EP0000111B1 - Apparatus for the thermal treatment of a padding material formed from fibres with a thermosetting bonding material - Google Patents

Apparatus for the thermal treatment of a padding material formed from fibres with a thermosetting bonding material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0000111B1
EP0000111B1 EP78400014A EP78400014A EP0000111B1 EP 0000111 B1 EP0000111 B1 EP 0000111B1 EP 78400014 A EP78400014 A EP 78400014A EP 78400014 A EP78400014 A EP 78400014A EP 0000111 B1 EP0000111 B1 EP 0000111B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circulation
conveyor
manifolds
gas
boxes
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Expired
Application number
EP78400014A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0000111A1 (en
Inventor
Jean A. Battigelli
François Bouquet
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Saint Gobain Industries SA
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Saint Gobain Industries SA
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B13/00—Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement
    • F26B13/10—Arrangements for feeding, heating or supporting materials; Controlling movement, tension or position of materials
    • F26B13/101—Supporting materials without tension, e.g. on or between foraminous belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/04—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould using liquids, gas or steam
    • B29C35/06—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould using liquids, gas or steam for articles of indefinite length
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C67/00—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00
    • B29C67/24—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00 characterised by the choice of material
    • B29C67/248—Moulding mineral fibres or particles bonded with resin, e.g. for insulating or roofing board
    • B29C67/249—Moulding mineral fibres or particles bonded with resin, e.g. for insulating or roofing board for making articles of indefinite length
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/04—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould using liquids, gas or steam
    • B29C35/045—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould using liquids, gas or steam using gas or flames
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2061/00—Use of condensation polymers of aldehydes or ketones or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B29K2061/04—Phenoplasts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B29K2105/08—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
    • B29K2105/0854—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns in the form of a non-woven mat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/25—Solid
    • B29K2105/251—Particles, powder or granules

Definitions

  • the layer or layer of relatively loose fibers on the collecting conveyor is usually then transferred to an apparatus commonly known as an "oven for heat treatment of the mattress", in which the latter is transported by additional perforated transporters, which frequently include two transporters endless with adjacent strands that are opposite and spaced and used to determine the thickness of the mattress that forms.
  • an apparatus commonly known as an "oven for heat treatment of the mattress”
  • the latter is transported by additional perforated transporters, which frequently include two transporters endless with adjacent strands that are opposite and spaced and used to determine the thickness of the mattress that forms.
  • Such a mattress can be more or less dense depending on the degree of compression exerted by the two carriers in the oven.
  • the mattress is subjected to a heat treatment which causes the binder for the fibers to harden and thus stabilize the mattress at the desired thickness.
  • ovens such as those described in American patent 3 096 161, include, in addition to some of the elements described in American patent 2 997 096, dielectrically heated plates, whose action combines with that of air currents hot to evacuate from the mattress kept in form the excess moisture of the binder, prior to the complete hardening of the latter.
  • the invention consists, over a small part of the total distance of the treatment of the mattress in the oven, in adding to the general forced circulation of gases from one face to the other of the product, or primary circulation, a second forced circulation , under relatively high pressure, therefore at a higher specific flow rate, or secondary circulation, by locally aspirating the gases on one face of the mattress inside the enclosure to reinject them on its opposite face, preferably opposite the area suction.
  • This high-speed recycling takes place in a well-defined region, for example that where the reactions of the curing of the binder are already sufficiently advanced for the mattress to have acquired sufficient surface resistance, this in order to accelerate the heat exchanges and in particular to modify the temperature within the product to speed up the treatment.
  • the arrangement according to the invention is adaptable to the treatment of mattresses and plies of fibrous materials of great diversity, but it is especially advantageous for the curing of the binder of relatively dense mattresses, because the conditions of pressure and temperature maintained in the secondary heating system according to the invention promote rapid penetration of heat inside a fibrous product, even relatively dense and thick, and the fact that the effect of secondary air under high pressure is exercised after the surface layers of the mattress have been stabilized, rapid penetration is ensured without breaking the fibers.
  • the primary heat treatment system comprises pairs of collectors or hot air circulation boxes arranged in succession along the path in the oven
  • the heated air of the secondary system operating in the localized region is under a pressure higher than that of the air used in the primary system.
  • the primary air circulation system serves not only to provide the heat necessary for the curing of the binder, but also as a means to prevent leaks or dissipation to the atmosphere of the air escaping from the secondary system operating under higher pressure.
  • the rapid penetration of heat inside the mattress being treated thermal in the localized region of the secondary collectors is very effective in quickly reaching the curing temperature of the binder at the core of the mattress and one of the aims of the invention is to quickly reach a curing temperature of the binder which is sufficiently high initiating the exothermic reaction of the binder resin.
  • the establishment of this exothermic temperature causes the hardening of the binder to continue, even if the subsequent zones of the oven are not maintained at this same high temperature. Consequently, for the whole of the heat treatment, the use of the secondary high-pressure system in the localized regions of heat treatment downstream leads to an overall saving on the total amount of fuel spent to carry out the heat treatment.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide new arrangements for introducing the high pressure manifolds of the secondary system into the localized regions of the circulation boxes of the primary system, these arrangements making it possible to minimize short-circuiting and leaks and also automatically allowing the deformation of some of the sealing elements without breaking them in the event of an accumulation of resin or other deposits on the conveyors running the mattress through the oven.
  • reference numeral 6 indicates the general enclosure of the mattress heat treatment oven in which the conveyor system and the systems are arranged. hot air circulation.
  • rotary support members or sprockets 7 ⁇ 7 are arranged in the lower part of the oven for mounting a lower endless conveyor, the upper strand and the lower strand are not shown in Figs. 1 a and 1b only by dashed lines, these strands of the conveyor appearing in more detail in 8a and 8b in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
  • rotary support members or sprockets 9 ⁇ 9 are also provided for the upper conveyor which is not indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1b only by dashed lines, but the lower strand and the upper strand appear in more detail in 10a and 10b in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.
  • Each of the conveyors is constituted by a number of pallets which are articulated with one another and carry rollers 12 suitable for running on the rolling tracks 13. The pallets carry transverse ribs 11. Transporters of this kind are driven by sprockets.
  • the gypsies 9, as well as the raceways 13 for the upper conveyor, are mounted in a chassis 14 made of side members and cross members assembled, so that the position of the upper conveyor can be adjusted relative to that of the lower conveyor.
  • This adjustment can be made using screw jacks 15 in a conventional manner which does not therefore fall within the scope of the invention.
  • the distance between the strands 8a and 10a of the conveyors, which are the strands in contact with the fiber mat, can be modified to impose the desired density or thickness on the product being manufacturing.
  • a conveyor shown schematically at 16 which is in this case a perforated conveyor of common use for the collection of fibers in order to form a sheet or a mattress.
  • Suction boxes, as illustrated in 17, can be used to promote the collection of fibers and their retention in place on the conveyor.
  • Suction fans 17a are connected to the suction boxes.
  • the layer of fibers carried by the conveyor 16 is brought to the calender cylinders R1-R2, which are preferably adjustable so that it is possible to impose the thickness of the mattress entering the oven and, at the exit between the cylinders Rl-R2, the partially calendered mattress fits between the strands of the conveyors in the heat treatment oven.
  • the primary or low pressure air circulation boxes are grouped in pairs.
  • the zones or regions of the pairs being generally indicated in A, B, C, D, E and F.
  • These pairs of boxes each consist of two generally rectangular boxes 18 and 19, which are closed on all sides, except that facing the strands 8a and 10a of the carriers.
  • Each box 18 is on a fixed frame below the upper strand 8a of the lower conveyor and each box 19 is carried by the vertically adjustable frame 14 of the upper conveyor, so that the upper boxes accompany the upper conveyor when the position of this this is adjusted.
  • Each box also includes a flue indicated at 20 and communicating with a sheath to admit or evacuate the treatment gas.
  • the inlet and outlet flues are marked, respectively, by the signs "+" and "-". It should be noted that, in the first pair of boxes A, the inlet flue 20 is formed in the lower box 18 on the upstream side of the box relative to the direction of travel of the product in the oven and that the discharge flue is formed in the upper box 19 of this pair, near the downstream end.
  • zone D occupied by the fourth pair of boxes the arrangement of the inlet and outlet ports is the same for pairs A and B.
  • the arrangement of the inlet ports and evacuation is as indicated above for the pair C, and for the pair F the arrangement is the same as for the boxes D.
  • the number of treatment zones and circulation boxes can be greater or less depending on the nature of the product produced.
  • the passage of gas in certain boxes can be interrupted, if the thing is desired.
  • the general enclosure of the oven 6 is provided with a system of gas evacuation comprising the ducts 21 and the suction fan 22, which sends the gas leaving the interior of the oven in a suitable precipitation device 23 which separates the suspended solids during the passage of the gas.
  • the walls of the oven 6 in fact constitute a hood surrounding the internal organs of the oven, in particular the boxes and collectors for circulation of heated gas and the gas which spreads through the leaks is evacuated from the enclosure of the oven. by the evacuation system described immediately above.
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in cross section through the low pressure boxes of zone C. It can be seen that the gas intake duct 24 is connected to the upper box or inlet box 19 and that the duct d gas evacuation 25 is connected to the lower box or evacuation box 18. Baffles 19a distribute the incoming gas over the width of the conveyor and therefore over the width of the mattress being treated. The gas collected in the exhaust duct 25 is brought to a heater 26 with which is associated a burner 27 and is sucked through the heater by the fan 28 and propelled by the latter into the intake duct 24.
  • This system of Heating and gas circulation can be used for more than one pair of low pressure chambers, but, if desired, separate circulation systems can be put into operation.
  • the intake duct 24 passes through an over-calibrated orifice 29 in the wall of the oven and a flexible bellows 30 can be used to make the seal between the intake duct and oven wall.
  • the sheath 24 is provided with a sliding seal 24a allowing vertical adjustment.
  • these conveyors are formed of pallets 11 hinged together in an endless loop so that such a loop constitutes a conveyor.
  • the different pallets extend over the entire width of the conveyor and are provided with rollers 12 as indicated above, each pallet comprising a plate 31 which is perforated at intervals over the width of the conveyor (as it is clearly visible in Fig.
  • ribs 32 constituting transverse passages, which pass through the pallets for the passage of gas from the low pressure intake boxes or manifolds high pressure intake through the mattress carried by the carriers, then through the orifices and passages of the pallets of the other carrier into the boxes or evacuation collectors.
  • a high pressure manifold system HP is associated with the pair of low pressure boxes E, this high pressure system and the pair of low pressure boxes E being shown on a larger scale and in longitudinal section in fig. 3 and on a larger scale and in cross section in FIG. 4. It appears from the examination of FIGS. 1b and 3 that the high pressure manifold system is substantially smaller than the low pressure chambers and moreover that the high pressure manifold system is housed in the low pressure chambers.
  • the high pressure intake manifold is indicated at 33 and it appears from a comparison of FIGS.
  • An intake duct 34 communicates with the high pressure intake manifold and passes through an over-calibrated orifice 35 in the wall of the oven, the orifice being sealed by a flexible bellows 36.
  • the duct 34 comprises a sliding seal 34a allowing vertical movement.
  • baffles 37 distribute the gas under high pressure over the width of the conveyor.
  • a high pressure evacuation manifold 38 is arranged below the strand 8a of the lower conveyor and communicates with the sheath 39 to evacuate the gas under high pressure after it has passed through the mattress being treated.
  • the sheath 39 brings the gas sucked into the heater 40 provided with a burner 41 and from where the gas is sucked by the fan 42 which returns it to the intake sheath 34.
  • the high pressure heating and circulation system comprising the heater 40 and the fan 42 may be used for more than one high pressure system or, alternatively, separate heaters and fans may be used. commissioned for different high pressure systems.
  • distribution baffles 37 are arranged in the intake manifold 33, they are not necessary and are preferably omitted in the exhaust manifold 38.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a variant of the heater which can be used to heat the gases under high pressure in the circulation system.
  • a heat exchanger shown schematically at 43 is mounted in the exhaust manifold 39 upstream of the gas path in the fan or blower 42.
  • FIG. 5 also illustrates an alternative arrangement of the high pressure intake and exhaust manifolds 33 and 38 in the illustrated case the intake manifold 33 is mounted under treated mattress and the exhaust manifold 38 above the mattress.
  • a chassis 44 is provided on each side of the upper or intake manifold 33 and serves as a mount for two partitions 45 arranged on either side of the manifold 33.
  • Each of the partitions is mounted pivot, as indicated in 46, so that it can be raised away from the upper face of the strand 10a of the conveyor.
  • the partition 45 carries a flange cooperating with a stop 47 which serves to limit the downward movement of the partition and thus prevents the latter from making contact with the upper face of the strand 10a of the conveyor.
  • Each of the partitions 45 is shaped in the form of a bowl and extends over the entire width of the conveyor and it is within the scope of the invention that these partitions have a flat lower face and are mounted in close proximity to the upper face of the strand 10a of the conveyor, so as to create a seal preventing any significant lateral leakage of the gas under high pressure used in the high pressure distributor system. In a typical installation and in the normal service position of each partition 45, this is located at a distance of the order of a few millimeters, for example approximately 3 to 5 mm, from the upper face of the strand 10a.
  • movable sealing partitions are designed so that they can normally be brought much closer to the transporter than would be possible if they were fixed.
  • the partitions can easily move away from the conveyor in the event that irregular deposits of resin or fibers accumulate on the conveyor, as happens from time to time during the operation of such an installation.
  • the partitions 45 placed above the conveyor, fall automatically by gravity into place in close proximity to the conveyor after being removed by a possible deposit of resin or fibers.
  • the width of the flat bottom of each of the bowl partitions 45 is preferably at least double the spacing between two. reinforcement ribs of the conveyor pallets so that the desired seal is ensured regardless of the position of the conveyor ribs relative to the partition along the path of the conveyor.
  • Similar movable partitions 48 are associated with the strand 8a of the lower conveyor and are designed to deviate downwards from the lower face of the strand 8a of the conveyor in the direction of which they are brought back by springs 49. Pivots and similar stops are provided for the lower partitions 48, but due to the fact that they are driven back downwards by obstacles encountered when the conveyor strand passes into the high pressure system, the return of the partitions 48 to their normal service position is ensured by the springs rather than gravity.
  • Each of the partitions 45, 45 and 48, 48 has an inclined surface indicated at 50 at the upstream part to facilitate movement under the effect of foreign bodies brought in by the carriers.
  • the intake manifold 33 is housed above the conveyor and inside the low pressure circulation box with which the intake duct communicates of gas under low pressure, the evacuation manifold of the high pressure system being housed in the evacuation chamber of the low pressure system.
  • FIG. 1 c two high pressure circulation systems are shown inside a single pair of low pressure chambers.
  • the high pressure intake manifolds 33a and 33b are placed side by side with an intermediate movable sealing partition such as the sealing partitions described above with reference to FIG. 3 and the cooperating high pressure evacuation collectors 38a and 38b are housed in the low pressure evacuation box below the mattress, a movable partition being disposed between the two high pressure evacuation collectors of the same type as described above with reference to FIG. 3.
  • Movable partitions are also associated with the manifold system of Fig. 1 in a manner now evident.
  • high pressure air circulation systems can be used in combination with any of the treatment zones A to F, it is particularly advantageous to use such high pressure circulation systems in combination with low-pressure circulation chambers downstream of a place located approximately in the middle of the journey and preferably at least two-thirds of the length of the journey from the entry into the oven.
  • two high pressure circulation systems are generally indicated in HP 1 and HP2 and are located respectively in the low pressure zones E and F, which are the latter two in the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 1 a and 1b.
  • the high pressure intake manifolds When two high pressure systems are housed in a single pair of low pressure boxes, it is preferable to arrange the high pressure intake manifolds on the same side of the mattress and preferably in the low pressure intake box, because the inconveniences due to leaks and therefore the heat losses are reduced to a minimum.
  • the conditions of service vary depending on a number of factors, including the thickness and density of the mattress being manufactured, the composition and properties of the binder used and the amount of binder.
  • some general information on working conditions is given below.
  • the low pressure circulation maintained by means of the circulation chambers 18 and 19 in zones A to F inclusive includes certain zones in which the gas rises through the mattress and d others in which it descends through the mattress. It is also in accordance with the invention that the gas flowing through the chambers 18 and 19 in different zones may be at different temperatures depending on the properties of the mattress and the binder, as is already known for the operation of mattress heat treatment ovens comprising several treatment zones.
  • a suitable temperature range for the gas admitted to the circulation boxes 18 and 19 ranges from about 150 to about 300 ° C for common fiber binders, for example phenol / formaldehyde resin binders.
  • the maintained pressure conditions can also vary and the pressure can be measured in different ways.
  • the pressure in the intake box and that in the exhaust box obviously differ due to the pressure drop during the passage of gas through the mattress.
  • the pressure in the intake box of low pressure systems is around 5 to 30 mm of water.
  • high pressure circulation system for example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 1 b, where a high pressure system HP1 is housed in the low pressure zone E and another high pressure system HP2 is housed in the low pressure zone F and it is in accordance with the invention that one of these high systems pressure is designed to pass the process gas through the mattress in one direction and the other high pressure system to pass the gas through the mattress in the opposite direction.
  • the high pressure system HP1 is shown as delivering the gas in the downward direction and the high pressure system HP2, shown as supplying the gas in the upward direction. This measure ensures substantial uniformity of treatment throughout the thickness of the mattress.
  • the high pressure system can operate over a large pressure range, but in general its pressure should be at least a few times and preferably at least 10 to 20 times the pressure prevailing in the low pressure system.
  • the pressure in the intake manifolds of the high pressure system can be more than about 300 to 600 mm of water.
  • the temperature in high pressure systems is preferably about 200 to about 350 ° C.
  • the total volume of gas used in low pressure circulation systems can be around 30,000 Nm / 3 hours.
  • the high pressure systems consume heated gas in an amount of about 5,000 Nm 3 / hour.
  • the high pressure gas is confined in localized regions relatively smaller than those occupied by the low pressure gas and these localized regions, in a typical case, can represent approximately 10% of the extent of the treatment zones established by low pressure chambers.
  • the temperatures and pressures also vary with the speed of travel of the mattress during manufacture and with the number of treatment zones in the oven for the thermal treatment of the mattress.
  • the use according to the invention of a high pressure air circulation system and a low pressure air circulation system is particularly effective in various respects, in particular because the hardening of a binder determined can be performed in a smaller number of treatment zones and on a significantly shorter path in the oven. This is due to the fact that high pressure systems are particularly effective in bringing the core of the mattress to the heat treatment temperature in a short time. Another advantage is that high pressure systems quickly bring the temperature of the binder to the value where the exothermic reaction takes place, even at the heart of the mattress, and this temperature is then maintained more conveniently even beyond the occupied localized region. by high pressure collectors.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Tunnel Furnaces (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Description

Pour produire des matelas de fibres isolantes et spécialement des matelas faits de fibres de verre ou de fibres minérales analogues, il est habituel de commencer la fabrication du matelas en déposant les fibres sur un transporteur mobile perforé, d'habitude à l'aide de caissons d'aspiration agencés sous le brin du transporteur sur lequel les fibres sont déposées. Il est habituel aussi de déposer un liant pour les fibres sur celles-ci, soit avant, soit pendant la constitution du matelas sur le transporteur, ce liant ayant des propriétés d'adhésivité et comprenant d'habitude une matière durcissable ou réticulable à chaud, comme une résine thermodurcissable, par exemple une résine phénol/formaldéhyde pulvérisée sur les fibres à l'état de solution ou suspension dans un liquide volatil tel que l'eau.To produce mattresses of insulating fibers and especially mattresses made of glass fibers or similar mineral fibers, it is usual to start the manufacture of the mattress by depositing the fibers on a perforated mobile conveyor, usually with the aid of boxes suction arranged under the strand of the conveyor on which the fibers are deposited. It is also usual to deposit a binder for the fibers thereon, either before or during the constitution of the mattress on the conveyor, this binder having adhesive properties and usually comprising a material which can be hardened or crosslinkable when hot, as a thermosetting resin, for example a phenol / formaldehyde resin sprayed on the fibers in the form of a solution or suspension in a volatile liquid such as water.

La couche ou nappe de fibres relativement lâches sur le transporteur collecteur est d'habitude ensuite transférée à un appareil appelé communément "étuve de traitement thermique du matelas", dans lequel celui-ci est transporté par des transporteurs perforés supplémentaires, qui comprennent fréquemment deux transporteurs sans fin présentant des brins adjacents qui sont en regard et espacés et servent à déterminer l'épaisseur du matelas qui se forme. Un tel matelas peut être plus ou moins dense en fonction du degré de la compression exercée par les deux transporteurs dans l'étuve.The layer or layer of relatively loose fibers on the collecting conveyor is usually then transferred to an apparatus commonly known as an "oven for heat treatment of the mattress", in which the latter is transported by additional perforated transporters, which frequently include two transporters endless with adjacent strands that are opposite and spaced and used to determine the thickness of the mattress that forms. Such a mattress can be more or less dense depending on the degree of compression exerted by the two carriers in the oven.

Pendant son passage dans l'étuve, le matelas est soumis à un traitement thermique qui provoque le durcissement du liant pour les fibres et ainsi la stabilisation du matelas à l'épaisseur désirée.During its passage in the oven, the mattress is subjected to a heat treatment which causes the binder for the fibers to harden and thus stabilize the mattress at the desired thickness.

Parmi les étuves connues, celles décrites dans le brevet américain 2 997 096 produisent le durcissement partiel du liant dans le matelas maintenu dans sa forme définitive, puis le durcissement complet du liant, le matelas étant libéré des moyens de mise en forme.Among the known ovens, those described in American patent 2 997 096 produce the partial hardening of the binder in the mattress maintained in its final form, then the complete hardening of the binder, the mattress being freed from the shaping means.

D'autres étuves, telles que celles décrites dans le brevet américain 3 096 161, comprennent, outre certains des éléments décrits dans le brevet américain 2 997 096, des plaques chauffées diélectriquement, dont l'action se combine à celle des courants d'air chaud pour évacuer du matelas maintenu en forme l'excès d'humidité du liant, préalablement au durcissement complet de celui-ci.Other ovens, such as those described in American patent 3 096 161, include, in addition to some of the elements described in American patent 2 997 096, dielectrically heated plates, whose action combines with that of air currents hot to evacuate from the mattress kept in form the excess moisture of the binder, prior to the complete hardening of the latter.

Ces différentes techniques ne permettent pas de modifier rapidement la température au coeur du matelas pour porter celle-ci, au moment voulu, à tout niveau souhaitable et, en particulier, la mettre rapidement en équilibre avec la température de traitement assignée en tel endroit de l'étuve à un stade donné de l'opération, ainsi que permet de la faire le dispositif selon la présente invention.These different techniques do not allow the temperature at the core of the mattress to be quickly modified to bring it, at the desired time, to any desirable level and, in particular, to quickly bring it into equilibrium with the processing temperature assigned to such a place oven at a given stage of the operation, as well as allows the device according to the present invention to be made.

L'invention consiste, sur une faible partie de la distance totale du traitement du matelas dans l'étuve, à ajouter à la circulation forcée générale des gaz d'une face à l'autre du produit, ou circulation primaire, une seconde circulation forcée, sous pression relativement élevée donc à débit spécifique plus élevé, ou circulation secondaire, en aspirant localement les gaz sur une face du matelas à l'intérieur de l'enceinte pour les réinjecter sur sa face opposée, ceci de préférence en regard de la zone d'aspiration. Ce recyclage à débit élevé s'effectue dans une région bien déterminée, par exemple celle où les réactions du durcissement du liant sont déjà suffisamment avancées pour que le matelas ait acquis une tenue superficielle suffisante, ceci dans le but d'accélérer les échanges thermiques et en particulier de modifier la température au sein du produit pour accélérer le traitement.The invention consists, over a small part of the total distance of the treatment of the mattress in the oven, in adding to the general forced circulation of gases from one face to the other of the product, or primary circulation, a second forced circulation , under relatively high pressure, therefore at a higher specific flow rate, or secondary circulation, by locally aspirating the gases on one face of the mattress inside the enclosure to reinject them on its opposite face, preferably opposite the area suction. This high-speed recycling takes place in a well-defined region, for example that where the reactions of the curing of the binder are already sufficiently advanced for the mattress to have acquired sufficient surface resistance, this in order to accelerate the heat exchanges and in particular to modify the temperature within the product to speed up the treatment.

L'agencement conforme à l'invention est adaptable au traitement de matelas et nappes de matières fibreuses d'une grande diversité, mais il est spécialement avantageux pour le durcissement du liant de matelas relativement denses, parce que les conditions de pression et de température entretenues dans le système de chauffage secondaire conforme à l'invention favorisent une pénétration rapide de la chaleur à l'intérieur d'un produit fibreux, même relativement dense et épais, et du fait que l'effet de l'air secondaire sous haute pression est exercé après que les couches superficielles du matelas ont été stabilisées, la pénétration rapide est assurée sans rupture des fibres.The arrangement according to the invention is adaptable to the treatment of mattresses and plies of fibrous materials of great diversity, but it is especially advantageous for the curing of the binder of relatively dense mattresses, because the conditions of pressure and temperature maintained in the secondary heating system according to the invention promote rapid penetration of heat inside a fibrous product, even relatively dense and thick, and the fact that the effect of secondary air under high pressure is exercised after the surface layers of the mattress have been stabilized, rapid penetration is ensured without breaking the fibers.

Dans une installation typique dans laquelle le système de traitement thermique primaire comprend des paires de collecteurs ou caissons de circulation d'air chaud agencées en succession le long du trajet dans l'étuve, il est proposé, suivant l'invention, d'introduire comme système de traitement thermique secondaire au moins une paire supplémentaire de collecteurs de circulation d'air chaud occupant une région localisée et relativement petite à l'interieur de la zone ou région de l'une des paires de caissons du système primaire. Dans cette installation, l'air chauffé du système secondaire fonctionnant dans la région localisée se trouve sous une pression supérieure à celle de l'air utilisé dans le système primaire. Utilisé suivant ce principe, le système de circulation d'air primaire sert non seulement à apporter la chaleur nécessaire pour le durcissement du liant, mais aussi de moyen pour empêcher les fuites ou dissipations à l'atmosphère de l'air qui s'échappe du système secondaire fonctionnant sous une pression plus élevée.In a typical installation in which the primary heat treatment system comprises pairs of collectors or hot air circulation boxes arranged in succession along the path in the oven, it is proposed, according to the invention, to introduce as secondary heat treatment system at least one additional pair of hot air circulation collectors occupying a localized and relatively small region inside the zone or region of one of the pairs of chambers of the primary system. In this installation, the heated air of the secondary system operating in the localized region is under a pressure higher than that of the air used in the primary system. Used according to this principle, the primary air circulation system serves not only to provide the heat necessary for the curing of the binder, but also as a means to prevent leaks or dissipation to the atmosphere of the air escaping from the secondary system operating under higher pressure.

Grâce à l'utilisation tant du système primaire que du système secondaire et à l'entretien d'une pression plus élevée dans le système secondaire, la pénétration rapide de la chaleur à l'intérieur du matelas en cours de traitement thermique dans la région localisée des collecteurs secondaires est fort efficace pour atteindre rapidement la température de durcissement du liant au coeur du matelas et l'un des buts de l'invention est d'atteindre rapidement une température de durcissement du liant qui est suffisamment élevée pour amorcer la réaction exothermique de la résine liante. L'établissement de cette température exothermique provoque la poursuite du durcissement du liant, même si les zones ultérieures de l'étuve ne sont pas maintenues à cette même température élevée. Par conséquent, pour l'ensemble du traitement thermique, l'utilisation du système secondaire à haute pression dans les régions localisées de traitement thermique en aval conduit à une économie d'ensemble sur la quantité totale de combustible dépensée pour effectuer le traitement thermique.Thanks to the use of both the primary and secondary systems and the maintenance of a higher pressure in the secondary system, the rapid penetration of heat inside the mattress being treated thermal in the localized region of the secondary collectors is very effective in quickly reaching the curing temperature of the binder at the core of the mattress and one of the aims of the invention is to quickly reach a curing temperature of the binder which is sufficiently high initiating the exothermic reaction of the binder resin. The establishment of this exothermic temperature causes the hardening of the binder to continue, even if the subsequent zones of the oven are not maintained at this same high temperature. Consequently, for the whole of the heat treatment, the use of the secondary high-pressure system in the localized regions of heat treatment downstream leads to an overall saving on the total amount of fuel spent to carry out the heat treatment.

L'invention a en outre pour but de procurer de nouveaux agencements pour introduire les collecteurs à haute pression du système secondaire dans les régions localisées des caissons de circulation du système primaire, ces agencements permettant de réduire jusqu'au minimum le court-circuitage et les fuites et permettant aussi automatiquement la déformation de certains des éléments d'étanchéité sans rupture de ceux-ci dans le cas d'une accumulation de résine ou d'autres dépôts sur les transporteurs faisant défiler le matelas dans l'étuve.Another object of the invention is to provide new arrangements for introducing the high pressure manifolds of the secondary system into the localized regions of the circulation boxes of the primary system, these arrangements making it possible to minimize short-circuiting and leaks and also automatically allowing the deformation of some of the sealing elements without breaking them in the event of an accumulation of resin or other deposits on the conveyors running the mattress through the oven.

La façon dont on atteint ces differénts buts et d'autres de l'invention et dont on bénéficie des avantages qu'elle offre ressort de la description plus détaillée donnée ci-après avec référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels:

  • Fig. 1 a et 1b, considérées ensemble, sont une vue en coupe longitudinale dans une étuve de traitement thermique de matelas conforme à à l'invention, comprenant une succession de six paires de caissons de circulation d'air chaud constituant le système primaire de traitement thermique et, en outre, un système secondaire constitué de deux paires de collecteurs à haute pression localisés, une paire étant agencée dans chacun des deux derniers caissons du système de circulation primaire ou à basse pression;
  • Fig. 1 c est une vue partielle, semblable à celle de la Fig. 1b, mais illustrant une autre forme de réalisation dans laquelle deux paires de caissons de circulation secondaire ou à haute pression sont logées dans l'une des paires de caissons de circulation à basse pression;
  • Fig. 2 est une vue en coupe transversale et à plus grande échelle dans une des paires de caissons de circulation d'air chaud primaire, comme indiqué par la ligne de coupe 2-2 de la Fig. 1a;
  • Fig. 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale et partielle, à l'échelle de la Fig. 2 montrant une des paires de caissons de circulation primaire ou à basse pression à l'intérieur de laquelle est logée une paire de collecteurs secondaires ou à haute pression;
  • Fig. 4, à la même échelle que les Fig. 2 et 3, est une vue en coupe transversale dans une paire de caissons de circulation secondaire ou à haute pression suivant la ligne de coupe 4―4 de la figure 1 b, et
  • Fig. 5 est une vue partielle, à plus petite échelle que la Fig. 4, illustrant une variante du système de circulation d'air à haute pression.
The way in which these different aims and others of the invention are achieved and in which one benefits from the advantages which it offers appears from the more detailed description given below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • Fig. 1a and 1b, considered together, are a view in longitudinal section in a mattress heat treatment oven according to the invention, comprising a succession of six pairs of hot air circulation chambers constituting the primary heat treatment system and, in addition, a secondary system consisting of two pairs of localized high pressure collectors, one pair being arranged in each of the last two chambers of the primary or low pressure circulation system;
  • Fig. 1 c is a partial view, similar to that of FIG. 1b, but illustrating another embodiment in which two pairs of secondary or high pressure circulation boxes are housed in one of the pairs of low pressure circulation boxes;
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale in one of the pairs of primary hot air circulation boxes, as indicated by the section line 2-2 in FIG. 1a;
  • Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal and partial section, on the scale of FIG. 2 showing one of the pairs of primary or low pressure circulation chambers inside which is housed a pair of secondary or high pressure manifolds;
  • Fig. 4, on the same scale as FIGS. 2 and 3 is a cross-sectional view in a pair of secondary or high-pressure circulation boxes along the section line 4―4 of FIG. 1b, and
  • Fig. 5 is a partial view, on a smaller scale than FIG. 4, illustrating a variant of the high pressure air circulation system.

Dans les dessins, le chiffre de référence 6 indique l'enceinte générale de l'étuve de traitement thermique du matelas dans laquelle sont agencés le système de transporteurs et les système. de circulation d'air chaud.In the drawings, reference numeral 6 indicates the general enclosure of the mattress heat treatment oven in which the conveyor system and the systems are arranged. hot air circulation.

Comme le montrent les Fig. 1 a et 1b, des organes de support rotatifs ou barbotins 7―7 sont agencés dans la partie basse de l'étuve pour le montage d'un transporteur sans fin inférieur dont le brin superieur et le brin inférieur ne sont indiqués aux Fig. 1 a et 1b que par des lignes en trait mixte, ces brins du transporteur apparaissant avec plus de détails en 8a et 8b aux Fig. 2, 3 et 4. Comme il ressort des Fig. la et 1 b, des organes de support rotatifs ou barbotins 9―9 sont également prévus pour le transporteur supérieur qui n'est indiqué aux Fig. 1 et 1b que par des lignes en trait mixte, mais dont le brin inférieur et le brin supérieur apparaissent avec plus de détails en 10a et 10b aux Fig. 2, 3 et 4. Chacun des transporteurs est constitué par un certain nombre de palettes qui sont articulées entre elles et portent des galets 12 propres à circuler sur les chemins dé roulement 13. Les palettes portent des nervures transversales 11. Les transporteurs de ce genre sont entraînés par barbotins.As shown in Figs. 1a and 1b, rotary support members or sprockets 7―7 are arranged in the lower part of the oven for mounting a lower endless conveyor, the upper strand and the lower strand are not shown in Figs. 1 a and 1b only by dashed lines, these strands of the conveyor appearing in more detail in 8a and 8b in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As shown in Figs. la and 1b, rotary support members or sprockets 9―9 are also provided for the upper conveyor which is not indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1b only by dashed lines, but the lower strand and the upper strand appear in more detail in 10a and 10b in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Each of the conveyors is constituted by a number of pallets which are articulated with one another and carry rollers 12 suitable for running on the rolling tracks 13. The pallets carry transverse ribs 11. Transporters of this kind are driven by sprockets.

Les barbotins 9, de même que les chemins de roulement 13 pour le transporteur supérieur sont montés dans un châssis 14 fait de longerons et de traverses assemblés, de manière que la position du transporteur supérieur puisse être réglée par rapport à celle du transporteur inférieur. Ce réglage peut être fait à l'aide de vérins à vis 15 d'une manière classique n'entrant à ce titre pas dans le cadre de l'invention.The gypsies 9, as well as the raceways 13 for the upper conveyor, are mounted in a chassis 14 made of side members and cross members assembled, so that the position of the upper conveyor can be adjusted relative to that of the lower conveyor. This adjustment can be made using screw jacks 15 in a conventional manner which does not therefore fall within the scope of the invention.

En raison de la possibilité de réglage du transporteur supérieur, la distance entre les brins 8a et 10a des transporteurs, qui sont les brins au contact du matelas de fibres, peut être modifiée pour imposer la densité ou l'épaisseur voulues au produit en cours de fabrication.Due to the possibility of adjustment of the upper conveyor, the distance between the strands 8a and 10a of the conveyors, which are the strands in contact with the fiber mat, can be modified to impose the desired density or thickness on the product being manufacturing.

A l'amont ou entrée de l'étuve se trouve un transporteur représenté schématiquement en 16, qui est en l'occurence un transporteur perforé d'usage courant pour la collecte de fibres en vue d'en former une nappe ou un matelas. Des caissons d'aspiration, comme illustré en 17, peuvent être utilisés pour favoriser la collecte des fibres et leur maintien en place sur le transporteur. Des ventilateurs d'aspiration 17a sont raccordés aux caissons d'aspiration. La nappe de fibres portée par le transporteur 16 est amenée aux cylindres de calandre R1-R2, qui sont de préférence réglables pour qu'il soit possible d'imposer l'épaisseur du matelas entrant dans l'étuve et, au sortir d'entre les cylindres Rl-R2, le matelas partiellement calandré s'insère entre les brins des transporteurs dans l'étuve de traitement thermique.Upstream or entry of the oven is a conveyor shown schematically at 16, which is in this case a perforated conveyor of common use for the collection of fibers in order to form a sheet or a mattress. Suction boxes, as illustrated in 17, can be used to promote the collection of fibers and their retention in place on the conveyor. Suction fans 17a are connected to the suction boxes. The layer of fibers carried by the conveyor 16 is brought to the calender cylinders R1-R2, which are preferably adjustable so that it is possible to impose the thickness of the mattress entering the oven and, at the exit between the cylinders Rl-R2, the partially calendered mattress fits between the strands of the conveyors in the heat treatment oven.

A l'intérieur de l'étuve, les caissons de circulation d'air primaire ou à basse pression sont groupés par paires. Dans la forme de réalisation illustrée aux Fig. la et 1b, on aperçoit six paires de caissons à basse pression, les zones ou régions des paires étant indiquées de manière générale en A, B, C, D, E et F. Ces paires de caissons consistent chacune en deux coffres généralement rectangulaires 18 et 19, qui sont fermés de tous côtes, sauf celui tourné vers les brins 8a et 10a des transporteurs. Chaque caisson 18 est sur un cadre fixe au-dessous du brin supérieur 8a du transporteur inférieur et chaque caisson 19 est porté par le châssis réglable verticalement 14 du transporteur supérieur, de manière que les caissons supérieurs accompagnent le transporteur supérieur lorsque la position de cetui-ci est ajustée.Inside the oven, the primary or low pressure air circulation boxes are grouped in pairs. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. la and 1b, we see six pairs of low pressure boxes, the zones or regions of the pairs being generally indicated in A, B, C, D, E and F. These pairs of boxes each consist of two generally rectangular boxes 18 and 19, which are closed on all sides, except that facing the strands 8a and 10a of the carriers. Each box 18 is on a fixed frame below the upper strand 8a of the lower conveyor and each box 19 is carried by the vertically adjustable frame 14 of the upper conveyor, so that the upper boxes accompany the upper conveyor when the position of this this is adjusted.

Chaque caisson comporte également un carneau indiqué en 20 et communicant avec une gaine pour admettre ou évacuer le gaz de traitement. Les carneaux d'admission et d'évacuation sont marqués, respectivement, par les signes "+" et "-". Il convient de noter que, dans la première paire de caissons A, le carneau d'admission 20 est ménagé dans le caisson inférieur 18 du côté de l'amont du caisson par rapport au sens de défilement du produit dans l'étuve et que le carneau d'évacuation est ménagé dans le caisson supérieur 19 de cette paire, près de l'extrémité aval.Each box also includes a flue indicated at 20 and communicating with a sheath to admit or evacuate the treatment gas. The inlet and outlet flues are marked, respectively, by the signs "+" and "-". It should be noted that, in the first pair of boxes A, the inlet flue 20 is formed in the lower box 18 on the upstream side of the box relative to the direction of travel of the product in the oven and that the discharge flue is formed in the upper box 19 of this pair, near the downstream end.

La même schéma général est répété aux caissons de la seconde paire B. Dans la troisième paire de caissons, C, le carneau d'admission est ménagé dans le caisson supérieur 19 à l'amont, et le carneau d'évacuation est ménagé dans le caisson inférieur à l'aval.The same general diagram is repeated for the boxes of the second pair B. In the third pair of boxes, C, the intake flue is formed in the upper box 19 upstream, and the evacuation flue is formed in the lower casing downstream.

Dans la zone D occupée par la quatrième paire de caissons, l'agencement des carneux d'admission et d'évacuation est le même pour les paires A et B. Dans la paire de caissons E, l'agencement des carneaux d'admission et d'évacuation est tel qu'indiqué ci-dessus pour la paire C, et pour la paire F l'agencement est le même que pour les caissons D. Il est évident que ces relations peuvent être changées pour une modification de la conduite du traitement thermique et que des conditions d'écoulement différentes peuvent être choisies pour des produits qui diffèrent par la nature, l'épaisseur et/ou la densité, de la manière habituelle. De plus, le nombre des zones de traitement et caissons de circulation peut être plus grand ou plus petit suivant la nature du produit fabriqué. En outre, le passage du gaz dans certains caissons peut être interrompu, si la chose est désirée.In zone D occupied by the fourth pair of boxes, the arrangement of the inlet and outlet ports is the same for pairs A and B. In the pair of boxes E, the arrangement of the inlet ports and evacuation is as indicated above for the pair C, and for the pair F the arrangement is the same as for the boxes D. It is obvious that these relations can be changed for a modification of the control of the treatment thermal and that different flow conditions can be chosen for products which differ in nature, thickness and / or density, in the usual way. In addition, the number of treatment zones and circulation boxes can be greater or less depending on the nature of the product produced. In addition, the passage of gas in certain boxes can be interrupted, if the thing is desired.

Avant d'envisager la structure et le fonctionnement du système de circulation d'air à haute pression faisant l'objet de l'invention, il convient de noter que l'enceinte générale de l'étuve 6 est munie d'un système d'evacuation de gaz comprenant les gaines 21 et le ventilateur d'aspiration 22, qui envoie le gaz quittant l'intérieur de l'étuve dans un appareil de précipitation convenable 23 qui sépare les solides en suspension pendant le passage du gaz. Les parois de l'étuve 6 constituent en fait une hotte entourant les organes intérieurs de l'étuve, notamment les caissons et collecteurs de circulation de gaz chauffé et le gaz qui se répand par les fuites est évacué de l'enceinte de l'étuve par le système d'évacuation décrit immédiatement ci-dessus.Before considering the structure and operation of the high pressure air circulation system forming the subject of the invention, it should be noted that the general enclosure of the oven 6 is provided with a system of gas evacuation comprising the ducts 21 and the suction fan 22, which sends the gas leaving the interior of the oven in a suitable precipitation device 23 which separates the suspended solids during the passage of the gas. The walls of the oven 6 in fact constitute a hood surrounding the internal organs of the oven, in particular the boxes and collectors for circulation of heated gas and the gas which spreads through the leaks is evacuated from the enclosure of the oven. by the evacuation system described immediately above.

La Fig. 2 est une vue à plus grande échelle en coupe transversale par les caissons à basse pression de la zone C. On peut voir que la gaine d'admission de gaz 24 est raccordée au caisson supérieur ou caisson d'admission 19 et que la gaine d'évacuation de gaz 25 est raccordée au caisson inférieur ou caisson d'évacuation 18. Des baffles 19a répartissent le gaz entrant sur la largeur du transporteur et donc sur la largeur du matelas en cours de traitement. Le gaz recueilli dans la gaine d'évacuation 25 est amené à un réchauffeur 26 auquel est associé un brûleur 27 et est aspiré à travers le réchauffeur par le ventilateur 28 et propulsé par celui-ci dans la gaine d'admission 24. Ce système de chauffage et de circulation de gaz peut être utilisé pour plus d'une paire de caissons à basse pression, mais, si le chose est desirée, des systèmes de circulation distincts peuvent être mis en service.Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in cross section through the low pressure boxes of zone C. It can be seen that the gas intake duct 24 is connected to the upper box or inlet box 19 and that the duct d gas evacuation 25 is connected to the lower box or evacuation box 18. Baffles 19a distribute the incoming gas over the width of the conveyor and therefore over the width of the mattress being treated. The gas collected in the exhaust duct 25 is brought to a heater 26 with which is associated a burner 27 and is sucked through the heater by the fan 28 and propelled by the latter into the intake duct 24. This system of Heating and gas circulation can be used for more than one pair of low pressure chambers, but, if desired, separate circulation systems can be put into operation.

Pour accompagner le mouvement vertical du transporteur supérieur et des organes qui lui sont associés, la gaine d'admission 24 traverse un orifice surcalibré 29 dans la paroi de l'étuve et un soufflet souple 30 peut être utilisé pour rendre sensiblement étanche le joint entre la gaine d'admission et la paroi de l'étuve. De plus, la gaine 24 est munie d'un joint coulissant 24a permettant le réglage vertical.To accompany the vertical movement of the upper conveyor and the members associated with it, the intake duct 24 passes through an over-calibrated orifice 29 in the wall of the oven and a flexible bellows 30 can be used to make the seal between the intake duct and oven wall. In addition, the sheath 24 is provided with a sliding seal 24a allowing vertical adjustment.

Il convient d'envisager d'abord certaines particularités de construction des tranporteurs pour l'examen du système de circulation de gaz à haute pression. Comme indiqué précédemment, ces transporteurs sont formés de palettes 11 articulées entre elles en une boucle sans fin de manière qu'une telle boucle constitue un transporteur. Les différentes palettes (voir par exemple Fig. 2 et 3) s'étendent sur toute la largeur du transporteur et sont munies de galets 12 comme indiqué ci-dessus, chaque palette comprenant une platine 31 qui est perforée par intervalles sur la largeur du transporteur (comme il est clairement visible à la Fig. 2) et munie de nervures 32 constituant des passages transversaux, qui traversent les palettes pour le passage du gaz des caissons d'admission à basse pression ou des collecteurs d'admission à haute pression à travers le matelas porté par les transporteurs, puis par les orifices et passages des palettes de l'autre transporteur jusque dans les caissons ou collecteurs d'évacuation.Certain construction features of the transporters should first be considered for the examination of the high pressure gas circulation system. As indicated above, these conveyors are formed of pallets 11 hinged together in an endless loop so that such a loop constitutes a conveyor. The different pallets (see for example Fig. 2 and 3) extend over the entire width of the conveyor and are provided with rollers 12 as indicated above, each pallet comprising a plate 31 which is perforated at intervals over the width of the conveyor (as it is clearly visible in Fig. 2) and provided with ribs 32 constituting transverse passages, which pass through the pallets for the passage of gas from the low pressure intake boxes or manifolds high pressure intake through the mattress carried by the carriers, then through the orifices and passages of the pallets of the other carrier into the boxes or evacuation collectors.

Comme indiqué dans la forme de réalisation des Fig. 1 a et 1 b, un système de collecteurs à haute pression HP est associé à la paire de caissons à basse pression E, ce système à haute pression et la paire de caissons à basse pression E étant représentés à plus grande échelle et en coupe longitudinale à la fig. 3 et à plus grande échelle et en coupe transversale à la Fig. 4. Il ressort de l'examen des Fig. 1b et 3 que le système de collecteurs à haute pression est sensiblement plus petit que les caissons à basse pression et de plus que le système de collecteurs à haute pression est logé dans les caissons à basse pression. Le collecteur d'admission à haute pression est indiqué en 33 et il ressort d'une comparaison des Fig. 3 et 4 que ce collecteur occupe la largeur du transporteur au-dessus du brin 10a, de même que la largeur du matelas, mais est relativement court dans le sens l'amont vers l'aval du trajet du matelas. Une gaine d'admission 34 communique avec le collecteur d'admission a haute pression et traverse un orifice surcalibré 35 dans la paroi de l'étuve, l'orifice étant rendu étanche par un soufflet flexible 36. La gaine 34 comprend un joint coulissant 34a permettant le mouvement vertical. A l'intérieur du collecteur d'admission à haute pression, des baffles 37 répartissent le gaz sous haute pression sur la largeur du transporteur. Un collecteur d'évacuation à haute pression 38 est agencé au-dessous du brin 8a du transporteur inférieur et communique avec la gaine 39 pour évacuer le gaz sous haute pression après que celui-ci a traversé le matelas en cours de traitement. La gaine 39 amène le gaz aspiré dans le réchauffeur 40 muni d'un brûleur 41 et d'où le gaz est aspiré par le ventilateur 42 qui le renvoie à la gaine d'admission 34.As shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 a and 1 b, a high pressure manifold system HP is associated with the pair of low pressure boxes E, this high pressure system and the pair of low pressure boxes E being shown on a larger scale and in longitudinal section in fig. 3 and on a larger scale and in cross section in FIG. 4. It appears from the examination of FIGS. 1b and 3 that the high pressure manifold system is substantially smaller than the low pressure chambers and moreover that the high pressure manifold system is housed in the low pressure chambers. The high pressure intake manifold is indicated at 33 and it appears from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 that this collector occupies the width of the conveyor above the strand 10a, as well as the width of the mattress, but is relatively short in the upstream direction downstream of the path of the mattress. An intake duct 34 communicates with the high pressure intake manifold and passes through an over-calibrated orifice 35 in the wall of the oven, the orifice being sealed by a flexible bellows 36. The duct 34 comprises a sliding seal 34a allowing vertical movement. Inside the high pressure intake manifold, baffles 37 distribute the gas under high pressure over the width of the conveyor. A high pressure evacuation manifold 38 is arranged below the strand 8a of the lower conveyor and communicates with the sheath 39 to evacuate the gas under high pressure after it has passed through the mattress being treated. The sheath 39 brings the gas sucked into the heater 40 provided with a burner 41 and from where the gas is sucked by the fan 42 which returns it to the intake sheath 34.

Comme dans le système à basse pression, le système de chauffage et de circulation à haute pression comprenant le réchauffeur 40 et le ventilateur 42 peut être utilisé pour plus d'un système à haute pression ou, en variante, des réchauffeur et ventilateur distincts peuvent être mis en service pour différents systèmes à haute pression.As in the low pressure system, the high pressure heating and circulation system comprising the heater 40 and the fan 42 may be used for more than one high pressure system or, alternatively, separate heaters and fans may be used. commissioned for different high pressure systems.

Bien que des baffles de répartition 37 soient agencés dans le collecteur d'admission 33, ils ne sont pas nécessaires et sont de préférence omis dans le collecteur d'évacuation 38.Although distribution baffles 37 are arranged in the intake manifold 33, they are not necessary and are preferably omitted in the exhaust manifold 38.

La Fig. 5 illustre schématiquement une variante du réchauffeur qui peut être utilisée pour chauffer les gaz sous haute pression dans le système de circulation. En l'occurrence, un échangeur de chaleur représenté schématiquement en 43 est monté dans le collecteur d'evacuation 39 à l'amont du trajet des gaz dans le ventilateur ou soufflante 42. La Fig. 5 illustre également une variante d'agencement des collecteurs' d'admission et d'évacuation à haute pression 33 et 38 dans le cas illustré le collecteur d'admission 33 est monté sous matelas traité et le collecteur d'évacuation 38 au-dessus du matelas.Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a variant of the heater which can be used to heat the gases under high pressure in the circulation system. In this case, a heat exchanger shown schematically at 43 is mounted in the exhaust manifold 39 upstream of the gas path in the fan or blower 42. FIG. 5 also illustrates an alternative arrangement of the high pressure intake and exhaust manifolds 33 and 38 in the illustrated case the intake manifold 33 is mounted under treated mattress and the exhaust manifold 38 above the mattress.

En raison de l'utilisation d'un gaz sous pression relativement élevée dans le système à haute pression, il est important de réduire au minimum les fuites de gaz et il est nécessaire à cette fin de recourir à des dispositifs d'étanchéité spéciaux, par exemple ceux illustrés en particulier à la Fig. 3. On peut observer dans ce cas qu'un châssis 44 est prévu de chaque côté du collecteur supérier ou d'admission 33 et sert de monture pour deux cloisons 45 disposées de part et d'autre du collecteur 33. Chacune des cloisons est montée à pivot, comme indiqué en 46, de manière à pouvoir être relevée à l'écart de la face supérieure du brin 10a du transporteur. En un point opposé au pivot 46, la cloison 45 porte un rebord coopérant avec une butée 47 qui sert à limiter le mouvement vers le bas de la cloison et empêche ainsi celle-ci prendre contact avec la face supérieure du brin 10a du transporteur. Chacune des cloisons 45 est façonnée en forme de cuvette et s'étend sur toute la largeur du transporteur et il entre dans le cadre de l'invention que ces cloisons présentent une face inférieure plane et soient montées à proximité étroite de la face supérieure du brin 10a du transporteur, de manière à créer une étanchéité empêchant toute fuite latérale sensible du gaz sous haute pression utilisé dans le système distributeur à haute pression. Dans une installation typique et en position normale de service de chaque cloison 45, celle-ci se trouve à une distance de l'ordre de quelques millimètres, par exemple environ 3 à 5 mm, de la face supérieure du brin 10a.Due to the use of relatively high pressure gas in the high pressure system, it is important to minimize gas leakage and it is necessary for this purpose to use special sealing devices, for example example those illustrated in particular in FIG. 3. It can be observed in this case that a chassis 44 is provided on each side of the upper or intake manifold 33 and serves as a mount for two partitions 45 arranged on either side of the manifold 33. Each of the partitions is mounted pivot, as indicated in 46, so that it can be raised away from the upper face of the strand 10a of the conveyor. At a point opposite the pivot 46, the partition 45 carries a flange cooperating with a stop 47 which serves to limit the downward movement of the partition and thus prevents the latter from making contact with the upper face of the strand 10a of the conveyor. Each of the partitions 45 is shaped in the form of a bowl and extends over the entire width of the conveyor and it is within the scope of the invention that these partitions have a flat lower face and are mounted in close proximity to the upper face of the strand 10a of the conveyor, so as to create a seal preventing any significant lateral leakage of the gas under high pressure used in the high pressure distributor system. In a typical installation and in the normal service position of each partition 45, this is located at a distance of the order of a few millimeters, for example approximately 3 to 5 mm, from the upper face of the strand 10a.

Ces cloisons d'étanchéité mobiles sont conçues de manière à pouvoir être normalement beaucoup plus rapprochées du transporteur qu'il ne serait possible si elles étaient fixes. Les cloisons peuvent s'écarter aisément du transporteur dans le cas où des dépôts irréguliers de résine ou de fibres s'accumulent sur le transporteur, comme il arrive de temps à autre lors du fonctionnement d'une telle installation. Comme les cloisons 45 peuvent se déplacer automatiquement, une surépaisseur ou un dépôt n'endommage pas l'installation, même lorsque les cloisons sont montées très près de la face du transporteur en service normal.These movable sealing partitions are designed so that they can normally be brought much closer to the transporter than would be possible if they were fixed. The partitions can easily move away from the conveyor in the event that irregular deposits of resin or fibers accumulate on the conveyor, as happens from time to time during the operation of such an installation. As the partitions 45 can move automatically, an excess thickness or a deposit does not damage the installation, even when the partitions are mounted very close to the face of the conveyor in normal service.

Les cloisons 45, disposées au-dessus du transporteur, retombent automatiquement par gravité en place à proximité étroite du transporteur après avoir été écartées par un dépôt éventuel de résine ou de fibres. La largeur du fond plat de chacune des cloisons en cuvette 45 est de préférence au moins double de l'espacement entre deux . nervures de renforcement des palettes du transporteur pour que l'étanchéité désirée soit assurée indépendamment de la position des nervures du transporteur par rapport à la cloison suivant le trajet du transporteur.The partitions 45, placed above the conveyor, fall automatically by gravity into place in close proximity to the conveyor after being removed by a possible deposit of resin or fibers. The width of the flat bottom of each of the bowl partitions 45 is preferably at least double the spacing between two. reinforcement ribs of the conveyor pallets so that the desired seal is ensured regardless of the position of the conveyor ribs relative to the partition along the path of the conveyor.

Des cloisons mobiles semblables 48 sont associées au brin 8a du transporteur inférieur et sont conçues pour s'écarter vers le bas de la face inférieure du brin 8a du transporteur en direction duquel elles sont ramenées par des ressorts 49. Des pivots et butées analogues sont prévus pour les cloisons inférieures 48, mais du fait qu'elles sont refoulées vers le bas par les obstacles rencontrés lorsque le brin du transporteur passe dans le système à haute pression, le retour des cloisons 48 à leur position normale de service est assuré par les ressorts plutôt que par gravité.Similar movable partitions 48 are associated with the strand 8a of the lower conveyor and are designed to deviate downwards from the lower face of the strand 8a of the conveyor in the direction of which they are brought back by springs 49. Pivots and similar stops are provided for the lower partitions 48, but due to the fact that they are driven back downwards by obstacles encountered when the conveyor strand passes into the high pressure system, the return of the partitions 48 to their normal service position is ensured by the springs rather than gravity.

Chacune des cloisons 45, 45 et 48, 48 présente une surface inclinée indiquée en 50 à la partie amont pour faciliter le déplacement sour l'effet des corps étrangers amenés par les transporteurs.Each of the partitions 45, 45 and 48, 48 has an inclined surface indicated at 50 at the upstream part to facilitate movement under the effect of foreign bodies brought in by the carriers.

On déduit de l'examen des Fig. 1 b, 3 et 4 que dans le système de collecteurs à haute pression HP1, le collecteur d'admission 33 est logé au-dessus du transporteur et à l'intérieur du caisson de circulation à basse pression avec lequel communique la gaine d'admission de gaz sous basse pression, le collecteur d'évacuation du système à haute pression étant logé dans le caisson d'évacuation du système à basse pression.We deduce from the examination of Figs. 1b, 3 and 4 that in the high pressure manifold system HP1, the intake manifold 33 is housed above the conveyor and inside the low pressure circulation box with which the intake duct communicates of gas under low pressure, the evacuation manifold of the high pressure system being housed in the evacuation chamber of the low pressure system.

On voit également à la Fig. 1 que dans la zone à basse pression F le système à haute pression HP2 présente l'agencement inverse de celui prévu pour la zone E. Par conséquent à la Fig. 1b, le collecteur d'admission à haute pression 33 est situé sous le matelas dans le caisson d'évacuation à basse pression.We also see in Fig. 1 that in the low pressure zone F the high pressure system HP2 has the opposite arrangement to that provided for zone E. Consequently in FIG. 1b, the high pressure intake manifold 33 is located under the mattress in the low pressure discharge box.

Dans la variante illustrée à la Fig. 1 c, deux systèmes de circulation à haute pression sont représentés à l'intérieur d'une seule paire de caissons à basse pression. Ainsi, les collecteurs d'admission à haute pression 33a et 33b sont diposés côte à côte avec une cloison d'étanchéité mobile intermédiaire telle que les cloisons d'étanchéité décrites ci-dessus à propos de la Fig. 3 et les collecteurs d'évacuation à haute pression coopérants 38a et 38b sont logés dans le caisson d'évacuation à basse pression au-dessous du matelas, une cloison mobile étant disposée entre les deux collecteurs d'évacuation à haute pression et du même type que décrit ci-dessus à propos de la Fig. 3. Des cloisons mobiles sont également associées au système de collecteurs de la Fig.. 1 d'une manière à présente évidente.In the variant illustrated in FIG. 1 c, two high pressure circulation systems are shown inside a single pair of low pressure chambers. Thus, the high pressure intake manifolds 33a and 33b are placed side by side with an intermediate movable sealing partition such as the sealing partitions described above with reference to FIG. 3 and the cooperating high pressure evacuation collectors 38a and 38b are housed in the low pressure evacuation box below the mattress, a movable partition being disposed between the two high pressure evacuation collectors of the same type as described above with reference to FIG. 3. Movable partitions are also associated with the manifold system of Fig. 1 in a manner now evident.

Bien que les systèmes de circulation d'air à haute pression conformes à l'invention puissent être utilisés en association avec l'une quelconque des zones de traitement A à F, il est particulièrement avantageux d'utiliser de tels systèmes de circulation à haute pression en association avec les caissons de circulation à basse pression à l'aval d'un endroit situé à peu près au milieu du trajet et de préférence au moins au deux tiers de la longueur du trajet à partir de l'entrée dans l'étuve. Ainsi, suivant une forme de réalisation préférée illustrée aux Fig. 1 a et 1 b, deux systèmes de circulation à haute pression sont indiqués de manière générale en HP 1 et HP2 et sont situés respectivement dans les zones à basse pression E et F, qui sont les deux dernières dans la forme de réalisation illustrée par les Fig. 1 a et 1b.Although the high pressure air circulation systems according to the invention can be used in combination with any of the treatment zones A to F, it is particularly advantageous to use such high pressure circulation systems in combination with low-pressure circulation chambers downstream of a place located approximately in the middle of the journey and preferably at least two-thirds of the length of the journey from the entry into the oven. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, two high pressure circulation systems are generally indicated in HP 1 and HP2 and are located respectively in the low pressure zones E and F, which are the latter two in the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 1 a and 1b.

Lorsque deux systèmes à haute pression sont logés dans une seule paire de caissons à basse pression, il est préférable d'agencer les collecteurs d'admission à haute pression du même côté du matelas et de préférence dans le caisson d'admission à basse pression, parce que les inconvénients dus aux fuites et donc les pertes de chaleur se réduisent ainsi au minimum.When two high pressure systems are housed in a single pair of low pressure boxes, it is preferable to arrange the high pressure intake manifolds on the same side of the mattress and preferably in the low pressure intake box, because the inconveniences due to leaks and therefore the heat losses are reduced to a minimum.

Comme il est évident, les conditions de service varient en fonction d'un certain nombre de facteurs, notamment l'épaisseur et la densité du matelas en cours de fabrication, la composition et les propriétés du liant utilisé et la quantité de liant. Toutefois, on trouvera ci-après certaines indications générales relative aux conditions de travail.As is evident, the conditions of service vary depending on a number of factors, including the thickness and density of the mattress being manufactured, the composition and properties of the binder used and the amount of binder. However, some general information on working conditions is given below.

En premier lieu, il entre dans le cadre de l'invention que la circulation à basse pression entretenue au moyen des caissons de circulation 18 et 19 dans les zones A à F inclusivement comprenne certaines zones dans lesquelles le gaz monte à travers le matelas et d'autres dans lesquelles il descend à travers le matelas. Il est conforme à l'invention aussi que le gaz circulant par les caissons 18 et 19 dans des zones différentes puisse se trouver à des températures différentes en fonction des propriétés du matelas et du liant, ainsi qu'il est déjà connu pour le fonctionnement des étuves de traitement thermique de matelas comprenant plusieurs zones de traitement. Un intervalle de température convenant pour le gaz admis dans les caissons de circulation 18 et 19 s'étend d'environ 150 jusqu'à environ 300°C pour des liants courants pour fibres, par exemple des liants à la résine phénol/ formaldéhyde.Firstly, it is within the scope of the invention that the low pressure circulation maintained by means of the circulation chambers 18 and 19 in zones A to F inclusive includes certain zones in which the gas rises through the mattress and d others in which it descends through the mattress. It is also in accordance with the invention that the gas flowing through the chambers 18 and 19 in different zones may be at different temperatures depending on the properties of the mattress and the binder, as is already known for the operation of mattress heat treatment ovens comprising several treatment zones. A suitable temperature range for the gas admitted to the circulation boxes 18 and 19 ranges from about 150 to about 300 ° C for common fiber binders, for example phenol / formaldehyde resin binders.

Les conditions de pression entretenues peuvent varier aussi et la pression peut être mesurée de différentes façons. La pression dans le caisson d'admission et celle dans le caisson d'évacuation diffèrent évidemment à cause de la perte de charge lors du passage du gaz à travers le matelas. Dans les conditions normales de fonctionnement, la pression dans le caisson d'admission des systèmes à basse pression est de l'ordre d'environ 5 à 30 mm d'eau.The maintained pressure conditions can also vary and the pressure can be measured in different ways. The pressure in the intake box and that in the exhaust box obviously differ due to the pressure drop during the passage of gas through the mattress. Under normal operating conditions, the pressure in the intake box of low pressure systems is around 5 to 30 mm of water.

Il entre dans le cadre de l'invention d'utiliser plus d'un système de circulation à haute pression, par exemple, dans le cas illustré à la Fig. 1 b, où un système à haute pression HP1 est logé dans la zone à basse pression E et un autre système à haute pression HP2 est logé dans la zone à basse pression F et il est conforme à l'invention que l'un de ces systèmes à haute pression soit conçu pout faire passer le gaz de traitement à travers le matelas dans une direction et l'autre système à haute pression pour faire passer le gaz dans le matelas dans la direction opposée. Ainsi, comme indiqué par la flèche de la Fig. 1 b, le système à haute pression HP1 est représenté comme débitant le gaz en sens descendant et le système à haute pression HP2, représenté comme débitant le gaz en sens ascendant. Cette mesure assure l'uniformité sensible du traitement dans toute l'épaisseur du matelas.It is within the scope of the invention to use more than one high pressure circulation system, for example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 1 b, where a high pressure system HP1 is housed in the low pressure zone E and another high pressure system HP2 is housed in the low pressure zone F and it is in accordance with the invention that one of these high systems pressure is designed to pass the process gas through the mattress in one direction and the other high pressure system to pass the gas through the mattress in the opposite direction. Thus, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1b, the high pressure system HP1 is shown as delivering the gas in the downward direction and the high pressure system HP2, shown as supplying the gas in the upward direction. This measure ensures substantial uniformity of treatment throughout the thickness of the mattress.

En ce qui concerne la pression et la température entretenues dans le système à haute pression, il convient de noter en outre qu'on peut bénéficier dç certains avantages en utilisant tant le système à basse pression que le système à haute pression en combinaison dans une seule étuve, même si la température du système à haute pression n'est pas supérieure ou même est inférieure à la température du système à basse pression. La raison en est que le système à haute pression provoque une pénétration plus rapide et efficace de la chaleur dans le matelas que le système à basse pression.With regard to the pressure and temperature maintained in the high pressure system, it should further be noted that certain advantages can be enjoyed by using both the low pressure system and the high pressure system in combination in a single oven, even if the temperature of the high pressure system is not higher or even lower than the temperature of the low pressure system. The reason is that the high pressure system causes heat to penetrate the mattress faster and more efficiently than the low pressure system.

Le système à haute pression peut fonctionner dans un grand intervalle de pression, mais en général sa pression doit être d'au moins quelques fois et de préférence d'au moins 10 à 20 fois la pression régnant dans le système à basse pression. Par exemple, la pression dans les collecteurs d'admission du système à haute pression peut être de plus d'environ 300 à 600 mm d'eau.The high pressure system can operate over a large pressure range, but in general its pressure should be at least a few times and preferably at least 10 to 20 times the pressure prevailing in the low pressure system. For example, the pressure in the intake manifolds of the high pressure system can be more than about 300 to 600 mm of water.

Dans un cas typique où la température de l'air dans les systèmes à basse pression est d'environ 150 à environ 300°C, la température dans les systèmes à haute pression est avantageusement d'environ 200 à environ 350°C.In a typical case where the air temperature in low pressure systems is about 150 to about 300 ° C, the temperature in high pressure systems is preferably about 200 to about 350 ° C.

Dans une installation typique, le voiume total de gas utilisé dans les systèmes de circulation à basse pression peut être d'environ 30.000 Nm/3 heure. Dans un tel cas typique, les systèmes à haute pression consomment du gaz chauffé en quantité d'environ 5.000 Nm3/heure. Le gaz sous haute pression est confiné dans des régions localisées relativement plus petites que celles occupées par le gaz sous basse pression et ces régions localisées, dans un cas typique, peuvent représenter à peu près 10% de l'étendue des zones de traitement établies par les caissons à basse pression.In a typical installation, the total volume of gas used in low pressure circulation systems can be around 30,000 Nm / 3 hours. In such a typical case, the high pressure systems consume heated gas in an amount of about 5,000 Nm 3 / hour. The high pressure gas is confined in localized regions relatively smaller than those occupied by the low pressure gas and these localized regions, in a typical case, can represent approximately 10% of the extent of the treatment zones established by low pressure chambers.

Les températures et pressions varient aussi avec la vitesse de défilement du matelas en cours de fabrication et avec le nombre de zones de traitement dans l'étuve pour le traitement thermique du matelas. L'utilisation conforme à l'invention d'un système de circulation d'air à haute pression et d'un système de circulation d'air à basse pression est particulièrement efficace à divers égards, notamment du fait que le durcissement d'un liant déterminé peut être exécuté dans un plus petit nombre de zones de traitement et sur un trajet sensiblement plus court dans l'étuve. Cela tient au fait que les systèmes à haute pression sont particulièrement efficaces pour amener le coeur du matelas à la température de traitement thermique en peu de temps. Un autre avantage est que les systèmes à haute pression portent rapidement la température du liant à la valeur où la réaction exothermique a lieu, même au coeur du matelas, et cette température s'entretient alors plus commodément même au-delà de la région localisée occupée par les collecteurs à haute pression.The temperatures and pressures also vary with the speed of travel of the mattress during manufacture and with the number of treatment zones in the oven for the thermal treatment of the mattress. The use according to the invention of a high pressure air circulation system and a low pressure air circulation system is particularly effective in various respects, in particular because the hardening of a binder determined can be performed in a smaller number of treatment zones and on a significantly shorter path in the oven. This is due to the fact that high pressure systems are particularly effective in bringing the core of the mattress to the heat treatment temperature in a short time. Another advantage is that high pressure systems quickly bring the temperature of the binder to the value where the exothermic reaction takes place, even at the heart of the mattress, and this temperature is then maintained more conveniently even beyond the occupied localized region. by high pressure collectors.

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for heat treating a fibrous mat carrying a heat hardenable fiber binder comprising conveyor mechanism for advancing the fibrous mat through a treatment path, gas circulation boxes arranged at opposite sides of the mat in said path and defining a zone of thermal treatment, gas supply and exhaust ducts respectively connected with said circulation boxes and providing for passage of heated gas through the fibrous mat in said treatment zone, characterized in that it comprises in the downstream part of the treatment zone a pair of supply (33) and exhaust (38) gas circulation manifolds positioned within the circulation boxes (18, 19) and defining a localized treatment area within and smaller than said treatment zone, and heated gas circulating means associated with said manifolds and circulating heated gas through the fibrous mat at a pressure higher than that of the gas passed through the fibrous mat from one circulation box to another one.
2. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1 in which the conveyor mechanism comprises a pair of perforated endless conveyors having spaced conveyor flights presented toward the fibrous mat to engage and advance the mat through the treatment path, the gas circulation boxes being disposed at the outboard sides of said conveyor flights 8a, 10a and having openings presented toward said flights for circulation of heated gas through perforated conveyors and through the fibrous mat between said flights, characterised in that said circulation manifolds (33, 38) are defined in part by a wall element (45, 48) lying close to a flight (10a, 8a) of a perforated conveyor, and mounting means (44) providing freedom for displacement of the wall element (45, 48) away from the conveyor flight (10a, 8a).
3. Apparatus as defined in Claim 2 characterized in that the wall element (45), positioned above the conveyor flight 10a, is displaceable upwardly away from the conveyor flight and is downwardly moveable toward the conveyor flight under the influence of gravity, while stop means (47) limit the downward movement of the wall element toward the conveyor flight (10a).
4. Apparatus as defined in Claim 2 characterized in that the wall element (48) positioned below the conveyor flight (8a) is displaceable downwardly away from the conveyor flight (8a) and stop means limiting upward movement of the wall element toward the conveyor flight.
5. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least two pairs of gas circulation manifolds (33, 38) defining at least two localized treatment areas each within but smaller than said treatment zone, the pairs of manifolds being spaced from. each other in the upstream and downstream directions of the feed path of the fibrous mat.
6. Apparatus as defined in Claim 5 characterized in that the supply manifolds (33) of said pairs are located in the circulation box (19) at one side of the feed path and the outlet manifolds (38) are located in the circulation box (18) at the other side of the feed path.
7. Apparatus as defined in Claim 5 characterized in that the supply manifolds (33) of said pairs are located in the supply circulation box (19) at one side of the feed path and the exhaust manifolds of said pairs are located in the exhaust circulation box (18) at the other side of the feed path.
8. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pairs of circulation boxes (18, 19) arranged at opposite sides of the feed path, and a plurality of pairs of circulation manifolds (33, 38), at least one pair of manifolds (33, 38) being positioned in one pair of circulation boxes (18, 19) and at least one pair of manifolds (33, 38) being positioned in another pair of circulation boxes (18, 19).
9. Apparatus as defined in Claim 2 characterized in that the displaceable wall element (45, 48) has a dimension in a direction parallelling the feed path at least twice as great as the spacing between two projecting ribs 11 of the links of the conveyor.
EP78400014A 1977-06-09 1978-06-07 Apparatus for the thermal treatment of a padding material formed from fibres with a thermosetting bonding material Expired EP0000111B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7717642 1977-06-09
FR777717642A FR2394041A1 (en) 1977-06-09 1977-06-09 STEAMING OF CONTINUOUS STRIPS OF INSULATING FIBERS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0000111A1 EP0000111A1 (en) 1978-12-20
EP0000111B1 true EP0000111B1 (en) 1981-05-13

Family

ID=9191871

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP78400014A Expired EP0000111B1 (en) 1977-06-09 1978-06-07 Apparatus for the thermal treatment of a padding material formed from fibres with a thermosetting bonding material

Country Status (26)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0000111B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS546976A (en)
AR (1) AR215712A1 (en)
AU (1) AU516259B2 (en)
BR (1) BR7803686A (en)
CA (1) CA1119373A (en)
CS (1) CS247054B2 (en)
DD (1) DD136510A5 (en)
DE (1) DE2860695D1 (en)
DK (1) DK255878A (en)
ES (1) ES470672A1 (en)
FI (1) FI63071C (en)
FR (1) FR2394041A1 (en)
GR (1) GR66393B (en)
IE (1) IE47077B1 (en)
IL (1) IL54873A (en)
IT (1) IT1096627B (en)
MX (1) MX146602A (en)
NO (1) NO148183C (en)
NZ (1) NZ187494A (en)
PH (1) PH16009A (en)
PL (1) PL115148B1 (en)
PT (1) PT68162A (en)
TR (1) TR20054A (en)
YU (1) YU136978A (en)
ZA (1) ZA782948B (en)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57205569A (en) * 1981-06-05 1982-12-16 Asahi Chemical Ind Method and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabric
FR2640546B1 (en) * 1988-12-21 1991-04-12 Saint Gobain Isover PROCESS FOR OBTAINING A SURFACE INSULATION PANEL BASED ON MINERAL FIBERS
DE4208283A1 (en) * 1992-03-13 1993-09-16 Troester Maschf Paul PLANT FOR VULCANIZING PRODUCTS MADE FROM RUBBER COMPOUNDS
US6473998B1 (en) 1999-04-30 2002-11-05 Superba (Societe Anonyme) Process for pre-drying textile filaments after wet treatment and device for practicing this method
FR2792953B1 (en) * 1999-04-30 2001-06-22 Superba Sa METHOD FOR PRE-DRYING TEXTILE YARNS AFTER WET TREATMENT AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
EP1351030A1 (en) * 2002-04-02 2003-10-08 Solipat Ag Apparatus and process for consolidating a fibre composite
GB0706144D0 (en) 2007-03-30 2007-05-09 Knauf Insulation Ltd Curing oven for mineral wool mat
FR2984371B1 (en) * 2011-12-20 2014-01-10 Saint Gobain Isover STOVE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A MINERAL WOOL PRODUCT
FR2994201B1 (en) * 2012-07-31 2014-08-08 Saint Gobain Isover PROCESS FOR COOKING A CONTINUOUS MATTRESS OF MINERAL OR VEGETABLE FIBERS
JP6503920B2 (en) * 2015-06-23 2019-04-24 三菱ケミカル株式会社 Ventilation drying device, and method for producing binder-containing inorganic fiber molding using the same
FR3062717B1 (en) 2017-02-07 2021-01-01 Nexter Systems BOX INTENDED TO BE DISPOSED OF ON A VEHICLE AND WEAPON SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH A BOX.
FR3106655B1 (en) * 2020-01-24 2021-12-24 Alfi Technonogies Curing oven for mineral fiber mattresses
FR3136785A1 (en) * 2022-06-20 2023-12-22 Saint-Gobain Isover System and process for manufacturing a continuous mattress of mineral and/or plant fibers
FR3136784A1 (en) * 2022-06-20 2023-12-22 Saint-Gobain Isover System and process for crosslinking a continuous mattress of mineral and/or plant fibers

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL85902C (en) * 1950-11-15
US2997096A (en) * 1957-05-16 1961-08-22 Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp Multiple stage methods and apparatus for curing the binder of fibrous glass masses
US3096161A (en) * 1957-09-16 1963-07-02 Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp Heat setting of binder of fibrous masses
US3084448A (en) * 1958-10-22 1963-04-09 Dungler Julien Thermal treatments at high pressure
JPS4841470A (en) * 1971-09-29 1973-06-18
US3981708A (en) * 1975-01-15 1976-09-21 Johns-Manville Corporation System for producing blankets and webs of mineral fibers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PH16009A (en) 1983-05-20
IE781131L (en) 1978-12-09
FI781824A (en) 1978-12-10
FR2394041B1 (en) 1980-08-08
TR20054A (en) 1980-07-01
PL207522A1 (en) 1979-02-26
CA1119373A (en) 1982-03-09
DD136510A5 (en) 1979-07-11
AU3694378A (en) 1979-12-13
GR66393B (en) 1981-03-20
IT7824226A0 (en) 1978-06-05
FI63071C (en) 1984-08-08
IL54873A (en) 1982-01-31
DE2860695D1 (en) 1981-08-20
YU136978A (en) 1983-01-21
FR2394041A1 (en) 1979-01-05
NZ187494A (en) 1982-05-25
PT68162A (en) 1978-07-01
JPS546976A (en) 1979-01-19
ZA782948B (en) 1979-05-30
BR7803686A (en) 1979-01-16
MX146602A (en) 1982-07-14
DK255878A (en) 1978-12-10
AR215712A1 (en) 1979-10-31
FI63071B (en) 1982-12-31
NO782002L (en) 1978-12-12
EP0000111A1 (en) 1978-12-20
NO148183C (en) 1984-12-12
IL54873A0 (en) 1978-08-31
ES470672A1 (en) 1979-02-01
NO148183B (en) 1983-05-16
IE47077B1 (en) 1983-12-14
AU516259B2 (en) 1981-05-28
IT1096627B (en) 1985-08-26
PL115148B1 (en) 1981-03-31
CS247054B2 (en) 1986-11-13

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