US 5,505,812 A · Articulated glue applicator conveyor

Abstract

The present invention sets forth an automatic gluing and conveying system for use with an automated clamp tightener and flattener system in which the conveyor system is capable of moving transversely to the path of conveying in order to accommodate movement of portions of the clamp carrier which interfere the conveying path. An electronic controlling means controls the movement of the conveyor along the conveying path, movement of the conveyor perpendicular to the conveying path, and coordinates movement of the clamp carrier. Also provided is a method for gluing segments of wood to be formed into panels by a gluing process which is controlled by an electronic control system which coordinates movement of the conveyor along a conveying path and movement of the conveying means perpendicular to the conveying path and movement of a clamp carrier apparatus which overlaps the conveying path.

An articulated conveyor system for transporting and gluing wood segments comprising:

first conveying means having a first frame means, the first conveying means supported by said first frame means, the first conveying means having a conveying path;
glue applicating means mounted on said first conveying means comprising:
a glue bath container;
a glue applicator roller mounted in said glue bath container and positioned to be partially immersed in glue contained in the glue bath container;
a doctor roller mounted in said glue bath container to coact with said glue applicator roller to control the quantity of glue carried by the roller for contact with wood passing over the glue applicator roller;
adjusting means on said doctor roller to control the position of the doctor roller to the applicator roller to regulate the thickness of the glue on the applicator roller;
second conveying means comprising:
a second frame means, the second conveying means supported by said second frame means for conveying segments of wood;
transverse frame means positioned perpendicular to the conveying path of the first conveying means;
and
translation means mounted on said transverse means and said second conveying frame means for permitting transverse movement of the second conveying means along said transverse frame;
drive means mounted to said first frame means for driving said first conveying means, said glue applicator means, and said second conveying means comprising:
motor means;
flexible power transmission means for communicating power from said drive motor;
first conveyor engaging means on said first conveying means engaging said flexible transmission means;
glue applicator engaging means on said glue applicator roller for engaging said flexible transmission means;
doctor roller engaging means on said doctor roller for engaging said flexible transmission means;
coupling means engaged with said flexible transmission means for transmitting power to said second conveying means, said coupling means comprising:
socket means connected to said flexible transmission means;
tongue means extending from said second conveying means adapted to engage said socket means when said socket means is in registration with said wrench means;
means to move said second conveying means across a path of an interfering clamping apparatus from a position in registration with the clamping apparatus to a position outward of the clamping apparatus, to permit the clamping apparatus to move past the second conveying means, comprising:
motor means mounted on said first conveying means;
flexible connecting means connected to said motor means for moving said second conveying means along said translating means perpendicular to the path of said conveying means upon actuation of said motor means;
first and second engaging means on said second frame means for engaging said flexible power transmission means, said first and second engaging means constructed and arranged to enable movement of said second conveying means along the conveying path upon engagement of either said second conveyor means and said translating motor means;
alignment means on said second conveyor means, said alignment means comprising:
primary positioning engaging means engaging said flexible transmission means from said transverse motor means;
shaft means connecting said engaging means;
secondary engaging means on said shaft means, said secondary engaging means engaging said engaging means on the end of said shaft remote from said motor to position said secondary engaging means coincidentally with the position of said primary positioning engaging means;
transverse movement control means to actuate said transverse drive motor to move said second conveying means into registration with said first conveying means;
control means coordinating movement of said transverse motor means with movement of an automated clamp carrier to move said second conveying means out of registration with said first conveying means to allow clearance of an automated clamp carrier and then to move the second conveying means into registration with the first conveying means when an automated clamp carrier has reached an operating position;
and
sensing and control means to advance said first conveying means a predetermined distance to accommodate loading of said first conveying means.

29 more elements

Articulated glue applicator conveyor

Life of this patent

Articulated glue applicator conveyor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23