JPH0252070A - Device for applying powder or cotton like material on substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable exact metering of material by receiving the material coming from a supply container in the first position of movable receiving containers, discharging the material from these containers in the second position and supplying the material to a discharge aperture. CONSTITUTION: This apparatus is provided with a transporting means 14 for transporting the powdery or cottony material from the supply container 12 to a coating machine 18 provided with a series of the movable receiving containers 54 for receiving the powdery or cottony material. The material coming from the supply container 12 is received in the first position 50 of the movable receiving containers 54, is discharged from the containers 54 in the second position 52 and is supplied to the discharge aperture 46. Consequently, the exact metering of the material is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying powder or floc-like material to a substrate.

(Prior art and its problems) Similar problems occur in other technical fields, such as powder coating or flocking of highly polymeric materials.
Only the use of powder or floc-like materials known under the name superabsorbents will be discussed below.

In order to obtain maximum absorbency or moisture absorption in sanitary products such as baby diapers, sanitary napkins or bands, the flocked or flaked cellulose or synthetic materials normally used in the manufacture of these products may be A moisture-absorbing material in the form of fibers or flocs is added.

In recent years 1 new absorbent materials called "superabsorbents" have been developed that have substantially higher moisture wicking and absorption rates in lower amounts than traditional materials. This material is manufactured in powder or floc form,
shall be treated accordingly.

Superabsorbent agents are used in various manufacturing methods such as diapers, sanitary pads, and napkins, and various application devices are required accordingly. The relatively small application amount of about 1 g to about 25 g per I product required
This poses a problem especially for the required high productivity of 50 to 100 products per minute.

To carry out the feeding, metering or dosing and application of the superabsorbent agents, a universal device is therefore required, which must also be able to operate intermittently as well as continuously.

Particular difficulty arises in carrying out accurate metering of superabsorbent agents, regardless of the production rate. This problem has hitherto been solved only with respect to powdered superabsorbents at very high cost. To date, there is no dosing or metering device known on the market for the precise metering of superabsorbent agents in the form of flocs, which meets the above requirements.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for applying powder or floc-like materials 8, in particular those known under the name superabsorbents, to substrates without the aforementioned disadvantages occurring.

In particular, a device is proposed which makes it possible to accurately meter the said material in powder or flow form, independent of the production rate.

(Means for Solving the Problems) Accordingly, the present invention is an apparatus for applying a powder or floc-like material to a substrate. The powder or floc-like material from the supply container is conveyed to the applicator, which is equipped with a series of movable trays for take-up, and the said material coming from the supply container is
The movable catch is taken in the first position of the container, and the movable catch is taken in the second position.
At this point the receiver is discharged from the take-up container and fed into the discharge opening, thereby achieving the above object.

The advantages achieved by the invention include a modular system of applicators that is capable of applying precise amounts of both powder and floc materials, and a modular system of applicators that is adapted to transfer powder and floc materials from the supply container to the applicator. It is based on the means of transportation that supplies the materials.

Especially when transferring materials directly from shipping containers such as 9 bags.

It is also possible to feed it to a coating machine.

To ensure that there is always an appropriate amount of material in the supply or shipping container, one may provide, for example, a pressure material level sensor that indicates volume. in this case.

It is advantageous to place the shipping container and the supply container at a distance from each other. That is, the material is first transferred from the shipping container to the supply container, rather than being fed directly from the shipping container to the applicator.1 This ensures that sufficient quantity remains in the supply container when changing shipping containers. This makes it possible to secure replacement time without stopping one machine.

Alternatively, of course, the shipping container may be utilized directly as a feed container 1, ie, the material may be transferred directly from the shipping container to the coating machine.

This embodiment is particularly suitable for powder materials.

For cotton-like materials, the driven “< comb 5haft
s) provide a special flock supply container with “
Agglomeration and/or bridging phenomena of the material in the Qa transport means must be prevented, and at the same time it must be ensured that a uniformly loosened material is maintained in the area of the transport means.

The supply container for the flocculent material has, for example, a conical shape, ie, tapers from top to bottom, so that the two materials can be withdrawn from the lowest and narrowest point of the supply container. This ensures that the remaining material accumulates at the bottom of the vehicle area, thus ensuring continued conveyance.

But instead, the supply container for flocculent material has parallel side walls and is rectangular, especially cubic.

It may have a pyramidal or other shape.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one combshaft having at least one two-blade rotor is arranged in a supply container of flocculent material, the two blades of the two-blade rotor extending perpendicularly or at an angle to each other. can be done.

The transport means for transferring the powder or floc-like material from the supply or transport container to the applicator can be spiral tubes, screws, suction under vacuum, air pumps or similar conveying means.

Particularly suitable because of their low bulk are, for example, helical tubes or helical hoses which are led directly into a transport container for powdered materials and which gradually empty the container.

When using a supply container with a conical cross section.

A helical tube is placed at the lowest part of the cone so that the supply container is completely emptied.

The applicator, which serves as application and metering means, is capable of processing both powder and flocculent materials and has a cylindrical shape with an air intake or suction line on one side, It has a central stationary support core with a discharge line on the other side. The air intake line, to which the partial vacuum is applied, and the exhaust line are, in a preferred embodiment, spaced apart from each other, but symmetrically arranged within each half of the cylindrical support core.

The outer wall of the support core is provided with bores, at least in the area of the intake conduit and outlet conduit.

There are a plurality of holes formed by slots or burrows or the like. In principle, such holes may also be provided in other areas, but in that case the necessary partial vacuum in the bearing or in the support core may be compromised.

There are no connections between the intake and outlet conduits on the one hand and their associated holes on the other hand.

A driven, substantially annular case rotates around a stationary support core, the case being provided with at least one recess with a hole in the bottom for receiving powder or floc-like material. Uke fulfills the role of taking. The dimensions of the depression, in particular its length and width, are adapted to the amount of powder or flocculent material to be metered.

The rotating case or jacket can be completely replaced to accommodate different dimensions or the number of products per case rotation of the object.

Furthermore, to allow modification, object pockets may be inserted into the recesses of the rotating case or envelope, which also has holes in its bottom. This makes it possible to operate under different coating weights, and only one individual pocket needs to be replaced to change each predetermined coating weight.

Said pockets are provided with so-called "metering pins" which protrude into the pockets and reduce the volume inside the pockets, this feature correcting for slight differences in the quality of one, e.g. powder or cotton material. .

Said metering bottle can be combined with the locking screw of the pocket, thus reducing the volume inside the pocket when projected as an extension of the locking screw into each pocket.

The rotating case is driven directly via the drive shaft of the same production machine and therefore operates directly, for example directly, at the speed of that machine, at a target-dependent speed. Alternatively, of course, a continuous drive via an independent motor or a controlled voltage driven motor, or an intermittent drive via a stepper motor or similar drive means is also possible.

Typically, air is drawn in continuously, while the outlet conduit can be operated continuously or intermittently. For intermittent operation, in the callout conduit.

A corresponding control valve shall be installed.

Advantageously, the rotary case of the applicator is surrounded by a cover which is perforated only in the area of material supply and discharge. The dimensions of the feed and discharge openings, viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the applicator, depend on the nature of the product to be manufactured and the production rate.

The powder or floc material conveyed from the transport or supply container via the transport means is sucked into the recess of the rotating support core through the supply opening of the cover of the applicator. This applies a partial vacuum and establishes a precisely defined pressure difference between the lid opening on one side and the suction conduit on the other side. This is accomplished by a suction conduit in the supporting core. The pressure differential directs the air flow from the supply opening in the lid through the recess or pocket hole in the turn case and the stationary support core into the suction conduit.

As a result, in each pocket or recess of the five-turn support core, an amount of material is accumulated that depends on the nature of the material, the internal volume of the recess or pocket, and the flow rate. Excess material is wiped off at the edge between the pocket or well and the applicator lid during rotation of the case.

The amount can be determined accurately. That is, this well-determined amount of material now, with one rotation of the case,
to the opposite side of the support core, where the blown air is passed from the bleed conduit through the support core through holes in the case of the support core and holes in the recess or pocket in the case;
The air flows into the depression or pocket and causes the air trapped there to flow out to the exhaust opening. All material that has accumulated in pockets or depressions is emptied, resulting in accurate metering.

Transport and applicator feedback controls, such as level or pressure feed hack controls on the applicator, ensure that the appropriate amount of material is always at the applicator lid opening, or intake area. can do.

The discharge opening in the lid of the applicator may be provided with an extension, e.g. It may also be brought to a processing location.

By regulating the air volume or air pressure in the discharge area, respectively, the powder or flocculent material can be accelerated as desired and, if necessary, dispensed without compressed air or without pressure. It's okay.

Particularly in the case of continuous application of flocculent materials, in this case it is less important to apply three individual metered amounts of material, precisely spaced.

A single “
A seamless recess may also be provided. In this case, the weighing is
This is essentially done by controlling the intake or exhaust air.

Such seamless recesses can also be used in the case of continuous application of powder materials, but in this case narrow transverse webs are formed in the case to ensure more reliable support of the powder material. This is desirable.

Of course, for discontinuous or intermittent operation, several individual recesses must be provided or the pockets described above must be inserted into such seamless rotating recesses.

Furthermore, it is also possible, for example, to have two types of pockets, each with a different volume, fixed to the case and to operate them alternately with different measured quantities.

EXAMPLES The invention will now be explained in detail by means of examples with reference to the accompanying figures.

Also in other applications of powder or flocculent materials.

Although similar problems arise, only apparatus for applying powder or cotton-like superabsorbent agents in the manufacture of diapers will be described here.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and designated in its entirety by the reference IO is for applying superabsorbent agent to diapers and is connected via a helical tube 14 to a Dia μ (diaper) machine. It is equipped with a supply container I2. The coating machine 18, of which only the outline is shown in FIG.
It is arranged in the Diaba machine 16.

In FIG. 1, the configuration of the diaper machine 16 includes a take-up reel 20 and a feed reel 2 for carrying a web-like diaper material 24.
2, only an outline thereof is shown.

The two reels 20 and 22 are arranged in such a way that the diaper material 24 is transported between the two reels along a horizontal path and coated from above with a superabsorbent agent 26 exiting from an elongated nozzle 28 of the applicator 18. It is located.

Another embodiment is also shown in FIG. 1 in which the two rails 20 and 22 are arranged vertically. diaper material 24
moves vertically between the two reels.

In this case, the superabsorbent agent 26 is as shown in FIG.

It is applied from the side by the nozzle 28.

Figures 2 and 3 show the powder superabsorbent agent supply container 1.
This container 12, which shows the second embodiment, has a funnel-like supply opening 30 below which tapers at the bottom of the supply container 12. Inward conical wall 32
It is continuing.

At the lowest and narrowest point of the supply container 12 there is a transport spiral 33, which serves as a means of transport and is rotated by an electric motor 34 and thus
The powder superabsorbent agent is conveyed from the bottom of the supply container 12 to the applicator 18 via a helical tube 14 .

Located on one side wall of the supply container 12 is a material volume sensor 36 that monitors the loading level of the supply container 12. When the level falls below a predetermined value, this sensor 36 issues a warning signal to alert the operator that one supply container must be loaded again.

Such a transport spiral 14.33 can also be used as a barrel.

It is also possible to transport the powder material directly from a material transport container in the form of a bag or the like, so that the transport container also serves as a supply container.

Figures 4 and 5 show the feeding column 1 of the cotton-like superabsorbent agent.
2 embodiments are shown. This supply container 12 also has a funnel-like supply opening 3o, a conically extending side wall 32, a material volume sensor 36 and a transport spiral 33 at the bottom of the supply container 12.

As is clear from FIG. 5, a total of five comb shafts 38 are attached to the two parallel side walls facing each other in the supply container 12, and the ends of the shafts extend somewhat beyond the side walls. A belt drive 4 protrudes (FIG. 4) and is connected to an electric motor of the transport spiral 33.
They are rotated by a common drive called 0.

Attached to each comb shaft 38 are several 4R rotors 42, the blades of which are arranged orthogonal to each other. Alternatively, the four blades may be inclined relative to each other, but in most cases a single blade per rotor is sufficient.

The comb shaft 38 with the rotor 42 prevents agglomeration and crosslinking of the flocculent superabsorbent agent in the transport spiral 33, and at the same time prevents the uniformly loosened superabsorbent agent in the area of the transport spiral 33. Ensure constant supply.

As with the powder supply from the supply container 2 in FIG.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are detailed explanatory diagrams of one day of the coating machine,
It has a powder or floc superabsorbent feed opening 44 on one side, i.e., at the top in FIG.

Also on the opposite side, FIG. 6, there is a closed housing-like lid 45 with a discharge opening 46 at the bottom. The direction of superabsorbent transport is indicated by two arrows.

In the center of the applicator 18 is a cylindrical cavity with a stationary support core or bearing core, which is sealed at one end, the left end in FIG. 7, and at the opposite end, the right end in FIG. The surface is provided with an intake or suction conduit 50 and an outlet conduit 52. A partial vacuum is applied to the 5 suction conduit 50 so that air is drawn from the stationary support core 48 in the direction of the double arrow, while pressurized air is applied to the outlet conduit 52 as shown by the double arrow. There is.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the supply opening 44 is
Suction conduit 50. The blowout conduit 52 and the discharge opening 46 are aligned but not directly connected to each other. The suction conduit and the discharge conduit 52 are symmetrical to each other and extend from the extended support core 48.
They are arranged vertically within each half of the .

The outer wall of the stationary support core 48 is provided with -rows of holes, firstly on the side facing the supply opening 44 and firstly on the side facing the discharge opening 46. These holes are.

Formed by bore slots, perforations, etc. If necessary, such holes can be made in one entire wall.

The stationary support core 48 is a one-turn case or envelope 54
The inner surface of the one-turn case or envelope rests against the outer wall of the stationary support core 48 and has the shape of a hollow cylinder.

The two end faces of the case 54 are closed. There is a shaft 56 on one end surface, which is connected via a drive belt 59 to an electric motor 61 of the dial control machine 16 (see Fig. 1), so that the rotational speed of the case 54 is directly dependent on the system of the dial control machine. It is driven by a Daiyaba machine so that the

Thus, the case 54 rotates coaxially around the stationary support core 48 in the direction of the arrow, and the outer surface of the case includes holes,
That is, there are three depressions 58 with bores, slots, perforations, etc. provided in the bottom, which are schematically shown in FIG.

Similarly drilled pockets 60 are inserted into the three recesses 58 and secured with three screws. Like the entire case 54, the pocket 60 is replaceable and thus adaptable to different operating situations.

In this way, the powder or floc-like superabsorbent agent conveyed by the spiral tube 14 is delivered to the feed opening 4 of the lid 45 of the applicator 18.
4 to the area of the suction conduit 50. The suction conduit 50 draws air from the supply port 44 into a pocket 60 in the top recess 58, as shown in FIG. Air is sucked into the interior. The powder or floc-like superabsorbent material is transported by flowing suction air into the pocket 60, the amount of which depends on the flow rate of the suction air, the rotational speed 1 of the case 54 and the internal volume of the pocket 60.

Further rotation of the case 54 in the direction of the arrow causes excess superabsorbent to be wiped away at the edge between the pocket 60 and the dispensing opening 44, and the pocket 60 is then moved to a lower position as shown in FIG. Moving further in the direction of the arrow until reaching the operating area of the outlet conduit 52, the outlet conduit 52 supplies compressed air.

Hole in stationary support core 48 and pocket 6 in rotating case 54
The material disposed therein is blown into the interior of the pocket 60 through the hole in the 0 or recess 58 and is discharged to the outside through the discharge opening 46 in the direction of the double arrow.

The transport path of the powder or floc-like superabsorbent agent is indicated in FIG. 6 by arrows.

In particular, for the continuous application of flocculent superabsorbents, a "seamless" or continuous annular well 58, i.e. a full circumferential encircling channel with a hole in its bottom, is turned around the case 5.
4 may be provided over the entire circumference.

In the case of continuous application of powder superabsorbents, it is advisable to provide this peripheral channel with narrow transverse webs in order to ensure better support of the material.

In the case of intermittent application, separate depressions 58 or pockets 60, as already described, are provided, allowing discontinuous application of the material.

While the suction air is usually operated continuously, the blowing air can be operated either continuously or intermittently via a corresponding control pulp, in particular a magnetic valve designated by reference numeral 19 in FIG.

The dimensions of the longitudinal feed opening 44 or discharge opening 46 of the applicator 1B, respectively, depend on the product, such as the diaper, to be manufactured and the production rate.

As is clear from FIG. 1, the nozzle-like extension 28
is fitted into the discharge opening 46 and brings the precisely metered material to the actual processing location.

Also, deflection of the transport direction is possible by using suitable connecting pipes.

By adjusting the air or air pressure in the application area, respectively, the superabsorbent can be accelerated to the desired degree.

Alternatively, it can be administered without pressure, for example when applying vertically downward onto a horizontally oriented substrate.

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus for applying a powder or cotton-like superabsorbent agent to a diaper. FIG. 2 is an illustration of a supply container with transport means for flocculent superabsorbent agent. FIG. 3 is a side view of the supply container of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a supply container for a cotton-like superabsorbent agent and a means for transporting the same.

5 is a side view of the supply container of FIG. 4; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coating machine, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the coating machine seen from the outside.

12... Supply container, 14... Spiral tube, 18...
・Coating machine 14, 33...transport spiral, 36...
Material capacity sensor 38... Comb shaft, 42... Four-blade rotor, 44... Supply opening.

46... Discharge opening, 48... Stationary support core 150
...Suction conduit, 52...Blowout conduit.

that's all FIo, 438

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. Apparatus for applying powder or floc-like material to a substrate, the apparatus comprising a series of movable receiving containers for receiving the powder or floc-like material from a supply container. a transport means for transporting the material from the supply container to a movable receiving container at a first location and a second movable receiving container.
device which is discharged from said receiving container at a position and fed into a discharge opening. 2. The transport container for said material, in particular a powder material,
2. A device according to claim 1, serving as a supply container. 3. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supply container is provided with at least one driven shaft with a rotor. 4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each rotor includes at least one vane projecting from its axis. 5. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transport means extends to said supply or shipping container. 6. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the transport means is formed by a spiral tube, a worm, a partial vacuum device or an air pump. 7. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a material sensor for the loading level of said supply or transport container. 8. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the material at the second location is sucked into the receiving container and is blown out of the receiving container at the first location. 9. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the applicator includes a stationary support core having at least one suction conduit and at least one outlet conduit. 10. 10. The supporting core is provided with holes in the region of the supply opening for the powder or floc-like material coming from at least one of the supply containers and in the region of the discharge opening of the other. equipment. 11. 9. The stationary support core is surrounded by a rotating case provided with a recess or pocket with holes.
The device described in. 12. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the rotating case and/or the pocket are replaceable. 13. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the case rotates in response to machine speed. 14. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the rotating case is provided with a continuous all-around channel. 15. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a transverse web is provided in the channel. 16. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the applicator is provided with a lid having the supply opening and the discharge opening. 17. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the supply opening, the suction conduit, the discharge conduit, and the discharge opening are aligned. 18. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the suction conduit and the discharge conduit open into an end face of the stationary support core.