Patent GB-1466271-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for applying flocking to a base
IPC: B05B15/04
Filed: 1973-12-31
Abstract: 1466271 Flocking process SCHMIDT INDUSTRIES Inc 31 Dec 1973 60291/73 Headings B2E and B2L [Also in Division B6] A method of applying flock which includes flock of different colours to a base surface in a predetermined pattern including the steps of applying an adhesive to the base surface through a master stencil element perforated with the predetermined pattern, forming a series of individual flocking stencils from a fine mesh gauze-like screening material in which only selected portions of the stencils are pervious having said gauze-like material disposed within said pervious selected portions, each of the individual flocking stencils being formed with said pervious portion thereof representing a different and distinct portion of the predetermined pattern, sequentially advancing the base to which the adhesive has been applied through a series of flocking stations each station including a supply of flock and including a different one of said flocking stencils interposed between and spaced from the supply and the basement surface with positional relationship between which said flocking stencil and said base surface being identical for each flocking operation, the flocking supply for each operation being of different colour and imposing an electrical potential between the flock supply and the base surface of each flocking operation to cause said flock to pass through the gauze-like material disposed within the pervious portions of the flocking stencil in perpendicular relation thereto and adhere evenly to a portion of the base surface corresponding to the area defined by the pervious portions in said flocking stencil. The base member may be cardboard and the flocking stencil may be formed from polyester filament gauze having a fine mesh. Apparatus for applying a flock which includes flock of different colours to a base surface in a predetermined pattern including a master stencil element perforated with the predetermined pattern through which an adhesive can be applied to he base surface and a plurality of flocking stations including a supply of flock, a flocking stencil of fine mesh gauze-like screening material perforated at a different portion of said predetermined pattern and means for supporting the base surface above the supply of flocking with said flocking stencil interposed between said flocking supply and said base surface, the supporting means including means for fixing the location of the base surface and the flocking stencil to have a positional relationship which is precisely identical to each flocking operation and a means for imposing electrical potential between the flocking supply and the base surface at each flocking operation to cause said flock to pass through the perforations in said flocking stencil in perpendicular relation thereto and adhere to a portion of the base surface corresponding to the perforation in the flocking stencil. The figure illustrates equipment having a station 10 at which an adhesive applying operation is carried out and four separate flocking stations 12. The adhesive station includes an upper work surface 14 to which a side guide plate 16 is employed and to which a similar guide plate is secured perpendicular to the side guide plate 16 locating the base member 18 which is to be flocked. Member 18 is positioned flush against the two guide plates. A pair of hinges 20 having upstanding rods 22 are secured to the work surface 14 a pair of locating pins 24 are permanently secured to the side of adhesive station 10. An adhesive applying stencil 26 is mounted in a frame 28 that include projecting brackets 30 having apertures for receiving locating pins 24 and includes similar brackets for receiving upstanding rods 22. The base member 18 and the adhesive stencil 26 have exact positions on the work surface 14 and the precise relationship with the stencil 26 to the base member 18 is maintained by resilient bands 30 which is secured to the front walls of the adhesive station 10 and arranged to slide over the brackets 30 holding the frame 20 as adhesive is applied to the stencil 26 with a brush 34. The four flocking stations are identical except for the colour of the flock to be applied and include a work surface 36 carrying a mounting box 38 having a holding surface 40 which is preferably #" aluminium plate formed in a plurality of apertures 42 opening into the interior of the mounting box 38 where a vacuum is applied by hose 44 leading from the interior of the vacuum box. The holding surface 40 is provded with a top guide plate 46 and a side guide plate 48 having locating pins 50, upstanding rods 52 and resilient bands 54 corresponding to like elements described in connection with the adhesive station. The mounting box 38 is also provided with a lifting handle 56 and a spacing block 58 rgidly secured thereto and the entire mounting block is connected by hinges 60 to a dividing plate 62 lying between the mounting blocks 38 and an open box-like container 64 carrying flock. The container has a galvanised metal bottom plate 68 and clear sides 70 of acrylic plastics.