ES357610A1 - Device for dosing of flocked material - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for applying flock to a surface comprises a hopper haying a bottom portion at least partially constructed as a sieve, and vibrator means operably associated with the hopper for initiating non-linear vibrating motion of the hopper, the latter defining a closed path for the flock. As shown, a hopper for distributing flock into an electrostatic field for deposition upon a moving web W comprises two straight portions 1, 3 arranged transverse to web W and interconnected by curved end portions 2, 4. The hopper is positioned above beams, 7, 7a by springs 3a, the lower ends of which are secured to the latter and the upper ends to the portions 1, 3. The springs associated with the respective portions 1, 3 incline in opposite directions. Each end portion 2, 4 is supported by three springs arranged at right angles to each other. Associated with each spring is an electromagnetic device 3b adapted, when energized, to impart longitudinal vibration and slight lateral vibration to the spring. The arrangement is such that the flock circulates in the hopper in the direction of the arrow. The bottom of each portion 1, 3 is in the form of a detachable sieve having a ribbed centre portion 8. The perforations in portion 3 may be larger than those in portion 1. The hopper may be divided by a partition into two separate channels containing different coloured flock, and the perforations in the channels may be staggered to provide a striped effect on web W. In a modification the hopper is suspended by springs from the beams. For coating single articles, a cylindrical hopper depends from a rigid plate suspended by springs associated with respective electromagnetic devices.