Installation and process for making panels

Abstract

Described are an installation ( 1 ) and a process for making panels (A), in particular panels (A) used for the construction of a building; including elements adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels; and elements for making from the body (B) of panel material panels (A) whose length (L) is selectively predetermined.

1 - 82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . An installation ( 1 ) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A 1 ), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D 2 , D 3 ) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A 2 , A 3 ) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A 2 , A 3 ) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 22 , A 32 ), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C 1 ) of material of predetermined length (L 0 ), wherein it comprises means for making from the body (B) of panel material panels (A) whose length (L) is selectively predetermined to obtain panels (A) of desired or selected length and that may be equal to or different from the length (L 0 ) of the component block (C 1 ). 
     
     
         84 . An installation ( 1 ) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A 1 ), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D 2 , D 3 ) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A 2 , A 3 ) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A 2 , A 3 ) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 22 , A 32 ), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C 1 ) of material of predetermined length (L 0 ), and wherein it comprises means ( 33 ) for cutting the body (B) of panel material. 
     
     
         85 . The installation according to  claim 84 , wherein it comprises means ( 331 ,  332 ) for cutting the reinforcement means of the body (B) of panel material and means ( 333 ) for cutting a main portion (C 1 ), in particular of lightening or insulating material, of the body (B) of panel material. 
     
     
         86 . The installation according to  claim 85 , wherein it comprises means for making an opening in the reinforcement means (D 2 , D 3 ) of the body (B) of panel material to allow the passage of corresponding means for cutting a main portion (C 1 ) of the body (B) of material, comprising means for bending longitudinal portions (E 2 , E 3 ) of the reinforcement means of the body (B) of panel material. 
     
     
         87 . The installation according to  claim 84 , wherein the respective cutting means ( 331 ,  332 ,  333 ) can move longitudinally. 
     
     
         88 . The installation according to  claim 87 , wherein the respective cutting means ( 331 ,  332 ,  333 ) advance with the body (B) of panel material. 
     
     
         89 . The installation according to  claim 84 , wherein it comprises means ( 331 ,  332 ) for cutting the respective reinforcement means and which comprise means ( 331   a ) for engaging the respective longitudinal element (E 1 , E 2 ) of the reinforcement means, acting in conjunction with respective opposing means ( 331   b ). 
     
     
         90 . The installation according to  claim 89 , wherein the means for bending the longitudinal elements (E 1 , E 2 ) of the respective reinforcement means (D 2 , D 3 ) comprise means ( 331   a ) for engaging the respective longitudinal element and respective opposing means ( 331   c ). 
     
     
         91 . The installation according to  claim 90 , wherein the engagement means ( 331   a ) and the opposing means ( 331   b  and/or  331   c ) are movable relative to each other, being the engagement means ( 331   a ) movable relative to fixed opposing means ( 331   b  and/or  331   c ). 
     
     
         92 . The installation according to  claim 90 , wherein the engagement means ( 331   a ) are interposed between the respective opposing means ( 331   b,    331   c ). 
     
     
         93 . The installation according to  claim 90 , wherein it comprises a plurality of engagement elements ( 331   a ) and opposing elements ( 331   b,    331   c ) for corresponding longitudinal elements (E 2 , E 3 ) of the reinforcement means (D 2 , D 3 ), the engagement means ( 331   a ) being in the form of a tooth with a lateral cutting edge ( 331   at ); the engagement means ( 331   a ) being in the form of a tooth with a longitudinal contact surface ( 331   aa ) for pushing the part (E 2 ′) of the longitudinal reinforcement element (E 2 , E 3 ) to be bent; the engagement means ( 331   a ) being in the form of a tooth with a transversal contact surface ( 331   ab ) for pushing the part (E 2 ′) of the longitudinal reinforcement element (E 2 , E 3 ) to be bent; the engagement means ( 331   a ) being in the form of a tooth from which there extends a lateral protuberance ( 331   ac ) forming a corresponding engagement surface ( 331   ad ) for the main part of the longitudinal element (E 2 ); the opposing and cutting means ( 331   b ) comprising a respective tooth extending perpendicularly and acting in conjunction with a cutting edge ( 331   at ) of the engagement means; the opposing and bending means comprising a respective tooth ( 331   c ) extending perpendicularly and longitudinally spaced from a corresponding transversal bending surface ( 331   ab ) of the engagement means ( 331   a ). 
     
     
         94 . The installation according to  claim 90 , wherein the engagement means ( 331   a ) are slidable between the opposing and cutting means ( 331   b ) and the opposing and bending means ( 331   c ). 
     
     
         95 . The installation according to  claim 90 , wherein it comprises drive means for moving the engagement means ( 331   a ) relative to the respective opposing means ( 331   b,    331   c ); the drive means comprising a respective actuator ( 334 ); the drive means comprising a linkage ( 335 ) for connection to the movable engagement means ( 331   a ); the actuator ( 334 ) being positioned substantially alongside the engagement and opposing means; the linkage ( 335 ) extending perpendicularly to the engagement and opposing means; the linkage ( 335 ) comprising an arm ( 335   a ) which extends from the actuator ( 334 ) and at least one corresponding lever ( 335   b ) connected to the arm ( 335   a ) and which is integral with and actuates corresponding pivoted rods ( 331 ′) mounting the engagement means ( 331   a ). 
     
     
         96 . The installation according to  claim 85 , wherein it comprises first and second means ( 331 ,  332 ), which are vertically spaced from each other, for cutting and/or bending respective reinforcement means (D 1 , D 2 ). 
     
     
         97 . The installation according to  claim 85 , wherein the cutting and/or bending means ( 331 ) are movable perpendicularly to the body (B) of panel material between a position away from and a position close to the body (B) of panel material in order to perform the cutting and/or bending operation. 
     
     
         98 . The installation according to  claim 85 , wherein the means ( 333 ) for cutting the main portion (C 1 ) of panel material (B) comprise a transversally extending heated wire cutting element. 
     
     
         99 . The installation according to  claim 85 , wherein the means ( 333 ) for cutting the main portion (C 1 ) of panel material (B) are movable between a position away from the body of panel material and a cutting position. 
     
     
         100 . The installation according to  claim 85 , wherein the means ( 333 ) for cutting the main portion of material are mounted, together with the means ( 331 ,  332 ) for cutting the reinforcement means, on a single, longitudinally movable slider. 
     
     
         101 . An installation ( 1 ) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A 1 ), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D 2 , D 3 ) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A 2 , A 3 ) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A 2 , A 3 ) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 22 , A 32 ), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C 1 ) of material of predetermined length (L 0 ), and wherein it comprises means ( 12 ) for feeding the blocks of material (C 1 ); wherein it comprises first and second means ( 12 ,  12 ) for feeding the blocks of material (C 1 ). 
     
     
         102 . The installation according to  claim 101 , wherein the first and second means ( 12 ,  12 ) for feeding the blocks of material are located on opposite sides of the feed line. 
     
     
         103 . The installation according to  claim 102 , wherein the first and second means ( 12 ,  12 ) for feeding the blocks of material are located on opposite sides of the line that feeds the body and are transversally aligned with each other. 
     
     
         104 . The installation according to  claim 101 , wherein the first and second means ( 12 ,  12 ) for feeding the blocks of material are designed to feed respective blocks (C 1 ) alternately. 
     
     
         105 . The installation according to  claim 101 , wherein the means ( 12 ) for feeding the blocks of material (C 1 ) comprise means for inserting the respective block transversally between opposite reinforcement means (D 2 , D 3 ). 
     
     
         106 . An installation ( 1 ) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A 1 ), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D 2 , D 3 ) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A 2 , A 3 ) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A 2 , A 3 ) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 22 , A 32 ), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C 1 ) of material of predetermined length (L 0 ), and wherein it comprises means ( 14 ) for unloading the panels (A); wherein the means ( 14 ) for unloading the panels (A) comprise means ( 141 ) for picking up the panels; wherein the pickup means ( 141 ) are mounted on a respective crossbeam ( 143 ) in turn mounted on a portal frame having uprights ( 144 ,  144 ) spaced far enough from each other to allow the panel (A) to pass between them. 
     
     
         107 . The installation according to  claim 106 , wherein the pickup means ( 141 ) are movable between a zone where the panel is picked up and a zone where the panel is transferred; wherein the pickup means ( 141 ) are movable between a zone where the panel is picked up and first and second zones where the panel is transferred, said zones being, in particular, situated on opposite sides of the line. 
     
     
         108 . An installation ( 1 ) for making panels (A) used for the construction of a building and comprising means adapted for making a longitudinal body (B) of material for panels, in which the body (B) of panel material comprises a main portion (C) of material constituting the main panel element (A 1 ), made of insulating or lightening material, especially expanded plastic material, preferably expanded polystyrene, and comprises a first and a second longitudinal strip (D 2 , D 3 ) of corresponding reinforcement means to form a metal mesh (A 2 , A 3 ) for reinforcing the panel, said reinforcement means (A 2 , A 3 ) having longitudinal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ) and transversal portions, especially in the form of wires or rods (A 22 , A 32 ), which are joined to the longitudinal wires or rods (A 21 , A 31 ), and in which the main portion (C) of the panel body (B) is made from blocks (C 1 ) of material of predetermined length (L 0 ), and wherein it comprises means ( 13 ) for joining the first and second reinforcement means (D 2 , D 3 ) to each other and for joining the reinforcement means (D 1 , D 2 ) to the main portion of material (C 1 ), the joining means ( 13 ) comprise a first and a second joining station ( 131 ,  132 ;  133 ) longitudinally spaced by a predetermined distance (d), the length of the step by which the body (B) of material is fed corresponds to the predetermined distance (d) between the first and second stations ( 131 ,  132 ;  133 ) of the joining means.