JP2014507303A5 - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for coating parts including asymmetric edges. The apparatus includes a film unwinder, a film winder, a rotating mandrel, and a parts holder. Either or both of the mandrel and part holder operate in an angular relationship with each other. Furthermore, the film unwinder and the film winder operate in cooperation in at least two dimensions with respect to the part holder. The apparatus can further include a film having a first end and a second end , the film being a decorative coating, a protective coating, or a combination thereof. The film is preferably a multilayer film comprising a support, a separating compound, a metal foil, and an adhesive.

FIG. 5 is a somewhat detailed schematic diagram of the apparatus 90 of the present invention. A part 92 having an asymmetric edge 94, a side wall 96, and an upper edge 98 is shown, and the part 92 is attached to the part holder 100. A mandrel 102 attached to a mandrel holder 104 is shown and a mandrel heater 106 is also shown. The mandrel heater 106 is used when the adhesive layer of the film is activated by heating, and is not necessary for a pressure sensitive adhesive, epoxy, or the like. Film 108 attached to film unwinder 110 and film winder 112 is shown. Although the film 108 is shown as a roll, a film 108 of simplest form, a first end 114 attached to the film unwinder 110, a second end attached to the film winder 112 116. As shown, the mandrel 102 and mandrel holder 104 rotate. On the other hand, the part 92 and the part holder 100 rotate in opposite directions. The film unwinder 110 and the film winder 112 can also rotate to feed the film 108 between the mandrel 102 and the part 92. Film unwinder 110 and film unwinder 112 can be rotated continuously or only during the processing of each part, i.e. during indexing. Further, a new film sheet can be inserted between the film unwinder 110 and the film winder 112 for each part to be processed. In this case, the film unwinder 110 and the film winder 112 do not require rotation.

As used herein, "moving cooperate" is a film unwinder or film winding machine, both films unwinder and film take-up machine only left and right about the axis 111 and 113, or vertical only movement in two dimensions, preferably, the film unwinder or at least one of the film winding machine but the motion in three dimensions in both the vertical and horizontal about axis 111 and 113, more preferably, the film winding This means that both the unwinder and the film winder move in three dimensions around the axes 111 and 113 both vertically and horizontally . The method of operation of the film unwinder and film winder that relieves stress on the film during the film application process depends on the shape of the individual parts. While the intent and purpose of the present invention is to address parts with edges that change angle at least once during the film application process, it should be understood that the degree and number of changes will vary from part to part. However, as a general principle, the device keeps the mandrel surface area generally parallel to the edge of the part being coated and the film enters the gap between the mandrel and the part to some extent flat (ie, without kinking). As such, it is best to feed the film. Similarly, if the film is indexed (not continuously fed), the film can still be manipulated to maintain a parallel relationship with the mandrel / part edge interface in a generally flat state. . One skilled in the art can use this general principle to program the motion of the film unwinder, film winder, or both for each asymmetric part configuration. Methods of operating mechanical devices such as film unwinders and film winders of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art. Air motor, such as a servo motor, while can be used to move the film unwinder and film winding machine, the controller using the computer, it is possible to adjust the movement varying angles of the mandrel and the part holder .

How to use The method of coating a part that contains an asymmetrical edge consists of placing the film on the asymmetrical edge of the part and then on the mandrel with the film sandwiched between the part and the mandrel. Rotating the part. In this method, either or both of the mandrel and the part holder move relative to one another. The asymmetric edge changes angle, but the film preferably changes direction as well. To accomplish this, the film edges are held together by a film unwinder and film winder that move in concert to match the changing angle of the asymmetric edges of the parts coating the film. Is preferred. Methods of operation to achieve proper film alignment have been described above.

Claims (10)

An apparatus for coating parts including asymmetric edges,
a. A film unwinder,
b. A film winder,
c. With mandrels,
d. With parts holders,
Either or both of the mandrel and the part holder move in an angular relationship with each other, and both the film unwinder and the film winder move only left and right or up and down in cooperation with the part holder. ,apparatus. A first end portion further includes a film and a second end, said film, decorative coatings, protective coatings, or combinations thereof, according to claim 1. The film unwinder holds the first end of the film, the film is disposed between the mandrel and the parts holder, and the film winder holds the second end of the film. holding, both of the film unwinder and the film winding machine moves in both the vertical and horizontal cooperate against the part holder, both of the film unwinder and the film winding machine The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus rotates. The mandrel further comprising a part that is held in place by the parts holder and comprises an asymmetrical edge of the film that is in physical contact with the coating surface, consisting of a decorative coating, a protective coating, or a combination thereof ; 4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3 in contact with a separation surface of the film. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the part rotates counter to the mandrel and the protective or decorative coating is deposited on the asymmetric edge of the part. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein one or both of the mandrel and the parts holder move in an angular relationship with each other as the part rotates counter to the mandrel. While the part is rotated, the film unwinder and the film winder is continuously rotated, the part and continuously feeding the film between the mandrel, one of claims 4-6 The apparatus according to one item. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7 , wherein the part is selected from the group consisting of a bottle, a jar, a top lid, a pump, a lid, a container , and a mixture thereof. 9. A system for coating a part comprising an asymmetric edge, comprising two or more modules, at least one module comprising the apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8 . The system of claim 9 , wherein there is at least one module including an apparatus for coating a part having a symmetric edge.