Apparatus and method for making V-groove insulation and tank wrap

• US 5,302,228 A
• Filed: 05/19/1992
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Holland
• Original Assignee: David Holland
• Inventors: Holland, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIXON, MERRICK L
• Application Number:
  US07/884,798
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 83/487, 83/877, 83/496, 83/997, 83/341, 83/492, 83/493, 83/614, 156/556, 156/510, 156/512, 156/516, 156/519, 156/521, 156/522
• US Class Current: 156/510
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/062 the saw blade being adjustable according to depth or angle of cut
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/143 with a plurality of circular saw blades
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/002 for the position of the saw blade B27B5/36 and B27B9/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/00 Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0057 Moulding single grooves or ribs, e.g. tear lines folding lines B29C53/06
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/063 combined with folding
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/225 Insulated
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/10 Removing layers, or parts of layers, mechanically or chemically
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 59/026 Mattresses, mats, blankets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/12 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/13 Severing followed by associating with part from same source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1317 Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/133 Delivering cut part to indefinite or running length web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1339 Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1343 Cutting indefinite length web after assembly with discrete article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1744 Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0319 Forming common groove
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4824 With means to cause progressive transverse cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7776 With means to reciprocate carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7797 Including means to rotate both elements of tool pair
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7813 : Tool pair elements angularly related
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7818 : Elements of tool pair angularly adjustable relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8822 : Edge-to-edge of sheet or web [e.g., traveling cutter]

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method of fabricating tank wrap of desired thickness having fibers oriented generally in the thickness direction from lengths of insulation material having fibers oriented generally in the length direction. The method comprises several sequential steps. The first step is positioning the lengths of insulation material lengthwise along a first movable track conveyor, such that the fibers are oriented generally parallel to the direction of conveyance as the lengths progress downstream in a longitudinal direction along the conveyor. Second step is severing the insulation material completely across the length, at intervals equal to the desired thickness of the tank wrap to be fabricated. Next the cut lengths of insulation material are positioned lengthwise across a second movable track conveyor such that the fibers are now oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of conveyance, and in an abutting relationship. Finally, a continuous length of backing material is affixed to the abutted severed lengths to form a continuous length of tank wrap having fibers generally oriented in the thickness direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fabricating tank wrap of desired thickness having fibers oriented generally in the thickness direction from lengths of insulation material having fibers oriented generally in the length direction, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first conveyor system comprising an endless loop belt disposed along the frame and adapted to travel in a longitudinal direction;

(c) a means for feeding situated at an upstream end of the conveyor system, and adapted to position the lengths of insulation material lengthwise along the belt, such that the fibers are oriented generally parallel to the direction of travel;

(d) a means for cutting situated downstream of the feeding means and adapted to completely sever the insulation material across the length, at intervals equal to the desired thickness of the tank wrap to be fabricated wherein the means for cutting comprises;

(i) a base comprising a generally parallel pair of rods;

(ii) saw mounts comprising a generally parallel pair of rods each independently slidably and rotatably disposed on and oriented generally perpendicular to the base rods;

(iii) a pair of saws, each slidably mounted on one of the saw mounts;

(iv) a saw mount movement means for each saw mount affixed to each base rod for slidably moving each saw mount independently along the base;

(v) a saw mount means for each saw affixed to each saw mount rod for slidably moving each saw along the saw mount rods; and

(vi) a saw mount rotation means for each saw mount affixed to the saws mounts for rotating the saw mounts about its axis of symmetry to set the saw cutting angle;

(e) a second conveyor system comprising a second endless belt disposed along the frame and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction and transport the severed lengths away from the cutting menus, and off of the second conveyor system;

(f) a third conveyor system comprising a third conveyor system comprising a third belt disposed along the frame and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction, which is positioned downstream and below the second conveyor system to catch the severed lengths as they convey off of the second conveyor system;

(g) a means for reorienting situated at an upstream end of the third conveyor system and adapted to reorient the severed lengths lengthwise across the third belt such that the fibers of the severed lengths are now oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of travel;

(h) an means for abutting located downstream of the reorienting means and adapted to place the severed lengths in an abutted relationship while maintaining the conveyor system to catch the severed lengths as they convey off of the second conveyor system;

(i) a means for backing situated downstream of the abutting means and adapted to affix backing to the abutted severed lengths to form a continuous sheet of tank wrap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the backing means comprises a backing spool and a contact arm arranged to affix backing from the spool onto the abutted severed lengths.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the backing means further comprises an adhesive application means to apply adhesive to at least one of the backing or the abutted severed lengths prior to affixing the backing.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adhesive application means comprises a spraying means.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adhesive application means comprises a roller or brush.

6. An apparatus for fabricating tank wrap of desired thickness having fibers oriented generally in the thickness direction from lengths of insulation material having fibers oriented generally in the length direction, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first conveyer system comprising an endless loop belt disposed along the frame and adapted to travel in a longitudinal direction;

(c) a means for feeding situated at an upstream end of the conveyor system, and adapted to position the lengths of insulation material lengthwise along the belt, such that the fibers are oriented generally parallel to the direction of travel;

(d) a means for cutting situated downstream of the feeding means and adapted to completely sever the insulation material across the length, at intervals equal to the desired thickness of the tank wrap to be fabricated wherein the cutting means comprises

(i) a base comprising a generally parallel pair of rods;

(ii) saw mounts comprising a generally pair of rods each independently slidably and rotatably disposed on and oriented generally perpendicular to the base rods;

(iii) a pair of saws, each slidably mounted on one of the saw mounts;

(iv) a saw mount movement means for each saw mount affixed to each base rod for slidably moving each saw mount independently along the base;

(v) a saw movement means for each saw affixed to each saw mount rod for slidably moving each saw along the saw mount rods; and

(vi) a saw mount rotation means for each saw mount affixed to the saw mounts for rotating the saw mounts about its axis of symmetry to set the saw cutting angle.

(e) a second conveyor system comprising a second endless belt disposed along the frame and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction and transport the severed lengths away from the curing means, and off of the second conveyor system;

(f) a third conveyor system comprising a third conveyor system comprising a third belt disposed along the frame and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction, which is positioned downstream and below the second conveyor system to receive the severed lengths as they convey off of the second conveyor system;

(g) a means for reorienting situated at an upstream end of the third conveyor system and adapted to reorient the severed lengths lengthwise across the third belt such that the fibers of the severed lengths are now oriented generally normal to a plane generally parallel to the direction of travel;

(h) a means for abutting located downstream of the reorienting means and adapted to place the severed lengths in an abutted relationship while maintaining the conveyor system to receive the severed lengths as they convey off of the second conveyor system;

(i) a means for backing situated downstream of the abutting means and adapted to affix backing to the abutted severed lengths to form a continuous sheet of tank wrap.

7. A cutting apparatus comprising:

a base comprising a generally parallel pair of rods;

saw mounts comprising a generally parallel pair of rods each independently slidably and rotatably disposed on and oriented generally perpendicular to the base rods;

a pair of saws, each slidably mounted on one of the saw mounts;

a saw mount movement means for each saw mount affixed to each base rod for slidably moving each saw mount independently along the base;

a saw mount movement means for each saw affixed to each saw mount rod for slidably moving each saw along the saw mount means; and

a saw mount rotation means for each saw mount affixed to the saw mounts for rotating the saw mounts to set the saw cutting angle;

wherein the base rods and the saw mount rods each comprise precise lead screws and ground cylinder shafts.