INDUSTRIAL MACHINE FOR APPLYING TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT PROTECTIVE FILMS TO PLANAR SURFACES ACTING SIMULTANEOUSLY ON TWO FACES, HAVING A SYSTEM FOR CUTTING THE FILM AND POSITIONING EDGE-TO-EDGE OR WITH A MARGIN, AUTOMATICALLY ADAPTING TO SUIT CHANGES IN THE PARTS THAT ARE TO BE TREATED, USING AN ELECTROSTATIC METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to an industrial machine for vertically applying temporary or permanent protective films on plane surfaces and having an automatic system for cutting the film, positioning it edge-to-edge or with a margin (in particular in the context of film-coating sheets of glass for the purposes of glazing any window frames without damaging the temporary protection; the glass being film-coated while leaving a setback) by acting simultaneously on both faces and adapting automatically to changes in the format of the parts for treatment, using an electrostatic method for holding the film in position on the applicator roller.

Claims

1. An industrial machine for vertically applying temporary or permanent protective films on plane surfaces and having an automatic system for cutting the film, positioning it edge-to-edge or with a margin acting simultaneously on both faces and adapting automatically to changes in the format of the parts for treatment, using an electrostatic charge method for positioning and holding the film in position on the applicator roller, the machine being characterized by: An overall assembly (FIG. 1) also referred to as a stand, provided with a system for conveying and positioning the product for protecting; Two film-coating modules (r and s) (FIGS. 2 and 3) placed on linear guides of the structure for moving them vertically and horizontally, one film-coating module for coating the front face of the product, the other film-coating module for coating the rear face of the same product; A controller having a program for controlling the various modules of the machine as a function of the dimensions of the media for treatment.

2. An industrial machine for vertically applying temporary or permanent protective films on plane surfaces on both faces, according to claim 1, characterized in that the overall assembly (FIG. 1), also referred to as a stand, is made up of: At least one motor-driven introducer roller (a) in a stationary position and at least one free introducer roller (b) that is horizontally movable, being actuated by actuators (c), the free roller(s) (b) being arranged symmetrically to the motor-driven roller(s) in order to convey and position the product for protection at the inlet; A detector cell (d) after the introducer roller(s) (a and b) for determining the position of the substrate; At least one motor-driven ejector roller in a stationary position (e) and at least one free and movable ejector roller (f) that moves horizontally and that is actuated by actuator(s) (g), being arranged symmetrically to the motor-driven roller(s) to convey and position the product for protection at the outlet; Two vertical beams with linear guides (h) and two vertical mover assemblies (i) for vertically moving and positioning the film-coating modules (FIGS. 2 and 3).

3. An industrial machine for vertically applying temporary or permanent protective films on plane surfaces on both faces, according to claim 1, characterized in that each film-coating module (r and s) is made up of: An applicator roller (I) that coats the film onto the medium; An electrostatic charge bar (m) connected to a charge generator and positioned at a distance lying in the range 5 mm to 25 mm from the applicator roller (I), enabling the film to adhere to the applicator roller (I) while conserving its position accurately; A cutter module (n) for cutting the film in contact with the applicator roller (I) when the glass is positioned with its rear edge at a distance vertically from the axis of the applicator roller (I) on the substrate side that is equivalent to the distance between the bottom axis of the applicator roller (I) and the cutting point plus the portion of the glass that is to remain without film coating; A deflector roller (o) serving to conserve an accurate angle between the roll of film and the applicator roller (I); A silicone backing roller (b) that increases the contact area between the film and the applicator roller (I) in order to position the film under the charge bar and hold the film against the roller (I); A spindle (q) carrying the roll of film and fitted with an unwinding brake system.

4. An industrial machine for vertically applying temporary or permanent protective films on plane surfaces on both faces, according to claim 3, characterized in that the front face film-coating module (r) (FIG. 2) is mounted on an actuator with a linear guide (j) to take up a position horizontally at the distance that is necessary as a function of the thickness of the substrate for protection and to exert appropriate film-coating pressure.

5. An industrial machine for vertically applying temporary or permanent protective films on plane surfaces on both faces, according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear face film-coating module (s) (FIG. 3) that is movable on a linkage system (k) having two positions: a retracted position when the module is not in contact with the substrate, and an extended position when it is positioned at the zero point, the applicator roller (I) being parallel and in line with the introducer and ejector rollers (a) and (e) in order to film-coat the substrate.

6. A method of applying temporary or permanent protective films using a machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic control of the various modules and components of the machine operates in the following order: The operator places a piece of glass and launches the cycle; The glass moves towards the machine, which has already been informed by other means enabling it to calculate the number of widths needed for completely covering the glass; The two film-coating modules (r and s) (FIGS. 2 and 3) take up positions at a certain height so that the bottom portion of the roll of film is at the height of the bottom edge of the piece of glass plus the height of the margin; The glass moves sideways, the introducer rollers (a and b) closing and positioning the piece of glass between the two film-coating modules (r and s) (FIGS. 2 and 3), with the edge of the glass at a vertical distance from the axes of the applicator rollers (I) beside the substrate that is equivalent to the margin that is to be left free for future mounting in the framework, the edge of the film being positioned on the axes of the applicator rollers (I); The rear face film-coating module (s) (FIG. 3) advances to become positioned at the zero point in alignment with the introducer and ejector rollers (a, b and e, f), in contact with the product for protecting; The front face film-coating module (r) (FIG. 2) closes, positioning the applicator roller (I) in contact with the glass for protecting; The introducer rollers (a and b) move the glass sideways, the film being applied on both sides; A cell (d) detects the rear edge of the glass, the ejector rollers (e and f) take over from the introducer rollers (a and b) and position the glass with its rear edge at a distance from the axis of the applicator roller (I) that is equivalent to the distance between the axis of the applicator roller and the cutting point plus the portion of the glass that is to remain without film coating; The cutter module (n) goes into operation and cuts the film; The ejector rollers (e and f) position the glass with its rear edge at a distance from the axis of the applicator roller (I) that is equivalent to the margin that is to remain without film coating; The film-coating modules (r and s) (FIGS. 2 and 3) open, the glass reverses, and the same modules take up positions at the appropriate height for applying the following strip. The cycle begins again.

Description

GLOSSARY

[0051] a) motor-driven introducer roller

[0052] b) free introducer roller

[0053] c) actuator for introducer roller

[0054] d) detector cell

[0055] e) stationary position motor-driven ejector roller

[0056] f) free and movable ejector roller

[0057] g) actuator for ejector roller

[0058] h) vertical beams with linear guides

[0059] i) vertical mover assemblies

[0060] j) linear guide for front film-coating module

[0061] k) linkage system for rear film-coating module

[0062] 1) applicator roller

[0063] m) electrostatic charge bar

[0064] n) cutter module

[0065] o) deflector roller

[0066] p) silicone backing roller

[0067] q) film roll carrier

[0068] r) front film-coating module

[0069] s) rear film-coating module