US3914154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for the production of layered pressed panels
Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J Dieffenbacher GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1974-06-10
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for assembling a plurality of layers into a package for the fabrication of layered pressed composite panels by collecting the top layers from a succession of delivery stacks with a collecting palette travelling on a collecting carriage, the layers being lifted by one edge, whereupon the collecting palette, with any other layers already collected, is inserted underneath the partially lifted layer. The collected package, or collected packages, from several collecting lines are then deposited onto an assembly table or an assembly conveyor feeding them to a panel press.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Pfeiffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:09
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27D; B27D3/00; B27N; B27N3/00; B27N3/08; B27N3/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1746; Y10T156/1751; Y10T156/1761
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A PLURALITY OF LAYERS FROM SEPARATE LAYER STACKS INTO A LAYER PACKAGE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LAYERED PRESSED PANELS, LIKE VENEER PANELS, CHIPBOARD PANELS, FIBER PANELS PLASTIC PANELS, METAL PANELS, PLYWOOD PANELS, AND THE LIKE, IN A PANEL PRESS, THE METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: LIFTING THE UPPERMOST LAYER FROM EACH OF SEVERAL SEPARATE LAYER STACKS, APPROACHING A COLLECTING PALETTE HORIZONTALLY AGAINST THE FIRST LAYER STACK, ADVANCING THE COLLECTING PALETTE IN BETWEEN THE RAISED LAYER AND SAID FIRST LAYER STACK UNTIL IT IS POSITIONED UNDERNEATH SAID LAYER, RELEASING THE RAISED LAYER ONTO THE COLLECTING PALETTE, APPROACHING THE COLLECTING PALETTE WITH SAID FIRST LAYER AGAINST THE SECOND LAYER STACK, ADVANCING THE COLLECTING PALETTE AND THE FIRST LAYER IN BETWEEN THE RAISED LAYER AND SAID SECOND LAYER STACK, UNTIL THEY ARE POSITIONED UNDERNEATH SAID LAYER RELEASING THE RAISED SECOND LAYER ONTO SAID FIRST LAYER ON TOP OF THE COLLECTING PALETTE, SIMILARLY PICKING UP THE UPPERMOST LAYER FROM EACH REMAINING LAYER STACK, THEREBY FORMING A LAYER PACKAGE ON TOP OF THE COLLECTING PALETTE, RETURNING THE COLLECTNG PALETTE WITH THE LAYER PACKAGE TO AN ASSEMBLY TABLE, AND DEPOSITING THE LAYER PACKAGE ONTO THE ASSEMBLY TABLE BY HOLDING THE PACKAGE BY ONE OF ITS EDGES AND SLIDING THE COLLECTING PALETTE OUT FROM UNDER THE PACKAGE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
A METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A PLURALITY OF LAYERS FROM SEPARATE LAYER STACKS INTO A LAYER PACKAGE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LAYERED PRESSED PANELS, LIKE VENEER PANELS, CHIPBOARD PANELS, FIBER PANELS PLASTIC PANELS, METAL PANELS, PLYWOOD PANELS, AND THE LIKE, IN A PANEL PRESS, THE METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: LIFTING THE UPPERMOST LAYER FROM EACH OF SEVERAL SEPARATE LAYER STACKS, APPROACHING A COLLECTING PALETTE HORIZONTALLY AGAINST THE FIRST LAYER STACK, ADVANCING THE COLLECTING PALETTE IN BETWEEN THE RAISED LAYER AND SAID FIRST LAYER STACK UNTIL IT IS POSITIONED UNDERNEATH SAID LAYER, RELEASING THE RAISED LAYER ONTO THE COLLECTING PALETTE, APPROACHING THE COLLECTING PALETTE WITH SAID FIRST LAYER AGAINST THE SECOND LAYER STACK, ADVANCING THE COLLECTING PALETTE AND THE FIRST LAYER IN BETWEEN THE RAISED LAYER AND SAID SECOND LAYER STACK, UNTIL THEY ARE POSITIONED UNDERNEATH SAID LAYER RELEASING THE RAISED SECOND LAYER ONTO SAID FIRST LAYER ON TOP OF THE COLLECTING PALETTE, SIMILARLY PICKING UP THE UPPERMOST LAYER FROM EACH REMAINING LAYER STACK, THEREBY FORMING A LAYER PACKAGE ON TOP OF THE COLLECTING PALETTE, RETURNING THE COLLECTNG PALETTE WITH THE LAYER PACKAGE TO AN ASSEMBLY TABLE, AND DEPOSITING THE LAYER PACKAGE ONTO THE ASSEMBLY TABLE BY HOLDING THE PACKAGE BY ONE OF ITS EDGES AND SLIDING THE COLLECTING PALETTE OUT FROM UNDER THE PACKAGE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
A layer assembling method as defined in claim 1, wherein: the step of lifting the upPermost layers from several layer stacks involves initial raising of one layer edge only, so as to permit insertion of the collecting palette thereunder; each step of approaching the collecting palette means that the layer stacks are approached from the side of the raised layer edge; and the steps of advancing the collecting palette underneath the separate layers involves in each case an initial advance in between each raised layer edge and its stack and the subsequent lifting of the remainder of the non-raised layer on top of the collecting palette and any layer carried thereon, through said advance of the collecting palette, while the layer in question is horizontally restrained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A layer assembling method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of lifting involves the use of suction means adapted to be lowered onto the top layer of a layer stack from above and to attach and lift said layer with the aid of suction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A layer assembling method as defined in claim 1, wherein the successive method steps of lifting the uppermost layer, approaching and advancing the collecting palette, and releasing the layer are performed on several series of layer stacks by means of several collecting palettes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A layer assembling method as defined in claim 4, wherein; the step of returning the collecting palette and layer package to an assembly table involves a separate assembly table for each collecting palette; and the method further comprises the steps of transferring the first-deposited layer package from its assembly table onto the next assembly table; depositing thereonto the layer package collected by the associated collecting palette; transferring the combined layer packages to any subsequent assembly table and, accordingly, depositing further layer packages thereonto, until a complete panel package is obtained.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for the collection and assembly of a plurality of layers from separate delivery palettes into a layer package for the production of layered pressed panels, like veneer panels, chipboard panels, fiber panels, plastic panels, metal panels, plywood panels, and the like, in a panel press, the device comprising in combination: an assembly table arranged in alignment with the panel press and defining a press feed axis; a layer collecting line extending perpendicularly to the press feed axis and comprising therealong a succession of separate layer stacks; a collecting carriage carrying a horizontally extending collecting palette and including means for moving the carriage and collecting palette along the layer collecting line over each layer stack and over the assembly table; means for lifting from each layer stack the uppermost layer so as to permit insertion of the collecting palette and any layer carried on its upper surface under said raised layer; and means associated with the assembly table for transferring a collected package of layers from the collecting palette to the assembly table.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for the collection and assembly of a plurality of layers from separate delivery palettes into a layer package for the production of layered pressed panels, like veneer panels, chipboard panels, fiber panels, plastic panels, metal panels, plywood panels, and the like, in a panel press, the device comprising in combination: an assembly table arranged in alignment with the panel press and defining a press feed axis; a layer collecting line extending perpendicularly to the press feed axis and comprising therealong a succession of separate layer stacks; a collecting carriage carrying a horizontally extending collecting palette and including means for moving the carriage and collecting palette along the layer collecting line over each layer stack and over the assembly table; means for lifting from each layer stack the uppermost layer so as to permit insertion of the collecting palette and any layer carried on its upper surface under said raised layer; and means associated with the assembly table for transferring a collected package of layers from the collecting palette to the assembly table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 6, wherein the lifting means includes a stationary lifting unit above each layer stack, each lifting unit being arranged to lift only the edge of the uppermost layer on the approach side of the collecting palette, the lifting means further including guide means on the leading edge on the collecting palette which, as the palette advances under the partially raised layer, lift the remainder of the latter onto the collecting palette.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 7, wherein each lifting unit includes a suction bank carrying a plurality of suction heads for engaging and lifting the layer by said edge, the suction bank being vertically movable away from the layer stack to permit passage of the collecting palette between the suction heads and the layer stack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 7, wherein: the collecting carriage is suspended on two spaced overhead guide rails and includes vertical cArriage brackets spaced apart so as to pass laterally outside the layer stacks; the stationary lifting units are mounted between the carriage guide rails; and the carriage moving means is programmed to execute a collecting run which begins near the assembly table and includes: picking up a first layer from the closest stack of the collecting line, similarly picking up an additional layer from each successive stack, and returning to the assembly table with the package of collected layers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 6, wherein the transfer means of the assembly table includes a transfer clamp capable of engaging and horizontally holding the package of layers carried by the collecting palette, while the latter moves away from under said package.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 10, wherein: the transfer clamp is arranged near one of the edges of the assembly table which extend transversely to the collecting carriage motion, the clamp being pivotable around a horizontal transverse axis and including an upper clamping lip and a plurality of spaced lower clamping jaws; and the collecting palette includes matching recesses under the corresponding edge of the collected layer package to permit engagement of said edge by the clamping jaws.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 6, further comprising: a second layer collecting line extending in alignment with the first-mentioned collecting line in the opposite direction from the assembly table; and the moving means of the collecting carriage are arranged for travel of the carriage and collecting palette along both collecting lines.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 6, further comprising: at least one second layer collecting line with a series of layer stacks extending likewise perpendicularly to the press feed axis; and a separate collecting carriage and collecting palette with moving means associated with each additional collecting line, including layer lifting means for each layer stack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of assembly tables, one for each collecting line, arranged in succession along the press feed axis; and wherein: the several collecting lines are arranged in parallel alignment with one another and with their respective assembly tables, so that the layer stacks form a matrix pattern with respect to the press feed axis; and the layer package transfer means includes transfer means associated with each assembly table and conveying means for conveying transferred layer packages to the next assembly table in the direction of the panel press.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A layer collecting device as defined in claim 14, wherein: the conveying means of the layer package transfer means is an endless conveyor running along the press feed axis in the direction toward the panel press above the several assembly tables.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |