Device and method for transporting successively arranged web product sections produced from a moving web product, in particular comprising bulk material, and system for producing web product sections

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for transporting successively arranged web product sections produced from a moving web product, in particular comprising bulk material, along a transport path, wherein the transport path has a plurality of successive areas, wherein at least one of the areas is designed as a receiving area and one of the areas is designed as a succession area, wherein the device also has a feed area, and the receiving area is arranged downstream of the feed area, said feed area guiding the web product at least in some regions, wherein the succession area is arranged downstream of the receiving area, wherein the device also has at least one transport system and a controller which influences the at least one transport system, wherein in order to transport the web product along the feed area, a first endless transport belt, which can move in an encircling manner around the feed area, is provided and in order to transport the successive web product sections along the receiving area, a second endless transport belt, which can move in an encircling manner around the receiving area, is provided. In order to enable the device to be operated in a highly variable and productive manner, it is proposed that the length of the receiving area is variable in the direction following the transport path, and the second transport belt can be operated at at least two different transport speeds. The invention further relates to a method and to a system.

Description

[0001] Device and method for transporting consecutively arranged sections of web material produced from a moving web material, in particular comprising bulk material, as well as a system for producing web material sections.

[0002] The invention relates to a device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections, produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, along a transport path, wherein the transport path has several successive areas, wherein at least one of the areas is designed as a receiving area and one of the areas as a following area, wherein the device further comprises a feed area and the receiving area is arranged downstream of the feed area, which at least partially guides the web material, wherein the following area is arranged downstream of the receiving area, wherein the device further comprises at least one transport system and a control device influencing the at least one transport system, wherein a movable element around the feed area is used to transport the web material along the feed area.The first continuous conveyor belt and, for transporting the successive sections of goods along the receiving area, a second continuous conveyor belt, movable around the feed area, is provided for successive carriers.

[0003] The invention further relates to a method for transporting successively arranged web material sections, produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, along a transport path comprising several successive areas, wherein the web material sections are transported at least along a receiving area and a subsequent area, wherein the web material serving to form the web material sections is transported at least partially along a feed area, wherein the web material and the web material sections are transported using a first endless conveyor belt, movable around the feed area for transporting the web material along the feed area, and a second endless conveyor belt, movable around the feed area for transporting the successive web material sections along the receiving area.Transport system influencing control device are transported.

[0004] Finally, the invention relates to a system for producing material sheets, comprising: a spreading device and a pressing device, in particular designed as a multi-level press, for producing the web material, wherein the spreading device is preferably assigned to and positioned upstream of the feed area and the pressing device is positioned downstream of the subsequent area.

[0005] The processing of engineered wood panels plays a major role in both the construction industry and furniture manufacturing practically worldwide.

[0006] The production of such material sheets takes place either in a cycle-based or continuous manner. In cycle-based production, the material sheets are produced as flat objects with finite dimensions in all three spatial directions, while material sheets produced in a continuous process represent lengths of a web material with finite dimensions in only two spatial directions. The operating principle of the joining and / or compaction unit determines whether the overall process is described as a cycle-based or continuous process. Since significant pressures are generally applied in the compaction units, or the combined joining and compaction units, during the production of material sheets, these units are usually referred to by experts as the "pressing unit" when referring to the entire system. In the production of material sheets as defined by...In this document, the working pressures, depending on the material and size of the material plate to be produced, are usually in the range of about 50 N / cm. 2 and approximately 500 N / cm 2 and advantageously between 100 N / cm 2 and 400 N / cm 2 .

[0007] Regardless of whether the so-called press section operates discretely (i.e., in cycle time) or continuously, it is always preceded by a continuously operating "sprinkling section." There, the material, which forms at least the essential content of the subsequent material sheet, is spread onto a continuously moving carrier, usually a continuously rotating belt. This spreading can occur in one or more layers. The resulting structure is referred to by experts as a "sprinkling cake" or "sprinkling web" and, regardless of its specific name, technically constitutes a (moving) web material.

[0008] If the web material is divided into discrete sections along its direction of travel before being fed into the press section, the press section is designed for cycle-based operation. However, if the web material is only divided into discrete sections after passing through the press section along its direction of travel, the press section is designed for continuous operation. In this case, the web material is only divided into successive web sections once it has already been compressed.The term "web material section" therefore does not indicate whether it refers to already compressed material, i.e., a "material sheet", or to a section of uncompressed material, i.e., a "loose material web material section", wherein the device forming an object of the invention for transporting web material sections, produced from a moving web material, in particular consisting of bulk material, and arranged successively, along a transport path, wherein the transport path has several successive areas, is suitable not only for moving material sheets, but also for the considerably more difficult transport of uncompressed web material sections, i.e., so-called loose material web material sections.

[0009] Web stock and web stock sections are currently transported through the respective sheet production plant or its respective plant section at speeds ranging from approximately 300 millimeters per second (mm / s) to approximately 2,000 mm / s during the manufacturing and processing process, depending on the material used to designate the (later) sheet. Since the economic viability of a plant depends significantly on its potential production (i.e., transport) speed, achieving the highest possible production speeds is naturally a priority. For thin sheet formats, especially for sheets with a finished thickness of up to 8 mm, high-performance plants now achieve production speeds of nearly 3,000 mm / s or even slightly higher.However, such high transport speeds are hardly feasible, especially in areas where the web material is still in an unpressed state, so that the overall efficiency of the relevant material sheet production plant is usually significantly reduced.

[0010] Both economically and in terms of their technical applicability, engineered wood panels comprising at least one layer of a material derived from a perennial plant occupy a special position among engineered wood panels. Such panels are often simply referred to as "wood-based panels" by those skilled in the art, even if they have one or more layers not derived from a perennial plant. Engineered wood panels are manufactured in a wide variety of forms for different applications. Particularly widespread are particleboard, OSB panels, and MDF or HDF panels, as well as hybrid panels constructed from individual layers of such composites.The naming of engineered wood panels depends on the shape and size of the wood particles used in the panel or layer structure. Experts refer to a panel made from "fine" wood particles as particleboard, while one made from coarse wood particles is called an OSB panel. Generally, experts understand fine wood particles to be those whose maximum dimension in any direction does not exceed 60 mm. These particles, often described as chips, are usually formed with a maximum dimension of 25 mm or even 20 mm. In these cases, measures are typically taken to remove chips smaller than 5 mm, 3 mm, or even 1 mm from the panel manufacturing process.Generally, experts understand coarse wood particles to be particles whose maximum dimension in any spatial direction is at least 60 mm; these particles, often described as long chips, are usually formed with a maximum dimension of 60 mm to 185 mm, and particularly from 80 mm to 140 mm. MDF and HDF boards, or their individual layers, are, on the other hand, made from (medium-density or high-density) pressed fibers, which are usually obtained from the raw material through an intermediate chemical process, often a type of cooking process.

[0011] Hybrid panels consist of several layers of different types and are often particularly suitable when the material panel has to meet various requirements for its intended use.

[0012] The aforementioned wood-based panels are therefore manufactured from wood particles (chips, long chips or fibers) of different shapes and sizes, whereby the wood particles are joined together in the so-called press section under the influence of pressure and temperature by stimulating their own adhesion mechanisms and adding adhesives (usually a glue).

[0013] More recently, efforts have been made to use annual plants, particularly grasses, as an alternative or supplement to wood-based materials, which require many years to regenerate, for the production of engineered wood panels. These annual plants have the significant advantage of rapid growth. Since annual plants do not develop bark, their offshoots initially constitute a homogeneous raw material from a production engineering perspective, the fibers of which can be extracted for panel production through a splicing process. Thus, single- or multi-layered engineered wood panels, whose individual layers consist of annual plants, are known from the prior art.

[0014] However, processing annual plants is significantly more complicated than processing wood particle-based panels. The high precipitation of silicates during the manufacturing process, which are abrasive to the plant structure, presents a major obstacle.

[0015] Furthermore, the mechanical properties of panels (layers) made from particles derived from annual plants differ significantly from those of wood particle-based counterparts. In addition to the challenges arising from the above, which can be summarized as availability, price structure, and the technical problems associated with using the material chosen from this complex field, operators of composite panel production plants face a further challenge due to the dynamically changing sales opportunities over time.

[0016] Since material panel production plants, due to their high purchase price, must be operated efficiently for at least two or three decades to ensure competitiveness and returns for the operator, maximum flexibility is often a key consideration. For demand-driven production, it is therefore advantageous to enable or provide for the production and processing of different material panel formats. In addition to the thickness (i.e., the height) of a material panel, its length and width, which determine its surface area, also play a crucial role.

[0017] The assignment of height (thickness), length, and width of a material sheet (or web section) is based on the coordinates typically assigned to the material sheet production plant that manufactures it. The production direction along which the web material and the resulting (unpressed) web sections and / or the (pressed) material sheets are produced is normally referred to as the longitudinal direction (X-direction), the width lying orthogonally to it in the same plane as the width direction (Y-direction), and the direction perpendicular to this plane as the height direction (Z-direction).

[0018] Depending on the composite material and thickness of a sheet (or a corresponding section of web material), this results in basis weights of less than 3.0 kg / m². 2 up to approximately 55.0 kg / m³ 2Typical production widths for older systems range from 0.8 m to 2.3 m, while modern systems usually have widths between approximately 1.8 m and 3.7 m. The web sections or material sheets are traditionally cut to lengths between 3.0 m and 12.0 m, most commonly 6.0 m, from the original web material. This can result in total weights ranging from a few kilograms to over two tons per material sheet. Regardless of whether these material sheets are produced in a cycle-based or continuous process, the transport system used to move the web material and / or the resulting web sections and subsequent material sheets through the numerous successive sections of the system plays a crucial role in successful production.

[0019] Particular attention must be paid to the transition from continuous to discrete process steps when designing the transport system. Depending on the plant layout, this transition can be located in different areas of the plant, but it is usually either before or after the press area.

[0020] In any case, the production areas that are designed to operate on a takt-based system, i.e., in discrete mode, must be able to keep pace with the preceding production areas, which are designed for a continuous process, in terms of production capacity, especially production speed.

[0021] Against this background, it quickly becomes apparent that the transport system intended for this purpose must be highly tailored to the respective, individual plant process and therefore must have a high degree of individualization in order to have the lowest possible susceptibility to collisions, transport jams or, more generally speaking, disruptions in transport.

[0022] However, this is in stark contrast to the wishes of plant operators, who, after an expensive investment in a material panel production plant, want to adapt the design of the products (material panels) to be produced therein to the prevailing zeitgeist as much as possible over the decades of use of the plant.

[0023] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for transporting web material, in particular bulk material, moving web material and / or web material sections produced therefrom, arranged successively, which is suitable for overcoming or at least mitigating the contradiction outlined.

[0024] This task relates to a device mentioned at the outset for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections, produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, along a transport path, wherein the transport path has several successive areas, wherein at least one of the areas is designed as a receiving area and one of the areas as a following area, wherein the device further has a feed area and the receiving area is downstream of the feed area, which at least partially guides the web material, wherein the following area is directly or indirectly downstream of the receiving area, wherein the device further has at least one transport system and a control device influencing the at least one transport system, wherein a movable element around the feed area is used to transport the web material along the feed area.The first endless conveyor belt and, for transporting the successive sections of goods along the receiving area, a second endless conveyor belt movable around the feed area is provided, in that at least the receiving area is designed to be variable in length in the direction following the transport path and the second conveyor belt can be operated at at least two different transport speeds.

[0025] This provides the basis for a single system for the production and / or processing of material sheets, and along a single transport path arranged at least partially within it, continuously moving (or moved by the transport device) web material, preferably at a constant speed, to be alternately separated into web material sections with different longitudinal formats without interruption of production and fed, or even without interruption, to a subsequent process, particularly a discontinuous one, such as processing in a continuous press, especially in a (continuously operated) multi-level press. The device and the surrounding system are thus highly variable and productive.

[0026] In order to achieve a smooth and uninterrupted production process, it may even be necessary to ensure that the resulting and successive sections of the rail material can be moved at different transport speeds, at least in some areas.

[0027] The web material can be made from bulk material in a state that is at least partially compacted or in an uncompacted scattered state.

[0028] It is advantageous if successive supports are provided along the subsequent area, which can be moved at different transport speeds, at least in some sections.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one of the areas is designed as an intermediate area, located between the receiving area and the receiving area.

[0030] Preferably, the feed area and / or the intermediate area is designed to be variable in length in the direction following the transport path.

[0031] It is also advantageous if, for the transport of the railway freight sections along the receiving area and / or along the intermediate area, a continuously movable conveyor belt is provided within the respective area, i.e., in particular the receiving area and / or the subsequent area.

[0032] Furthermore, it may be preferred if the receiving area, particularly during operation of the device, is designed to be reconfigurable from a first geometric configuration with a first length in the direction of the transport path to a second geometric configuration with a second length in the direction of the transport path, preferably within a time window (i.e., a "period"), such that the transport path is maintained. It is particularly preferred that the control device is designed such that the second conveyor belt can be moved successively at the first and second transport speeds during this period.

[0033] It is advantageous if the feed area and / or the intermediate area, particularly during the operation of the device, is designed to be reconfigurable from a first geometric configuration with a first length in the direction of the transport path to a second geometric configuration with a second length in the direction of the transport path, particularly within a period of time, in such a way that the transport path is maintained.

[0034] It is further advantageous if the control device is designed in such a way that the third conveyor belt can be moved successively at a third and a fourth transport speed during the period.

[0035] It is also advantageous, and particularly in this context, if the third transport speed corresponds to the first transport speed and the fourth transport speed corresponds to the second transport speed.

[0036] In other words, in a device existing according to the prior art, the following can transport the web material sections, produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, along a transport path, wherein the transport path has several successive areas, wherein at least one of the areas is designed as a receiving area and one of the areas as a following area, wherein the device further has a feed area and the receiving area is downstream of the feed area, which at least partially guides the web material, wherein the following area is downstream of the receiving area, wherein the device further has at least one transport system and a control device influencing the at least one transport system, wherein a movable element around the feed area is used to transport the web material along the feed area.The first endless conveyor belt and, for transporting the successive web material sections along the receiving area, a second endless conveyor belt movable around the receiving area are provided. The problem of the production capacity decreasing analogously to the percentage deviation (reduction) from the maximum web material section length that can be handled on the device is solved by making the receiving area, and preferably also the intermediate and / or subsequent area, variable in length in the direction following the transport path, and by providing the second conveyor belt, and preferably a continuously movable, endless conveyor belt within the respective intermediate or subsequent area.It can be operated at at least two different transport speeds. In contrast to conventional cycle-based systems or cycle-based systems with cut-off points, this method avoids costly and disruptive reductions in the so-called "plate cycle" when formats are shortened, i.e., the production volumes portioned into web sections, preferably bulk material.

[0037] If the web material sections containing bulk material are to be fed to a press, in particular a cycle-bound press, in connection with the manufacturing process of material sheets, it is thus possible for the first time to keep the number of pressings per unit of time practically constant at a maximum level, regardless of the chosen length of the web material section and the resulting material sheet format.

[0038] By providing and using such a device, it is therefore possible to avoid cycle losses with different formats (min. - max. ranges). The invention enables the maintenance of the maximum disk cycle rate, which leads to an increase in productivity with shorter formats.The control unit (control system) of the device is designed such that the "shorter" web material sections are moved by changing their distances to the end faces of their preceding and trailing web material sections, such that, according to a first embodiment, a distance to the preceding web material section can be achieved that corresponds to a target distance of successive web material sections, each having a maximum web material section length, and / or, according to a second embodiment, the (according to practical standards) central placement on a target field, which can be formed, for example, by a conveyor belt section or by a support, can be achieved.

[0039] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one of the areas, in particular the intermediate area, especially during the operation of the device, is designed to be transformable from a first geometric configuration with a first length in the direction of the transport path or a second geometric configuration with a second length in the direction of the transport path into a third geometric configuration with a third length in such a way that the transport path is not maintained at the transition area to the respective following area, in particular to the subsequent area.

[0040] In some cases, it may be preferable for the first length and the second length to be of the same magnitude. It may also be preferable for the redesign to be such that the transport path is maintained at the transfer point from the receiving area to the intermediate area, but not maintained from the intermediate area to the subsequent area.

[0041] If the device does not provide an intermediate area, it may then be preferable in some cases for the receiving area to be designed in such a way as to be transformable into a third geometric configuration with a third length, such that the transport path is not maintained at least temporarily at the then immediate transition area to the subsequent area.

[0042] Advantageously, for the transport of the railway freight sections along the receiving area and / or along the intermediate area within the respective area, i.e. in particular the receiving area and / or the subsequent area, successive carriers are provided which can be moved at least in sections at different transport speeds.

[0043] It is further advantageous if the device also has a separating device for dividing an end area of ​​the web material into successive web material sections and the separating device is designed to selectively form at least one first web material section length and a second web material section length.

[0044] Preferably, the cutting device is designed as a diagonal saw or as a traveling saw.

[0045] Preferably, the device further comprises a spreading device for producing the web material, wherein the spreading device is preferably assigned to the feed area.

[0046] It is advantageous if the control system is designed in such a way that at least one conveyor belt can be moved selectively with at least one first transport speed assigned to its corresponding area and at least one second transport speed assigned to the second length.

[0047] It can also be advantageous if the control system is designed in such a way that the carriers can be accelerated selectively according to at least one first acceleration index assigned to the first length and at least one second acceleration index assigned to the second length.

[0048] It can be particularly advantageous if the control system contains a dependency such that, if the ratio of first length to second length is greater than one, the ratio of first transport speed to second transport speed is greater than one, and the ratio of first acceleration index to second acceleration index is less than one.

[0049] Regardless of or in addition to this, it can be of great advantage if a program step is stored in the control system according to which the carriers can be moved, and in particular are moved, depending on the selected web material section length, in such a way that the successive web material sections can be positioned centrally on the assigned, successive carriers, at least in the direction of transport, and in particular are positioned.

[0050] Preferably, the device also includes a multi-level press or is in operative contact with a multi-level press.

[0051] It may also be preferred that the device further comprises a charging device, and in particular a pre-charging device upstream of the charging device.

[0052] Preferably, the device is configured to form part of a plant for the production and / or processing of material panels, in particular wood-based panels. It can also be particularly advantageous if the device is configured to carry out a method according to one of the following claims.

[0053] In a method for transporting successively arranged web material sections produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, along a transport path comprising several successive areas, wherein the web material sections are transported at least along a receiving area and a receiving area, wherein the web material serving to form the web material sections is transported at least partially along a feed area, wherein the web material and the web material sections are transported using a control device influencing a transport system comprising a first endless conveyor belt movable around the feed area for transporting the web material along the feed area and a second endless conveyor belt movable around the feed area for transporting the successive web material sections along the receiving area.At least one of the problems underlying the invention is solved by varying the length of the receiving area in the direction following the transport path, particularly during operation, within a first time window, and by operating the second conveyor belt with at least two different transport speeds within a second time window.

[0054] It is advantageous if the first and second time windows overlap. It can also be advantageous if at least one of the two overlapping time windows overlaps with at least one other time window.

[0055] It can be sufficient if relatively small portions of the time windows overlap. Since the two time windows can be of different lengths, the following analysis of proportions refers to the shorter time window in cases where the time windows are of different lengths.

[0056] If the overlap is 100%, in the case of time windows of different lengths, the shorter time window is incorporated into the longer time window; if the time windows are of the same length, both time windows begin and end simultaneously.

[0057] It can be advantageous if, along the subsequent area, successive carriers are planned and moved at least partially at different transport speeds under the influence of the control device.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, it can also be advantageous if the rail freight sections are transported between the receiving area and the receiving area along an intermediate area. It may also be preferable for the length of the receiving area and / or the intermediate area to be varied in the direction following the transport path, particularly during ongoing operations, within a third time window.

[0059] It can be particularly advantageous if the length of the feed area and / or the intermediate area is varied in the direction following the transport path, while the first time window and the third time window overlap, at least partially.

[0060] It can also be advantageous if at least one of the two overlapping time windows overlaps with at least one other time window.

[0061] It can be sufficient if relatively small portions of the time windows overlap. Since the two time windows can be of different lengths, the following analysis of proportions refers to the shorter time window in cases where the time windows are of different lengths.

[0062] If the overlap is 100%, in the case of time windows of different lengths, the shorter time window is incorporated into the longer time window; if the time windows are of the same length, both time windows begin and end simultaneously.

[0063] Preferably, the receiving area, particularly during operation, is transformed by the control device from a first geometric configuration with a first length in the direction of the transport path into a second geometric configuration with a second length in the direction of the transport path within a first time window in such a way that the transport path is maintained.

[0064] It can be particularly advantageous if the control device is designed in such a way that the second conveyor belt can be moved successively at the first and second transport speeds during the second time window, and in particular if it is moved successively at the first and second transport speeds within the (second) time window.

[0065] It can also be advantageous if the first time window and the second time window overlap in time.

[0066] Furthermore, it can be highly advantageous if the feed area and / or the intermediate area, particularly during operation, is reconfigured by the control device from a first geometric configuration with a first length in the direction of the transport path to a second geometric configuration with a second length in the direction of the transport path within a first time window, such that the transport path is maintained. In this context, particular advantages can arise if the control device is designed such that the third conveyor belt can be moved, and in particular is moved, successively at a third and a fourth transport speed during this period.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, special advantages can be achieved, particularly in the context mentioned above, if the third transport speed corresponds to the first transport speed and the fourth transport speed corresponds to the second transport speed.

[0068] Preferably, the subsequent area, particularly during operation, is transformed by the control device from a first geometric configuration with a first length in the direction of the transport path into a second geometric configuration with a second length in the direction of the transport path within a first, second or third time window in such a way that the transport path is not maintained at least temporarily.

[0069] It is particularly advantageous if the method is carried out using a device according to one of claims 1 to 18 and / or a system according to one of claims 28 or 29.

[0070] In connection with a plant for the production of material sheets, comprising: at least one material intake, a spreading unit, a press, and a material output unit, at least one of the problems underlying the invention is solved by providing a device for transporting successively arranged web material sections produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, along a transport path, wherein the transport path has several successive areas, wherein at least one of the areas is designed as a receiving area and one of the areas as a following area, wherein the device further comprises a feed area and the receiving area is arranged downstream of the feed area, which at least partially guides the web material, wherein the following area is arranged downstream of the receiving area.wherein the device further comprises at least one transport system and a control device influencing the at least one transport system, wherein a first endless conveyor belt movable around the feed area is provided for transporting the web material along the feed area, and a second endless conveyor belt movable around the feed area is provided for transporting successive web material sections along the receiving area, wherein the receiving area is variable in length in the direction following the transport path, and the second conveyor belt can be operated at at least two different transport speeds.

[0071] The system may preferably also include material preparation and / or gluing and / or web material conditioning and / or a control device. It can be highly advantageous if the device is further developed according to any one of claims 2 to 18.

[0072] The advantages arising in this context can be derived accordingly from the respective description of advantages associated with the device and the method.

[0073] The invention is described below with reference to a drawing, the figures of which show a common embodiment and, optionally, alternative or combined embodiment variants. The same reference numerals are used in the figures for the same elements; not all elements need to be shown and / or labeled in all figures. The features relating to the method will become apparent from the description of the figures and in conjunction with an examination of the drawing.

[0074] It shows:

[0075] Figure 1a: Schematic representation of a plant for the production and / or processing of material panels, in particular wood-based panels, using a multi-level press

[0076] Figure 1b: Schematic representation of a plant for the production and / or processing of material panels, in particular wood-based panels, with a continuously operating press

[0077] Figure 2a: A device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections produced from a moving web material, in particular comprising bulk material, in a first working position

[0078] Figure 2b: The device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections from Figure 2a, produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, in a second working position

[0079] Figure 3a: The device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections from Figure 2a, produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, in a slightly modified form, again in a first working position

[0080] Figure 3b: The device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections from Figure 3a, produced from a moving web material, in particular comprising bulk material, in a second working position

[0081] Figure 4a: A device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, in a first working position. Figure 4b: The device for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections from Figure 2a produced from a moving web material, in particular bulk material, in a second working position.

[0082] Figures 1a and 1b schematically show a section of plant 13 for the production and / or processing of material panels, in particular wood-based panels.

[0083] On the left side, the end of a spreading station is indicated, where chips or fibers of plant origin, i.e., from annual and / or perennial plants, preferably coated with binders, are spread onto a long conveying device—in this embodiment, a conveyor belt running over a support structure—to form a web material 2. The bulk material 2, or the web material formed from it, can have several different layers with chips or fibers of varying sizes, which may also be oriented in different directions. For clarity, only a short section of the web material 2 (bulk material) is shown schematically in Figure 1.

[0084] On the right-hand side, i.e. at the end of the conveyor line, is the inlet to a press, which is designed as a multi-level press in Figure 1a and as a continuously operating press in Figure 1b.

[0085] In both cases, as shown in Figure 1, i.e., in both Figure 1a and Figure 1b, a cutting device 8 designed as a diagonal saw and the device 1, which will be described in more detail later, are arranged between the two components. The cutting device 8 can optionally also form part of the device 1. Not shown, but particularly relevant in connection with the further embodiment of a system 13 according to Figure 1a, are a loading device 11 and, in particular, a pre-loading device 12 upstream of the loading device 11. The production and / or processing of the material panels, especially the wood-based panels, takes place from the left edge of the image to the right edge of the image, i.e., along the X-axis of the depicted spatial coordinates X, Y, and Z.

[0086] The device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 for transporting successively arranged web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d produced from a moving web material 3, in particular comprising bulk material 2, along a transport path 4, wherein the transport path 4 has several successive areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, wherein at least one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is designed as a receiving area 4b and one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d as a subsequent area 4d, wherein the device 1 further has a feed area 4a and the receiving area 4b is arranged downstream of the feed area 4a, which at least partially guides the web material 3, wherein the subsequent area 4d is arranged downstream of the receiving area 4b, wherein the device 1 further has at least one transport system 5 and a control system 5 connected to the at least one transport system 5 influencing control device 6 has,wherein a first endless conveyor belt 7a, movable around the feed area 4a, is provided for transporting the web material 3 along the feed area 4a, and a second endless conveyor belt 7b, movable around the feed area 4b, is provided for transporting the successive web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d along the receiving area 4b, is characterized in particular by the fact that the receiving area 4b is variable in length Lb in the direction X following the transport path and the second conveyor belt 7b can be operated at at least two different transport speeds Vb1, Vb2, and is used to carry out a method for transporting successively arranged web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, produced from a moving web material 3, in particular comprising bulk material 2, along a transport path 4 which includes several successive areas exhibits 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d,wherein the web material sections are transported at least along a receiving area 4b and a subsequent area 4d, wherein the web material 3 serving to form the web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d is transported at least partially along a feed area 4a, wherein the web material 3 and the web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are transported using a transport system 5 influencing a first endless conveyor belt 7a movable around the feed area 4a for transporting the web material 3 along the feed area 4a and a second endless conveyor belt 7b movable around the feed area 4b for transporting the successive web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d along the receiving area, wherein the method is essentially characterized by the fact that the receiving area 4b in the direction X following transport path 2, with its length L,especially during ongoing operation, within a first time window Z 1 varies and the second conveyor belt 7b is operated within a second time window Z2 with at least two different transport speeds V7bGl, V7bG2.

[0087] The procedure carried out using Annex 13 and in particular Device 1 can be carried out in different ways, for example in successive temporal sequences, in accordance with the disclosure content of this document.

[0088] Figures 2a and 2b show essential components of the device 1 for transporting successively arranged web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d produced from a moving web material 3, in particular comprising bulk material 2, along a transport path 4, wherein the transport path 4 has several successive areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, wherein at least one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is designed as a receiving area 4b and one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d as a subsequent area 4d, wherein the device 1 further comprises a feed area 4a and the receiving area 4b is arranged downstream of the feed area 4a, which at least partially guides the web material 3, wherein the subsequent area 4d is arranged downstream of the receiving area 4b, wherein the device 1 further comprises at least one transport system 5 and a [missing information] on which at least one [missing information] Transport system 5 has an influencing control device 6,wherein a first endless conveyor belt 7a, movable around the feed area 4a, is provided for transporting the web material 3 along the feed area 4a, and a second endless conveyor belt 7b, movable around the feed area 4b, is provided for transporting the successive web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d along the receiving area 4b, and wherein the receiving area 4b has a variable length Lb in the direction X following the transport path, and the second conveyor belt 7b can be operated at at least two different transport speeds Vbl, Vb2.

[0089] Figures 3a and 3b show essentially the same device 1 in a slightly modified form. Here, successive supports 4dl, 4d2, 4d3 are provided along the subsequent area 4d, which are movable at least in certain sections at different transport speeds 4dl-1, 4d2-1, 4d3-1, 4dl-2, 4d2-2, 4d3-2.

[0090] In both versions, i.e., in the form shown in Figures 2a and 2b, as well as in the form shown in Figures 3a and 3b, at least one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is designed as an intermediate area 4c, which is arranged between the receiving area 4b and the subsequent area 4d.

[0091] In order to be able to switch between the first and second working positions shown in the respective figure parts a and b and / or to further working positions, the feed area 4a and / or the intermediate area 4c can be variably designed in its length La, Lc in the direction X following the transport path 4.

[0092] For the transport of the railway goods sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d along the receiving area 4a and / or along the intermediate area 4c, an endless conveyor belt 7a, 7c is provided which can be moved around the entire perimeter within the respective area 4a, 4c.

[0093] The receiving area 4b is, in each case and in particular during the operation of the device 1, for example for carrying out a method according to one of the methods disclosed in connection with the present document, transformed from a first geometric configuration 4bGl, which is assumed in a first working position and shows a first length L4bGl in the direction of the transport path 4, into a second geometric configuration 4bG2, which is assumed in a second working position and shows a second length L4bG2, in the direction X of the transport path 2, in such a way that the transport path 4 is maintained.Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided, in a manner not shown, that, for example, within the device 1, the feed area 4a and / or the intermediate area 4c, particularly during the operation of the device 1, can be transformed from a first geometric configuration 4aGl, 4cGl with a first length L4aGl, L4cGl in the direction X of the transport path 2 into a second geometric configuration 4aG2, 4cG2 with a second length L4aG2, L4cG2 in the direction X of the transport path 2 in such a way that the transport path 2 is maintained.According to the variants shown and not shown, it is not only possible to switch between a respective first work position and a respective second work position while maintaining the transport path, but also to switch between further work positions, for example third work positions, which may be located within or outside the areas formed by the respective first and second work positions, while maintaining transport path 4.For this purpose, at least one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, in particular the intermediate area 4c, especially during the operation of the device 1, can be transformed from a first geometric configuration 4aGl, 4bGl, 4cGl, 4dGl with a first length L4aGl, L4bGl, L4cGl, L4dGl in direction X of the transport path 2 or a second geometric configuration 4aG2, 4bG2, 4cG2, 4dG2 with a second length L4aG2, L4bG2, L4cG2, L4dG2 in direction X of the transport path 2 into a third geometric configuration 4aG3, 4bG3, 4cG3, 4dG3 with a third length L4aG3, L4bG3, L4cG3, L4dG3, such that the transport path 2 at the transition area to the respective following area 4b, 4c, 4d, in particular to the subsequent area 4d, is not maintained.In particular with regard to the design according to Figures 3a and 3b, but also alternatively or additionally to the design according to Figures 2a and 2b, it may also be provided, in a form not shown, that for the transport of the railway goods sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d along the intermediate area 4c successive supports 4cl, 4c2, 4c3 are provided, which are movable at least in sections with different transport speeds 4cl-1, 4c2-1, 4c3-1, 4c 1-2, 4dc2-2, 4c3-2.

[0094] Figures 4a and 4b show essentially the same device 1 again, in a slightly modified form. Here too, successive carriers 4dl, 4d2, etc. are provided along the follower area 4d. In addition to the receiving area, the intermediate and follower areas are also variable in length in the direction following the transport path, and both the second conveyor belt and a continuously movable, endless conveyor belt provided within the respective intermediate and follower areas can each be operated at at least two different transport speeds.The control unit of the device is designed such that the "shorter" web material sections are moved by changing their distances to the end faces of their preceding and trailing web material sections in such a way that, according to a first embodiment, a distance to the preceding web material section can be achieved which corresponds to a target distance of successive web material sections, each having a maximum web material section length, and / or, according to a second embodiment, the (according to practical standards) central placement on a target field, which can be formed, for example, by a conveyor belt section or by a support, can be achieved.

[0095] When format reductions occur within the intended maximum and minimum ranges of web material section lengths during operation of the device 1 and, if applicable, a surrounding system 13, expensive and disruptive reductions in the so-called "plate cycle", i.e., the production of production volumes portioned in web material sections, preferably bulk material, can be avoided particularly elegantly.

[0096] In Figures 4a and 4b, arranged directly one above the other on a drawing sheet, it is particularly evident how the receiving area 4b and the intermediate area 4c are variably configured in their respective lengths La, Lc in the direction X following the transport path 4, and how an endless conveyor belt 7a, 7c, movable circumferentially within the respective area 4a, 4c, is provided for transporting the web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d along the receiving area 4b and along the intermediate area 4c, wherein the receiving area and the intermediate area 4c, particularly during operation of the device 1, transition from a first geometric configuration 4bGl, 4cGl with a first length L4bGl, L4cGl in the direction X of the transport path 2 to a second geometric configuration 4bG2, 4cG2 with a second length L4bG2, L4cG2 in the direction X of the transport path 2, such that It is designed to be adaptable so that transport path 2 is maintained.

[0097] It is clearly visible that the web sections processed in Figure 4a have a maximum web section length, while those in Figure 4b have a shorter web section length than the maximum. The resulting gap between the web sections located in areas 4b and 4c, and the gap between the web sections located in areas 4c and 4d, are chosen such that the two web sections in areas 4c and 4d are positioned (according to practical standards) centrally on the conveyor belt section or on a carrier fed onto the conveyor belt.

[0098] Thus, the dimensions of areas 4a, 4b and 4c shift, while area 4d retains its geometric shape and length.

[0099] In all versions, i.e. in the form shown in Figures 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b as well as 4a and 4b, at least one of the areas 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is designed as an intermediate area 4c, which is arranged between the receiving area 4b and the subsequent area 4d.

[0100] The separating device 8 described here in connection with the separating device 8 shown in Figure 1 and belonging to Annex 13 for dividing an end area 3end of the web material 3 into successive web material sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, which is designed for the optional formation of at least one first web material section length L3al, L3bl, L3cl, L3dl and a second web material section length L3a2, L3b2, L3c2, L3d2, can also form part of the device 1 in a manner not shown and then, for example, be designed as a diagonal saw or as a traveling saw.

[0101] The device 1 further comprises a spreading device 9 for producing the web material 3, wherein the spreading device 9 is preferably assigned to the feed area 4a.

[0102] The control system 6 can be designed such that at least one conveyor belt 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can be moved optionally with at least one first transport speed V4aGl, V4bGl, V4cGl, V4dGl assigned to its associated area 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and at least one second transport speed V4aG2, V4bG2, V4cG2, V4dG2 assigned to the second length L4aG2, L4bG2, L4cG2, L4dG2. Alternatively or additionally, the control 6 can also be designed such that the carriers 4c 1, 4c2, 4c3, 4dl, 4d2, 4d3 can be accelerated selectively according to at least one first acceleration index II assigned to the first length L4aGl, L4bGl, L4cGl, L4dGl and at least one second acceleration index 12 assigned to the second length L4aG2, L4bG2, L4cG2, L4dG2.

[0103] The multi-stage press 10 described here in connection with the multi-stage press shown in Figure 1 and belonging to Annex 13 can also form part of the device 1 shown in Figures 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b and 4a and 4b or be in operative contact with such a multi-stage press 10 independently of other components of Annex 13.

[0104] The device 1 may also, in a manner not shown, include a charging device 11, and in particular a pre-charging device 12 upstream of the charging device 11. Furthermore, the device 1 may also assume other embodiments as described in the disclosure of this document.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Device (1) for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) produced from a moving web material (3), in particular comprising bulk material (2), along a transport path (4), wherein the transport path (4) has several successive areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein at least one of the areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is configured as a receiving area (4b) and one of the areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) as a following area (4d), wherein the device (1) further comprises a feed area (4a) and the receiving area (4b) is arranged downstream of the feed area (4a), which at least partially guides the web material (3), wherein the following area (4d) is arranged downstream of the receiving area (4b), wherein the device (1) further comprises at least one transport system (5) and has a control device (6) that influences at least one transport system (5),wherein a first endless conveyor belt (7a) movable around the feed area (4a) is provided for transporting the web material (3) along the feed area (4a) and a second endless conveyor belt (7b) movable around the feed area (4b) is provided for transporting the successive web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) along the receiving area (4b), characterized in that the receiving area (4b) is variable in length (Lb) in the direction (X) following the transport path and the second conveyor belt (7b) can be operated at at least two different transport speeds (Vbl, Vb2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that successive carriers (4dl,4d2,4d3) are provided along the subsequent area (4d), which are movable at least in certain areas at different transport speeds (4dl-1,4d2-1,4d3-1, 4dl-2,4d2-2,4d3-2).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is designed as an intermediate area (4c) that is arranged between the receiving area (4b) and the subsequent area (4d).

4. Device (1) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the feed area (4a) and / or the intermediate area (4c) is variable in its length (La, Lc) in the direction (X) following the transport path (4).

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that For the transport of the railway goods sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) along the receiving area (4a) and / or along the intermediate area (4c), a continuously movable conveyor belt (7a, 7c) is provided within the respective area (4a, 4c).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving area (4b), in particular during the operation of the device (1), is designed to be reconfigurable from a first geometric configuration (4bGl) with a first length (L4bGl) in the direction of the transport path (4) into a second geometric configuration (4bG2) with a second length (L4bG2) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) such that the transport path (4) is maintained.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the feed area (4a) and / or the intermediate area (4c), in particular during operation of the device (1), is designed to be transformable from a first geometric configuration (4aGl, 4cGl) with a first length (L4aGl, L4cGl) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) into a second geometric configuration (4aG2, 4cG2) with a second length (L4aG2, L4cG2) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) in such a way that the transport path (2) is maintained.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), in particular the intermediate area (4c), particularly during operation of the device (1), is transformed from a first geometric configuration (4aGl, 4bGl, 4cGl, 4dGl) with a first length (L4aGl, L4bGl, L4cGl, L4dGl) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) or a second geometric configuration (4aG2, 4bG2, 4cG2, 4dG2) with a second length (L4aG2, L4bG2, L4cG2, L4dG2) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) into a third geometric configuration (4aG3, 4bG3, 4cG3, 4dG3) with a third length (L4aG3, L4bG3, L4cG3, L4dG3) is designed to be adaptable such that the transport path (2) is not maintained at the transition area to the respective following area (4b, 4c, 4d), in particular to the subsequent area (4d).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that successive carriers (4cl, 4c2, 4c3) are provided for transporting the railway goods sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) along the intermediate area (4c), which are movable at least in certain areas at different transport speeds (4cl-1, 4c2-1, 4c3-1, 4cl-2, 4dc2-2, 4c3-2).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) further comprises a separating device (8) for dividing an end region (3end) of the web material (3) into successive web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and the separating device (8) for optional formation of at least one first web material section length (L3al, L3bl, L3cl, L3dl) and a second web material section length (L3a2, L3b2, L3c2, L3d2).

11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cutting device (8) is designed as a diagonal saw or as a traveling saw.

12. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) further comprises a spreading device (9) for producing the web material (3), wherein the spreading device (9) is preferably assigned to the feed area (4a).

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control (6) is designed such that at least one conveyor belt (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) can be moved selectively with at least one first transport speed (V4aGl, V4bGl, V4cGl, V4dGl) assigned to its associated area (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and at least one second transport speed (V4aG2, V4bG2, V4cG2, V4dG2) assigned to the second length (L4aG2, L4bG2, L4cG2, L4dG2).

14. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the control (6) is designed such that the carriers (4cl, 4c2, 4c3, 4dl, 4d2, 4d3) are selectively accelerated according to at least one first acceleration index (II) assigned to the first length (L4aGl, L4bGl, L4cGl, L4dGl) and at least one second acceleration index (12) assigned to the second length (L4aG2, L4bG2, L4cG2, L4dG2).

15. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) further comprises a multi-level press (10) or is in operative contact with a multi-level press (10).

16. Device () according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) further comprises a charging device (11), and in particular a pre-charging device (12) upstream of the charging device (11).

17. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is designed to form part of a system (13) for the production and / or processing of material panels, in particular wood-based panel systems.

18. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is configured for carrying out a method according to one of the following claims.

19. Method for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) produced from a moving web material (3), in particular comprising bulk material (2), along a transport path (4) which has several successive areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein the web material sections are transported at least along a receiving area (4b) and a subsequent area (4d), wherein the web material (3) serving to form the web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is transported at least partially along a feed area (4a), wherein the web material (3) and the web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are transported using a first endless conveyor, movable around the feed area (4a) for transporting the web material (3) along the feed area (4a). Conveyor belt (7a) and for transporting the successive web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) along the receiving area a movable conveyor around the feed area (4b),a second endless conveyor belt (7b) having a transport system (5) influencing the control device (6), characterized in that the receiving area (4b) in the direction (X) following the transport path (2) varies in its length (L), in particular during operation, within a first time window (ZI) and the second conveyor belt (7b) is operated within a second time window (Z2) with at least two different transport speeds (V7bGl, V7bG2).

20. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first time window (ZI) and the second time window (Z2) overlap.

21. Method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that successive carriers (4dl , 4d2, 4d3) provided along the subsequent area (4d) are moved at least partially at different transport speeds (4dl -1, 4d2-l, 4d3-l, 4dl-2, 4d2-2, 4d3-2) under the influence of the control device (6).

22. Method according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are transported between the receiving area (4b) and the subsequent area (4d) along an intermediate area (4c).

23. Method according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the feed area (4a) and / or the intermediate area (4c) in the direction (X) following the transport path (2) is varied in its length (La, Lc), especially during ongoing operation, within a third time window (Z3).

24. Method according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the receiving area (4b), in particular during operation, is transformed under the influence of the control device (6) from a first geometric configuration (4bGl) with a first length (L4bGl) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) into a second geometric configuration (4bG2) with a second length (L4bG2) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) within a first time window (ZI) such that the transport path (2) is maintained.

25. Method according to one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that the feed area (4a) and / or the intermediate area (4c), in particular during operation, is transformed under the influence of the control device (6) from a first geometric configuration (4aGl, 4cGl) with a first length (L4aGl, L4cGl) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) into a second geometric configuration (4aG2, 4cG2) with a second length (L4aG2, L4cG2) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) within a first time window (ZI) such that the transport path (2) is maintained.

26. Method according to one of claims 19 to 25, characterized in that the subsequent area (4d), in particular during operation, is transformed by the control device (6) from a first geometric configuration (4dGl) with a first length (L4dGl) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) into a second geometric configuration (4dG2) with a second length (L4dG2) in the direction (X) of the transport path (2) within a first, second or third time window (ZI, Z2, Z3) such that the transport path (2) is not maintained at least temporarily.

27. Method according to one of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that the method is carried out using a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18 and / or a system (13) according to one of claims 28 or 29.

28. Plant (13) for the production of material sheets, comprising: a spreading device (9) and a pressing device (10), in particular designed as a multi-level press, for the production of the web material (3), wherein the spreading device (9) is preferably assigned to and located upstream of the feed area (4a) and the pressing device (10) is located downstream of the subsequent area (4b), characterized by a Device (1) for transporting consecutively arranged web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) produced from a moving web material (3), in particular comprising bulk material (2), along a transport path (4), wherein the transport path (4) has several successive areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein at least one of the areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is configured as a receiving area (4b) and one of the areas (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) as a following area (4d), wherein the device (1) further comprises a feed area (4a) and the receiving area (4b) is arranged downstream of the feed area (4a), which at least partially guides the web material (3), wherein the following area (4d) is arranged downstream of the receiving area (4b), wherein the device (1) further comprises at least one transport system (5) and a control device (6) influencing the at least one transport system (5), wherein a first endless conveyor belt (7a) movable around the feed area (4a) is used to transport the web material (3) along the feed area (4a), and a control device (6) is used to transport the successive web material sections (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) along the feed area (4a). of the receiving area (4b) a second endless conveyor belt (7b) movable around the receiving area (4b) is provided, wherein the receiving area (4b) is in the,The direction (X) following the transport path is variable in its length (Lb), and the second conveyor belt (7b) can be operated with at least two different transport speeds (Vbl, Vb2).

29. System (13) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device (1) is further developed according to one of claims 2 to 18.

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