Adhesive applicator roller and machine comprising the roller

Abstract

Described is a roller for the automatic application of at least one adhesive on a sheet for mattresses, which makes it possible to optimise the time needed for processing and the precision of the distribution of adhesive on the sheet in relation to the desired pattern, eliminating the waste of adhesive.

Claims

1. A device for applying adhesive to a sheet for mattresses, comprising: an adhesive application roller rotatable about at least one axis of rotation and having at least one outer side surface, the roller being configured, by rolling the roller on the sheet, to cause application of the adhesive on the sheet due to at least the rotation of the roller, a plurality of nozzles configured to dispense, by gravity, the adhesive towards the outer side surface, the outer side surface being configured to transport the adhesive towards the sheet during the rotation in such a way as to cause subsequent application of the adhesive on the sheet, wherein each of the nozzles is controllable independently from others of the nozzles such that a flow rate of adhesive dispensed by the each of the nozzles is independent from that dispensed by the others of the nozzles, a plurality of channels, the plurality of nozzles being aligned with respective ones of the plurality of channels and being configured to dispense the adhesive towards the respective ones of the plurality of channels, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to receive the adhesive and to transport the adhesive towards the sheet during the rotation in such a way as to cause the application of the adhesive on the sheet, each of the plurality of channels being positioned on the outer side surface and being defined by at least one groove made on the outer side surface.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of channels channel is configured to convey the adhesive towards the sheet along an axis of extension of the each of the plurality of channels, which lies at least partly in a plane transversal to the axis of rotation.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles is positioned above the roller in such a way as to introduce the adhesive into a respective one of the plurality of channels by gravity.

4. The device according to claim 1, comprising at least one tank for containing the adhesive, the tank being in fluid-dynamic communication with each of the plurality of nozzles.

5. The device according to claim 1, and further comprising a control unit configured for programming one or more parameters for dispensing the adhesive from each of the plurality of nozzles, the one or more parameters comprising one or more time intervals during which the adhesive is dispensed.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles is configured to dispense the adhesive at a center of a transversal cross-section of the respective one of the plurality of channels and wherein each of the plurality of channels includes side edges shaped for uniformity of application of the adhesive.

7. A machine for applying adhesive on a sheet for mattresses, comprising at least one of the device according to claim 1.

8. The machine according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of the devices according to claim 1.

9. The machine according to claim 8, comprising a movement device including a motor configured for causing movement of each of the plurality of devices of the machine.

10. The machine according to claim 9, comprising a control unit connected to each of the plurality of devices, the control unit configured to control dispensing the adhesive from each of the plurality of nozzles of each of the plurality of devices of the machine and/or to control the movement of each of the plurality of devices of the machine in such a way that the adhesive is applied on the sheet according to a predetermined pattern.

11. The machine according to claim 7, comprising a movement device including a conveyor configured for causing movement of the sheet.

12. A method of using a machine, comprising: providing a machine for applying adhesive on a sheet for mattresses, comprising: a plurality of devices for applying adhesive to a sheet for mattresses, each comprising: an adhesive application roller rotatable about at least one axis of rotation and having at least one outer side surface, the roller being configured, by rolling the roller on the sheet, to cause application of the adhesive on the sheet due to at least the rotation of the roller, a plurality of nozzles configured to dispense, by gravity, the adhesive towards the outer side surface, the outer side surface being configured to transport the adhesive towards the sheet during the rotation in such a way as to cause subsequent application of the adhesive on the sheet, wherein each of the nozzles is controllable independently from others of the nozzles such that a flow rate of adhesive dispensed by the each of the nozzles is independent from that dispensed by the others of the nozzles, a plurality of channels, the plurality of nozzles being aligned with respective ones of the plurality of channels and being configured to dispense the adhesive towards the respective ones of the plurality of channels, wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to receive the adhesive and to transport the adhesive towards the sheet during the rotation in such a way as to cause the application of the adhesive on the sheet, each of the plurality of channels being positioned on the outer side surface and being defined by at least one groove made on the outer side surface, a movement device including a motor configured for causing movement of each of the plurality of devices of the machine, a control unit connected to each of the plurality of devices, the control unit configured to control dispensing the adhesive from each of the plurality of nozzles of each of the plurality of devices of the machine and/or to control movement of each of the plurality of devices of the machine in such a way that the adhesive is applied on the sheet according to a predetermined pattern, setting, using the control unit, the movement of each of the plurality of devicesdevice of thc machinc and one or more parameters for dispensing the adhesive from each of the plurality of nozzles of each of the plurality of devices in such a way as to create a distribution of the adhesive on the sheet according to a predetermined pattern.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features of this invention are described in detail below by way of a non-limiting example of the more general technical concepts claimed.

(2) The detailed description which follows relates to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to a possible embodiment of this invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows the device from another perspective;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a machine according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 shows the geometrical pattern in relief according to which adhesive may be applied on a sheet by a possible method of use of the machine of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 5 is another geometrical pattern in relief according to which the adhesive may be applied on the sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIGS. 1 and 2 show two different perspective views of a device 1 for applying adhesive or adhesive material, on a sheet for mattresses, according to a possible embodiment of the invention.

(9) The device 1 comprises a rotary element 2. The device 1 may rotate at least about the axis of rotation R.

(10) The element 2 has at least one external side surface 2a. In the embodiment illustrated, the side surface 2a of the element 2 is at least partly coaxial with the axis of rotation R.

(11) The side surface 2a, during the rotation of the element 2 on the sheet, is that which is at least partly in contact with and/or tangential to the application surface of the sheet on which the adhesive is applied.

(12) In the embodiment illustrated, advantageously the element 2 is a roller, preferably cylindrical in shape. The side surface 2a, in the embodiment illustrated, is therefore the side surface of the cylinder defined by the element 2.

(13) In the embodiment illustrated, the axis of rotation R coincides with the axis of the cylinder defined by the element 2.

(14) The element 2 is designed to roll on the application surface of the sheet for mattresses, that is, translating on the same application surface and simultaneously rotating on itself about the axis of rotation R.

(15) The axis of rotation R, considering the application surface of the sheet of the flat mattress, therefore remains parallel to the application surface, during a possible process for use of the device 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(16) The element 2 is designed to cause the application of the adhesive on the application surface of the sheet, due to at least the rotation of the element 2.

(17) This application may also occur due to the effect of gravity, as will be described in more detail below. The pressure of the element 2 on the adhesive may also contribute to this application, when the adhesive is interposed and pressed between the element 2 and the application surface of the sheet.

(18) This application occurs by rolling the element 1 on the surface of application.

(19) The device 1 comprises at least one channel 3 and at least one nozzle 4 associated with the channel. The nozzle 4 is designed to dispense the adhesive towards the channel 3.

(20) The channel 3 is situated advantageously on the side surface 2a of the element 2.

(21) The device 1 advantageously comprises at least one tank 5 for containing the adhesive. The tank 5 is in fluid-dynamic communication with the nozzle 4, so that the adhesive reaches the nozzle 4.

(22) The tank 5 may be connected to a system for feeding the adhesive, which may comprise a pump or a pressurised tank or a multiplicity of these.

(23) One or more parameters for dispensing the adhesive from the nozzle 4 can be programmed using a control unit. The one or more parameters comprise for example one or more time intervals during which the adhesive is dispensed, and/or more generally the trend of the flow dispensed by the nozzle as a function of time.

(24) This dispensing is programmable so preferably in terms of time and/or in terms of flow rate of adhesive, that is to say, quantity of adhesive delivered per unit time.

(25) The channel 3 is designed to receive the adhesive and transport it towards the application surface of the sheet during rotation of the element 2 about the axis of rotation R. In this way the device 1 is designed to cause the subsequent application of the adhesive on the application surface of the sheet.

(26) The channel 3 is advantageously formed on the side surface 2a of the element 2.

(27) The channel 3 is defined by at least one groove made on the side surface.

(28) The channel 3 extends at least partly in an ideal plane transversal to the axis of rotation R.

(29) Preferably, the channel 3 is designed to convey the adhesive towards the application surface of the sheet, along an axis of extension of the channel which lies at least partly in an ideal plane transversal to the axis of rotation R.

(30) That plane, in the embodiment illustrated, is orthogonal to the axis of rotation R.

(31) The axis of extension of the channel 3 therefore comprises a curve lying on the ideal plane.

(32) In the embodiment according to this invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the axis of extension advantageously comprises a circumference located around the axis of rotation R.

(33) In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the nozzle 4 is positioned above the element 2 in such a way as to introduce the adhesive by gravity in the channel 3.

(34) The nozzle 4 is designed to dispense the adhesive preferably at the centre of the generic transversal cross-section of the channel 3 which is designed to receive the adhesive from the nozzle 4. The side edges of the channel 3 are shaped advantageously to guarantee a good uniformity of application of the adhesive.

(35) The embodiment of the device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 advantageously comprises a plurality of channel 3, each of which may have one or more of the above-mentioned features. The embodiment of the device 1 according to the accompanying drawings advantageously comprises a plurality of nozzles 4, each of which may have one or more of the above-mentioned features. Each of these nozzles 4 is associated with one of the respective channels 3. Each nozzle 4 is designed to dispense the adhesive towards the respective channel 3.

(36) Each of the channels 3 is designed to receive the adhesive dispensed by the respective nozzle 4 and transport it towards the application surface of the sheet during rotation of the element 2 about the axis of rotation R.

(37) Each of the channels 3 is positioned on the side surface 2a of the element 2.

(38) In FIGS. 1 and 2 only some of the nozzles 4 and some of the channels 3 are indicated, for reasons of clarity.

(39) Regardless of the nozzles 4 and the channels 3 actually indicated in the drawings, it should be noted that, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a nozzle 4 for each respective channel 3. The nozzle 4 is positioned relative to the respective channel 3 for introducing the adhesive in the respective channel 3.

(40) It should also be noted that for each nozzle 4 there may be at least one respective tank 5 of adhesive, even if FIGS. 1 and 2 only show a single tank 5.

(41) Moreover, there may be a single system for feeding the adhesive for all the nozzles 4, or several feeding systems, for example each for a respective nozzle 4.

(42) In any case, preferably each nozzle 4 can be fed independently from the others, in such a way that the flow rate of adhesive or adhesive material dispensed by each of the nozzles 4 of the device 1 is independent from that dispensed by the other nozzles 4 of the same device 1.

(43) The embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 also advantageously comprises a supporting structure 6 of the element 2 and/or of the nozzles 4 and/or of the tanks 5.

(44) Another aspect of this invention relates to a machine comprising at least one device having one or more of the above-mentioned features.

(45) The machine may comprise a plurality of devices each having one or more of these features.

(46) The machine M of FIG. 3 comprises a number of devices 1 purely as an example.

(47) The machine comprises movement means capable of at least causing the movement on the sheet of each device 1 of the machine. If the machine comprised a single device, the movement means would be able to at least cause the movement on the sheet of this single device.

(48) If there are several devices, as in machine M of FIG. 3, the movement means are therefore able to at least cause the movement on the sheet of all the devices 1, even separately and/or independently from one another.

(49) This movement of each device 1 is designed to determine in turn the rolling of the respective rotary element 2 on the sheet.

(50) The machine may also advantageously comprise a control unit connected to each device 1 of the machine.

(51) If the machine comprised a single device, the control unit would be connected to this single device. If there are several devices 1, as in the machine M of FIG. 3, the control unit may be connected to all these devices 1, also separately and/or independently of one another.

(52) The control unit is able to control the dispensing of the adhesive by each nozzle of each device of the machine. If the respective device comprised a single nozzle, the control unit would be configured to control the dispensing of the adhesive by the single nozzle of the device. If the respective device 1 comprises several nozzles 4, as in the case of FIG. 3, in which each of the devices 1 of the machine M is of the type described in FIG. 1 or 2, the control unit is therefore configured to control the dispensing of the adhesive by all the nozzles 4, even separately and/or independently from one another.

(53) The control unit is preferably configured to also control the movement of each device of the machine.

(54) If the machine comprised a single device, the control unit would be configured to control the movement on the sheet of the single device. If there are several devices 1, as in machine M of FIG. 3, the control is therefore configured to control the movement on the sheet of all the devices 1, even separately and/or independently from one another.

(55) In this way the adhesive may be applied on the sheet according to a predetermined pattern.

(56) According to another aspect, this invention relates to a method for using the machine.

(57) The method comprises a programming step.

(58) The movement on the sheet of each device of the machine is set up in this programming step, using the control unit. If the machine comprised a single device, only its movement is set up. If there are several devices 1, as in the machine M of FIG. 3, the movement of each of them is set up, even separately from one another.

(59) One or more parameters for dispensing the adhesive by each nozzle of each device of the machine is also set up in this programming step.

(60) If the respective device comprised a single nozzle, one or more dispensing parameters for the single nozzle would be set up. If the device 1 comprises several nozzles, such as in the case of FIG. 3, in which each of the devices 1 is of the type described in FIG. 1 or 2, one or more dispensing parameters are set up by all the nozzles, even separately from one another.

(61) In this way, a distribution of the adhesive may be created on the sheet according to a predetermined pattern.

(62) These one or more dispensing parameters may comprise the time intervals during which the adhesive is dispensed, the dispensing flow rate, and/or the trend of the flow rate over time. This flow rate may also be zero, if necessary only for predetermined time intervals.

(63) One or more of the devices 1 might also remain stationary and/or inactive.

(64) It should also be noted that a machine according to this invention could comprise several devices which could also have, one relative to the other, one or more different features. The machine might also comprise a single device.

(65) The machine might also allow the replacement of one or more devices.

(66) These movement means, with reference for example to FIG. 3, may comprise, for example, movement systems 20 which act separately on each of the devices 1. These movement systems 20 may comprise transmission means and one or more motors.

(67) The movement means may also comprise a conveyor belt N which is able to translate the sheet with the application surface facing towards the devices 1, in such a way that the devices 1 can be moved to cause the application of adhesive on the application surface of the sheet.

(68) FIGS. 4 and 5 show C patterns of adhesive on the surface of application S of a sheet L for mattresses. The patterns can be obtained by means of a machine M in accordance with FIG. 3.

(69) The pattern of FIG. 4 may also be obtained using a machine comprising a single roller which extends along the entire width of the sheet L, and which can translate in the direction of the black strips which indicate the adhesive C.

(70) The invention achieves the preset aims, and provides a device for applying adhesive on a sheet for mattresses, which makes it possible to obtain an excellent precision in positioning of the adhesive on the sheet on the basis on the particular requirements, thanks to a very precise conveying of the adhesive towards the sheet. At the same time the device avoids the formation of coagulations, so as to eliminate the waste of adhesive and to further increase the precision in the production of the mattress.

(71) This invention can also be used in the context of machines for applying adhesive designed to make more or less complex patterns on the sheet, also in a very short times.

(72) This invention also makes it possible to programme in a very precise manner the parameters regarding the application of the adhesive on the basis of the pattern to be obtained, whether it comprises a single device or several devices.