US3395673A - Coating apparatus including worktransfer means having direction changer - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 6, 1968 C..F. KLEIN ETAL 3,395,673

COATING APPARATUS INCLUDING WORK-TRANSFER MEANS HAVING DIRECTION CHANGER Filed May 27, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 f w 7/ c -l Aug. 6, 1968 Filed May 27. 1965 c. F. KLEIN ET AL 3,395,673 COATING APPARATUS INCLUDING WORK-TRANSFER MEANS HAVING DIRECTION CHANGER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 M Q, 3 w

s- 6,1968 c. F. KLEIN @1- AL 3,395,673

COATING APPARATUS INCLUDING WORK-TRANSFER MEANS HAVING DIRECTION CHANGER Filed May 27, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mzwu @/-m,%am,

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COATING APPARATUS INCLUDING WORK-TRANSFER MEANS HAVING DIRECTION CHANGER Filed May 27, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet I Illlllllll llll lIII MIMI COATING APPARATUS INCLUDING WORK- TRANSFER MEANS HAVING DIRECTION CHANGER Clarence F. Klein and Robert L. Du Mond, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to Packaging Corporation of America, Evanston, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 27, 1965, Ser. No. 459,224 11 Claims. (Cl. 118-2) This invention relates to an apparatus for applying adhesive to a blank of sheet material. The invention is particularly suitable to instances wherein the blank is for a corrugated container having pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to predetermined peripheral portions thereof.

Containers of this general type are enjoying greater commercial acceptance because of the convenience to the customer in being able to store containers while in blank form and in being able to readily set up the blank when required without the need for applying additional glue, staples, or tape to retain such blank in set-up condition for loading.

One shortcoming which has beset containers of this type, is the difiiculty heretofore experienced by the blank manufacturer in being required to apply pressure-sensitive adhesive to a plurality of predetermined surface areas of the blank, which areas are of odd size or con-figuration and are sometimes disposed in awkward locations on the blank surface. Because of applying such adhesive to only these precise areas so as to avoid the blanks sticking together when they are arranged in stacked relation, the adhesiveapplying operation normally had the effect of materially slowing down production of such blanks and thus resulted in increasing the cost of such blanks. A further problem which has beset such containers has been the care required in arranging the blanks in a prescribed manner when stacking same subsequent to the adhesive having been applied. A still further difliculty which has been experienced in the past with containers of this type, is that in some instances the amount of adhesive which is applied is restricted by reason of the shape of the adhesive areas and, therefore, is inadequate to effect proper sealing of the loaded container when the latter is subjected to normal handling during shipment. As a result of this latter difiiculty, additional tape, staples, bands or the like are required to remedy the situation.

Thus it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is of simple design, will automatically apply adhesive to a plurality of predetermined areas of a blank, and is capable of high speed operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an adhesive-applying apparatus which is capable of accommodating blanks varying over a wide range in both size and shape.

It is further object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is capable of applying one or more types of adhesives on either one or both surfaces of a blank.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide means whereby one or more adhesives may be readily applied to numerous predetermined areas of a blank while the latter is moving or is at rest.

It is a still further object to provide an apparatus wherein the amount of adhesive applied may be accurately controlled.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention an apparatus for applying adhesive to predetermined areas of a blank of sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a first adhesive applying unit, a first conveyor for moving the blank in one direction past the first unit, and

3,395,673 Patented Aug. 6, 1968 a first control element operatively connected to said first unit and actuated by the blank, when moving in said one direction, to etfect application of adhesive on first predetermined areas of the blank; the blank areas being arranged in parallel relation with respect to the direction of movement of the blank. The apparatus also includes a second adhesive applying unit, and second conveyor for moving the blank with the first adhesive applied thereto in a second direction past said second unit. The movement of the blank in the second direction is at substantially a right angle with respect to its previous movement in said one direction. The second unit also comprises a second control element operatively connected to said second unit and actuated by the blank, when moving in said second direction, to effect application of adhesive on second predetermined areas of said blank. The second predetermined areas are arranged substantially parallel to the movement of said blank in said second direction. Disposed intermediate the first and second conveyors and cooperating therewith is a blank transfer member which effects orienting of the moving blank from the first to the second direction.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of one form of the improved apparatus, showing the relative positions of the first and second adhesive applying units and associated conveyors, and the intermediate transfer section;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the first adhesive applying section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the blanktransfer section;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified form of an adhesive-applying element; and

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 a diagrammatic view of one form of the improved apparatus 10 is shown which includes a first adhesive applying section A, a direction-changing or blank transfer section B, and a second adhesive applying section C. Associated with and disposed adjacent to the lower end of section A, as viewed in FIG. 1, is an infeed station D wherein the individual blanks are fed into the apparatus 10. The physical structure of station D may vary widely depending upon the type and number of blanks to be fed into the apparatus. The construction and operation of station D is not intended to form a part of the invention to be hereinafter described.

Sections A and C in the illustrated embodiment are of like construction and therefore only section A will be illustrated and described in detail hereinafter. The corresponding structural parts of section C will be identified in the drawings by the same numbers used in describing section A but in the series.

Section or assembly A, as seen in FIG. 2, includes an elongated tablelike frame 11 which consists of a plurality of spaced, horizontally disposed elongated beams 12 interconnected at their ends by cross beams and supported at a desired height by a plurality of upright legs 13. The beams 12 are arranged in spaced parallel relation and provide support for the various component parts to be hereinafter described.

Positioned between beams 12 is an endless conveyor 17, see FIG. 2. Conveyor 17, except for the upper belt segment, or run 20, thereof, is disposed beneath the plane formed by the upper surface of beams 12. A second conveyor 18, is disposed above and in substantially coextensive relation with conveyor 17. Belt segment 20 of conveyor 17 and a lower belt segment 21 of conveyor 18 cooperates with one another to engage the bottom and top surfaces, respectively, of a blank and move the latter at a given speed and in a given rectilinear direction through section A towards transfer section B.

The conveyors 17 and 18 are of substantially the same construction except that conveyor 18 is inverted with respect to conveyor 17. Each conveyor 17 or 18 in the illustrated embodiment includes an endless belt 22 or 23 which engages a drive pulley 24 or 25, disposed adjacent the discharge end of section A, an idler pulley 26 or 27 mounted adjacent the opposite, or infeed, end of the section, and a belt-tightening pulley assembly 28 and 30 disposed at substantially mid-length of each belt and contacting the segments of the belt opposite from segments and 21. While endless belts are shown and described, it is to be understood that endless chains or chains with flights, not shown, may be substituted therefor.

Disposed on either side of belt segments 20 and 21 are a plurality of rollers 31 and 32 which are adapted to contact the lower and upper surfaces, respectively, of a blank as it is moved through section A. Rollers 31 in this instance are mounted on the elongated beams 12 and rollers 32 are pivotally connected by means of arms 33 to a pair of like beams 34 arranged in spaced coincident relation with respect to beams 12.

The center pulley 28a or a of each belt-tightening assembly is vertically adjustable relative to the horizontal path of the blank and thus varies the belt tension. Vertical adjustment of each center pulley is accomplished by a threaded screw 35 which carries the pulley shaft. The screw is adjustable relative to a stationary post member 36, the latter being afiixed to the frame 11.

It will be noted at the left hand, infeed end of the apparatus 10, shown in FIG. 2, that the lower belt segment 21 of conveyor 18 converges toward upper belt segment 20 of conveyor 17 and thus facilitates introduction of the lead edge of a blank between the belts 22 and 23. Disposed in proximity to the infeed end of section A is a vertically disposed post 37 which has one portion 37a thereof extending above the beams 12 and a second portion 37b thereof extending below same. Each post portion is engaged by a clamp 38 which may be vertically adjusted to selected positions on the post. Each clamp 38, in turn, carries an elongated rod 40, on the end of which closest to belt 22 or 23, there is pivotally mounted an adhesive applying element; in FIG. 2 one form of such element is shown to be a spray nozzle 41 or 42. Nozzle 41, which is the lower one, is adapted to spray coat a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one or more predetermined areas of the undersurface of a blank as it is moved through section A by the conveyor belts. In a like manner upper nozzle 42 will spray coat a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one or more predetermined areas of the upper surface of the same blank. The number and arrangement of nozzles 41 and 42 will depend upon the configuration of the blank to be coated in one pass thereof through the apparatus. Furthermore, if only one surface of the blank is to be coated while passing through section A only the nozzles disposed adjacent said one surface will be actuated.

A modified and preferred form of adhesive-applying element 49 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and may be substituted for nozzles 40 and 41. Element 49 will be described more fully hereinafter.

In FIG. 1, the two upper spray elements 42 are diagrammatically shown as disposed on opposite sides of conveyor belt 23. Each spray nozzle 41 or 42 is connected by a flexible tube 41 and 42' to a suitable source of liquid adhesive, not shown, the latter being maintained at a predetermined above atmospheric pressure. A flexible tube connects each nozzle to the source. A quick openquick close solenoid actuated valve is associated with the nozzle and regulates the flow of the adhesive to the nozzle.

The spray nozzles 41 and 42 may be of a type which can be adjusted to spray adhesive patterns of various widths. The nozzle actuating solenoids are intermittently energized by suitable control switches 43, 44, 45, and 46 in FIG. 1. The switches in this instance are arranged in longitudinally spaced relation on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 23 and in the path of movement of the blank passing between the belt segments 20 and 21. The relative positioning of the switches may be varied according to the spray pattern desired to be applied on the opposed surfaces of the blank.

Control switches 43 and 44, which are initially contacted by the leading edge of the moving blank, initiate spraying by nozzles 41 and 42, whereupon a continuous spray of fluid adhesive is emitted from each nozzle onto the upper and lower surfaces of the blank. In the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus, FIG. 1, the spacing between nozzles 42 is such that only certain peripheral portions of the blank will be coated.

Control switches 45 and 46, when contacted by the leading edge of the moving blank, cause the spraying action of nozzles 41 and 42 to be interrupted.

In the illustrated embodiment the corresponding nozzlcs 41 and 42 are disposed in vertical alignment. Such an arrangement, however, is not essential to the practicing of the disclosed invention.

Disposed downstream, so to speak, of the spray nozzles are upper and lower banks of heaters 47, see FIG. 1. The heaters constituting both the upper and lower banks are arranged in two spaced parallel rows, each row being in longitudinal alignment with a corresponding nozzle. Each row of heaters is formed of a plurality of individual units 48 which are arranged in end-to-end relation. The unit 48 may be either a gas fired, or an electrically energize-d type heater, various forms of which are presently available on the commercial market. The heating zone produced by the heaters should be confined as much as possible so that adjoining portions of the apparatus will not become heated.

Each bank of heaters is supported in a selected vertical position by elongated rods 50, see FIG. 2, which in turn are carried by suitable elongated horizontally disposed beams 51 and 52. Beam 51 is adapted to support the lower bank of heaters 47 and beam 52 is adapted to support the upper bank of heaters 47. Beams 51 and 52, in this instance, are each adjustably mounted on vertically disposed posts 53 which, in turn, are rigidly afiixed to the frame 11 of the apparatus. By adjusting each bank of heaters the effective heating surfaces of the units are brought closer to or removed from the adhesively coated surface of the moving blank.

As the coated blank approaches the area of the heaters, a control switch 54, see FIG. 1, is actuated by the leading edge of the moving blank thereby energizing a timer mechanism, not shown, which in turn is connected to and controls the electrical energy input or gas flow and ignition in the heaters, depending upon the type of heater being use-d. The cutoff or shut-down of the heaters, after a predetermined period of time, is automatic, and thus prevents overheating of a blank in the event the latter should become jammed or otherwise delayed while disposed in the heating zone.

As the blank leaves the banks of heaters, a control switch 55, see FIG. 1, is tripped by the trailing edge of the blank thereby causing the heaters to be de-energized and the aforementioned timer to become reset. Resetting of such timer is essential before the heaters can again be energized. The number and location of the banks of heaters will be dependent upon the number of adhesive applicators being used. As aforementioned, the arrangement of the sprayer and heater control switches may also be varied from that shown and will depend upon the pattern of the adhesive being applied as well as the speed of the blank while moving through section A.

Upon moving out from under the heaters 47, the blank moves directly onto transfer section B, which is shown more clearly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Section B, see FIG. 3, includes a flat, horizontal surface 56 which is substantially coplanar with conveyor belt segment of section A. Surface 56 is supported in its horizontal position by a plurality of vertical posts 57, see FIGS. 4 and 5. Posts 57 may be separate from or form a part of frame 11, previously described. Top surface 56 is interrupted by a pair of elongated slots 58 and 60. Slot 58 extends completely across section B in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the blank through section A. Slot 58 is preferably aligned with conveyors 17 and 18 of section A. Slot 60, on the other hand, extends transversely from approximately the mid-point of slot 58 and terminates at the infeed end of section C.

Aligned with and disposed Within slots 58 and 60 are conveyors 61 and 62, respectively. As seen in FIG. 4, conveyor 61 includes an endless belt 63 which is supported at opposite ends by pulleys 64 and 65. Each pulley is connected to one end of an arm 66 or 67, which is pivotally connected at its lower end to a bracket 69 mounted on the frame of the section B. The arms 66 and 67 are interconnected by an elongated rod 68 so that the pulleys and arms move together as a unit. When arms 66 and 67 are disposed in vertical or upright positions, as seen in full lines in FIG. 4, the upper segment 61a of belt 61 extends a slight amount above the plane of surface 56 whereby a blank upon being discharged from section A will contact the moving belt section 61a and be moved therewith in a direction toward the right hand side of section B as viewed in FIG. 4. When, however, arms 66 and 67 assume the dotted line positions, shown in FIG. 4, belt segment 61a is disposed beneath surface 56 and thus, is out-of-contact with a blank resting upon surface 56.

Unitary pivotal dotted line position is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment by a piston-cylinder assembly 71} in which the cylinder 70a thereof is pivotally mounted on the frame. The exposed end of the piston arm '79!) is pivotally connected to one of the arms 66 or 67. The extension or retraction of piston arm 70b is controlled by a switch 71 which is mounted on surface 56, adjacent one side thereof, see FIG. 3. The switch 71 is disposed in the path of movement of the blank when the latter is being moved by belt segment 61a in the direction I. Switch 71 is positioned at a stop bar or fender 72 which projects upwardly from surface 56 and is adapted to limit movement of the blank in direction I.

Conveyor 62, see FIG. 5, is similar in construction to conveyor 61 but has a shorter longitudinal dimension. Conveyor 62 includes a belt 73, a pair of longitudinally spaced pulleys 73 and 74 about which the belt is mounted and a pair of arms 75 and 76 to the upper ends of which the respective pulleys are connected. The lower ends of each arm is pivotally connected to a suitable bracket afiixed to the frame. A rod 77, interconnects the arms 75 and 76 so that the pulleys and arms will pivot as a unit. When the arms 75 and 76 assume upright or vertical positions, the upper section 78a of the belt projects slightly above the plane of surface 56 and contacts the underside of the blank disposed on the surface 56. Upon contact being made, the blank is caused to move in direction II, see FIG. 5.

The arms 75 and 76 are actuated to the dotted line positions, as seen in FIG. 5, by retraction of the piston 80a within a pivotally mounted cylinder 80b. The structure, function, and operation of the piston-cylinder assembly 80 is the same as that of assembly 70, previously described. The movement of the piston 80a in the cylinder 80b is also controlled by switch 71, so that when the piston 70b of assembly 70 is retracted, the piston 80a of assembly 80 is extended and vice versa. Normally the actuation of the pistons 70b and 80a is simultaneous; however, if desired, there may be a delay between the time when piston 70b is retracted and piston 80a is exrnovement of arms 66 and '67 to the tended. Such a delay might permit spotting of additional adhesive on either the top and/or bottom surfaces of the blank by additional adhesive-applying elements, not shown. In addition such delay might permit printing, stamping, or stenciling of indi-cia on the blank.

In instances where only two parallel peripheral portions of the blank are to be coated with an adhesive, such as might be the case where the blank is for an RSC type container, the blank is not required to pass through section C. In such a situation the switch 71 and stop bar 72 may be moved out of the path of the blank when the latter is being moved by conveyor 61. To facilitate moving of the switch and stop bar, the latter may be mounted so that it and the switch can be retracted below the surface 56 when desired.

The normal function of section B, as aforementioned, is to change the direction of movement of the blank from direction I to direction II. In section A, the blank is moving in a direction which is substantially parallel to certain peripheral segments of the blank, and in section C, the blank moves in a direction which is substantially parallel to other peripheral segments of the blank, thus, all of the necessary peripheral segments of the blank will have adhesive applied to both the top and/or bottom surfaces thereof in just one pass of the blank through the apparatus. While in the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus, the direction of movement of the blank in section C is at a right angle with respect to the blank movement in section A, this relationship is not essential and may be varied dependent upon the shape of the blank being treated and the space wherein the apparatus is to be installed. For these reasons, therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the illustrated embodiment. In instances where the blank in question is for a rectangular shape or square box, the right angle disposition of sections A and C is preferred.

In order to assure positive contact between the undersurface of the blank and either conveyor 61 or 62, when the blank has reached section B, hold-down mechanisms and 101 are provided for conveyors 61 and 62, respectively. Each mechanism is disposed above and aligned with the respective conveyor. The construction of each mechanism is substantially the same and in the illustrated embodiment includes an elongated rack 102, which is suspended from overhead supporting beams 103 by a plurality of vertical rods 104, see FIGS. 4 and 5. Each rack is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 105. Disposed within each opening but being impassable with respect thereto is a spherical shaped weighted member or ball 106. Each ball extends below the underside of the rack and rollingly engages the top surface of the blank, whether it is moving in direction I or II. Thus, each ball in effect is in floating weighted contact with the blank and readily capable of compensating for any variation in thickness of the blank as it passes therebeneath.

FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose a modified, yet preferred, form 49 of an adhesive-applying member, which may be substituted for the spray nozzles 41 and 42 previously described. Member 49 is provided with a head 81 having a rounded lower end in which there is provided an elongated discharge slot 82. Disposed within head 81 and spaced from slot 82 is a cavity 83 in which the adhesive is accumulated and then discharged through a plurality of very narrow passages 84 into slot 82. From the slot the adhesive flows uniformly in a wide band onto the moving blank surface. The thickness of the applied coating, considering the adhesive pressure and the blank speed to be constant, will depend upon the angular disposition of the head with respect to the blank surface. The trailing edge 82a of the slot 82 serves as a doctoring blade for the adhesive discharged onto the surface. The greater the included angle between the head and blank surface the thinner the coating.

7 The upper end of head 81 is provided with a collar 85 to which is connected one end of a flexible tube "86. The tube 86, in turn, is connected at its other end to a suitable adhesive storage tank, or the like, not shown. A passage 87 is formed in head 81 and connects the cavity 83 with the tube interior. The interior pressure of the tank may be regulated so as to control the rate of flow of the adhesive through the head 81. The timing of the adhesive flow from head 81 is controlled by a solenoid operated valve, not shown, which acts to pinch close or release a portion of the flexible tube 86. The operation of the solenoid valve is controlled by switches 43-46 previously described.

The longitudinal dimension of the elongated slot 82 will determine the width of the adhesive strip to be applied to the moving blank. The thickness of the adhesive coat applied by head 81 will depend upon four factors, (a) the interior pressure of the adhesive supply tank; (b) the speed of the blank as it passes under the member 81; (c) viscosity of the adhesive; and (d) the angular adjustment of head 81. When using head 81 there is no waste of the adhesive during application thereof on the blank surface. Where, however, broad areas are to be coated, the use of spray nozzles might be preferred.

Conveyors 22 and 23, and corresponding conveyors 122 and 123 have heretofore been described as extending from the infeed to the discharge ends of sections A and C, respectively. In such instances the movement of the blanks through the sections is continuous. If, however, it is desired to have intermittent movement of the blank through the section rather than continuous, each of the aforesaid conveyors could be formed into two or more aligned units, each unit being similar in structure to conveyor 61 or 62 previously described with respect to section B. The longitudinal dimension of each unit may be alike or different depending upon where in the particular section an interruption in the blank movement is to occur. Operation of the various drive pulleys used in either the modified or illustrated apparatus may be effected from a single power source, not shown, and such drive pulleys connected thereto by gear trains, chain drives or other well known means.

Thus, it will be seen that an apparatus has been provided for readily applying one or more types of adhesives to predetermined areas of a container blank, upon the latter making a single pass through the apparatus. Furthermore the improved apparatus is readily adapted to accommodate various size and shape blanks without requiring prolonged periods 'of shutdown in order to make adjustments to the apparatus. The improved apparatus is capable of high speed operation and may be readily used in conjunction with existing blank forming equipment.

While several embodiments have heretofore been disclosed and claimed, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto as further modifications are contemplated, and the submitted claims are deemed to be of suflicient scope to cover such further modifications.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for applying adhesive on. predetermined areas of a blank of sheet material, said apparatus comprising first adhesive applying means, first conveyor means for moving the blank in one direction past said first applying means, first control means operatively connected to said first applying means for effecting application of adhesive on first predetermined areas of the blank as the latter is moved past said first applying means, such first predetermined blank areas being disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to said one direction, second conveyor means for moving the blank in a second direction angularly disposed with respect to said one direction, blank-direction changing means disposed intermediate and cooperating with said first and second conveyor means, said blank-direction changing means comprising first and second belt conveyor members which are vertically displaceable in opposing directions and arranged respectively in alignment with one of said first and second conveyor means, second adhesive applying means, and second control means operatively connected to said second applying means for effecting application of adhesive on second predetermined blank areas as such blank is moved in said second direction past said second adhesive applying means, said second predetermined areas being disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to said second direction.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 including a first dryer means disposed intermediate said first applying means and said blank-direction changing means and aligned with the first predetermined blank areas as the blank is moving in said one direction.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 including a dryer means disposed relative to said second applying means whereby the blank, when moving in said second direction, passes said second dryer means subsequent to having passed said second applying means, said second dryer means being aligned with the second predetermined blank areas as the blank is moving in said second direction.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 including a first dryer means disposed intermediate said first applying means and said blank-direction changing means and aligned With the first predetermined blank areas as the blank is moving in said one direction; and second dryer means disposed relative to said second applying means whereby the blank, when moving in said second direction, passes said second dryer means subsequent to having passed said second applying means, said second dryer means being aligned with the second predetermined blank areas as the blank is moving in said second direction.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second control means each have an adjustably mounted portion thereof disposed within the path of movement of the blank and being engageable by the latter to effect application of adhesive to the blank only when the latter passes through predetermined segments of travel.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first belt conveyor member is aligned with said first conveyor means and operative, when in only one position of adjustment, to engage the blank and continue movement thereof in said one direction, blank-stop means disposed in the path of movement of the blank, and said second belt conveyor member is angularly disposed with respect to said first belt conveyor member, one end of said second belt conveyor member being disposed adjacent said first member, said second belt conveyor member being aligned with said second conveyor means and, when in only one position of adjustment, operative to engage the blank, subsequent to the latter having engaged said blank-stop means.

'7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 including blank hold-down means aligned with said first and second conveyor members; said hold-down means including selfadjusting units engageable with a blank to effect positive engagement between the blank and a conveyor memher, when the latter is only in said one position of adjustment.

8. An apparatus for applying adhesive on predetermined areas of a blank of sheet material, said apparatus comprising first conveyor means for moving the blank in one direction; first adhesive applying means adjustably mounted adjacent said first conveyor means; control means operatively connected to said first applying means and disposed within the path of movement of the blank and engageable thereby to effect disposition of an adhesive on predetermined areas of the moving blank; first adhesive-drying means spaced from said first applying means whereby the blank moves therepast subsequently to an adhesive being applied thereto; blank direction changing means having a first belt portion thereof aligned with said first conveyor means and engaging the moving blank subsequent to the latter having passed a second conveyor means aligned with and adjacent to the changing means second portion and engaging a blank to effect continued movement thereof in said second direction; second adhesive applying means adjustably mounted adjacent said second conveyor means; control means operatively connected to said second applying.

means and disposed within the path of movement of the blank, when moving in said second direction, and engageable thereby to effect disposition of an adhesive on second predetermined areas of the moving blank; and second adhesive-drying means spaced from said second applying means whereby the blank moves therepast subsequent to the adhesive having been applied thereto by said second applying means.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein said first and second adhesive applying means each comprises a sprayer element from which a controlled amount of adhesive is emitted onto the moving blank.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein said first and second adhesive-drying means, each comprises an adjustably mounted heater disposed in close proximity to the adhesively applied surface areas of the blank as the latter moves therepast.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein each drying means includes a time control element operatively connected to said heater and adapted to automatically effect cooling of the latter after a predetermined period of time.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,776,201 9/1930 St. Clair et al 214-164 2,017,535 10/1935 Hammer 214-166 2,058,729 10/1936 Sekulski 214-164 2,182,857 12/ 1939 Steele et al. 214-11 2,506,550 5/1950 Morrison 214-6 2,581,598 1/1952 Parker.

2,886,929 5/ 1959 Villemont.

2,985,322 5/196-1 Parker 214-6 3,072,095 1/1963 Keessen et a1. 118-6 3,247,981 4/1966 Johnson.

3,269,565 8/ 1966 Kemp.

MORRIS KAPLAN, Primaly Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,395,673 August 6, 1968 Clarence F. Klein et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 56, after "is" insert a Column 3, line 1, "cooperates" should read cooperate Column 5, line 54, "ends" should read end Column 8, line 7, after "means", the comma should read a semicolon; lines 71 and 72, "subsequently" should read subsequent Signed and sealed this 30th day of December 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER'FIR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

Claims (1)

1. AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE ON PREDETERMINED AREAS OF A BLANK OF SHEET MATERIAL, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING FIRST ADHESIVE APPLYING MEANS, FIRST CONVEYOR MEANS FOR MOVING THE BLANK IN ONE DIRECTION PAST SAID FIRST APPLYING MEANS, FIRST CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST APPLYING MEANS FOR EFFECTING APPLICATON OF ADHESIVE ON FIRST PREDETERMINED AREAS OF THE BLANK AS THE LATTER IS MOVED PAST SAID FIRST APPLYING MEANS, SUCH FIRST PREDETERMINED BLANK AREAS BEING DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID ONE DIRECTION, SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS FOR MOVING THE BLANK IN A SECOND DIRECTION ANGULARLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO SAID ONE DIRECTION, BLANK-DIRECTION CHANGING MEANS DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE AND COOPERATING WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS, SAID BLANK-DIRECTION CHANGING MEANS COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND BELT CONVEYOR MEMBERS WHICH ARE VERTICALLY DISPLACEABLE IN OPPOSING DIRECTIONS AND ARRANGED RESPECTIVELY IN ALIGNMENT WITH ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONVEYOR MEANS, SECOND ADHESIVE APPLYING MEANS, AND SECOND CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND APPLYING MEANS FOR EFFECTING APPLICATION OF ADHESIVE ON SECOND PREDETERMINED BLANK AREAS AS SUCH BLANK IS MOVED IN SAID SECOND DIRECTION PAST SAID SECOND ADHESIVE APPLYING MEANS, SAID SECOND PREDETERMINED AREAS BEING DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SECOND DIRECTION.

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