System and method for plank processing
OwnerCraig Robert Grunewaldinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and method for producing resilient planks are described. A die punch press is provided to receive and die punch resilient slabs into planks. Die punching the resilient slabs into plural planks can sometimes create a deformity on at least one bottom edge of the plank. The planks are then automatically conveyed from the die punch press to a shaping tool. The shaping tool receives individual planks and forms at least one bevel in the respective plank removing the deformity. The planks can then be stacked and prepared for shipping.
Claims22
A system for producing resilient planks comprising:
- a die punch press for receiving and die punching a resilient slab into plural planks;
- and
- a shaping tool for receiving an individual plank from the die punch press and shaping a bevel in at least one bottom edge of the individual plank to create a profiled plank which is a resilient plank without a physical deformity at the bottom edge of the plank.
-13. (canceled)
A method of preparing resilient planks comprising:
- die punching at least one resilient slab into plural resilient planks;
- and
- forming, by a shaping tool, a bevel in at least one bottom edge of each of the plural resilient planks to create a profiled plank, wherein the shaping tool is a profiler configured to form the bevel.
15-22. (canceled)
A floor covering product comprising a bevel at an edge adjacent to a bottom surface thereof, the bevel being formed by:
- die punching at least one resilient slab into plural resilient planks;
- forming, by a shaping tool, a bevel in at least one bottom edge of each of the plural resilient planks to create a profiled plank, wherein the shaping tool is a profiler configured to form the bevel
- conveying, by a plank conveyor, the plural resilient planks to a first de-stacker;
- de-stacking, by the first de-stacker, the plural resilient planks into individual ones of the plural resilient planks;
- conveying the individual ones of the plural resilient planks to the shaping tool;
- conveying the profiled planks to a second de-stacker;
- and
- feeding, by the second de-stacker, the profiled planks to the plank conveyor.
A resilient plank comprising a bevel at an edge adjacent to a bottom surface thereof, the bevel being formed by:
- die punching at least one resilient slab into plural resilient planks;
- forming, by a shaping tool, a bevel in at least one bottom edge of each of the plural resilient planks to create a profiled plank, wherein the shaping tool is a profiler configured to form the bevel
- conveying, by a plank conveyor, the plural resilient planks to a first de-stacker;
- de-stacking, by the first de-stacker, the plural resilient planks into individual ones of the plural resilient planks;
- conveying the individual ones of the plural resilient planks to the shaping tool;
- conveying the profiled planks to a second de-stacker;
- and
- feeding, by the second de-stacker, the profiled planks to the plank conveyor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.