HEAT WELDING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20150151523A1
• Filed: 07/03/2013
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agroquimicos De Levante SA
• Original Assignee: Agroquimicos De Levante SA
• Inventors: Carrera Arenas, Antonio, Garijo Sanchez, Emilio Jos
• Granted Patent: US 9,403,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 13/0287 Devices for laying-out or removing ground coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/10 using hot gases (e.g. combustion gases) or flames coming in contact with at least one of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/435 Making large sheets by joining smaller ones or strips together
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81463 comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81465 one placed behind the other in a single row in the feed direction
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81469 one placed next to the other in a single line transverse to the feed direction, e.g. shoulder to shoulder sonotrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8163 Self-aligning to the joining plane, e.g. mounted on a ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8182 characterised by the thermal insulating constructional aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8221 Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8362 Rollers, cylinders or drums moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/86521 being self-propelling
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/70 Agricultural usage or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2410/00 Agriculture-related articles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/0046 characterised by constructional aspects of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/0076 characterised in that the layers are not bonded on the totality of their surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/06 characterised by the heating method
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/20 involving the assembly of continuous webs only
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0004 Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details cutting in general B26D; laminating combined with punching or perforating B32B38/04; removing all or part of the layers B32B38/10; cutting in combination with laying up and registration B32B38/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 : Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat welding system comprising a dispenser for dispensing coverings, at least one structure (1) with coupling means (4) for coupling to a traction vehicle, where said structure (1) comprises a heat welding device (3) for adhering the overlapped longitudinal edges of adjacent coverings to one another, and having coupling means (4) for coupling said heat welding device (3) to the structure (1).

The present invention also relates to the use of said heat welding system which comprises the steps of:

(i) deploying the means for preparing the terrain arranged on the sides of a structure linked to a traction vehicle;

(ii) starting the vehicle in one direction and initiating the system;

(iii) retracting the means of phase (i) from one side and deploying a heat welding device (3) on said side;

(iv) actuating the system in the direction opposite that of phase (ii);

(v) repeating phases (iii) and (iv) intercalating the means and devices of both sides as many times as necessary.

Claims

1. A heat welding system comprising a dispenser for dispensing coverings on a terrain and allowing the overlapped positioning thereof between adjacent coverings, comprising at least one structure with coupling means which allow coupling said system to a traction vehicle, where said structure comprises at least one heat welding device allowing overlapped longitudinal edges of adjacent coverings to adhere to one another on the ground, and having coupling means which allow coupling said heat welding device to the structure.

2. The heat welding system according to claim 1, wherein the structure comprises furrow opening means, return means, tamping means, insertion means and coating means.

3. The heat welding system according to claim 1, comprising two heat welding devices wherein a first heat welding device is located in a first outer section of the structure and a second heat welding device is located in a second outer section of the structure.

4. The heat welding system according to claim 1, wherein the heat welding devices each comprise at least one height leveling means and one lateral movement means with respect to the structure.

5. The heat welding system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one heat welding device each comprise at least one heating element, a plurality of rolling means, and air conduction means.

6. The heat welding system according to claim 5, wherein the at least two heating elements are located separately from the lower surface of the rolling means where said surface contacts the ground.

7. The heat welding system according to claim 5, wherein the at least two heating elements each comprise at least one height adjustment means.

8. The heat welding system according to claims 5, wherein each of the at least one heating elements of the heat welding devices each comprise at least one pivoting means.

9. The heat welding system according to claims 5, wherein the structure comprises at least one ventilation means connected to at least one heating element.

10. The heat welding system according to claim 1, wherein each at least one heat welding device comprises isolating means.

11. The heat welding system according to claim 10, wherein the isolating means are located in a space existing between rolling means of each of the at least one heat welding devices.

12. The heat welding system according to claims 2, wherein the coating means comprise a reel of polymer material covering.

13. The heat welding system according to claims 2, wherein the furrow opening means, the return means, the insertion means and the at least one heat welding devices comprise swing means.

14. The heat welding system according to claims 2, wherein the furrow opening means and the return means each have a saucer-shaped section in at least one of their ends.

15. A heat welding method comprising the steps of:

(i) deploying furrow opening means, insertion means which allow inserting the edges of the coverings into the furrows and return means corresponding to a first and second side of the system for preparing a first covering on the ground, as well as unwinding said first covering arranged in coating means;

(ii) starting the traction vehicle which pulls the system in one direction and initiating the system on the terrain, actuating the furrow opening means, insertion means, return means and coating means described in the preceding phase;

(iii) after a first pass and the first section of the ground is covered by a covering duly extended thereon by means of phases (i) and (ii), vehicle movement is stopped, the means of phase (i) on the first side of the system are retracted except for the coating means, and a heat welding device comprising heating elements present on said first side is deployed, keeping the furrow opening means, insertion means, return means of the second side deployed;

(iv) turning the traction vehicle, changing the direction of travel to that opposite the direction indicated in phase (ii), a second covering being extended adjacent to the first covering with the longitudinal edges of both coverings overlapping one another and the heat welding device described in phase (iii) acting on these coverings, while the furrow opening means, the insertion means for inserting the edges and the return means act on the opposite longitudinal edge of said second covering leaving the longitudinal edge thereof prepared on the terrain;

(v) repeating phases (iii) and (iv) as many times as necessary to extend and prepared coverings on the ground, adhering or sealing the longitudinal edges of as many adjacent coverings as required for the expanse of ground, intercalating the refraction and deployment of the heat welding devices and of the furrow opening means, insertion means for inserting the edges and the return means for preparing the coverings on the terrain arranged on the first and second side of the system.

16. The heat welding method according to claim 15, wherein step (v) comprises actuating the heat welding device arranged on the side opposite the heat welding device selected in steps (iii) and (iv).

17. The heat welding method according to claims 15, wherein steps (iii), (iv) or (v) comprise the step of feeding the heating elements through a fan.