WO2009040863A1 - Panel and relative manufacturing system and method - Google Patents

Panel and relative manufacturing system and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009040863A1
WO2009040863A1 PCT/IT2008/000597 IT2008000597W WO2009040863A1 WO 2009040863 A1 WO2009040863 A1 WO 2009040863A1 IT 2008000597 W IT2008000597 W IT 2008000597W WO 2009040863 A1 WO2009040863 A1 WO 2009040863A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blank
spacer
panel
blanks
outer layers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2008/000597
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Valter Naldi
Original Assignee
Valter Naldi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from ITBO20070631 external-priority patent/ITBO20070631A1/en
Priority claimed from ITBO20080235 external-priority patent/ITBO20080235A1/en
Application filed by Valter Naldi filed Critical Valter Naldi
Priority to US12/679,080 priority Critical patent/US9021705B2/en
Priority to EP20080833759 priority patent/EP2115234B1/en
Priority to AT08833759T priority patent/ATE510081T1/en
Priority to CN200880107253.1A priority patent/CN101802323B/en
Priority to PL08833759T priority patent/PL2115234T3/en
Publication of WO2009040863A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009040863A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
    • E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
    • E04C2/34—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts
    • E04C2/36—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts spaced apart by transversely-placed strip material, e.g. honeycomb panels
    • E04C2/365—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts spaced apart by transversely-placed strip material, e.g. honeycomb panels by honeycomb structures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B21/00—Layered products comprising a layer of wood, e.g. wood board, veneer, wood particle board
    • B32B21/04—Layered products comprising a layer of wood, e.g. wood board, veneer, wood particle board comprising wood as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
    • B32B21/042—Layered products comprising a layer of wood, e.g. wood board, veneer, wood particle board comprising wood as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of wood
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/10—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
    • B32B3/18—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material characterised by an internal layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side
    • B32B3/22—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material characterised by an internal layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side of spaced pieces
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
    • E04C2/02—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials
    • E04C2/26—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups
    • E04C2/284—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups at least one of the materials being insulating
    • E04C2/296—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups at least one of the materials being insulating composed of insulating material and non-metallic or unspecified sheet-material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2479/00—Furniture
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1062—Prior to assembly
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • Y10T156/1082—Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49616—Structural member making
    • Y10T29/49623—Static structure, e.g., a building component
    • Y10T29/49629—Panel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49787—Obtaining plural composite product pieces from preassembled workpieces
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24612—Composite web or sheet
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24752—Laterally noncoextensive components

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a panel and relative manufacturing system and method.
  • panels currently used to make furniture are made of wood-fibre materials (chipboard, MDF, etc.) which, by their very nature, have numerous advantages as regards the finishing of furniture component parts.
  • a new type of panel is therefore required to replace conventional types.
  • a fairly recently marketed new type of panel for example, has a sandwich structure with only the two outer layers made of wood (possibly with a treated-paper veneered surface), and with a honeycomb cardboard or foam material inner layer, and weighs about a fifth of a conventional panel.
  • Panels of this sort have the definite advantage of being much lighter than currently used chipboard or MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) panels, and employ less wood.
  • MDF Medium Density Fibreboard
  • the panel described in the above patent only partly solves the edging problem, on account of the difficulty in grooving and inserting the reinforcing strips in the remaining two sides, once the first two have been grooved and the reinforcing strips inserted.
  • the sides of the panel must be machined accurately to ensure the reinforcing strip is aligned perfectly with the outer surfaces of the outer layers of the panel.
  • the thickness of the reinforcing strip must be perfectly calibrated to match the groove formed in the side.
  • EP-B1-1 563 970 B1 (IMA Klessmann GmbH) solution solve the hardware fitting (hinge, etc.) problem, on account of the part of the panel to which the hardware fitting is fitted being hollow or at any rate weakened by the poor consistency of the inner layer of the panel.
  • Figure 1 shows a plan view of a panel in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section A-A of the Figure 3 panel
  • Figure 3 shows a cross section B-B of the Figure 1 and 2 panel;
  • Figure 4 shows a panel with spacer-insertion cavities;
  • Figure 5 shows a section C-C of Figure 4 illustrating glue retaining grooves on the inner surfaces of the outer layers of the panel
  • Figure 6 shows a plan view of a spacer with glue retaining grooves and a hardware hole
  • Figure 7 shows a side view of the Figure 6 spacer
  • Figure 8 shows alternative ways of inserting spacers inside a panel in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 9 shows a schematic of a first system for producing panels in accordance with the present invention; in this case, the panels produced are square-cornered (either square or rectangular);
  • Figure 10 shows a side view of a second system for producing other than rectangular or square panels
  • Figure 11 shows a plan view of the second system in Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 shows a tool-holder assembly of the second system in Figures 10 and 11.
  • Number 10 in Figures 1 , 2, 3 indicates as a whole a panel in accordance with the present invention.
  • Panel 10 comprises a blank 10* cut from a strip (not shown) (or from a large panel) produced in a manufacturing system (not shown).
  • blank 10* is rectangular, has a longitudinal axis of symmetry (X), and comprises two longitudinal sides L1 parallel to axis (X), and two parallel transverse sides L2 crosswise to axis (X).
  • the finished panel 10 is edged along all or part of its perimeter (see below).
  • Blank 10* has a sandwich structure comprising two solid outer layers 11 (Figure 3) which may be made, for example, of chipboard or MDF, and between which is interposed a supple inner layer 12 advantageously made of "honeycomb" cardboard or foam material.
  • Panel 10 in Figures 1 , 2, 3 is characterized by comprising spacers 13 inserted, between the two outer layers 11 , inside cavities 14 ( Figure 3) formed by removing part of supple inner layer 12 (see below) or by pressing part of the inner layer inwards of the panel.
  • panel 10 in the Figure 1, 2, 3 example is rectangular, but the same considerations also apply to a square, or at any rate square-cornered, panel (not shown).
  • cavity 14 goes beyond supple inner layer 12 and also involves part of outer layers 11. In which case, the depth of cavity 14 equals the width of spacer 13, and the shoulders (not shown) cut into the inner surfaces of outer layers 11 act as stops when inserting spacer 13 inside blank 10*.
  • Figure 4 shows a blank 10* in which a corner cavity 14* and a lateral cavity 14** along one of the two sides L1 are formed using a cutter FR.
  • a spacer 13* is inserted inside corner cavity 14*, and a spacer 13** inside lateral cavity 14 * *.
  • Cavities 14*, 14** and relative spacers 13 * , 13** are preferably located at the corners of blank 10* and/or at the points along the edge of blank 10 * where the hardware is presumably fitted.
  • cutter FR is equipped with face cutting edges TF and four plane cutting edges TP (only two shown in Figure 4) for forming corresponding grooves SL1 ( Figure 5) on the inner surfaces 11* of outer layers 11.
  • Figures 6 and 7- show a spacer 13 having glue retaining grooves SL2, and a hole 19 for fastening hardware (not shown) to panel 10.
  • spacer 13 may be ready-made complete with glue retaining grooves SL2 and at least one hardware hole 19.
  • Grooves SL2 may be instead of or in addition to grooves SL1.
  • Spacer 13 may also comprise other types of seats (not shown), such as a threaded hole, a dove-tail cavity, or similar, by which to fit the hardware of the furniture item produced using panel 10.
  • Figure 8 shows two alternative ways of inserting spacers 13 inside blank 10* of panel 10 according to the invention.
  • a spacer 13' is inserted so that its outer faces FC1 , FC2 project slightly with respect to the reference edges BRD1 , BRD2, and blank 10 * is trimmed using a cutter assembly FR1 to also remove strips STR1 , STR2 of spacer 13'.
  • a spacer 13" is inserted with its faces FC1 , FC2 practically flush with edges BRD1, BRD2, so that, in this case too, trimming of blank 10 * by cutter assembly FR1 again produces a spacer 13" with outer faces FC1 , FC2 aligned with the finished edges of blank 10 * .
  • Spacers 13 may be made of wood, wood fibre, plastic or similar.
  • Figure 9 shows a schematic of a first system 100 for producing panels 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • System 100 is basically, though not exclusively, designed for working square or rectangular blanks 10* of the type shown in Figures 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
  • System 100 comprises a frame TL supporting a number of devices in series.
  • System 100 also comprises a chain conveyor 101 for moving blanks 10* and relative panels 10 in the direction of arrow F.
  • System 100 also comprises a belt or a series of rollers (not shown) which operate parallel to chain conveyor 101 and apply a certain amount of pressure on the top surfaces of blanks 10* and panels 10 to ensure precise conveyance.
  • a cutter 102 for forming cavities 14*, 14** in blanks 10* travelling through;
  • a device 103 for applying (or activating) fast-acting glue inside cavities 14*, 14 ** and/or on spacers 13; in the example shown, device 103 comprises two nozzles 103a, 103b for applying fast-acting glue;
  • a device 104 for inserting spacers 13 inside respective cavities 14*, 14* * which comprises a store 104a of spacers 13, with two outlets USC1 , USC2; and two inserters 104b, 104c located at outlets USC1 , USC2, and each of which receives a spacer 13 inside an L-shaped push member SD, and pushes the spacer inside a corresponding cavity 14, formed as stated in supple inner layer 12, and onto compact layers 11 of blank 10*, so that the spacer is perfectly aligned with the two sides of the corner of blank 10*; incidentally, it should be noted that, to insert spacer 13 inside a corresponding cavity 14** along one of the two sides L1 ( Figure 4), L-shaped push member SD is unsuitable, so a straightforward palette (not shown) is used, which pushes spacer 13 into cavity 14** and onto compact outer layers 11 of blank 10*; store 104a of spacers 13 may also be provided with an orienting device (not shown) for rotating the in-
  • edging device 105 comprises a known applicator 105a for applying edging strip 16, and a cutter 105b for cutting adhesive edging strip 16 to size;
  • a trimming device 106 for removing any surplus portions SP of adhesive edging strip 16 off the comers of blank 10*, and which comprises at least two cutters 106a, 106b;
  • a finishing and cleaning device 107 comprising cutters 107a, 107b and brushes (not shown), and which serves to cut off the portions of adhesive edging strip 16 projecting in height with respect to the thickness of blank 10*;
  • an electronic central control unit (not shown) for controlling feed of panels 10 and the operating assemblies.
  • cutter 102 forms in an in-transit blank 10* cavities 14*, 14** that go beyond the supple inner layer and also partly involve the outer layers 11 of blank 10*.
  • the depth of the cavity equals the width of the spacer, and the shoulders cut into the inner surfaces of outer layers 11 act as stops when inserting the spacer.
  • a cutter assembly FR1 as in Figure 8 is inserted between inserting device 104 and edging device 105.
  • the spacers are cut (or broken) to size off a reel or strips before being inserted on line.
  • a spacer is pressed into the inner layer of the blank, making use of the suppleness of the material of which the inner layer of the blank is made; which has the further advantage of not having to form a cavity beforehand in which to insert the spacer.
  • Figures 10, 11 , 12 show a second system 1000 for producing a substantially C-shaped panel 200 (Figure 10) from a blank 200* ( Figure 11).
  • System 1000 comprises a bed BS with two lateral runners 201 parallel to a central longitudinal axis of symmetry (X1).
  • a powered portal fixture 202 runs along lateral runners 201 in the two- way direction indicated by double arrow ARW1.
  • a powered carriage 203 is mounted on powered portal fixture 202, and moves on two runners 204 along an axis (Y1) in the two-way direction of double arrow ARW2.
  • Axis (Y1) is perpendicular to axis (X1), even if the two are not coplanar.
  • Powered carriage 203 is fitted with a powered head 205 which moves on runners 206 along an axis (Z1) in the two-way direction of double arrow ARW3.
  • Axis (Z1) is perpendicular to axes (X1) and (Y1), even if no two of the three axes (X1), (Y1), (Z1) are coplanar.
  • Powered head 205 comprises a tool-holder assembly 207 which, in the Figure 10, 11 , 12 embodiment, is hexagonal, and which rotates in the direction of arrow ARW4 about an axis (R) coincident with axis (Z1).
  • tool-holder assembly 207 is shown in Figures 10 and 11 without tools (or operating assemblies), which are shown in detail in Figure 12.
  • Each device is moved into working position, as required, to work on blank 200* by rotating tool-holder assembly 207.
  • one side S1 of tool-holder assembly 207 is fitted with at least one cutter 208 for forming cavities 14 in blank 200 * , which is held firmly on bed BS by a number of suction cups VT ( Figure 10).
  • Another side S2 is fitted with an inserter 209 with an L-shaped push member SD; and a spacer 213 is fed to push member SD, by means not shown, from a store 210 integral with a side S3 of tooi-holder assembly 207.
  • Tool-holder assembly 207 also comprises a device (not shown) for applying or activating glue on blanks 200* and/or spacers 213.
  • spacer 213, shown in detail in the Figure 12 enlargement has two perpendicular straight sides K1, K2, and a curved third side K3 joining the free ends of the two straight sides K1 , K2.
  • spacer 213 also comprises a curved fourth side K4.
  • store 210 is equipped with a straight guide 211 for guiding any spacer 213 to push member SD.
  • Straight guide 211 is interrupted by an orienting device 212 which, when necessary, rotates the in-transit spacer 213 about an axis (T) in the direction of arrow ARW5, for the reasons explained below.
  • the devices fitted to tool-holder assembly 207 also comprise a cutter 214 located on a side S4 and for shaping the periphery of blank 200* ( Figures 10, 11). Shaping by cutter 214 is obviously done before cavities 14 are formed and before spacers 213 are inserted inside cavities 14.
  • a side S5 is fitted with an edging device 215 for applying adhesive edging strip 16 (Figure 3) - unwound off a reel RL - onto the peripheral outer faces of blank 200*, and which comprises a known applicator 215a for applying adhesive edging strip 16, and a cutter 215b for cutting adhesive edging strip 16 to size.
  • an edging device 215 for applying adhesive edging strip 16 ( Figure 3) - unwound off a reel RL - onto the peripheral outer faces of blank 200*, and which comprises a known applicator 215a for applying adhesive edging strip 16, and a cutter 215b for cutting adhesive edging strip 16 to size.
  • a side S6 is fitted with a finishing and cleaning device 216 comprising cutters and brushes (not shown), and which serves to cut off the portions of adhesive edging strip 16 projecting in height with respect to the thickness of blank 200*.
  • System 1000 in the second embodiment of the present invention operates as follows : (A) an operator (not shown) fixes a substantially rectangular starting panel (not shown) to bed BS using suction cups VT;
  • (C) cutter 208 forms cavities 14 in which to insert spacers 13;
  • tool-holder assembly 207 is positioned so a spacer 213 is fed from store 210 to push member SD by means not shown; as it travels along straight guide 211, spacer 213 is rotated, if necessary, by orienting device 212; in this connection, it should be pointed out that, in the Figure 12 system, spacer 213 is oriented in push member SD with sides K1 and. K2 of spacer 213 facing outwards, and so forms a rounded corner SS ( Figure 11) when inserted inside a corresponding cavity 14; conversely, if oriented in push member SD with its curved third side K3 facing outwards, spacer 213, when inserted inside corresponding cavity 14, forms a square corner SR ( Figure 11); and
  • a multiple-shaped spacer may be employed and oriented as required to adapt to respective shapes of the panel.
  • the spacers inserted inside the corners of the panels have the advantage (besides permitting perfect gluing of the edging strips at the corners of the panel) of being drillable to insert the panel connecting dowels essential to the construction and solidity of furniture or any assembled structure; if inserted along one side of the panel, the spacers may serve as hinge supports;
  • the spacers may be drilled beforehand to eliminate drilling at later stages in the manufacture of the panel.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Panels For Use In Building Construction (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

A fully or partly edged panel (10; 200) of wood or wood fibre. The panel (10; 200) includes a sandwich blank (10*; 200*) having outer layers (11) of solid consistency, and at least one supple inner layer (12) with a lightweight, possibly 'honeycomb' or supple foam material, structure. The panel (10; 200) is characterized by having at least one spacer (13; 213) inserted between the two outer layers (11) of the blank (10*; 200*), and by the peripheral outer faces (15) of the blank (10*; 200*) being edged with an adhesive edging strip (16). Also described are methods and systems (100; 1000) for manufacturing the panel (10; 200).

Description

PANEL AND RELATIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a panel and relative manufacturing system and method.
As is known, panels currently used to make furniture are made of wood-fibre materials (chipboard, MDF, etc.) which, by their very nature, have numerous advantages as regards the finishing of furniture component parts.
In particular, being fairly compact, they are ideal for edging, by having a whole surface on which to glue the edging material, and for fitting the necessary manufacturing and assembly hardware (hinges, dowels, etc.).
In recent times, however, conventional panels of the above type have begun to pose serious problems. In particular, they are not light, and, when used in cabinet-making, result in extremely heavy furniture. Moreover, given the increasing shortage of wood, the cost and shortage of 100% wood-fibre panels mean they are used less and less.
A new type of panel is therefore required to replace conventional types.
Two essential features of the new panel, for all-round use in cabinet- making, are :
- as light a structure as possible; and
- a structure with more or less the same mechanical properties as conventional panels.
BACKGROUND ART A fairly recently marketed new type of panel, for example, has a sandwich structure with only the two outer layers made of wood (possibly with a treated-paper veneered surface), and with a honeycomb cardboard or foam material inner layer, and weighs about a fifth of a conventional panel. Panels of this sort have the definite advantage of being much lighter than currently used chipboard or MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) panels, and employ less wood. On the other hand, using current techniques, they fail to provide for effective adhesion of the edging material, for lack of a compact layer, between the outer layers, to which to attach the joins of the edging material at the corners.
Another drawback of this new type of panel is the need for a new type of hardware fittings to ensure furniture of strong make, and which appears to be difficult to achieve on account of the extremely weak nature of the inner layer of the sandwich panel.
A panel of this sort is described in European Patent EP-B 1-1 563 970 B1 (IMA Klessmann GmbH).
The panel described in the above patent only partly solves the edging problem, on account of the difficulty in grooving and inserting the reinforcing strips in the remaining two sides, once the first two have been grooved and the reinforcing strips inserted.
That is, since grooving tools are necessarily circular, and not being possible to run out from the ends of the first two sides already edged, tool entry and exit along the second two sides must be programmed accordingly, thus resulting in incomplete grooves along these sides; and the inside end portions of the reinforcing strips must also be rounded off to insert them inside the ends of the incomplete grooves in the second two sides.
Moreover, the sides of the panel must be machined accurately to ensure the reinforcing strip is aligned perfectly with the outer surfaces of the outer layers of the panel.
And the thickness of the reinforcing strip must be perfectly calibrated to match the groove formed in the side.
Neither does the EP-B1-1 563 970 B1 (IMA Klessmann GmbH) solution solve the hardware fitting (hinge, etc.) problem, on account of the part of the panel to which the hardware fitting is fitted being hollow or at any rate weakened by the poor consistency of the inner layer of the panel.
To solve this problem, some makers insert inside the edge of the sandwich panel a long strip of wood, which must be cut to size to match the length of the edge. This results in excessive use of wood, on account of the strip also being fitted to parts of the edge where it is not needed, and the difference between the standard length of the wood strips and the actual length of the panel results in considerable waste, DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel and relative manufacturing method and system, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.
According to the present invention, there are provided a panel and relative manufacturing method and system, as claimed in the accompanying Claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a panel in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section A-A of the Figure 3 panel;
Figure 3 shows a cross section B-B of the Figure 1 and 2 panel; Figure 4 shows a panel with spacer-insertion cavities;
Figure 5 shows a section C-C of Figure 4 illustrating glue retaining grooves on the inner surfaces of the outer layers of the panel;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of a spacer with glue retaining grooves and a hardware hole;
Figure 7 shows a side view of the Figure 6 spacer;
Figure 8 shows alternative ways of inserting spacers inside a panel in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 shows a schematic of a first system for producing panels in accordance with the present invention; in this case, the panels produced are square-cornered (either square or rectangular);
Figure 10 shows a side view of a second system for producing other than rectangular or square panels; Figure 11 shows a plan view of the second system in Figure 10;
Figure 12 shows a tool-holder assembly of the second system in Figures 10 and 11. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Number 10 in Figures 1 , 2, 3 indicates as a whole a panel in accordance with the present invention.
Panel 10 comprises a blank 10* cut from a strip (not shown) (or from a large panel) produced in a manufacturing system (not shown). In the Figure
1, 2, 3 embodiment, blank 10* is rectangular, has a longitudinal axis of symmetry (X), and comprises two longitudinal sides L1 parallel to axis (X), and two parallel transverse sides L2 crosswise to axis (X).
As will be seen below, the finished panel 10 is edged along all or part of its perimeter (see below).
Blank 10* has a sandwich structure comprising two solid outer layers 11 (Figure 3) which may be made, for example, of chipboard or MDF, and between which is interposed a supple inner layer 12 advantageously made of "honeycomb" cardboard or foam material.
Panel 10 in Figures 1 , 2, 3 is characterized by comprising spacers 13 inserted, between the two outer layers 11 , inside cavities 14 (Figure 3) formed by removing part of supple inner layer 12 (see below) or by pressing part of the inner layer inwards of the panel.
The peripheral outer faces 15 of blank 10* are edged with an adhesive edging strip 16 to form panel 10. Panel 10 in the Figure 1, 2, 3 example is rectangular, but the same considerations also apply to a square, or at any rate square-cornered, panel (not shown).
In an embodiment not shown, cavity 14 goes beyond supple inner layer 12 and also involves part of outer layers 11. In which case, the depth of cavity 14 equals the width of spacer 13, and the shoulders (not shown) cut into the inner surfaces of outer layers 11 act as stops when inserting spacer 13 inside blank 10*.
Figure 4 shows a blank 10* in which a corner cavity 14* and a lateral cavity 14** along one of the two sides L1 are formed using a cutter FR. A spacer 13* is inserted inside corner cavity 14*, and a spacer 13** inside lateral cavity 14**.
Cavities 14*, 14** and relative spacers 13*, 13** are preferably located at the corners of blank 10* and/or at the points along the edge of blank 10* where the hardware is presumably fitted. To retain glue on the top surfaces of spacers 13*, 13**, cutter FR is equipped with face cutting edges TF and four plane cutting edges TP (only two shown in Figure 4) for forming corresponding grooves SL1 (Figure 5) on the inner surfaces 11* of outer layers 11.
Regardless of whether glue is sprayed onto inner surfaces 11* or applied to top and bottom surfaces 17 and 18 of spacers 13*, 13**, without glue retaining grooves SL1, it would ooze out when spacers 13*, 13** are pushed rapidly inside cavities 14*, 14** by an insertion device (see below), thus resulting in poor adhesion of surfaces 11*, 11** of outer layers 11 to surfaces 17, 18 of spacers 13*, 13**.
Figures 6 and 7- show a spacer 13 having glue retaining grooves SL2, and a hole 19 for fastening hardware (not shown) to panel 10.
In other words, spacer 13 may be ready-made complete with glue retaining grooves SL2 and at least one hardware hole 19. Grooves SL2 may be instead of or in addition to grooves SL1.
Spacer 13 may also comprise other types of seats (not shown), such as a threaded hole, a dove-tail cavity, or similar, by which to fit the hardware of the furniture item produced using panel 10. Figure 8 shows two alternative ways of inserting spacers 13 inside blank 10* of panel 10 according to the invention.
In a first solution SLZ1 (top left in Figure 8), a spacer 13' is inserted so that its outer faces FC1 , FC2 project slightly with respect to the reference edges BRD1 , BRD2, and blank 10* is trimmed using a cutter assembly FR1 to also remove strips STR1 , STR2 of spacer 13'.
In a second solution SLZ2 (bottom left in Figure 8), a spacer 13" is inserted with its faces FC1 , FC2 practically flush with edges BRD1, BRD2, so that, in this case too, trimming of blank 10* by cutter assembly FR1 again produces a spacer 13" with outer faces FC1 , FC2 aligned with the finished edges of blank 10*.
Spacers 13 may be made of wood, wood fibre, plastic or similar. Figure 9 shows a schematic of a first system 100 for producing panels 10 in accordance with the present invention.
System 100 is basically, though not exclusively, designed for working square or rectangular blanks 10* of the type shown in Figures 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
System 100 comprises a frame TL supporting a number of devices in series. System 100 also comprises a chain conveyor 101 for moving blanks 10* and relative panels 10 in the direction of arrow F.
System 100 also comprises a belt or a series of rollers (not shown) which operate parallel to chain conveyor 101 and apply a certain amount of pressure on the top surfaces of blanks 10* and panels 10 to ensure precise conveyance.
In system 100, the following devices are arranged in line :
(1) a cutter 102 for forming cavities 14*, 14** in blanks 10* travelling through; (2) a device 103 for applying (or activating) fast-acting glue inside cavities 14*, 14** and/or on spacers 13; in the example shown, device 103 comprises two nozzles 103a, 103b for applying fast-acting glue;
(3) a device 104 for inserting spacers 13 inside respective cavities 14*, 14**, and which comprises a store 104a of spacers 13, with two outlets USC1 , USC2; and two inserters 104b, 104c located at outlets USC1 , USC2, and each of which receives a spacer 13 inside an L-shaped push member SD, and pushes the spacer inside a corresponding cavity 14, formed as stated in supple inner layer 12, and onto compact layers 11 of blank 10*, so that the spacer is perfectly aligned with the two sides of the corner of blank 10*; incidentally, it should be noted that, to insert spacer 13 inside a corresponding cavity 14** along one of the two sides L1 (Figure 4), L-shaped push member SD is unsuitable, so a straightforward palette (not shown) is used, which pushes spacer 13 into cavity 14** and onto compact outer layers 11 of blank 10*; store 104a of spacers 13 may also be provided with an orienting device (not shown) for rotating the in-transit spacer 13 about an axis when necessary;
(4) a known edging device 105 for applying adhesive edging strip 16 (Figure 3) onto outer peripheral faces 15; adhesive edging strip 16 is S
unwound off a reel RL, and edging device 105 comprises a known applicator 105a for applying edging strip 16, and a cutter 105b for cutting adhesive edging strip 16 to size;
(5) a trimming device 106 for removing any surplus portions SP of adhesive edging strip 16 off the comers of blank 10*, and which comprises at least two cutters 106a, 106b;
(6) a finishing and cleaning device 107 comprising cutters 107a, 107b and brushes (not shown), and which serves to cut off the portions of adhesive edging strip 16 projecting in height with respect to the thickness of blank 10*; and
(7) an electronic central control unit (not shown) for controlling feed of panels 10 and the operating assemblies.
In an embodiment not shown, cutter 102 forms in an in-transit blank 10* cavities 14*, 14** that go beyond the supple inner layer and also partly involve the outer layers 11 of blank 10*.
In which case, the depth of the cavity equals the width of the spacer, and the shoulders cut into the inner surfaces of outer layers 11 act as stops when inserting the spacer.
In another embodiment, not shown, of the system, a cutter assembly FR1 as in Figure 8 is inserted between inserting device 104 and edging device 105.
In another embodiment, not shown, of the system, as opposed to being fed from a store, the spacers are cut (or broken) to size off a reel or strips before being inserted on line. In another embodiment, not shown, of the present invention, a spacer is pressed into the inner layer of the blank, making use of the suppleness of the material of which the inner layer of the blank is made; which has the further advantage of not having to form a cavity beforehand in which to insert the spacer.
Figures 10, 11 , 12 show a second system 1000 for producing a substantially C-shaped panel 200 (Figure 10) from a blank 200* (Figure 11).
System 1000 comprises a bed BS with two lateral runners 201 parallel to a central longitudinal axis of symmetry (X1).
A powered portal fixture 202 runs along lateral runners 201 in the two- way direction indicated by double arrow ARW1.
A powered carriage 203 is mounted on powered portal fixture 202, and moves on two runners 204 along an axis (Y1) in the two-way direction of double arrow ARW2. Axis (Y1) is perpendicular to axis (X1), even if the two are not coplanar.
Powered carriage 203 is fitted with a powered head 205 which moves on runners 206 along an axis (Z1) in the two-way direction of double arrow ARW3. Axis (Z1) is perpendicular to axes (X1) and (Y1), even if no two of the three axes (X1), (Y1), (Z1) are coplanar.
Powered head 205 comprises a tool-holder assembly 207 which, in the Figure 10, 11 , 12 embodiment, is hexagonal, and which rotates in the direction of arrow ARW4 about an axis (R) coincident with axis (Z1).
For the sake of simplicity, tool-holder assembly 207 is shown in Figures 10 and 11 without tools (or operating assemblies), which are shown in detail in Figure 12.
As shown in the Figure 12 enlargement, a particular device is fitted to each side of tool-holder assembly 207.
Each device is moved into working position, as required, to work on blank 200* by rotating tool-holder assembly 207.
More specifically, one side S1 of tool-holder assembly 207 is fitted with at least one cutter 208 for forming cavities 14 in blank 200*, which is held firmly on bed BS by a number of suction cups VT (Figure 10). Another side S2 is fitted with an inserter 209 with an L-shaped push member SD; and a spacer 213 is fed to push member SD, by means not shown, from a store 210 integral with a side S3 of tooi-holder assembly 207.
Tool-holder assembly 207 also comprises a device (not shown) for applying or activating glue on blanks 200* and/or spacers 213.
In the second embodiment shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, spacer 213, shown in detail in the Figure 12 enlargement, has two perpendicular straight sides K1, K2, and a curved third side K3 joining the free ends of the two straight sides K1 , K2. In a variation also shown in Figure 12, spacer 213 also comprises a curved fourth side K4.
As shown in Figure 12, store 210 is equipped with a straight guide 211 for guiding any spacer 213 to push member SD.
Straight guide 211 is interrupted by an orienting device 212 which, when necessary, rotates the in-transit spacer 213 about an axis (T) in the direction of arrow ARW5, for the reasons explained below.
The devices fitted to tool-holder assembly 207 also comprise a cutter 214 located on a side S4 and for shaping the periphery of blank 200* (Figures 10, 11). Shaping by cutter 214 is obviously done before cavities 14 are formed and before spacers 213 are inserted inside cavities 14.
A side S5 is fitted with an edging device 215 for applying adhesive edging strip 16 (Figure 3) - unwound off a reel RL - onto the peripheral outer faces of blank 200*, and which comprises a known applicator 215a for applying adhesive edging strip 16, and a cutter 215b for cutting adhesive edging strip 16 to size.
Finally, a side S6 is fitted with a finishing and cleaning device 216 comprising cutters and brushes (not shown), and which serves to cut off the portions of adhesive edging strip 16 projecting in height with respect to the thickness of blank 200*.
System 1000 in the second embodiment of the present invention operates as follows : (A) an operator (not shown) fixes a substantially rectangular starting panel (not shown) to bed BS using suction cups VT;
(B) a blank 200* is cut to shape from the rectangular starting panel by cutter 214; so tool-holder assembly 207 is moved about the starting panel by portal fixture 202, powered carriage 203, and powered head 205 to form blank 200*;
(C) cutter 208 forms cavities 14 in which to insert spacers 13;
(D) at this point, tool-holder assembly 207 is positioned so a spacer 213 is fed from store 210 to push member SD by means not shown; as it travels along straight guide 211, spacer 213 is rotated, if necessary, by orienting device 212; in this connection, it should be pointed out that, in the Figure 12 system, spacer 213 is oriented in push member SD with sides K1 and. K2 of spacer 213 facing outwards, and so forms a rounded corner SS (Figure 11) when inserted inside a corresponding cavity 14; conversely, if oriented in push member SD with its curved third side K3 facing outwards, spacer 213, when inserted inside corresponding cavity 14, forms a square corner SR (Figure 11); and
(E) all or part of the outer periphery of panel 10 is edged and trimmed. In a further embodiment not shown, the operating assemblies are parked in a parking area and picked up individually, as required, by powered head 205 by means of a known fast-fit coupling, so that, in this case too, φich device is operated as required on blank 200*.
Other embodiments not shown also provide for controlled movement of the suction cup support supporting blank 200*, which is therefore worked by a combination of movements of tool-holder assembly 207 and the support supporting blank 200*.
Moreover, operating as shown, a multiple-shaped spacer may be employed and oriented as required to adapt to respective shapes of the panel.
The advantages of the present invention are as follows :
- the spacers inserted inside the corners of the panels have the advantage (besides permitting perfect gluing of the edging strips at the corners of the panel) of being drillable to insert the panel connecting dowels essential to the construction and solidity of furniture or any assembled structure; if inserted along one side of the panel, the spacers may serve as hinge supports;
- if particularly precise assembly is not an issue, the spacers may be drilled beforehand to eliminate drilling at later stages in the manufacture of the panel.

Claims

1) A panel (10; 200) of wood or wood fibre; the panel (10; 200) comprising a sandwich blank (10*; 200*) having outer layers (11) of solid consistency, and at least one supple inner layer (12) packed between the two outer layers (11) and of a lightweight, e.g. "honeycomb" or foam material, structure; the panel (10; 200) being characterized by comprising at least one spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213) inserted between the two outer layers (11) of the blank (10*; 200*).
2) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that each spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213) is housed inside a corresponding cavity (14, 14*, 14**) formed in said supple inner layer (12).
3) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said cavity (14, 14*, 14**) is located at a respective corner of the blank (10*;
200*).
4) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the cavity (14, 14*, 14**) goes beyond the supple inner layer (12), so as to form shoulders on the inner surfaces of the outer layers (11); said shoulders acting as stops for the spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213) as it is inserted inside the blank (10*; 200*).
5) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the cavity (14, 14*, 14**) and the corresponding spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213) are located at the point along the edge of the blank (10*; 200*) where the hardware fittings will be fitted.
6) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the spacer (213) has different profiles to adapt to corresponding shapes' of the blank (10*; 200*). 7) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the inner surfaces (11*) of the outer layers (11) have glue retaining grooves (SL1) where the spacer (13, 13*. 13**; 213) is to be inserted. 8) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the surface of the spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213) has glue retaining grooves (SL2).
9) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213) has at least one fastening device seat (19).
10) A panel (10; 200) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that at least one portion of the peripheral outer faces (15) of the blank (10*; 200*) is edged with an adhesive edging strip (16).
11) A system (100) for producing panels (10) as claimed in Claims 1 to 10 from blanks (10*); the system (100) comprising a frame (TL), and conveying means (101) for conveying a number of blanks (10*) and the relative finished panels (10) in a given direction (F); and the system (100) being characterized by comprising the following devices: (1) a glue applying or activating device (103); and (2) an inserting device (104) for inserting spacers (13, 13*. 13**) inside the blank (10*); the inserting device (104) in turn comprising a store (104a) of spacers (13, 13*, 13**) with at least one outlet (USC1, USC2); the inserting device (104) also comprising at least one inserter (104b, 104c) at the outlet (USC1, USC2); and the at least one inserter (104b, 104c) receiving a spacer (13, 13*, 13**) inside a push member (SD) to push said spacer (13, 13*, 13**) inside the blank (10*).
12) A system (100) as claimed in Claim 11, characterized by also comprising machining means (102) for forming cavities (14, 14*, 14**) in the blanks (10*); and in that said spacer ('13, 13*, 13**) is pushed into one of said cavities (14, 14*. 14**).
13) A system (100) as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, characterized by comprising machining means (FR1) for trimming the sides of the blanks (10*).
14) A system (100) as claimed in any one of Claims 11, 12, 13, characterized by also comprising :
(3) an edging device (105) for applying an adhesive edging strip (16) to at least one portion of the peripheral outer faces (15) of the blank (10*); (4) a trimming device (106) for trimming the corners of each blank
(10*) to remove any surplus portions (SP) of adhesive edging strip (16); and (5) a finishing and cleaning device (107).
15) A system (1000) for producing panels (200) as claimed in Claims 1 to 10 from blanks (200*); the system being characterized by comprising: (1) a bed (BS) having a system of runners (201) parallel to a central longitudinal axis (X1 );
(2) a powered portal fixture (202) which travels along the runners (201) in a given two-way direction (ARW1 );
■ (3) a powered carriage (203) fitted to the powered portal fixture (202); said powered carriage (203) in turn moving on at least one runner (204) along a given axis (Y1) and in a given two-way direction (ARW2);
(4) a powered head (205) fitted to the powered carriage (203); said powered head (205) moving on runners (206) along a given axis (Z1) and in a given two-way direction (ARW3); and (5) a tool-holder assembly (207) fitted to the powered head (205); the tool-holder assembly (207) being designed to work on the blanks (200*) with inserting means (209) having at least one push member (SD) for pushing a spacer (213) inside a blank (200*); the tool-holder assembly (207) also comprising a device for applying or activating glue on the blank (200*) and/or the spacers (213).
16) A system (1000) as claimed in Claim 15, characterized in that the spacer (213) is housed in a store (210). 17) A system (100; 1000) as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 16, characterized in that each spacer (13, 13*, 13**; 213), as opposed to being withdrawn from a store, is cut or broken to size off a reel or bar before being inserted on line.
18) A system (1000) as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the tool-holder assembly (207) fitted to the powered head (205) is designed to work on the blanks (200*) with machining means (208) for forming cavities (14, 14*, 14**) in the blank (200*).
19) A system (1000) as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the tool-holder assembly (207) fitted to the powered head (205) is designed to work on the blanks (200*) with machining means (214) for shaping the periphery of the blanks (200*).
20) A system (1000) as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the tool-holder assembly (207) fitted to the powered head (205) is designed to work on the blanks (200*) with : (a) an edging device (215) for applying an adhesive edging strip (16); and
(b) a finishing and cleaning device (216).
21) A system (100; 1000) as claimed in Claim 11 or 15, characterized in that the store (210) is equipped with a guide (211) for guiding any spacer (213) to the push member (SD); and by comprising an orienting device (212) for rotating the in-transit spacer (213), if necessary, in a given direction (ARW5) about a given axis (T). .,
22) A method of manufacturing panels; the method being characterized by comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a sandwich blank having two outer layers of more consistent material, and a supple inner layer of lesser consistency and/or a honeycomb structure; y (b) inserting a spacer inside said blank; and
(c) edging at least a portion of the peripheral outer faces of the blank with an adhesive edging strip.
23) A method as claimed in Claim 22, characterized by forming at least one cavity on the edge of the blank, so as to insert at least one spacer inside said at least one cavity.
24) A method as claimed in Claim 23, characterized in that the cavity goes beyond the supple inner layer and also partly involves the inner surfaces of the outer layers, so as to form shoulders that act as stops for the spacer as it is inserted inside the cavity. 25) A method of manufacturing panels; the method being characterized by comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a sandwich blank having two outer layers of more consistent material, and a supple inner layer of lesser consistency and/or a honeycomb structure; (b) inserting a spacer inside said blank;
(c) machining the peripheral faces of the blank and spacers perfectly flat with a tool; and
(d) edging at least a portion of the peripheral outer faces of the blank with an adhesive edging strip. 26) A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 25, characterized by comprising a further step of:
- orienting the spacers before they are inserted inside the blanks or cavities. 27) A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 26, characterized in that a spacer is inserted along the periphery of the blank, at the point where furniture assembly hardware is later to be fitted.
28) A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 27, characterized in that at least one glue retaining groove is formed on the inner surfaces of the outer layers and/or on the surface of the spacer.
29) A method as claimed in any one of Claims 22 to 28, characterized by comprising a ready-made'working seat, e.g. drilling, in the spacer.
PCT/IT2008/000597 2007-09-19 2008-09-17 Panel and relative manufacturing system and method WO2009040863A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/679,080 US9021705B2 (en) 2007-09-19 2008-09-17 Method of making a sandwich panel
EP20080833759 EP2115234B1 (en) 2007-09-19 2008-09-17 Panel and relative manufacturing system and method
AT08833759T ATE510081T1 (en) 2007-09-19 2008-09-17 PLATE AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD
CN200880107253.1A CN101802323B (en) 2007-09-19 2008-09-17 Panel and relative manufacturing system and method
PL08833759T PL2115234T3 (en) 2007-09-19 2008-09-17 Panel and relative manufacturing system and method

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ITBO20070631 ITBO20070631A1 (en) 2007-09-19 2007-09-19 PANEL, RELATIVE PANEL CONSTRUCTION PLANT, AND ITS PROCESS FOR THE SAME PANEL REALIZATION
ITBO2007A000631 2007-09-19
ITBO20080235 ITBO20080235A1 (en) 2008-04-17 2008-04-17 PANEL, RELATIVE PANEL CONSTRUCTION PLANT, AND ITS PROCESS FOR THE SAME PANEL REALIZATION
ITBO2008A000235 2008-04-17

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EP (1) EP2115234B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101802323B (en)
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PT (1) PT2115234E (en)
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PT2115234E (en) 2011-08-31
CN101802323B (en) 2014-03-12
PL2115234T3 (en) 2011-10-31
CN101802323A (en) 2010-08-11
EP2115234A1 (en) 2009-11-11
US9021705B2 (en) 2015-05-05
EP2115234B1 (en) 2011-05-18
ATE510081T1 (en) 2011-06-15

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