U.S. patent number 3,895,984 [Application Number 05/405,752] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-22 for plywood manufacture using foamed glues.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pacific Adhesives Company. Invention is credited to Charles N. Cone, Julius M. Steinberg.
United States Patent |
3,895,984 |
Cone , et al. |
July 22, 1975 |
Plywood manufacture using foamed glues
Abstract
Plywood is made by continuously propelling a liquid plywood glue
in unfoamed condition at a predetermined flow rate, continuously
foaming the glue as it is propelled, and continuously extruding or
otherwise applying the foamed glue to the surface of a plurality of
wood veneers. The flow rate of the unfoamed and foamed glue is
maintained substantially the same on a unit weight of liquid glue
per unit time basis. The veneers then are laid up into a plywood
assembly and pressed, whereupon the pressure breaks the foam and
unites the veneers. The method is applicable generally to the
production of laminar products by the application of a foamed
liquid to a solid surface.
Inventors: |
Cone; Charles N. (Portland,
OR), Steinberg; Julius M. (Hillsboro, OR) |
Assignee: |
Pacific Adhesives Company
(Hillsboro, OR)
|
Family
ID: |
26764183 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/405,752 |
Filed: |
October 12, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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80961 |
Oct 15, 1970 |
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839481 |
Jul 7, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
156/79; 156/290;
156/322; 156/556; 156/578; 264/46.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05D
7/08 (20130101); B32B 21/13 (20130101); B27D
1/04 (20130101); B32B 37/10 (20130101); B27G
11/00 (20130101); B32B 7/12 (20130101); Y10T
156/1744 (20150115); B32B 2607/00 (20130101); B05D
5/10 (20130101); B05D 3/0218 (20130101); Y10T
156/1798 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B27D
1/04 (20060101); B27D 1/00 (20060101); B27G
11/00 (20060101); B05D 5/10 (20060101); B32b
005/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/79.77,290,578,78,310,322,314 ;161/56,55,148,161 ;264/46.5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Whitby; Edward G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Farley; Eugene D.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of the patent
application of Charles N. Cone and Julius M. Steinberg, Ser. No.
80,961, filed Oct. 15, 1970 for Plywood Manufacture Using Foamed
Glues, the same being a continuation-in-part of the patent
application of Charles N. Cone and Julius M. Steinberg, Ser. No.
839,481, filed July 7, 1969, of the same title both abandoned.
Claims
Having described our invention in preferred embodiments, we
claim:
1. The method of making a laminar product which comprises,
a. continuously propelling in unfoamed condition and at a
predetermined flow rate, a liquid comprising a liquid glue or
liquid glue component,
b. continuously foaming the liquid as it is propelled,
c. continuously extruding the foamed liquid on the surface of a
first sheet at a predetermined flow rate of foamed liquid and
predetermined rate of traversal of extruded foamed liquid and
surface relative to each other,
d. applying a second sheet to the foamed liquid on said
surface,
e. at least one of said sheets being a porous cellulosic sheet,
and
f. pressing the resulting assembly under conditions predetermined
to break the foam and create a substantially unfoamed glue bond
uniting the sheets.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the flow rates of the unfoamed and
foamed liquid are maintained substantially the same, on a unit
weight of liquid per unit time basis.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the foamed liquid is extruded and
deposited on the surface in laterally spaced filaments.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the foamed liquid is extruded and
deposited on the surface in laterally spaced filaments the
filaments being stretchable and extruded by passing the filaments
and the surface relative to each other at a relative rate such that
the filaments are stretched as they are deposited in frictional
engagement with the surface to an extent determining the magnitude
of application of the liquid.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the foamed liquid is applied to
the surface by extruding it thereon in the condition of a
substantillay continuous film.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein the liquid is foamed by feeding a
foam-promoting gas into the liquid as it is propelled, and then
mechanically agitating the resultant mixture of gas and liquid.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the liquid is foamed by feeding a
foam-promoting gas into the liquid as it is propelled and then
mechanically agitating the resultant mixture of gas and liquid, by
passing the mixture between a recessed rotor and stator in the
direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor.
8. The method of claim 2 including the step of adding to the
unfoamed liquid a material chemically reactive toward the liquid
and thereafter immediately foaming the liquid and applying the
foamed liquid to the surface in the time interval elapsing between
the time of addition of the reactive material and the time required
for substantial reaction with the liquid to occur.
9. The method of making plywood which comprises:
a. continuously propelling an unfoamed liquid plywood glue at a
predetermined flow rate,
b. continuously foaming the liquid glue as it is propelled,
c. continuously applying the foamed glue to the surfaces of a
succession of wood veneers,
d. laying up the veneers into a plywood assembly,
e. and pressing the assembly to form a plywood panel, thereby
breaking the foam and forming substantially unfoamed glue bonds
between the veneers.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the foamed glue is applied to the
veneer surfaces by extruding it thereon in the form of laterally
spaced filaments.
11. The method of claim 9 including the step of preheating the
veneers preliminary to applying the foamed glue.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the plywood glue comprises a
thermosetting resin glue and including the step of preheating the
veneers preliminary to application of the glue on the surfaces
thereof, the amount of preheating being predetermined to provide
the heat required to set the glue during the pressing of the
assembly substantially without the addition of supplemental heat
from another heat source.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the foamed glue is applied in the
form of laterally spaced filaments, alternate filaments comprising
first and second chemically reactive substances which are caused to
mix and react with each other by the application of pressure
occuring during the pressing of the assembly.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second chemically
reactive substances comprise respectively a plywood blood glue and
formaldehyde.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second chemically
reactive substances comprise respectively a thermosetting resinous
condensation product of a phenol and an aldehyde, and a setting
catalyst therefor.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second chemically
reactive substances comprise respectively a thermosetting
resorcinol resin and paraformaldehyde.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second chemically
reactive substances comprise respectively a thermosetting resinous
condensation product of a phenol and an aldehyde and a
thermosetting resinous condensation product of acetone and
formaldehyde.
18. The method of claim 9 wherein the foamed glue is extruded onto
the veneer surfaces at substantially the same flow rate as the
propelled unfoamed liquid glue, on a unit weight of liquid per unit
of time basis.
Description
This invention relates to the application of foamed liquids to
solid surfaces. It relates in particular to the maufacture of
plywood by the application of foamed liquid plywood glues to wood
veneers folowed by forming the veneers into a plywood assembly and
pressing the assembly into a plywood panel.
In the classic method of plywood manufacture, wood veneers are
coated with a suitable adhesive in a roll coater, spray coater, or
curtain coater. The veneers are formed into a plywood assembly
using the desired layup pattern after which the assembly is cold
pressed or hot pressed to set the glue and form the plywood panel.
This procedure, though ancient and widely used, still is beset with
troublesome problems.
Although in order to shorten press times, it is desirable to spread
the glue on hot veneers, this has not been possible because of
rapdi glue dryout and premature glue setting. As a consequence, in
the manufacture of hot press plywood, the anomalous and inefficient
procedure has developed of heating the green veneer to dry it,
cooling the hot dry veneer, spreading it with glue and assembling,
and then reheating the resulting assembly to set the glue.
It has been impossible to spread the veneers with glues
characterized by a degree of activity above a certain level. This
is for the reason that glue is held up in the roll coater, or
overspray is recirculated in the spray or curtain coater, with the
result that in each instance some to the glue applied to the
veneers is old glue, held in the system beyond the permissible time
allowance.
In the roll coater, it is impossible accurately to control the
applied glue spreads. The spread is influenced by veneer thickness
and veneer surface qualities. These are variable factors.
Since press times are relatively long, the output of a given mill
is determined not by the time required for assembling the veneers,
but rather by the capacity of its presses.
In hot press plywood manufacture, blistering and veneer
over-heating are problems. Because of the poor thermal conductivity
of wood it is necessary to overheat the exterior surfaces of the
panels. This drives the moisture to the center of the panel and
causes blistering.
Glue foaming, inadequate pot life and adverse time-viscosity
relationships present difficult problems.
Plant layup and press cycles are restricted by practical
considerations of available equipment personnel, glue limitations,
etc.
Glue is wasted by the necessity of overspreading to compensate for
thick and thin veneers and glue dryout.
Methods of glue application are not correlated with new techniques
for mechanized layup and automatic plywood production.
It is the general purpose of the present invention to provide
method and apparatus for the manufacture of plywood and like
products which overcome the foregoing problems.
In the accomplishment of this purpose, a method is practiced which
is the exact opposite in many important respects of the
conventional method of making plywood.
In the conventional method, chemicals are added and procedures and
equipment modified to prevent the glue from foaming. In the present
method it is foamed intentionally and performs valuable functions
in the foamed condition.
In the conventional method of hot pressing, thick veneers are
disadvantageous since they insulate the glue line from heat. In the
present method, thick veneers are desirable, or at least not
disadvantageous since they provide a greater capacity for storing
heat.
In conventional hot pressing the press time is a direct function of
the thickness of the panel. In the present method, the press time
is independent of panel thickness.
In ordinary hot pressing, production capacity is limited by the
number of press openings available. In the present system, a single
press opening can handle all of the panels that possibly can be
assembled during a given pressing cycle.
In conventional hot pressing, in order to heat the center of each
panel, the exterior portions are heated to temperatures above that
required to cure the glue bond. This results in deterioration and
panel blistering. In the present method, no portion of the panel
need be heated above the glue-curing temperature.
The manner of practicing the present invention will be apparent
from the accompanying specification and claims considered together
with the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a plywood manufacturing
line incorporating the presently described method and
apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of liquid foaming apparatus, such as may
be incorporated in the plywood manufacturing line of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are views in longitudinal and transverse section,
respectively, FIG. 4 being taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3, both
illustrating the construction and manner of operation of a liquid
foaming unit which is one of the elements of the foaming system of
FIG. 2;
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are views in longitudinal section, bottom plan,
and transverse section, respectively, of a foamed liquid extruding
unit such as may be employed in the systems of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary detail in plan and end elevation,
respectively, of a wood veneer sheet upon which foamed liquid glue
has been extruded in accordance with the method of the present
invention;
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are views in fore-shortened side elevation,
partly in section, transverse cross section, and longitudinal cross
section, respectively, of an alternate foamed liquid extruding head
which may be employed in the systems of FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIGS. 13 and 14 are views in fore-shortened side elevation and
transverse section, respectively, of still another extruding head
applicable to the purposes of the invention.
In FIG. 2 there is illustrated schematically apparatus by means of
which a liquid glue such as a conventional water base plywood glue,
a liquid glue component, or other liquid may be converted to a foam
useful in the practice of the presently described method.
The liquid is fed by infeed lines 10, 12 into a unit 14 which may
comprise a storage tank, or an inline mixer.
It is a particular feature of the invention that it lends itself to
the inline mixing of the components of the liquid to be foamed. In
this application, the component ingredients of the liquid are fed,
each at its appropriate rate into an inline mixer of suitable
design. This initiates the flow of liquid into the line toward the
foamer.
The use of inline mixing has the advantage that the liquid is
always freshly mixed and of constant age when it reaches the
foaming unit, and also when it reaches the surface to which it is
to be applied. In the manufacture of plywood, this makes possible
the use of formulations not operable in conventional procedures
because of short plywood glue pot life. It also contributes to
uniform glue spreading because the glue always is at the same age
when it arrives at the spreading station.
In some instances the liquid components may be proportioned
directly into the line with the object in view of permitting the
downstream foaming unit ot accomplish the mixing.
Whether the liquid is prepared batch-wise, by means of an inline
mixer, or by being directly proportioned into the line, it next is
propelled through the system at a predetermined, constant rate.
In the illustrated form of the invention, the liquid contained in
unit 14 is drawn into line 16 by means of a positive displacement
pump 18. This key unit of the assembly may comprise a gear pump of
suitable designe equipped with a tachometer 20 capable of
indicating accurately the pump output.
The pump is driven at the desired rate by means of a motor 22
connected to the shaft of the pump through a variable speed
transmission 24.
Line 16 also includes a strainer 26 and a branch line 28 with
control valve 30. Line 28 may be used to introduce into the flow at
a controlled rate a material which can not be introduced into unit
14. Such a material might comprise, for example, a catalyst to be
mixed with a plywood glue. Since it is introduced into the system
just before the foamer, only a few seconds elapse between the time
of introduction and the time of application. This interval is so
short that the added material does not exert an adverse influence,
even though it may be highly reactive.
The metered liquid next passes through a three-way valve 32. In the
exemplary embodiment, valve 32 is controlled by an air cylinder 34.
In the first position of the valve the pumped liquid is shunted to
a by-pass line 36 which recirculates it through the pump. In the
second position of the valve, the liquid is directed through line
38 to the foaming unit 40.
Foaming unit 40 is jacketed and supplied with temperature control
water through an inlet line 42, with control valve 44, and an
outlet line 46. It thus is possible to control the temperature of
the foamed liquid to whatever level is indicated by the properties
of the liquid and the conditions of its foaming.
Air, nitrogen or other suitable gas in introduced under pressure
into foaming unit 40 through line 48. Its pressure and amount are
controlled by a regulator valve 50, a needle valve 52, and a
pressure gauge 54.
The foaming unit is powered by a motor 56 which dirves the shaft 58
of the unit through a belt and pulley assembly 60.
The control of the amount of air supplied to foaming unit 40 is
important. In general, as much air is supplied to the foaming unit
as the liquid will accept. This in turn depends upon the nature of
the liquid and the manner of operation of the foaming unit. If too
much air is introduced, a non-uniform foam is produced in that it
contains pockets of air which escape from the foam as undesirable
large bubbles when the foam is released from the system.
In general, in the manufacture of foamedplywood glue using the
system of FIG. 2, the relative amounts of air and liquid admitted
to the foaming unit are regulated in such a manner as to produce a
foam having a weight to volume ratio of from 0.20 to 0.25 grams per
cc. Since the unfoamed liquid glue has a density of about 1.15, the
net effect is to expand the glue to from four to six times its
original volume by converting it to a foam.
Since the foamed product is driven by the positive drive of pump
18, it moves out of the foaming unit at the same rate that it
enters, in terms of pounds per minute. However, in terms of cubic
inches per minute it moves out about five times as fast as it
enters.
The foamed liquid leaving foaming unit 40 passes through a line 62
which includes a temperature gauge 64 and a pressure gauge 66.
Line 62 discharges the foamed liquid into an extruder 70.
Extrudder 70 is equipped with a series of nozzles or jets 72 by
means of which the foamed liquid is applied to a substrate. It also
is equipped with a discharge line 74 with valve 76 which discharges
waste material or wash water to the waste disposal system.
Extruder 70 is fitted with valve means, to be described later,
which regulates the flow of foamed liquid to one or the other of
these discharge systems. The valve means is controlled by an air
cylinder 78 connected in parallel to the same piping which supplies
air under pressure to cylinder 34. The flow of air to both
cylinders is controlled by a valve 80.
Thus air under pressure passes from a common line 82 to pipes 84
supplying cylinder 34, and to pipes 86 supplying cylinder 78. When
valve 80 is adjusted to one of its positions, cylinders 34, 78
initiate the flow of liquid through foaming unit 40 and extruding
head 70 simultaneously. When the valve is adjusted to its second
position, the flow of liquid through foamer 40 and foamed liquid
through extruder 70 simulataneously are cut off. This insures
positive control of the system.
The construction of a suitable foaming unit 40 is shown in greater
detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.
As noted above, the foaming unit has for its object the conversion
of liquid introduced through line 38 into a foam which is
sufficiently stable so as not to break nor collapse significantly,
nor to change volume significantly for reasons other then pressure
or temperature differentials existing inside and/or outside the
extruder, as it is propelled to the extruder and also during
extrusion; i.e. it obeys the gas laws. The herein described foaming
unit has the virtue of accomplishing this result rapidly, on a
continuous high volume basis, and with the production of a foam of
remarkable stability from a wide variety of liquids.
The foaming unit basically comprises an outer case or stator 80 and
a rotor 82.
Stator 80 may be generally cylindrical in contour, It is provided
with a water jacket 84 fed with cooling water through infeed water
line 42 and outfeed water line 46. It also is provided with
connections for liquid infeed line 38, liquid outfeed line 62 and
air infeed line 48.
The stator is hollow and provided around its inner periphery with a
plurality of spaced recesses 86.
Rotor 82 is mounted on shaft 58, driven by motor 56. The shaft is
supported at one end of the rotor by means of a stout bearing 88
contained in a bearing housing 90, bolted to one end of stator
80.
Rotor 82 is cylindrical in outline and dimensioned to be received
within the hollow stator, with a stuitable clearance, for example a
clearance of about 1/16 inch, being present between their
respective surfaces.
The outer peripheral surface of the rotor is formed with a
plurality of recesses 92. These are spaced in a pattern
corresponding to the pattern of the recesses 86 in the stator, so
that during the rotation of the rotor, the recesses in the surfaces
of rotor and stator momentarily sweep across each other.
The net result is to provide an almost explosive agitation of the
liquid and gas introduced into the foaming unit. As the liquid
enters through line 38 at one end of the unit it is mixed with a
metered amount of air entering through line 48. The two components
then pass through the unit in the direction of the axis of rotation
of the rotor and exhaust via line 62. As they traverse the unit
they are subjected to violent agitation of the character described
which results in the large scale, rapid production of a stable
foam.
In the alternative, recesses 86, 92 may be replaced by
longitudinally extending grooves in the respective surfaces of
rotor and stator.
The construction of a suitable extruding unit 70 is shown in detail
in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
The extruding unit comprises a case or head 96 of the desired
contour. Where the extruder is to be used in the application of
plywood glue to a wide sheet of wood veneer, the case may have a
length determined bythe width of the veneer sheet and a width
determined by the dimensions and number of the extruding
nozzles.
Case 96 is closed on the top and on all four sides, but open on the
bottom. Its longitudinal side walls are provided with retainer
strips 98. Extending outwardly from its lower margins are
longitudinal flanges 100.
A heavy plate 102 is detachably mounted on the lower side of the
case, opposite its lower open end. The plate may be variously
retained in position, but as shown, may be retained by means of
angle irons 104 secured by bolts 106 penetrating flanges 100.
Plate 102 mounts a plurality of extrusion nozzles 72, FIGS. 2 and
5. These are dimensioned and shaped as desired to determine the
size and contour of the extruded filaments of foamed liquid. For
many applications they desirably may be round in cross section.
They are arranged preferably in two rows in staggered relation to
provide a complete coverage of extruded material on the substrate
on which the material is to be applied.
Valve means having the virtue of positively starting and stopping
the flow of extruded material through the nozzles is provided.
In the illustrated form of the invention, such means comprises a
sliding valve plate 108 having perforations 110 spaced and
dimensioned to register with discharge nozzles 72. Valve plate 108
is slidably maintained in position between the upper surface of
plate 102 and the lower surfaces of flanges 98.
It is adjustable between two positions. To this end the piston rod
112 of cylinder 78 extends through a side wall of case 96 and is
connected to a lug 114 extending upwardly from one end of plate
108. Cylinder 78 adjusts the valve plates between a valve open
position in which perforations 110 through the plate register with
nozzles 72, and a valve closed position wherein the two sets of
openings, are out of registration with each other.
Foamed liquid discharged through nozzles 72 may be applied to a
wood vener sheet 118 conveyed beneath the extrusion head on a
conveyor 120, FIG. 2.
As related above, the pattern and size and shape of the extruded
material is determined by the arrangement, size and shape of the
extruding nozzles. A typical pattern and distribution useful in the
manufacture of plywood is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.
As shown in these two figures, where nozzles 72 are round, the
coherent foamed liquid is deposited in the foam of filaments or
rods 140 of circular cross section. By virtue of the manner of
application, they extend substantially parallel to eachother. Their
lateral spacing is determined by the lateral spacing of the
nozzles. In a typical instance it may run from 1/8 inch to 1/2
inch. The diameter of the filaments may vary, for example from 1/64
inch to 3/8 inch.
It is to be observed that where the filaments are circular in cross
section, the contact between the under surface of the filaments and
the upper surface of the substrate is kept at a minimum. This is
important because it reduces the tendency of water or other liquid
to flow from the filaments into the substrate.
It also is to be observed that the filaments are sufficiently
stable so that they remain in their FIG. 9 uncollapsed condition
for a substantial period of time. This is important because it
enables filaments of different reactive materials to be applied to
the same substrate, as will be discussed more fully
hereinafter.
It further is to be observed that the foamed liquids of which the
filaments are comprised do not flow as do fluids. They are
thixotropic and of very low density. Neither gravitational force
nor momentum contributes much to their flow patterns. For any given
foamed liquid, the rate of flow through a specific opening will
depend mostly on the shape of the opening and the pressure
differential between its entrance and its exit. Because of the
stability of the foam, it substantially maintains the contour of
the extruder openings.
This property of foamed liquids creates a peculiar problem in the
manufacture of plywood wherein the head employed for extruding the
filaments usually is over four feet long and may be over eight feet
long. In this application, an extrusion head having the design of
that illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 tends to discharge foamed
adhesive at different rates along its length. In general, the rate
of discharge is greatest in the middle of the extruding head and
diminishes toward each end to a minimum occurring a spaced distance
inwardly from the ends of the head. The rate of discharge then
increases observably toward the extreme ends of the head. This
situation is disadvantageous in that it results in uneven
application of foamed adhesive to the veneer surfaces.
The extrusion heads illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14 inclusive
overcome these problems. Each in essence comprise two laterally
elongated chambers which preferably lie parallel to each other. The
foamed liquid is piped into one of these chambers and the extrusion
openings feed out from the other one.
The two chambers are connected along their length by conduts means
of such a nature that the flow from one chamber to the other may be
regulated independently along different portions of the chambers.
This in turn controls the discharge from the extrusion openings
which accordingly may be rendered uniform along the width of the
head.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a discharge head,
indicated generally at 70a, is illustrated in which the two
chambers are connected through a slot-like a conduit in two
sections: a first section in the upper chamber and a communicating
second section in the second chamber. Means are provided for
adjusting the effective length of the first section and the
effective width of the second section thereby adjusting the flow
from one chamber to the other. This in turn controls the discharge
from the extrusion openings in the second chamber.
The first chamber 150 preferably is cylindrical and may be
fabricated from two lengths of pipe 152 the outer ends of which are
closed and the inner ends of which are connected to a T-connector
154 which communicates with feed pipe 62. The latter in turn is
connected to a source of foamed liquid under pressure.
The bottom of the pipe is provided with a longitudinal slot 156
which serves both as a guideway and as the first section of the
conduit between the two chambers.
Means are provided for adjusting the effective length of slot
156.
In the illustrated form of theinvention such means comprise gate
means which adjustably block off more or lessof the end portions of
the slot.
The gate means comprise cylindrical slides 158, one located at each
end of chamber 150. Each slide has a key 160 which is received in a
terminal guideway portion of slot 156.
The interior of each sliding gate member has a threaded blind
opening 162 which receives a screw 164. The latter extends through
the end wall of chamber 150 and is fitted with a head 166 by means
of which the screw may be turned. This adjust correspondingly the
longitudinal position of the gate member within the chamber.
The effective open portion of slot 156 thus provides a conduit
section of variable width which interconnects chamber 150 with a
cooperating chamber 170.
Chamber 170 is defined by a top which may comprise flanges 172
extending laterally outwardly from hollow cylinder 152, a pair of
opposed channel members 174 which form side walls, a perforated
bottom plate 176 and a pair of end pieces 178. An upper seal 180 is
interposed between flanges 172 and channel members 174. A divided
seal 182 is interposed between channel members 174 and bottom plate
176. A filtering screen 184 is interposed between the components of
divided lower seal 182. It has for its function filtering out
over-sized solid particles which might interfere with the extrusion
of the foamed liquid.
The entire chamber assembly then is demountably assembled by means
of bolts 186.
A plurality of extrusion nozzles 190 are pressed into the
perforations of bottom plates 176. In the illustrated form of the
invention, these are arranged in two staggered rows.
The flow of foamed liquid through extrusion nozzles 190 is
controlled in part by adjusting the length of slot 156. It is
further controlled by housing within chamber 170 a conduit section
of adjustable width which communicates with slot 156.
This conduit section is defined by a pair of flexible plates 192
which may be made of nylon, teflon, or other inert, flexible
material. The plates extend substantially the entire length of
chamber 170 in laterally spaced relation, forming a slot 193. They
are supported at their ends by terminal bolts 186.
The spacing between the two plates determines the flow into the
chamber. This spacing is adjustable along the length of the plates
by means of plurality of adjustment bolts 194 threaded into bosses
196 extending laterally outwardly from the central portions of
channels 174. The ends of bolts 194 bear against the outer side
faces of plates 192. The bolts are secured in their selected
adjustment positions by means of lock nuts 198.
The entire assembly thus acts as a valve which controls the flow
and distribution of foamed liquid through the extruding head as
required to provide a predetermined or uniform discharge through
discharge openings 190.
Foamed liquid under pressure supplied by pipe 62 fills chamber 150
and passes through communicating slots 156, 193 into chamber 170,
then passes through chamber 170 and out nozzles 190 in a flow
controlled by the setting of gate members 158 which determine the
length of slot 156 and the setting of screws 194 which determine
the width of slot 193. This provides the desired flow pattern.
A similar result is achieved by extrusion head 70b, the
construction of which is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.
Foamed liquid under pressure is introduced into a first, laterally
elongated chamber 200 which may be simple constructed of a pipe 202
fitted with end walls 204 and provided with a plurality of spaced
openings 206.
A second laterally elongated chamber 210 is defined by a perforated
upper plate 212, a perforated bottom plate 214, filler plates 216,
218, a divided seal 220, and end pieces 222. A filter screen 224 is
interposed between the components of divided seal 220. Upper and
lower angle iron clamping members 226 with associated bolts 228
demountably secure the component parts of the chamber in their
assembled condition.
Discharge nozzles 230 are pressed into the perforations present
along the length of bottom plates 214. These may be arranged in any
desired pattern, for example in a single row along the length of
the chamber.
As in the case of the previously described embodiment foamed liquid
passes from the first chamber into the second chamber through
valved conduit means which permit selective adjustment of the flow
rate in various areas along the length of the assembly. To this end
there is provided a plurality of tubes 232 the upper ends of which
are threaded into the openings of upper chamber 200, and the lower
ends of which are threaded into the openings of upper plate 212 of
lower chamber 210.
Valve means are provided for controlling the flow through each tube
232 individually.
A simple means of achieving this purpose is to fashion tubes 232
out of a flexible deformable material such as rubber or plastic and
mounting on each tube a pinch clamp, not illustrated by means of
which the flow through the tube may be controlled.
A more durable and precise valve means is that illustrated in the
drawings.
Each of tubes 232 mounts a valve 234 which controls the flow of
foamed liquid through the tube. The valve may be any one of various
conventional valves. It may be, for example, a gate valve operated
by means of a screw 236.
Thus in the FIGS. 13 and 14 form of the extrusion head foamed
liquid fed under pressure via pipe 62 into chamber 200 passes
through tubes 232 into lower chamber 210 and thence through
extrusion openings 230.
The amount of liquid discharged through the openings is determined
by the setting of theindividual ones of valves 234. Thus a uniform
flow, or any desired pattern of non-uniform flor may be achieved
along the length of the extrusion head.
The method of the invention is applicable to the production of
laminar products from sheets of material at least alternate ones of
which are cellulosic in character, such as wood vaneers, boards,
and paper and hence are inherently porous. Its application to
plywood manufacture is illustrated in FIG. 1.
Two wood veneer preheating lines run at right angles to each other,
meeting at a common assembly station. One delivers core, center and
back veneers to the assembly station. It comprises an infeed
conveyor 120, a heater conveyor 122 and an outfeed conveyor 124.
The second preheating line comprises a similar conveyor system 128
laid out at right angles to the first.
The first conveyor system conveys to the assembly station a
plurality of core veneers 128 and of back and center veneers 130.
Conveyor system 126 conveys to the assembly station a plurality of
face veneers 132.
As they travel along the conveyor system including conveyor units
120, 122, 124 the core veneers and back and center veneers are
preheated with suitable heating units 134. Preferably, the heating
units comprise infrared heating units capable of heating the
veneers to a temperature of from 200.degree. to 400.degree.F.
during their time of passage through the heating unit. Singly, the
veneers may be heated to this temperature rapidly even though wood
is a poor conductor of heat. The contrary is true if it is
attempted to heat the veneers in a stack during hot pressing.
As they travel along conveyor system 126, face veneers 132 are
preheated to the same temperature level by means of heating
elements 136.
Foamed glue is applied to core veneers 128 and back and center
veneers 130. The application is made to the upper surface only of
these veneers. It is made by means of an extruder head such as
heads 70, 70a, or 70b of FIGS. 2, 10 and 13, respectively. This
head applies to the veneers a coating of foamed glue 140 in a
pattern determined by the size and dimensions of the extruding
orifices
No adhesive whatsoever is applied to the surfaces of face veneers
132.
At the assembly station, the core, back, center and face veneers
are composited into a plywood assembly 142. This is combined with
other panel assemblies to form a press load which is transferred
into a press 144 and consolidated into plywood panels. The press
may be either a single opening or multiple opening hot press, or a
cold press. It is a feature of the invention that by preheating the
veneers, it is possible to use a high capacity single opening cold
press at a press time of under 21/2 minutes and still bond the
veneers efficiently into the finished panel.
During pressing, under conventional plywood press conditions, the
foamed condition of the glue changes. The foam breaks because of
two factors which inherently are present in a plywood press. The
first of these is pressure, which breaks the component bubbles of
the foam. The second is the migration of the water out of the
aqueous foamed glue into the porous wood of the veneers,
particularly under the influence of heat. This necessarily destroys
the foam. Glue lines then are formed between the veneers which set
to unite them.
The method above described has several significant advantages.
First, as noted, since the veneers are preheated, press times are
markedly reduced and plant capacity correspondingly increased.
Second, since the amount of glue applied to the veneers is
independent of the veneer thickness, it may be predetermined
accurately without the necessity of over application to insure an
adequate bond.
Third, since the glue may be placed accurately on the veneer
surface, it need not be spread over trim areas. This effectuates
further saving of glue.
Fourth, since the foamed glue occupies a relatively large volume,
and since it is applied in the form of filaments or rods having but
a limited contact with the hot veneer surface, problems of glue
dryout are minimized with concomitant improvement in bond.
Fifth, since but a very short time interval elapses between the
introduction of the glue into the system and the pressing of the
panels in the press, highly reactive ingredients may be introduced
directly into the glue just before it enters the foamer. Such an
ingredient comprises for example a catalyst added to a
thermosetting resin glue, or formaldehyde added to a blood
glue.
Sixth, since the foamed glue may be applied in the form of
discrete, laterally spaced filaments or rods, multiple extrusion
heads may be employed to apply filaments alternately comprising
substances which when mixed react chemically with each other. The
mixing and reaction then will occur during the press cycle at which
time the filaments will be flattened into contact with each other
during the compression and breaking of the foam to form the plywood
glue lines.
This concept may be extended to situations wherein the ensuing
reaction is exothermic. Where the reactants comprise a
thermosetting resin glue and a catalyst therefor, the two may be
applied separately, intermingled in the press, with the ensuing
reaction liberating sufficient heat to set the glue. This may be
accomplished without the application of heat from an external
source so that, for the first time, hot press glues may be used in
the manufacture of plywood without the use of a hot press.
An example is a thermosetting resinous condensation product of
resorcinol and formaldehye used with a paraformaldehye catalyst
therefor. Another example is a thermosetting resinous condensation
product of phenol and formaldehyde as one component, a
thermosetting resinous condensation product of acetone and
formaldehyde as a second component, and a catalyst therefor as a
third component.
Seventh, by theuse of foamed glue as opposed to liquid glues it is
possible to apply the glue by means of extrusion. Extrusion
procedures are not easily applicable to liquid glues since the
solid fillers and debris which the glues invariably contain, tend
to plug the small openings through which the liquid glues
necessarily must be extruded. By foaming the glue and hence by
increasing its volume five-fold it is possible to employ extrusion
heads having apertures sufficiently large to avoid this
problem.
Eighth it is possible to control easily and accurately the amount
of glue applied to the veneers. This may be accomplished in a major
degree by altering the speed of pump 18, or by altering the speed
of the conveyor systems conveying the veneers or by changing
extrusion heads 70, or by a combination of these expedients.
Minor variations in spread may be obtained by taking advantage of
the fact that the extruded filaments are stretchable. Because of
this a surprisingly wide range of spread rates can be had with a
given extrusion aperture. Within limits varying the rate of glue
extrusion relative to the speed of veneer conveying merely causes
the applied glue filaments to stretch slightly or condense slightly
without breaking. The necessary control for optimum glue
utilization thus is achieved accurately and easily.
* * * * *