US3568639A

US3568639A - Nonclogging stain feed head

Info

Publication number: US3568639A
Application number: US847679A
Authority: US
Inventors: Keith E Burk
Original assignee: US Plywood Champion Papers Inc
Current assignee: US PLYWOOD Corp A CORP OF; Georgia Pacific LLC; US Plywood Champion Papers Inc
Priority date: 1969-08-05
Filing date: 1969-08-05
Publication date: 1971-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-09

Abstract

The present invention is broadly concerned with a staining machine for wood panels and the like, such as plywood panels. The invention is more particularly concerned with a staining apparatus which is equipped with a particular design of a nonclogging feed head for applying the stain to the panels. The stain flows through apertures in a feed pipe onto a spreader plate, thence downwardly on a backplate into a reservoir, and then over a lip of the feed head onto the panel being processed.

Description

324, 300.6 (lnquired); 53/140; 117/1053; ZZZ/(inquired); 239/(Inquired) I United States Patent 13,568,639

[72] Inventor Keith E. Burk [56] References Cited Kal Mich- UNITED STATES PATENTS {2% Q1 23 312 5 3,271,184 9/1966 Poletika et al. 1 l8/300.6)

Patented Mar. 9,1971 145,972 10/1967 Masulxs (1 l8/300.6) [73] Assignee U.S. Plyw0od-Champion Papers Inc. m y me -John P. McIntosh New York, N.Y. Att0rneys-1ames M. Hellman and Heilman & Heilman ABSTRACT: The present invention is broadly concerned with a staining machine for wood panels and the like, such as [54] g:; im FEED HEAD plywood panels. The invention is more particularly concerned 12 rawmg with a staining apparatus which is equipped with a particular [52] U.S. Cl 118/324 design of a nonclogging feed head for applying the stain to the B05c 5/00 panels. The stain flows through apertures in a feed pipe onto a Field of Search 118/300, spreader plate, thence downwardly on a backplate into a reservoir, and then over a lip of the feed head onto the panel being processed PAIENIEII mm 9 I97I SHEET 1 [IF 2 M l I I l I l l I I I l l I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I l l I I INVENTOR A57 77/ f. 301?:

noncioecrnn STAKN rnnn nnnn The present invention is broadly concerned with an improved apparatus for applying stain or other surface coating material in a continuous manner to panels, such as plywood panels. The invention is more particularly concerned with a staining apparatus, containing a particularly designed nonclogging head which eliminates clogging and resulting shutdown of the apparatus.

it is well known in the art to use many types of apparatus and feed heads for applying surface coatings, such as stains, to panels such as plywood panels. However, most of the types of apparatus now in use present difficulties in that the feed heads periodically become clogged, necessitating the shutdown of the apparatus with resulting increase in operating costs. The present apparatus with its unique feeding head eliminates all clogging shutdowns.

The present invention may be readily understood by reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments of the same.

H6. 1 is a diagrammatical side view of an overall staining apparatus;

MG. 2 is a side view which illustrates in detail the particular feed head utilized in the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1; while FIG. 3 is a back, or rear, view of the feed head.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, numeral designates the overall staining apparatus. Plywood panels 1 are introduced into one end of staining apparatus or machine 20. The nonclogging stain feed head is shown positioned at the inlet end of apparatus 10. Panels move into machine it) from the left-hand side and are gripped initially at station I by power feed rollers 2 and 3 which are conventionally mounted and suitably driven. At station ll the stain is applied from the noncloggable feed head 26. At station lll squeeze rolls 4 and 5 squeeze excess stain from the panel face as well as help feed the panel on through the machine. Suitable means, not shown, are adapted to collect and recover the excess stain which is removed. Station IV comprises backup rollers 6 and 7 which further drive the panels through the machine. Station V, comprising rollers 8 and 9, are backup rollers utilizing a conventional reverse rotary brush. This brush is rotated in the opposite direction to the panel direction and by adjustment against the panel face, is used to' remove and give the final dressing to the stain which has been applied to the surface of the panel. The panels then pass by rollers ii and i2 comprising station Vi and move on out of the machine.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the nonclogging head 20 is illustrated in detail. Left-side vertical end plate 21 in conjunction with triangularly shaped applicator pour lip 22, bottom plate 23, slanted backplate 241 and a right side vertical end plate ill, define a bottom stain reservoir 30. A bushing 29 is positioned at the bottom of reservoir 30 which contains a cleaning plug 31 which can be removed so as to clean the reservoir. A bar 27 extends above the reservoir and permits the removal of cleaning plug 31 for the removal of excess stain and for cleaning reservoir 30. A stain feed pipe is rigidly attached to backplate 24 by means of mounting brackets 28. At periodic distances feed pipe 25 along its length contains material pour openings 26. A slanted spreader plate 32 is rigidly attached to pipe 25 is a manner to direct the stain flowing through pour opening 26 onto the backplate 24. Thus, the stain flows through pipe 25, through material pour openings 26, onto spreader plates 32, onto backplate 24 and thence into reservoir 3%. The stain flows from reservoir over applicator pour lip 22 and onto the panel being stained. A preferred modification of the head when using line speeds above about lineal feet per minute is to use spreader finger on the lip or front face of pour element 22. These spreader fingers are made attachable and are used when required. These fingers should be spaced apart one-half inch to about 6 inches such as about 1.5 inches apart.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3 which is a rear view of the head 29, the stain is introduced into one end of pipe 25. The other end of pipe 25 is sealed by means of a pipe cap 40. Bushing 29 or drain plug 29 is shown positioned along with bar 27 at one side of reservoir 30. Feed pipe 25 is shown afiixed to backplate 24 by means of mounting brackets 28. A plurality of spreader plates 32 are shown positioned below the pour openings in the feed pipe 25.

While the dimensions of the feed head may be varied, one preferred unit is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the width is about 6 inches and the depth is about 6 inches. The length may be varied widely as from about 1 foot to about 10 feet such as about 4 feet so as to effectively stain a 4 foot by 8 foot plywood panel. It is preferred that the lower end of applicator lip 22 be below bottom plate 23 such as one-eighth inch to about one-half inch as, for example, one-fourth inch. The pour openings in conduit or pipe 25 are from about one-fourth inch to three-fourth inch in diameter such as about one-half inch in diameter. These openings are spaced about 6 inches to about 18 inches apart such as about 12 inches apart. The diameter of pipe 25 is about three-fourth inch to about 1 V4 inches such as about 1 inch in diameter. The preferred width of the spreader plates 32 are about 1 inch to about'3 inches as, for example, about 1 inches in length. These widths are such so as to pro vide the desired fluid flow gaps between the lower edges of the. spreader plates and the backplate. The length of the respective spreader plates in FIG. 3 should be about 2 inches to about 6 inches as, for example, about 3 inches. Each spreader plate is separatedby about l2 inches from one another from center to center, depending upon the spacing of the pour openings in conduit 25.

The dimensions of the feed head should not be varied appreciably from those given. The width at the base of the feed head if widened would hold more solution and would serve no practical purpose. It would also cause the side effect of requiring more stain for actual operation of the machine which is not desirable.

The preferred 6 inch height of the stain feed head is very desirable in that the end feed pipe is thus mounted high enough to allow the stain to flow smoothly down the back angle plate. This will maintain a still or quiescent pool of staining material at the base of this plate and in the reservoir 30 in the bottom of the feed head, While the foregoing dimensions are preferred, some variations may be made such as plus or minus about 1 inch.

The baclrplate element 24 is at an angle which is critical such as about 68 to about 78, preferred about 73 from the horizontal. This angle is of a magnitude which allows the stain to flow smoothly down the backplate and enter the pool at the bottom in an almost vertical direction. This, as mentioned, secures a relatively still pool of stain in the reservoir at the base of the feed head. If the plate is more closely that of a 45 angle, (40 to 50 then the stain will flow into the reservoir of the feed head at too great an angle and splash out over the feed lip, thereby destroying the ability to control the rate of flow of the stain onto the panel being processed. If the plate is set more vertical to the base reservoir, the stain will not flow smoothly down the backplate but, rather, runs off the spreader plates, thus causing splashing and again destroying the ability to maintain an even and desirable rate of application over the pour lip onto the panel being treated.

The spreader plates 32 below the pour openings are also at an angle. These angles, however, are not extremely critical but should preferably be maintained between about 45 and 30 as, for example, about 37 with respect to the horizontal for the best possible performance. Since the purpose of these plates 32 is to spread the stain or solution uniformly onto the backplate 24 of the feed head, these angles are preferred.

The gaps between the lower edges of the spreader plates and the backplate are maintained between about one-eighth inch to about one-fourth inch such as about threesixteenths inch. This is important to secure uniform spreading of the solution over the backplate and for getting an even, smooth flow of the stain into the reservoir of the feed head.

The depth of the reservoir defined by the bottom plate and the applicator pour lip is approximately seven-eighths inch to 1 inch in depth. This depth can bevaried from three-fourth inch to 1 inch. However, it should not be shallower than about three-fourth inch. This depth was found by tests to be necessary for the maintenance of the relatively still pool or reservoir of solution in the head. A still pool of solution is necessary in order to maintain good application control of stain onto the panel.

The triangular pour lip 22 (FIG. 2) of the head is characterized by having a front face 15 and a rear face 16 which rear face is one element defining the reservoir. As pointed out heretofore, it is preferred that the lower edge of front face 15 be below bottom plate 23 such as about one-fourth inch. The angle between front face 15 and the horizontal is very critical and should be maintained between about 50 and 55 such as about 52. It is this angle that determines the type of curtain or pattern of stain flow off the pour lip 22. The angle between front face 15 and rear face 16 should be about 80 to 100, such as about 90. The angle between rear face 16 and bottom plate 23 is such as to facilitate cleaning and is in the range of about 30 to 50 such as about 35.

The distance from the lower edge of front face 15 of pour lip 22 to the panel being treated should be about 6 to 16 inches, such as about 8 to 12 inches, such as about inches for best performance.

As heretofore mentioned, FIG. 3 is a face view of the applicator head showing the spreader plates 32 which deflect the stain from the pour openings 26 in conduit 25 onto the backplate 24 of the head. These spreader plates must be discontinuous elements and their purpose is to spread the solution evenly onto the backplate 24. However, if the gap between the spreader plates and the backplate becomes clogged, this discontinuous feature will allow the stain to flow out either end of the spreader plate, thus avoiding clogging of the unit while in production use. If these spreader plates were a continuous element, the possibility of clogging would still remain and, therefore, defeat the purpose of the head.

The overall length of the head is sized to each machine and the centers of the pour openings and spreader plates should be positioned equal distances apart according to the length of the feed head. For treating panels 48 inches in width it is preferred to have three pour holes and three spreader plates. For heads to handle material larger than 48 inches in width, a fourth hole should be added to the feed head to assure continuous and smooth flow of the stain into the reservoir at the bottom of the feed head,

I claim:

1. Apparatus for applying a film coating to a base element which comprises in combination, (1) means for passing said base element below; (2) a nonclogging film feed head, said film feed head characterized by having; (3) an angular pour lip consisting of; (4) a front face and; (5) a rear face, said rear face forming a reservoir in conjunction with; (6) a horizontal bottom plate; (7) a left vertical sideplate; (8) a right vertical sideplate and; (9) a backplate extending angularly upwardly and backwardly from said bottom plate, said backplate having attached thereto; (10) a film-coating feed conduit having a plurality of apertures therein at periodic intervals along its longitudinal length, said feed conduit having attached thereto; (1 1) a plurality of spreader plates positioned below said apertures and extending angularly towards said backplate and; 12) means for introducing film coating into said feed conduit.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the lower edge of said front face extends below said bottom plate.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein the angle between said front face and said bottom plate is in the range between about 50 and about 55.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said back plate extends angularly upwardly and backwardly from said bottom plate at an angle in the range from about 68 to about 78.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said spreader plates are so positioned as to have gaps exist therein between.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said spreader plates positioned below said apertures are at an angle between 30 and 45 with respect to said bottom late.

7. Apparatus as. defined by claim wherein gaps in the range from about one-eighth inch to one-fourth inch exist between the lower edges of said spreader plates and said backplate.

8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the length of said conduit is about 48 inches and. wherein said conduit has three apertures therein and wherein said conduit has three spreader plates positioned below said apertures.

9. Apparatus as defined by claim 8 wherein said spreader plates have widths in the range from about 1 inch to 3 inches and lengths in the range from about 8 inches to 16 inches.

10. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said base element comprises a plywood element, wherein said means for passing said plywood element below said front face is positioned about 8-16 inches below said front face.

11. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein; l3 spreader fingers are positioned on said front face.

12. Apparatus as defined by claim 11 wherein said spreader fingers are positioned from about one-half inch to about 6 inches apart.

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying a film coating to a base element which comprises in combination, (1) means for passing said base element below; (2) a nonclogging film feed head, said film feed head characterized by having; (3) an angular pour lip consisting of; (4) a front face and; (5) a rear face, said rear face forming a reservoir in conjunction with; (6) a horizontal bottom plate; (7) a left vertical sideplate; (8) a right vertical sideplate and; (9) a backplate extending angularly upwardly and backwardly from said bottom plate, said backplate having attached thereto; (10) a film-coating feed conduit having a plurality of apertures therein at periodic intervals along its longitudinal length, said feed conduit having attached thereto; (11) a plurality of spreader plates positioned below said apertures and extending angularly towards said backplate and; (12) means for introducing film coating into said feed conduit.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein the angle between said front face and said bottom plate is in the range between about 50* and about 55*.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said back plate extends angularly upwardly and backwardly from said bottom plate at an angle in the range from about 68* to about 78*.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said spreader plates positioned below said apertures are at an angle between 30* and 45* with respect to said bottom plate.

7. Apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein gaps in the range from about one-eighth inch to one-fourth inch exist between the lower edges of said spreader plates and said backplate.

8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the length of said conduit is about 48 inches and wherein said conduit has three apertures therein and wherein said conduit has three spreader plates positioned below said apertures.

11. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein; (13 ) spreader fingers are positioned on said front face.