US3565236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feeder for veneer crowder
Assignee: US Plywood Champion Papers Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-21
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1988-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for feeding and for joining wood sections to form a wide sheet material is provided. The feeder apparatus, which is used in conjunction with a veneer crowder device, includes means to detect the wood sections both at the beginning of the conveyor which carries them to the crowder and at the crowder itself. If the wood sections are too close together when entering the crowder or have a width dimension greater than a predetermined value, means are actuated by one detector to stop the advance of the other wood sections on the conveyor until the entrance to the crowder is cleared. When a larger gap than desired is present between wood sections placed on the conveyor, such is detected and the conveyor is stopped until the gap is overcome. In this manner, minimum and maximum spacing between wood sections is regulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald W Southworth
- 👤 Elmer H Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:37
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27D; B27D1/00; B27D1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for spacing wood sections which are to be joined to form a composite wood sheet comprising: conveyor means for moving said sections to a position where they are to be joined; detecting means for detecting when the width dimension of a leading wood section on said conveyor means exceeds a predetermined value; and means for prohibiting the movement of trailing wood sections toward said position when the width of a leading wood section is detected to be in excess of said predetermined value while said leading section is maintained in motion, and for continuing the movement of said trailing wood sections toward said position when said detecting means no longer detects the excessive width dimension of said leading wood section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for spacing wood sections which are to be joined to form a composite wood sheet comprising: conveyor means for moving said sections to a position where they are to be joined; detecting means for detecting when the width dimension of a leading wood section on said conveyor means exceeds a predetermined value; and means for prohibiting the movement of trailing wood sections toward said position when the width of a leading wood section is detected to be in excess of said predetermined value while said leading section is maintained in motion, and for continuing the movement of said trailing wood sections toward said position when said detecting means no longer detects the excessive width dimension of said leading wood section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detecting means is placed just prior to the position where said wood sections are to be joined.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a second detecting means is positioned proximate the beginning of said conveyor means to detect the spacing of said sections thereon, and means are provided for stopping said conveyor when said second detecting means detects a spacing between wood sections greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an apparatus for joining wood sections comprising conveyor means for moving said sections to a position to be joined, the improvement which comprises: detecting means for sensing the presence of said sections on said conveyor means, said detecting means comprising at least two spaced detectors; and means for removing said sections from said conveyor means when a section is detected by both of said spaced detectors to thereby stop the movement of all sections behind said detected section, and for returning said sections to said conveyor means when at least one of said detectors does not detect said section, whereby a suitable space between sections is maintained.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an apparatus for joining wood sections comprising conveyor means for moving said sections to a position to be joined, the improvement which comprises: detecting means for sensing the presence of said sections on said conveyor means, said detecting means comprising at least two spaced detectors; and means for removing said sections from said conveyor means when a section is detected by both of said spaced detectors to thereby stop the movement of all sections behind said detected section, and for returning said sections to said conveyor means when at least one of said detectors does not detect said section, whereby a suitable space between sections is maintained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for removing said wood sections comprises at least one bar extending substantially parallel to said conveyor and being movably mounted below said conveyor; and means for moving said bar in a direction to contact and remove said wood sections from said conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said detecting means comprises at least two spaced photoelectric scanners positioned proximate said conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein second detecting means for detecting said wood sections is positioned near the beginning of said conveyor; and means are provided for stopping said conveyor when a wood section is not detected by said second detecting means, whereby the spacing between wood sections on said conveyor is further regulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
146 words
In combination with a crowder mechanism for joining wood sections in an edge-to-edge abutment, an apparatus for spacing said wood sections prior to being joined in the crowder mechanism comprising: a. conveyor means for advancing said wood sections to said crowder; b. detecting means positioned at the entrance to said crowder means, said detecting means comprising at least two spaced detectors for sensing the presence of said sections to be joined; and c. means for removing said sections from said conveying means when both of said spaced detectors detect at least one wood section to thereby stop the movement of the sections behind said detected section, and for returning said removed sections to said conveyor means when at least one of said detectors does not detect a section, whereby a suitable space between sections to be joined is maintained in the area of said crowder mechanism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
146 words
In combination with a crowder mechanism for joining wood sections in an edge-to-edge abutment, an apparatus for spacing said wood sections prior to being joined in the crowder mechanism comprising: a. conveyor means for advancing said wood sections to said crowder; b. detecting means positioned at the entrance to said crowder means, said detecting means comprising at least two spaced detectors for sensing the presence of said sections to be joined; and c. means for removing said sections from said conveying means when both of said spaced detectors detect at least one wood section to thereby stop the movement of the sections behind said detected section, and for returning said removed sections to said conveyor means when at least one of said detectors does not detect a section, whereby a suitable space between sections to be joined is maintained in the area of said crowder mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a second detecting means is positioned proximate the beginning of said conveyor means to detect said sections as they are placed on said conveyor means, said second detecting means being connected to said conveyor means such that if no section is detected thereby, said conveyor means is stopped whereby the spacing of said sections is further regulated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said detecting means comprises at least two photoelectric scanners spaced a predetermined distance in the direction of travel of said wood sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said conveyor means comprises a plurality of feed chains and motor means to drive said feed chains.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for removing said wood sections comprises: a. at least one bar extending substantially the distance between the beginning of said conveyor means and said crowder mechanism, said bar being positioned below and between said feed chains; and b. air actuated means for raising said bars so as to contact and lift said wood sections from said conveyor in response to a signal from said detecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
176 words
A combination of a crowder mechanism for joining adjacent wood sections in an edge-to-edge abutment and an apparatus for spacing said wood sections prior to being joined in said crowder mechanism, said apparatus, comprising: a. conveyor means for advancing said wood sections to said crowder mechanism; b. detecting means for detecting when the width dimension of a leading wood section measured along the direction of travel on said conveyor means exceeds a predetermined value, said detecting means being positioned proximate the entrance of said crowder mechanism; c. means for removing trailing wood sections from said conveyor means in response to a signal from said detecting means, and for returning said removed wood sections to said conveyor means in the absence of a signal from said detecting means; and d. said detecting means providing said signal to said removing means when a leading wood section is detected to have a width in excess of said predetermined value, whereby the edge-to-edge abutment of said leading wood section and the succeeding trailing wood section occurs in said crowder mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
176 words
A combination of a crowder mechanism for joining adjacent wood sections in an edge-to-edge abutment and an apparatus for spacing said wood sections prior to being joined in said crowder mechanism, said apparatus, comprising: a. conveyor means for advancing said wood sections to said crowder mechanism; b. detecting means for detecting when the width dimension of a leading wood section measured along the direction of travel on said conveyor means exceeds a predetermined value, said detecting means being positioned proximate the entrance of said crowder mechanism; c. means for removing trailing wood sections from said conveyor means in response to a signal from said detecting means, and for returning said removed wood sections to said conveyor means in the absence of a signal from said detecting means; and d. said detecting means providing said signal to said removing means when a leading wood section is detected to have a width in excess of said predetermined value, whereby the edge-to-edge abutment of said leading wood section and the succeeding trailing wood section occurs in said crowder mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for controlling the movement of short widths of wood veneer into a large continuous sheet of veneer by passing said veneers through a series of detecting devices, raising trailing veneers by lifting means from contact with moving means when the spaces between adjacent leading and trailing veneers is below a predetermined minimum spacing distance and stopping said veneers when the spaces between adjacent veneers exceeds a predetermined minimum spacing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method for controlling the movement of short widths of wood veneer into a large continuous sheet of veneer by passing said veneers through a series of detecting devices, raising trailing veneers by lifting means from contact with moving means when the spaces between adjacent leading and trailing veneers is below a predetermined minimum spacing distance and stopping said veneers when the spaces between adjacent veneers exceeds a predetermined minimum spacing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |