ES2329498T3 - TAIL DISTRIBUTION DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A glue distributing apparatus comprises roller means (2) for applying a glue to an element to be glued (50), tank means (3) containing said glue and provided with an opening (3a) for conveying said glue to said roller means (2), and adjusting means (4), interposed between said roller means (2) and said opening (3a) for adjusting a quantity of glue transferred to/from said roller means (2), said adjusting means (4) comprising doctor blade means (5, 6) provided with respective cavity means (5a, 6a).

Description

Glue distribution device.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the distribution of glue, in particular, an apparatus for glue distribution in a carpentry machine, such as by example, a edge coating machine or a machine edge coating and squaring.

These machines, which normally perform edge coating operations on panels, boards or flat elements of wood or similar material, comprise glue distribution devices or gluing units that deposit or spread a layer of adhesive glue on the bands, tapes, or flanges to be applied to the edges of the panels or directly on the edges of said panels.

The adhesive used is generally a glue fuse that must be properly heated before applying "hot" to the surfaces to be joined. The tail is applied by means of a suitable rotating glue roller that It has a rough or scratched outer surface, which retains and move the tail provided by a tank or crucible. This The latter is made of a non-adherent material and is provided with heating elements, such as electrical resistors, for heating evenly tail and keep it fluid.

In some gluing units, the deposit of queue is located under a work area and means of suitable supply, such as, for example, a conveyor of screw, transfer the tail from said lower tank to the gluing roller.

However, these devices suffer from inconvenience of overheating the work area, since that the tank with the heating resistors is placed in a position that does not allow heat dissipation produced, of so that it spreads to adjacent areas and particularly up to the glue roller.

In order to solve this serious inconvenience, which can cause a malfunction or even the breakage of the mechanical elements of the apparatus, have been given to know glue distribution devices provided with deposits of glue located next to the gluing roller and extending towards above. In this way, the heat generated by the resistance of the deposit can dissipate to the external environment and does not affect at least marginally, to the work area and, in particular, to the roller and corresponding movement elements.

The deposit is provided with a bottom or chamber provided with an opening through which the tail flows through the gravity force to the glue roller. The latter closes partially said opening and, when turning, transfers and extends the glue on the surfaces of the elements to be joined.

Inside the lower chamber, interposed between the roller and the opening, are provided, generally, tail adjustment means comprising fixed scraper blades to adjust the amount of glue that goes to extend on the grated surface of the glue roller.

In particular, these devices may comprise a first scraper blade, called a scraper blade dosing machine, to deposit or spread a uniform layer of glue a fixed thickness in the gluing roller, and a second blade scraper, called recovery or return scraper blade, which recovers the excess tail of the roller that has not been transferred to the surface to be glued. The scraper blade of return also prevents foreign bodies from entering the camera.

The scraper blades are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance, opposite to the opening of the lower chamber of the tank such that they form a cavity in which the tail that is taken from the roller.

Each scraper blade comprises an element elongated plane, provided with an edge that comes into contact with the gluing roller along the generatrix of this, which works substantially like a spatula to spread a layer glue uniform on said roller.

Alternatively, each scraper blade can consist of a cylindrical pivot, arranged parallel to the gluing roller and provided with a longitudinal plane that constitutes a flat surface that transports and extends the tail on the roller

The presence of two scraper blades different requires complex and laborious manipulation of the device  since the adjustment operations to place and guide correctly the scraper blades in relation to the roller they must be repeated separately for each cleaning blade; also operators are required to be properly trained and You must leave the machine idle for long periods. In fact, the  gluing roller can rotate in the direction of the needles of the clock and in the reverse direction, depending on whether, for example, they should glue tapes or bands (in the case of the so-called "softforming") or the panels whose edges are going to be glued to be lined with bands (in the case of the so-called "straightforming").

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When changing the direction of rotation of the roller, it is it is necessary to replace and / or adjust the two blades separately scrapers that change function and must be positioned and oriented correctly in relation to the roller.

Due to their shape and arrangement, the blades scrapers form a cavity in the lower chamber of the tank whose inside the rotation of the gluing roller causes the formation of turbulence and whirlpools in the liquid tail contained there. Said turbulent flow causes a distribution unequal tail in the roller since said tail is distributed unevenly along the height of the roller.

In fact, it has been observed that in one part top of the roller is deposited an amount of bottom glue that which is deposited at the bottom. This causes a glue. irregular since a glue layer of uneven thickness is applied to the surfaces to be glued.

The turbulent flow and the whirlwinds of the tail liquid intensify as the speed of glue roller rotation, for example if necessary Spread tail on moving parts, normally in the edge and square coating machines that process straight panels aligned at high movement speeds rectilinear This inconvenience of the distribution devices of known tail often forces the speed reduction of Machine production.

Another drawback of the appliances known distribution is that tail leaks occur; especially during periods of unemployment of said devices. From in fact, as the gluing roller is provided with a surface rough or grated external, scraper blades cannot provide a moist hermetic attachment to this surface and, consequently, tightly close the lower chamber of the glue deposit

During the operation of the devices, the Roller rotation provides a dynamic seal between the external surface of the roller and scraper blades. Do not However, during periods of unemployment, in the absence of a seal dynamic, a tail leak occurs that varies according to the fluidity of the tail, the pressure inside the tank, the shape and the dimensions of the opening of the lower chamber, etc.

Tail leakage is a serious inconvenience, not only from the economic point of view (said meltable tail is very face), but because of the problems that the tail can generate when extend and solidify in the work area.

In document DE 3447592, a device for applying a meltable adhesive to mobility parts continued The device is provided with a deposit for contain the meltable adhesive. The deposit comprises a part in which an application roller, arranged to apply the adhesive meltable to workpieces, is rotatably supported around a vertical axis. The deposit also includes a space through which the application roller protrudes with a part of its periphery to contact a work piece. The device also comprises two dosing valves placed inside the tank on opposite sides of the roller of application; dosing valves interposed Between the part and the space.

EP 0945235 discloses a edge coating device to cover the edges of panels. The edge covering device comprises about means for applying a singing band to a panel, being compounds such means of a motorized shaft that drives a roller, mounted on it, ready to contact a panel edge. He edge covering device further comprises means to supply glue to the roller. These media are made up of a tank to contain the tail and a pair of dosing cylinders interposed between a tank opening and the roller.

In DE 20104698, a glue deposit for a edge gluing machine is disclosed. The tail tank comprises an interior space that leads to the outside through an exit slot. The glue tank further comprises an application roller that is located in front of the exit slot. In addition, the glue tank is provided with a rotating dosing rod located between the application roller and the groove of
exit.

An objective of the invention is to improve the known tail distribution apparatus, in particular for woodworking machines to process wooden elements or similar materials. Another objective is to obtain a device tail distribution that allows a homogeneous distribution and glue uniform on a full length glue roller of this.

Another objective is to obtain a device for glue distribution in which there are no tail leaks in operating conditions or in conditions of unemployment.

Still another goal is to obtain a device tail distribution, which allows adjustment and control, so simple, fast and effective, of the tail that will extend in the surfaces to be glued, regardless of address of glue roller rotation.

In the invention, an apparatus of tail distribution as defined in claim 1.

Thanks to the invention, a glue distribution apparatus in which there is no leakage of queue during operation and, above all, during periods of unemployment. In fact, the closing means can close hermetically the opening of a means of deposit, preventing so that the tail reaches the roller means and escapes through some passages and openings of a striped surface of said means of roller.

The invention can be better understood and carried out referring to the attached drawings in which show some embodiments by way of examples not limiting, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic partial section, taken along a longitudinal plane, from an example Explanatory of a tail distribution device that is not part of the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are partial sections schematic, taken along a plane II-II of figure 1, showing scraper blade means in respective different work positions.

Figure 4 is a schematic partial section, taken along a longitudinal plane, of a version of the apparatus of the invention.

Figures 5 and 6 are partial sections schematic, taken along a V-V plane of Figure 4, showing a scraper blade means in respective different work positions and means of Close in an open position.

Figure 7 is a section like the one in Figure 6, in which such closing means are in a position of closing.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, schematically shows a tail distribution apparatus that it comprises roller means 2, reservoir means 3 and about adjustment means 4.

The roller means 2 comprise a roller swivel, of the known type, provided with an external surface grated or rough 2a intended to remove, transport and apply a predefined layer of glue in an element 50 to be glued.

The roller 2 is rotated by means suitable actuators, of the known type and not represented in the figures, and can rotate clockwise and in the opposite direction, according to the elements 50 to be glued. By example, roller 2 rotates clockwise to glue bands or tapes in the process called "softforming" while turning in the opposite direction to that of the hands of the clock to glue edges of panels or boards whose songs are going to be covered, in the so-called process "straightforming". Deposit means 3, which contain the glue and are located next to roller means 2, extend up and are provided with an opening 3a for transporting said glue to roller means 2. Deposit means 3 they are also provided with a plurality of elements of electric heating 23 that can heat and melt evenly tail and keep it liquid.

The opening 3a of the reservoir means 3 has a height that is almost the same as that of a part of roller 2 configured to receive the queue.

Adjustment means 4 are interposed between the roller means 2 and the opening 3a to regulate an amount of the glue transferred to roller 2 for later application in an element 50 that will be glued. Adjustment means 4 are also configured to recover from the roller 2 the excess of queue, which has not been extended in item 50.

Adjustment means 4 comprise means of scraper blade 5, 6 provided with cavity means respective 5th, 6th. A scraper blade means comprises a first scraper blade 5 and a second scraper blade 6.

Each scraper blade 5, 6 is an element that it has a longitudinally elongated shape, for example a pin with an approximately cylindrical section, in which forms a respective 5th, 6th cavity, consisting of a space open hole that extends longitudinally throughout most of the item length The cavity 5a, 6a is, for example, a straight groove with a U-shaped cross section provided with a concave bottom wall.

The two scraper blades 5, 6 are arranged parallel to each other and separated so that the respective cavities 5th, 6th are almost facing each other to form a volume or space 7 that presents a form to contain The tail.

It has been detected that said cavities 5a, 6a considerably reduce and limit the formation of turbulence and Whirlpools in the liquid glue during roller rotation 2. This allows an almost uniform distribution and homogeneous tail on the entire length of roller 2, with independent of the speed of rotation of the roller 2.

Each scraper blade 5, 6 comprises a part on contact 5b, 6b configured to contact roller 2, and a sealing part 5c, 6c suitable for coming into contact with a respective seat 3b, 3c of the deposit means 3.

Referring to figures 2 and 3, the contact part 5b, 6b is, for example, an edge made in a external surface of the scraper blade while the part sealing 5c, 6c is a part of said external surface, provided with a concave shape, complementary to a seat shape 3b, 3c, for example a cylindrical surface part.

Each scraper blade 5, 6 is mounted rotating around a respective axis of rotation 5d, 6d, to move between a first working position A and a second respective work position B. Said rotation axes 5d, 6d are parallel to each other and also parallel to an axis of rotation 8 of the roller 2.

In the first work position A, the part in scraper blade contact 5b, 6b 5, 6 adjoins substantially with the outer surface 2a of the roller 2 so which adjusts the glue step to be deposited on the roller and spreads said tail evenly on said outer surface 2nd.

In the second work position B, the part in contact 5b, 6b of the scraper blade 5, 6 is separated from a respective outer surface 2a of roller 2 to allow recovery of excess glue on roller 2 and at the same time prevent the possible entry into volume 7 of foreign bodies.

Drive means, of the known type and not represented in the figures, are provided to change the scraper blades 5, 6, between the two working positions.

The scraper blades 5, 6 can be mounted to rotate independently, operated separately by respective drive means.

Alternatively, scraper blades 5, 6 they can be mounted linked to each other and connected by suitable interconnection means, so that they rotate at the same time. Said interconnection means may be of the mechanical type, by example gear or pulley mechanisms, or electronic type, by example electronic media control means of drive

When the scraper blades 5, 6 are interconnected, a rotation of a scraper blade matches with the same rotation of another scraper blade. Plus specifically and referring to figures 2 and 3, when for example the first scraper blade 5 is in the first respective working position A, the second scraper blade 6 it is in the second respective work position B. In this case, the apparatus 1 is in a first operative configuration P in the that roller 2 rotates counterclockwise clock, for example, to apply glue to a edge of a panel 50.

The rotation of the first scraper blade 5 in the respective second work position B coincides with the rotation of the second scraper blade 6 in the first working position A respective. In this case, the device 1 is in a second operating configuration Q in which roller 2 rotates in the direction clockwise, for example to apply glue to a band or tape 50.

The scraper blade 5, 6 can also Perform as one body. In this case, the axes of rotation respective 5d, 6d are matching.

Figures 4 to 7 show a version of the apparatus 1 comprising closing means 10, which are mobile and are interposed between the roller 2 and the opening 3a of the means of reservoir 3 to close and / or open said opening 3a.

In particular, the closing means 10 are inserted between the adjustment means 4 and said opening 3a.

The closing means 10 can move between a closing position C, in which said opening 3a is closed to prevent the glue from passing the reservoir means 3 to the roller 2 (figure 7), and a full open position D, in which they open said opening 3a and allow the tail to pass through (figures 5, 6).

In an intermediate position, which is not shown in the figures, the closing means 10 can adjust a flow of glue to roller 2, partially closing opening 3a.

The closing means 10 comprise an element elongated, substantially cylindrical rotatably mounted on a rotating pin 11.

The closing means 10 are further provided of a passage 12 comprising a longitudinal passage opening that allows the transit of the tail and that has a length that is almost equal to a height of the opening 3a.

The closing means 10 are contained in a respective respective seat 3d made in the deposit means 3, inside which they can turn.

In this version of apparatus 1, the means of setting 4 comprise a pair of scraper blades 15, 16 made  single-body and rotatably mounted around about respective rotation axes 15d, 16d than in this case match.

More precisely, the adjustment means 4 they comprise an elongated tubular element 19 that is substantially cylindrical with an open section, provided with two parts facing and opposite 15, 16 that act as blades scrapers

Each scraper blade 15, 16 has a respective contact part 15b, 16b configured to enter contact with the outer surface 2a of the roller 2, and a part of sealed 15c, 16c respective configured to collide with said respective seat 3d of the reservoir means 3.

As shown in figures 5 and 6, enough rotate the tubular body 19 of the adjustment means 4 to position  the two scraper blades 15, 16 at the same time and with precision in the respective work positions. In particular, when the device 1 is in a first operational configuration P, the first scraper blade 15 is in a first working position respective - that is, substantially in contact with roller 2 to adjust a glue step in the roller- and the second blade scraper 16 is in a second respective working position - that is, separated from roller 2 to activate the recovery of the excess tail -. On the other hand, when the apparatus 1 is in a second operating configuration Q, the first scraper blade 15 is in a second respective work position and the second scraper blade 16 is in a first working position respective.

The tubular body 19 of the adjustment means 4 it has a cylindrical cavity 17 in which the closing means 10 are inserted coaxially.

In addition, a slot 18 is provided, made in a wall of said tubular element 19 and facing said contact edges 15b, 16b. The tail coming from the media of reservoir 3 can pass through slot 18 to reach the means roller 2.

This version of the distribution device 1 thus comprises adjustment means 4 and closing means 10 in A very compact structure.

The adjustment means 4, comprising two scraper blades 15, 16, which are formed in one piece and They are mobile simultanee ante, allow adjustment and control of simple, fast and effective way of a tail distribution in the surfaces that must be glued, regardless of a direction of rotation of the roller 2.

At the same time, the closing means 10 can tightly close the opening 3a, thus preventing the tail reach roller 2 and escape through the steps and openings of the external surface 2a of said roller during the stop phases of the device

The closing means 10 comprise a pair of recesses 13, 14, made in an internal wall of step 12 lo throughout its entire length.

The recesses 13, 14 are substantially equal and are arranged symmetrically in relation to a plane longitudinal symmetry S of the closing means 4. In particular, said recesses 13, 14, which have an almost shaped section of U, are arranged so that they form a respective cavity 20 that converges on roller means 2.

By means of recesses 13, 14 can be reduced considerably the formation of turbulence and whirlpools in the liquid glue during the rotation of roller 2, in order to obtain a almost uniform and homogeneous distribution of the tail throughout the length of roller 2, regardless of the speed of rotation of this.

In another version of apparatus 1, not shown in the figures, respective cavities can be provided in the Tubular body walls 19 of the adjustment means 4 in the scraper blades 15, 16.

Claims (32)

1. Glue distribution apparatus comprising roller means (2) for applying a glue to an element to be glued (50), deposit means (3) containing said glue and which are provided with an opening ( 3a) for transferring said glue to said roller means (2), characterized in that it comprises adjustment means (4) interposed between said roller means (2) and said opening (3a) to regulate an amount of glue transferred to said means roller (2) for subsequent application in an element (50) to be glued, and further comprising closing means (10), interposed between said adjustment means (4) and said opening (3a) and movable between a closed position (C), said closing means (10) closing said opening (3a) to prevent the passage of said tail of said deposit means (3) to said roller means (2), and an opening position ( D), opening said closing means (10) opens said opening (3a) to allow pull the passage of that tail. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said closing means (10) are rotatably mounted around a rotating pin (11). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in the that said closing means (10) comprise an elongated element; in particular, a substantially cylindrical pivot. 4. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said closing means (10) they comprise a step (12) that allows the passage of said tail between said reservoir means (3) and said roller means (2). 5. Apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said deposit means (3) they comprise a housing (3d) for receiving said closing means (10) 6. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said adjustment means (4) adjust a quantity of glue transferred to said roller means (2) and from them. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said adjustment means (4) are interposed between said means of roller (2) and said closing means (10). 8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, in the that said adjustment means (4) comprise blade means scraper (5, 6; 15, 16). 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said scraper blade means (5, 6; 15, 16) are mounted mobile so that they can move between a first respective working position (A), to regulate a queue step which will be extended on said roller means (2), and a respective second working position (B), to retrieve the tail excess of said roller means (2). 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said scraper blade means (5, 6; 15, 16) are mounted rotating around some rotation axes (5d, 6d; 15d, 16d) respective. 11. Device according to any of the claims 8 to 10, comprising drive means to move said scraper blade means (5, 6; 15, 16). 12. Device according to any of the claims 8 to 11, wherein said knife means scraper comprise two scraper blades (5, 6; 15, 16). 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in the that said scraper blades (5, 6; 15, 16) are made to from a single body. 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, which comprises means for interconnecting said scraper blades  (5, 6; 15, 16). 15. Device according to any of the claims 12 to 14, wherein said scraper blades (5, 6; 15, 16) are mounted so that when a blade scraper (5, 6; 15, 16) is in the first working position (A) respective the remaining scraper blade (6, 5; 16, 15) is in the Second respective work position (B) and vice versa. 16. Apparatus according to any of the claims 12 to 15, wherein each scraper blade (5, 6) it comprises an elongated element, in particular a pivot conformed. 17. Apparatus according to any of the claims 12 to 15, wherein said scraper blades (15, 16) comprise respective, opposite and opposite parts of a tubular element (19) of said adjustment means (4). 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in the that said tubular element (19) is substantially cylindrical. 19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, in which said tubular element (19) comprises an internal cavity (17) suitable for receiving said closing means (10). 20. Apparatus according to any of the claims 12 to 19, wherein each scraper blade (5, 6; 15, 16) comprises a contact part (5b, 6b; 15b, 16b) configured to come into contact with said roller means (2). 21. Apparatus according to any of the claims 12 to 20, wherein each scraper blade (5, 6; 15, 16) comprises a sealing part (5c, 6c; 15c, 16c) configured to contact a seat (3b, 3c; 3d) respective of said deposit means (3). 22. Device according to any of the claims 12 to 21, wherein each scraper blade (5, 6) It comprises a respective cavity (5th, 6th). 23. Apparatus according to claim 22, in the that said cavity (5a, 6a) has a section substantially with U shape 24. Apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, in which said cavity (5a, 6a) extends longitudinally by almost the entire length of the scraper blade (5, 6) respective. 25. Apparatus according to any of the claims 22 to 24, wherein said scraper blades (5, 6) are mounted so that said cavities (5th, 6th) respective are almost facing each other and are turned substantially towards said roller means (2). 26. Apparatus according to any of the claims 12 to 25, wherein said scraper blades (5, 6; 15, 16) are substantially facing each other and are substantially parallel. 27. Apparatus according to any of the claims 8 to 26, wherein said blade means scraper (5, 6; 15, 16) are substantially parallel to said roller means (2). 28. Apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 27, wherein said closing means (10) they comprise a recess means (13, 14). 29. Device according to any of the claims 4 to 28, wherein said recess means (13, 14) they are made in internal walls of said passage (12). 30. Apparatus according to claim 29, in the that said recess means (13, 14) extend for a length almost corresponding to a height of said step (12). 31. Device according to any of the claims 28 to 30, wherein said recess means (13, 14) they present an almost U-shaped section. 32. Device according to any of the claims 28 to 31, wherein said recess means (13, 14) they comprise two recesses arranged substantially facing each other between yes and substantially turned towards said roller means (2).