Patent GB-990237-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for applying a coating of fluent material to an object
IPC: B31B50/62
Filed: 1961-08-02
Abstract: 990,237. Coating apparatus. SUNKIST GROWERS Inc. Aug. 2, 1961 [May 11, 1961], No. 28095/61. Heading B2B. Apparatus for applying a coating of fluent material to an object comprises first displacement means for moving the object to be coated along a predetermined path, an applicator head carrying an applicator for applying the fluent material to the object and being movable between a first inoperative position and a second operative position in which the applicator applies fluent material to the object, second displacement means moving the applicator between its first and second positions, and control means actuatable in dependence upon the position of the object to cause the second displacement means to move the applicator from its first to its second position. The applicator head is specifically described in Specification 990,283. The invention is described in its application to coating box flaps with adhesive, the machine for manipulating the box flap assemblies being that described in U.S.A. Specification 2,095,258. The box B shown in full lines in Fig. 2 moves to the position shown in broken lines with the upper flaps B<SP>1</SP> disposed horizontally between plates 14a and 15 and the lower flaps between plates 16a and 17. Adhesive is applied by applicators 30 supported on a bracket 31, which may be adjusted laterally on supports 6 and 7 by adjustor screws 6a and 7a. The applicator device includes a support 35 from the opposite ends of which is pivotally mounted parallel links 40. The other ends of the links are connected to an applicator head 42. The applicator head is normally biased towards the plate 34 on which the flap B<SP>1</SP> rests by coiled tension springs 43, Fig. 5. The head may be moved away from its plate 34 by means comprising a fluid pressure operated actuator 50 carrying a piston 51 which is abuttable with the bracket for support 35 upon the application of fluid under pressure to cause movement of the head in an arcuate path. Adhesive is supplied to the applicators 60 of the head 42 from a reservoir 80 connected to a pump 80p, Fig. 14, via line 84, regulator 84a, manifold 84b, needle valves 84d and lines 88. Air is supplied to the reservoir under pressure by line 85, from which a branch line 90 leads to a solenoid operated valve 91 to a plurality of air lines 92, each of which leads to the actuator cylinders 50. With the valve 91 normally closed the lines 92 are vented to the atmosphere via 91v, thus allowing the tension springs 43 to swing the applicator heads 42 downwards toward their co-operating plates 34 for engagement with a box flap B<SP>2</SP>. The solenoid 100 which operates valve 91 is in circuit via 101 and 102 with an electric motor M which is also adapted to drive the box feed mechanism. The solenoid 100 is controlled by switch 105, Figs. 2 and 14, which has an actuator arm 106 disposed for engagement by a box B. Switch 105 is connected to the solenoid via lead 107 connected to lead 102 and line 109 connected with a switch 110. This switch is in its turn connected to the solenoid 100 by line 111 which carries a switch 112, which, when open, breaks the circuit to the solenoid independently of switches 105 or 110. As long as switch 112 is closed, the solenoid is energized by closing either 105 or 110. The switch 110 is adapted to be opened by coil 110c when the motor M is energized. Thus with solenoid 100 energized, air will be admitted to cylinders 50 to retain the applicator heads in their uppermost position, and this continues as long as 105 is closed. As the box progresses through the machine and engages arm 106 opening switch 105 the solenoid is de-energized, valve 91 closes and the actuators 50 are vented through vent 91v and the applicators swing into contact with the box flaps.