[0001] The present invention relates to a glue distributing apparatus, in particular an
apparatus for distributing glue in a woodworking machine, such as for example an edgebanding
machine or a squaring edgebanding machine.
[0002] Such machines, which typically perform edgebanding operations on panels, tables,
flat elements of wood or similar material, comprise glue distributing apparatuses
or gluing units that deposit or spread a layer of adhesive glue on belts, strips,
beads to be applied to edges of panels, or directly to the edges of said panels.
[0003] The adhesive used is generally a hot-melt glue that has to be appropriately heated
before being applied "hot" to surfaces to be joined. The glue is applied by means
of a suitable rotating gluing roller, that has a knurled or rough external surface,
which retains and conveys the glue, supplied by a tank or pot. The latter is made
of a non-adhering material and is provided with heating elements, such as electric
resistances, for uniformly heating and keeping fluid the glue.
[0004] In some gluing units the glue tank is positioned below a work area and suitable supplying
means, for example screw conveyor, transfers the glue from said lower tank to the
gluing roller.
[0005] However, such apparatuses have the drawback of heating the work area excessively,
as the tank with heat resistances is placed in a position that is such as not to allow
produced heat to be dissipated, so that it diffuses to the adjacent areas and particularly
upwards, at the gluing roller.
[0006] In order to overcome this serious drawback, which may cause malfunction or even breakage
of mechanical members of the apparatus, glue distributing apparatuses are known that
are provided with glue tanks positioned next to the gluing roller and which extend
upwards. In this way the heat generated by the tank resistances can be dissipated
to the external environment and does not affect, unless marginally, the work area
and in particular the roller and the corresponding movement members.
[0007] The tank has a lower portion or chamber provided with an opening through which the
glue flows by force of gravity to the gluing roller. The latter partially shuts said
opening and, by rotating, transfers and spread the glue on the surfaces of the elements
to be joined.
[0008] Within the lower chamber, interposed between the roller and the opening, glue adjusting
means is generally provided comprising fixed doctor blades for adjusting the quantity
of glue to be spread onto the knurled surface of the gluing roller.
[0009] In particular, these apparatuses can comprise a first doctor blade, called dosing
doctor blade, for depositing or spreading an uniform layer of glue of a fixed thickness
on the gluing roller, and a second doctor blade, called return or recovery doctor
blade, which recovers the exceeding glue on the roller that has not been transferred
to the surface to be glued. The return doctor blade moreover keeps any foreign bodies
outside the chamber.
[0010] The doctor blades are arranged parallel to one another at a preset distance, opposite
the opening of the lower chamber of the tank in such a way as to form a cavity in
which the glue gathers that is taken from the roller.
[0011] Each doctor blade comprises an elongated flat element, provided with an edge abutting
on the gluing roller along a generatrix thereof, operating substantially as a "spatula"
to spread a uniform layer of glue on said roller.
[0012] Alternatively, each doctor blade may consist of a cylindrical pivot, arranged parallel
to the gluing roller and provided with a longitudinal plane that constitutes a flat
surface that conveys and spreads the glue on the roller.
[0013] The doctor blades, because of their shape and arrangement, form in the lower chamber
of the tank a cavity inside which the rotation of the gluing roller causes the formation
of turbulence and vortices in the liquid glue contained therein.
[0014] Such a turbulent flow causes an uneven distribution of the glue on the roller since
this glue is distributed in a nonuniform manner along the height of the roller.
[0015] In fact, it has been observed that on a top portion of the roller a quantity of glue
is deposited that is less than that which is deposited on the lower part. This causes
an irregular gluing since a glue layer with an uneven thickness is applied to surfaces
to be glued.
[0016] Turbulent flow and vortices in the liquid glue intensify as rotation speed of gluing
roller increases, for example if it is necessary to spread glue on rapidly moving
parts, typically in squaring edgebanding machines that machine straight panels in
line, with high rectilinear movement speeds. This drawback of known glue distributing
apparatuses often forces to reduce a production speed of the machines.
[0017] An object of the invention is to improve known glue distributing apparatuses, in
particular for woodworking machines for machining elements of wood or similar materials.
Another object is to obtain a glue distributing apparatus that enables a uniform and
homogenous distribution of glue on a gluing roller for the entire length thereof.
[0018] In the invention there is provided a glue distributing apparatus comprising roller
means for applying a glue to an element to be glued, tank means for containing said
glue and provided with an opening for conveying said glue to said roller means, and
adjusting means interposed between said roller means and said opening for adjusting
a quantity of glue transferred to/from said roller means,
characterised in that said adjusting means comprises doctor blade means provided with respective cavity
means.
[0019] Owing to this aspect of the invention it is possible to obtain a glue distributing
apparatus for spreading in a uniform and homogenous manner the glue on the roller
means, for the entire length thereof. The presence of cavities made on the doctor
blade means in fact substantially reduces, during the apparatus operation, formation
of turbulences and vortices in the liquid glue near the roller means. In this way,
the glue can regularly reach all the points of roller means, along the entire length
thereof. The apparatus further allows adjusting in a precise and effective manner
a glue distribution on surface to be glued, especially a thickness of a glue layer
to be applied.
[0020] The invention can be better understood and carried into effect with reference to
the attached drawings in which some embodiments of the inventions are shown by way
of nonlimiting example, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic partial section, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the
glue distributing apparatus of the invention;
Figure 2 and 3 are schematic partial sections, taken along a plane II-II of Figure
1, showing doctor blade means in respective different working positions;
Figure 4 is a schematic partial section taken along a longitudinal plane, of a version
of the apparatus of the invention;
Figures 5 and 6 are schematic partial sections, taken along a plane V-V of Figure
4, showing doctor blade means in respective different working positions and shutting
means in an open position;
Figure 7 is a section like the one in Figure 6, wherein shutting means is in a closed
position.
[0021] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is schematically shown a glue distributing
apparatus comprising roller means 2, tank means 3 and adjusting means 4.
[0022] Roller means 2 comprises a rotating roller, of known type, having a rough or knurled
external surface 2a for removing, conveying and applying a preset layer of glue to
an element 50 to be glued.
[0023] The roller 2 is rotated by suitable actuating means, of known type and not shown
in the Figures, and it can be rotate both clockwise and anticlockwise, depending on
elements 50 to be glued. For example, the roller 2 rotates clockwise to glue strips
or belts in the so-called "softforming" process, whilst it rotates anticlockwise to
glue edges of panels or tables to be edgebanded, in the so-called "straight" process.
Tank means 3, which contains the glue and is placed next to the roller means 2, extends
upwards and is provided with an opening 3a for conveying said glue to the roller means
2. The tank means 3 is further provided with a plurality of electric heating elements
23 that are able to heat and melt uniformly the glue and to maintain fluid the latter.
[0024] The opening 3a of tank means 3 has a height that is almost the same as that of a
portion of the roller 2 configured for receiving the glue.
[0025] Adjusting means 4 is interposed between the roller means 2 and the opening 3a for
regulating a quantity of glue transferred to the roller 2 for a subsequent application
on an element 50 to be glued. Adjusting means 4 is further configured so as to recover
from the roller 2 the exceeding glue, which has not been spread on element 50.
[0026] Adjusting means 4 comprises doctor blade means 5, 6 provided with respective cavity
means 5a, 6a. Doctor blade means comprise a first doctor blade 5 and a second doctor
blade 6.
[0027] Each doctor blade 5, 6 is an element with a longitudinally elongated shape, for example
a pin with an approximately cylindrical section, on which a respective cavity 5a,
6a is made, consisting of an open hollow space that extends longitudinally for about
the entire length of the element. The cavity 5a, 6a is for example a straight groove
with a U-shaped cross section having a concave bottom wall.
[0028] The two doctor blade 5, 6 are arranged parallel each other and spaced apart from
one another in such a way that the respective cavities 5a, 6a are almost face one
another to form a volume or space 7 that is shaped for containing the glue.
[0029] It has been find out that such cavities 5a, 6a reduce and limit considerably the
formation of turbulences and vortices in the liquid glue during rotation of roller
2. This enables an almost uniform and homogenous distribution of the glue on the whole
length of roller 2 to be obtained, regardless of a rotation speed of roller 2.
[0030] Each doctor blade 5, 6 comprises an abutting portion 5b, 6b, configured so as to
contact the roller 2, and a sealing portion 5c, 6c suitable for abutting on a respective
seat 3b, 3c of tank means 3.
[0031] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the abutting portion 5b, 6b is, for example, an
edge made on an external surface of the doctor blade, whilst the sealing portion 5c,
6c is a portion of said external surface, having a concave shape, complementary to
a shape of seat 3b, 3c, for example a portion of cylindrical surface.
[0032] Each doctor blade 5, 6 is rotatably mounted around a respective rotation axis 5d,
6d, so as to be movable between a first working position A and a respective second
working position B. The rotation axes 5d, 6d are parallel to one another and also
parallel to a rotation shaft 8 of the roller 2.
[0033] In the first working position A, the abutting portion 5b, 6b of the doctor blade
5, 6 substantially abuts on the external surface 2a of the roller 2 in such a way
as to adjust the passage of glue to be deposited onto the roller and to uniformly
extend said glue onto said outside surface 2a.
[0034] In the second working position B the abutting portion 5b, 6b of doctor blade 5, 6
is spaced from a respective external surface 2a of roller 2 to enable the exceeding
glue on the roller 2 to be recovered and at the same time to prevent possible foreign
bodies entering the volume 7.
[0035] Driving means, of known type and not shown in the Figures, is provided for rotating
the doctor blades 5, 6 between the two working positions.
[0036] The doctor blades 5, 6 can be mounted so as to independently rotate, driven separately
by respective driving means.
[0037] Alternatively, the doctor blades 5, 6 can be mounted linked together and connected
by suitable interconnecting means, in such a way as to rotate together. Said interconnecting
means can be of mechanical type, for example pulley or gear mechanisms, or of electronic
type, for example electronic control means of actuating means.
[0038] When the doctor blades 5, 6 are interconnected, a rotation of a doctor blade is matched
by a same rotation of the other doctor blade. More specifically and with reference
to Figures 2 and 3, when for example the first doctor blade 5 is in the respective
first working position A, the second doctor blade 6 is in the respective second working
position B. In this case, the apparatus 1 is in a first operating configuration P
in which the roller 2 rotates in an anticlockwise direction, for example to apply
glue to an edge of a panel 50.
[0039] Rotation of first doctor blade 5 in the respective second working position B coincides
with rotation of second doctor blade 6 in the respective first working position A.
In this case, the apparatus 1 is in a second operating configuration Q wherein the
roller 2 rotates in a clockwise direction, for example to apply glue to a strip or
belt 50.
[0040] The doctor blade 5, 6 can also be made as a single body. In this case, the respective
rotation axes 5d, 6d are coincident.
[0041] Figures 4 to 7 show a version of the apparatus 1 which comprises shutting means 10,
that is movable and interposed between the roller 2 and the opening 3a of the tank
means 3 for closing and/or opening said opening 3a.
[0042] In particular, shutting means 10 can be inserted between the adjusting means 4 and
said opening 3a.
[0043] Shutting means 10 is movable between a closed position C, in which it shuts said
opening 3a to prevent the glue passing from the tank means 3 to the roller 2 (Figure
7), and a complete open position D, in which it opens said opening 3a and enables
the glue to pass through (Figures 5, 6).
[0044] In an intermediate position, which is not illustrated in Figures, the shutting means
10 can adjust a glue flow to the roller 2, partially closing the opening 3a.
[0045] Shutting means 10 comprises an elongated element, substantially cylindrical, rotatably
mounted on a rotating pin 11.
[0046] Shutting means 10 further has a passage 12 comprising a longitudinal through opening
that enables the glue to transit and which has a length that is almost equal to a
height of the opening 3a.
[0047] Shutting means 10 is contained in a suitable respective seat 3d made in the tank
means 3, inside which it can rotate.
[0048] In this version of the apparatus 1, the adjusting means 4 comprises a couple of doctor
blades 15, 16 made of a single body and rotatable around respective rotation axes
15d, 16d that in this case coincide.
[0049] More precisely, the adjusting means 4 comprises an elongated tubular element 19 that
is substantially cylindrical with open section, provided with two facing and opposite
portions 15, 16 acting as doctor blades.
[0050] Each doctor blade 15, 16 has a respective abutting portion 15b, 16b, configured so
as to abut on the external surface 2a of the roller 2, and a respective sealing portion
15c, 16c configured so as to abut on said respective seat 3d of tank means 3.
[0051] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is sufficient to rotate the tubular body 19 of the
adjusting means 4 in order to position the two doctor blades 15, 16 at the same time
and with precision in the respective working positions. In particular, when the apparatus
1 is in a first operating configuration P, the first doctor blade 15 is in a respective
first working position, i.e. substantially abutting on the roller 2 to adjust a glue
passage on the roller, and the second doctor blade 16 is in a respective second working
position, i.e. spaced from the roller 2 to enable the exceeding glue to be recovered.
On the other hand, when the apparatus 1 is in a second operating configuration Q,
the first doctor blade 15 is in a respective second working position and the second
doctor blade 16 is in a respective first working position.
[0052] The tubular body 19 of the adjusting means 4 has an internal cylindrical cavity 17
into which the shutting means 10 is inserted coaxially.
[0053] There is further provided a through slot 18, made on a wall of said tubular element
19 and facing said abutting edges 15b, 16b. Glue coming from the tank means 3 can
pass through the slot 18 to reach roller means 2.
[0054] This version of the distributing apparatus 1 thus comprises adjusting means 4 and
shutting means 10 in a very compact structure.
[0055] Adjusting means 4 that comprises two doctor blades 15, 16, that are integral and
movable at the same time, allows adjusting and controlling in a simple, rapid and
effective manner a distribution of the glue on surfaces to be glue, regardless of
a rotation direction of the roller 2.
[0056] At the same time, shutting means 10 can close hermetically the opening 3a, thus preventing
glue from reaching the roller 2 and leaking through passages and openings of the external
surface 2a of said roller during stop phases of the apparatus.
[0057] Shutting means 10 comprises a couple of recesses 13, 14, made on an internal wall
of the passage 12 for an entire extent of the latter.
[0058] Recesses 13, 14 are substantially the same and symmetrically arranged with respect
to a longitudinal plane of symmetry S of shutting means 4. In particular, said recesses
13, 14, which have an almost U-shaped section, are arranged so as to form a respective
cavity 20 converging on roller means 2.
[0059] By means of recesses 13, 14 it is possible to reduce considerably the formation of
turbulences or vortices in the liquid glue during the rotation of roller 2, so as
to obtain an almost uniform and homogenous distribution of glue on the entire length
of the roller 2, regardless of speed rotation thereof. In a further version of the
apparatus 1 not shown in Figures, respective cavities can be provided on the walls
of the tubular body 19 of adjusting means 4 at the doctor blades 15, 16.
1. Glue distributing apparatus comprising roller means (2) for applying a glue to an
element to be glued (50), tank means (3) containing said glue and provided with an
opening (3a) for conveying said glue to said roller means (2), and adjusting means
(4) interposed between said roller means (2) and said opening (3a) for adjusting a
quantity of glue transferred to/from said roller means (2), characterised in that said adjusting means (4) comprises doctor blade means (5, 6) provided with respective
cavity means (5a, 6a).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said doctor blade means (5, 6) is mounted
movable in such a way as to be movable between a respective first working position
(A), for regulating a passage of glue to be spread on said roller means (2), and a
respective second working position (B), for recovering exceeding glue from said roller
means (2).
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said doctor blade means (5, 6) is rotatably
mounted around a respective rotation axis (5d, 6d).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising driving means for moving said doctor blade
means (5, 6).
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said doctor blades means (5, 6)
comprises two doctor blades, each provided with a respective cavity (5a, 6a).
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said doctor blades (5, 6) are made in single
body.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for interconnecting said doctor blade
means (5, 6).
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said doctor blades (5, 6)
are mounted in such a way that when a doctor blade (5, 6) is in the first working
position (A) the remaining doctor blade (6, 5) is in the second working position (B)
and vice versa.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein each doctor blade (5, 6)
comprises an elongated element, in particular a shaped pin.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein each doctor blade (5, 6)
comprises an abutting portion (5b, 6b) suitable for abutting on said roller means
(2).
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein each doctor blade (5, 6)
comprises an external portion (5c, 6c) suitable for abutting on a respective seat
(3b, 3c) of tank means (3).
12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein each cavity (5a, 6a) extends
longitudinally almost along a length of the respective doctor blade (5, 6).
13. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein each cavity (5a, 6a) has a substantially
U-shaped section.
14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein said doctor blades (5, 6)
are mounted in such a way that said respective cavities (5a, 6a) almost face one another
and are substantially turned towards said roller means (2).
15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein said doctor blades (5, 6)
are substantially parallel.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said doctor blades (5, 6) are substantially
parallel to said roller means (2).