METHOD AND DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COATING OR IMPREGNATING AGENT TO THE EDGE OF A DECORATIVE PANEL

Abstract

One or more belts or bands are provided for feeding rectangular decorative panels through an apparatus. During the feed-through operation, a first edge and a parallel second edge of the decorative panels are kept parallel to the feed-through direction through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a wall for guiding the first edge of the panels; while the apparatus has a member which by exerting pressure on the second edge of the panels can press the first edge of these panels against the wall. The apparatus includes a device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent to at least a part of the second edge and/or of the first edge while the first edge is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall.

Claims

1-34. (canceled)

35. An apparatus for applying a coating or impregnating agent to an edge of decorative panels, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more belts or bands for feeding rectangulareither elongate or squaredecorative panels through the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is provided to, during this feed-through operation, keep a first pair of edges of the decorative panels parallel to the feed-through direction of the panels through the apparatus; wherein this first pair of edges comprises a first edge and an opposite second edge; wherein the apparatus comprises a wall for guiding the first edge of the panels; wherein the apparatus comprises a flexibly arranged, member which by exerting pressure on the second edge of the panels can press the first edge of these panels against the wall; wherein the apparatus comprises a device or devices for applying a coating or an impregnating agent to at least a part of the second edge and/or of the first edge of the panels while the first edge is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall.

36. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the wall is a fixed wall.

37. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the one or more belts or bands are configured to carry the panels while the panels are being fed through the apparatus.

38. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the apparatus comprises a separating wall, wherein the separating wall comprises an opening, wherein the opening is provided for applying the coating or the impregnating agent to the first edge or to the second edge through the opening in the separating wall.

39. The apparatus as in claim 38, wherein the separating wall comprises one or more flaps at the opening in the separating wall.

40. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the flexibly arranged member comprises a component which can move with the one or more belts or bands while exerting pressure on the second edge of the panels such that at least a part of the length of the first edge of the panels is pressed against the wall.

41. The apparatus as in claim 40, wherein the component comprises an endless band which can move, synchronously and at the same speed, with the one or more belts or bands while the endless band is exerting pressure on the second edge of the panels such that at least a part of the length of the first edge of the panels is pressed against the wall.

42. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the apparatus is configured to apply a coating or an impregnating agent to the first edge and/or to the second edge of decorative panels while the first edge is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall, wherein the decorative panels comprise coupling parts at their first edge and at their second edge such that the first edge of these decorative panels can be coupled to the second edge of another similar panel, wherein the coupling parts comprise interlocking parts such that, in a coupled state of the panels, an interlocking engagement is obtained perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels and/or perpendicular to the coupled edges in the plane of the coupled panels.

43. The apparatus as in claim 42, wherein the member comprises a component which is configured in such a way that the component can engage with the coupling part at the second edge, the component is configured in such a way that it can move with the one or more belts or bands while exerting pressure on the second edge of the panels such that at least a part of the length of the first edge of the panels is pressed against the wall; more the component is or comprises an endless band.

44. The apparatus as in claim 43, wherein the component, being endless band, is configured in such a way that the component can engage with a groove provided on the coupling part at the second edge.

45. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent to an edge of the decorative panels is selected from a spraying device, a vacuum-coating device, a transfer wheel, a needle gun or a device in which the coating or the impregnating agent can be applied by means of one or more brushes.

46. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein, at the device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent, the apparatus comprises a slide shoe and a pressure shoe; wherein the slide shoe and the pressure shoe are provided so as to come into contact with the panel, when the panel is being fed through the apparatus, while the coating or the impregnating agent is being applied to the panel.

47. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein, at the device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent, the apparatus comprises, on both sides of the apparatus, a slide shoe and a pressure shoe so as to come into contact with the panel while the panel is being fed through the apparatus.

48. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the apparatus comprises a suction device in order to suck the decorative panels fed through the apparatus against the one or more belts or bands, at least in a determined zone of the apparatus, at least at the position of the device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent to at least a part of the second edge or of the first edge.

49. The apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the apparatus comprises a first device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent to at least a part of the first edge, and in that the apparatus comprises a second device for applying a coating or an impregnating agent to at least a part of the second edge, while the first edge is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall.

50. The apparatus as in claim 49, wherein the first device and the second device are arranged directly opposite one another with respect to the feed-through direction of the panels through the apparatus.

51. The apparatus as claim 35, wherein the one or more belts or bands comprise ridges configured to come into contact with the panels so as to feed the panels through the apparatus; and/or the apparatus comprises one or more belts for feeding the decorative panels through the apparatus, wherein the belt or belts are toothed belts; and/or the apparatus comprises one or more second bands or second belts, in order to press the panels against the one or more belts or bands when said panels are being fed through the apparatus, such that the panels can be guided between the one or more belts or bands and the one or more second bands or second belts through at least a part of the apparatus.

52. A production line for producing a decorative panel, wherein the production line comprises a continuous milling line and, in line with and downstream of this production line, an apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the continuous milling line is configured to form coupling parts at the first edge and at the second edge of rectangular, either square or elongate, decorative panels such that the first edge of these decorative panels can be coupled to the second edge of another similar panel, wherein the coupling parts comprise interlocking parts such that, in the coupled state of the panels, an interlocking engagement is obtained perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels and/or perpendicular to the coupled edges in the plane of the coupled panels.

53. A method for applying a coating or impregnating agent to the edge of decorative panels, wherein the method uses an apparatus or a production line as in claim 52, wherein the decorative panels are fed through the apparatus and wherein a coating or an impregnating agent is applied to at least a part of the second edge and/or of the first edge by means of the device or devices while the first edge is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall.

54. The method as in claim 53, wherein the decorative panels comprise a first closure face at the first edge and a second closure face at the second edge, wherein the first closure face and the second closure face are located on the decorative side of the panels and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panels; wherein, when installing the decorative panels with the first edge of such a panel on the second edge of another similar panel, the first closure face of said panel comes into contact with or fits tightly with the second closure face of the other similar panel, wherein the coating or the impregnating agent is applied to at least a part of the first closure face and/or to at least a part of the second closure face by means of the device or devices while the first edge is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall.

Description

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an example of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0056] FIGS. 2-6 and 8 illustrate embodiments of the invention; and

[0057] FIG. 7 shows an example of a panel treated by the method according to the invention.

[0058] FIG. 1 shows an example of an apparatus (1) according to the first aspect of the invention and illustrates the method according to the third aspect of the invention. The apparatus (1) of the example of FIG. 1 can be installed in line with and downstream of a continuous milling line for forming the coupling parts on the panels. It is also possible for such an apparatus to not be placed in line with a continuous milling line.

[0059] FIGS. 2-6 illustrate details of this apparatus and specific embodiments of the invention. The reference numerals have the same meaning in the various figures.

[0060] The apparatus (1) is intended to apply a coating or impregnating agent to an edge of decorative panels (2). The apparatus of the example of FIG. 1 comprises two parallel belts (3) or bands for feeding rectangular-either elongate or square-decorative panels (2) through the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to, during this feed-through operation, keep a first pair of edges (4, 5) of the decorative panels parallel to the feed-through direction of the panels through the apparatus. This first pair of edges of the panels comprises a first edge (4) and an opposite second edge (5).

[0061] The two parallel belts (3) carry the panels (2) while the panels are being fed through the apparatus. In the example shown, the belts (3) comprise ridges (29) in order to come into contact with the panels so as to feed the panels through the apparatus. The belts (3) are preferably toothed belts.

[0062] The apparatus comprises a wall (6) for guiding the first edge (4) of the panels. In the example shown, this wall is a fixed wall (6).

[0063] The apparatus further comprises a preferably flexibly arranged member (7) which by exerting pressure (P) on the second edge (5) of the panels presses the first edge (4) of these panels against the wall (6). In the example shown, this member comprises an endless band (13) which moves synchronously with the two parallel belts (3). This endless band (13) presses against the second edge (5) of the panel such that the first edge (4) of the panel is pressed over a part of its length against the wall (6).

[0064] The panels which are guided through the apparatus may comprise coupling parts (14). FIG. 7 shows such a panel, after it has been fed through the apparatus, a coating (21) having been applied to both edges (4, 5) in the manner which will be explained below. The coupling parts (14) ensure that the first edge of these decorative panels can be coupled to the second edge of another similar panel. The coupling parts comprise interlocking parts (15, 16, 17, 18) such that, in the coupled state of the panels, an interlocking engagement is obtained perpendicular to the plane of the coupled panels and/or perpendicular to the coupled edges in the plane of the coupled panels. The coupling part at the second edge (5) comprises a groove (15), whereas the coupling part at the first edge (4) comprises a tongue (16).

[0065] The decorative panels (2) comprise a first closure face (31) at the first edge (4) and a second closure face (32) at the second edge (5). The first closure face (31) and the second closure face (32) are located on the decorative side (22) of the panels and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the panels. When installing the decorative panels with the first edge (4) of such a panel on the second edge (5) of another similar panel, the first closure face of said panel comes into contact with or fits tightly with the second closure face of the other similar panel. In the example, in the apparatus, a coating (21) is applied to the first closure face (31) and to the second closure face (32), while the first edge (4) is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall (6). The coating (21) may be a coating which provides water-repellent properties.

[0066] In the example of FIG. 7, the decorative panel comprises, at the first edge (4) and at the second edge (5), a cant in the form of a bevel (35).

[0067] In the example, the panels (2) are fed through the apparatus (1) with the decorative side (22) directed downwards. This means that the panels rest with their decorative side on the belts. However, an embodiment in which the panels (2) are fed through the apparatus (1) with the decorative side (22) directed upwards is also possible.

[0068] In the example shown, the endless band (13) is configured such that it engages with the groove (15) at the second edge (5), such that good guidance and positioning of the panel is obtained. This is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus (1) shown comprises, on both sides of the apparatus, a device (8, 9)in the example a spraying devicefor applying a coating (21) to at least a part of the second edge (5) and of the first edge (4) of the panels while the first edge (4) is being pressed over at least a part of its length against the wall (6). These two devices (8, 9) are arranged directly opposite one another with respect to the feed-through direction of the panels through the apparatus.

[0070] The apparatus of FIG. 1 comprises, on both of its sides, a separating wall (11). The separating walls (11) each comprise an opening (12). The coating is applied to the first edge (4) or, respectively, to the second edge (5) through the opening in the separating wall (11).

[0071] Instead of a spraying device as illustrated for example in the example of FIG. 3, it is for example also possible to use a vacuum-coating device, a transfer wheel (26) or a needle gun or a device in which the coating or the impregnating agent can be applied by means of one or more brushes. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which use is made of two transfer wheels (26) for said edges (4, 5). Each transfer wheel (26) comprises a rotatable disc and a reservoir in which the coating is placed. The disc is arranged in such a way that a portion of the disc is located in the reservoir containing coating, and a portion of the disc comes into contact with the edges (4, 5) to be coated. Rotation of the disc has the effect of bringing the coating to the edges (4, 5) and also applying it to the edges (4, 5).

[0072] The examples show the application of a coating. In a similar manner, an impregnating agent may be applied.

[0073] According to the detail example of FIG. 3, at the devices (8, 9) for applying a coating or an impregnating agent, the apparatus (1) may comprise, on both sides, a slide shoe (24) and a pressure shoe (25) so as to come into contact with the panel while the panel is being fed through the apparatus.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, which depicts an embodiment of the invention in a view according to IV-IV in FIG. 1, the apparatus may further comprise a suction device (27) in order to suction the decorative panels (2) fed through the apparatus against the one or more belts (3) or bands, at least in a determined zone of the apparatus, by means of suction force S. Preferably, this suction force S occurs at least at the position of the device for applying the coating to at least a part of the second edge or of the first edge.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus may also comprise one or more second bands or second belts (30), in order to press the panels (2) against the one or more belts (3) or bands when said panels are being fed through the apparatus, such that the panels can be guided between the one or more belts or bands and the one or more second bands or second belts through at least a part of the apparatus.

[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus of this example comprises a separating wall (11) which comprises an opening (12). The coating or the impregnating agent is applied, by a spraying device (8), to the first edge or to the second edge through the opening (12) in the separating wall. The separating wall (11) comprises flaps at the opening (12) in the separating wall (11).

[0077] The invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodiments, but various variants may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention.