Press device for covering

Abstract

To provide a press device for covering capable of properly adhering and covering a skin material to an object to be covered.SOLUTION: A press device for covering 10 covers a covered surface of an object to be covered 32, which is placed on a cushion 14 through a flexible skin material 31, with the skin material 31 by pressing and sinking the object to be covered 32 into the interior of the cushion 14. The press device for covering 10 has a heater 30 for heating the skin material 31 that is placed on the cushion 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating press apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a coating press device for coating an object to be coated with a skin material. For example, the device of Patent Document 1 uses a particle bed fluidized by a high-temperature gas flow to coat the object to be coated with a skin material and thermally bonds the skin material to a support. The particle bed is formed inside a housing. The top of the housing is blocked by a permeable flexible cover cloth. When thermally bonding the skin material to the support, the skin material is placed on the flexible cover cloth, and the support is pressed against the skin material. As the support sinks into the particle bed, the skin material and the flexible cover cloth deform along the surface of the support. The adhesive layer between the support and the skin material is activated by being heated by the heat of the particle bed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5437375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] From the standpoint of ensuring good appearance, for example, the covering press is required to cover the object to be covered in a manner that the skin material is appropriately adhered to the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The coating press device that can solve the above problem is configured to press the coating object placed on an elastic body via a flexible skin material, causing the object to sink into the inside of the elastic body, thereby coating the coating surface of the object with the skin material. The coating press device has a heater configured to heat the skin material placed on the elastic body.

[0006] According to this configuration, the skin is heated by the heater, which makes it easier for the skin to elastically deform to conform to the contour of the object to be covered, thereby enabling the skin to be appropriately attached to the object to be covered.

[0007] In the above-mentioned coating press apparatus, the heater may be a flexible planar heater provided immediately below the skin material placed on the elastic body. According to this configuration, the heater is located directly below the skin material placed on the elastic body, so that the skin material can be heated quickly.

[0008] In the above-mentioned coating press apparatus, the heater may have a heating element made of carbon fiber. According to this configuration, the heater is pressed and elastically deformed as the object to be covered sinks into the elastic body via the skin material. Since the heating element is made of carbon fiber, breakage of the heating element due to elastic deformation of the heater is suppressed.

[0009] In the above-mentioned coating press apparatus, the elastic body may have an elastic sponge and a cover covering the sponge, and in this case, the heater may be interposed between the sponge and the cover.

[0010] According to this configuration, the heater is covered by the cover, and therefore the heater can be protected. The above-mentioned coating press device may further include a protective sheet having flexibility or elasticity. In this case, the protective sheet may be overlapped on the heater.

[0011] According to this configuration, when the object to be covered is pressed into the inside of the elastic body, the heater receives the pressing force via the protective sheet. That is, the pressing force when the object to be covered is pressed into the inside of the elastic body is dispersed or absorbed by the protective sheet. Therefore, the heater can be appropriately protected.

[0012] In the above-mentioned coating press device, a hot-melt adhesive may be interposed between the skin material and the object to be coated, and in this case, the heater may be configured to heat the adhesive through the skin material placed on the elastic body.

[0013] According to this configuration, the adhesive is melted by heating with a heater. When the object to be covered is pressed against the skin material, the molten adhesive blends with the skin material and spreads evenly over the skin material. The molten adhesive is then cooled and solidified, thereby appropriately bonding the skin material and the object to be covered.

[0014] In the above-mentioned covering press device, the skin material may have a string-passing portion provided along the periphery, and a string that is passed through the string-passing portion and drawn out from positions where both ends are close to each other. In this case, the covering press device may further have a pulling mechanism configured to pull both ends of the string, the both ends of which are crossed, in opposite directions with the object to be covered sunk into the elastic body via the skin material.

[0015] According to this configuration, when the object to be covered sinks into the elastic body via the skin material, pulling both ends of the crossed string in opposite directions causes the peripheral portion of the skin material to elastically deform so as to be folded inward, eventually covering the peripheral portion of the back surface of the object to be covered. The back surface is the surface of the object to be covered opposite the skin material. This allows the skin material to be appropriately attached to the object to be covered.

[0016] In the above coating press apparatus, the object to be coated may be a chair seat. The above-mentioned covering press device is suitable for covering a chair seat with an upholstery material. In the above-mentioned coating press device, the elastic body may have a first sponge having elasticity, a second sponge having elasticity higher than that of the first sponge, and a cover covering the first sponge and the second sponge. In this case, the first sponge may be stacked on the second sponge so as to be supported by the first sponge. The heater may be interposed between the first sponge and the cover.

[0017] According to this configuration, when the object to be covered sinks into the elastic body to the extent that the second sponge is elastically deformed, the skin material receives the elastic force of the second sponge. The elastic force of the second sponge presses the skin material more strongly against the surface to be covered of the object to be covered. Therefore, even if the surface to be covered is not flat but has, for example, a gentle recess, the skin material can be appropriately adhered to the entire surface of the surface to be covered, including the inner surface of the recess. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the covering material can be appropriately adhered to the object to be covered and covered. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a coating press apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a cushion according to a first embodiment cut in the front-rear direction, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a heater built into the cushion according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken in the front-rear direction of a cushion on which a covering material, an object to be covered, and a contact plate according to a first embodiment are placed. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an object to be covered is placed on a skin material according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a covering material, an object to be covered, and a contact plate according to a first embodiment are pressed against the inside of a cushion. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which both ends of the string according to the first embodiment are hooked onto zippers. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which both ends of the string according to the first embodiment are pulled in opposite directions. [Figure 8] 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cushion according to a second embodiment, cut in the front-rear direction. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken in the front-rear direction of a cushion on which a covering material, an object to be covered, and a contact plate according to a third embodiment are placed. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a covering material, an object to be covered, and a contact plate according to a third embodiment are pressed against the inside of a cushion. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of the coating press apparatus will be described below. The coating press apparatus is an apparatus for coating an object to be coated with a flexible skin material.

[0021] <Overall composition> As shown in Fig. 1, the coating press apparatus 10 has a base 11. The base 11 has a front frame 11A and a rear frame 11B. The front frame 11A and the rear frame 11B are cylindrical bodies having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and extend in the left-right direction when the coating press apparatus 10 is viewed from the front. The front frame 11A and the rear frame 11B are connected to each other via a connecting frame (not shown) that extends in the front-rear direction. The base 11 is placed on a mounting surface via a plurality of legs 11C.

[0022] A front support 12 is provided on the upper surface of the front frame 11A. The front support 12 is located at the center of the front frame 11A in the left-right direction. The front support 12 is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the upper surface of the front frame 11A. The center of the table 13 is connected to the tip of the front support 12. The tip is the end of the front support 12 on the opposite side to the front frame 11A. The table 13 is a pedestal having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the front frame 11A. A cushion 14 is attached to the upper surface of the table 13. The cushion 14 is an elastic body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0023] The front part of the table 13 protrudes outward from the peripheral surface of the cushion 14. On the upper surface of the front part of the table 13, various switches are provided. A rear support column 15 is provided on the upper surface of the rear frame 11B. The rear support column 15 is located at the center of the rear frame 11B in the left-right direction. The rear support column 15 is a tubular body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the upper surface of the rear frame 11B. A support frame 16 is provided at the tip of the rear support column 15. The tip is the end of the rear support column 15 opposite the rear frame 11B. The support frame 16 is a tubular body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends in the front-rear direction. The support frame has a base end that is a first end and a tip that is a second end. The base end of the support frame 16 is fixed to the tip of the rear support column 15. The tip of the support frame 16 protrudes forward from the rear support column 15.

[0024] An air cylinder 17 for pressing is attached to the tip of the support frame 16. The air cylinder 17 has a cylinder tube 17A and a piston rod 17B. The cylinder tube 17A is a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction. The piston rod 17B is inserted into the cylinder tube 17A so as to be movable forward and backward. The outer end of the piston rod 17B faces downward. The piston rod 17B moves in a direction pushed out of the cylinder tube 17A or in a direction drawn into the cylinder tube 17A by the pressure of compressed air. The direction in which the piston rod 17B is pushed out of the cylinder tube 17A is downward, and the direction in which the piston rod 17B is drawn into the cylinder tube 17A is upward.

[0025] A pressing member 18 is attached to the outer end of the piston rod 17B. The pressing member 18 is formed, for example, by combining two metal tubes having rectangular cross sections in a cross shape. The pressing member 18 moves integrally with the piston rod 17B. The pressing member is provided, for example, facing the center of the upper surface of the cushion 14.

[0026] A control box 19 is attached to the side of the support frame 16. For example, a control unit (not shown) is housed inside the control box 19. The control unit controls the operation of each part of the coating press apparatus 10. Various switches and various indicators are provided on the front of the control box 19.

[0027] A wiring box 20 is attached between the front support 12 and the rear support 15. The wiring box 20 is a hollow box-shaped body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Inside the wiring box 20, for example, various types of wiring are accommodated.

[0028] The wiring box 20 has a first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A and a second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B. The first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A is provided at a position closer to the left of the wiring box 20 when viewed from the front. The second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B is provided at a position closer to the right of the wiring box 20 when viewed from the front. The front support 12 is located between the first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A and the second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B. The first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A and the second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B penetrate the wiring box 20 in the front-rear direction.

[0029] The first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The outer cylinder is fixed to the wiring box 20 while penetrating the wiring box 20 in the front-rear direction. The inner cylinder is inserted so as to be movable forward and backward relative to the outer cylinder. The first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A is extendable within a set range. The second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B has the same configuration as the first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A. That is, the second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and is therefore extendable within a set range.

[0030] The outer end of the inner cylinder of the first longitudinal sliding cylinder 21A and the outer end of the inner cylinder of the second longitudinal sliding cylinder 21B are connected to a rail 22. The rail 22 is a rod-shaped body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and extends in the left-right direction.

[0031] A slide frame 23 is attached to the rail 22. The slide frame 23 extends in the left-right direction over a predetermined range including the left-right central portion of the rail 22. The slide frame 23 has a front wall, a rear wall, and an upper wall. The upper wall connects the upper end of the front wall to the upper end of the rear wall. The front wall covers a part of the front surface of the rail 22, the rear wall covers a part of the rear surface of the rail 22, and the upper wall covers a part of the upper surface of the rail 22. The outer end of the inner cylinder of the first front-rear slide cylinder 21A and the outer end of the inner cylinder of the second front-rear slide cylinder 21B penetrate the rear wall of the slide frame 23 in the front-rear direction and are connected to the rail 22.

[0032] One or more handles (not shown) are provided on the outer surface of the front wall of the slide frame 23. By applying an external force in the front-rear direction to the slide frame 23 and thus to the rail 22 via the handles, it is possible to extend or retract the first front-rear sliding cylinder 21A and the second front-rear sliding cylinder 21B. This allows the position of the rail 22 in the front-rear direction to be adjusted.

[0033] A left slider 24A is provided at the left end of the rail 22. The left slider 24A is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and extends in the left-right direction. The left slider 24A is attached to the rail 22 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. A right slider 24B is provided at the right end of the rail 22. The right slider 24B is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and extends in the left-right direction. The right slider 24B is attached to the rail 22 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0034] A left support column 25A is provided on the upper surface of the left slider 24A. The left support column 25A is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the upper surface of the left slider 24A. The left support column 25A can move in the left-right direction integrally with the left slider 24A. The left-right position of the left support column 25A can be adjusted by applying a left-right external force to the left slider 24A via the left support column 25A.

[0035] A right support column 25B is provided on the upper surface of the right slider 24B. The right support column 25B is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the upper surface of the right slider 24B. The right support column 25B can move in the left-right direction together with the right slider 24B. By applying a left-right external force to the right slider 24B via the right support column 25B, the left-right position of the right support column 25B can be adjusted.

[0036] By adjusting the position of rail 22 in the front-rear direction, the position of left support pillar 25A and the position of right support pillar 25B in the front-rear direction can also be adjusted. The left support 25A is provided with a left air cylinder 26. The left air cylinder 26 has a cylinder tube 26A and a piston rod 26B. The cylinder tube 26A is a cylindrical body extending in the left-right direction. The piston rod 26B is provided so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the cylinder tube 26A. The outer end of the piston rod 26B faces rightward. The piston rod 26B moves in a direction to be pushed out of the cylinder tube 26A or in a direction to be drawn into the cylinder tube 26A by the pressure of compressed air. The direction in which the piston rod 26B is pushed out of the cylinder tube 26A is the rightward direction, and the direction in which the piston rod 26B is drawn into the cylinder tube 26A is the leftward direction. A chuck 27 is provided at the outer end of the piston rod 26B. The chuck 27 is an example of a gripping mechanism that grips and fixes a gripping object.

[0037] The right support column 25B is provided with a right air cylinder 28. The right air cylinder 28 has a cylinder tube 28A and a piston rod 28B, similar to the left air cylinder 26. However, the right air cylinder 28 faces in the opposite direction to the left air cylinder 26. That is, the outer end of the piston rod 28B faces leftward. The piston rod 28B moves in a direction pushed out of the cylinder tube 28A or in a direction drawn into the cylinder tube 28A by the pressure of compressed air. The direction in which the piston rod 28B is pushed out of the cylinder tube 28A is the leftward, and the direction in which the piston rod 28B is drawn into the cylinder tube 28A is the rightward. A chuck 29 as an example of a gripping mechanism is provided at the outer end of the piston rod 28B.

[0038] The left air cylinder 26 may be supported so as to be tiltable relative to the left support column 25A via a tilting mechanism (not shown). The right air cylinder 28 may also be supported so as to be tiltable relative to the right support column 25B via a tilting mechanism (not shown). In this way, the tilt position of the left air cylinder 26 relative to the left support column 25A and the tilt position of the right air cylinder 28 relative to the right support column 25B can be adjusted to appropriate positions.

[0039] <Cushion 14> Next, the configuration of the cushion 14 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the cushion 14 has a sponge 14A and a cover 14B. The sponge 14A is a foam having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The sponge 14A is, for example, a silicone sponge or a urethane sponge, and has excellent heat insulation and resilience. The cover 14B is, for example, made of cloth. The cover 14B covers the peripheral surface and the upper surface of the sponge 14A.

[0040] Between the upper surface of the sponge 14A and the cover 14B, a heater 30 is provided. The heater 30 is a planar heater having excellent flexibility, for example, a silicone rubber heater.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the heater 30 has a heating element 30A and two silicone rubber sheets 30B. The heating element 30A is, for example, a cloth-like carbon fiber. Carbon fiber has excellent flexibility and conductivity. The heating element 30A is sandwiched between the two silicone rubber sheets 30B. The heating element 30A generates heat when electricity is applied. The entire surface of the silicone rubber sheet 30B is heated by the heat generated by the heating element 30A.

[0042] The heater 30 generates heat from the entire surface, so it is possible to transmit heat uniformly over a wide range. In addition, the heater 30 is thin and highly flexible, so it can deform to conform to various three-dimensional curved surfaces or three-dimensional shapes. The heater 30 has a thickness of, for example, about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. This allows the heater 30 to have excellent thermal responsiveness. In addition, the heater 30 does not use a metal wire such as a nichrome wire for the heating element 30A. This prevents the heating element 30A from breaking due to deformation of the heater 30.

[0043] Depending on the product specifications, the heater 30 may be provided on the upper surface of the cushion 14. The heater 30 may be provided directly below the covering material 31 placed on the cushion 14. <Method of coating object> Next, a method for coating an object to be coated will be described.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3, when covering an object 32 to be covered with a skin 31, an operator sets the skin 31, the object 32 to be covered, and a backing plate 33 in the covering press device 10. First, the skin 31 is laid on the upper surface of the cushion 14, and the object 32 to be covered is placed thereon. Then, the backing plate 33 is placed on the upper surface of the object 32 to be covered. The backing plate 33 is, for example, a wooden plate-like member. The upper surface of the cushion 14 is a support surface on which the skin 31 and the object 32 to be covered are placed.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the covering material 31 is, for example, synthetic leather. The covering material 31 is cut to a contour shape and size suitable for covering an object to be covered. The contour shape of the covering material 31 is, for example, rectangular. When the covering material 31 has a front and back, the covering material 31 is placed on the upper surface of the cushion 14 with the back side facing up.

[0046] The skin 31 has a string passage portion 31A. The string passage portion 31A is a passage portion of the skin 31 through which the string 31B passes, and is provided around the entire circumference of the skin 31. The string 31B passes through the string passage portion 31A. Two ends of the string 31B are pulled out to the outside from two string openings (not shown) provided on the back surface of the skin 31. The two string openings are arranged close to each other along one of the four sides of the skin 31.

[0047] The object to be covered 32 is, for example, the seat of a chair. The seat is the part of the chair on which the buttocks rest, and is, for example, a plate-like member made of synthetic resin. The contour shape of the seat is, for example, rectangular. To ensure a comfortable sitting experience, the seat surface of the seat may be formed with, for example, a curved portion. The seat surface is the surface of the seat that is covered with the skin material 31. The object to be covered 32 is placed on the skin material 31 with the surface opposite to the surface covered by the skin material 31 facing up. The peripheral portion of the skin material 31 extends outward beyond the peripheral surface of the object to be covered 32.

[0048] For example, a hot melt adhesive is applied to the coating surface of the object 32. The coating surface is the surface of the object 32 that is coated with the skin material 31. The adhesive is an adhesive whose main component is a thermoplastic resin that is solid at room temperature. The adhesive is applied to the coating surface of the object 32 in a heated and molten state. After being applied to the object 32, the adhesive is cooled and kept in a solidified state.

[0049] With the covering material 31, the object to be coated 32, and the support plate 33 set in the coating press device 10, the operator operates a switch to instruct the control unit to activate the pressing air cylinder 17 and turn on the heater 30.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 5, upon receiving the instruction, the control unit operates the pressing air cylinder 17 to move the pressing member 18 downward. Eventually, the pressing member 18 comes into contact with the upper surface of the contact plate 33 and presses the object to be covered 32 downward via the contact plate 33. As a result, the object to be covered 32 gradually sinks into the cushion 14 via the skin material 31. As the object to be covered 32 sinks into the cushion 14, the skin material 31 and the object to be covered 32 are subjected to the elastic force of the cushion 14. This elastic force presses the skin material 31 against the covering surface of the object to be covered 32. The covering surface is the surface of the object to be covered 32 to which the adhesive is applied.

[0051] The skin material 31 is pressed against the surface to be covered of the object to be covered 32 by the elastic force of the cushion 14, and is elastically deformed to conform to the surface to be covered of the object to be covered 32. This brings the surface to be covered of the object to be covered 32 into close contact with the skin material 31, and removes wrinkles in the skin material 31. As the object to be covered 32 sinks into the cushion 14, the peripheral portion of the skin material 31 is elastically deformed to rise up along the peripheral surface of the object to be covered 32.

[0052] The operator instructs the control unit to stop the operation of the pressing air cylinder 17 by operating a switch at the timing when the object to be covered 32 sinks a predetermined amount into the cushion 14. The control unit that receives the instruction stops the operation of the pressing air cylinder 17.

[0053] The heat generated by the heater 30 is transferred to the skin material 31 through the cover 14B in the process of the object to be covered 32 sinking into the cushion 14. The skin material 31 becomes more flexible when heated, and is therefore more likely to elastically deform along the surface of the object to be covered 32. The surface includes the covering surface and the circumferential surface of the object to be covered 32. The heat generated by the heater 30 is transferred to the adhesive applied to the surface of the object to be covered 32 through the cover 14B and the skin material 31 in the process of the object to be covered 32 sinking into the cushion 14. The adhesive melts when heated. The surface of the object to be covered 32 is pressed against the back surface of the skin material 31, so that the molten adhesive blends with the back surface of the skin material 31. The back surface is the upper surface in FIG. 5. The surface of the object to be covered 32 is pressed against the back surface of the skin material 31, so that the molten adhesive spreads evenly over the back surface of the skin material 31.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6, when the object to be coated 32 is sunk inside the cushion 14, the worker operates a switch to instruct the control unit to operate the left air cylinder 26 and the right air cylinder 28. The two chucks 27, 29 are maintained in an open state, which is a non-gripping state. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit operates the left air cylinder 26 and the right air cylinder 28 to move the two chucks 27, 29 closer to each other in the left-right direction. After this, the worker crosses both ends of the string 31B and hooks both ends of the string 31B onto the two chucks 27, 29, respectively.

[0055] 7, with both ends of the string 31B hooked on the two chucks 27, 29, respectively, the operator operates a switch to instruct the control unit to operate the two chucks 27, 29. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit operates the two chucks 27, 29, transitioning the state of the two chucks 27, 29 from an open state, which is a non-gripping state, to a closed state, which is a gripping state.

[0056] Thereafter, the worker operates a switch to instruct the control unit to operate the left air cylinder 26 and the right air cylinder 28. The control unit then operates the left air cylinder 26 and the right air cylinder 28 to move the two chucks 27, 29 laterally away from each other. This causes tensile forces in opposite directions to act on both ends of the string 31B. As both ends of the string 31B are pulled in opposite directions, the peripheral edge of the skin material 31 gradually tightens.

[0057] 8, as both ends of string 31B are pulled in opposite directions, the peripheral portion of skin 31 gradually contracts. The peripheral portion of skin 31 elastically deforms so as to be folded inward, and eventually reaches a state in which it covers the peripheral portion of the back surface of object 32 to be covered. The back surface is the surface of object 32 opposite skin 31.

[0058] Thereafter, the operator operates a switch to instruct the control unit to operate the two chucks 27, 29. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit transitions the state of the two chucks 27, 29 from a closed state, which is a gripping state, to an open state, which is a non-gripping state.

[0059] Finally, the operator operates a switch to instruct the control unit to operate the pressing air cylinder 17. The control unit, upon receiving the instruction, operates the pressing air cylinder 17 to move the pressing member 18 upward. This makes it possible to remove the object 32 covered with the skin material 31 from the covering press device 10. The adhesive between the skin material 31 and the object 32 to be covered is solidified by cooling. This bonds the skin material 31 and the object 32 to each other.

[0060] <Advantages of the First Embodiment> This embodiment provides the following advantages. (1-1) The covering press device 10 presses the object 32 to be covered, which is placed on the cushion 14 via a flexible skin material 31, into the cushion 14 to sink the object 32, thereby covering the surface of the object 32 with the skin material 31. The covering press device 10 has a heater 30 that heats the skin material 31 placed on the cushion 14. According to this configuration, the skin material 31 is heated by the heater 30. This makes it easier for the skin material 31 to elastically deform in accordance with the contour shape of the object 32 to be covered. Therefore, the skin material 31 can be appropriately brought into close contact with the object 32 to cover it.

[0061] (1-2) The heater 30 is a flexible planar heater. The heater 30 is provided directly below the cover material 31 placed on the cushion 14. With this configuration, the heater 30 is close to the cover material 31, so that the cover material 31 can be heated quickly.

[0062] (1-3) The heater has a heating element 30A made of carbon fiber. With this configuration, the heater 30 is pressed and elastically deformed as the object to be covered 32 sinks into the cushion 14 via the skin material 31. Because the heating element 30A is made of carbon fiber, breakage of the heating element 30A due to elastic deformation of the heater 30 is suppressed.

[0063] (1-4) The cushion 14 has an elastic sponge 14A and a cover 14B that covers the sponge 14A. The heater 30 is interposed between the sponge 14A and the cover 14B. With this configuration, the heater 30 is covered by the cover 14B. Therefore, the heater 30 can be protected.

[0064] (1-5) A hot melt type adhesive is interposed between the skin material 31 and the object to be covered 32. The heater 30 heats the adhesive through the skin material 31 placed on the cushion 14. With this configuration, the adhesive melts when heated by the heater 30. When the object to be covered 32 is pressed against the skin material 31, the molten adhesive blends with the skin material 31 and spreads evenly over the skin material 31. The molten adhesive is then cooled and solidified, thereby allowing the skin material 31 and the object to be covered 32 to be appropriately bonded together.

[0065] (1-6) The covering material 31 has a string-passing portion 31A provided along the periphery, and a string 31B that is passed through the string-passing portion 31A and pulled out from positions where both ends are close to each other. The covering press device 10 has a pulling mechanism. The left air cylinder 26 and the right air cylinder 28 constitute the pulling mechanism. The pulling mechanism pulls both ends of the string 31B, the both ends of which are crossed, in opposite directions with the covering object 32 sinking into the cushion 14 via the covering material 31.

[0066] According to this configuration, when the object to be covered 32 sinks into the cushion 14 via the skin material 31, pulling both ends of the crossed string in opposite directions causes the peripheral portion of the skin material 31 to elastically deform so as to be folded inward, eventually covering the peripheral portion of the back surface of the object to be covered 32. The back surface is the surface of the object to be covered 32 opposite to the skin material 31. Therefore, the skin material 31 can be appropriately attached to the object to be covered 32 to cover it.

[0067] (1-7) The object to be coated 32 is a chair seat. The coating press device 10 of this embodiment is suitable for coating the seat of a chair with a covering material 31. (1-8) When covering the object 32 with the skin material 31, the pressing member 18 presses the object 32 downward via the contact plate 33. That is, the pressing member 18 does not directly contact the object 32. This makes it possible to protect the object 32. For example, it is possible to prevent the object 32 from being scratched.

[0068] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the press machine for coating will be described. This embodiment basically has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, but differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the cushion 14. Therefore, the same members and configurations as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 8, the cushion 14 has a flexible or elastic protective sheet 34 in addition to the sponge 14A and the cover 14B. The protective sheet 34 is interposed between the heater 30 and the cover 14B. The protective sheet 34 is layered so as to cover the entire upper surface of the heater 30. The protective sheet 34 is, for example, a gel sheet or a silicone sheet. The gel sheet is a sheet in which a gel-like medicinal liquid is thinly spread on a support such as a nonwoven fabric. The silicone sheet is a thin sheet made by processing silicone rubber into a sheet shape.

[0070] Depending on the product specifications, the heater 30 and the protective sheet 34 may be provided on the upper surface of the cushion 14. <Advantages of the second embodiment> In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment described above in (1-1) to (1-8), the present embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0071] (2-1) The protective sheet 34 is laid over the heater 30. This allows the heater 30 to be appropriately protected. For example, when the object to be covered 32 is pressed into the cushion 14, the corners of the object to be covered 32 are pressed against the heater 30 via the protective sheet 34. This prevents the heater 30 from being scratched or the silicone rubber sheet 30B of the heater 30 from being torn, compared to when the corners of the object to be covered 32 are pressed against the heater 30 via a thin cloth cover 14B.

[0072] (2-2) When the object to be covered 32 is pressed into the cushion 14, the heater 30 receives the pressing force via the protective sheet 34. That is, the pressing force when the object to be covered 32 is pressed into the cushion 14 is dispersed or absorbed by the protective sheet 34. Therefore, the heater 30 can be appropriately protected.

[0073] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the coating press device will be described. This embodiment basically has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, but differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the cushion 14. Therefore, the same members and configurations as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] When the object to be covered 32 is the seat of a chair, the seat surface is the covering surface to be covered with the covering material 31. From the viewpoint of ensuring a comfortable sitting experience, the seat surface may have a shape that follows the rounded parts of the body, such as the buttocks or thighs. That is, the covering surface of the object to be covered 32 may be provided with, for example, a gentle recess 32A. The recess 32A is a shallow depression-like portion of the covering surface. When covering the covering surface of the object to be covered 32 having such a shape with the covering material 31, the following concerns arise.

[0075] That is, when covering the object 32 with the skin 31, the object 32 is placed on the skin 31 with the surface opposite to the surface to be covered by the skin 31 facing up. Therefore, when the object 32 is placed on the cushion 14 with the skin 31 between them, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the recess 32A and the skin 31. The peripheral portion of the recess 32A on the surface to be covered of the object 32 comes into contact with the skin 31.

[0076] In this state, when the pressing air cylinder 17 is operated to press and sink the object to be covered 32 into the cushion 14, the elastic force of the sponge 14A is fully applied to the peripheral portion of the recess 32A of the covering surface via the skin material 31. This elastic force presses the skin material 31 against the covering surface, so that the skin material 31 adheres appropriately to the covering surface.

[0077] In contrast, the elastic force of the sponge 14A may not be sufficiently applied to the portion of the coating surface where the recess 32A is provided, compared to the peripheral portion of the recess 32A of the coating surface. Therefore, depending on the shape or depth of the recess 32A, the skin material 31 may not be properly pressed against the inner surface of the recess 32A, and the skin material 31 may not be properly adhered to the inner surface of the recess 32A.

[0078] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cushion 14 has the following structure. <14-layer cushion structure> As shown in Fig. 9, the cushion 14 has a high-elasticity sponge 14C in addition to the sponge 14A and the cover 14B. The high-elasticity sponge 14C is interposed between the sponge 14A and the table 13. That is, the sponge 14A is stacked so as to be supported by the high-elasticity sponge 14C. The high-elasticity sponge 14C has, for example, the same shape as the sponge 14A. The high-elasticity sponge 14C is a foam having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and is, for example, a silicone sponge or a urethane sponge.

[0079] However, the resilience of high elasticity sponge 14C is higher than that of sponge 14A. Also, the hardness of high elasticity sponge 14C is higher than that of sponge 14A. Sponge 14A is layered so as to cover the entire upper surface of high elasticity sponge 14C. Sponge 14A corresponds to the first sponge, and high elasticity sponge 14C corresponds to the second sponge.

[0080] The cover 14B covers the sponge 14A and the high-elasticity sponge 14C. Specifically, the cover 14B covers the peripheral surface of the sponge 14A, the upper surface of the sponge 14A, and the peripheral surface of the high-elasticity sponge 14C. The heater 30 is provided between the upper surface of the sponge 14A and the cover 14B, similarly to the first embodiment. The heater 30 is located directly below the covering material 31 placed on the cushion 14.

[0081] <Operation of this embodiment> When covering the object 32 with the skin material 31, the pressing air cylinder 17 is operated to press and sink the object 32 into the cushion 14. However, the amount by which the object 32 is pressed into the cushion 14 differs from that in the first embodiment.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 10, the object to be covered 32 is pressed into the cushion 14 to such an extent that the highly elastic sponge 14C is elastically deformed. As the object to be covered 32 sinks into the cushion 14, the sponge 14A is gradually compressed while being supported by the highly elastic sponge 14C. As the object to be covered 32 sinks further into the cushion 14, the sponge 14A is further compressed and the compressed portion of the sponge 14A begins to sink into the highly elastic sponge 14C. That is, the highly elastic sponge 14C is pressed by the compressed portion of the sponge 14A and elastically deforms.

[0083] At this time, the compressed portion of sponge 14A receives an elastic force from high-elasticity sponge 14C. The elastic force is a force in the opposite direction to the pressing force from object 32, and is transmitted to skin material 31 via sponge 14A, heater 30, and cover 14B.

[0084] The compressed portion of sponge 14A is pressed more strongly in the direction toward the coating surface of object 32 by the elastic force of highly elastic sponge 14C. Accordingly, a part of the compressed portion of sponge 14A is elastically deformed to follow the shape of the inner surface of recess 32A via heater 30, cover 14B, and skin material 31. As a result, skin material 31 is elastically deformed to adhere to the entire surface of the coating surface, including the inner surface of recess 32A. That is, wrinkles are removed from the entire surface of the coating surface, including the inner surface of recess 32A.

[0085] <Advantages of the Third Embodiment> In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment described above in (1-1) to (1-8), the present embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0086] (3-1) The cushion 14 has an elastic sponge 14A, a highly elastic sponge 14C having higher elasticity than the sponge 14A, and a cover 14B that covers the sponge 14A and the highly elastic sponge 14C. The sponge 14A is layered so as to be supported by the highly elastic sponge 14C. The heater 30 is interposed between the sponge 14A and the cover 14B.

[0087] According to this configuration, when the object to be covered 32 sinks into the cushion 14 to such an extent that the high-elasticity sponge 14C is elastically deformed, the skin material 31 receives the elastic force of the high-elasticity sponge 14C. The elastic force of the high-elasticity sponge 14C presses the skin material 31 even more strongly against the surface to be covered of the object to be covered 32. Therefore, even if the surface to be covered is not flat but has, for example, a gentle recess 32A, the skin material 31 can be appropriately adhered to the entire surface of the surface to be covered, including the inner surface of the recess 32A.

[0088] (3-2) However, depending on the shape of the surface to be covered, it is not necessary to sink the object to be covered 32 into the cushion 14 until the highly elastic sponge 14C is elastically deformed. Depending on the shape of the surface to be covered, the object to be covered 32 may be sunk into the cushion 14 to the extent that only the sponge 14A is elastically deformed. The shape of the surface to be covered is, for example, a flat surface without any irregularities.

[0089] In this way, by adopting a two-layer structure of sponge 14A and high-elasticity sponge 14C as cushion 14, the following effects are achieved: By adjusting the amount of sinking of object 32 into cushion 14 according to the shape of the surface to be covered, skin material 31 can be appropriately attached to the surface to be covered of object 32 having various shapes.

[0090] <Other embodiments> The first to third embodiments may be modified as follows. The heater 30 is not limited to a planar heater. The heater 30 may be any heater that is flexible.

[0091] The skin material 31 is not limited to synthetic leather, but may be cloth, genuine leather, or the like. The object 32 to be coated is not limited to being made of synthetic resin. The object 32 to be coated may be made of wood or metal.

[0092] The object to be covered 32 is not limited to the seat of a chair. The object to be covered 32 may be the back of a chair. The object to be covered 32 may be anything that has a surface to be covered with the covering material 31.

[0093] The object 32 to be coated may be a flat plate having a predetermined contour shape, or a curved plate having a predetermined contour shape. The curved plate is a plate-shaped member that is partially or entirely curved.

[0094] The contour shape of the object 32 to be coated is not limited to a rectangle. The contour shape of the object 32 to be coated may be a circle or an ellipse. The adhesive is not limited to a hot melt type. Also, depending on the product, the adhesive may be omitted. Even in this case, the surface to be coated of the object to be coated 32 can be coated with the skin material 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 10…Coating press device 14...Cushion (elastic body) 14A…Sponge (first sponge) 14B…Cover 14C…High elasticity sponge (second sponge) 26...Left air cylinder that constitutes the tension mechanism 28…Right air cylinder that constitutes the tension mechanism 30…Heater 30A…heating element 31…Skin material 32...Covered object 34…Protection sheet 31A…String hole 31B...String

Claims

1. A coating press device configured to cover a surface of an object to be coated with a skin material by pressing the object to be coated, which is placed on an elastic body via a flexible skin material, into the inside of the elastic body and causing the object to sink, a covering press having a heater configured to heat the skin material placed on the elastic body;

2. 2. The pressing apparatus for covering according to claim 1, wherein the heater is a flexible planar heater provided immediately below the skin material placed on the elastic body.

3. 3. The coating press apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heater has a heating element made of carbon fiber.

4. The elastic body includes an elastic sponge and a cover that covers the sponge, 4. The coating press apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heater is interposed between the sponge and the cover.

5. Further comprising a protective sheet having flexibility or elasticity, 4. The coating press apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the protective sheet is placed on the heater.

6. A hot melt adhesive is interposed between the skin material and the object to be covered, 4. The coating press apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to heat the adhesive through the skin material placed on the elastic body.

7. the skin material has a string-passing portion provided along a periphery, and a string that is passed through the string-passing portion and pulled out from positions where both ends are close to each other, The coating press device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a tensioning mechanism configured to pull both ends of the string, the ends of which are crossed, in opposite directions with the object to be coated sunk into the elastic body via the skin material.

8. 4. The coating press apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be coated is a chair seat.

9. The elastic body includes a first sponge having elasticity; a second sponge having a higher elasticity than the first sponge; a cover that covers the first sponge and the second sponge; the first sponge is overlapped on the second sponge so as to be supported by the first sponge; 4. The coating press apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heater is interposed between the first sponge and the cover.

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