Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
S~6 fg
CONTINUOUS, LAMINATED-PLATE~ PRESS FOR PRESSING
GLUE-COATED PRESS CHARGES ;~
This invention relates to continuous presses for pressing
glue-coated, consolidatable press charges into a continuous product. ;
It pertains particularly to a continuous press for gluing stacked
glue-coated, wood laminae into lumber or plywood and is described
with particular reference to this application. No limitation there-
by is intended, however, for the press is equally suitable for such
applications as the consolidation of a mat of glue-coated wood
particles into wood composition board. ;~
Applicant's earlier continuous press comprises essential-
ly a pair of elongated, vertically spaced press beds and a pair of
endless press belts positioned between the press beds in substantial `
alignment therewith.
, A pair of endless anti-friction belts are interposed be-
tween the press beds and the press belts in substantial alignment
i and in working contact therewith. Drive means is connected to the
-~, press belts for advancing them in the feed direction at a rate
3~ predetermined to effect a desired consolidation of the stack of
wood laminae or other press charge during setting of the glue, At
. ~ ~........................................... .
the same time, the working stretches of the press belts are spaced
20 a distance sufficient to exert a predetermined pressure on the
press charge passing in pressure contact between them.
The operation of this assembly leads to the production of
a continuous plank or beam of indefinite length and having a width
`;~ determined by the width of the press.
^~ In the normal construction of such a press, the press beds
and press belts comprise massive steel members. The anti-friction
belts normally comprise anti-friction roller belts, the rollers al-
so being fabricated from hard steel. Since the rollers of the anti-
friction belts point load the press belts, very high pressures
30 are developed at the interface between these two components. The
105'~79
press belts accordingly are subject to cold working by the rollers
on which thy ride. This action takes place on the roller side only
of the press belts. On the opposite side, the components are pres-
sed uniformly against the press bed, which is of softer, flat mater-
ial so that the unit pressures are lower.
The cold rolling effect causes the press belt components to
cup as the cold worked surface expands and the opposite surface does
not. The cupped or curved surface in turn undesirably may imprint
its contour on the surface of the work passing through the press.
A further disadvantage of the cupping or curving of the
press platen surfaces resides in the fact that the press belt ele-
ments do not lie flat on the underlying rollers. The curved faces
;~ touch only part of the rollers, thus increasing the roller pressure
and magnifying the cold rolling effect. This phenomenon occurs even ~ -
at low pressure and in thick, hard, structural materials.
- Another difficulty inherent in the operation of a press of
this class, i9 that of guiding the work through the press in proper
working relation to the parts of the latter. Specifically, the rol-
~1 .
lers of the anti-friction belts tend to skew as they progress thr-
20 ough the press. This causes the associated press belts to shift in ``
- the direction of the skew, and thus to misalign the belts with ref-
erence to the press charge.
It accordingly is the object of the present invention to
provide a continuous press of the class described which is provid-
~! ed with press belts having platens permitting the inevitable cold
working of the platens to occur without interfering with their
~1 function.
, Additional objects of the invention are the provision of a
~1 continuous press of the class described fitted with continuous caul
plates which further prevent the disfigurement of the surface of
,,
~; the work, with means for guiding the press charge th~ ugh the
press in proper relation to the press parts, and with an incre-
mental drive of the accuracy necessary for the production of a
uniform product.
.,
.
~ ~ 5'~ 9 3
The continuous press of the present invention which achieves
the foregoing objectives basically comprises a pair of elongated,
vertically spaced press beds associated with a pair of endless press
belts positioned between the press beds in substantial alignment. ~ -
A pair of endless anti-friction rollerbelts is interposed between
the press beds and the press belts in substantial alignment and in
working contact therewith. The working stretches of the press belts
' are spaced apart a distance sufficient to exert a predetermined pres--~
sure on a consolidatable press charge passing in pressure contact
10 between them. Drive means connected to the press belts advances
them in the feed direction at a rate predetermined to effect desir-
ed consolidation of the press charge during setting of the glue.
i Each press belt is comprised broadly of a pair of flexible
endless support members, such as endless chains, having a plurality
of press plates or platens supported transversely between them.
Each press plate is of laminar construction. It consists of a rela-
tively thick base plate and an overlying, relatively thin, cover
or pressure plate. The cover plate is secured to the base plate in
the central areas of both only. The ends of the cover plate are
; 20 lightly confined and free to expand. In the operation of the press,
3 the cover plate thus accepts the cold working stresses without
, transmitting them to the base plate, which is in contact with the
I work. The base plate thus is not subject to a deformation which
' would be transferred to the press charge.
Further to protect the press charge there is included in the
x assembly a pair of endless caul belts. One of these is interposed
between each press belt and the press charge, thereby preventing
marring or scuffing of the surface of the latter. Also, an incre-
mental drive of strictly controlled incremental magnitude is em-
--~ 30 ployed to fur~her insure uniformity of the product.
S;de guides are provided to guide the press belts, and the
~'1 press charge, as they move through the press.
~`t Considering the foregoing in greater detail and with parti-
' .r
cular references to the drawings, wherein:
.
.~, .
.
,
67~3 ~ 4-
Figs. 1 and 2 are fragmentary side elevations of the infeed
and outfeed segments of the herein described press, respectively,
with parts broken away for convenience of illustration.
Fig. 3 is a transverse, fragmentary sectional view taken
along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken along line 4-4 of
Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3,
but showing additional detail.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6
of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, plan sectional view taken on line
7-7 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a foreshortened, plan, sectional view taken along
line 8-8 of Fig. 3and illustrating a platen assembly employed in
` the hereindescribed press.
Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 9-9
of Fig. 8.
' Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view further illustrating
20 the platen assembly.
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation, on the sheet with
Fig. 2, illustrating the press drive.
Fig. 12 is on the sheet with Figs. 4, 5 and 6, and is a frag-
mentary section taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of the infeed seg-
men~ of the press illustrating the leading or forward guide roller
` locations, parts being broken away for convenience of illustration.Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic, plan, foreshortened, fragmentary,
sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, plan, sectional view taken along
line 15-15 of Fig. 13.
Fig. 16 is on the sheet with Fig. 14 and is a fragmentary
sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 13.
` Fig. 17 is on the sheet w~th Fig. 15 and is a fragmentary
levational view taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 14.
~ .
" 1~5'~6'-~9
Fig. 18 is on the sheet with Fig. 15 and is a plan fragmen-
tary sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is on the sheet with Fig. 14 and is a fragmentary
sectional view taken along line 19-19 o`f Fig. 17.
As has been indicated above, the presently described press
may be applied to the consolidation and gluing of a variety of
press materials. It may be applied in general to the continuous
pressing ~f consolidatable press charges comprising matrice~,the
components of which are coated or impregnated with glue. Thus it
10 may be applied to the continuous pressing of felts comprising min-
eral or woody particles coated with glue, in the manufacture of
composition boards.
` The press is particularly applicable, however, to the pres-
sing of charges comprising stacked, glue-coated wood laminae in the
production of lumber, heavy timbers, and plywood. The laminae ad-
vantageously may comprise plywood veneers of any of the various
commercial thicknesses.
3 In the preparation of the stacked laminae, the wood veneers
~ or other sheets first are glue coated by any of the conventional -
el 20 techni~ues, i.e. by spraying, curtain coating, brushing, or roll
coating. Sufficient glue is employed to fill any voids and coat
the surfaces. Thermosettlng or cold setting glues may be employed.
,
, To economize on press length, it is preferred to employ quick set-
- ting glues.
~ The glue-coated laminae are laid up i n a stack 20 having a
- thickness, width, and pa~tern determined by the dimensions of the
i~
; press and the end use to which the pressed product is tobe put.
.
Thus the laminae may be stacked uniformly through~ut the length
of the charge to provide a product of uniform density throughout
its length. On the other hand, where products of variable density
are desired, the laminae may be stacked non-uniformly to provide
areas which, after consolidation in the press, are of greater den-
f city than the remaining areas of the pressed product.
,-
:
f~ -5-
105'~79 --
However compounded, the press charge is fed automatically
or manually into the con~inuous press of the invention which has
for its functions continuously pressing the charge, consolidating
it to a predetermined thickness and density, and retaining it in its
consolidated condition during setting of the glue. The press basic-
ally comprises the press beds, the press belts, the endless cauls,
the clamps, and the drive means applied to the belts for advancing
the press charge through the press.
Considering these basic components one at a time:
The Press Beds
The press beds with associated stru~tural frame have for
their primary functions supporting and backing up the press charge
l that moves continuously through the press while being ~b~ected to
s consolidating pressures. Their construction is illustrated particu-
larly in Figs. 1, 3 and 7.
The design of the framework supporting the press beds is
such as to lend flexibility in size and appl~ation to the press.
Thus the entire press may consist of a single module of thirty or
more feet in length. It is a feature of the invention, however,
that the frame may be constructed in a plurality of modules to
give a finished press having the desired production and capacity.
In the particular embodiment of Fig. 7, the press, indicat-
:''
î ed generally at 10 and consisting of an upper section lOa and a
` lower section lOb, is divided into an infeed module 12, one or
more intermediate modules 14, and an outfeed module 16, all suitab-
- ly connected as by means of flanged members and bolts 17.
Since heat is applied in the operation of the press, the
;i fram~ is mounted to permit longitudinal thermal expansion. This
is accomplished by anchoring the infeed section of the press while
i 30 permitting the intermediate modules to slide or float freely longi-
tudinally.
--` To this end the infeed portion of the press is supportedby a frame assembly whi¢h consists of anchor plates 26 secured
''' `
5 ~ ~ 7 9 ~
~o foundation 28 by the usual means, and further secured to sub-
frames 30 by means of angle brackets 32 and bolts 34. A plurality
of massive horizontally spaced vertical support bolts 36 are
threaded to sub-frames 30.
The central and outfeed end portions of the press are sup-
ported by similar design of framework supported by friction plates
40. The latter are anchored to the concrete foundation in a manner
similar to anchoring plates 26.
Friction plates 30 slidably support longitudinal sub-frames
42. The latter are guided laterally by a plurality of spaced guides
44. These are secured to friction plates 40 by means of bolts 46.
Evenly spaced, vertically disposed mounting bolts 48 are
threaded to sub-frames 42 throughout the remaining length of the
press.
All of the frame sub-assemblies have a commondesign, as
~i~ will be further described hereinafter, with the exce~tion that
bolts 36 supporting the infeed section of the press are spaced
relatively close to each other for increased strength.
Bolts 36 and 48 clamp upper sleeves 50, intermediate spac-
ers 52, and lower sleeves 54 to the sub-frames 30 and 42. Bridg-
ing between and integral with matching pairs of sleeves 50 are
lateral webs 56. At their lower edges these support an upper,
: centrally disposed, longitudinally extend~ng bed plate 58. At
their upper edges they support an upper, centrally disposed lon-
gitudinal guide plate 60.
Bridging between and integral with matching pairs of lower
sleeves 54 are lateral webs 62. At their upper edges these support
the lower, centrally disposed, longitudinal bed plates 64. At
their lower edges they support a lower guide plate 660
A pair of full length upper webs 68 integrate the complete
upper frame assembly l~a. Another pair of full length we~s 70 in-
tegrate the lower frame assembly lOb, Figs. 1, 3 and 7.
The Press Belts
` The press belts have for their function advancing the press
~ `~ ~
105'~ 9
charge through the press, consolidating the press charge, and
restraining the press charge during setting of the glue. Their
construction is illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
The press belts each comprise a pair of endless flexible
support members, specifically heavy chains, transversely mounting
a plurality of press plates or platens. To support this assembly
at the infeed end of the apparatus, there are provided two pairs
of bearing mounting brackets 72 bolted to the frame by bolts 74.
Two pairs of bearings 76 are mounted tothe bearing mounting brack-
10 ets by means of bolts 78. Journaled within these bearings are apair of transverse shafts 80. Keyed tothe outer portions of the
- shafts by means of keys 82 are a pair of drive sprockets 84 onto
which is trained an endless drive chain 86.
At the outfeed end of the press, Fig. 2, a pair of slidable
bearing blocks 88 journal cross shafts 90 which support two pairs
of sprockets 92. Each bearing block 88 has ~rmed within its upper
and lower extremities a pair of vertically opposed bifurcated por-
tions 94. These regis~er with and are supported by four pairs of
rails 96.
To enable tensioning of the drive chains, bearings 88 are
attached to tensioning cylinders 97 through rams 98. The cylinders
are mounted on integral mounting ears 99 by means of belts 100
and mounting lugs 101.
At their forward ends, rail pairs 96 are mounted detach-
- ably on cross webs 56 and 62 by means of brackets 102 and bolts
103, 104. The rearward portions of rail pairs 96 are detachably
~ mounted to ears 105 which are integrated with upper and lower
-~ sleeves 50, 54 respectively b y means of bolts 106.
The top links of chains 86 which are located in upper sec-
tion lOa of the press are supported by tracks 107. These in turnare integral with andsupported by webs 56, Fig. 6. The bottom
links of chains 86, operating in lower section lOb of the press,
are supported by tracks 108, Fig. 3. Tracks 108 are pinned to the
inner portion of sub-frames 30.
~ . --8 -
~ ~5;~6~9
Continuously located throughout the length of drive chains
86 and forming the chain link hinge pivots are evenly spaced, in-
wardly disposed hinge pin extensions 109, Fig. 3. Transversely
matching pairs of pins 109 are journaled slidably and rotatably
within bores 110 of platen support blocks 111. Each platen support
block has its inner corners relieved at 112 to provide the neces-
sa~ y clearance when changing the direction of travel at the infeed
and output ends of the press.
Inwardly facing slots 114 are formed within platen support
10 blocks 111. These support opposing ends of transverse platens or
press plates 116. The platens are detachably secured to the sup-
- port blocks by a pair of screws 118.
By reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, it will be noted that the
arrangement of the platens is such that their adjacent, transverse
edges are spaced closely together when the platens are in their
horizontal position within the press.
As noted hereinabove, it is one of the features of the
present invention that the platen construction is laminar in order
to compensate for cold working of one of its surfaces by the roller
belt support with which it comes in contact. This construction is
apparent from a consideration of Fig. 10.
~ A relatively thin pressure plate 124 is supported within
`~ slots 114 of platen support blocks 111. To permit its working un-
?j, der stresses, it is fastened to the platen in the center portion
''? only. Thus it is mounted to the inner surface 126 of the center
portion of platen 116 by means of a bar 128 and screws 130.
Bar 128 serves the purpose of attaching the platen pressure
~'3 or cover plate to the platen. It also serves the purpose of a slide
^' which tracks in a longi~udinal guideway or rail 168 extending cen-
; 30 trally the length of the press.
All four corners of cover pressure plate 124 have notches
132 which register with screws 118 and insure a floating arrange-
ment of the cover plate ends. Located at the center of the cover
plate are two transversely opposed slots 134. These provide clear-
~` _ 9_
105'~79 `--
ance for screws 130. Located at the center of platen 116 are two
transversely opposed pockets 135. These receive the pro;ections
129.
The Anti-Friction Press Belts
Means are included in the press assembly for minimizing the
friction which otherwise would be present between the moving press
belts, above described, and the stationary press beds. The means
; employed for this purpose comprise endless roller belts interposed
between the press beds and the press belts. The construction and
manner of operation of these roller belts is illustrated particu-
larly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Shafts 80 additionally support inwardly mounted pairs of
idler sprockets 136, rotatably mounted on bearings 138 and integrat-
ed by tubes 140. Pairs of endless chains 142 are trained around the
idler sprockets traveling the complete length of the press. The
chains terminate at tensioning idler sprockets 144 mounted within
the outfeed portion of the press, Fig. 2.
I~ Sprockets 144 are mounted rota~ably on transverse shafts
,, 146 which have their ends journaled within bearings 148. To enable~l 20 tensioning of the chains, the rail pairs 96 above described slid-
ably support and guide bearings 148 in the same manner as they slid-
1 ably support and guide bearings 88.
-~, A pair of tensioning cylinders 150 is attached to bearings
148 by means of rams 152. Cylinders 150 are mounted by integral ears
154 and bolts 156. These are threadably secured to mounting lugs
157 integral with rails 96.
Chains 142 have elongated hinge pins 158 extending inwardly
and sîmilar ~o hinge pins 108 on chains 86 heretofore mentioned.
Pins 158 are journaled within axially centered bores 160 located
30 within each end 162 of transverse pressure rollers 164.
Rollers 164 are made of hard steel and are responsible for
; the cold rolling action on the platens above described. The rollers
have at their mid-point grooves 166 which register with and receive
platen rails 128, Figs. 3 and 9.
IO ~
1~5'~ 9
Longitudinal primary guide rails 168 are supported central-
ly in grooves 169 in bed plates 58 and 58. The rails register with
and enter grooves 166 of the pressure rollers in opposing relation
128, Figs. 3 and 4. Slide bars 128 of the platens also register
with and enter grooves 166 of the rollers. In this manner the press
beds, press belts and anti-friction belts are keyed together in
operative relation, preventing lateral displacement of the belts.
It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the upper surface 170 of
bed plate 64 generates into a ramp 172 at its forward end. A sim-
ilar opposed surface is formed at the front portion of bed plate
58. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower surface 174 of bed plate 58 gen-
erates into a ramp 176 in its terminal portion. The upper rear sur-
; face of bed plate 68 has an opposing similar surface. The front
and rear portions of guide plates 60, 66 are similarly formed.
The upper horizontal runs of chains 142 that operate withinupper press section lOa are supported and guided by an upwardly ex-
tending pair of longitudinal tracks 180. These are integral with
guide plates 60, Fig. 6. The bottom horizontal run of chains 142
that operate within lower section lOb of the press are guided by a
20 pair of longitudinal, downwardly extending tracks 182. These are
~i integral with guide plates 66, Fig. 3.
,,
~1 The Endless Cauls
. . .,!
-~ It is a further feature of the instantly described press
~ ,,
that not only is the surface of the press charge protected from
the defacing ~etion of malformed, cold-rolled press plates, but
also from scratching and marring caused by contact with any of the
elements of the press. To this end, endless steel caul bolts option-
ally but preferably are interposed between the press charge and the
-~ pressing elements.
, 30 As is shown in Figs. 1-4, a pair of endless spring steel
belts 220 are located in the upper section lOa and the lower section
lOb of the press. At the infeed end, the belts 220 are trained
around platens 116.
:
:
--` 10~;~679
Rearwardly, they are trained around idler rollers 222 which
are supported by transverse shafts 244. The shafts have their ends
journaled within bearing blocks 226 wh~ch are slid~y mounted be-
tween rails 96 in a manner similar to the manner of mounting bear-
ings 88 and 148, previously described. The bottom run of belt 220
local;ed in press section lOb is supported by a plurality of rollers
- 237.
- Pairs of tensioning cylinders 228 are connected to bear-
ings 226 by means of rams 230. Cylinders 228 are demountably se-
cured by integral flanges 232 and bolts 234. The latter are thread-
ed into lugs 236 which in turn are integral with rails 96.
; Tensioning cylinders 228, like tensioning cylinders 97, 150
above described, have an independent fluid supply source which will
deliver fluid at a pressure suiting the requirements of the tension-
ing system. ~-
The Press Belt Drive
The inner horizontal runs of drive chains 86 are driven by
one or more sets of four chain driving ratchets indicated g~nerally
at 22. These are located transversely in pairs in the upper and
lower, and terminal and central sections of the press.
Each drive unit consists of a carriage 238 formed by a pair
of plates 240, Figs. 11 and 12. The plates are positioned in spaced
relation by a pair of washers 242. The latter in turn are positioned
by a pair of clamping bolts 2~4 located at both ends of carriage 238.
Bolts 244 also position two pairs of support rollers 246
that extend outwardly from plates 240. The rollers travel within
j; inwardly disposed longitudinally guideways 248.These are formed
`~ within pairs of tracks 250 detachably mounted by means of bolts 252
to the frame plates 254. The latter are integral with the longitu-
dinal frame web 68 and 70 at their inner portions and supported by
~ clamping bolts 48 and sleeves 255 at their outer portions.
; A pair of rollPrs 256 are journaled onto two stub shafts
257 which are integral with plates 240 and ~re positioned within
relieved portions 258 located on the right hand end of the carriage
238. The peripheries of the rollers extend slightly beyond the outer
1~5;~ 9
~urfaces 260 of plates 240 and engage the inner surfaces 264 of
tracks 250. This effectively guides carriage 238 in the transverse
direction.
Carriages 238 are driven by cylinders 263 with rams 264,
spreadably secured within a connector guide 266. The latter in turn
is secured to the carriage 238 by a bolt 244. It forms part of the
connector guide 266. Guide portions 267 extend toward and contact
chains 86.
Cylinder 262 is anchored by pin 268 and ears 270 the latter
being integral with upper and lower webs 56 and 62 respectively.
Positioned between plates 240 are a pair of chain-roller-
engaging ratchet paws 272. These are mounted rotatably on cross .
pins 274 secured to plates 240 in the usual manner. Extensions 276
are formed on the cauls and when in chain driving position bear
against stop pins 278. The latter are secured to plates 240.
Mounted to the extensions 276 at 280 are tension springs282 a~chored on pins 284 formed on plates 240.
The ratchet drive serves to move the press charge incre-
mentally along the length of the press, on a timed sequence deter-
mined by the press loading schedule and arrangement, the glue set-
ting time and other considerations. A problem is presented in main-
taining the increments at precisely the right value, particularly
in view of the variable stretch of each of the four chains 86, re-
sulting in failure of the pawls to register accurately with the
particular chain rollers they seek to engage. Accordingly, a system
is employed that will control independently each ofthe four ratchet
units 22 so that it can make an appropriate compensation.
; Referring to Fig. 2, a spring loaded, linear, measuring
wheel 290 of conventional construction contacts the upper surface
3~ of the finished laminate. It is supported by a linear control unit
292 mounted to frame 38 at its outfeed portion. The total design
stroke of ram 264 is greater than the incremental stroke that is
required.
.
;`~ -13
. ~ .
~ 5;~6'-~9
Fig. 10 illustrates the ram in retracted position while at
rest. It also illustrates the ratchet pawl 272 in a typical rest
position relative to the chain rollers. When the ram begins its ex-
tension, carriage 238 will travel a certain distance until the rat-
chet: pawl contacts the chain roller 289. Subsequent movement of the
press charge then will initiate the rotation of linear measuring
wheel 290.
When the associated measuring unit 292 determines the desir-
ed increment of travel of the press charge, the measuring unit op-
erates to halt the stroke of ram 264 through an associated electriccircuit. Thereupon the ram returns to its retracted, at rest posi-
tion, ready for a new stroke. Consequently, regardless of the posi-
tion of the pawl relative to chain rollers 289, the laminate travel
will start only at the precise movement when pawl 272 initially con-
tacts the roller causing the chain to move simultaneously with the
press charge.
As an adjunct of the apparatus, heating means are provided
to supply heat in sufficient amount to set the adhesive and/or
plasticize the press charge, thereby assisting in the final consol-
idation of the charge. Suitably disposed and designed heaters areapplied to this purpose. In the illustrated form of the invention,
a plurality of heaters 286 are secured by bolts 288 to the outer
.
surfaces of bed plates 58 and 68 at strategic locations along the
length of the press.
As a further important adjunct of the press, there is pro-
vided means for controlling the thickness of the product. Such
means comprises one or more substantial clamps indicated general-
ly at 23 positioned in critical locations along the length of the
press. Each clamp consists of upper and lower transverse bars 316,
318. These ~ear respectively against bed plates 58 and 68. They
are held together in adjustable relation by the action of a pair
of clamping bolts 320. Since they back up the bed plates, they
act as e~fective stops against which the press charge is pressed,
thereby determining its final thickness.
_ Iy _
~(~5'~6'-~9
Figs. 13-19 illustrate a form of the invention in which
guide means is provided for assisting in the longitudinal guidi~g
of the press belts as they move through the press.
As noted above, a difficulty inherent in the operation of
a press of the class described herein is that of guiding the press
belts through the press in such a manner as to maintain the work in
proper working relation to the press elements. Specifically, the
rollers of the anti-friction belts tend to skew as they progress
through the press. This causes the associated press belts to shift
in the direction of the skew and thus to misalign ~he belts with
reference to the press charge. Because of ~he great length of the -
~press, and the high pressure developed, this effect may occur to
- some degree in spite of the fact that the press beds, press belts
and anti-friction belts are keyed together in the manner already
described.
~ ccordingly, there are provided in the press of the inven-
tion guide means for insuring that the press belts, anti-friction
belts and charge will not stray from their predetermined paths
through the press. In the illustrated form of the invention, the
~i 20 guide means comprises guide roller assemblies indicated generally
at 321, 322 respectively.
As shown particularly in Figs. 13-16, guide roller assem-
blies 321 are located in the infeed portion of the press. Each
comprises a hardened steel roller 323 rotatably mounted on a pair
of bearings 324. The bearings are journaled within recesses 326
i located centrally of the rollers.
A cross shaft 328 is journaled within bearings 324. It has
:~ its outer ends pressed into bores 330 located within outwardly ex-
tending supporting blocks 332. The latter are integral with a
3Q pair of supporting arms 334. Pins 336 secure shaft 328 to blocks
~,
332.
Support arms 334 are mounted for pivotal movement on a
cross shaft 338. The later is journaled in pairs of mounting ears
340. These are integral with spacers 52. Pins 342 retain the cross
:
;
lOS~6~9
shaft.
Means are provided for adjusting the position of the rollers
relative to the press belts.
Bearing against blocks 332 are the ends of a pair of adjust-
ment bolts 344. These are threaded into a pair of supporting bars
346. The supporting bars in turn are integral with, and bridge, ad-
jacent sleeves 52. Lock nuts 348 retain the bolts.
As shown in Figs. 14, 17, 18 & 19, guide roll assemblies
322 including hardened steel guide rollers 350 of larger diameter
~` 10 are employed throughout the rest of the length of the press. This
- is possible because downstream from the infeed portion of the press,where the preliminary alignment occurs, the guide rolls may be spaced
farther apart. It is important to use roDs of as large diameter as
is practical in order to increase the bearing surface and avoid de-
formation of the platen parts.
To mount rollers 350, a pair of bearings 354, Fig. 17 is
journaled within a bore 352 formed within each roller. Journaled
within bearings 354 is a cross shaft 356 which has its ends pres-
sed within bores 358 formed within a bifurcated support arm 360.
~ .,,
A pair of spacing rings 362 are positioned on the shaft and
bridge the gap between bearings 354 and arms 360. Clips 363 retain
.
the outer ends of cross shaft 356.
One end of support arm 360 is hinged to the structural bolt
;
member 36, thereby facilitating maintenance and bearing replacement.
.
~J For this purpose there is formed a vertical bore 364 through
end end of the support armL A bushing 366 is rotatably mounted
within the bore. The bushing is secured to structural bolt member
36 by being clamped between two adjacent sleeves 368.
The vertical dimension of the end of support arm 360 is
` 30 slightly less than the vertical dimension of bushing 366. This pro-
vides a slight clearance 370.
The opposite end of support arm 360 is retained adjustably
- by means of a pair of studs 372 which are integral wi~h sleeves
- 368. Studs 372 extend through slots 374 formed within one end of
.
105;~79
support arm 360. They mount pairs of lock nuts 376 on the outer
threaded portions. When rollers 350 are not positioned adjacent
one another, as illustrated in the downstream end of Fig. 14,
studs 372 are integral with sleeves 52.
The location of the guide roller assemblies in the press
is of importance in determining their proper functioning. In the
infeed zone, before significant pressures are appliedto the press
charge, the charge is initially guided and centered by closely
. spaced, compact, guide roller assemblies 321. Immediately down-
stream from the infeed zone is a zone where maximum pressures are
;~ applied to the press charge, which accordingly is somewhat over-
consolidated. Maximum guiding is required in this zone. According-
- ly, there are provided a plurality of guide roller assemblies 322
in closely spaced arrangement.
Downstream from the over-consolidation zone the press pres-
sure becomes progressively less thus requiring progressively few-
e~ guide roller assemblies of the class indicated at 322. Where-
ever located, the guide roller assemblies 321 and 322 are mountedi
in opposing pairs to minimize distortional stresses.
During operation of the press the peripheral surfaces of
guide rollers 323 of assemblies 321 and guide rollers 350 of as-
semblies 322 bear against the outer end surfaces of platen support
.~ '
blocks 111, as shown particularly in Figs. 13 and 19. The arrange-
~ ment is such that the horizontal center lines of rollers 323 and-~ 350 are substantially aligned with the mating surfaces 113 of
platen support blocks 111. A proper working relationshi~ may be
maintained by adjustment of bolts 344 and studs 372.
~The adjustmen~ of the rollers should be such that those
;at the infeed end of the press, where heavy pressure has not as
~30 yet been applied to the press charge, are in direct contact with
-~`,platen support blocks 111. ~n the other hand, in the downstream
zones where heavy pressure is applied, a slight but predetermined
clearance should be present between the rollers and the platen
.
-17-
~ lQS;~6-~9
swpport blocks. Effective guidance of the press belts thus is ob-
tained at all times, uniformly along their entire len~th and in
spite of the very heavy pressures developed in the press.
The operation of the hereindescribed continuous press is
as follows:
At the infeed end of the press a continuously fed, uncon-
solidated, adhesive coated laminate "L" is fed to the press man-
ually or, preferably, by an automatic machine that assemblies in-
dividual wood veneers into an assembly having a predetermined pat-
10 tern of staggered veneer laps. The outermost lamina does not have
adhesive on its outer surface.
; The press belts driven by ratchet assemblies 22 drive the
press charge through the press in predetermined increments of trav-
el. As the charge passes through the press, it is subjected to
great pressure exerted by the platens of the press belts, backed
up by the press bed plates and intervening anti-friction roller
belt.
The cold rolling effect of the rollers of the anti-friction
!'~ belt against the press platens 126 is dissipated by the partially
` 20 floating cover plates 124 which cover the platen bacl~ surfaces
and absorb the deforming pressure. They are replaceable upon de-
formation. Marring of the surface of the work by the press belt
-- components is prevented by the action of the intervening caul belts
220 interposed between the platen faces and the work. Control of
the final thickness of the glued laminate is achieved by c3amp
' units 23 incorporating clamp bars 316, 318 which act as stops
against which the charge is pressed. The accuracy of the incre-
mental drive is insured by control of the ratchet cylinders by
measuring instrument 292. Proper guidance of the press belts, and
30 hence of the press charge, is achieved by the action of guide roll
assemblies 3219 322 asthey bear against the ends of the individ-
ual press platens comprising the belts.
Accordingly, there is discharged from the outfeed end of
the press, a consolidated, laminar, continuous lumber product "L"
~ l8--
105;~6'^~9
which in a typical instance may be three or our inches thick,
three or four feet wide, and of indefinite length. This is trimmed
and cut to billets of the desired length with an edger and cut-off
saw~. Thereafter, the billets are reduced further in size to form
suc.h products as beams, dimension lumber, cords for trusses, and
other lumber items.
. .
'~:
.
;
`',"
:,.
:.
~.
~: .
.~',
;';
. ,,
. . .
.
. ~
