Apparatus for forming a panel of fibrous material

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for forming panels made of fibrous material, comprising: a dispensing nozzle (2) for dispensing fibrous material (M); a first movable plane (3); a second movable plane (4); a pressing device (6) arranged along the second movable plane (4); a weighing device (7) associated with the first movable plane (3) and adapted to measure a weight value of the fibrous material (M); an electronic management and control unit (8) operatively connected to the first movable plane (3) and to the weighing device (7), wherein the weighing device (7) is adapted to send the measured weight value to the electronic management and control unit (8), and wherein the electronic management and control unit (8) is programmed to compare the measured weight value with a predetermined reference weight value and to adjust the speed of the first movable plane (3) as a function of the comparison result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for forming a panel made of fibrous material, such as wood or other materials. Background Technology

[0002] The factory is very commonly engaged in producing panels made of fibrous materials by pressing sheets of the aforementioned materials impregnated with resin or similar adhesives.

[0003] In this case, such equipment typically includes: a first conveyor belt on which fibrous material to be compacted (so-called "fiber mat") is poured; a leveling device for leveling the fibrous material conveyed on the first conveyor belt; a second conveyor belt arranged continuously with the first conveyor belt, on which the first conveyor belt deposits the fibrous material in a drip manner; and a pressing device for pressing the fibrous material conveyed on the second conveyor belt to form a panel made of the fibrous material.

[0004] One of the most important technical characteristics of this type of panel is its density, which must correspond to a recognized value, for example, derived from the specific intended use of each panel.

[0005] Therefore, it is not surprising that the control of process parameters related to panel density adjustment is one of the most critical aspects of the panel forming process.

[0006] In this regard, it is well known to use a weighing device associated with the second conveyor belt and suitable for measuring the weight of the fibrous material being conveyed thereon.

[0007] This method is particularly useful because it allows the measured weight value to be compared with a reference value, and the speed of the first conveyor belt to be changed based on the comparison result, so that a sufficient amount of fibrous material can be poured onto the second conveyor belt to form a panel of a predetermined density.

[0008] Therefore, when the weight measured by the weighing device is lower than the reference weight, the first conveyor belt is accelerated to a degree proportional to the difference between these values, thereby dumping a larger amount of fibrous material onto the second conveyor belt in the same amount of time.

[0009] Conversely, if the weighing device measures a weight higher than the reference value, the first conveyor belt is slowed down to a degree proportional to the difference between these values, thereby dumping a smaller amount of fibrous material onto the second conveyor belt in the same amount of time.

[0010] In other words, it is important to note that the technical solution just outlined needs improvement.

[0011] In fact, because the weighing device is located in a position that only measures the weight of the fiber material when it is unloaded onto the second conveyor belt, there is a significant delay in the speed correction of the first conveyor belt.

[0012] It is easy to understand that this fact may lead to the incorrect amount of fiber material being dumped onto the second conveyor belt, resulting in panels with an undesirable density being conveyed to the forming process, and therefore possibly unsuitable for their original intended use. Utility Model Content

[0013] The main objective of this invention is to design an apparatus for forming panels made of fibrous materials, which allows for the precise formation of wood panels with defined density values ​​and enables the process to be repeated over time.

[0014] Another objective of this invention is to design an apparatus for forming panels made of fibrous materials that allows for overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art within a framework of simple, rational, easy, effective, and affordable solutions.

[0015] Therefore, this application discloses an apparatus for forming a panel made of fibrous material, comprising: At least one dispensing nozzle for dispensing fibrous material impregnated with adhesive; At least one first movable plane is arranged below the dispensing nozzle; At least one second movable plane, which is arranged continuously with the first movable plane; A leveling device, which is arranged at the location of the first movable plane and is adapted to define a predetermined material level of the fiber material arranged on the first movable plane; An extrusion device, which is arranged along the second movable plane and adapted to extrude the fibrous material to obtain at least one panel made of the fibrous material; A weighing device adapted to measure at least one weight value of the fibrous material; At least one electronic management and control unit is operatively connected to the first movable plane and the weighing device, wherein the weighing device is adapted to send a measured weight value to the electronic management and control unit, and wherein the electronic management and control unit is programmed to compare the measured weight value with at least one predetermined reference weight value and adjust the speed of the first movable plane based on the comparison result. The weighing device is associated with the first movable plane.

[0016] In some embodiments, the weighing device includes at least one weighing element disposed below the first movable plane.

[0017] In some embodiments, the leveling device is positioned upstream of the weighing device in the forward movement direction relative to the first movable plane.

[0018] In some embodiments, the device includes an auxiliary weighing device associated with the second movable plane.

[0019] In some embodiments, the auxiliary weighing device includes at least one auxiliary weighing element disposed below the second movable plane.

[0020] In some embodiments, the device includes a pre-compression device arranged along the second movable plane and adapted to flatten the fibrous material.

[0021] In some embodiments, the preloading device is arranged downstream of the auxiliary weighing device in the forward movement direction relative to the second movable plane.

[0022] In some embodiments, the electronic management and control unit is programmed to increase the speed of the first movable plane when the measured weight value is less than the reference weight value, and to decrease the speed of the first movable plane when the measured weight value is greater than the reference weight value. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not unique, embodiments of the apparatus for forming panels made of fibrous material, illustrated in conjunction with illustrative, but not limiting, examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Referring specifically to these figures, reference numeral 1 generally indicates an apparatus for forming a panel made of fibrous material.

[0025] First, the apparatus 1 for forming a panel made of fibrous material includes: At least one dispensing nozzle 2 for dispensing fibrous material M impregnated with adhesive; At least one first movable plane 3 is arranged below the dispensing nozzle 2; At least one second movable plane 4 is arranged continuously with the first movable plane 3.

[0026] In this regard, the fiber material M is preferably wood, for example, which can be used to manufacture medium-density MDF or low-density LDF panels, but it should not be excluded that the fiber material M can be different materials known to the branch engineer, such as the type that can be used to manufacture low-density insulating panels.

[0027] Preferably, the first movable plane 3 and the second movable plane 4 are conveyor belts.

[0028] In detail, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second movable plane 4 is located below the first movable plane 3, so the fiber material M is poured from the first movable plane 3 onto the second movable plane 4 by dripping.

[0029] However, it cannot be ruled out that the second movable plane 4 can be positioned in a different way; for example, it can be aligned with the first movable plane 3.

[0030] Conveniently, the device 1 includes an extraction device 11 adapted to pour the fibrous material M, which is carried on a first movable plane 3, onto a second movable plane 4.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the extraction device 11 is located between the first movable plane 3 and the second movable plane 4.

[0032] In detail, the extraction device 11 includes a plurality of rotating extraction rollers 11a.

[0033] In this way, due to the rotation of the extraction roller 11a, the fibrous material M conveyed on the first conveyor belt 3 can be pushed and dumped onto the second conveyor belt 4 in a controlled manner.

[0034] Specifically, the extraction device 11 causes the fibrous material M to stretch, thereby increasing the surface area it covers when poured onto the second movable plane 4.

[0035] Then, the device 1 includes a leveling device 5, which is arranged at the location of the first movable plane 3 and is adapted to dispense the fiber material M arranged on the first movable plane 3, thereby defining a predefined level of the fiber material M.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the leveling device 5 defines at least one conveying span 5a through which a predetermined amount of fiber material M corresponding to a predetermined material position can pass.

[0037] Preferably, the leveling device 5 includes a plurality of rotating leveling rollers 5b, such as clamping rollers or other types known to those skilled in the art.

[0038] In this configuration, the leveling rollers 5b are placed side by side at a constant distance, thereby defining multiple conveying spans 5a between one leveling roller 5b and another.

[0039] In addition, the device 1 includes an extrusion device 6 arranged along a second movable plane 4, which is adapted to extrude fibrous material M in order to obtain at least one panel made of fibrous material M.

[0040] Preferably, the extrusion device 6 consists of various types of presses, such as hydraulic types or other types known to those skilled in the art.

[0041] Furthermore, device 1 includes: A weighing device 7 suitable for measuring at least one weight value of fibrous material M; At least one electronic management and control unit 8 is operatively connected to the first movable plane 3 and the weighing device 7, wherein the weighing device 7 is adapted to send a measured weight value to the electronic management and control unit 8, and wherein the electronic management and control unit 8 is programmed to compare the measured weight value with at least one predetermined reference weight value and adjust the speed of the first movable plane 3 according to the comparison result.

[0042] In this regard, it should be noted that the reference weight corresponds to a predetermined density value that is relevant to, for example, the specific intended use of the panel.

[0043] Therefore, as already explained, the speed of the first movable plane 3 is adjusted based on the comparison between the weight and the weight measured by the weighing device 7, allowing a certain amount of fibrous material M to be squeezed in order to obtain a panel with the aforementioned predetermined density value.

[0044] In this sense, the electronic management and control unit 8 is programmed to increase the speed of the first movable plane 3 when the measured weight value is less than the reference weight value, and to decrease the speed of the first movable plane 3 when the measured weight value is greater than the reference weight value.

[0045] In this way, when the weight measured by the weighing device 7 is lower than the reference weight, the electronic management and control unit 8 accelerates the first movable plane 3, so that a larger amount of fiber material M is poured onto the second conveyor belt 4 in the same amount of time.

[0046] Conversely, if the weight measured by the weighing device 7 is higher than the reference weight, the electronic management and control unit 8 slows down the first movable plane 3, so that less fiber material M is dumped onto the second conveyor belt 4 in the same amount of time.

[0047] According to this invention, the weighing device 7 is associated with the first movable plane 3.

[0048] It is important to note that this solution has proven to be very important in overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0049] In fact, this arrangement allows the speed of the first movable plane 3 to change in a significantly more timely manner than in known devices, thereby avoiding the possibility of such correction delays and thus preventing an incorrect amount of fiber material M from spilling onto the second movable plane 4.

[0050] With this in mind, it is easy to understand that the device 1 is capable of forming panels with well-defined density values ​​in a precise manner, and can repeat the process over time even when the measured weight varies greatly (e.g., when wood with different densities and / or different amounts of fiber material M are poured onto the first movable plane 3).

[0051] More specifically, preferably, the leveling device 5 is arranged upstream of the weighing device 7 with respect to the forward movement direction of the first movable plane 3.

[0052] Specifically, the leveling device 5 is placed between the dispensing nozzle 2 and the first movable plane 3, but it cannot be ruled out that it can be placed at different positions along the first movable plane 3.

[0053] The leveling device 5 is placed upstream of the weighing device 7, allowing the volume of the fiber material M, which passes over the top of the weighing device 7 and is thus weighed, to remain substantially constant.

[0054] As a result, the volume of the fiber material M weighed by the weighing device 7 remains almost constant, regardless of the type and specific gravity of the fiber material itself. Therefore, the weight measurement result depends only on the specific gravity of the fiber material M being processed.

[0055] By adjusting the speed of the first movable plane 3 accordingly, the weight of the fiber material M conveyed to the second movable plane 4 can be kept almost constant.

[0056] Conveniently, the weighing device 7 includes at least one weighing element 7 disposed below the first movable plane 3.

[0057] In fact, the weight of the first movable plane 3 rests on the weighing element 7.

[0058] Specifically, the weighing element 7 is a scale.

[0059] Conveniently, the device 1 includes an auxiliary weighing device 9 associated with the second movable plane 4.

[0060] Similar to the description of the weighing device 7, the auxiliary weighing device 9 includes at least one auxiliary weighing element 9 arranged below the second movable plane 4.

[0061] In fact, the weight of the second movable plane 4 rests on the auxiliary weighing element 9.

[0062] Preferably, the auxiliary weighing element 9 is a scale.

[0063] It should be noted that providing an auxiliary weighing device 9 advantageously allows for the verification of the weight value measured by the weighing device 7, thereby increasing the reliability and functionality of the equipment 1.

[0064] Advantageously, the device 1 includes a pre-compression device 10 arranged along the second movable plane 4 and adapted to flatten the fibrous material M.

[0065] In particular, the pre-compression device 10 allows for the initial compression of the fibrous material M conveyed along the second movable plane 4.

[0066] Specifically, the pre-compression device 10 is arranged downstream of the auxiliary weighing device 9 in the forward movement direction relative to the second movable plane 4.

[0067] More specifically, the pre-compression device 10 is located between the auxiliary weighing device 9 and the pressurizing device 6.

[0068] In fact, the additional pre-compression device 10 defines the cross span 10a through which a certain amount of fiber material M can pass, thereby forming a panel with a predetermined thickness.

[0069] In practice, it has been determined that the described solution has achieved its intended purpose.

[0070] In particular, it is emphasized that the special means of associating the weighing device with the first movable plane allows the velocity of the first movable plane itself to be easily changed according to the measured weight value.

[0071] In this way, wood panels with precise and repeatable density values ​​can be formed over time, thus overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art that have been previously complained about.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for forming a panel made of fibrous material, comprising: At least one dispensing nozzle (2) for dispensing fibrous material (M) impregnated with adhesive; At least one first movable plane (3) is arranged below the dispensing nozzle (2); At least one second movable plane (4) is arranged continuously with the first movable plane (3); A leveling device (5) is arranged at the location of the first movable plane (3) and is adapted to define a predetermined position of the fiber material (M) arranged on the first movable plane (3); An extrusion device (6) is arranged along the second movable plane (4) and adapted to extrude the fibrous material (M) to obtain at least one panel made of the fibrous material; Weighing device (7), said weighing device (7) being adapted to measure at least one weight value of said fiber material (M); At least one electronic management and control unit (8) is operatively connected to the first movable plane (3) and the weighing device (7), wherein the weighing device (7) is adapted to send a measured weight value to the electronic management and control unit (8), and wherein the electronic management and control unit (8) is programmed to compare the measured weight value with at least one predetermined reference weight value and adjust the speed of the first movable plane (3) according to the comparison result; The weighing device (7) is characterized in that it is associated with the first movable plane (3).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The weighing device (7) includes at least one weighing element (7) arranged below the first movable plane (3).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leveling device (5) is positioned upstream of the weighing device (7) in the forward movement direction relative to the first movable plane (3).

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (1) includes an auxiliary weighing device (9) associated with the second movable plane (4).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary weighing device (9) includes at least one auxiliary weighing element (9), which is arranged below the second movable plane (4).

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (1) includes a pre-compression device (10) arranged along the second movable plane (4) and adapted to flatten the fiber material (M).

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The preloading device (10) is arranged downstream of the auxiliary weighing device (9) in the forward movement direction relative to the second movable plane (4).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic management and control unit (8) is programmed to increase the speed of the first movable plane (3) when the measured weight value is less than the reference weight value, and to decrease the speed of the first movable plane (3) when the measured weight value is greater than the reference weight value.

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