Automated door assembly and methods, press used therewith, and adhesive therefor
First Claim
1. A system for making doors, comprising:
- a first pressing station comprisinga first press including a first set of platens, anda second press including a second set of platens, each set of platens respectively having at least one platen movable relative to the other platen of the set of platens between an open state and a closed state;
a first loading device configured to deliver assembled doors to the first pressing station;
a first discharging device configured to receive the assembled doors that have been pressed by the first pressing station,the first pressing station configured to alternatingly move the first and second presses between (i) a loading/unloading position, in which one of the first and second presses is in the open state and operative alignment with the first loading and discharging devices to receive at least a first of the assembled doors delivered by the first loading device and to discharge at least a second of the assembled doors that has been pressed to the first discharging device, and (ii) a pressing position, in which the other of the first and second presses is in the closed state for pressing a third of the assembled doors and is out of operative alignment with the first loading and discharging devices;
a first accumulator configured to hold the assembled doors that have been pressed in the first pressing station while an applied adhesive develops bond strength;
a second pressing station comprisinga third press including a third set of platens, anda fourth press including a fourth set of platens, each set of platens respectively having at least one platen movable relative to the other platen of the set of platens between an open state and a closed state;
a second loading device configured to deliver assembled doors to the second pressing station;
a second discharging device configured to receive the assembled doors that have been pressed by the second pressing station,the second pressing station configured to alternatingly move the third and fourth presses between (i) a loading/unloading position, in which one of the third and fourth presses is in the open state and operative alignment with the second loading and second discharging devices to receive at least a fourth of the assembled doors delivered by the second loading device and to discharge at least a fifth of the assembled doors that has been pressed to the second discharging device, and (ii) a pressing position, in which the other of the third and fourth presses is in the closed state for pressing a sixth of the assembled doors and is out of operative alignment with the second loading and discharging devices;
a second accumulator configured to hold the assembled doors that have been pressed in the second pressing station while an applied adhesive develops bond strength; and
a single conveyor configured to carry doors away from the first and second accumulators.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door pressing system for pressing interior passage doors, exterior entry doors, bi-fold doors, and/or closet doors features a multi-door pressing station including first and second presses, a loading device, and a discharging device. The pressing station is configured to alternatively move the first and second presses into operative alignment with the loading and discharging devices. The press in operative alignment delivers a pressed assembled door to the discharging device and receives an assembled door layup to be pressed from the loading device. The other press that is out of operatively alignment presses an assembled door received therein. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
62 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A system for making doors, comprising:
-
a first pressing station comprising a first press including a first set of platens, and a second press including a second set of platens, each set of platens respectively having at least one platen movable relative to the other platen of the set of platens between an open state and a closed state; a first loading device configured to deliver assembled doors to the first pressing station; a first discharging device configured to receive the assembled doors that have been pressed by the first pressing station, the first pressing station configured to alternatingly move the first and second presses between (i) a loading/unloading position, in which one of the first and second presses is in the open state and operative alignment with the first loading and discharging devices to receive at least a first of the assembled doors delivered by the first loading device and to discharge at least a second of the assembled doors that has been pressed to the first discharging device, and (ii) a pressing position, in which the other of the first and second presses is in the closed state for pressing a third of the assembled doors and is out of operative alignment with the first loading and discharging devices; a first accumulator configured to hold the assembled doors that have been pressed in the first pressing station while an applied adhesive develops bond strength; a second pressing station comprising a third press including a third set of platens, and a fourth press including a fourth set of platens, each set of platens respectively having at least one platen movable relative to the other platen of the set of platens between an open state and a closed state; a second loading device configured to deliver assembled doors to the second pressing station; a second discharging device configured to receive the assembled doors that have been pressed by the second pressing station, the second pressing station configured to alternatingly move the third and fourth presses between (i) a loading/unloading position, in which one of the third and fourth presses is in the open state and operative alignment with the second loading and second discharging devices to receive at least a fourth of the assembled doors delivered by the second loading device and to discharge at least a fifth of the assembled doors that has been pressed to the second discharging device, and (ii) a pressing position, in which the other of the third and fourth presses is in the closed state for pressing a sixth of the assembled doors and is out of operative alignment with the second loading and discharging devices; a second accumulator configured to hold the assembled doors that have been pressed in the second pressing station while an applied adhesive develops bond strength; and a single conveyor configured to carry doors away from the first and second accumulators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification