GB778295A - Method and device for pressing an adhesive foil on to an object - Google Patents

Abstract

778,295. Ornamenting. EKLUND, A. J. Feb. 12, 1953, No. 3992/53. Class 93 [Also in Group XVI] A device for pressing an adhesive foil, e.g. a decorating foil, on to an object, e.g. of porcelain, comprises a press having two cooperating surfaces which are adapted to move relatively towards each other and to receive the object and the foil between them, at least one of the surfaces comprising an elastic membrane, a conveyer for carrying the object and the foil to a position between the surfaces with the foil between the object and the elastic membrane, means for applying pressure to the membrane to press the foil against the object and means for preventing air bubbles from forming between the foil and the object. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a stand 1 supports a press table 2 and a device 3 for holding and operating the rod 4 of a piston 5, which reciprocates in a space 7 in a press head 6, the space being filled with a gaseous or liquid pressure medium, e.g. oil. The space 7 communicates with a space 8 in the 'lower part of the press head 6, the bottom of which is closed by a plane elastic and flexible membrane 9, which may be made of synthetic rubber, covered by a layer 13 of felt or similar porous material, and retained by a clampmg ring 10, clamps 11 and screws 12. The space 7 communicates with the space 16 above the piston through one or more passages 15, in which are arranged valves for preventing flow of pressure fluid from the space 7 to the space 16 when the piston moves down ; the space 16 communicates with a storage tank for the fluid (not shown). The press table 2 comprises a cup-shaped member 17, covered at the top by a membrane 23 of rubber or other elastic material secured by a clamping ring 24, the space 27 thus enclosed communicating with the space 8 in the press head through a conduit 28. A layer 30 of felt or other permeable material, constituting a conveyer belt, passes over the membrane 23, and carries and positions thereover plates 32 to which decorating paper 31 have been applied. The piston rod 4 is then caused to move downwards by its operating means, the press head 6 following this motion until it rests against the edges of the felt 30 or clamping pieces 25. Further downward movement of the piston rod 4 causes the pressure in the chambers 7 and 27 to be increased and the membranes 9 and 23 to bulge towards one another, pressing the decorating paper into the depression in the plate. The decorating paper may be provided with rows of perforations at which tearing takes place, enabling it to conform to the contours of the plate. As shown in Fig. 1 the felt 30 may be in the form of a continuous band, passing around driving pulleys 37, 38 which cause it to be moved intermittently and carry the plates 32 through the pressing apparatus and deliver them to a conveyer 46, 47 on which they are fed to a washing machine. The movements of the pulleys 37, 38 and of the press may be controlled by a photocell 44 or other exciter. The decorating paper may be impregnated with soapy matter to facilitate its removal ; and it may be in the form of a continuous strip, having transverse perforated lines, so that it will break when the plates fall on to the conveyer 46. For treating cups having handles, the membrane 23 or 9 is formed with an inward bulge into which the cup is inserted, the bulge having a radial recess to receive the handle, and the other membrane has an outward bulge corresponding to the inside of the cup, both membranes being covered with felt. In the device shown in Fig. 8, a rotatable press table 59 has three pressure medium chambers 62 each with a membrane 23 having three inward bulges 61 which can be brought under corresponding outward bulges 64 on the membrane 9 of the press head 6, beneath which each press table 59 is brought in turn, as by a Maltese Cross acting on catches 65. When beneath the press head, the chamber 62 communicates with the pressure chamber of the press head through channels 66 and 68. Specification 667,265 [Group XVI] is referred to.