Method and apparatus for transporting a substrate with adhesive

A method for manufacturing a panel, comprising the following steps:

• applying adhesive to at least one side of a panel substrate;
• supporting the opposed edges of the panel substrate with edge support members such that the edge support members do not interfere with the adhesive applied to the at least one side of the panel substrate;
• moving the panel substrate to a selective support system, the support system including a static support oriented to support a trailing edge of the panel substrate after the step of applying adhesive, the trailing edge of the panel substrate being transverse to the opposed edges, and a release support lip oriented to support a leading edge of the panel substrate, which leading edge is substantially transverse to the opposed edges, after the step of applying adhesive;
• guiding the panel substrate to a desired position, the step of guiding including longitudinally moving the release support lip as the panel substrate moves from the outlet end of the adhesive applicator to guide the substrate panel for subsequent release upon a lower support surface;
• suspending the panel substrate over a piece of surfacing material;
• and
• releasing the panel substrate down onto the surfacing material such that adhesive on the panel substrate contacts the surfacing material, wherein upon release of the panel substrate an angled member of the static support guides the trailing end of panel substrate into contact with the surfacing material.

An apparatus for transporting panel substrates with adhesive on both sides such that the panel substrates may be used in the manufacture of decorative panels, the apparatus comprising:

• an adhesive applicator which coats a panel substrate with adhesive;
• a first edge support member and a second edge support member located adjacent an outlet end of the adhesive applicator such that opposed edges of the panel substrate are respectively supported by the first edge support member and the second edge support member without interfering with the adhesive being applied to the panel substrate;
• and
• a support for selectively supporting the coated panel substrate and releasing the panel substrate so as not to interfere with the adhesive applied to the panel substrate by the adhesive applicator, the support including a release support lip adapted for supporting a leading edge of the panel substrate, which leading edge is substantially transverse to the opposed edges, as the panel substrate exits the outlet end of the adhesive applicator, the release support lip moving longitudinally with the panel substrate as the panel substrate moves from the outlet end of the adhesive applicator to guide the substrate panel for subsequent release upon a lower support surface.