KR100543369B1 - Fiber panel manufacturing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus and method for manufacturing structural panel members from fibrous crop materials such as rice, straw, and the like. The fiber crop material is compressed into a round or square bale disposed in the debaler / crusher 11. The fiber material is cut into a predetermined length and conveyed into the rectangular grooves between the upper and lower platen members 110 and 505. Paper is applied with the adhesive to the top and bottom surfaces of the fibers and folded to cover the sides of the fibers. The adhesive is cured on the curing table 23 and the fibers are cut to the desired length in the cutting zone 24.

Fiber panel, rotary cylinder, air conveyor, curing table

Description

FIBER PANEL MANUFACTURING METHOD AND APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the production of wall materials, in particular for the production of wall components or panel members from fibrous materials.

It is known to use fiber materials such as fiber waste from agricultural materials, conveniently straw, to produce building materials or wall panels. Such a technique is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,451,322 (Dvorak) entitled 'Devices for Making Structure Sheets from Fibrous Biological Waste'. This patent discloses the use of waste, such as residues from sugar cane and grain kernel crops. Such waste is compressed into panels that can be used for structural panels in construction activities.

There are a number of disadvantages with the device disclosed in the aforementioned '322 reference. For example, straw material is introduced into the device via a forklift to dig hay. The straw is manually separated from the bale and the conveyor introduces the separated fibers into a ram that produces a panel member by compression. The use of conveyors does not increase fiber separation because the various fibers are entangled together as they are transported. This is disadvantageous because it is desirable to separate each fiber as much as possible before introducing it into the ram to form a constant panel.

Another drawback with the device illustrated and described in the '322 patent is the location of the paper rolls, which are used to wrap the ram shaped panels. Paper rolls are generally located below the curing table with a rotation axis perpendicular to the length axis of the curing table. This limits the size of the paper rolls to non-standards and requires the paper rolls to be placed in an inconvenient position under the conveyor when removing used rolls and installing new rolls.

Another disadvantage of the '322 device is the use of an electric heating plate to cure the sheath surrounding the panel. Due to the nature of the reciprocating motion of the machine, the electrodes used in the electric heating plate will shake and vibrate unless they are firmly attached. Shaking machines can lead to wire failure and damage the electrode cover. Neither clamp nor spring retainer is successful. This is because the clamp is tightly tightened. Due to the characteristics of heating and cooling in the operation of the machine, the clamps also loosen and the springs lose tension.

Another disadvantage of the '322 device is the design of the curing table, which must be long to completely cure the envelope surrounding the panel. The curing table sometimes needs to be moved or disassembled from one place to another. The design of the curing table in the '322 patent does not allow for convenient disassembly when transporting the device and does not minimize the transport space taken up.

Another disadvantage is the use of ram to compress the fiber material into the panel member. The ram according to the '322 patent is connected to a rotating crank via a connecting rod. There is no counterweight to dynamically balance the crankshaft assembly. The resulting shake causes a failure in the frame components of the ram assembly. Moreover, in an attempt to stabilize the movement of the machine, a large and difficult to handle base member is required.

Another disadvantage relates to the shear assembly which shears the fiber as the ram advances to the shear opening. The flywheel in the '322 device provides inertial forces. When foreign matter such as stones or other debris encounters the front end, the clutch of the flywheel slows down the drive of the flywheel from the ram. This is intended to prevent damage to the shear, ram and related components. However, due to the rotational speed of the crank assembly, damage will occur before the clutch is released. Moreover, the movement of heavy ram and crank assemblies has a high kinetic energy, so damage can occur while decelerating whether the clutch is peeled off or not.

Another disadvantage of the '322 device relates to the method used to adjust the spacing between the upper and lower platens, which must be adjusted to adjust the proper density of the fiber panels. In the device according to the '322 patent, a wedge and bolting device was used to do this. This mechanism is difficult and unnecessarily complicated to properly adjust.

Another disadvantage of the '322 device relates to the placement of the rollers in the ram carrier and guide roll assembly. The roller of the Dvorak apparatus is arranged in the form of a V-shaped bearing. When the position of the rollers needs to be changed, the adjustment is complicated and unnecessarily time consuming since one roller affects the position of the remaining rollers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a panel from a fiber material comprising a debailer / crusher, wherein the devailer / crusher is placed in a rotating cylinder, the cylinder while the cylinder is rotating. And a plurality of adjusting blades on the bottom of the cylinder to remove fibers of a predetermined length from the bale and a collection chamber located below the rotating cylinder to collect the fibers removed from the bale.

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings;

1A is a perspective view of a fiber panel and a manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

1b (a) to 1b (e) are schematic and enlarged side views of the device of FIG. 1a, taken in order from the feed end, respectively;

2A and 2B are schematic side and front views, respectively, of an air fiber conveyor and a wigweg used to dispense fibers;

3A and 3B are schematic plan and side views of a ram assembly according to the present invention;

4 is a top view of the crankshaft assembly used to drive the ram assembly of FIGS. 3A and 3B;

5 is an enlarged view of the crank stroke arm of the crankshaft assembly of FIG. 4, in particular showing the counterweight attached;

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial front cross-sectional view of the ram assembly of FIG. 3, in particular showing a roller having a horizontal axis in which the assembly moves;

FIG. 7 is a further view of the ram assembly similar to FIG. 6 and showing a roller with a vertical axis in which the assembly moves;

8 is a schematic side view and partially shows the front end of the ram slot assembly in which the ram head is moved;

9A, 9B and 9C are schematic views taken from various heights showing the shear assembly according to the present invention;

10a and 10b are views of the primary platen and platen adjustment unit in which the fiber moves according to the present invention;

11A is a schematic isometric view of a mounted paper roll, a fabric trail passing through and entering the platen zone and an adhesive or adhesive application device according to the present invention;

11B is a schematic side view of a wave adjusting roll device according to the present invention;

12A and 12B are views of the motion of the paper applying device and the paper surrounding the forming guides affected by the guide according to the invention;

13A, 13B and 13C are side, top and end views, respectively, of a curing table according to the present invention;

14A, 14B and 14C are end, side and side views, respectively, of a sizing cutting saw and drive fixture showing the movement of the saw during driving in accordance with the present invention;

15a and 15b are schematic views of an external feed station, in particular showing the conveying belt and external feed rolls;

16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 16e are views of an external supply station which shows in particular the end treatment apparatus for the panel member;

17 is an isometric view of a fiber panel made in accordance with the present invention;

18 is an isometric view of a platen hot gas heating system according to the present invention;

19 is a view of a sawdust, sawdust collection and refeed system according to the present invention;

Description of Specific Embodiments

Reference is now made to the drawings, in particular FIG. 1A. A panel manufacturing apparatus according to the invention is shown generally at 10. It is divided into several zones: the debaler / crusher zone generally shown in (11) where the fibers will be placed, the conveyor zone generally shown in (12) for conveying the fibers separated from the debaler / crusher zone (11), A ram, which collects the fibers from the feeder section 13, which is generally shown in (13) receiving the crushed and conveyed fibers from the conveyor section 12 and pushes them into the compression section 15 to compress them into panels. The slotting fiber-panel assembly zone 14, the adhesive application zone shown generally at 20 that applies adhesive to the paper sheath and then paper to the fiber, is generally used to produce a sheath surrounding the fiber material. The shell manufacturing zone shown in Fig. 22, the paper feeder section shown generally at 22, which feeds the paper from the paper roll to the shell manufacturing zone 21, the panel portion to which the adhesive and paper will be cured. The longitudinal curing table area shown generally at 23, the sizing saw area shown generally at 24, receiving the cured panel members and cutting them to the desired length, and the fully cured and sized panels. It includes an end zone, generally shown at the receiving end 30.

Referring now to the right section of the panel manufacturing apparatus 10 and FIG. 1B (a), the debaler / crusher section 11 is a commercially available debaler 31 for cutting known round or rectangular packaged fibers. ). The package (not shown) lies in a rotating cylinder 32 that rotates about the vertical axis 33 and is adjustable in height and capable of cutting the bale fibers relatively long or relatively short as the cylinder 32 rotates. It has a number of blades 34.

The chamber 40 is formed below the rotating cylinder 32 and the conveyor 41 receives the cut fibers from the chamber 40 and transfers the fibers to the feeder zone 13 (FIG. 1B (a)). The conveyor 41 is connected to a source of air pressure, which conveniently blows the fibers received from the chamber 40 into the feeder zone 13, conveniently a centrifugal blower 42.

Feeder zone 13 includes a Wigweg distributor 43 (FIG. 2A) that receives the fibers transferred from duct 44 (FIG. 2A) and reciprocates about 90 degrees as shown (FIG. 2B) and thereby results The fibers are stacked in the apparatus of four spiral screw conveyors or augers 50.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the ram assembly is shown in plan view and generally shown at 51. It includes a ram head 52 detachably attached to the ram body 53. The ram head 52 has a removable side plate 501 that can be exchanged with other side plates for changing the width of the removable or manufactured panel. The ram body 53 and the ram head 52 reciprocate on the roller rails 54 using the rollers 60 and 65. The roller 60 rotates about an axis 66 generally parallel to the plane of motion of the ram body 53 on the roller rail 54 (FIG. 6). The roller 65 rotates about an axis 67 generally transverse to the plane of motion of the ram body 53 on the roller rail 54 (FIG. 7). Ram body 53 is connected to the crankshaft assembly generally shown in 61 (FIGS. 3B and 4). The connecting rod 62 is connected to the crank arm 63 and the articulating substrate 64 of the ram body 53 (FIG. 3B). The crank throw 63 has a counterweight 70 attached thereto as also shown in FIG. 5. The flywheel 71 rotates on the outside of the backing block 72 (FIG. 4). The crank arm 63, counterweight 70 and connecting rod 62 rotate with the flywheel pulley 71 and the outer support block 73.

The ram slot assembly is shown generally at 74 in FIGS. 3B and 8. Ram slot assembly 74 includes three components: bottom plate 56, top plate 55, and front end 81. Ram head 52 coincides with the maximum forward position of ram head 52 shown in 80 (FIG. 3B) within ram slot assembly 74. The shear assembly is generally shown at 81 and shown in more detail in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C. The shear actuation mechanism 83 includes two connections 90, 91 that allow relative movement between them with respect to the axis 92. The connection portion 91 is connected at the end of the shaft 95 from the shaft 92 to the air cylinder 93. The connecting portion 90 is connected from the shaft 94 to the front end 82 and the shaft 92 is slightly different if a line is drawn between the shafts 94 and 95. The cam 100 is mounted and rotates about the axis 101. If a stone or other hard debris 102 encounters the front end 82 as the ram advances, the front end pushes back the connections 91 and 92 against the holding force of the cylinder 93. When the connection 91 moves back, the cam 100 rotates around the pin 101 and rotates the connection 91 clockwise about the axis 95. This loosens off-center stiffness between the connections 91 and 92, thereby bringing the axes 94 and 95 closer together. The front end 82, which rotates about the axis 84, turns away from the obstruction 102 and is removed by the upward movement of the piston rod 104 of the air cylinder 103. The cam 502 mounted on the front end 82 arm trip limits the switch 503 which shuts down the entire panel system to prevent danger. When the stone 102 is removed, the air cylinder will move down 103 to expand the piston 104 and return the front end 82 to its operating position.

The platen assembly is generally shown in 15 of FIGS. 10A and 10B. It comprises a primary set with an upper adjustment platen 111 and a lower stationary platen 110 (FIG. 10A). There is also a secondary set with top adjustment and hinge platen 506 and bottom fixed platen 505 (FIG. 10A). The primary set forms a forming unit whereby the fibers from the ram slot assembly 74 (FIG. 3B) are compressed to form a dense panel. The width dimension of the fiber panel is determined by the assembly 112 (FIG. 10B).

The side assembly 112 is fixed to three components: the lower bar 507 fixed to the lower platen 110, the upper bar 508 fixed to the upper platen 111 and the bar 508. It consists of a blade "T" shaped blade which rests against the inner side of (507,508). Regardless of the adjustment to the upper platen 111, the side assemblies 112 surround the sides so that the fiber panel width is uniform and smooth. If narrower panels are desired, these side assemblies 112 may be replaced with different sets of bars 509 and 508 as desired.

The density or compression of the fiber panel is determined by the position and taper imposed on the upper platen 111. This is accomplished by adjusting the thin nut on adjustment screw 504 (FIG. 10A).

The secondary platens 505 and 506 (FIG. 10A) receive the paper connected to the blower tube from the adhesive assembly 10 (FIG. 1B) and make a sheath for the compressed fiber advancing it. The paper enters the platen around the curved shoe 510 (FIG. 10A). The paper is propelled by the advancing fibers. Upper platen 506 rotates about axis 511. It is rotated upward by the air cylinder 511. This provides access to clean and inspect the secondary platen.

The paper feed device is shown generally at 114 in FIGS. 1B and 11A. Two separate paper systems are used to provide paper for the paper envelope of the panel member. The first paper line 701 provides a wrap for the top side of the fiber panel and the second paper line 702 provides a wrap for the bottom side of the panel. Only the lower or second paper line 702 will be described because the operation of the two lines is similar.

The first and second paper rolls 120 and 121 are located on the spindles 122 and 123, respectively, which rotate on the brackets 124 and 124, respectively. Therefore, the axes of rotation of the spindles 122, 123 and the paper rolls 120, 121 are longitudinal or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the paper making apparatus 10 (FIGS. 1A and 1B). Paper rolls 120 and 121 are mounted to allow for rolls of standard sizes to be used, thereby reducing the cost involved in obtaining paper rolls of conventional type.

The paper 130 is spread out from the first paper roll 120 under the first guide roller 131 so as to smoothly flow the paper 130 passing under and over the turning bar 132. It extends to the bar 132, where the moving direction of the paper 130 is changed by 90 degrees and passes through the poisoning roller 133 of the application device or the adhesive application device 140. The adhesive from the adhesive tray 513 is dripped by the conveying roller 134, and is conveyed to the doctor roller 133, and is conveyed to the paper 130 from there.

Paper 130 with adhesive applied to the lower surface 141 passes over the second guide roller 142 and passes over the wave control roller 514 from there to the lower platen 505, and the platens 110, 111, 505, 506. The ram head 52 (FIG. 3b) moving in between is in contact with the compressed fiber (not shown). Paper 130 forms the sheath of the fiber as will be described.

Wave adjuster 514 consists of a roller 533 mounted to crank arm assembly 534 that rotates about axis 535. The air cylinder 536 is connected to the crank arm of the pin 537. The cylinder holds the force outward with respect to the roller 533. The crank arm moves back and forth against the sudden movement of the paper. When the flow of the paper 130 introduced into the roller 533 is stopped, the force of the cylinder 536 will be overcome so that the crank arm moves to the over-trial position 538 which moves the limit switch 539. This causes the system to stop working.

When the paper roll 120 is almost spread out and the end of the paper comes close, the front end of the paper roll 121 is fixed to it. This automatically feeds paper 130 from the new roll 121 to the system.

Tensioners 143, 144 (FIGS. 1B and 11A) may also be used in the paper feeder 114. Tensioners 143 and 144 allow paper fabric 150 to maintain adequate tension. The tensioning device is an adjustable counterweight floater that imposes a frictional drag on the movement of the paper if necessary so that the paper does not sag. The wave control roller 514 is an air cylinder cushioning device that vibrates to smooth the sudden movement of the paper 130 caused by the circulation of the ram 51. This helps to reduce the tearing and breakage of the paper.

Envelope fabrication assembly 151 is shown generally in FIG. 1B, and on a larger scale and schematically in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Two spiral bar pieces 152 and 153 are located on each side of the top, bottom and outer edges. It also shuts down the system before breakage occurs (FIG. 11B). Paper 130 extending out of the width of the fiber panel 154 shown in FIG. 12B initially contacts the spiral bar 152. When the panel 154 moves in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 12A), the paper 130 extending down the width of the fiber panel 154 is folded down (FIG. 12B). Moreover, the paper 130 at the bottom of the panel 154 similarly contacts the spiral bar 153 that folds the paper down (FIG. 12B). A sheath is formed on each side of the endless fiber panel 154.

Heating the electrode 515 on the side of the lower fold bar 153 will result in a bond to the edge of the paper and to the edge of the first panel 154 before it exits the premises of the skinmaking zone 21 (FIG. 1B). Accelerate

The platens 110, 111, 505, 506 are assembled with a hollow high pressure chamber 522 outside its contact plate 523. Multiple inlets 524 and outlet holes 525 allow hot gas to enter the plate 523 to heat it. The gas passes through the high pressure chamber, passes through the discharge hole 526, and exits through the plurality of discharge ports 527 (FIGS. 10A and 10B). The heat provides precure and bonding of the fiber sheath prior to passing through the cure table portion 23 (FIG. 1B). Hot gas can be conveniently provided by one of several sources depending on what is advantageous at installation. For example, steam, electricity, gas or oil burners are convenient sources. An industrial model gas combustion unit 528 is shown in FIG. 18. Multiple transport tubes 529 deliver hot gas to platens 110, 111, 505, and 506. The reflux tube 530 recycles the exhaust gas to the heating unit 528. Circulation fan 531 to the outlet pipe allows gas to flow throughout the system.

The panel 154 enters the curing table 160 portion (FIG. 13A) and the adhesive and paper around the fibers of the panel 154 terminate the bonding and cooling.

The curing table 160 is elongated as shown in FIG. 1B and the paper and adhesive on the panel may be bonded together depending on the speed of the panel on the curing table 160, which is determined by the reciprocating speed of the ram head 52. Designed to length. When the panel forming apparatus 10 is moved or stored to a new position, the curing table 160 is prefabricated and can be detached to assist in carrying the curing table. A typical portion includes two longitudinal channels 162 and 163 having a plurality of rollers 164 supporting the panel 154 161 (FIG. 13B), and of the channels 162 and 163 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. You can send it to the top.

Each zone 161 is connected to an adjacent zone by a detachable connected plate 170 and the unit 161 is separated for transport or storage. A plurality of legs 171, one pair in each zone 161, are connected to channels 162 and 163 with a pair of bolts 172 and extend down to contact the foundation 173 on which the curing table is mounted. . One leg pedestal 174, one in each leg 171, extends diagonally downward from each channel 162 and is connected to the leg 171 when the curing table 160 is in its operating position. The pedestal 174 can also be removed from each leg 171 when attempting to disassemble and transport the curing table 160. Diagonal pedestal 180 (FIG. 13B) is connected between the two channels 162, 173 shown. Pedestals 181 and 182 extend between the legs 171 shown. They maintain their position when leg 171 is folded into a transport position.

Sizing or cutting saw 183 (FIGS. 14A and 14B) moves with the flow of the panel, the flow of which is shown as "F" in FIG. 14B. The cutting saw 183 moves on the frame 184 moving under the influence of the fiber panel 154 and is assisted by an air cylinder 190 on the roller 192 to match the flow of the fiber panel. The circular saw 191 moves laterally in the flow shown in FIG. 14A. Round saw 191 is mounted on a carriage or trolley 193. The carriage 193 cuts the panel to the desired length as it passes through the panel shown in FIG. 14A. When the single pass is complete, the sizing saw assembly 184 moves from position 193 to position 194. When the next cut is made to the fiber, the carriage with the saw 184 returns from position 194 to position 193 shown in FIG. 14A.

Referring to FIG. 14C, the coupling system device 516 uses the fiber panel 154 and is mounted within the frame 184. Air cylinder 200 spans between frame and arm 201 rotating about axis 202. Arm 203 is connected to a coupling plate 204 in contact with the panel. Therefore, the frame 184 will move along the panel until the press 204 is released after the cutting operation.

For the external feed area 210 (FIG. 1B), a number of drive external feed rollers 211 (FIGs. 15A and 15B) are not cut panel 213 driven by ram head 52 (FIG. 3). By driving more quickly it will separate the cut panel member 212. Therefore, panel 212 will be separated from uncut panel 213 and pass through optoelectronic sensor 214. The transfer belt 220 will transport the panel 212 at 90 degrees and at right angles to the direction of the curing region shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. This moves the sized panel 212 laterally to the position 222 and leaves the panel 213 advancing from the sizing top. The transfer belt retracts after panel 212 is removed. The roll case 211 is now cleaned to receive the next panel 212 (FIG. 15B).

The lifting mechanism of the conveyance belt 220 is operated in the following order (FIG. 15B). As the fiber panel 212 passes through the photoelectric sensor 214, the air cylinder 216, which lifts the distal end 215 of the transfer belt 220, is activated by rotating about the shaft 221. The cylinder 216 rotates about the shaft 218 and moves through the crank 217 connected to the conveying belt via the connection 219.

When the fiber panel 212 reaches position 222, it passes through an optoelectronic sensor 532 which stops the belt 220.

Referring to the final region 30 (FIG. 1A), the fiber panel is terminated by wrapping the exposed ends with paper end caps 519, 520 (FIGS. 16A and 16B). When the conveyance belt 220 starts its next circulation, the fiber panel 212 is conveyed to continuously operate the conveyance belt 223. As it passes through the photoelectric sensor 224, the skid stop 225 rises and the panel stops advancing.

The skid stop consists of a series of bars 540 with distal portions 541 protruding over 225 (FIG. 16C). The skid stop rotates about shaft 542 and is connected to air cylinder 543 through crank arm 544. All skid stops are connected together and connected to cylinders 543 and 546 via connecting rods 545. The cylinder motion of rotating the crank 544 about the axis 542 raises or lowers the skid stop (FIG. 16D). In the "falling" position 233, the panel 212 is stationary on the transfer belt 223 and free to advance along the belt. In the intermediate position 234 where the cylinder 543 is activated, the distal end projecting over the conveying belt 223 stops the moving panel. The cylinder 546, activated through the electrical sequence, raises the skid stop bar 540 to a position 235 (FIG. 16D) that lifts the panel from the belt 223. Panel 212 remains in this position until the operator of first end capping station 227 wants to advance it. As the worker releases the skid stop 225, the fiber panel moves forward on the cover that moves the chain 226 (FIG. 16E).

As the panel passes through the photoelectric sensor 232, the skid stop 228 is activated to an intermediate position with a distal portion 541 protruding over the transfer chain 226. This stops the fiber panel and indicates that it is exactly at the first end cover station 227. The skid stop rotates to its maximum position 235 and the operator actuates the first end cap 519. End caps 519 and 520 are precut and marked on paper with a heating adhesive (FIG. 16B). The worker aligns the paper with the end of the fiber paper and sets it to a hot iron.

The skid stop 228 is then slowed to advance the fiberpanel to the second end cover station 229. The panel passes through an optoelectronic sensor 233 that activates the lift of the flange roll case roll or the transfer roll 230. This raises the roll case 230 to an intermediate position with the flange 236 protruding above the transfer chain 226 (FIG. 16E). This interrupts and marks the fiber panel 212 for the second end cover station 229. Reference is made to vacuum system 29 (FIG. 19). Sawdust from the cutting saw 191 is collected by the sawdust collector 801 on the saw and the saw groove collector 802 below the saw. It is sucked into the pipeline 803 by the vacuum generated by the blower 808. Removable end caps 804 are provided to allow residue accumulated around the mechanism to be removed and processed in the vacuum system. A negative pressure line 807 is provided between the feeder and the blower 808 to counteract the air pressure of the feeder 13 generated by the blower 42 of the debaler / crusher. The degree of sound pressure is controlled by the opening controlled by the sound pressure control gate 806 and the free air cap and opening plate 805.

The blower 809 discharges the particles collected in the airflow through the pipe 809 to the dust collector 810. The dust collector 810 centrifugs the particulate material from the conveying air and allows the dust particles to build up on the floor while leaving the air through the outlet 813. Dust is discharged through air lock 811 and descends to discharge 812 where it is recycled to devail cylinder 32.

Through the electrical sequence, the transfer roll case 230 rises to its maximum position, lifts the panel out of the transfer chain 226 and moves the panel to the stop bumper 231 at the second end cover station. When contacting the bumper, the roll case 230 is stopped and the operator operates the second end cap 520 made at the first end cover station 227.

The operator will lower the roll case 230 to transport the chain to move the finished panel 521 to the stop bar 547 at the end of the end point. The finished panel 521 is removed here for storage and stacking or to prepare for shipment. The completed panel (only one shown) is shown in FIG. 17.

Operation

In operation, straw or other fibrous crops will be made by pressing them into round or rectangular bales as is known.

Each package (not shown) is introduced into a debaler 31 (FIG. 10) which rotates in a rotating cylinder 32. As shown in FIG. The cutting blade 34 is adjustable and cuts the fiber into shorter or longer lengths as desired as the cylinder 32 rotates.

The pieces of fiber fall into the chamber 40 and are conveyed by pneumatic pressure to the wigweg 43 (FIG. 2B) on the conveyor pipe 44 (FIGS. 1B and 2A), and the fibers are divided into four to uniformly flow the fibrous material. It is evenly distributed to the auger 50 and pressurized it in the chamber 57 on the top of the ramhead 52. Ramhead 52 reciprocates in the slot formed by front end 81 and lower platen 55 and selectively pushes the fiber forward between slots formed by upper and lower platens 55 and 56. Apply pressure to the

Each reciprocating motion of the ramhead 52 allows more fiber from the chamber 57 to enter the slot in front of the ram 52, whereby the front end 81, top plate 55 and bottom plate 56 In between, and then transfer to the space between the platens 110,111. The platens 110 and 111 are adjusted to prevent the fibers to be formed from the uniformly compacted fiber panel 154 to be advanced.

As the fibers advance through the platens 505, 506, the paper from the lower paper rolls 124, 125 will pass through the adhesive application roll 133 and contact the panels on the top and bottom surfaces (FIG. 1B). Paper that is laterally longer in length than the width of the panel will move up and down by actuation of the spiral bar portions 152, 153 (FIG. 12A) in the sheath forming area 21 (FIG. 1B).

The panel is advanced to the curing table 160 (FIG. 13A) of sufficient length for the paper and adhesive to bond, from which the panel is saw 191, frame 184 and reciprocating assembly 193 (FIG. 14A) as described. Through the operation of s) into the sizing saw section 24 cutting it to the desired length.

The panel member 212 then moves to the outer feed zone 210 (FIG. 1B) whereby the ends of the shell surrounding the panel 212 are covered by applying paper and caps 519, 520. The panel will wait for shipment or other operation as desired (FIG. 16A).

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may readily make various changes. Therefore, the description should be considered as merely illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims (17)

An apparatus for manufacturing a panel from a fibrous material, the apparatus comprising a debaler / crusher, the debaler / crusher for removing fibers of a predetermined length from a rotating cylinder and a bale disposed in the cylinder while the cylinder is rotating. And a collection chamber located below the rotating cylinder for collecting the fiber removed from the bale, and a plurality of control blades at the bottom of the cylinder. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fibers are conveyed to a fiber distribution zone by an air conveyor. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fibers are distributed from the fiber distribution zone by a reverse chute that distributes the fibers to a plurality of augers. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of augers compress the fiber into a chamber located below the auger. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said fibers in said chamber are compressed into a generally rectangular panel between platen members. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fiber is compressed by a reciprocating ram, the ram is connected to a rotating crank throw, the crank throw includes a counterweight located on the crank, and the ram moves between extended positions. Wherein the fiber is compressed and moves to an area between the platen member and the narrowed position, wherein the ram is removed from the area between the platen members. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the chamber further comprises a shear member, wherein the shear member is operable to cut the fiber in the chamber adjacent the passage to the platen member. 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the platen members are positioned a predetermined distance apart and the distance is adjustable by screws operatively connected to each end of the upper one of the platens. 8. The shear member of claim 7, wherein the shear member is rotatable about an axis, the shear member including a second hinge arm operably connected between the shear member and a second shaft, the hinge arm being the shear member. And can be folded against a predetermined force exceeded by the fiber on the bed. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least one paper roll disposed adjacent the platen member having an axis of the paper roll transverse to the longitudinal axis of the region between the platen members. Device. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: an adhesive applying device for applying an adhesive to the paper provided from the paper roll, wherein the paper with the applied adhesive is in contact with the fibers at the top and bottom surfaces and on both sides of the panel member. And spread out beyond the width of the device. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a spiral bar in contact with the paper that extends beyond the width of the fiber in the platen member, the spiral bar folding the paper at an opposite side of the fiber moving within the platen member. Device in contact with the fiber. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a curing table, the table having at least one leg assembly extending down to provide a support for the table. 14. The cutting machine of claim 13, further comprising a cutting zone on said curing table, said cutting zone comprising a cutting saw for cutting said fiber, said saw transverse to said fiber and in length to said fiber. Moving, wherein said longitudinal velocity during said cutting operation is substantially equal to the velocity of said fiber. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the saw saw cuts the fiber transversely in a first direction between a starting position of one side of the fiber and an end position of the other side of the fiber. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the saw saw cuts the fiber laterally in a second direction between a starting position of the one side of the fiber and the distal position of the other side of the fiber. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an external feed table disposed adjacent an end of said cutting zone, said external feed table having a plurality of drive rollers and multiple belts operatively disposed transversely to said plurality of rollers. And a transfer table, wherein the transfer belt circulates perpendicularly to the roll case.

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