APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PANEL

Abstract

 Apparatus for the production of enhanced panels (70) which comprises a pressing machine (12) to press an enhancing covering sheet (60) onto blank panels (50) where an adhesive substance is present, to obtain enhanced panels (70) and a positioning station (16), upstream of the pressing station in a direction of feed (Y), provided with at least one transport tray (18). The apparatus also comprises a conveyor (24) to transport, in said direction of feed (Y) or transversely thereto, the transport trays (18) on which groups of blank panels (50) are positioned, at least from the positioning station (16) through the subsequent pressing station (14).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments described here concern an apparatus and corresponding method to produce enhanced panels made with wood derivatives or substitutes and covered with an enhancing covering sheet. In particular, the present invention concerns the production of enhanced panels to make furniture elements or furnishing elements, such as doors, counter tops or worktops, side, front or back elements, or shelves, as well as to produce frames, and also elements of other materials suitable for a forming process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known that, to produce furniture elements or furnishing elements, such as doors, counter tops or worktops, side, front or back elements, or shelves, as well as to produce frames, it is possible to use panels made of wood derivatives or substitutes which have enhancing covering sheets applied to them by gluing and pressing. The wood substitute can typically be chipboard, plywood, or pressed wood fibers, such as MDF (Medium Density Fiber) or HDF (High Density Fiber). The enhancing covering sheet can be made of a polymeric film, for example of polyethylene (PE) or polyvinylchloride (PVC).

[0003] Typically, the enhancing covering sheet is applied to the blank panel by a pressing operation. Firstly, an adhesive or glue is deposited on a surface of the blank panel, for example by spraying or spreading. The pressing operation makes the covering sheet integral with the panel, shaping it around the shape of the panel, generally an upper surface and perimeter edges thereof.

[0004] For this purpose, typically pressing machines are used to which transport trays are fed in sequence, on which trays an array of the blank panels is disposed. The trays can be provided with positioning pegs, also known in the sector in technical jargon as "pins", on which the blank panels are disposed. Otherwise, the trays can only have holes for corresponding pins. Once the panels have been positioned, the tray enters the pressing machine where the panels are covered with a respective enhancing covering sheet, after which the pressing takes place which forms the enhancing covering sheet on the shape of the panels and at the same time activates the gluing, making the adhesion of the enhancing covering sheet to the blank panel permanent by means of the glue.

[0005] The lifting of the panel by means of the positioning pins, driven by the automation system integrated in the pressing machine, takes place after a laborious phase of positioning and aligning of the panels with respect to the pins or holes has been manually performed by an operator. The lifting of the positioning pins in an area inside the shape of the panel allows to distance the base of the panel from the surface of the tray in order to allow the correct working by the pressing machine to form the enhancing covering sheet, not only on the upper surface but also on the perimeter edges. The fact that the raised pins are at the most uniform distance with respect to the sides of the panel is correlated to the quality of execution and guarantee of constancy.

[0006] For the purposes of the pressing operation, it is therefore important that the panel is disposed on the tray in a precise position, also in relation to the nearby panels and the positioning pins below, so that the subsequent action of the press is as precise as possible, acting on the entire surface of the panel in a homogeneous and uniform manner. In this way, it is possible to obtain a high quality final product, in which the covering sheet is applied with precision, correctly overlapping the surface and the perimeter edge of the panel, homogeneously covering its surface and glued to it effectively and uniformly. Therefore, it is important that there is a careful alignment of the panels and the positioning pins. If the alignment were not correct, the subsequent pressing step, by means of which the enhancing covering sheet is applied on an upper surface of the panel and also suitably shaped on the respective perimeter edges, would also be incorrect. As a consequence, in the event of an error during pressing due to even the slightest misalignment of the panel with respect to the positioning pins, the enhancing covering sheet could have wrinkles, corrugations or other imperfections which reduce the quality of the final enhanced panel and can also lead to it being discarded, with obvious productivity disadvantages.

[0007] There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus and a method for making enhanced panels which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0008] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0010] In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for the production of enhanced panels is provided. According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises:

• a machine for pressing an enhancing covering sheet onto blank panels where an adhesive substance is present, to obtain enhanced panels;
• a positioning station, upstream of the pressing station in a direction of feed, provided with at least one transport tray;
• a conveyor to transport, in the direction of feed, or also transversely thereto, the transport trays on which groups of blank panels are positioned, from the positioning station through the subsequent pressing station.

[0011] According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises, in the positioning station, an automated positioning device configured to align the blank panels with respect to predefined reference points present on, or associated with, the transport trays, and to reposition the blank panels in a coordinated manner on a base plane defined by each transport tray.

[0012] In accordance with other embodiments, a method is provided to produce enhanced panels. The method comprises:

• positioning blank panels on a transport tray in a positioning station;
• transporting, in a direction of feed or transversely thereto, the transport trays on which groups of blank panels are positioned, from the positioning station toward a pressing station;
• pressing, in the pressing station, an enhancing covering sheet on the blank panels where an adhesive substance is present to obtain enhanced panels.

[0013] According to one aspect, the method comprises automatically positioning and orienting, in the positioning station, the blank panels to align them with respect to predefined reference points present on, or associated with, the transport trays, and repositioning in a coordinated manner the blank panels on a base plane defined by each transport tray.

[0014] Advantageously, by means of the present invention, it is possible to automatically position and orient the blank panels correctly, accurately and repeatedly with respect to predefined reference points present on the transport trays, so that the subsequent pressing operation can be performed accurately, eliminating production waste. In possible embodiments of the apparatus and method described here, the reference points can be positioning pins, or holes, present on or associated with the transport trays.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

• fig. 1 is a partly sectioned perspective view of an enhanced panel obtainable with the apparatus and method according to embodiments described here;
• fig. 2 is a schematic view from above of part of a production line for panels in which an apparatus according to embodiments described here is present;
• fig. 3 is a schematic lateral view of fig. 2;
• fig. 3a is an enlarged and schematic detail of part of an apparatus according to embodiments described here;
• fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to embodiments described here;
• fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of part of an apparatus according to embodiments described here;
• fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of part of an apparatus according to other embodiments described here;
• figs. 7 and 8 are schematic views from above of part of an apparatus according to embodiments described here.

[0016] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0017] We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

[0018] Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

[0019] It can be seen that a blank panel 50 as used in the embodiments described here (see, for example, fig. 1) can be at least one element selected from a blank panel made of wood derivatives or substitutes and a blank wood panel, or a plastic panel, or also a metal, glass or composite material panel, and in particular materials or panels used to produce furniture elements or furnishing elements, such as doors, counter tops or worktops, side, front or back elements, or shelves, as well as to produce frames, or other elements or forms used outside the field of furnishing or door/window frames. A blank panel 50 as used in the embodiments described here generally has an upper surface, a lower surface and perimeter edges of a given thickness. Generally, at least one surface, upper or lower, of the blank panel 50, or both, can be typically flat, that is, planar, or they can also be shaped non-planar, in any case suitable to be subjected to a process of forming an enhancing covering sheet. The blank panels 50 are generally panels with varying measures in length, width and thickness.

[0020] Furthermore, an enhancing covering sheet 60 (see for example fig. 1) as used in the embodiments described here can be at least one sheet of polymer material, possibly thermoformable. For example, it can be made of polyethylene (PE) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other suitable materials. The enhancing covering sheet can have decorative patterns, graphics, drawings, it can be colored or otherwise, or can be neutral or other, as needed.

[0021] Typically, in the embodiments described here the enhancing covering sheet 60 can be applied in a stable manner on one or more of the surfaces of the blank panel 50, conventionally the upper surface, but could also be the lower one, and the perimeter edges, by means of a glue or adhesive and a pressing or forming operation.

[0022] Generally, for example, a glue or similar adhesive substance can be used which is applied on the blank panel 50 or on the enhancing covering sheet 60, in particular on the surfaces on which the enhancing covering sheet is intended to be applied. A particular example is a one or two-component polyurethane glue, applied cold, which is activated by temperature; the cross-linking of the glue is completed over time, for example thanks to the presence of catalysts sensitive to humidity and temperature.

[0023] An enhanced panel 70, as used in the embodiments described here, can therefore be formed by a blank panel 50 on which an enhancing covering sheet 60 is applied, constrained by glue and shaped at least on one surface thereof, conventionally the upper one without excluding the possibility that it is the lower one, along the perimeter edges of the panel (see, for example, fig. 1).

[0024] Embodiments described here, using for example figs. 2, 3 and 4 concern an apparatus 10 to make enhanced panels 70. According to one aspect, the apparatus 10 comprises a pressing machine 12 which comprises a pressing station 14 for pressing an enhancing covering sheet 60 on to blank panels 50 where a glue or other suitable adhesive substance is present, to obtain enhanced panels 70. For example, the glue or other suitable adhesive substance can be previously applied on the blank panel 50 or alternatively on the enhancing covering sheet 60. The pressing machine 12 can be a pressing machine of the known type and is not described in detail here. For example, the pressing machine 12 can be of the membrane type, or without a membrane. For example, the pressing machine 12 can be a vacuum membrane pressing machine, in particular of the type for the vacuum three-dimensional pressing of a sheet. The pressing machine 12 is also configured to supply heat, so as to bring the blank panel 50 and/or the enhancing covering sheet to a temperature suitable to activate the glue.

[0025] The pressing operation in the pressing machine 12 provides to form the enhancing covering sheet 60 by shaping it accurately around the shape of the blank panel 50.

[0026] According to one aspect, the apparatus 10 also comprises a positioning station 16, directly upstream of the pressing station in a direction of feed Y, provided with at least one transport tray 18 equipped with positioning pegs 20 also called in the sector in technical jargon "pins", to keep the blank panels 50 raised. For example, the positioning pins 20 can be mobile to be selectively protruding with respect to a base plane 22 of the transport tray 18, to selectively maintain the blank panels 50 in a raised position. Alternatively, the transport tray 18 can only have holes 20a to receive positioning pins 20.

[0027] The apparatus 10 also comprises a conveyor 24 configured to transport, in the direction of feed Y or transversely thereto (for example transverse direction X), the transport trays 18 on which groups of blank panels 50 are positioned, at least from the positioning station 16 and through the subsequent pressing station 14. For example, the conveyor 24 can be of the closed-loop type, such as a mat, a grid, strip, belts, or suchlike. The conveyor 24 can be configured to define a path with an outward segment and a possible return segment. Upstream of the pressing machine 12, in the positioning station 16, a lifting/lowering device 25 of the transport trays 18 can be provided, which cooperates with the conveyor 24.

[0028] According to one aspect, the apparatus 10 comprises, in the positioning station 16, an automated positioning device 26 configured to automatically align the blank panels 50 with respect to predefined reference points R present on, or associated with, the transport trays 18, and positioning the blank panels 50 on a base plane 22 defined by each transport tray 18, so that the subsequent pressing operation can be performed accurately. Advantageously, in this way the quality of application of the enhancing covering sheet 60 is suitable and functional for the subsequent pressing operation.

[0029] The apparatus 10 also comprises a system controller 28 and a detection assembly 30. Advantageously, the automated positioning device 26 is operatively controlled by the system controller 28 which, in turn, receives information and detections from the detection assembly 30.

[0030] Consequently, according to the present invention, the blank panels 50 can be automatically oriented and aligned with respect to the predefined reference points R, in the positioning station 16 before the pressing operation, automatically, orienting the blank panels 50 in a desired position above the surface of the transport tray 18, using the automated positioning device 26 and information received from the system controller 28 arriving from the detection assembly 30.

[0031] The present invention therefore allows to detect the position of the blank panels 50 deposited in the positioning station 16 before the pressing machine 12, once deposited on the transport tray 18, by means of the detection assembly 30, also including the references with respect to the predefined reference points R. Once the data is acquired they are processed in real time by the system controller 28, allowing the apparatus 10, by means of the automated positioning device 26, to automatically reposition and/or align the blank panels 50 in the most precise and uniform manner with respect to the surface of each panel and the type of reference points R present in the transport tray 18.

[0032] As we said, the positioning pins 20 can be selectively lifted, in particular by a height H, between a retracted position and a protruding position with respect to the base plane 22 of the transport tray 18. For example, the positioning pins 20 can be sliding with respect to each other, or sliding in suitable holes 20a (see enlarged detail of fig. 2a). Alternatively, the positioning pins 20 can be located in respective holes 20a present on the transport tray 18, in particular on the respective base plane 22. In this way, it is possible to lift, or maintain lifted, the blank panels 50 located on the positioning pins by a corresponding height H. For example, the lifting of the blank panel 50 by means of the positioning pins 20 can take place after the positioning and orientation operation of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R has been performed by the automated positioning device 26. The lifting of the positioning pins 20 in an area inside the shape of the blank panel 50 allows to distance the base of the panel from the surface of the transport tray 18 in order to allow the correct working by the pressing machine 12 to form the enhancing covering sheet and shape it around the blank panel 50, covering in particular the upper or lower surface thereof and the perimeter edges.

[0033] Another aspect provides a pressing method to produce enhanced panels 70. The method comprises:

• positioning blank panels 50 able to be coupled to an enhancing covering sheet 60 by means of an adhesive substance, on a respective transport tray 18 in a positioning station 16;
• transporting, in the direction of feed Y or also transversely thereto (for example, transverse direction X), the transport trays 18 on which groups of blank panels 50 are positioned, from the positioning station 16 toward the pressing station 14,
• pressing, in the pressing station 14, an enhancing covering sheet 60 on the blank panels 50 where an adhesive substance is present to obtain enhanced panels 70.

[0034] The method described here comprises automatically positioning and orienting, in the positioning station 16, the blank panels 50 to align them with respect to predefined reference points R present on, or associated with, the transport trays 18, and repositioning in a coordinated way the blank panels 50 on a base plane 22 defined by each transport tray 18. Advantageously, the repositioning and aligning of the oriented blank panels 50 is coordinated with a positioning and alignment pattern of the blank panels 50 (see for example fig. 8) which is in turn coordinated with and functional to the quality of the subsequent pressing operation in the pressing station 14. The positioning and alignment patterns of the blank panels 50 can be directly coordinated with the disposition of the reference points R, and in particular with the coordinates of the matrix of reference points M, automatically by the system controller 28 according to each new transport tray 18 being fed.

[0035] According to another aspect, the method comprises detecting the actual position of each of the blank panels 50 with respect to the reference points R, comparing the actual position detected with an expected position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the reference points R and, based on this comparison, positioning and orienting the blank panels 50 so that the position of the blank panels 50 essentially coincides with the expected position.

[0036] The system controller 28 can include a computer program, or software that performs the steps of the method.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the automated positioning device 26 can be configured to implement all the degrees of freedom required to perform its function, that is, the orientation and alignment of the blank panels 50, as well as their repositioning, so that it is functional to the subsequent pressing operation.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the automated positioning device 26 can include positioning components 42. The positioning components 42 are configured to remove and deposit, or selectively move, the blank panels 50, as a function of the information and instructions received from the system controller 28 to which the automated positioning device 26 is connected.

[0039] For example, the positioning components 42 can be gripping or thrust components, such as suction cups, vacuum suction members, grippers, pressers or other similar mechanical or fluid dynamic gripping and/or thrust components. The choice of the type of positioning components 42 can depend, for example, on the type and quality of panels to be handled and positioned.

[0040] For example, according to embodiments described using fig. 5, the automated positioning device 26 can include one or more Cartesian axes manipulators 40, anthropomorphic or other, in particular operating on two or three axes or even more. The one or more axes manipulators 40 can be disposed above the transport tray 18 in the positioning station 16. The one or more axes manipulators 40 can include one or more of the positioning components 42. In this case, the positioning components 42 can be transversely mobile, in a direction X transverse to the direction of feed Y. The mobile positioning components 42 can also be axially mobile along a vertical axis Z. Furthermore, the mobile positioning components 42 can be rotatable angularly around the vertical axis Z.

[0041] The orientation and alignment of the blank panels 50, as a function of the information supplied by the system controller 28, in this case, are allowed by the degrees of freedom of the positioning components 42, which as we said can be transversely mobile in the transverse direction X, vertically along the axis Z and angularly around the same axis Z. The automated positioning device 26 can include one or more movement crosspieces 44, positioned transversely to the direction of feed Y, along which the positioning components 42 are mounted sliding, to implement in particular the alternate movement in the transverse direction X. Support uprights 45 can be provided equipped with the positioning components 42 and slidable along the crosspieces 44. The movement of the positioning components 42 in the transverse direction X and the axis Z, as well as around the axis Z, can be determined by respective and specific drive members 36, 37, 38, specific and advantageously independent, controlled by the system controller 28 (see for example fig. 5). For example, it is possible to use electric or fluid dynamic motors.

[0042] According to some embodiments, described using fig. 6, the automated positioning device 26 can include one or more manipulator robots 46, or robotized manipulators, advantageously with multiple degrees of freedom. For example, each formed by several articulated joints with two, three, four, five, six or more degrees of freedom, as needed. For example, anthropomorphic robotic arms can be used. In another example, "pick & place" manipulator robots 46 can be used. The manipulator robot 46 can include a support 48 to carry a plurality of positioning components 42 similar or equal to those described above.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the detection assembly 30 can be suitable to identify and/or inspect the blank panels 50, for example prior to pressing, on the transport tray 18 to detect the position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the reference points R, as well as to detect the reference points R themselves. For example, the detection assembly 30 can be positioned or disposed above the transport tray 18, therefore above the blank panels 50, in the positioning station 16.

[0044] The detection assembly 30 can be configured to provide a signal or information to the system controller 28 relating to the actual position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R, comparing the actual position with an expected position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R. The system controller 28 is configured to command and control, according to the outcome of the comparison, the automated positioning device 26 to correctly align the blank panels 50.

[0045] In particular, according to some embodiments the system controller 28 is configured to implement a closed-loop feedback control on the actual position, that is, the current position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R, in relation to the expected position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R. The position of the predefined reference points R and the expected position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R can be known in advance, therefore uploaded and memorized in advance in an electronic memory 28b of, or associated with, the system controller 28. The expected position of the blank panels 50 is a predefined position, correctly aligned and coherently oriented with the pressing operation which is performed in the pressing machine 12, advantageously according to a positioning and alignment pattern of the blank panels 50. As a consequence, the system controller 28 has evidence of the acquisition of the shapes of the blank panels 50 by means of the detection assembly 30 and automatically processes the positioning coordinates with respect to the reference points R, also on the basis of data or information memorized in advance to an electronic database 28c associated with the system controller 28.

[0046] According to a possible aspect, the reference points R present on the transport trays 18 are characterized by their own spatial coordinates on the plane and can be disposed in a matrix, defining a matrix of reference points M. The matrix of reference points M can be memorized in the system controller 28. There can also be various matrices of reference points M, advantageously pre-memorized and organized for example in the electronic database 28c associated with the system controller 28, according for example to the format, size or other characteristics of the panels and the matrices of reference points M can be selected and loaded on each occasion, for example depending on the production cycle.

[0047] In possible implementations, the reference points R can be real or virtual. The position of the reference points R on the specific transport tray 18 can be, as we said, known in advance and pre-memorized.

[0048] For example, if the reference points R are real, they can be the same positioning pins 20, suitably disposed or present on the respective transport tray 18. According to other possibilities, the reference points R can be labels or graphic codes, barcodes, RFID tags or similar transponder systems. Moreover, the reference points R can be holes 20a, incisions or other marks present or associated with the transport tray 18, or with a mask associated with the transport tray 18.

[0049] If the reference points R are virtual, they can be light or electric or electromagnetic signals suitably associated with the respective transport tray 18.

[0050] In some embodiments, the detection assembly 30 can include one or more optical, optoelectronic or similar inspection devices or video inspection devices. In some embodiments, a camera or video camera is used as an example of an optical inspection device or a video inspection device. The camera or video camera can be of the high-resolution type. When the detection assembly 30 is configured for optical inspection it can therefore include one or more cameras 32, such as a camera with an electronic image sensor, like a CCD image sensor, a CCD camera or a camera with an electronic image sensor, like a CMOS image sensor. The detection assembly 30 can also include, for example, electronic components able to inspect and communicate the result of the detection to the system controller 28 used to analyze the orientation and position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R on the transport tray 18. The detection assembly 30 can include light sources or lasers to illuminate the surface of the transport tray 18, so as to improve the functioning of the one or more cameras 32.

[0051] In possible implementations, the camera 32 can for example be positioned above a surface of the transport tray 18 so that a visual area 34 of the camera 32 can inspect at least part of the surface of the transport tray 18 on which the blank panels 50 are positioned with respect to the predefined points of reference R.

[0052] In other embodiments, the detection assembly 30 can include an optical acquisition device 33, also known as an "optical scanner", for example shaped as a scanner bar disposed above the transport tray 18. See for example fig. 5 where an optical acquisition device 33 is shown which can be an alternative to the one or more cameras 32.

[0053] In still other embodiments, the detection assembly 30 can be configured to perform a mechanical detection of the position of the blank panels 50, for example it can include a mechanical feeler device configured to detect, by feeling, the position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the predefined reference points R on the transport tray 18.

[0054] The apparatus 10 can be part of a production line for panels of the type in question. In this line, for example, it can be provided that, upstream of the apparatus 10 in the direction of feed Y, there is a loading conveyor, a cleaning station, a station to apply glue, for example by spraying, an oven 13 for the passivation of the glue. From the oven 13, the blank panels 50 are deposited on respective transport trays 18 in the positioning station 16 where they are collected by the conveyor 24 to be fed, possibly with the aid of a lifting/lowering device 25, to the pressing machine 12, once correctly aligned by the automated positioning device 26. After the pressing station 14, there is an exit zone 15 after which one or more post-treatment stations 17 can be provided, such as for cutting and removing the covered panels, trimming and cutting excess parts of the applied enhancing covering sheet 60, finishing, unloading and stacking.

[0055] As can be seen from the comparison between fig. 7 and fig. 8, the blank panels 50 disposed in the positioning station 16 can be inadvertently positioned misaligned with respect to the matrix of reference points M associated with the transport tray 18 and then correctly aligned according to a desired positioning and alignment pattern for the purposes of subsequent pressing. In fig. 7 the dashed lines represent the blank panels 50 positioned incorrectly. Fig. 8, instead, represents the blank panels 50 after they have been correctly and automatically oriented and aligned with respect to the matrix of reference points M and to the desired positioning and alignment pattern, thanks to the intervention of the automated positioning device 26 commanded by the system controller 28 based on the information acquired by the detection assembly 30.

[0056] The system controller 28 provides, memorized inside it, a computer program, or software, which implements a recognition and comparison algorithm able to process the signal information received from the detection assembly 30, comparing the actual position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the reference points R with the expected position of the blank panels 50 with respect to the reference points R, and thus generating the necessary corrections of the spatial coordinates that the automated positioning device 26 applies to correctly orient the blank panels 50 which do not satisfy the comparison, so that their position, that is, their spatial coordinates, after being corrected, coincides essentially with the expected position and therefore it is possible to reproduce the desired positioning and alignment pattern of the blank panels 50 for the purposes of the following pressing.

[0057] The system controller 28 can comprise, as seen for example in figs. 4, 5 and 6, a central processing unit, or CPU, 28a, an electronic memory 28b, an electronic database 28c and auxiliary circuits (or I/O) (not shown). For example, the CPU can be any form of computer processor that can be used in the IT field for removing, aligning and positioning objects, for example it can be a programmable logic controller (PLC). The memory can be connected to the CPU and can be one or more of those commercially available, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, mass memory, or any other form of digital archive, local or remote. For example, the software instructions and data can be encoded and memorized in the memory to command the CPU. The auxiliary circuits can also be connected to the CPU to help the processor in a conventional manner. The auxiliary circuits can include, for example, at least one of either: cache circuits, power circuits, clock circuits, input/output circuitry, subsystems, and suchlike. A computer program (or computer instructions) readable by the system controller 28 can determine which tasks are achievable in accordance with the method according to the present description. In some embodiments, the program is software readable by the system controller 28. The system controller 28 includes a code to generate and memorize information and data input or generated during the method in accordance with the present description.

[0058] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the apparatus 10 and method for the production of enhanced panels as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0059] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus 10 and method for the production of enhanced panels, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0060] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the production of enhanced panels (70), said apparatus comprising:

- a pressing machine (12) to press an enhancing covering sheet (60) onto blank panels (50) where an adhesive substance is present, to obtain enhanced panels (70);

- a positioning station (16), upstream of the pressing station in a direction of feed (Y), provided with at least one transport tray (18);

- a conveyor (24) to transport, in said direction of feed (Y) or transversely thereto, the transport trays (18) on which groups of blank panels (50) are positioned, at least from the positioning station (16) through the subsequent pressing station (14),

characterized in that said apparatus comprises, in the positioning station (16), an automated positioning device (26) configured to align the blank panels (50) with respect to predefined reference points (R) present on, or associated with, the transport trays (18), and reposition said blank panels (50) in a coordinated manner on a base plane (22) defined by each transport tray (18).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus comprises a system controller (28) and a detection assembly (30), said automated positioning device (26) being configured to orient and align said blank panels (50) using the information received from said system controller (28) arriving from said detecting assembly (30).

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that said detection assembly (30) is suitable to detect the position of the blank panels (50) on the transport tray (18) with respect to the reference points (R).

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said detection assembly (30) is positioned or disposed above the transport tray (18) in the positioning station (16).

5. Apparatus as in claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said detection assembly (30) is configured to provide a signal or information to the system controller (28) relating to the actual position of the blank panels (50) with respect to the predefined reference points (R), comparing the actual position with an expected position of the blank panels (50) with respect to the predefined reference points (R), said system controller (28) being configured to command and control, according to the result of the comparison, the automated positioning device (26) in order to align the blank panels (50).

6. Apparatus as in any claim from 1 to 5, characterized in that said reference points (R) present on the transport trays (18) are disposed in a matrix, defining a matrix of reference points (M).

7. Apparatus as in any claim from 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the transport trays (18) is equipped with positioning pins (20) and/or with holes (20a) to receive said positioning pins (20).

8. Apparatus as in claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said positioning pins (20) and/or said holes (20a) define said reference points (R).

9. Apparatus as in any claim from 1 to 8, characterized in that said automated positioning device (26) comprises one or more axes manipulators (40).

10. Apparatus as in any claim from 1 to 9, characterized in that said automated positioning device (26) comprises one or more manipulator robots (46) with multiple degrees of freedom.

11. Apparatus as in any claim from 1 to 9, characterized in that said automated positioning device (26) comprises one or more positioning components (42).

12. Method for the production of enhanced panels (70), said method comprising:

- positioning blank panels (50) on a transport tray (18) in a positioning station (16);

- transporting, in a direction of feed (Y) or transversally thereto, the transport trays (18) on which groups of blank panels (50) are positioned, from the positioning station (16) toward a pressing station (14),

- pressing, in said pressing station (14), an enhancing covering sheet (60) onto said blank panels (50) where an adhesive substance is present, to obtain enhanced panels (70), characterized in that said method comprises automatically positioning and orienting, in said positioning station (16), the blank panels (50) to align them with respect to predefined reference points (R) present on, or associated with, the transport trays (18), and repositioning in a coordinated manner said blank panels (50) on a base plane (22) defined by each transport tray (18).

13. Method as in claim 12, characterized in that it comprises detecting the actual position of each of the blank panels (50) with respect to said reference points (R), comparing the actual position detected with an expected position of the blank panels (50) with respect to said reference points (R) and, on the basis of said comparison, positioning and orienting the blank panels (50) so that the position of said blank panels (50) essentially coincides with said expected position.

Drawing