Abstract A method of making a multilayer mat or board comprises splitting an initial supply of particulate material into two parts and supplying one of such parts to a first forming machine and the other of such parts to a second forming machine positioned downstream of the first forming machine. The first forming machine spreads a first amount of the material on a moving conveyor at a rate in excess of that necessary to form a first layer on the conveyor. The second forming machine spreads a second amount of the material downstream of the first forming machine at a rate in excess of that necessary to form a second layer above the first layer. The excess material spread by the forming machines is removed by first and second scalpers positioned downstream of and adjacent each of said forming machines to insure uniform thickness of the layers. The invention is characterized by the fact that the excess material removed by the first scalper is returned to the supply for the second forming machine, and the excess material removed by the second scalper is returned to the supply for the first forming machine. In this manner the total supply of material to each of the forming machines remains substantially constant notwithstanding variations in the amounts of particulate material supplied to or fed from each of the machines.
In a method of making a multilayer mat of particulate material comprising splitting an initial supply of particulate material into two parts; supplying one of said parts to a first forming machine and the other of said parts to a second forming machine positioned downstream of said first forming machine; said first forming machine spreading a first amount of said material on a moving conveyor at a rate in excess of that necessary to form a first layer on said conveyor; said second forming machine spreading a second amount of said material downstream of said first forming machine at a rate in excess of that necessary to form a second layer of material above said first layer; and removing the excess material spread by said first and second forming machines by first and second scalping means positioned downstream of and adjacent said first and second forming machines, respectively, to insure uniform thickness of said first and second layers; the improvement comprising: returning said excess material removed by said first scalping means to the supply for said second forming machine and said excess material removed by said second scalping means to the supply for said first forming machine, wherein the total supply of material to each of said forming machines remains substantially constant notwithstanding variations in the amounts of material supplied to each of said forming machines caused by unequal splitting of the initial supply thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
In a method of making a three-layer cellulose board having a core layer disposed between top and bottom layers of identical weight and thickness, said method comprising splitting an initial supply of cellulose material into two parts, one for each of said top and bottom layers; supplying one of said parts to a first forming machine and the other of said parts to a second forming machine positioned downstream of said first forming machine; said first forming machine spreading a first amount of said cellulose material on a moving conveyor at a rate in excess of that necessary to form said bottom layer of said board on said conveyor; said second forming machine spreading a second amount of said cellulose material downstream of said first forming machine at a rate in excess of that necessary to form said top layer of saId cellulose board; said core layer being spread by at least one core layer forming machine positioned intermediate said first and second forming machines, said core layer being spread at a rate in excess of that necessary to form said core layer; and removing the excess material spread by said first and second forming machines and by said core layer forming machine by first and second scalping means positioned downstream of and adjacent said first and second forming machines, respectively, to insure uniform thickness of said first and second layers, and by core layer scalping means positioned downstream of and adjacent said core layer forming machine to insure uniform thickness of said core layer; the improvement comprising: returning said excess material removed by said first scalping means to the supply for said second forming machine and said excess material removed by said second scalping means to the supply for said first forming machine, wherein the total supply of cellulose material to each of said first and second forming machines remains substantially constant notwithstanding variations in the amounts of cellulose material supplied to each of said first and second forming machines caused by unequal splitting of the initial supply thereto.