WO2010030584A1

WO2010030584A1 - Machine and method for forming equipment through expansion

Info

Publication number: WO2010030584A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/056091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frédéric Covin; Gérard PELLETIER
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2008-09-10
Filing date: 2009-09-04
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: FR2935634B1; CN101670646A; FR2935634A1

Abstract

The forming machine (1) comprises a bedplate (22) adapted to receive a counter-forming core (21) for receiving the walls of an equipment (51) to be formed through expansion. Means (23) are provided for introducing the bedplate (22) inside the machine. The means (23) for introducing the bedplate (22) into the machine (1) are arranged so as to position on an air cushion the bedplate (22) in the horizontal plane in any desired Cartesian position and means (36-38) are provided for catching the bedplate (22) and positioning it at a desired height. The invention well applies to closets.

Description

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR FORMING EQUIPMENT THROUGH EXPANSION

This invention originates from a problem of foam injection into the walls of temperature preservation closets, more particularly cold stores. But, as it will be seen later, this invention could be contemplated for other applications.

For simplicity reasons, this is with such particular application of cold stores that the problem will be described.

A (cold) store comprises five panels and one door, sometimes two, each panel comprising an inner wall and an external wall between which foam has been injected through a hole arranged in the external wall. This is generally foam to be injected as a liquid and expanding by means of a swelling agent, the most commonly used foam being polyurethane foam.

In the past, this occurred one panel after the other, and these were assembled afterwards. The method was thus tedious to be implemented.

Then, injection into the closets in one single shot was suggested, the closets being thus already monoblocs . This is why injecting machines have been implemented, sometimes referred to as injecting tunnels, but that quickly have shown the disadvantage of being adapted, each one, only to one single closet with determined dimensions.

At that time, a more universal method began to be contemplated and injection tools were suggested being arranged so as to receive a bedplate serving as a support for a wooden or aluminium core serving, in turn, as a counter-form upon the injection and onto which the walls of the closet have been mounted before introducing the bedplate into the injecting tool. The counter-forming core is essential as the expansion of the foam exerts on the walls of the closet a pressure of several tons per m² , on the one hand, and the walls of the closets have a relatively low thickness and are thus easily distorted, on the other hand, the core thus preventing the walls from being distorted, generally thin sheets.

But the universal character of the method was only very relative. Even by planning to mount the supporting bedplates on rails, manufacturing closets of any dimensions was Utopian, except as for arranging a network of rails being obviously likely to dissuade any manufacturer.

While the core prevents the inner walls of the closets from being distorted, there still remain the problem of the external walls of the closets being distorted and more particularly, their back. Injecting into the closets does often occur while they are lying on the front side thereof. If manufacturers accepted to adapt their injection machines to closets of any widths, more particularly by means of counter-forming wedges, they were more reluctant regarding the ceiling wedges.

This is under such conditions that the Applicant got their idea about their invention.

Thus, this invention first of all relates to a machine for injecting foam between the distortable walls of a temperature preservation closet, arranged so as to prevent the walls from being distorted during the foam injection and comprising a bedplate adapted to receive a counter-forming core adapted to receive the walls of the closet, means being provided for introducing the bedplate inside the machine, characterized in that the means for introducing the bedplate into the machine are arranged so as to position the bedplate in the horizontal plane in any desired Cartesian position and means are provided for gripping the bedplate and positioning it at a desired height . It should be noticed that "positioning the bedplate in the horizontal plane in any desired Cartesian position" means that the bedplate could be moved in a Cartesian horizontal benchmark and the coordinates x and y of each of its points could be defined as desired. In other words, the bedplate can be positioned in the machine with two levels of freedom in x and y. The bedplate being also able to be positioned in height z with a third level of freedom, by means of the machine of the invention, the foam could thus be injected between the walls of a closet of any dimensions, provided it can be introduced into the machine, including in height, whereby the ceiling of the machine could perfectly serve as a counter-forming device for the wall of the back of the closet during its injection, thus making it possible to omit an upper wedge.

More generally, this invention relates to a forming machine comprising a bedplate intended to receive a counter-forming core intended to receive an expansion forming equipment, means being provided for introducing the bedplate inside the machine, characterized in that means for introducing the bedplate into the machine are arranged for positioning the bedplate in the horizontal plane in any desired Cartesian position and means are provided for gripping the bedplate and positioning it at a desired height.

Preferably, the bedplate is mounted on an air cushion.

Consequently, the machine could use any bedplate and any counter-forming core.

Advantageously, (machine) walls are provided being mounted pivotally and adapted to be folded down to the counter-forming core so as to insert the walls of the equipment to be formed between such pivoting walls and the counter-forming core.

Advantageously, the ceiling of the machine is fixed, the door thereof being arranged so as to pivot, to open and to make a way for the counter-forming core and the equipment to be formed.

Preferably, the means for positioning the bedplate in height are arranged for first positioning the latter approximately, the exact position being achieved through keying the bedplate on . the side walls of the machine .

Thus, the side walls and the bedplate could comprise catching keys, adjustable in height, for fixing the height of the bedplate under the ceiling. This invention further relates to a method for forming through expansion an equipment arranged around a counter-forming core, arranged on a movable bedplate, and inserted between the core and the pivoting walls, characterized in that the bedplate is positioned in xyz compared to the pivoting walls on an air cushion, with, preferably, a positioning z in height being first approximate ending with a perfect positioning through keying.

This invention will be better understood using the following description of the preferred embodiment of an injecting machine of the invention, referring to the appended drawing, on which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine in an opening position;

- Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the set of the positioning carriage, the supporting bedplate and the counter-forming core;

- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the machine shown on Fig. 1 and the assembly shown on Fig. 2 introduced into the machine, in a low position; - Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the machine and the assembly shown on Fig. 3;

- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the machine shown on Fig. 1 and the assembly shown on Fig. 2 introduced into the machine, in a high position; - Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the machine and the assembly shown on Fig. 3;

- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the machine shown on Fig. 1 and the assembly shown on Fig. 2, the machine being in a closing position, the bedplate in a latching position, and the carriage in a low position;

- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the machine and the assembly shown on Fig. 7; and

- Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing the way of keying the supporting bedplate on the walls of the machine. The machine comprises a frame 1, with four posts 2-5 and two upper cross-pieces 6,7 arranged on each pair of posts 2,3 and 4,5.

A ceiling 8 is fixed on both cross-pieces 6, 7 and a front door 9 is mounted on such a ceiling 8, more exactly on the front edge 10 thereof, for pivoting between an opening position (Fig. 1) and a closing position (Fig. 7) .

Two side walls 11, 12 are fixed under the cross- pieces 6, 7 and are mounted pivotally between an opening position (Fig. 1) and a closing position (Fig. 7).

Pivoting of the walls and the door occurs traditionally by means of jacks (not shown) .

In order to ensure a relative tightness, the side sections 13, 14 of the front door 9 and the vertical edges 15, 16 of the side walls 11, 12 are provided with pads 17, 18 and 19, 20 cooperating two by two.

The injection machine that has been briefly described is adapted for forming through expansion a temperature preservation closet 51..

In order to prevent the walls of the closet from being distorted while the foam is being injected into the walls of the closet, the walls of the closet are inserted between the walls 11, 12, the ceiling 8 and the door 9 of the machine, on the one hand, and a counter-forming core 21, on the other hand.

Such a counter-forming core 21 is arranged on a movable bedplate 22 being in turn arranged on a carriage 23 mounted on an air cushion, with the actuating pole 24 and the lift skirts 25 thereof. The carriage 23 could thus be introduced into the machine, under the ceiling 8 and between all four posts 2-5. Positioning will be disclosed herein after.

The bedplate 22 comprises a tray 26, with four vertical edges including two side edges 27, 28 adapted to be turned respectively to the side walls 11, 12 of the machine, the tray 26 being mounted on side members 29, 30 here arranged on the carriage 23.

Each side edge 27, 28 of the tray 26 bears two profiled parts 31, 32 with a reversed L shaped cross- section acting as a catching key adapted to cooperate, each one with a catching shoe integral with one of the side walls 11, 12 of the injection machine. On each edge 27, 28, both keys 31, 32 are spaced one relative to the other and adjacent to both other orthogonal edges 33, 34 of the tray, respectively.

Each side wall 11, 12 of the machine, beyond the lower edge 41 thereof, bears, near the vertical edges 15, 16 thereof, two squares 35, 36 supporting shoes 37, 38 adapted to cooperate in tilted sections with the keys 31, 32 so as to catch the bedplate 22 on the side walls 11, 12 of the machine. The upper edge 39, being tilted downwards, of the shoes slides against the correspondingly tilted lower edge 40 of the nearly horizontal arm of the keys of the bedplate so as to lift the bedplate 22 at the right height. It should be noticed that the position of the shoes 37, 38 on the squares 35, 36 thereof as well as that of the keys 31, 32 on the bedplate 22 are able to be adjusted in height. Positioning the closet before injection occurs in a way that will be now described. The carriage 23 being slightly lifted on its air cushion, it is introduced into the machine, its door 9 in an opening position, making way to the core 21 and the closet 51, lying on the front side thereof and embedded on the core, so as to position the bedplate 22 properly in the horizontal plane, under the ceiling 8 and between the side walls 11, 12 (Fig. 4) . Then, increasing the height of the air cushion under the carriage 23, (Fig. 6) the bedplate 22 is approximately positioned in height, so as to allow, while folding down the side walls 11, 12 to the core 21 and the closet 51, for the shoes 37, 38 of the side walls 11, 12 to be caught on the keys 31, 32 of the bedplate 22 and the proper height adjustment of the bedplate assembly 22 to be made with the core 21 thereof and the closet 51 (Fig. 8) .

The carriage 23 is able to be pulled down and the front door 9 (Fig. 7) can be closed down. Then, the walls of the closet 26 are well inserted between the core 21 and, acting as wedges, the ceiling 8, the side walls 11, 12 and the front door 9 of the machine. Injecting foam into the walls of the closet 6 can start. More precisely, the ceiling 8 acts as a counter-form to the rear wall 50 of the closet 26.

Adjusting the shoes and the keys in height here occurs through shifting an oblong window being arranged therein along a bolt screwed in the squares and the bedplate.

Furthermore, it is perfectly possible to also contemplate a keying of the bedplate via the lower edge of the front door of the machine. Legend of the figures

Fig. 1

Tunnel ouvert (Vue Open tunnel (perspective

Perspective) : view)

Fig. 2

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with open tunnel ouvert et poinςon sortie and outlet stamp in en vue eclatee (Vue exploded view (perspective

Perspective) : view)

Caisses isolees PU: PU isolated boxes

Noyau: Core

Semelle: Bedplate

Chariot coussin d'air: Air cushion carriage

Fig. 3

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with open tunnel ouvert et poinςon entree and inlet stamp in low position basse (Vue position (perspective

Perspective) : view)

Fig. 4

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with open tunnel ouvert et poinςon entree and inlet stamp in low position basse (Vue de position (sectional front face en coupe) : view)

Fig. 5

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with open tunnel ouvert et poingon entree and inlet stamp in high position haute (Vue position (perspective

Perspective) : view) Fig . 6

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with open tunnel ouvert et poinςon entree and inlet stamp in high position haute (Vue de position (sectional front face en coupe) : view)

Fig. 7

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with closed fernαe et semelle tunnel and latched verrouillee, chariot bedplate, pulled down abaisse (Vue carriage (perspective

Perspective) : view)

Fig. 8

Ensemble avec tunnel Assembly with closed ferme et semelle tunnel and latched verrouillee, chariot bedplate, pulled down abaisse (Vue de face en carriage (sectional front coupe) : view)

Fig. 9

Detail clavettes en Detail keys in latched position verrouillee (Vue position (front sectional de face en coupe) : view)

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A forming machine (1) comprising a bedplate (22) adapted for receiving a counter-forming core (21) for receiving the walls of an equipment (51) to be formed through expansion, means (23) being provided for introducing the bedplate (22) inside the machine, characterized in that the means (23) for introducing the bedplate (22) into the machine (1) are arranged for positioning the bedplate (22) in the horizontal plane in any desired Cartesian position and means

(35-38, 31, 32) are provided for catching the bedplate (22) and positioning the latter at a desired height .

2. A forming machine according to claim 1, being a machine for injecting foam between the distortable walls of a temperature preservation closet (51), arranged so as to prevent the walls to be distorted while foam is being injected, the bedplate (22) being adapted for receiving a counter-forming core (21) intended to receive the walls of the closet (51) .

3. A machine according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein a ceiling (8) is provided acting as a counter-form for a rear wall (50) of the forming equipment (51) upon its injection.

4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bedplate (22) is mounted on an air cushion (25) .

5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein walls (11, 12) have been mounted pivotally and adapted to fold down to the counter-forming core (21) so as to insert the walls of the equipment to be formed (51) between such pivoting walls (11, 12) and the counter-forming core (21) .

6. A machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the ceiling (8) is fixed and there is provided a front door (9) being arranged so as to pivot, open and make a way for the counter-forming core (21) and the equipment to be formed (51) .

7. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein means (23, 35-38, 31, 32) for positioning the bedplate (22) in height are arranged for firstly positioning it approximately, the exact position being achieved through keying (35-38, 31, 32) the bedplate (22) on the side walls (11, 12) of the machine.

8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein the side walls

(11, 12) of the bedplate (22) comprise catching keys (35-38, 31, 32) adjustable in height so as to fix the height of the bedplate (22) under the ceiling (8) .

9. A method for forming through expansion an equipment

(51) arranged around a counter-forming core (21), located on a movable bedplate (22) , and inserted between the core (21) and the pivoting walls (11, 12), characterized in that the bedplate (22) is positioned in xyz compared to the pivoting walls (11, 12) on an air cushion (25) .

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein positioning in height the bedplate (22) is first approximate, before being perfectly determined.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein perfectly positioning the bedplate (22) occurs through keying (35-38, 31, 32) .