfasst die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung 10 ferner eine Abführeinrichtung 32, wie beispielsweise einen Auffangtrichter. Auf diese Weise lässt sich das zu der Funktionsschicht 4' zugeführte Gas zumindest teilweise abführen und vorzugsweise auch regruppieren. Zu diesem Zweck kann, wie in Fig. 1 gezeigt ist, ein Wärmetauscher 30 stromabwärts der Abführeinrichtung 32 vorgesehen sein, mittels dessen die Abwärme des zu der Funktionsschicht 4' zugeführten Gases aufgefangen und beispielsweise zu der Druckgasquelle 22 als Wärmeenergie zurückgeführt werden kann.As in Fig. 1 As can best be seen, the device 10 according to the invention further comprises a discharge device 32, such as a collecting funnel. In this way, the gas supplied to the functional layer 4 'can be at least partially removed and preferably also regrouped. For this purpose, as in Fig. 1 a heat exchanger 30 is shown downstream of the removal device 32, by means of which the waste heat of the gas supplied to the functional layer 4 'can be collected and, for example, returned to the compressed gas source 22 as thermal energy.

Der Betrieb der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung 10 vollzieht sich beispielsweise wie folgt. Ein zu beschichtendes Werkstück 2 wird mittels der Fördereinrichtung 16 in einer Förderrichtung (von links nach rechts in Fig. 1) gefördert. Synchron hierzu wird mittels der Zuführeinrichtung ein Beschichtungsmaterial 4 zugeführt. Die auf dem Beschichtungsmaterial und/oder Werkstück (oder separat) bereitgestellte Funktionsschicht wird mittels des aus den Austrittsöffnungen 20 austretenden erwärmten Druckgases 6 aktiviert, und zwar unmittelbar bevor das Beschichtungsmaterial mittels der Andruckeinrichtung 14 an die zu beschichtende Oberfläche des Werkstücks 2 angedrückt wird. Dabei wird das Beschichtungsmaterial 4 mittels der aktivierten Funktionsschicht 4' an das Werkstück 2 gefügt.The device 10 according to the invention operates, for example, as follows. A workpiece 2 to be coated is moved in a conveying direction (from left to right in FIG Fig. 1 ) promoted. A coating material 4 is fed synchronously to this by means of the feed device. The functional layer provided on the coating material and / or workpiece (or separately) is activated by means of the heated compressed gas 6 emerging from the outlet openings 20, specifically immediately before the coating material is pressed onto the surface of the workpiece 2 to be coated by means of the pressure device 14. The coating material 4 is activated by means of the Functional layer 4 'added to the workpiece 2.

Claims (19)

Verfahren zum Beschichten von Werkstücken (2), die bevorzugt zumindest abschnittsweise aus Holz, Holzwerkstoffen, Kunststoff oder dergleichen bestehen, mit einem Beschichtungsmaterial (4), wobei das Verfahren die Schritte aufweist: Bereitstellen einer durch Energieeintrag haftend machbaren Funktionsschicht (4), Zuführen eines Beschichtungsmaterials (4) zu einem zu beschichtenden Werkstück (2), zumindest teilweises Aktivieren der Funktionsschicht (4') durch Begasen der Funktionsschicht (4') mit einem erwärmten Gas (6), wobei das erwärmte Gas (6) über mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung (20) an die Funktionsschicht (4') abgegeben wird und im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (20) einen Überdruck, bevorzugt einen Druck von mindestens 1,5 bar, besonders bevorzugt einen Druck von mindestens 3 bar aufweist, und Fügen des Beschichtungsmaterials (4) an das Werkstück (2) mittels der aktivierten Funktionsschicht (4'). Method for coating workpieces (2), which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wooden materials, plastic or the like, with a coating material (4), the method comprising the steps: Providing a functional layer (4) that can be made liable by the introduction of energy, Feeding a coating material (4) to a workpiece (2) to be coated, at least partially activating the functional layer (4 ') by gassing the functional layer (4') with a heated gas (6), wherein the heated gas (6) is released to the functional layer (4 ') via at least one outlet opening (20) and an overpressure, preferably a pressure of at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably a pressure of in the region of the at least one outlet opening (20) has at least 3 bar, and Joining the coating material (4) to the workpiece (2) by means of the activated functional layer (4 '). Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gas im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (20) eine Temperatur von mindestens 300°C, bevorzugt mindestens 350°C aufweist.A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas in the region of the at least one outlet opening (20) has a temperature of at least 300 ° C, preferably at least 350 ° C. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung (20) einen Abstand von höchstens 10 mm, bevorzugt höchstens 4 mm, insbesondere 2 mm von der Funktionsschicht (4') besitzt.Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one outlet opening (20) is at a distance of at most 10 mm, preferably at most 4 mm, in particular 2 mm, from the functional layer (4 '). Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Austrittsöffnungen (20) vorgesehen sind, wobei das Gas im Bereich mindestens zweier Austrittsöffnungen (20) eine voneinander unterschiedliche Temperatur aufweist, die bevorzugt in Richtung einer Relativbewegung zwischen Austrittsöffnungen (20) und zu aktivierender Funktionsschicht (4') ansteigt.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of outlet openings (20) are provided, the gas in the region of at least two outlet openings (20) having a temperature which is different from one another, preferably in the direction of a relative movement between outlet openings (20) and to be activated Functional layer (4 ') increases. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Funktionsschicht (4') Mittel zur Erhöhung der Wärmeleitfähigkeit wie insbesondere niederschmelzende Polyolefine und/oder Metallpartikel aufweist.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional layer (4 ') has means for increasing the thermal conductivity, such as in particular low-melting polyolefins and / or metal particles. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Funktionsschicht (4') im Wesentlichen frei von Absorbern für Laserlicht oder andere Strahlungsquellen ist.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional layer (4 ') is essentially free of absorbers for laser light or other radiation sources. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Funktionsschicht (4') auf dem Beschichtungsmaterial (4) und/oder dem Werkstück (2) vorgesehen ist und/oder separat zugeführt wird.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional layer (4 ') is provided on the coating material (4) and / or the workpiece (2) and / or is supplied separately. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zu dem Beschichtungsmaterial (4) zugeführte Gas (6) zumindest teilweise rekuperiert und zumindest mittelbar, insbesondere über einen Wärmetauscher (30), zur Erwärmung des zugeführten Gasstromes genutzt wird.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas (6) supplied to the coating material (4) is at least partially recuperated and is used at least indirectly, in particular via a heat exchanger (30), to heat the supplied gas stream. Vorrichtung (10) zur Durchführung des Verfahrens nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend: eine Zuführeinrichtung (12) zum Zuführen des Beschichtungsmaterials (4), eine Andrückeinrichtung (14) zum Andrücken des Beschichtungsmaterials (4) an eine Oberfläche des Werkstücks (2), eine Fördereinrichtung (16) zum Herbeiführen einer Relativbewegung zwischen der Andrückeinrichtung (14) und dem jeweiligen Werkstück (2), mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung (20) zum Zuführen des erwärmten Druckgases (6) zu der Funktionsschicht (4'), und mindestens eine Druckgasquelle (22) zum Bereitstellen des erwärmten Druckgases (6) zu der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (20) derart, dass es im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (20) einen Überdruck, bevorzugt von mindestens 1,5 bar, besonders bevorzugt mindestens 3 bar aufweist. Device (10) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a feed device (12) for feeding the coating material (4), a pressing device (14) for pressing the Coating material (4) to a surface of the workpiece (2), a conveying device (16) for bringing about a relative movement between the pressing device (14) and the respective workpiece (2), at least one outlet opening (20) for supplying the heated compressed gas (6) to the functional layer (4 '), and at least one compressed gas source (22) for providing the heated compressed gas (6) to the at least one outlet opening (20) such that there is an overpressure, preferably of at least 1.5 bar, particularly preferably at least 3, in the region of the at least one outlet opening (20) bar. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Bereich der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung (20) Mittel zur Bildung einer turbulenten Strömung beim Austritt des erwärmten Druckgases (6) vorgesehen sind, wobei bevorzugt mindestens eine Austrittsöffnung (20) als Düse mit veränderlichem Querschnitt ausgebildet ist.Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that in the region of the at least one outlet opening (20) means are provided for forming a turbulent flow when the heated compressed gas (6) emerges, at least one outlet opening (20) preferably being designed as a nozzle with a variable cross section , Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Druckgasquelle (22) einen Wärmetauscherabschnitt (24) aufweist, der eingerichtet ist, zugeführtes Druckgas auf eine Temperatur von mindestens 450°C, bevorzugt mindestens 600°C zu erwärmen.Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the pressurized gas source (22) has a heat exchanger section (24) which is set up to heat supplied pressurized gas to a temperature of at least 450 ° C, preferably at least 600 ° C. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Druckgasquelle (22) eine Druckgaserzeugungseinheit (26) aufweist.Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the compressed gas source (22) has a compressed gas generation unit (26). Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Bereich der Austrittsöffnung (20) ein Material mit geringer Wärmeleitfähigkeit und/oder geringer Wärmespeicherkapazität vorgesehen ist.Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that in the region of the outlet opening (20) a material with low thermal conductivity and / or low heat storage capacity is provided. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführeinrichtung (12) zum Zuführen des Beschichtungsmaterials (4) zumindest abschnittsweise thermisch isoliert ist.Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the feed device (12) for feeding the coating material (4) is at least partially thermally insulated. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, das sie ferner eine Abführeinrichtung (32) aufweist, die eingerichtet ist, das zu der Funktionsschicht (4') zugeführte Gas zumindest teilweise abzuführen und bevorzugt auch zu rekuperieren, beispielsweise über einen Wärmetauscher (30) zur Erwärmung des zugeführten Gasstromes.Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that it also has a discharge device (32) which is set up to at least partially discharge the gas supplied to the functional layer (4 ') and preferably also to recuperate it, for example via a heat exchanger ( 30) for heating the gas flow supplied. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wärmetauscherabschnitt (24) mindestens ein mit Hohlräumen versehenes, insbesondere poröses und/oder haufwerksporiges und/oder mit Durchgangsöffnungen versehenes Wärmetauscherelement aufweist, das mit einer Heizquelle (28) in Verbindung steht.Device according to one of Claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the heat exchanger section (24) has at least one heat exchanger element which is provided with cavities, in particular porous and / or has pores and / or has through-openings and is connected to a heating source (28). Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Wärmetauscherelement zumindest abschnittsweise aus einem Material besteht, das ausgewählt ist aus rostfreiem Sintermetall, porösen Keramiken, Metallschaum, insbesondere Aluminiumschaum, und Kombinationen hiervon.Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that at least one heat exchanger element consists at least in sections of a material which is selected from stainless sintered metal, porous ceramics, metal foam, in particular aluminum foam, and combinations thereof. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Heizquelle (28) Heizelemente aufweist, die ausgewählt sind aus Heizpatronen, Keramikheizelementen, Hochstromheizern, Laser, Infrarotquelle, Ultraschallquelle, Magnetfeldquelle, Mikrowellenquelle, Plasmaquelle, und Begasungsquelle.Device according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the heating source (28) has heating elements which are selected from heating cartridges, ceramic heating elements, high-current heaters, lasers, infrared sources, ultrasound sources, magnetic field sources, microwave sources, plasma sources and gassing sources. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ferner eine zweite Druckgasquelle aufweist, die eingerichtet ist, stromaufwärts der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung Druckgas einzuspeisen, um den Druck des an der mindestens einen Austrittsöffnung austretenden Gases zu erhöhen.Device according to one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises a second compressed gas source which is set up to feed compressed gas upstream of the at least one outlet opening in order to increase the pressure of the gas emerging at the at least one outlet opening.
EP19184393.7A 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Method and device for coating workpieces Active EP3611001B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102012213796.3A DE102012213796B4 (en) 2012-08-03 2012-08-03 Method and device for coating workpieces
EP13741699.6A EP2879847B1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Process and device for edgebanding
PCT/EP2013/064990 WO2014019847A1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Method and device for coating workpieces

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13741699.6A Division-Into EP2879847B1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Process and device for edgebanding
EP13741699.6A Division EP2879847B1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Process and device for edgebanding

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3611001A1 true EP3611001A1 (en) 2020-02-19
EP3611001B1 EP3611001B1 (en) 2021-03-24

Family

ID=48875006

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13741699.6A Active EP2879847B1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Process and device for edgebanding
EP19184393.7A Active EP3611001B1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Method and device for coating workpieces

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13741699.6A Active EP2879847B1 (en) 2012-08-03 2013-07-16 Process and device for edgebanding

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US10807121B2 (en)
EP (2) EP2879847B1 (en)
CN (1) CN204894132U (en)
BR (1) BR212015002322U2 (en)
DE (1) DE102012213796B4 (en)
ES (1) ES2748184T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2014019847A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021116179A1 (en) * 2019-12-11 2021-06-17 Homag Gmbh Device and method for coating a workpiece
EP4005758A1 (en) * 2020-11-27 2022-06-01 HOMAG GmbH Device and method for coating a workpiece

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102013006263A1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-16 Ima Klessmann Gmbh Holzbearbeitungssysteme Device for processing plate-shaped workpieces
DE102013012644A1 (en) * 2013-07-30 2015-02-05 Ima Klessmann Gmbh Holzbearbeitungssysteme Coating device and activation module for a coating device
EP2902161B1 (en) * 2014-02-04 2017-08-23 BIESSE S.p.A. Machine for edgebanding wood panels or the like
EP2902160B1 (en) * 2014-02-04 2018-05-23 BIESSE S.p.A. Machine for edgebanding wood panels or the like
DE102017210261A1 (en) * 2017-06-20 2018-12-20 Homag Gmbh Method and device for thermally activating a functional layer of a coating material
ES2857910T3 (en) * 2018-12-17 2021-09-29 Starlinger & Co Gmbh Device and procedure for applying cover sheets over preformed ends to cross bottoms of hose sections
DE102019114105A1 (en) * 2019-05-27 2020-12-03 Homag Gmbh Method and device for coating workpieces
DE102020117025A1 (en) 2020-06-29 2021-12-30 Homag Gmbh Device and method for coating a workpiece

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3415747A1 (en) * 1984-03-02 1985-09-12 Interholz Technik Gmbh, 7800 Freiburg Method of adhesively bonding edges to board-shaped or plate-shaped, flat workpieces and apparatus for carrying out the method
DE10342723A1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-08-04 Delle Vedove Maschinenbau Gmbh Gas heat exchanging device e.g. industrial blow dryer, for shroud station, has commutator-release fan motor with interior runner and designed as three-phase synchronous/asynchronous motor with frequency converter
EP1800813A2 (en) 2005-11-23 2007-06-27 Technische Universität Dresden Method for coating components
WO2010009805A1 (en) 2008-07-21 2010-01-28 Karl W. Niemann Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for applying edge strips onto narrow surfaces of in particular plate-shaped work pieces and work pieces obtained in said manner
EP2694272A1 (en) * 2011-04-01 2014-02-12 Christof Schulte-Göbel Narrow surface coating device and method for applying a heat-activatable edge coating by means of hot air or hot gas

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1130998B (en) * 1956-09-21 1962-06-07 Spooner Dryer & Engineering Co Device for applying a cover strip made of thermoplastic material to the edge of a flat material
DE1621814C3 (en) * 1967-02-23 1975-09-18 Heinrich Brandt Maschinenbau, 4920 Lemgo Device for the continuous application of strip material by means of adhesive to the edge surfaces of workpieces
CH505005A (en) * 1968-03-30 1971-03-31 Ciba Geigy Ag Process for the production of a guarantee closure and guarantee closure produced according to this process
US4222812A (en) * 1978-06-29 1980-09-16 Lof Plastics, Inc. Hot air edge banding machine
IT1177349B (en) * 1984-11-28 1987-08-26 Prandi G & C Off Mec CIRCULAR COEXTRUSION HEAD OF MULTIPLE LAYERS OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS
US4944829A (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-07-31 Rorer Pharmaceutical Corporation Apparatus for applying wrappers
CA2245485C (en) * 1997-08-22 2001-11-06 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Edgebanding process and apparatus
DE10029043A1 (en) * 2000-06-13 2002-01-03 Bulthaup Gmbh & Co Furniture panel and process for its manufacture
US20100022375A1 (en) * 2006-07-27 2010-01-28 Water-Line Sa Method for the Production of Packaging Bags Having a Reinforced Base Region and Device for Carrying Out the Method
DE102006042816A1 (en) * 2006-09-08 2008-06-26 Tesa Ag Heat-activated adhesive punching surface element
WO2010003956A1 (en) * 2008-07-11 2010-01-14 Dsm Ip Assets B.V. Process for heat treatment of semi-crystalline polymers
DE102010020293A1 (en) * 2010-05-12 2011-11-17 Heinrich Kuper Gmbh & Co. Kg Apparatus and method for composing veneer strips with expansion space
DE102010032845A1 (en) 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Ima Klessmann Gmbh Holzbearbeitungssysteme Apparatus for coating workpieces
EP2433769B1 (en) 2010-09-27 2013-04-03 HOMAG Holzbearbeitungssysteme AG Device and process for coating a workpiece
US20120159922A1 (en) * 2010-12-23 2012-06-28 Michael Gurin Top cycle power generation with high radiant and emissivity exhaust
ITMI20111159A1 (en) * 2011-06-24 2012-12-25 Macpi Pressing Div MACHINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATERPROOF JUNCTION ON TRISTRATE FABRICS OR WATERPROOF BISTRATE
DE102012103508A1 (en) * 2011-11-24 2013-07-25 Holger Kluge A nozzle arrangement for an edge strip applicator for impinging a glueless, heat activated or hot melt coated edge strip or workpiece with hot air and an edge strip applicator having a nozzle assembly

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3415747A1 (en) * 1984-03-02 1985-09-12 Interholz Technik Gmbh, 7800 Freiburg Method of adhesively bonding edges to board-shaped or plate-shaped, flat workpieces and apparatus for carrying out the method
DE10342723A1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-08-04 Delle Vedove Maschinenbau Gmbh Gas heat exchanging device e.g. industrial blow dryer, for shroud station, has commutator-release fan motor with interior runner and designed as three-phase synchronous/asynchronous motor with frequency converter
EP1800813A2 (en) 2005-11-23 2007-06-27 Technische Universität Dresden Method for coating components
WO2010009805A1 (en) 2008-07-21 2010-01-28 Karl W. Niemann Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for applying edge strips onto narrow surfaces of in particular plate-shaped work pieces and work pieces obtained in said manner
EP2694272A1 (en) * 2011-04-01 2014-02-12 Christof Schulte-Göbel Narrow surface coating device and method for applying a heat-activatable edge coating by means of hot air or hot gas

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021116179A1 (en) * 2019-12-11 2021-06-17 Homag Gmbh Device and method for coating a workpiece
EP4005758A1 (en) * 2020-11-27 2022-06-01 HOMAG GmbH Device and method for coating a workpiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102012213796A1 (en) 2014-02-06
EP2879847B1 (en) 2019-09-04
US10807121B2 (en) 2020-10-20
EP2879847A1 (en) 2015-06-10
BR212015002322U2 (en) 2015-11-24
EP3611001B1 (en) 2021-03-24
DE102012213796B4 (en) 2021-03-25
CN204894132U (en) 2015-12-23
ES2748184T3 (en) 2020-03-13
WO2014019847A1 (en) 2014-02-06
US20150239009A1 (en) 2015-08-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3611001B1 (en) Method and device for coating workpieces
EP3356100B1 (en) Method and device for edge coating
DE19955575A1 (en) Method and device for adhering a covering material to workpiece surfaces of continuously moving or stationary plate or strip-shaped workpieces
EP3877124A1 (en) Method and device for coating a workpiece
DE102011106505A1 (en) Welding tool for connecting at least two workpieces, welding process and workpiece
DE102017114970A1 (en) Apparatus and method for refining workpieces
EP3676079B1 (en) Heating component for contact welding and automatic welding machine
DE1596495B2 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BENDING GLASS PANELS
EP2347852A1 (en) Laser welding device for laser welding flat materials
EP0999925B1 (en) Method and device for working substantially sheet-or lath-shaped workpieces, in particular made of derived timber products
DE202012103541U1 (en) Device for processing the edge region of an edged plate
DE102012108721B4 (en) Method for processing the edge region of an edged plate and device for carrying out the method
DE102009021200B4 (en) Method for trimming sandwich honeycomb structures
EP2998052B1 (en) Method and device for narrow surfaces coating of plate-shaped semi-finished products or workpieces
EP3672786A1 (en) Method and device for connecting profiled parts
EP3653353B1 (en) Device and method for coating a workpiece
DE102011109812B4 (en) Machining device for producing a component connection
EP2827999A1 (en) Device and method for spray coating an object with a hot-melt adhesive
EP2149449A1 (en) Method and device to manufacture a composite component with a melting or softening carrier element and an attachment, in particular vehicle air inlet sieve
DE10317953B3 (en) Apparatus and method for continuous machining of workpieces in the edge region
EP2740575A1 (en) Method and device for processing plates
WO2011069539A1 (en) Scarfing block assembly
DE1931975A1 (en) Hot gas processing of thermoplastic mater- - ials
DE2741113A1 (en) Butt-joining pieces of veneer into endless veneer strips - by serrating and fitting together the zigzagging edges, gluing under heat and pressure, and coating one side with adhesive, esp. PVAC glue
DE10312512A1 (en) Assembly to shape symbol structures, from fusible plastics granules, applies local heat along the symbol contour in a container of granules to give the required shape

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 2879847

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200630

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20201021

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 2879847

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502013015597

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1374028

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210624

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210624

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210625

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20210324

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210726

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210724

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502013015597

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20220104

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20210716

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210731

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210716

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210724

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210716

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210716

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210324

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230529

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20130716

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230718

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20230707

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230717

Year of fee payment: 11