US3797454A

US3797454A - Adhesive applicator

Info

Publication number: US3797454A
Application number: US00316830A
Authority: US
Inventors: P Kalikow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-08
Filing date: 1972-12-20
Publication date: 1974-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-19
Also published as: US3747480A

Abstract

Cam-activated pressure wheels press desired portions only of the blank against continuously revolving adhesive-applicator wheels as the conveyor moves the blanks thereover. Means driving the applicator additionally rotates a vertically disposed disc which is partially immersed in an adhesive supply and whose upper portions lie closely adjacent to the applicator container whereby the adhesive is carried from said supply and scraped off the disc to be deposited in the container.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Kalikow 1111 I 3,797,454 1 Mar. 19, 1974 ADHESIVE APPLICATOR [76] Inventor: Peter Kalikow, 870 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY. 10017 221 Fiietr. Dec. 20, 1972 21 Appl.No.:316,830

Related Application Data 1 [62] owr rraersar. Nof'l 78,763. Sept. 8, 1W1, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 118/247, 118/429 [51] Int. Cl. B05c 1/02 [58] Field of Search 1. 118/211, 212, 227, 247,

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 437,435 9/1890 Howe 117/111 R 2,633,063 3/1953 Ohrn.. .1 11s/247'x 3,001,505 9/1961 Novick 1 118/258 x 3,240,185 3/1966 Goepner 118/247 Primary Examiner -Morris Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I. l I23 1 13s a s 126 Q 116 24 I32 s. 133 l3l 130 Q PATENTED MAR l 9 I974 SHEU 1 BF 3 FIG.|

FIG.2

shat-454 PATENTEDIAR I 9 m4 SHEET 3 [IF 3 ADHESIVE APPLICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to box forming machines and, more particularly, it relates to machines forming boxes from pre-scored blanks. Such machines comprise means for moving a blank from a storage section to an adhesive applicator, means for moving the blank from the applicator to the box-forming station, the latter taking many forms but often comprising a die and ram assembly. Typical of the many patents in this field is U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,457 of Walker. All such machines are complex electromechanical devices which are expensive to build, and require substantial maintenance. Particular trouble is experienced with adhesive applicators, as they tend to clog with dried adhesive if not rigorously maintained, and tend to deliver either too little or too much adhesive. The latter is the more serious problem; too little adhesive may result in a box that is unsatisfactory but which is readily removeable, but too much adhesive will result in adhesive smearing onto portions of the machine where it can disrupt the entire operation and necessitate a shutdown for clean ing.

. Adhesives used heretofore are solvent-based systems employing chemicals which oxidize or polymerize on contact with air as the solvent evaporates. Heat may or may not be employed to drive off the solvent and accelerate the reaction. The adhesive bond is not established until the adhesive is dry and in some cases cured. Once the solventis driven off,'the oxidation or polymerization reactions proceed irreversibly, which means that adhesives must'be stored in tightly closed containers, as once they are exposed to the atomosphere the solvent starts to evaporate, the viscosity starts torise (changing its wetting properties). and, if not used promptly, it deteriorates. More recently, so-called contact cements have come into use. These are also solvent-based systems, but have the advantage of forming an adhesive bond immediately upon contact of the coated surfaces. However, contact cement solvents must be driven off before the surfaces are pressed together which mitigates against its use in automatic high speed equipment. Also, the solvents are extremely flammable, and great caution must be exercised in their use. In emulsion-based adhesive systems, a substantial compression time is required before a bond isformed, necessitating very largemachines. Also, emulsions settle in time, limiting shelf life.

The development of .hot melt adhesives represents a significant advance in the adhesiveart. Such adhesives form bonds by different reactions and contain no solvents which must be driven off. In contrast to emulsion systems, they are supplied in a dry, particulate or granular form which is storage stable and does not require protection from the atmosphere. The adhesive properties are not developed until the material is melted and heatedto a temperature. above about,300F. Even in the molten state it is not affected by exposure to the attages for use in automatic equipment, and the present invention is specifically designed therefore. A line of hot melt adhesives is marketed as Cascomelt (trademark) pellets, by Borden Chemical Co. Different for- 5 mulations are provided for packaging which will be subjected to freezing temperatures, high heat or humidity, etc.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a novel adhesive applicator assembly for use in box forming machines which reliably dispenses a precisely controlled quantity of adhesive onto selected areas of pre-scored blanks.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel ram and die assembly for use in box forming machines.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed de- 20 scription of an embodiment thereof, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in connection with the appended claims.

THE DRAWINGS Reference will hereinafter be made to the accompa- 30 ment;

mosphere, since there are no solvents involved, so conditions of, use are not critical. It bonds on contact by rapid heat dissipation, and requires no preliminary drying. Such adhesives manifestly present many advan- FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the adhesive applicator of the invention; i

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the adhesive applicator;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adhesive applicators and the mounting assembly therefor;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the adhesive applicator sec tion; 7 I DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1, km overall perspective view, the box forming machine 10 of the invention is compactly constructed with

steel side members

12, 14 held in spaced, parallel relation by a plurality of cross members. Machine 10 is mounted on casters 16 for increased mobility.

Broadly speaking, the machine 10 comprises a blank feeding or supply station 18, a continuous adhesive applicator station 20, and a box forming station 22.

The front of the machine can be considered to be side wall 14, since it has control panel 24 mounted thereon, but in the following description side wall 12 I will be considered the front side wall, wall 14 the rear wall, the blank feed section 18 as the right end and the box forming and delivery section 22 as the left end, all of which is clear in FIG. 2. Further, it is to be noted that the machine is provided with suitable safety guards and covers which are either not shown or are shown only in phantom.

The blank storing and feeding section 18 will now be described, and reference is made to FIG. 2. Side mem bers 12, 14 each extend-upwardly at section 18 to support a pair of horizontal

transverse rods

26, 28 which are vertically aligned. The blank holder 30 is supported on

rods

26, 28 and may be moved therealong to accomodate blanks of different widths. More particularly, blank holder 30 comprises two identical but oppositely oriented assemblies. A block 32 is drilled for sliding engagement with rods 26, 28 (with set screws or other means provided to lock it in a desired position), and supports a first vertical blank guide 34 in the form of a right angle. Along, at least, one of its lower edges blank holder 34 has an 4 inwardly extending, downwardly sloping shoulder 36 which provides enough support, in combination with similar shoulders on the other three blank holders, to retain a stack of blanks but not inhibit the feeding function, described below. Block 32 is also drilled, at right angles to the holes for

rods

26, 28 to slidably engage a pair of horizontal

longitudinal rods

38, 40, which in turn support a second blank holder 42, similar to holder 34. By sliding

rods

38, 40 in block 32, different lengths of blanks can be accomodated. A second block 44 also mounted on

rods

26, 28 and two more blank holders 46, 48 complete a mechanism adapted to hold a variety of blank sizes, supporting any blank in a vertical stack at each corner. A transverse tie rod 50 connecting the two blank holder assemblies at the end removed from blocks 32, 44 adds rigidity to the structure.

A pair of upwardly facing suction cups 52 are located below the approximate center of blank holder 30, and are adapted for vertical movement between the bottom of blank holder 30 and the blank receiving table 54.

The success of any box-making operation depends in large measure on the ability of the machine to apply a precise amount of adhesive precisely where it is wanted. The adhesive applicator assembly of the invention accomplishes this, and will now be described. Attention is directed to FIGS. 36. In essence, two continuously rotating grooved wheels 112 are mounted just below the level of table 54 at transverse positions selected so that tabs on the blanks or whatever portion adhesive is to be applied to, passes directly thereover. The peripheral speed and direction of rotation of wheels 112 is the same as the blank, and the width of the grooves determines the quantity of adhesive applied. As a tab passes over wheels 112, a pair of cam activated pressure wheels 114 move downwardly and press the tab against grooved wheel 112 for a predetermined period, thus depositing a plurality of stripes of adhesive onto the tab.

In particular, and with reference to FIG. 4, each adhesive applicator comprises a cylindrical tank 1 l6 having its axis in the horizontal plane, and provided with a horizontal drive shaft 118 extending from one end to the other just beneath the uppermost periphery. Grooved wheel 112 is joumaled onto shaft 118 and retates therewith. Being of relatively small diameter, wheel 112 approaches line contact with the blank, resulting in a cleaner and more accurate adhesive pattern. The interior of tank 116 forms an adhesive well 120, and a port 122 is provided for filling. A vertical screen 123 prevents any foreign matter introduced through port 122 from damaging the applicator assembly. One or more thermostatically controlled electric cartridge heaters 124 are mounted in an end wall of tank 116 to establish and maintain the adhesive at its proper temperature. Means are required to supply melted adhesive to wheel 112 in unvarying fashion eventhough the amount of adhesive in well 120 may vary from full to nearly empty. Accordingly, a small, open container 126, is mounted around and just below wheel 112 and is adapted to contain a very limited amount of adhesive in actual contact with the wheel surface and about Vs in. of the sides. Container 126 is supplied with adhesive by a simple pump. In particular, a gear 128 is joumaled onto shaft 118 adjacent wheel 112, and drives a pump gear 130 mounted for rotation within well 120 on a shaft 132 located approximately on the axis of container 116. Shaft 132 is mounted on a horizontal support 133. A smooth disc 131 is also mounted on shaft 132 and is integral with gear 130. The diameter of disc 131 is such that it extends from nearly the bottom of well 120 to above the side of closely adjacent container 126. As the disc 131 rotates, it picks up the viscous adhesive from well 120 and carries it above container 126. A vertical vane 135 on container 126 scrapes adhesive off disc 131 and it flows into the container. This maintains it full, and any excess merely overflows the sides of container 126 and return to well 120. In this manner, grooved wheel 112 is exposed to an unvarying quantity of adhesive at all times.

Mounting of the adhesive applicators and means for driving each shaft 118 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A rectangular frame comprising two

parallel rails

134, 136 with

end members

138, 140 are transversely attached to

side walls

12, 14. Each adhesive applicator 116 is mounted on a pair of outwardly directed angles 142 adapted to ride on the

rails

134, 136. Locking means (not shown) are provided to secure applicators 116 in a particular position. A worm gear 144 is journaled into

end members

138, 140 and is parallel with

rails

134, 136 and in the same plane therewith. Gear 144 also engages applicators 116, but is left-handed on one end and right-handed on the other, so that when crank 146 at one end of gear 144 is turned, applicators 116 are moved along

rails

134, 136 either toward or away from each other, always maintaining a symmetrical relationship with the longitudinal axis of the machine.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 6, the shafts 1 18 carry a sprocket 148, which can be engaged or disengaged from shaft 118 by means of a clutch 150 (this allows the machine to be set up and its mechanical operation checked while heaters 124 are bringing the adhesive to temperature, without rotating grooved wheels 112). An endless chain 152 connects sprocket 148 and a sprocket 154 joumaled onto the end of shaft 108. The shaft 108, which also carries blank conveyor drive sprocket 106 and conveyor chain 102, is journaled into

side walls

12, 14.

The assembly and functioning of pressure wheels 114 is as follows. The cam shaft 78 which carries eccentric cam 76 is joumaled through sidewall 12 and carries lift cam 156 on its forward end. A cam follower 158 is mounted for partial rotation about a pivot shaft 160 and is biased into contact with lift cam 156 by a spring 162. The free end of cam follower 158 is connected to a tie rod 164, and connects cam follower 158 with pressure wheel shaft arm 166. The arm 166 is rigidly attached to one end of the pressure wheel shaft 168. Thus, when lift cam 156 raises cam follower 158, this motion is translated into slight counterclockwise rotation of pressure wheel shaft 168 by tie rod 164 and shaft arm 166. Pressure wheel shaft 168 traverses the machine and is joumaled into

side members

12, 14. Pressure wheels 114 are held above grooved wheels 112 of the adhesive applicators by brackets 170 secured to shaft 168 for rotation therewith. Thus, the speed of rotation and shape of cam 156 determines when and for how long pressure wheels 114 will force a blank against grooved adhesive wheels 112.

It is to be noted that the table 54 is cut away from the area of grooved wheels 112 so that, after adhesive is ap plied to a blank, it is supported only in the area 54a around conveyor channel 98 and at its edges by guides 96. This prevents adhesive on a blank from touching any part of the machine. Further, the blank is maintained fiat as it passes over area 54a of table 54 and into box-forming section 22 by a pair of weighted arms 172 which are loosely journaled onto shaft 168 by means of collars 174.

What is claimed is:

1. An adhesive applicator assembly adapted to apply adhesives in controlled quantities to workpieces passing thereover comprising:

a well assembly for storage of said adhesive;

a grooved adhesive applicator wheel extending upwardly through an opening in the top of said well and mounted for rotation on a shaft adjacent the top of said well;

an adhesive container of limited capacity immediately below and partially surrounding the lower portion of said applicator wheel;

a first gear mounted for rotation on said shaft:

a second gear driven by said first gear and mounted for rotation on a second shaft located on the ap proximate central axis of said well;

a disc axially mounted on said second shaft for rotation with said second gear and extending to near the bottom of said well and over the top of said container, one side of said disc being closely adjacent to a side of said container, whereby adhesive adhering to said disc may be deposited in said container when said disc is rotated; means for constantly supplying adhesive from said well to said container as said applicator wheel is driven by said shaft; means to feed a said workpiece in a path superposed to, and closely spaced from, said applicator wheel;

pressure wheel means positioned over said applicator wheel and selectively moveable into engagement with said workpiece passing thereunder, said workpiece thereby being pressed into engagement with said applicator wheel;

cam means operatively associated with said wheel means whereby to effect said selective movement of said pressure wheels into engagement with said applicator wheel over preselected portions only of said workpiece; and

filter means disposed in said well and functionally operative with respect to the disc feed to said container.

2. The adhesive applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said well assembly comprises a horizontal cylindrical container having a closeable filling port in the upper portion near the end removed from said applicator wheel, and said filter comprises a vertical screen means intermediate said port and said disc.

3. The adhesive applicator as claimed in claim 1, and additionally comprising thermostatically controlled heating means within said well for establishing and maintaining adhesive therein at an elevated temperature.

Claims

1. An adhesive applicator assembly adapted to apply adhesives in controlled quantities to workpieces passing thereover comprising: a well assembly for storage of said adhesive; a grooved adhesive applicator wheel extending upwardly through an opening in the top of said well and mounted for rotation on a shaft adjacent the top of said well; an adhesive container of limited capacity immediately below and partially surrounding the lower portion of said applicator wheel; a first gear mounted for rotation on said shaft: a second gear driven by said first gear and mounted for rotation on a second shaft located on the approximate central axis of said well; a disc axially mounted on said second shaft for rotation with said second gear and extending to near the bottom of said well and over the top of said container, one side of said disc being closely adjacent to a side of said container, whereby adhesive adhering to said disc may be deposited in said container when said disc is rotated; means for constantly supplying adhesive from said welL to said container as said applicator wheel is driven by said shaft; means to feed a said workpiece in a path superposed to, and closely spaced from, said applicator wheel; pressure wheel means positioned over said applicator wheel and selectively moveable into engagement with said workpiece passing thereunder, said workpiece thereby being pressed into engagement with said applicator wheel; cam means operatively associated with said wheel means whereby to effect said selective movement of said pressure wheels into engagement with said applicator wheel over preselected portions only of said workpiece; and filter means disposed in said well and functionally operative with respect to the disc feed to said container.