GB2375979A

GB2375979A - Wallpaper pasting machine

Info

Publication number: GB2375979A
Application number: GB0113480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Cannon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-02
Filing date: 2001-06-02
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Also published as: GB0113480D0

Abstract

An elongate trough 12 serves as a reservoir for fluid, such as wallpaper paste, and a fluid applicator roll 21 is arranged below a basal opening 18 in the trough 12. In use, fluid is distributed onto sheet material, such as wallpaper fed from a roll 26, from the basal opening by means of gravity. In preferred arrangements there are guide rolls 22, 23 positioned so as to enable the wallpaper A to be guided over the applicator roll 21 so that paste is applied thereto directly out of the opening 18, and thereafter to enable the pasted sheet to be guided out of the apparatus either from the side (as at B), e.g. across a table, or upwardly (as at C), e.g. adjacent a wall, at the option of a user. A set of folding steps may be incorporated into the machine (figures 2 and 3).

Description

Wallpaper Pasting Machine This invention concerns apparatus for applying a fluid substance to one surface of a length of flexible sheet material, i. e specifically but not limited to a wallpaper pasting machine.

According to the invention such a machine is provided which comprises an elongate trough which, in use, serves as a reservoir for the fluid substance, and a fluid applicator roll which is arranged below a basal opening in the trough so that, in use, fluid is distributed onto the sheet material from the basal opening by means of gravity.

The arrangement is preferably such that, in use, the sheet material is guided over the applicator roll so that the fluid passes out of the basal opening directly onto the sheet material, while supported by the applicator roll.

Paste distribution by gravity in this way is more reliable than known pasting machines in which paste is applied via a roller which merely dips into the reservoir.

Another advantageous feature of the apparatus of the invention is that the means for guiding the sheet material, which usually comprises two or more rollers or bars, may be arranged such that the material can be entrained there around in at least two alternate ways so that the material can selectively pass out from the apparatus in an upward direction or from one side thereof. When

applied to wall paper pasting, this means that the pasted paper can either be lead off upwards for

direct application to a wall, or sideways across a table or other surface. direct application to a wall. ~~e o s The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of a wallpaper pasting machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of a second embodiment when folded for storage; and Figure 3 is a corresponding view of the embodiment of Figure 2 in its working condition.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 comprises an oblong housing (10), manufactured from lightweight plastic material, e. g polyvinylchloride, inside which an elongate trough or tank (12) is mounted. The housing (10) has opposing end walls (14) which projects above the longer side walls and in an upper margin of which respective carrying handles (16) are formed. The top of the housing (10) and of the trough (12) are open.

At the bottom the trough (12) is provided with an opening in the form of an elongate slot (18).

Three rolls (21), (22), (23) are mounted in a lower region of the housing (10). These are an applicator roll (21), which is disposed immediately below the basal slot (18), a spring loaded pressure roll (22), which is mounted adjacent the applicator roll (21) and is urged into contact therewith, and a further guide roll (23). However, all three rolls (21), (22), (23) can serve a web guiding function during use of the machine.

The applicator roll (21) is connected to a crank handle or hand wheel or the like (not shown) which is external to the housing (10), whereby, in use, the roll (21) is rotated to draw sheet material, namely wallpaper, through the machine.

A spindle (24), for mounting a roll of wall paper (26) to which paste is to be applied, is mounted between opposing spring clips near the top of the trough (12).

The housing (10) is provided with one or more external slots (28) which can be located on an edge of a paste table (not shown). The housing (10) can then be clamped in this position by one or more screws (29). When not so positioned, these screws (29) and other screws (27) at the other side of the housing base serve as adjustable feet to enable level placement of the machine on any suitable surface.

In use, the machine illustrated in Fig. 1 is clamped to an edge of a table, or laid on flow or other surface, in the manner just described. In this respect, the carrying handles (16) make it easily transportable.

The roll of wall paper (26) to be pasted is then fitted into position on the spindle (24) and its leading edge is fed between the pressure roll (22) and the applicator roll (21), thus passing between the latter and the slot (18), as indicated by the broken line at A. Then, if the housing (10) is clamped to or positioned on a table, the leading edge is just pulled out through the slot (28) and across the table, as indicated by the broken line at B. On the other hand, if the housing (10) is floor mounted and it is derived to apply the pasted paper directly to an adjacent wall, the leading edge is guided back around the roll (23) and upwardly out of an opening in that side of the housing (10), as indicated by the broken line at C.

The tank (12) is then filled with paste. This spreads directly out of the slot (18) onto the paper as it passes over the roll (21). The crank handle or handwheel is turned manually to drive the applicator roll (21) and because of the nip formed by the roll (22) pressing adjacent this feeds the paper web (26) through the machine along the selected path.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is similar in several respects and to avoid repetition, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts, with no further explanation. Only the upward path C is indicated for the paper (26) as this version is primarily intended for hanging

paper directly on a wall, since it incorporates a foldaway stepladder (30). The housing (10) in this respect, is formed with an added portion (31) and two steps (32), (33). An upper ladder element (34) is pivotally connected to the top of the housing (10) at (35), i. e at one side, and a spring loaded locking pin (36) is fitted at the opposite side so that this upper element (34) can be secured in a working condition as shown in Fig. 3. The pin (36) is releasable to allow the upper element (34) to fold down to its storage position shown in Fig. 2. The upper element (34) includes an additional step or rung (37).

After use, both embodiments can be easily cleaned using a hose-pipe and stored until next required.

These machines eliminate manual brush pasting, missed areas and paste lumps (because distribution is even) in a particularly reliable manner and, of course, greatly reduce labour time.

The foregoing embodiments are only for purposes of illustration and variations in design detail are possible within the scope of the invention. Moreover the invention is not limited to wallpaper pasting and can be applied in other situations where a fluid is to be spread evenly onto one surface of a web of flexible material.

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying a fluid substance to one surface of a length of flexible sheet material comprising an elongate trough which, in use, serves as a reservoir for the fluid substance, and a fluid applicator roll which is arranged below a basal opening in the trough so that, in use, fluid is distributed onto the sheet material from the basal opening by means of gravity.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for guiding the sheet material over the applicator roll such that the fluid passes out of the basal opening directly onto the sheet material, while supported by the applicator roll.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for guiding the sheet material is arranged such that the material can be entrained there around in at least two alternate ways so that the material can selectively pass out from the apparatus in an upward direction or from one side thereof.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1,2 or 3 including a carrying handle provided on a housing of the trough.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including a foldable ladder.

6. Apparatus according to claims 4 and 5 wherein a part of the ladder is pivotably mounted to the housing.

7. Apparatus for applying a fluid substance to one surface of a length of flexible sheet material comprising an elongate trough which, in use, serves as a reservoir for the fluid substance, a fluid applicator roll and means for guiding the sheet material over the applicator roll such that the material can be entrained there around in at least two alternate ways so that the material can selectively pass out from the apparatus in an upward direction or from one side thereof.

8. Wallpaper pasting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.