US2395903A - Coating machine - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1946. R. E. J. NoRDQulsT 2,395,903

CQATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1l Y ATTORNEYS March 5, 1946.

R. E. J. NORDQUIST Filed Jan. 18, 1941 COATINGZMACHINE i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 5, .1946

COATIN G MACHINE Ronald E. J. Nordquist, Maplewood, N. J.. as-

signor ,to American Can Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation o! New Jersey Application January 18, 1941, Serial No. 375.063

` (ci. sii- 51) 4 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to a coating ma chine for applying a film of uid coating substance to a web of material passed between a pressure roller and an applying roller operating in a bath of the coating substance and has particular reference to a pressure device for maintaining the pressure roller in operative position relative tc the applying roller.

In machines for applying coating materials to web stock it is sometimes necessary to stop the machine during the coating operation. Where heat is used to maintain the coating material in a iiuid condition it is desirable to remove the web from the applying roller4 by raising the pressure roller so that the web will not be burned while the machine is idle. i

' In stopping the machine the momentum of the machine parts keepl the web in motion after it has been removed from the applying roller and hence the place on the web where the coating material terminated will be advanced some disstance from the applying roller when the 'latter ilnally comes to a standstill. Thus when. the machine is again started and the web returned to engagement with the applying roller for continuing the coating operation there will be a blank space or skip on the web extending from the against the web and the web against the applylng roller until the latter comes to a dead stop. This 'is done by means of time delay and pressure thereby prevent skips or uncoated portions on the web caused by stopping of the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a machine wherein compressed air pressure devices and time delay control devices operating in conjunction with the motive power of the machine are utilized to effect the timed release and the return of the web relative to the applying roller so that a continuous coating of the web may be insured.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which. taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

. Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through a coating machine embodying the instant inven-l tion, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine shown in Eig. 1, with parts broken devices which release the pressure roller a predetermined period after the machine stops. 'I'his insures that the pressure roller will separate from the applying roller and carry the web with it thereby releasing the web from the applying roller at the point where the coating terminated. Hence when the web is again returned to the applying roller, when the machine is again started, the coating will continue from the point where it left oil and thus skips or non-coated portions inthe web will be prevented.

An object of the invention is the provision of i a coating machine having a pressure roller and an applying roller between which a web to be coated is passed, wherein the pressure roller keeps the web in engagement with the applying roller until the latter comes to a stand-still when the machine is stopped and thereafter releases the web from the applying roller until the machine is again started so that the coating of the web will continue from the place where it left ofi and away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary portion of the web being operated upon and showing hcw the coating terminates when the machine ceases operation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 4 4 in Fig. l: and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electric apparatus used in the machine.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings disclose the principal parts of a coating machine of the character utilized for applying a hot iluid thermoplastic adhesive in a predetermined design to one side of a substantially continuous web A of fibre material such as heavy paper from which containers or nbre cans are made. The web may be fed into and away from the machine in any suitable manner.

While in the machine, the web is fed by upper and lower cooperating rollers between which the web passes. These rollers constitute an adhesive applying roller I l (Figs. 1 and 2) and a pressure roller I2. 'I'he pressure roller I2 presses the movinglweb against the applying roller Il. During its travel through the machine. the web is held taut by spaced, parallel idler rollers i3.

The adhesive applying roller il is formed with trunnions I5 which are journaled in bearings I8 carried in side frames Il which constitute the main frame of the machine. The roller is preferably of the intaglio type and rotates in a bath of heated thermoplastic adhesive retained in a reservoir 2| .disposed between the sideirames.v

-2and4).

by a heating medium auch as hot water, hot oil, steam or the like which is circulated through a space 22 in a jacket 23 which surrounds the reservoir. An inlet pipe 24 and an outlet pipe 25 secured in the jacket provide for the circulation of the heating medium through the Jacket space.

The adhesive applying roller Il is rotated by a gear 21 which is carried on one of the trunnions i5. This gear meshes with a driving pinion 28 mounted on the rotor shaft of an electric motor 29.

Hence as the roller rotates in the bath of adhesive it picks up the adhesive and carries it up toward the web. All of this picked-up adhesive except that contained within the pockets or intaglio recesses of the roller is scraped oil by a doctor blade 32 which is located within the reservoir and which bears upon the periphery of the intaglio roller. It is this pocketed adhesive that is applied to the moving web in the same pattern as that on the surface of the intaglio roller. By way oi' example one such applied pattern of adhesive is shown on the web in Fig. 3 and is indicated by the letter B.

If desired the adhesive applying roller Il may be maintained in a heated condition. For this purpose the roller and its trunnions I are made hollow so that a liquid heating medium may be circulated through them,

I'he pressure roller I2 is preferably mounted above the adhesive applying roller l I. This pressure roller is formed with trunnions 35 (Fig. 1) which are journaled in bearings 36 formed in vertically movable slide blocks 31 (see also Figs.

The slide blocks are retained in slideways 38 formed in a hingedly mounted auxiliary frame 39 which is mounted on a pivot shaft 4i secured in the side frames I1.

This construction of auxiliary frame, permits of swinging frame and pressure roller back and out of the way when it is desired to clean the machine. When the auxiliary frame and the pressure roller are in operative position, as shown inthe drawings, the frame is locked against displacement by latch members 43. At one end, these latch members are mounted on pivot pins 44 secured in the auxiliary frames, while at the other end each latch member engages with a shoulder 45 on the side frames.

The pressure roller I2 -is rotated in unison with the adhesive applying roller l I by a gear 41 which is mounted on trunnions of the pressure roller. Gear 41 meshes with and is driven by the adhesive applying roller gear 21.

Under operating conditions the pressure roller l2 is forced down against the web which in turn is held against the adhesive 'applying roller il with av predetermined force or pressure. This is effected by compressed air pressure devices or units generally indicated by the numeral 5I. There is one of these devices on each side of the .machine and they are connected with the pressure roller slide blocks 31. The two devices are identical in construction and they operate in unison as will now be explained.

Each pressure device 5| includes a four part cylinder housing which comprises a lower section 52 (Fig. 4), a plate section 53, an intermediate or auxiliary cylinder section 54, and an upper or main cylinder section 55. 'I'hese sections are all provided with ilanges which are secured by bolts, as shown in the drawings, to hold the housing sections in place.

The lower housing section 52 of each device is formedas a part of the auxiliary frame 39 and encloses a compartment 51. This compartment is open to the atmosphere by way of a port or vent I3 formed in a side wall of the housing section. A stem 6i on the slide block 31 extends up into the compartment 51 through a clearance hole 82 formed in a bottom wall 83 of the housing section. Within the compartmentthe stem interlocks with a vertical piston rod 65 which extends up through all of the other housing sections and which terminates within the upper section 55.

The plate section 53 of each device rests on top of the bottom section 52 and is formed with a pocket casing 81 which extends down into the bottom compartment 51. The pocket casing retains a compression spring 88. The bottom of the casing is formed with a clearance hole 89 through which the piston rod 65 extends.

The intermediate or auxiliary cylinder section 54 of each device rests on top of the plate -section 53. The upper end of the section is closed with a disk Wall 12 which is formed with a bearing 13. The bearing supports a stuffing box 14 for a shouldered portion l5 of the piston rod B5.`

Within the auxiliary cylinder section 54 there is also an auxiliary piston 11 which is loose on the piston rod 65 and which is supported on the compression spring 68.

The spring 68 lmaintains the pistonin engagement with the shouldered portion 15 of the piston rod and thus normally supports and retains the piston rod and the slide block 31 connected therewith in a raised position. In such raised position the pressure roller i2, carried in the slide block, is spaced above and out of engagement with the adhesive applying roller Il. A stuiling box 19 is provided in the auxiliary piston for the piston rod.

The upper or main cylinder section 55 of each device rests on top of the auxiliary cylinder section 54 and contains a main piston 8l which is secured to the upper end of the piston rod B5.

Below the piston the interior` of .the main cylinder section is open to the atmosphere by way of a channel 82 formed in the disk wall l2 of vthe auxiliary cylinder section. The inner end of the channel communicates with the interior of the main cylinder 55 while its outer end communicates with -the outside atmosphere.

Compressed air is introduced into the interior of the main cylinder section 55 of each device above the'main piston 8| and also into the auxiliary cylinder section 54 above the auxiliary piston 11. This is done by way of ports 85 and a channel 86 formed in the side Walls of the cylinder sections. The channel 86 communicates with a pipe 81, one end of which is threaded into the side wall of the main cylinder section 55.

The pipes 81 from'both pressure devices 5I communicate with a lead pipe B9 (Fig. 1) which is connected into a casing 9| of a slide valve 92.

The valve is formed on a stem 93 which extends into an electric solenoid 94. The solenoid end of the valve stem is backed up by va compression spring 95. The solenoid is connected into a source of electric energy and is operated by being energized and deenergized at predetermined times as will be hereinafter explained in connection with the wiring diagram of Fig. 5.

When the machine is operating, Vthe solenoid 94 is maintained energized and the valve 92 is held inlifted position and against the resistance of the spring 95. A valve port 9B at such time is in registry with the end of the lead pipe 88 in the valve casing. In this position of the valve,

lof the machine.

the port 99' is also in registry with the end of a main supply pipe 91 which leads from any suitable supply of compressed air. The machine end of this pipe is threaded into the valve casing 9| on the side opposite the lead pipe 99. 5 With the valve 92 in this open position, com-` pressed air flows through the main supply pipe 91, valve port'9'9, lead pipe 99, pipes 91 and into l iiiary piston 11 and thus compresses the corre-.20

sponding spring 99 in the cylinder on that side This relieves each main piston of the extra load oi' compressing the spring and insures more elllcient operation of the device.

When the machine stops operating, it is deg5 sirable to relieve the pressure on the pressure roller i2 and to bring the web A out of engagement with the adhesive applying roller to prevent burning of the paper or fibre web as hereinbefore mentioned. 'This is done by deenergizing the 30 solenoid 94. v

When the solenoid 94 is deenergized the valve spring 95 shifts the valve 92 in its casing 9| and thereby moves the valve port 99 out of registry` with themain air supply pipe 91. This cuts oil 95 the supply of air to the air pressure units 5|. In this'closed position of the valve. the valve port 99 is in registry with an atmosphere port Y99 cut through the wall of the valve casing. Communication between atmosphere andthe lead pipe 99 40l is obtained at such time, such. communication being effected by way of an elongated extension -99 of the valve port 99.

Hence the interiors of the cylinder sections 94, 55 oi -the two pressure units are open to the 45 atmosphere the air pressure therein having been immediately dissipated by movement of the valve 92. The compression spring 99 in the auxiliary cylinder 54 of each device is expanded when the 50 parts are in this condition and each auxiliary piston 11 is in its raised position. At the time or the .change from pressure to atmosphere each piston l1 pressing against the shouldered portion 'I0 of the piston rod 99 raises the rod, its 'associated main piston 8| and the slide block 91 connected therewith. .This lifts or elevates the pressure roller I2 from operative engagement with the adhesive applying roller Il.

The web A follows the pressure roller l2 an hence moves out of engagement with the adhesive applying roller. Further application of the adhesive to the web in the pattern B thus terminates at once. The web thereupon remains in its relative position until it and the pressure roller 65 are again returned to operative position against the adhesive applying roller. c

In a conventional machine not equipped with the present adhesive applying control, the pressure roller and web when abruptly shifted away 7o from the adhesive roller moves out of proper position. At such time the momentum of the mov-l ingparts oi' the machine maintains the advancing web in motion until the machine comes to a dead stop, as hereinbefcre explained. It is 15 of the air valve solenoid 94.

this momentum that causes skips-or uncoated portions in the adhesive pattern on the web.

In the present invention. to prevent these skips in the adhesive pattern whenever the machine stops, provision is made for maintaining the pressure roller I2 in engagement with the web vand the web with the applying roller untilthe machine has actually come to a dead stop. This is preferably done by prolonging the air supplied to the pressure devices by maintaining the compressed air in iorce in the cylinders 04, .99. The air pressure is maintained by a time delay.

device connected with the electric apparatus in the machine and for this feature reference should now be had to the wiring diagram in Fig. 5.

The wiring diagram includes a machine motor circuit X, a time delay circuit Y. and a solenoid circuit Z. The motor circuit includes the electric motor 29 which is the source of power for operating the machine. This motor is connected by a lead wire I0| to a suitable source ot electric energy such as a generator I 02 and is also connected by a lead wire |09 to one side of a service switch |04. The opposite side of the -switch is connected by a wire |09 to the gener r ||9 to the main lead wire |0| of the motor circuit while the opposite side of the solenoid relay ils" connected by a wire |I4 to the motor lead wire 9. l Hence when the motor circuit X is closed, part of theelectric energy passing along the circuit also ows along the time delay circuit Y. This energizes the solenoid relay |09 and keeps its switch elementi 09 closed.

The switch element |09 is included in the solenoid circuit Z and closes against a contact I|9 of a wire .||1 which connects with the motor circuit wire I0|and also closes against a contact H9 of a wire H9 which connects into the coil The solenoid is also connected by a wire |2| to the motor circuit wire |05. Hence as long as the switch element |09 is maintained closed against the solenoid cir.- cuit contacts IIB, Ila. electric energy from the motor circuit passes along the solenoid circuit and therebymaintsins the solenoid 94 energized and thus keeps the air valve open se that compressed air will be introduced into the cylinders 94, 59 oi the air pressure units 5| as hereeffected byopening the motor circuit switch |04.

Opening of the switch breaks the motor circuit and hence the motor commences to coast to a stop. At the same time, lthis breaking of the motor circuit breaks the time delay circuit Y and thus the solenoid relay |09 becomes deenergized. Deenergization of the solenoid relay |09 sets the time delay device III in operation.

The time delay device I I is set to operate for a predetermined period of time which is suillcient to allow the machine to come to a dead stop. At the termination of this period of time the delay device opens the switch element |09 o! the solenoid relay |09 and thus breaks the solenoid circuit Z. This deenergizes the solenoid 94 and immediately the compressedY air control valve 92 operates to'cut of! the flow oi' compressed air and to'open each of the cylinders il, 55 to the atmosphere, as hereinbefore explained. Springs 88 are thus permitted to move the pressure roll I2 out o!Y operative engagement with the web and adhesive applying roller i l.

In' this manner the web A is maintained in engagement with the adhesive applying roller l I until both the roller and the web have come -to a dead stop. .The web may then be released from the roller without throwing out the surface relationship oi the two. Since neither the web is advanced along its lengthv nor the adhesive applying miler rotated while the machine is stopped the adhesive pattern already applied to the web and that subsequently to be applied` will not bev out of When the machine is again started bye-losing of the motor circuit'switch lill the air valve 92 is immediately opened-and compressed air, entering the cylinders 54, l5 of the air pressure units,

immediately returns the web to the adhesive ap.-

plying roller Il and the application of the adhesive pattern begins at the place where it was interrupted when the machine stopped. This is in f dicated on the web in Fig. 3 by a dot and dash line c-c. Thus skips in the adhesive pattern are en-v come to astand-still while the web'is in engagement with the applying roher, whereby to terminate the coating operation at a locality on the web from which the coating operation may be resumed when the machine is again started withoutinterruption to the coated film on the web.l t

3. In a machine for applying a coating tluid to a web of material, the combination of a pair of cooperating rotatable rollers between which the web of material is passed to receive a film of the coating fluid, means for rotating said rollers, one of said rollers being separable from the other. a movable mounting for said separaable roller, an

air cylinder disposed adjacent said mounting and.

tages, the i'orm hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof. v

I claim: 1. In a machine a web .of materiaL'the combination of a pair of means for controlling the movement of said elements, means for separating said velements whenv the machine stops operating to free the web and l thereby to terminate the application of the coating iluid to the web, and `electro-mechanical means responsive to the actuation of said control ling means for actuatingsaid elementseparating vmeans after a predeterminedtime interval sufd cient to maintain the web engagingsu'rfaces of the elements in exact relation to the vsurface of the.

`web when movement of said elements is terminated by shutting down the machine..

2.1-In a machine for applyingrollers i'or rotating thesame; and` electric means connecting with-.saidmotor and 4said valve, said eiectrlc'means including timedelay instrumentalities ior operating said valve-to maintain the air pressure on said pressure roller for a predeterl mined period of time after said motor is shut dcwntostopthemachineaudallowtherollersto y coating uid to a'web of. material, the combination of'avrotatable f applying roller for depositing alfilm ofthe coating fluid `on the web, a rotatable 'fpressure roller i A mounted inthe machine for bodily movement rel- Y ative to 'said applying roller Afor engagingithe-web 'and'pressing the samezagainstthe'applyingrollen g means'for applying Va predetermined air-pressure; Vonsaidroller to maintain the isameiin operative j engagement with said web' and Asaid applying roller, a valve for ccntrolling-thelintroduction of,

c mpressed air to said pressure roller, an electric.. motor 4disposed in driving engagement with said for applying a coating iiuid to having a main piston and an auxiliary piston each connected with said mounting, a compression spring normally urging said pistons and said mov- -able mounting and its roller away from the other of said rollers,'a compressed air line connected to said cylinder for moving said pistons andsaid roller mounting in a direction towards the other of said rollers, avalve in said air line operative to admit compressed air through said line toy said cylinder to press said separable roller against the web during the vcoating operation, means communicably connected to said valve to maintain the air pressure in said cylinder for a predetermined time interval after said rotating means has been shut down suillcient to allow the machine to come to a full stop, and means for moving said valve to relieve saidv air pressure to permit said spring to exert pressure on said pistons and move said separable roller away from the remaining roller when the coating operation is terminated. 1

4. In a machine for applying a coating duid to a web of material, the combination of a pair of cooperating rotatable rollers between which the web of materialis passed to receive a illm of the coating fluid, one of said rollers lbeing separable from the other, a movable mounting for said separable roller, a shouldered piston rod connect- `ed to said mounting, a main piston iixed on said 1. rod, an auxiliary piston loosely mounted on said the rod, a cylinder'for" housing said pistonsa compressed air line connected to said cylinder for introducing compressed air l therein for moving 1 said pistons in a direction to force said separable roller into operative engagement with the other of said rollers and to compress said spring, a valve in said air line for controlling the air pressure on said pistons, `said valve in one position admitting air under pressure; to said loose piston to force-the-'sameag'ainst the spring to compress Ithe latter 'andtofrelieveithe load on the iixed piston, said .admitted airfalsocreatng a pressure fon* .the -xed piston and the parts connected .therewith for pressing the separable roller againstthe web during the coating operation, said valve' infanother'position cutting offthe air supply. 'while venting said cylinder to atmosphere to permitthe spring to exert pressure against said loose piston to shift the piston rod and said conof a predetermined time interval suiiicient to alasoaaos low the machine to come to a full stop, whereby ,to hold the air in force against said pistons and said rollersdn operative engagement with one another until full stopping of the machine, so that the coating operation will terminate only Awhen the web stops moving and at a locality thereon from which .said coating operation may be conv means for controlling the movement of said elements, means cooperating with said controlling means for holding said elements in operating engagement when the machine is in operation, means cooperating with said holding means for separating said elements when the machine stops to terminate application of the coating iluid to the web, and means cooperating with said holding means for retaining the elements in operative relation during stopping of the machine andv while its moving parts are coasting to a standstill, said holding means and said retaining web oi material is passed to receive a iilm of the coating tluid when the machine is in operation, means for rotating said rollers, means for sepatrol means including a ltime delay controlled valve havingmeans for setting the same for a predetermined time interval, said valve being operable to renderc said pressure imparting means ineiective f to further maintain said pressure roller in pressure engagement with the applying roller after said predetermined time interval suiiicient to allow the machine to come to a complete stop, whereby to separate the web from said applying roller and insure full coating of the web to an exact line from which the application of the coating iilm may be resumed without interruption of the coating when the machine is again started.

8. In a coating machine for applying a coating fluid to a. web of material, the combination of a rotatablev applying roller for depositing ,a lm of the coating iluid on the web, a rotatable pressure roller for pressing the web against the applying means being, responsive to the actuation of said rating one of said rollers from the other when the rollers cease their rotation to tree the web and to thereby terminate the application of the coating iluid to the `web, means for holding the rollers against separation and in operative relation during stopping o! the machine and for e time interval sumclent to permit its moving parts to come to a complete stand-still, and means actuated after the machine has come to' a full stop to render said holding means ineiIective to iurther prevent separation or the rollers after saidpredetermined time interval to permit operation ot said roll separating means, whereby to sepa-v rate the web from one of said rollers and to insure full coating of the web to an exact line from which the application of the illm may be resumed without interruption of the coating when the machine is again started.

'1. In a coating machine for applying a coating rotatable applying roller for depositing `o. nlm of the coating duid on the web, a rotatable pressure roller for pressing the web against the applying roller, means tor rotating said rollers, means normolly tending to move said` web out of engagement with said applying roller, means for lmparting a predetermined pressure to said pressure roller to maintain the web `in engagement with the applying roller when the machine is in operation, and means for controlling the operation o! said pressure imparting means, laid coniiuid to a web oimaterlal, .the combination of a roller, means disposed and effective at opposite ends of the pressure roller for applying a predetermined amount of iluid pressure, thereon to maintain the web in engagement with the applying roller when the machine is in operation, means normally tending to move said pressure roller out of engagement with said applying roller, means for rendering said pressure means ineffective to relieve the pressure on the pressure roller when the machine stops to permit the web to move out of engagement with the applying roller, and means for controlling the operation of said pressure applying means, said control means includinga time delay controlled valve having means for setting the same for a predetermined time interval, said valve being operable to render said fluid pressure applyingmeans ineffective to further maintain pressure between said rollersv after said predeterniined'time-interval suiilcient to allow the machine to come to a full stop, whereby to insure full coating of the web to an exact line from which the application of the coating film may be resumed without iriterruption of the coating when the machine is again started.

9. In a machine for applying a coating iiuid to a web o`f material, the combination of a rotatable applying roller for depositing a iilm of the coating fluid on the web, a rotatable pressure roller for pressing the web against the applying roller, means for rotating'said rollers in -timed relation. compressed air means connecting with said pressure roller for exertinga predetermined force on `said roller to maintain the same in pressure operative engagement with said web and said applying roller, a valve for controlling the introduction of compressed air into said pressure device, and control means including time delay instrumentalities for holding said valve in position to maintain the compressed air pressure on said pressure roller while the machine is in operation and for a predetermined time interval suilicient to allow the machine to come to a complete stand-still, said control means also including means for` moving said valve to another position to shut oi said compressed air means to discontinue pressure engagement between said rollers after the machine has come to a complete standstill, whereby to terminate the coating operation Y and the nlm of vapplied coating at a locality on the web from which such coating may be continued as an uninterrupted coating when thema- Y

Images