ROLLER FOR SPREADING GLUE ON EDGES OF A PANEL

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an edge-banding roller (R) for spreading an adhesive substance, such as glue and the like, on at least one side surface or edge of a panel, such as a panel made of wood, fiberglass, plastic and the like, wherein said edge-banding roller (R) comprises a support cylinder (1), rotatable around its own axis of symmetry (B). In particular said edge-banding roller (R) is characterized in that it comprises a cladding (2) arranged on the lateral surface of said support cylinder (1), which presents a plurality of application cavities (20) for keeping said adhesive substance, wherein each application cavity (20) has variable dimensions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller for spreading glue for edge-banding panels.

Field of the invention

[0002] More in detail, the invention relates to an edge-banding roller of the above type, designed and manufactured in particular to spread a certain quantity of adhesive substance, such as, in particular, glue, on a side edge of a panel for coupling an edge tape, but which can be used for any purpose where the application of glue to surfaces needs to be adjusted.

[0003] In the following, the description will be addressed to the edge-banding of wooden panels, but it is clear that the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.

Prior art

[0004] As is well known, currently, in the finishing of the processing of lateral surfaces of panels and the like, edge-banding systems are used, generally applied to the sides of a sliding surface, on which the panels to be edge-banded are made to slide by means of a suitable edging tape.

[0005] In particular, said edge-banding systems comprise a glue applicator, a roller, on the lateral surface of which said applicator applies the glue to be spread on the edge of the panel as it passes, so that said roller, sliding on the lateral edge of the panel, applies glue, a reel of tape and pressure rollers that make the edge-banding tape adhere to the edge of the wooden panel.

[0006] Subsequently, the panel is further finished with suitable cutters in order to cut and round off the excess of the edge-banding tape previously applied.

[0007] This edge-band or tape can be made of different materials such as, for example, plastic, wood, or metal, and has variable sizes according to the size of the side surface of the same panel, on which it has to be applied.

[0008] In particular, the rollers for spreading the glue used in these known systems have fixed layouts and are made in one piece, i.e., they require the presence of a single cylindrical element.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to retain the glue on the lateral surface and prevent it from dripping too much, the lateral surfaces of said rollers for spreading the glue generally have workings or irregular surfaces.

[0010] One of the main drawbacks of these known solutions is that they do not allow the maximum quantity of glue to be applied to the side surface of the panel to be varied.

[0011] In fact, the rollers have only a minimum and a maximum level of glue that they can hold adhering to the side surface before applying it to the edge of the panel.

[0012] Therefore, it is not possible to exceed a predetermined level of glue, since, if the latter is exceeded, the glue flows from the same roller and is dispersed, with consequent waste in terms of materials and long downtime.

Scope of the invention

[0013] In light of the above, it is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art described above by providing a roller for spreading glue for the edge-banding of panels.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a roller for the edge-banding of panels, which allows the glue to be retained on the roller during the operations of glue spreading on the lateral surface of the panel, preventing the same glue from dripping from the edge-banding roller.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a roller for the edge-banding of panels, which is highly reliable, relatively simple to manufacture, and at competitive costs if compared to the prior art.

Object of the invention

[0016] It is therefore specific object of the invention an edge-banding roller for spreading an adhesive substance, such as glue and the like, on at least one side surface or edge of a panel, such as a panel made of wood, fiberglass, plastic and the like, wherein said edge-banding roller comprises a support cylinder, rotatable around its own axis of symmetry, and wherein said edge-banding roller is characterized in that it comprises a cladding arranged on the lateral surface of said support cylinder, which presents a plurality of application cavities for keeping said adhesive substance, wherein each application cavity has variable dimensions.

[0017] Advantageously according to the invention, said support cylinder may have a plurality of adjustment cavities, and said cladding may have a cylindrical development and can be rotated with respect to said axis of symmetry of said support cylinder, so that each cavity of said plurality of application cavities is superimposable even partially with a respective adjustment cavity of said plurality of adjustment cavities.

[0018] Conveniently according to the invention, said edge-banding roller may be capable of assuming a first operating position, wherein each application cavity of said plurality of application cavity is superimposed to a respective adjustment cavity of said plurality of adjustment cavities, and a second operating position, wherein each application cavity of said plurality of application cavities is partially overlapped to said respective adjustment cavity of said plurality of adjustment cavities.

[0019] Always according to the invention, said adjustment cavities may have a shape adapted to make any residues of glue removable by a subsequent rotational movement of said cladding equipped with application cavities, and said roller may comprise a plurality of extensions capable of cleaning said adjustment cavities of said underlying support cylinder.

[0020] Still according to the invention, each adjustment cavity of said plurality of adjustment cavities may have a substantially elliptical or polygonal section along a line of section A-A perpendicular to said axis of symmetry, and each application cavity of said plurality of application cavities may have a section substantially elliptical or polygonal along said section line A-A perpendicular to said axis of symmetry.

[0021] Always according to the invention, said edge-banding roller may comprise a rotation shaft, coupled to said support cylinder, for the rotation of said support cylinder, and a housing arranged between said support cylinder and said cladding, in which a tool can be inserted to vary the relative position of said cladding with respect to said support cylinder.

[0022] Further according to the invention, said support cylinder may be made of metallic material and is coupled to heating means, so that, when said support cylinder is heated up to a predetermined temperature, each application cavity of said cladding is expanded, varying its size.

[0023] Advantageously according to the invention, said edge-banding roller may further comprise a first conical element and a second conical element opposite to said first conical element, wherein said first and second conical elements are made of a non-deformable material with respect to said support cylinder and said cladding, and they are arranged inside said support cylinder, such that the tops of each of said first and second conical elements are arranged facing each other.

[0024] Still according to the invention, said first and second conical elements are relatively movable, so as to move close and move away their tops within of said supporting cylinder, so as to elastically deform said support cylinder and said cladding, so that when said first and second conical elements are at a first distance between them, they exert a pressure on the walls of said support cylinder, causing a widening of said application cavities of said cladding, and when said first and second conical elements are at a second distance between them, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, said support cylinder and said cladding return to the initial dimensions, so that also each application cavity of said cladding returns to the initial dimension.

[0025] Always according to the invention, said cladding may be interchangeable.

Brief description of the figures

[0026] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, a first embodiment of an edge-banding roller, according to the present invention;

figure 1A illustrates a view along a section line AA' of a first operative position of the edge-banding roller of figure 1, in which a plurality of adjustment cavities of a support cylinder is totally overlapped on a plurality of application cavities of a cladding arranged on the lateral surface of the edge-banding roller;

figure 1B illustrates a view along section line AA' of a second operating position of the edge-banding roller of figure 1, in which the first plurality of adjustment cavities of the support cylinder is partially overlapped on the plurality of application cavities of the cladding arranged on the lateral surface of the edge-banding roller;

figure 2 illustrates, in perspective view, a second embodiment of the edge-banding roller, according to the present invention;

figure 2A illustrates a view along the section line A-A' of the edge-banding roller of figure 2, in which the plurality of adjustment cavities of the support cylinder is totally overlapped on the plurality of the application cavities of the cladding arranged on the lateral surface of the edge-banding roller;

figure 2B illustrates, in detail and in perspective view, an application of a rotation shaft to the edge-banding roller according to figures 2 and 2A;

figure 3 illustrates, in a perspective view, a third embodiment of the edge-banding roller, according to the present invention;

figure 3A illustrates a view along the section line A-A' of the edge-banding roller of figure 3;

figure 3B illustrates a detail of figure 3A, in which the plurality of application cavities of the cladding is deformed by means of a thermal expansion process;

figure 4 illustrates, in perspective view, a fourth embodiment of the edge-banding roller, according to the present invention; and

figure 5 illustrates a partial sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the edge-banding roller, according to the present invention.

[0027] In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers.

Detailed description

[0028] With reference to the first embodiment shown in figure 1, an edge-banding roller according to the present invention is shown, indicated as a whole with the reference letter R, which substantially comprises a support cylinder 1, rotatable around its own axis of symmetry B, and a cylindrical cladding 2 arranged on the lateral surface of said support cylinder 1.

[0029] The support cylinder 1 develops longitudinally along the symmetrical axis B. In particular, as mentioned, the support cylinder 1 is able to rotate around said axis of symmetry B following a typically automatic operation, by means of an appropriate electric motor (not shown in the figures).

[0030] Said support cylinder 1 can have variable dimensions according to the dimensions of the surface of the panel on which it is necessary to apply the adhesive substance such as, in particular, glue.

[0031] Said support cylinder 1 can be made, for example, of metal or similar materials.

[0032] Furthermore, said support cylinder 1 has a plurality of adjustment cavities 10 for adjusting said glue.

[0033] With particular reference to figure 1, each adjustment cavity 10 has a substantially elliptical section along the A-A' section line, perpendicular to said axis of symmetry B, and is obtained along the lateral surface of said support cylinder 1 at a predetermined distance from the next or previous cavity 10. By way of example, the section of each adjustment cavity 10 can be polygonal.

[0034] Therefore, the arrangement of said adjustment cavities 10 forms a first matrix on the lateral surface of the support cylinder 1.

[0035] However, in other embodiments, the size and shape of each adjustment cavity 10, as well as the distance between said adjustment cavities 10, can be different.

[0036] The cladding 2 according to the present invention is hollow and cylindrical and is open on the bases.

[0037] Furthermore, said cladding 2 is rotatably movable, even by a few millimeters, with respect to said support cylinder 1. In particular, said cladding 2 is also able to rotate with respect to said axis of symmetry B.

[0038] In addition, said cladding 2 is interchangeable, i.e., it can be replaced, according to the needs, by further claddings 2, having different shapes and sizes.

[0039] Said cladding 2 has on its external surface a plurality of application cavities 20 for holding said glue, which can be overlapped on said plurality of adjustment cavities 10 of said support cylinder 1.

[0040] Similarly to what has been said for the support cylinder 1, also in this case each application cavity 20 has a substantially elliptical section along the section line A-A', perpendicular to said axis of symmetry B, and is obtained along the lateral surface of said cladding 2 at a predetermined distance from the next or previous application cavity 20. By way of example, the section of each application cavity 20 can be polygonal.

[0041] Therefore, the arrangement of said application cavities 20 forms a second matrix on the lateral surface of the cladding 2.

[0042] However, in further embodiments, the size and shape of each application cavity 20, as well as the distance between said application cavities 20 can be different.

[0043] As said, figures 1A and 1B show two operating positions as referred to the first embodiment of the edge-banding roller of figure 1.

[0044] In particular, the relative rotation of said cladding 2 with respect to said support cylinder 1 allows each application cavity 20 of said second plurality of application cavities 20 to be totally or partially overlapped on said respective adjustment cavity 10 of said first plurality of adjustment cavities 10.

[0045] In particular, figure 1A shows a first operating position of said edge-banding roller R, in which each application cavity 20 of said cladding 2 is totally overlapped on each respective adjustment cavity 10 of said support cylinder 1. This allows to hold the maximum amount of glue for said edge-banding roller R.

[0046] Figure 1B, on the other hand, shows a second operating position of said edge-banding roller R, in which each application cavity 20 of said cladding 2 is partially overlapped on each respective adjustment cavity 10 of said support cylinder 1. In this case, the quantity of glue retained by said roller R is reduced or less than the relative position between the cylinder 1 and the cladding 2 of figure 1A, or with respect to said first operating position.

[0047] The operation of the first embodiment of said edge-banding roller R described above is as follows.

[0048] Initially, the glue is applied on the lateral surface of said support cylinder 1. Generally, the glue is applied by means of suitable applicators or dispensers (not shown in the figures).

[0049] Subsequently, said cladding 2 is arranged on the lateral surface of said support cylinder 1, so that said application cavities 20 of said cladding 2 are totally or partially overlapped on said respective adjustment cavities 10 of said support cylinder 1.

[0050] Subsequently, said edge-banding roller R is used to spread the glue on the lateral surface of the panel to be machined.

[0051] Figures 2, 2A, and 2B show a second embodiment of the edge-banding roller R according to the present invention.

[0052] Said second embodiment of said edge-banding roller R further provides, with respect to the first embodiment described above, a rotation shaft 3, coupled to said support cylinder 1, to which an electric motor can be keyed (not shown in the figures) for the rotation of said support cylinder 1, and a housing 4 arranged between said support cylinder 1 and said cladding 2, in which a suitable tool (not shown in the figures) can be inserted to vary the relative position of said cladding 2 with respect to said support cylinder 1.

[0053] Furthermore, as can be seen from figure 2A, differently from said first embodiment shown in figures 1, 1A, and 1B, each adjustment cavity 10 of said support cylinder 1 has a substantially triangular section along the perpendicular section line A-A' to said axis of symmetry B. This allows said support cylinder 1 to prevent the glue from stagnating within the cavity of said support cylinder 1.

[0054] However, in further embodiments, the size and shape of each adjustment cavity 10, as well as the distance between said adjustment cavities 10 can be different, in order to geometrically generate a suitable system that eases the evacuation of the glue because it does not stagnate once the corresponding relative rotations between cladding 2 and cylinder 1 occur.

[0055] The operation of the second embodiment of said edge-banding roller R described above is similar to the first embodiment of the edge-banding roller R and takes place in the following way.

[0056] After having applied the glue, by means of the appropriate dispenser, on the surface of the supporting cylinder 1, and having arranged the cladding 2, as described above, said rotation shaft 3 is activated so as to transmit the rotation to said cladding 2.

[0057] By inserting the tool in the housing 4 it is possible to adjust the position of the cladding 2 with respect to the support cylinder 1, at the same time adjusting a maximum quantity of glue that said edge-banding roller R is able to hold before spreading it on the edge of the passing panel (not shown in the figures).

[0058] Figures 3, 3A, and 3B show a third embodiment of the edge-banding roller R according to the present invention.

[0059] In particular, said edge-banding roller R always comprises a support cylinder 1 and a cladding 2. However, in this case, only the cladding 2 comprises a plurality of application cavities 20, while the support cylinder 1 does not comprise any cavity.

[0060] Said support cylinder 1 is made of metallic material and is coupled to heating means (not shown in the figures), which can be optionally arranged inside said support cylinder 1.

[0061] The operation of the third embodiment of said edge-banding roller R described above is as follows.

[0062] Before applying the glue by means of the appropriate dispenser on the surface of the support cylinder 1, said support cylinder 1 is heated by means of said heating means, so as to also heat said cladding 2.

[0063] In this way, the support cylinder 1 and the cladding 2 undergo a process of thermal expansion, which also causes an expansion of the cavities 20 of said cladding 2.

[0064] In particular, the volume identified by said application cavities 20 increases, thus allowing, following the application of glue by the dispenser, to retain a greater quantity of glue on the surface of the cladding 2.

[0065] Similarly, in order to reduce the maximum quantity of glue that the edge-banding roller R can hold, it is sufficient to cool said support cylinder 1, for example by turning off the heating means. To accelerate the cooling process, it is also possible to provide suitable cooling means (not shown in the figures).

[0066] More in detail, the support cylinder 1 is generally heated up to a temperature of about 200 °C, so that each application cavity 20 of said cladding 2 expands, varying its dimensions by a few tenths of a millimeter.

[0067] Therefore, as can be seen from figure 3B, each application cavity 20 expands by a few tenths of a millimeter with respect to its initial dimensions. By way of example, figure 3B shows a variation from a first width a1 to a second width b1, in which the second width b1 is greater than the first width a1.

[0068] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the edge-banding roller R according to the present invention, which always has a support cylinder 1 and a cladding 2 arranged on a lateral surface of said support cylinder 1, and provided with application cavities 20 to retain the glue applied to the surface of said edge-banding roller R.

[0069] With respect to the first embodiment described above, said fourth embodiment of said edge-banding roller R further provides, with respect to the first embodiment described above, a first conical element C1 and a second conical element C2 opposite to said first conical element C1, arranged inside said cylinder of support 1.

[0070] More specifically, each conical element C1, C2 is made of a material that is not deformable or non-deformable with respect to said support cylinder 1 and said cladding 2.

[0071] Each conical element C1 and C2 has a base, arranged at a respective base of said support cylinder 1.

[0072] Furthermore, the top of said first conical element C1 faces the top of said second conical element C2, not contacting it, and is inside said support cylinder 1 which in the embodiment in question is at least partially hollow.

[0073] The operation of the fourth embodiment of said edge-banding roller R described above takes place in the following way.

[0074] In the case at issue, by approaching said conical elements C1 and C2, said support cylinder 1 mechanically expands, thus also causing the expansion of said cladding 2.

[0075] This in turn also causes the widening of said application cavities 20 of said cladding 2. Of course, the deformation of said support cylinder 1 is such as to remain in the elastic deformation range, without causing ribs.

[0076] In this way, when the conical elements C1 and C2 are moved away, said support cylinder 1 and said cladding 2 return to their initial sizes, so that the application cavities 20 of said cladding 2 also return to their initial size.

[0077] In this way, it is possible to apply the glue by means of the dispenser on the lateral surface of the cladding 2 by adjusting the maximum quantity of the same according to whether or not the application cavities 20 are mechanically deformed so as to widen them.

[0078] Said conical elements C1 and C2 are moved relative to each other by suitable hydraulic or pneumatic means (not shown in the figures).

[0079] Finally, figure 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the edge-banding roller R according to the present invention, which always has a support cylinder 1, equipped with a plurality of adjustment cavities 10 to adjust the quantity of said glue, and a cladding 2, arranged on a lateral surface of said support cylinder 1, provided with an application cavity 20 to hold the glue applied to the surface of said edge-banding roller R.

[0080] In particular, said adjustment cavities 10 have a shape suitable for ensuring that any glue residues can be removed by a subsequent rotation movement of said cladding 2.

[0081] In addition, said roller R comprises a plurality of extensions 11 suitable for cleaning said adjustment cavities 10 of said support cylinder 1.

Advantages

[0082] A first advantage of the present invention is that of providing an edge-banding roller equipped with a movable cladding to improve the spreading of glue on the side surface of the panel to be machined.

[0083] A further advantage of the present invention is that of providing an edge-banding roller that allows the glue to be retained on the edge-banding roller during the operations of spreading the glue on the side surface of the panel, preventing the same glue from exceeding the edge-banding roller.

[0084] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Edge-banding roller (R) for spreading an adhesive substance, such as glue and the like, on at least one side surface or edge of a panel, such as a panel made of wood, fiberglass, plastic and the like,
wherein said edge-banding roller (R) comprises a support cylinder (1), rotatable around its own axis of symmetry (B), and
wherein said edge-banding roller (R) is characterized in that it comprises
a cladding (2) arranged on the lateral surface of said support cylinder (1), which presents a plurality of application cavities (20) for keeping said adhesive substance,
wherein each application cavity (20) has variable dimensions.

2. Edge-banding roller (R) according to the preceding claim, characterized
in that said support cylinder (1) has a plurality of adjustment cavities (10), and
in that said cladding (2) has a cylindrical development and can be rotated with respect to said axis of symmetry (B) of said support cylinder (1), so that each cavity (20) of said plurality of application cavities (20) is superimposable even partially with a respective adjustment cavity (10) of said plurality of adjustment cavities (10).

3. Edge-banding roller (R) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is capable of assuming
a first operating position, wherein each application cavity (20) of said plurality of application cavity (20) is superimposed to a respective adjustment cavity (10) of said plurality of adjustment cavities (10), and
a second operating position, wherein each application cavity (20) of said plurality of application cavities (20) is partially overlapped to said respective adjustment cavity (10) of said plurality of adjustment cavities (10).

4. Edge-banding roller (R) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said adjustment cavities (10) have a shape adapted to make any residues of glue removable by a subsequent rotational movement of said cladding (2) equipped with application cavities (20), and
in that it comprises a plurality of extensions (11) capable of cleaning said adjustment cavities (10) of said underlying support cylinder (1).

5. Edge-banding roller (R) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized
in that each adjustment cavity (10) of said plurality of adjustment cavities (10) has a substantially elliptical or polygonal section along a line of section A-A perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (B), and
in that each application cavity (20) of said plurality of application cavities (20) has a section substantially elliptical or polygonal along said section line A-A perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (B).

6. Edge-banding roller (R) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises
a rotation shaft (3), coupled to said support cylinder (1), for the rotation of said support cylinder (1), and
a housing (4) arranged between said support cylinder (1) and said cladding (2), in which a tool can be inserted to vary the relative position of said cladding (2) with respect to said support cylinder (1).

7. Edge-banding roller (R) according to claim 1, characterized
in that said support cylinder (1) is made of metallic material and is coupled to heating means, so that, when said support cylinder (1) is heated up to a predetermined temperature, each application cavity (20) of said cladding (2) is expanded, varying its size.

8. Edge-banding roller (R) according to claim 1, characterized
in that it further comprises a first conical element (C1) and a second conical element (C2) opposite to said first conical element (C1),
wherein said first (C1) and second (C2) conical elements are made of a non-deformable material with respect to said support cylinder (1) and said cladding (2), and they are arranged inside said support cylinder (1), such that the tops of each of said first (C1) and second (C2) conical elements are arranged facing each other.

9. Edge-banding roller (R) according to the preceding claim, characterized
in that said first (C1) and second (C2) conical elements are relatively movable, so as to move close and move away their tops within of said supporting cylinder (1), so as to elastically deform said support cylinder (1) and said cladding (2),
so that
when said first (C1) and second (C2) conical elements are at a first distance between them, they exert a pressure on the walls of said support cylinder (1), causing a widening of said application cavities (20) of said cladding (2), and
when said first (C1) and second (C2) conical elements are at a second distance between them, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, said support cylinder (1) and said cladding (2) return to the initial dimensions, so that also each application cavity (20) of said cladding (2) returns to the initial dimension.

10. Edge-banding roller (R) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cladding (2) is interchangeable.

Drawing