Method and apparatus for producing fiber-reinforced panel-shaped building components

Abstract

A method and apparatus for bending and pressing fiber sheets (2) to produce panel-shaped building elements (3) having two large faces (30) are disclosed. The apparatus (1) includes two pressing members (16a, 16b) that move horizontally primarily over the fiber sheet (2) having a central portion (23) and two lateral portions (24) to first bend the two lateral portions (24) over the central portion (23) to form sandwich members (23, 24), and then roll the two pressing members (16a, 16b) over the entire width of each sheet lateral portion (24) while pressing the sandwich members (23, 24) to form the building element (3). Preferably, a series of fiber sheets (2) are continuously fed through the apparatus (1), and the apparatus (1) continuously reciprocates during its bending and pressing to move together with each sheet of the sheets (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for bending and pressing fiber sheets to produce panel-shaped building elements with two large surfaces.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for bending and pressing fiber sheets to produce panel-shaped building elements having two large surfaces. Background Technology

[0003] In furniture manufacturing, lightweight components are widely used, for example. These components typically consist of a hollow body enclosed by a lightweight filling material. The hollow body is covered with a film, such as foil, to enhance the aesthetic appeal and to provide a protective coating for the component.

[0004] These lightweight components can be used as building elements, door panels, and a wide range of furniture components. Particularly in residential interior applications, high demands are placed on the film. Any damage or degradation will degrade the quality of the lightweight component. Therefore, various manufacturing methods for these lightweight components have been proposed.

[0005] WO 2017 / 007406A1 discloses a method and apparatus for bending and pressing fiber sheets to produce panel-shaped architectural elements with two large faces. The apparatus includes a pressing member that moves in a closed loop around the fiber sheet to first bend one half of the fiber sheet over the other half, and then press the combined halves to form the architectural element.

[0006] KR 10-1126262 B1 discloses a method and apparatus for bending a fiber sheet to produce a panel-shaped architectural element having two large faces. The fiber sheet includes a central portion and, on each side of the central portion, a narrow first lateral portion and a wider second lateral portion. The narrow first lateral portion is separated from the central portion by a first groove, and the wider second lateral portion is separated from the narrow first lateral portion by a second groove. The apparatus includes a support for receiving the fiber sheet. The support has a central portion for receiving the central portion of the fiber sheet and openings on both sides of the central portion located below the lateral portions and grooves. Furthermore, the apparatus has a first pivoting connection below each opening, the first pivoting connection being pivotable between a horizontal position and a vertical position below the support. In the vertical position, the first pivoting connection protrudes through the opening and is bent at a first 90-degree angle in the first groove to position the narrow first lateral portion of the sheet against the narrow longitudinal side of the central portion of the sheet. Thus, the first pivoting connector also lifts the wider lateral portion of the second sheet to a horizontal position above the support. Furthermore, the device has a second pivoting connector below each opening. This second connector is L-shaped and pivotable, allowing the wider lateral portion of the second sheet to swing from the horizontal position around the second groove and across the vertical position, so that the wider lateral portion of the second sheet falls onto the central portion of the sheet and the sheet is bent by gravity. In doing so, the L-shaped connector extends beyond the upper end of the first connector. There is no exposed pressing, and the outer free end of the L-shaped connector presses the wider lateral portion of the second sheet against the central portion of the sheet at only one point.

[0007] To a large extent, this invention is based on the teachings of WO 2017 / 007406A1, which was filed on June 30, 2016 and claims Convention priority to Swedish Patent Application No. 1550962-3 filed on July 3, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for bending and pressing fiber sheets to produce panel-shaped building elements, wherein productivity can be improved while keeping the components of the building elements firmly attached to each other.

[0009] This objective is achieved through the following steps in this method:

[0010] - Provide a fiber sheet having a width, length and thickness and including a central portion and two lateral portions parallel to the central portion, wherein the central portion and the two lateral portions are adapted to form at least a portion of the large surface of a building element, all three portions extending along the entire length of the sheet, and the central portion carrying a spacer element for providing the desired thickness of the building element.

[0011] - Provides an adhesive for adhering the two lateral portions to the spacer element;

[0012] - Provide a bending mechanism and operate the bending mechanism to bend two lateral portions of the fiber sheet upward, such that the two lateral portions are preferably flipped upward as a whole at a right angle relative to the central portion;

[0013] - Provide a pressing mechanism with two pressing members and operate the pressing mechanism to perform the following steps:

[0014] -i) First, bend the outer portion of each of the two upward-flipped lateral portions downward, so that the outer portion of the lateral portion is positioned on top of the central portion; and

[0015] -ii) Then, the two pressing members are moved on top of the outer portion of the lateral portion to press the outer portion against the spacer element on the central portion of the fiber sheet, thereby making the outer portion adhered to the spacer element and producing a building element with two main faces connected to each other by the spacer element and adhesive.

[0016] The fiber sheet preferably has a foil cladding on one side and two longitudinally extending parallel grooves with at least partially perpendicular V-shaped cross-sections on both sides of the central portion on the opposite side. These grooves are spaced apart by a distance equal to the expected thickness of the building element minus twice the thickness of the cladding, thereby forming a narrow, elongated first lateral portion between the grooves. This allows the fiber sheet to be bent 90 degrees twice, thereby positioning a wider second lateral portion on top of the central portion. Furthermore, preferably, the first elongated portion forms at least the main portion of the first narrow face of the building element after the two 90-degree bends.

[0017] This method allows for the rapid and precise bending of fiber sheets to produce panel-shaped building components in a highly efficient manner. The fact that the pressed components move primarily in the horizontal plane and to a lesser extent over short vertical distances, rather than forming loops around the fiber sheet, reduces the time required to perform these steps and thus increases productivity.

[0018] Preferably, the method further includes providing a platform for receiving the fiber sheet, the platform comprising a central platform portion and two lateral platform portions parallel to the central platform portion, the central platform portion and the two lateral platform portions being adapted to receive the central portion and two lateral portions of the fiber sheet, respectively. Each of the two lateral platform portions includes a plurality of fingers, the fingers being included in the bending mechanism and preferably spaced apart from each other, and the fingers being pivotable between a flat position and an upright position in the plane containing the central platform portion; pivoting the fingers between the flat and upright positions to bend the two lateral portions of the fiber sheet upward such that the two lateral portions are flipped upward relative to the central portion of the sheet. Preferably, the fingers constitute the two lateral platform portions. By bending the entire lateral portion of the sheet upward from a horizontal position to a vertical position, rather than only bending the narrow first lateral portion of the sheet upward, the upright, wider lateral portion of the sheet will be in a position to be bent downward above the central portion of the sheet by approaching the pressing member.

[0019] Preferably, the pressing member is segmented and preferably comprises a plurality of pressing member devices spaced apart from each other, said plurality of pressing member devices preferably in the form of rotating wheels. Each pressing member device, such as each rotating wheel, is preferably carried by a dedicated rod. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the spacing between the fingers is large enough to allow the pressing member devices, such as rotating wheels, to pass between the fingers, thereby enabling the fingers to be held in an upright position during at least a portion of the pressing step or even the entire pressing step. Thus, the narrow first sheet lateral portion and the upright, wider sheet lateral portion will be attached to their intended precise positions on the central portion of the sheet.

[0020] Additionally, preferably, the spacing between the pressing member devices, such as the rotating wheels, is large enough to allow the rotating wheel of one pressing member to pass between the rotating wheels of another pressing member when the pressing members meet near the central portion of the fiber sheet. The method further includes, during the pressing step, moving the pressing member devices, such as the rotating wheels, of the pressing members on the bent fiber sheet from the side edge of the central portion to at least the middle of the central portion.

[0021] Suitablely, to improve productivity, the method further includes: providing a carriage for supporting the platform, bending mechanism, and pressing mechanism; and continuously feeding a series of fiber sheets through the carriage while simultaneously reciprocating the pressing member to move together with each fiber sheet during the bending and pressing. It is also suitable to then provide a conveyor for feeding the fiber sheets.

[0022] Preferably, the fiber sheet has a foil covering on one side and two longitudinally extending parallel grooves on each side of the central portion on the opposite side, each groove having a V-shaped cross-section that is at least partially perpendicular. The grooves are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the expected thickness of the building element minus twice the thickness of the covering, and the grooves form an inner portion of each of the two lateral portions between the grooves to allow the fiber sheet to be bent 90 degrees twice, thereby positioning the outer portion of each of the two lateral portions on top of the central portion. Preferably, the first elongated portion forms at least the main portion of the first narrow face of the building element after the two 90-degree bends.

[0023] The bending step appropriately includes: bending the fiber sheet in a groove closest to the central portion of the fiber sheet to form a first 90-degree bend; and bending the fiber sheet in another groove to form a second 90-degree bend, whereby the outer portion of the lateral portion of the fiber sheet is positioned on top of the first half, and preferably, the first 90-degree bend is completed before the second 90-degree bend is completed.

[0024] On the other hand, the object of the present invention is achieved by means of an apparatus for producing a panel-shaped architectural element having two large faces by bending and pressing a fiber sheet comprising a central portion and two lateral portions parallel to the central portion, wherein the central portion and the two lateral portions are adapted to form at least a portion of the large faces of the architectural element, and all three portions extend the entire length of the sheet, the apparatus comprising:

[0025] - A platform for receiving fiber sheet, the platform including a central platform portion and two lateral platform portions parallel to the central platform portion, and the central platform portion and the two lateral platform portions being adapted to receive the central portion and the two lateral portions of the fiber sheet, respectively.

[0026] - A plurality of fingers, the plurality of fingers being included in each of the two lateral stage portions, each of the plurality of fingers being movable as a single unit between a position not higher than that in the plane containing the central stage portion and a position where the main portion of each finger is located above the plane;

[0027] - A first control device configured to move a finger to bend a fiber sheet such that each of the two lateral portions of the sheet forms a first 90-degree bend relative to the central portion.

[0028] - A pressing mechanism having two pressing members arranged on opposite sides of a central portion; and

[0029] - A second control device, the second control device being arranged to move the pressing member to: firstly, cause the pressing member to bend the outer portion of the corresponding lateral portion of the sheet downward onto the central portion of the sheet, and secondly, cause the pressing member to move on top of the outer portion of the lateral portion of the sheet and press it toward the central portion of the sheet in a reaction with the table.

[0030] This equipment allows for the rapid and precise bending of fiber sheets to produce panel-shaped architectural elements in a highly efficient manner. The fact that the pressing component moves primarily in a horizontal plane and, to a lesser extent, over short vertical distances rather than forming a loop around the fiber sheet reduces the time required to perform these steps and thus increases productivity.

[0031] Appropriately, the fingers can pivot so that they can form two lateral platform sections and provide maximum support to the lateral sections of the fiber sheet during bending from a flat position to an upright position.

[0032] Preferably, the fingers are spaced apart from each other and have a length corresponding to at least 1 / 3, more preferably at least 40%, of the width of the lateral portion of the fiber sheet, and the pressing member is segmented and includes pressing member devices, which are preferably in the form of a plurality of rotating wheels spaced apart from each other, each wheel preferably carried by a dedicated rod. Then, suitably, the spacing between the fingers is large enough to allow the pressing member devices, such as the rotating wheels, to pass between the fingers. Thus, the fingers can be held in an upright position during a portion of the pressing step or even throughout the entire pressing step. Therefore, the narrow lateral portion of the first sheet and the upright portion of the sheet will be precisely attached to their intended positions on the central portion of the sheet.

[0033] Then, in order to ensure that the entire surface of the wider lateral portion of the sheet is pressed against the central portion of the sheet with the desired uniform pressure, it is preferable that the spacing between the pressing member devices, such as rotating wheels, is large enough to allow the pressing member device of one pressing member to pass between the pressing member devices of the other pressing member when the two pressing members meet approximately in the middle of the central portion of the fiber sheet, thereby achieving an overlapping encounter between the two pressing members.

[0034] The drive mechanism for moving the pressing member preferably includes a beam extending above the table, or preferably at least two parallel beams extending above the table, and trolley assemblies are carried by and travel along the beams. Suitably, each trolley assembly includes a rotating shaft that connects each pair of trolleys located on the same side of the table to each other, and the pressing member is mounted in a plurality of rods fixed to the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft in one direction moves the pressing member downward to press against the fiber sheet, and rotation in the opposite direction lifts the pressing member upward from the fiber sheet. Rotation of the shaft is generated by a second control device.

[0035] To enable the invention to be used in a production line, the equipment also suitably includes a carriage for carrying the table, a trolley assembly with pressing members, and control devices. The carriage is adapted to be supported by an elongated support structure and capable of reciprocating on the support structure, and the carriage is also arranged to move together with each fiber sheet in the fiber sheet during bending and pressing.

[0036] In order to continuously feed a series of fiber sheets through the device, a belt conveyor including a permeable belt is preferably provided, and the device preferably includes a suction member arranged to secure a portion of each fiber sheet to the table.

[0037] The fiber sheet to be bent and pressed to form a preferably lightweight panel-shaped building element can have various types known to those skilled in the art. However, preferably, the fiber sheet has a width, length, and thickness, and has a foil covering on one side and two longitudinally extending parallel grooves with a vertical V-shaped cross-section on the opposite side. These grooves are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the desired thickness of the building element minus twice the thickness of the fiber sheet, to form a first and a second half. The first and second halves are adapted to form two large faces of the building element and allow the fiber sheet to be bent 90 degrees twice, thereby positioning the second half on top of the first half. In the finished building element, the central portion of the fiber sheet carries a spacer element to provide the desired thickness of the building element, and the spacer element and / or lateral portions carry an adhesive for securing the lateral portions to the spacer element. The adhesive can be applied at any time before the bending of the second half, either externally or internally. Furthermore, the length of the pressed member is at least as long as the length of the fiber sheet. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1It is an isometric view of a portion of a machine for producing panel-shaped building elements from fiber sheets, and the machine includes the bending-pressing apparatus of the present invention, wherein a finished building element is leaving the machine.

[0040] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The machine is shown in an end view at the start of the bending step, with spaced-apart bending fingers and segmented pressing members in their starting positions.

[0041] Figure 3 It is similar to Figure 2 The end view shows two lateral portions of the fiber sheet that are bent upwards to an upright position by means of pivoting fingers.

[0042] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An isometric view of the content shown.

[0043] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 4 The isometric view shows the pressing member moving to a position where it is ready to begin bending the upright lateral portions of the sheet downwards onto the top of the central portion of the sheet. The pressing member is segmented and includes multiple spaced-apart rotating wheels.

[0044] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The end view of the content shown.

[0045] Figure 7 It is similar to Figure 5 An isometric view, but showing the pressing member pressing the lateral portion of the sheet against the central portion of the sheet after the pressing member has bent the lateral portion of the sheet downwards onto the top of the central portion of the sheet and has passed through the gap between the fingers and has begun to roll toward the center of the building element.

[0046] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The end view of the content shown.

[0047] Figure 9 It is similar to Figure 6 The end view shows the end of the pressing step, where two pressing members meet in the middle of the central portion of the sheet, and the wheel of one pressing member passes through the gap between the wheels of the other pressing member.

[0048] Figure 10 It is similar to Figure 9 The end view shows two pressed members being lifted from the manufactured building element and prepared to return to the starting position of the two pressed members.

[0049] Figure 11 It is similar to Figure 10 The end view shows the two pressing members returning to their starting positions, while the finger members must still return to their starting positions.

[0050] Figure 12a , Figure 12b An exemplary embodiment of a building element produced according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The machine shown in the attached figure includes a bending-pressing device 1 for bending and pressing fiber sheet 2 to form a lightweight panel-shaped building element 3 having two large faces 30, one of which is in… Figure 1 The image shows the sheet facing upwards. The bending-pressing device 1 has an inlet end 10 and an outlet end 11. A conveyor assembly, not shown in the figures, transports the fiber sheet 2 along the feed direction F via the inlet end 10 into the pressing device 1, where the fiber sheet 2 is bent and pressed, and the conveyor assembly discharges the produced building element 3 via the outlet end 11.

[0052] The fiber sheet 2 to be bent and pressed to form a lightweight panel-shaped building element 3 can be of various types known to those skilled in the art. However, the fiber sheet 2 has a width, length, and thickness. The sheet 2 can preferably originate from a stock of rolled sheet material or from a stack of flat sheet material, for example made from a board with a desired width, wherein the length is preferably cut before pressing.

[0053] As also disclosed in WO 2017 / 007406A1, see, for example, that document. Figure 12a and Figure 12b and with the Figure 12a and Figure 12b According to the relevant description, the fiber sheet 2 suitably comprises a sheet-like sheet having a foil covering on one side and two pairs of longitudinally extending parallel grooves with a vertical V-shaped cross-section on the opposite side, the two longitudinally extending parallel grooves being spaced apart from each other to form a central portion 23 and two lateral portions 24: the distance is equal to the expected thickness of the building element minus twice the thickness of the covering (if any).

[0054] The central portion 23 of the sheet is defined between the two innermost grooves of each pair of grooves, and the central portion 23 is adapted to form one of the two large faces of the building element 3, while the two lateral portions 24a of the sheet located outside the outermost groove of each pair of grooves together form the other large face. Therefore, the width of the central portion 23 is approximately half the width of the fiber sheet 2, and the width of each of the two lateral portions 24 is approximately one-quarter the width of the fiber sheet 2. The outermost groove of each pair of grooves divides each lateral portion 24 of the sheet into a narrow lateral inner portion 24b and a wider lateral outer portion 24a. The grooves allow the lateral portions 24 of the fiber sheet 2 to be bent 90 degrees twice, so that each narrow lateral inner portion 24b forms a longitudinally narrow side of the building element 3, while each wider lateral outer portion 24a covers half of the top of the central portion 23.

[0055] Furthermore, the fiber sheet 2 carries spacer elements 25, 26 to provide the desired thickness of the building element 3 produced by bending and pressing the fiber sheet 2. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the spacer elements are carried by the central portion 23 of the sheet; however, alternatively, the spacer elements may be carried by two lateral portions 24 of the sheet or disposed on all or some of the sheet portions 23, 24. The spacer elements 25, 26 suitably carry adhesive for securing the sheet portions 23, 24 to each other in the finished building element 3. Alternatively, or in combination with application to the spacer elements 25, 26, the adhesive may also be applied to the sheet portions 24 to which the spacer elements 25, 26 are to be attached. Thus, adhesive may be applied to the spacer elements 25, 26 and / or applied to the lateral portions 24 of the sheet. The adhesive can be applied at any time before the bending of the lateral portion 24 of the sheet, outside or inside the bending-pressing device 1, and can be applied to any or all of the parts 23, 24, 25, 26 that will be joined by the adhesive.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the fiberboard sheet is about 1 mm to 3 mm, the spacer element is a strip 25, which may have the same thickness, and when the strip 25 is parallel to the groove and upright on its longitudinal edge, the strip 25 has a height of about 10 mm to about 30 mm, and the strips 26 may be arranged to form the longitudinal side edges of the building element 3. Furthermore (as also disclosed in WO 2017 / 007406A1, see FIG. 13), solid pads or block members of sufficient size may be arranged in the gaps between the other spacer elements to allow attachment members, such as screws, to penetrate and securely anchor in the solid pads or block members. In this specification, the term "spacer element" is intended to include not only the strips 25 and 26, but also such solid pads or block members, however, not shown in the drawings. By providing such solid pads or block members, the strength and stability of the manufactured building element 3 can be improved, and the manufactured building element 3 can be more securely installed in the equipment by means of screws. If necessary, more slats 26 and / or pads / blocks may be provided and placed in locations other than those shown in the figures.

[0057] In the preferred embodiment shown, the spacer strip 25 is straight; however, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the spacer strip 25 can have different shapes to achieve its purpose. For example, alternatively, the spacer strip 25 may be zigzag or wavy, or it may be an interconnected structure such as a honeycomb structure. The described preferred fiber sheet can contribute to high productivity.

[0058] As disclosed in WO 2017 / 007406A1, grooves 22', 22 (see that document) Figure 12a The grooves 22' and 22" can have a "V" shaped cross-section with a bottom angle of 90 degrees, or alternatively, the grooves 22' and 22" can be generally "X" shaped with the same angle between the sides of the grooves (see WO 2017 / 007406A1). Figure 11 The shape of b).

[0059] Return to Figure 1The bending-pressing apparatus 1 includes a cage-like carriage 12 that carries a platform 13 for receiving the fiber sheet 2. The platform 13 includes a central platform portion 131 and two lateral platform portions, each lateral platform portion including two bending units 14 (or in the form of two bending units 14) and parallel to the central platform portion 131. The central platform portion 131 is adapted to receive the central portion 23 of the fiber sheet 2, and the two lateral platform portions are adapted to receive two lateral portions 24 of the fiber sheet 2. Furthermore, the bending units 14 are preferably segmented to provide channels, as will be explained further below. The channels are formed by providing a plurality of fingers 140 for each bending unit 14; that is, the channels are included in each of the two lateral platform portions, wherein the fingers 140 are spaced apart from each other. Each bending unit 14's fingers 140 are movable (preferably pivotable) as a single unit about a pivot axis 142 between two positions: one position generally in the plane including the central platform portion 131; and another position where the main portion of each finger 140 is above and angled to the plane. The fingers 140 can be spaced apart like the teeth of a comb, thus forming channels between adjacent fingers 140. Preferably, two bending units 14 are positioned offset relative to each other to position the respective channels of the two bending units 14 in an offset relationship, as will be described in more detail below. A first control device 141 is arranged to pivot the fingers 140 to bend the fiber sheet 2 such that each of the two sheet lateral portions 24 forms a first 90-degree bend relative to the central portion 23, wherein the first control device 141 may include an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a hydraulic actuator. In the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the finger members 140 may form two lateral platform portions without any other support surfaces. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that supplementary, fixed support surfaces can be easily provided between the fingers in the same plane as the central platform portion 131.

[0060] Furthermore, the bending-pressing device 1 includes a drive unit 15 comprising two trolley assemblies 151 capable of moving toward and away from each other in a direction spanning the table 13. Each trolley assembly 151 includes two trolleys 152 located on the same side of the table 13, and each trolley assembly 151 also includes pressing members 16a, 16b, which preferably include a rotating pressing member device 161. Each pressing member 16a, 16b is supported by the two trolleys 152 of each trolley assembly 151 and extends between the two trolleys 152 of each trolley assembly 151. The second control device 164 is configured to move the pressing members 16a and 16b from their starting positions outside the platform 13 so as to: first, bring the pressing members 16a and 16b into contact with the upright sheet side portion 24 and bend the upright sheet side portion 24 downward onto the sheet center portion 23 to form a sandwich member; second, press the pressing members 16a and 16b against the sheet side portion 24 toward the sheet center portion 23 in a reaction with the platform 13 to transform the formed sandwich member into the desired panel-shaped building element 3; and finally, return the pressing members 16a and 16b to their starting positions.

[0061] With this equipment, fiber sheet 2 can be bent quickly and carefully in an efficient manner to produce panel-shaped building elements 3. The fact that the pressing components 16a and 16b move primarily in the horizontal plane and to a lesser extent over short vertical distances reduces the time required to perform the bending and pressing steps, thereby increasing productivity.

[0062] Appropriately, the finger 140 is pivotable, allowing it to engage in both lateral platform portions and provide maximum support to the lateral portions 24 of the fiber sheet 2 during bending from a flat position to an upright position. Thus, the finger 140 appropriately forms part of the sheet-bearing surface of the lateral platform portions when flat.

[0063] Preferably, the fingers 140 are spaced apart from each other, and the length of the fingers 140 is preferably less than the width of the lateral portion 24 of the fiber sheet 2. Preferably, the length of the fingers 140 corresponds to at least 1 / 3 of the width of the lateral portion 24 of the fiber sheet 2, and more preferably, the length of the fingers 140 corresponds to at least 40% of the width of the lateral portion 24 of the fiber sheet 2. Preferably, the corresponding pressing members 16a, 16b are segmented and comprise a plurality of pressing member devices 161, which are preferably in the form of rotating wheels 161 spaced apart from each other. When the pressing members 16a, 16b move on top of the outer portion 24a of the corresponding lateral portion 24 of the sheet, the wheels 161 are adapted to roll on the lateral portion 24. Each wheel is carried by a dedicated rod 163. Therefore, it is appropriate that the spacing between the fingers 140 is wide enough to allow the pressing member devices 161, such as rotating wheels, to pass through the spacing between the fingers 140. Thus, the finger 140 can be held in an upright position throughout the pressing process. Consequently, the narrow inner sheet lateral portion and the upright outer wider sheet portion will be precisely attached to their intended positions on the building element 3.

[0064] Then, to ensure that the entire surface of the lateral portion of the outer sheet is pressed against the central portion 23 of the sheet with the desired pressure, it is preferable that the spacing between the pressing member devices 161 is large enough to allow the pressing member device 161 of one pressing member 16a to pass between the pressing member devices 161 of the other pressing member 16b when the pressing members 16a, 16b meet, so that each of the pressing members 16a, 16b can be pressed along at least half of the fiber sheet 2. Therefore, the two pressing members 16a, 16b can pass through and between each other, thereby ensuring that each half of the panel-shaped building element 3 will be pressed across its entire width. Furthermore, since the pressing members 16a, 16b move primarily in the horizontal plane, this movement is easily controlled during the pressing step.

[0065] The drive mechanism 15 for moving the pressing members 16a, 16b preferably comprises two parallel beams 153 supported by carriages 12 and extending above the platform 13, and a trolley assembly 151 supported by and traveling along the beams 153. Suitably, each trolley assembly 151 includes a rotation shaft 162 that connects each pair of trolleys 152 located on the same side of the platform 13 to each other, and the pressing members 16a, 16b are mounted in a plurality of rods 163 fixed to the rotation shaft 162, such that rotation of the shaft 162 in one direction moves the pressing members 16a, 16b downward to press against the fiber sheet 2, and rotation in the opposite direction lifts the pressing members 16a, 16b upward from the fiber sheet 2. The rotation of shaft 162 is generated by a second control device 164, which may include at least one rod 1642 fixed to the rotating shaft 162 and at least one electric actuator, pneumatic actuator or hydraulic actuator 1641 for pivoting the rod 1642 to rotate the shaft 162.

[0066] To more effectively incorporate the bending-pressing equipment 1 into the production line, the carriage 12 is designed to form a carriage for the support platform 13, the trolley assembly 151 with the pressing member 16, and the control devices 141, 164, and the carriage 12 is adapted to be supported by an elongated support structure and to be able to reciprocate on the elongated support structure. Figure 1 As best shown, the support structure includes two parallel beams 41, which are preferably identical, and the carriage 12 is capable of reciprocating on the two parallel beams 41 by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a motor 421 with an output shaft (not shown), and many mechanisms that can convert the rotation of the motor shaft into the reciprocating motion of the carriage 12 are known to those skilled in the art. Figure 1 The following embodiment is also shown: In this embodiment, the drive mechanism further includes a second motor 422 for reciprocating the carriage 12.

[0067] To continuously feed a series of fiber sheets 2 through the device 1, a conveyor assembly (not shown) may be provided. The conveyor assembly can be of various types known in the art, but preferably, a belt conveyor with a permeable belt is provided for continuously feeding a series of fiber sheets 2 through the bending-pressing device 1. Then, a suction member (not shown) is suitably provided to secure a portion of each fiber sheet 2 to the table 13 during bending and pressing, and the bending-pressing device 1 performs... Figures 1 to 11The bending and pressing shown are performed by a continuous reciprocating motion along the support structure, moving together with each fiber sheet 2. After this series of bending and pressing, the carriage 12 returns to its upstream starting position and is ready to receive another fiber sheet 2. This increases productivity.

[0068] The fiber sheet 2 to be bent and pressed to form a preferably lightweight panel-shaped building element 3 can be of various types known to those skilled in the art. However, preferably, the fiber sheet 2 has a width, length, and thickness, and has a foil covering (not shown) on one side and two pairs of longitudinally extending parallel grooves with a vertical V-shaped cross-section on the opposite side, one groove being an inner groove and the other an outer groove. The two inner grooves form a central portion 23 of the sheet between the two inner grooves, which is adapted to form one of the two large faces 30 of the building element 3, and the two inner grooves form lateral portions 24 of the sheet on each side outside the two inner grooves. Each pair of grooves is spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the expected thickness of the building element 3 minus twice the thickness of the covering, and each pair of grooves defines a narrow inner sheet lateral portion adapted to form a narrow side of the building element 3. Each of the two lateral portions 24 further includes a wider lateral outer portion 24a located outside the outer groove, and the two lateral outer portions 24a are adapted to form another large surface 30 of the building element 3. The device 1 is configured to bend the fiber sheet 2 to position the outer lateral portions on top of the central portion 23, the central portion 23 carrying spacer elements 25, 26 for providing the desired thickness of the building element 3, and the spacer elements 25, 26 and / or the lateral portions 24 carrying adhesive for securing the lateral portions 24 to the spacer elements 25, 26, and the length of the pressing members 16a, 16b is preferably at least as long as the length of the fiber sheet 2.

[0069] in short:

[0070] Figure 1 The diagram generally illustrates how a sheet material 2 with spacer elements 25, 26 is prepared to be formed into a panel-shaped building element 3 by means of a bending-pressing device 1.

[0071] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The bending unit 14 is shown lifting the lateral portion 24 of the fiber sheet 2 upward, such that the lateral portion 24, including the outer portion 24a, is flipped upward relative to the central portion 23.

[0072] Figure 5 and Figure 6The pressing members 16a and 16b are shown moving inward toward the center of the fiber sheet 2.

[0073] Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is shown that the bending unit 14 includes fingers 140 spaced apart from each other, segmented pressing members 16a, 16b are moving horizontally and through the gaps between the fingers 140, and the pressing members 16a, 16b are pivotable to allow the pressing members 16a, 16b to be bent downward and pressed against the lateral portion 24.

[0074] Figure 9 The segmented pressing members 16a and 16b are shown moving past each other. Therefore, an overlap occurs between members 16a and 16b. This ensures effective and uniform pressing of the entire surface of the lateral portion 24 towards the central portion 23.

[0075] Figure 10 and Figure 11 The pressing components 16a and 16b are shown returning to their starting positions.

[0076] In summary, a method and apparatus for bending and pressing a fiber sheet 2 to produce a panel-shaped building element 3 having two large surfaces 30 are disclosed. The apparatus 1 includes two pressing members 16a and 16b that move horizontally primarily on the fiber sheet 2 having a central portion 23 and two lateral portions 24 to first bend the two lateral portions 24 onto the central portion 23 carrying spacer elements 25 and 26, and then press the formed sandwich members 23, 24, 25, and 26 to form the building element 3, such as... Figure 12a As shown in the diagram. Preferably, a series of fiber sheets 2 are continuously fed through the device 1, and the device 1 continuously reciprocates during the bending and pressing of the fiber sheets 2 to move together with each sheet in the fiber sheets 2.

[0077] like Figure 12b As shown, the two building elements 3A and 3B can be constructed by, for example, building element 3, Figure 12aThe building element 3 shown is produced by longitudinally dividing it. Preferably, this is achieved by cutting and / or sawing in the middle of a centrally positioned slat 26, which, after division, will form side slats 26', 26" in each of the building elements 3A, 3B. Similarly, the central portion 23 will form two separate faces 23', 23" of each other. Preferably, cutting / dividing the building element 3 into two building elements 3A, 3B is accomplished by sawing or cutting along the longitudinal joint 33 between the two "side portions" 24. The two side slats 26', 26" can preferably be used as the back or invisible side of furniture pieces made from the building elements 3A, 3B, because the sides of the slats 26', 26" are not foil-covered.

[0078] The invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. However, it is recognized that changes can be made within the scope of the invention, and obvious variations will appear to those skilled in the art. For example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various types of pressing member devices 161 can be used to achieve the desired pressing of the sheet portions 23, 24 together, such as sliding devices, tracked tread devices, etc. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the pressing member device 161 can move different distances (not necessarily as...). Figure 9 (As shown in the diagram, they are symmetrical) so that they meet off-center at sheet portion 23 (e.g., to produce two building elements 3A, 3B with different widths).

[0079] Industrial applicability

[0080] The present invention can be used to produce panel-shaped building elements by bending and pressing fiber sheets, which are used as, for example, walls and shelves in bookshelves, cabinets, storage rooms, and countertops.

Claims

1. A method for bending and pressing a fiber sheet (2) to produce a panel-shaped building element (3) having two large faces (30), the method being characterized by comprising: - Provide a fiber sheet (2) having a width, length and thickness and including a central portion (23) and two lateral portions (24) parallel to the central portion (23), and the central portion (23) and the two lateral portions (24) are adapted to form at least a portion of the large surface (30) of the building element (3), all three portions (23, 24) extending the entire length of the fiber sheet (2), the central portion (23) carrying spacer elements (25, 26) for providing the desired thickness of the building element (3); - Provide an adhesive for adhering the two lateral portions (24) to the spacer elements (25, 26); - Provide a first bending mechanism (14) and operate the first bending mechanism (14) to bend the two lateral portions (24) of the fiber sheet (2) upward, such that the two lateral portions (24) are flipped upward as a whole relative to the central portion (23); - Provide a second bending mechanism, which is in the form of a pressing mechanism having two pressing members (16a, 16b), and operate the second bending mechanism to perform the following steps: -i) First, the outer portion (24a) of each of the two upward-flipped lateral portions (24) is bent downward to place the outer portion (24a) of the lateral portion (24) on top of the central portion (23); as well as -ii) Then, the two pressing members (16a, 16b) are moved on top of the outer portion (24a) of the lateral portion (24) to press the outer portion (24a) against the spacer elements (25, 26) on the central portion (23) of the fiber sheet (2), thereby making the outer portion (24a) adhered to the spacer elements (25, 26). And the building element (3) with two large surfaces (30) is produced, the two large surfaces (30) being interconnected by the spacer elements (25, 26) and the adhesive. The fiber sheet (2) has a foil covering on one side and two longitudinally extending parallel grooves on the opposite side, on each side of the central portion (23), having a V-shaped cross-section that is at least partially perpendicular. The method further includes: - A platform (13) is provided for receiving the fiber sheet (2), the platform (13) comprising a central platform portion (131) and two lateral platform portions parallel to the central platform portion (131), and the central platform portion (131) and the two lateral platform portions are adapted to receive the central portion (23) and the two lateral portions (24) of the fiber sheet (2), respectively. Each of the two lateral platform portions includes a plurality of fingers (140), the fingers (140) being included in the first bending mechanism (14) and spaced apart from each other, and the fingers (140) being pivotable between a flat position and an upright position in the plane containing the central platform portion (131); and - In the step of operating the first bending mechanism (14), the finger (140) is pivoted between the flat position and the upright position to bend the two lateral portions (24) of the fiber sheet (2) upward, such that the two lateral portions (24) are flipped upward relative to the central portion (23).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: - In the step of pressing the outer portion (24a) against the spacer element (25, 26) on the central portion (23), the two pressing members (16a, 16b) are moved toward each other from opposite positions in the same plane, so that each corresponding pressing member (16a, 16b) presses one of the outer portions (24a) toward the spacer element (25, 26).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The pressing members (16a, 16b) are segmented and include a plurality of pressing member devices (161) spaced apart from each other.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the pressing component devices (161) is supported by a dedicated rod (163).

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The spacing between the fingers (140) is large enough to allow the pressing member device (161) to pass between adjacent fingers (140).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The method further includes holding the finger (140) in an upright position during at least a portion of the steps of operating the pressing mechanism.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The spacing between the pressing member devices (161) is large enough to allow the pressing member device (161) of one pressing member (16a) to pass between the pressing member devices (161) of the other pressing member (16b) when the two pressing members (16a, 16b) meet, thereby allowing the overlapping meeting between the two pressing members (16a, 16b).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The method further includes moving the pressing member (16a, 16b) on the bent fiber sheet (2) from the corresponding side edge of the central portion (23) to at least the middle of the central portion (23) during the step of operating the pressing mechanism.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The finger-shaped member (140) constitutes two of the side platform portions.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: - Provide a carriage (12) for supporting the platform (13), the first bending mechanism (14), and the pressing members (16a, 16b); and - A series of fiber sheets (2) are continuously fed through the carriage (12) while the pressing members (16a, 16b) are reciprocated to move together with each fiber sheet (2) during the bending and pressing.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2 further comprises longitudinally cutting the formed building element (3) in half, the cutting substantially following the position where the two outer portions (24a) of the lateral portion (24) meet each other at the upper large surface (30).

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The grooves are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the expected thickness of the building element (3) minus twice the thickness of the cladding, and the grooves form the inner portion of each of the two lateral portions (24) between the grooves to allow the fiber sheet (2) to be bent 90 degrees twice to position the outer portion of each of the two lateral portions (24) on top of the central portion (23), the inner portion of the lateral portion (24) forming the narrow face of the building element (3) after the two bends.

13. An apparatus for bending and pressing a fiber sheet (2) to produce a panel-shaped building element (3) having two large faces (30), the fiber sheet (2) comprising a central portion (23) and two lateral portions (24) parallel to the central portion (23), and the central portion (23) and the two lateral portions (24) being adapted to form at least a portion of the large faces (30) of the building element (3), all three portions (23, 24) extending the entire length of the fiber sheet (2), the apparatus characterized in that it comprises: - A platform (13) for receiving the fiber sheet (2), the platform (13) including a central platform portion (131) and two lateral platform portions parallel to the central platform portion (131), and the central platform portion (131) and the two lateral platform portions are adapted to receive the central portion (23) and the two lateral portions (24) of the fiber sheet (2), respectively; - A plurality of fingers (140), the plurality of fingers (140) being included in each of the two lateral stage portions, each plurality of fingers (140) being movable between a position not higher than that in the plane containing the central stage portion (131) and a position in which the main portion of each finger (140) is located above the plane; - A first control device (141) configured to move the finger (140) to bend the fiber sheet (2) such that each of the two lateral portions (24) forms a first bend relative to the central portion (23), and each of the lateral portions (24) is flipped upward overall relative to the central portion (23); - A pressing mechanism having two pressing members (16a, 16b) arranged on opposite sides of the central portion (23); and - A second control device (164) is configured to move the pressing members (16a, 16b) such that: first, the pressing members (16a, 16b) bend the outer portion (24a) of the corresponding lateral portion (24) downward onto the central portion (23); second, the pressing members (16a, 16b) move on top of the outer portion (24a) of the lateral portion (24) and press against the central portion (23) in a reaction with the platform (13) onto the lateral portion (24).

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The finger (140) is pivotable.

15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The fingers (140) are spaced apart from each other.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The length of the finger (140) corresponds to at least 1 / 3 of the width of the lateral portion (24) of the fiber sheet (2).

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein, The length of the finger (140) corresponds to at least 40% of the width of the lateral portion (24) of the fiber sheet (2).

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The length of the finger (140) is less than the width of the lateral portion (24) of the fiber sheet (2).

19. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The corresponding pressing members (16a, 16b) are segmented and include multiple pressing member devices (161) spaced apart from each other.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein, Each pressing component device (161) is supported by a special rod (163).

21. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The corresponding pressing member device (161) is in the form of a wheel, which is adapted to roll on the lateral portion (24) as the pressing member (16a, 16b) moves on the top of the outer portion (24a) of the corresponding lateral portion (24).

22. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The spacing between two adjacent fingers (140) is large enough to allow the pressing member device (161) to pass between the fingers (140).

23. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The spacing between the pressing member devices (161) is large enough to allow the pressing member device (161) of one pressing member (16a) to pass between the pressing member devices (161) of another pressing member (16b), so that the pressing members (16a, 16b) are adapted to allow overlapping encounters between the two pressing members (16a, 16b).

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein, The device is adapted to allow such overlapping encounters in the middle of the central portion (23) adjacent to the fiber sheet (2).

25. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The finger-shaped member (140) constitutes two of the side platform portions.

26. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The device also includes a drive mechanism (15) for moving the pressing members (16a, 16b), the drive mechanism (15) comprising two trolley assemblies (151) capable of moving toward each other and away from each other in a direction spanning the platform (13).

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein, The drive unit (15) also includes at least one beam (153) extending above the platform (13), the trolley assembly (151) being carried by the beam (153) and traveling along the beam (153).

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein, At least one of the beams comprises at least two parallel beams (153), each trolley assembly (151) comprises two trolleys (152) located on the same side of the platform (13), and each trolley (152) is adapted to travel along a corresponding one of the beams (153).

29. The device according to claim 26, wherein, Each trolley assembly (151) includes at least two trolleys (152) and a rotating shaft (162) that connects each pair of trolleys (152) on the same side of the platform (13). The pressing members (16a, 16b) are mounted in a plurality of rods (163) fixed to the rotating shaft (162) such that rotation of the rotating shaft (162) in one direction causes the pressing members (16a, 16b) to move downward to press against the fiber sheet (2), and rotation in the opposite direction causes the pressing members (16a, 16b) to lift upward from the fiber sheet (2). Furthermore, the rotation of the rotating shaft (162) is generated by the second control device (164).

30. The device according to claim 13 or 14 further includes a carriage (12) for carrying the table (13), the pressing members (16a, 16b), and the first control device (141) and the second control device (164), the carriage (12) being adapted to be supported by an elongated support structure and capable of reciprocating on the support structure, the carriage (12) being arranged to move together with each of the fiber sheets (2) during the bending and pressing.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein, The carriage (12) is adapted to return to its original position after the bending and pressing so as to move together with the subsequent fiber sheet (2).

32. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, A belt conveyor, including a permeable belt, is provided for continuously feeding a series of fiber sheets (2) through the device (1).

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein, The device (1) includes a suction member arranged to secure a portion of each fiber sheet (2) to the table (13).

34. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The device (1) is configured to process the fiber sheet (2), which has a width, length, and thickness, and the fiber sheet (2) has a foil covering on one side and two pairs of longitudinally extending parallel grooves with a vertical V-shaped cross-section on the opposite side, one groove being an inner groove and the other being an outer groove. The two inner grooves form a central portion (23) between the two inner grooves, the central portion (23) being adapted to form one of the two large surfaces (30) of the building element (3), and the two inner grooves form lateral portions (24) on each side outside the two inner grooves. Each pair of grooves is spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the expected thickness of the building element (3) minus twice the thickness of the covering, and each pair of grooves The groove defines a narrow inner sheet lateral portion adapted to form a narrow side of the building element (3). Each of the two lateral portions (24) also includes a lateral outer portion located outside the outer groove. The two lateral outer portions are adapted to form another large surface (30) of the building element (3). The device is configured to bend the fiber sheet (2) to position the lateral outer portion on top of the central portion (23), which carries spacer elements (25, 26) for providing the desired thickness of the building element (3). The spacer elements (25, 26) and / or the lateral portions (24) carry adhesive for securing the lateral portions (24) to the spacer elements (25, 26).

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