EP2025788B1 - Device and method for laying non-woven lengths as insulating material - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine for laying fibers to produce insulating panels has a chamber (6), into which the fibers are blown. The base of this is formed by a conveyor belt (3), across which adjustable partitions are fitted at either end. The sides of the chamber are formed by two more adjustable walls (8). An independent claim is included for a method for laying fibers to produce insulating panels using the machine.

Description

The invention relates to a device for laying nonwoven webs and a corresponding method for laying nonwoven webs, wherein the nonwoven webs are preferably used as an insulating material.

Insulation materials are used in buildings for thermal insulation and / or sound insulation. As an insulating material are fibers, especially flakes of cellulose, which are obtained from waste paper. Furthermore, fibers of natural products or fiber mixtures of cellulose fibers and natural fibers such. As wood fibers and hemp fibers are used. These fibers may further be incorporated with a fire retardant, a fungicidal agent and an insect repellent, and an adhesive as a binder.

To produce insulating panels of such fibers, the fibers may be scattered or poured. Subsequently, the scattered fibers are smoothed. The compound of the scattered fibers via an adhesive added to the fibers. After the adhesive has hardened, insulating panels are obtained which are suitable for mounting in hollow building walls, ceilings or floors. Alternatively, the insulation panels can be mounted on the outside of walls, ceilings or floors.

However, such insulating panels have the disadvantage that their structure due to the scattering of the fibers has a lack of homogeneity, so that the insulation is not uniform.

Furthermore, it is known to introduce such fibers pneumatically in hollow walls, ceilings or floors of buildings, in particular by means of a Einblaseverfahrens. For pneumatic introduction of the fibers special pneumatic conveyors are used, in particular blow molding machines. The structure of the injected insulating material has a high homogeneity.

WO 2007/033158 A2 discloses a device for laying towels, handkerchiefs and wipes. The device comprises a former box. The former box contains a housing into which fiber material is delivered via side inlets. The material delivered to the former box falls from the inlets to the bottom of the box. The former box is placed over a conveying surface on which the fibrous material is air laid. A vacuum box is arranged under the conveying surface. The vacuum box is connected to a vacuum fan, which generates an air flow, so that the fiber material is drawn onto the conveying surface and a layer of fiber material is formed.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for processing fibers insulation boards, which eliminates the known disadvantages scattered DämmstofF plates, with a cost-effective production of the insulation panels is sought. It is another object of the invention to provide a corresponding manufacturing method.

The objects underlying the invention are achieved by the features of the independent claims.

The device for laying nonwoven webs for insulation boards according to claim 1 comprises a cavity. This cavity has at least one inlet for the pneumatic introduction of fibers, for example cellulose fibers, wood fibers or hemp fibers, in order to completely fill the cavity with fibers. Advantageously, the fibers are blown into the cavity. In the cavity, the introduced fibers add to a transverse section of a nonwoven web. Further, a conveyor in the form of a conveyor belt for continuously feeding out the nonwoven web is provided from the cavity, which at least partially limits the cavity on one side of the cavity, for example on the underside of the cavity. The introduced fibers thus fit on the conveyor belt to a fleece, which is continuously conveyed out of the cavity. In this case, the conveyor belt should advantageously have a non-slip surface, so that the fibers can not slip on the conveyor belt.

Furthermore, the device for laying nonwoven webs for insulating panels comprises at least one means for pneumatic introduction of fibers, so that the cavity is completely filled with fibers. The means is connected to the at least one inlet.

The cavity is bounded by two first boundary surfaces which are arranged on the right and left sides of the conveyor belt. These are advantageously aligned parallel to the conveying direction. Further, a second boundary surface is provided, which is arranged on that side of the cavity, which is opposite to the application side of the cavity. In this case, the application side is the side of the cavity, on which the nonwoven web is conveyed out of the cavity. Finally, a third boundary surface is provided, which is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt.

Characterized in that the fibers are pneumatically introduced into a cavity, the fibers can connect in sections to a nonwoven, wherein the nonwoven by the pneumatic introduction and continuous feeding out of the laid nonwoven fabric has a homogeneous structure.

Here, for the purposes of the application, the term "pneumatic introduction" means an introduction by means of air, for example by blowing in the fibers.

Advantageously, the cavity is variable in its dimensions, for example in its height, width and / or length. In this case, advantageously, the distance between the two first boundary surfaces is adjustable to each other, so that nonwoven webs of different widths can be produced.

Analogously, the distance between the third boundary surface and the conveyor belt can advantageously be adjusted so that nonwoven webs of different thicknesses can be produced.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a closure means, for example a slide or a flap, is provided, by means of which the cavity on the application side is selectively opened or closed. Before the pneumatic introduction of the fibers, the application side is closed by means of the closure means in order to prevent an uncontrolled discharge of material during the subsequent pneumatic introduction of the fibers. After the cavity in the region of the application side is already sufficiently filled with laid fibers, these fibers act as a seal of the cavity, so that the closure means can be opened. After opening, the portion of the laid nonwoven web immediately adjacent to the application side exits the cavity via the conveying means, whereby nonwoven material for sealing the cavity is continuously tracked via the conveying means.

The conveying direction of the conveying means is typically horizontal. Alternatively, a vertical conveying direction or a conveying direction at a certain elevation angle with a vertical component could also be provided, wherein the height increases in the conveying direction or alternatively decreases. By a vertical conveying direction or at least one conveying direction with a sufficiently vertical component, the homogeneity of the nonwoven structure, in particular on the upper side of the nonwoven structure, can be further increased. Differences in distribution The laid fibers thus do not act directly on the upper side of the nonwoven structure but only on the nonwoven structure in the vertical conveying direction. Furthermore, the influence of gravity, the flaky material is better connected.

In principle, the inlets can optionally be arranged on each side of the cavity. Advantageously, however, the cavity has at least two inlets disposed on opposite sides of the cavity, for example an inlet in the boundary surface to the right of the conveyor belt and an inlet in the boundary surface to the left of the conveyor belt. By pneumatic introduction, in particular by blowing the fibers over two opposing inlets, the fibers in the cavity collide directly and can thus wedge together, so that the fibers adhere to each other.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the device further comprises a means for the controlled removal of excess air from the cavity, for example an extraction. Such a suction advantageously comprises a suction funnel, which is connected via an air line with a blower, which directs the extracted air into the environment. The means for the controlled discharge of excess air can be realized with a single exhaust duct or with a plurality of exhaust ducts. The means should advantageously further comprise a filter for filtering the exhaust air. As a result, the fiber dust is removed from the exhaust air, so that the dust load is reduced. In addition, the filtered dust can then be recycled to the manufacturing process.

As already stated above, the fibers advantageously have an adhesive. For curing the adhesive, a device for curing the adhesive is advantageously also provided, for example a furnace.

The device for curing the adhesive is advantageously connected to the conveying means directly or via a further conveying means, for example with a second conveyor belt, which has the same conveying speed as the conveying means below the cavity. After curing of the adhesive finished insulation panels are obtained, which can then be cut in length. For the purposes of the application, the term "insulating panels" is to be understood as meaning not only rigid panels but also flexible panels or even movable panels (in particular if adhesive is dispensed with). The stiffness of the plates depends, among other things, on the amount of fiber, the plate thickness and the adhesive used.

In the inventive method for laying nonwoven webs, in particular for the production of insulating panels according to claim 15 fibers are continuously introduced into the cavity described above pneumatically, for example blown so that the cavity is completely filled with fibers, wherein in the cavity, the introduced fibers to to add a section of a nonwoven web. In this case, the nonwoven web is continuously conveyed out of the cavity by means of a conveyor belt, which delimits the cavity on one side of the cavity.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Legen von Vliesbahnen in der Vorderansicht (die Förderbandrich- tung zeigt in die Zeichnungsebene hinein); und

Fig. 2

das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiel in der Seitenansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawings; in these show:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of the device according to the invention for laying nonwoven webs in the front view (the conveyor belt direction points into the plane of the drawing); and

Fig. 2

this in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment in side view.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention for laying nonwoven webs (hereinafter referred to as fleece laying system) in the front view (the conveyor belt direction points into the plane of the drawing) with a horizontal conveyor belt direction. The fleece laying plant is operated by at least one pneumatic conveying device 1, for example a blowing machine 1, which comprises a loose fiber mixture of cellulose fibers and / or natural fibers (for example wood fibers or hemp fibers), for example with a typical fiber length of 5 mm, which is adhesively bonded, Fire, mold and insect repellent are added, in the inventive fleece plant pneumatically introduces, for example, blows.

Advantageously, a respective pneumatic conveying device 1 for pneumatic insertion on the left side of the cavity 6 and on the right side of the cavity 6 are provided, of which in Fig. 1 only the left pneumatic conveyor 1 is shown. It is true that the larger the width of the laid fleece, the more pneumatic conveyors are required. Each pneumatic conveyor 1 is connected via a conveyor line 2 (in the form of a tube or a hose) with the fleece laying plant.

In the cavity 6 of in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment of the nonwoven plant is a cuboid cavity. The cuboid cavity 6 is on the left and right in Fig. 1 bounded by side surfaces 8, in each of which an inlet for introducing the delivery line and pneumatic introduction of the fibers is provided. Alternatively, the inlets could also be arranged on the front side or the top of the cavity 6.

To the front, ie on the closer to the viewer side of the nonwoven system, a further boundary surface is provided, which in Fig. 1 for reasons of representability of the cavity 6 is not shown. Down the entire cavity 6 by a conveyor 3, in particular a conveyor belt 3, limited. Alternatively, however, two conveyor means (not shown), namely a conveyor at the top of the cavity 6 and a conveyor at the bottom of the cavity 6 may be provided.

Thus, of the six sides of the cuboid cavity 6, five sides are closed. Only to the rear, d. H. on the output side, on which the nonwoven web is conveyed out of the cavity 6 via the conveyor 3, the cavity 6 can be selectively closed or opened by a start slider 5 with a plate movable up and down via the associated opening and closing mechanism 7. In this case, when starting the fleece laying plant, the application side is closed via the starting slide 5 in order to prevent an uncontrolled discharge of material during the subsequent pneumatic introduction, in particular blowing, of the fibers. For this purpose, the start slider 5 is pneumatically pressed onto the conveyor belt 3 to seal the cavity 6, so that a draft is prevented via the application side.

After the cavity 6 has already been sufficiently filled with laid fibers in the area of the application side, the fibers of the laid nonwoven fabric running onto the application side act as a seal, so that the starting slider 5 can be opened. The application side of the cavity 6 is thus sealed by the start slider during operation of the batt laying system and in operation by the laid material.

Further, an extraction with a funnel-shaped air cap 4 is provided, which is arranged at the front end of the cavity 6 above the cavity 6. The Excess, introduced air exits from the cavity 6 via a arranged in the front region of the cavity 6 grid (not shown) and is then sucked from the air vent 4. The air cap 4 is connected via an air line with a fan (not shown). The dust is separated from the air by means of one or more filters (not shown) and the filtered air is directed into the environment. The filtered dust can then be returned to the manufacturing process.

Fig. 2 shows that in Fig. 1 shown embodiment in side view (from the right side in Fig. 1 from). In this case, the cavity 6 extends approximately in the longitudinal direction of the funnel-shaped air cap 4 (the front side wall is in Fig. 2 as in Fig. 1 not shown) to the start slider 5. The inlet (not shown) for the pneumatic conveyor is located approximately 50 cm from the front end of the cavity 6. The cavity is filled only in an area of a certain length in the immediate vicinity of the lateral inlets.

Furthermore, at least one viewing window, which are embedded in the walls of the cavity, is provided. At the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment are located in both side surfaces 8 of the cavity 6 each have a front 9 and a rear 10 viewing window, whereby the manufacturing process can be checked visually.

On the output side of the actual nonwoven laying machine, an oven (not shown) is optionally provided, which is connected to the nonwoven laying machine via a further conveying means, in particular conveyor belt, and serves to cure the adhesive added to the fibers.

At the in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of the web laying machine, the cavity is about 3 meters long and nominally 2.5 meters wide. The upper boundary surface of the cavity 6 is formed by three adjacent plates. If a smaller width is desired for the nonwoven webs, the two outer panels can be removed and the spacing of the left and right side panels 8 corresponding to the width of the remaining central panel reduced to about 1.25 meters. Furthermore, the in Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment, the distance of the upper boundary surface to the conveyor 3 individually set. This distance corresponds approximately to the thickness of the later insulation board. Here, an adjustment range of 5 to 50 cm is provided.

Essential parameters of the fleece laying system are the volume of the cavity 6, the amount of air, the speed of air and the amount of material whose choice influences the homogeneity of the laid fleece. It is true that the larger the volume of the cavity, the greater the amount of air, air velocity and amount of material should be selected to completely fill the cavity. Furthermore, in the case of Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment, the conveyor belt speed depending on the web height and depending on the necessary duration of curing of the adhesive in the further processing are continuously adjusted.

Claims (19)

1. A device for laying non-woven fabric band, comprising:

   a cavity (6), wherein the cavity (6) comprises at least one inlet for pneumatic insertion of fibres to completely fill the cavity with fibres, and

   the cavity (6) is arranged such that the inserted fibres join to a portion of a non-woven fabric band in the cavity (6);

   a conveying means in form of a conveyor belt (3) for continuous conveying of non-woven fabric band out of the cavity (6), the conveyor belt delimiting the cavity (6) at one side of the cavity (6); and

   at least one means (1) for pneumatic insertion of fibres such that the cavity is completely filled, the means being connected at least to one inlet,

   wherein the cavity (6) is delimited

   by two first limitation surfaces (8), located at the right and left side of the conveyor belt (3);

   by a second limitation surface, located at the side of the cavity (6) opposite the output side of the cavity (6), at which the non-woven fabric bands are conveyed out of the cavity (6); and

   by a third limitation surface, located at the side opposite to the conveyor belt (3).
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet for pneumatic insertion of fibres is an inlet for blowing fibres in.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance of the two first limitation surfaces to each other is adjustable.
4. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the distance of the third limitation surface to the conveyor belt (3) is adjustable.
5. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the cavity (6) may selectively be opened or closed by a closing means (5) on the output side at which the non-woven fabric band is conveyed out of the cavity (6).
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the closing means (5) is a slider or a lid.
7. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the conveying direction of the conveying means (3) is horizontal.
8. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the conveying direction of the conveying means (3) is vertical or at least comprises a vertical component.
9. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the cavity (6) comprises at least two inlets arranged on opposite sides (8) of the cavity (6).
10. The device according to claim 9 referred to claim 1, wherein the two inlets are arranged in the first limitation surfaces (8),
11. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the device comprises a means (4) for controlled discharge of inserted air out of the cavity (6).
12. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the fibres comprise a glue and the device further has a device for curing the glue, in
    particular an oven, connected to the conveying means (3) directly or via a further conveying means (3).
13. The device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the device is suitable for fabricating insulating boards and/or insulation bats.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the distance of the third limitation surface to the conveyor belt substantially corresponds to the thickness of the insulating board or the insulation bat.
15. A method for laying non-woven fabric bands, comprising the steps:

    continuous pneumatic insertion of fibres into a cavity (6) such that the cavity is completely filled with fibres and such that the inserted fibres join to a portion of a non-woven fabric band in the cavity (6); and

    continuous conveying of the non-woven fabric band out of the cavity (6) by means of a conveyor belt (3), delimiting the cavity (6) at one side of the cavity (6),

    wherein the cavity (6) is delimited

    by two first limitation surfaces (8), located at the right and left side of the conveyor belt (3);

    by a second limitation surface, located at the side of the cavity (6) opposite the output side of the cavity (6) at which the non-woven fabric bands are output out of the cavity (6); and

    by a third limitation surface, located at the side opposite to the conveyor belt (3).
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the step of continuous pneumatic insertion of fibres into a cavity includes blowing fibres into the cavity.
17. The method according to any one of the claims 15 or 16, having the additional steps of:

    closing the cavity (6) at the output side of the cavity (6), at which the non-woven fabric band is output out of the cavity (6), before the pneumatic insertion of fibres; and

    opening the cavity (6) at the output side after the cavity (6) has been filled.
18. The method according to claims 15 to 17, wherein the fibres comprise a glue and the method has the additional step of:

    continuous conveying of the non-woven fabric band into a device for curing the glue, in particular into an oven.
19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the non-woven fabric bands are processed to insulating boards and/or insulation bats.

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