US 5,186,279 A · Method and apparatus for lubricating tab stock

Abstract

A lubricator (28) is provided to lubricate tab stock (82) prior to forming the tab stock (82) into pull tabs. The lubricator (28) comprises felt pads (36-38) for removing contaminants from the tab stock (82) prior to lubrication thereof. A hydrostatic chamber (40) receives and disperses lube (42) from a source (44). As the tab stock (82) passes through the chamber (40) the lube (42) coats the tab stock (82). Subsequently, the tab stock (82) passes through wipers (50-52) and metering rollers (58-60) to remove all but a predetermined quantity of the lube (42). A collector (70) is provided to collect any excess lube (42) and return same to the source (44) through a return line (72) thus allowing recycling of the lube (42).

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for applying a lubricant to first and second substantially planar surfaces of a piece of sheet metal to provide a substantially uniform thickness of the lubricant on the first and second surfaces, comprising:

means for applying the lubricant to the first and second surfaces of the sheet metal, the first surface being maintained at a first distance relative to a horizontal reference plane, the second surface being positioned above the first surface relative to said horizontal reference plane;
and
means for controlling a thickness of the lubricant on the first and second surfaces by advancing the sheet metal relative to said means for controlling, said means for controlling comprising:
first and second means for engaging the lubricant on the first and second surfaces, respectively, said first and second means for engaging extending substantially across an entire width of the first and second surfaces, respectively, to provide for a substantially uniform thickness of the lubricant on the first and second surfaces, respectively, as the first and second surfaces advance relative to said first and second means for engaging, respectively, said first and second means for engaging comprising first and second rotatable roller means, respectively, and first and second wiper means, respectively, wherein an engaging surface of each of said first and second roller means is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the sheet metal, respectively, wherein a position of a first plane coinciding with an interface of the first surface and said first means for engaging, said first plane being substantially parallel to the first surface, is substantially fixed relative to said horizontal reference plane to maintain the first surface at said first distance.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for lubricating tab stock

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for lubricating tab stock

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20