초록 ▼

A machine for continuously forming heat-reflective blanks is provided. The heat-reflective blanks each include a blank of sheet material and a thermal film patch coupled to the blank. The machine includes an intake station configured to align a first blank of sheet material and a second blank of she

A machine for continuously forming heat-reflective blanks is provided. The heat-reflective blanks each include a blank of sheet material and a thermal film patch coupled to the blank. The machine includes an intake station configured to align a first blank of sheet material and a second blank of sheet material for application of a first thermal film patch and a second thermal film patch, respectively. The intake station is further configured to maintain a spacing between the first blank and the second blank. The intake station includes adjustable hold-down bars for maintaining an alignment and the spacing of the first and second blanks. The machine also includes an applicator station configured to apply the first and second thermal film patches to the first and second blanks, respectively, to form a first heat-reflective blank and a second heat-reflective blank, and an ejection station configured to eject the heat-reflective blanks.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A machine for continuously forming heat-reflective blanks, the heat-reflective blanks each including a blank of sheet material and a thermal film patch coupled to the blank of sheet material, the machine comprising: an intake station configured to align a first blank of sheet material and a secon

1. A machine for continuously forming heat-reflective blanks, the heat-reflective blanks each including a blank of sheet material and a thermal film patch coupled to the blank of sheet material, the machine comprising: an intake station configured to align a first blank of sheet material and a second blank of sheet material for application of a first thermal film patch and a second thermal film patch, respectively, wherein the intake station is further configured to maintain a spacing between the first blank and the second blank, the intake station comprising adjustable hold-down bars for maintaining an alignment and the spacing of the first and second blanks;an applicator station configured to apply the first and second thermal film patches to the first and second blanks, respectively, to form a first heat-reflective blank and a second heat-reflective blank, said applicator station comprising: a cutting device for cutting each film patch from a film roll;a film roller for applying the thermal film patch to each of the first blank and the second blank to form the first heat-reflective blank and the second heat-reflective blank; andan air distribution system for transferring each thermal film patch from the cutting device to one of the first blank and the second blank via the film roller; andan ejection station configured to eject the first and second heat-reflective blanks from the machine. 2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hold-down bars are vertically and horizontally adjustable with respect to a frame of the intake station. 3. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intake station comprises a separator comprising a spacing conveyor for transporting the first and second blanks into the applicator station, the hold-down bars holding the first and second blanks against the spacing conveyor during transport into the applicator station. 4. A machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein the spacing conveyor comprises a feed chain and a plurality of lugs coupled to the feed chain, each lug of the plurality of lugs spaced apart from adjacent lugs with respect to a length of the feed chain, the plurality of lugs configured to space the first and second blanks apart along the feed chain. 5. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the applicator station further comprises: a glue applicator for applying glue to the first and second blanks, the glue is applied in a predetermined patternwherein each thermal film patch is sized to correspond with the predetermined glue pattern. 6. A machine in accordance with claim 5, wherein the film roll is supported on a solid shaft. 7. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the applicator station comprises: a laminator comprising a laminating roller, a glue applicator, and a pressing roller,wherein the glue applicator is configured to apply glue to at least one side of the first and second thermal film patches,the laminating roller configured to position the first and second thermal film patches in a predetermined location on the first and second blanks of sheet material, respectively, andthe laminating roller and the pressing roller configured to apply a force to laminate the first and second thermal film patches to the first and second blanks of sheet material, respectively. 8. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ejection station comprises an accumulator configured to accumulate a predetermined number of heat-reflective blanks for discharge into a stack of heat-reflective blanks, the accumulator comprising spring bars for shingling the predetermined number of heat-reflective blanks within the accumulator. 9. A machine in accordance with claim 8, wherein the ejection station further comprises at least one hold-down roller configured to guide the shingled heat-reflective blanks into the stack of heat-reflective blanks. 10. A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intake station further comprises a hopper for storing a plurality of blanks of sheet material in a substantially horizontal orientation, an interior surface of each blank in the hopper facing upwards. 11. A machine for forming a heat-reflective blank, the heat-reflective blank comprising a blank of sheet material and a thermal film patch coupled to the blank, the machine comprising: a separator comprising a frame, a spacing conveyor, and hold-down bars, wherein the hold-down bars are adjustable with respect to the spacing conveyor to maintain at least one of an alignment and a position of a blank on the spacing conveyor, the hold-down bars being vertically and horizontally adjustable with respect to the frame of the separator;a glue applicator configured to apply glue to a surface of at least one of the blank and the thermal film patch;a film applicator comprising: a cutting device for cutting the thermal film patch from a film roll;a film roller for applying the thermal film patch to the blank using the glue to adhere the thermal film patch to the blank to form the heat-reflective blank; andan air distribution system for transferring the thermal film patch from the cutting device to the blank via the film roller; andan exit conveyor configured to remove the heat-reflective blank from the machine. 12. A machine in accordance with claim 11, wherein the glue applicator further comprises a glue stencil for applying a predetermined pattern of glue to the blank. 13. A machine in accordance with claim 11, wherein the glue applicator is configured to apply glue to a surface of the thermal film patch; and the film applicator comprises a laminating roller and a pressing roller, wherein the laminating roller is configured to position the thermal film patch in a predetermined location on the blank, andthe laminating roller and the pressing roller are configured to laminate the thermal film patch to the blank. 14. A machine in accordance with claim 11, further comprising an accumulator positioned between the film applicator and the exit conveyor, the accumulator accumulates a predetermined number of heat-reflective blanks and discharges the heat-reflective blanks into a stack of heat-reflective blanks on the exit conveyor, the accumulator comprising spring bars for shingling the heat-reflective blanks within the accumulator. 15. A machine in accordance with claim 14, further comprising at least one hold-down roller configured to guide the shingled heat-reflective blanks into the stack of heat-reflective blanks, the hold-down roller having a predetermined weight for transferring a predetermined number of heat-reflective blanks from the accumulator to the exit conveyor. 16. A machine in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a stacking table positioned between the film applicator and the accumulator, the stacking table for initially shingling the heat-reflective blanks. 17. A machine in accordance with claim 11, wherein the spacing conveyor comprises a feed chain and a lug coupled to the feed chain, the lug configured to maintain a position of the blank with respect to the feed chain.