A LAMINATING TABLE Technical Field The present invention relates to the construction of laminated structures and more particularly but not exclusively to the construction of mats and synthetic horse bedding such as that described in International Patent Publication No. WO 94/02003 Background of the Invention Described in the above international patent application is a synthetic horse bedding. This bedding is a laminated structure provided with apertures and slots.

Previous methods for the manufacture of this bedding have lacked the certain degree of cost efficiency and consistency in respect of the quality of the product produced.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a laminated assembly having: a first member to receive and support a first sheet; a second member to receive a second sheet to be applied to the first sheet to form a laminated structure, the second member being movable with respect to the first member between a first position at which the second member is spaced from the second member so that the second sheet may be applied thereto, and a second position at which the second member is located adjacent the first member to apply the second sheet to the first sheet; means to maintain the second sheet fixed to the second member during movement between the first and second positions thereof; and adhesive applying means mounted on the first and/or second member to apply adhesive to the first and/or second sheet so that when the second sheet is applied to the first sheet, the second becomes fixed thereto upon curing of the adhesive.

Preferably, the laminating assembly is a laminating table in which the first member provides a generally planar first surface to receive the first sheet, the second member provides a generally planar second surface to which the second sheet is fixed.

Preferably, the first member is stationery and the second member is pivotally attached thereto so as to move accurately between its first and second positions.

Preferably, the second sheet is stationary to the second member by applying to the second member areas of reduced pressure so that the second sheet is urged into contact with the second member under the influence of air pressure.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a factory layout to manufacture the bedding described in the above numbered international publication; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of a laminating table; Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of the table of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of a portion of the table of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the table of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 6 is a schematic part sectioned side elevation of a portion of the table of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 7 is a schematic end elevation of an adhesive applicator to be mounted on the table of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 9 is schematic front elevation of a pinch roller unit to which a laminated structure formed on the table of Figures 2 and 3 is delivered; Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation of the unit of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic side elevation of a finishing line used in conjunction with the table of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 12 is a schematic top plan view of the line of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a schematic front elevation of a side trim and groove forming unit; Figure 14 is a schematic end elevation of the unit of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a schematic front elevation of a blade employed in the unit of Figures 13 and 14; Figure 16 is a schematic section end elevation of the blade of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a schematic section plan view of a blade and shaft assembly employed in the unit of Figures 13 and 14; Figure 18 is a schematic section side elevation of the assembly of Figure 17; Figure 20 is a schematic side elevation of a docking unit; Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation of a docking unit of Figure 19; Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation of a coring unit; Figure 22 is a schematic top plan view of the coring unit of Figure 21; and

Figure 23 is a schematic part section side elevation of a coring tool assembly employed in the unit of Figures 21 and 22.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a factory layout 10 to manufacture the bedding which is described in the above numbered international patent publication.

The factory layout 10 includes a laminating table 11 to which a number of sheets of material are delivered to form into a laminated structure. For example, the laminated structure may include applying EVA foam sheets to rubber sheets. The laminated structure is then delivered to a table 17 via a pinch roller assembly 12.

When adhesive has cured, the laminated structure is delivered to a feed conveyor 13 which delivers the laminated structure to a side trim and grooving unit 14. From there the groove laminated structure passes along an intermediate conveyor 15 to be delivered to a coring unit 16 from where the now formed bedding is dispatched. If so required one or more curing racks 18 is provided.

In Figures 3 to 4 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted the laminating table 11. The laminating table 11 includes a fixed (stationary) table portion 19 and a pivoting table portion 18. The portion 18 pivots about a generally horizontal axis 20, from the generally horizontal orientation shown in Figure 3, to a position of which the portion 18 overlays the portion 19. This movement may be achieved by pneumatic or hydraulic rams or other suitable mechanical apparatus.

The portions 18 and 19 are each provided with a plurality of generally planar surfaces 21 and 22, with the table as shown in Figure 3 having some of the services 22 and 23 removed to reveal lower structures.

The surfaces 21 are provided by metal and/or timber sheets and are provided with a plurality of apertures 23. The apertures 23 communicate with an air pump with lowers the air pressure within ducting leading to the apertures 23. Each aperture 23 receives a flexible suction cup 24 connected to ducting 25. The ducting 25 extends to an air pump which lowers the air pressure in the cup 24. When a sheet of material is applied to the surface 21, and the pressure in the ducting 25 lowered, the sheet is secured to the surface 21 so that when the table portion 18 pivots from a horizontal position, to a position overlaying the portion 19, the sheet applied thereto remains fixed to the surface 21 until the pressure in the ducting 25 is lowered to release the sheet.

The surfaces 22 are provided by metal or timber sheets, and are provided with a plurality of apertures 26. The apertures 26 communicate with ducting 27 which receives air under pressure so that air under pressure exits via the apertures 26.

Movement of sheet material along the surfaces 22 is facilitated by the movement of air from the apertures 26.

Each of the table portions 18 and 19 includes a stationary end part 21 which receives and supports an adhesive applicator 28. Each applicator 28 is moveable longitudinally of its associated portion 18 or 19 and is located on its associated part 27 when sheets are being laminated.

The portions 18 and 19 are provided with generally horizontally extending tracks 29 which engage the four wheels 30 of each applicator 28. Each applicator 28 has a frame 31 which is supported by the wheels 30 with the frame 30 intern supporting a reservoir 32. The reservoir 32 has at its lower end an aperture aligned with an applicator roller 33. The reservoir 32 receives adhesive which under gravity is feed to the applicator roller 33 which in turn applies the adhesive to the sheet below. The applicator 28 further includes a trailing sleeve 34 which aids in spreading the adhesive so that a uniform layer is applied to the sheet beneath. The wheels 30 are preferably driven as is the roller 33. The wheels 30 are driven by belts or chains 35 driven by an electric motor 36. The motor 36 is connected to drive shafts 37 to transfer rotary power to the other side of the applicator 28. The roller 33 is driven by an electric motor 38 driving the belt or chain 39.

The pinch roller unit 12 includes a frame 40 which supports a bottom pinch roll 41, which is maintained fixed relative to the frame 40. The roll 41 is driven by an electric motor 42 driving a gear box 43. A top pinch roll 44 is slidably mounted in the frame 4 for vertical movement relative to the roll 41. More particularly, hydraulic or pneumatic rams 45 urged the roll 44 toward the roll 41 when a laminated structure is passing between the rolls 41 and 44. This insures correct pressure being applied to the laminated structure and enables adjustment to variations in thickness of the laminated structure.

After the unit 12, the laminated structures pass to the table 17 and if required are passed to rack 18 to allow for curing.

A cured laminated structure is delivered to the conveyor 13 from where it is delivered to the unit 14. The unit 14 is more fully depicted in Figures 13 and 14. The unit 14 forms longitudinally extending grooves in the upper surface of the laminate by means of a plurality of blades 46. The blades 46 being more fully depicted in Figures 15 and 16. The blades 46 are mounted on a shaft 47 with the use of spacers 48. The blades 46 are keyed to the shaft 47 so as to rotate therewith. The shaft 47 is driven by electric motor 49. Located below the shaft 47 is a support roll 50, with guide rollers 51 engaging the laminated structure to aid in feeding the laminated structure to and from the blades 46.

Also mounted on the frame 52 with the shaft 47 and roll 50 are rotatably driven side trimming blades 53 which trim the longitudinal edges of the laminated structure. The blades 53 are driven by electric motors 54.

The blades 46 include a central mounting portion 55 which is keyed to the shaft 47, and from which there radially extends a disc 56. The outer peripheral edge of the disc 56 is provided with a plurality of teeth 57 which are of a"T"configuration.

Via the conveyor 15, the laminated structures are transferred to the docking unit 16, more fully depicted in Figures 19 and 20. The docking unit 16 cuts the laminated structures to a desired length. The unit 16 includes a base frame 58 which supports a subframe 60. The subframe 60 is moveable between a lowered position A and a raised position B. At the position A, the saw blade 61 is positioned to cut the laminated structure when caused to move transversely across. Supported on the frame 61 is a saw box 62. The box 62 would support an electric motor 63 which drives the saw blade 61. The saw blade 61 is moveable between positions C and D by means of a linear (cylinder) drive 64.

The frame 60 is pivoted between its two positions by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic ram 65 pivotally attached to the frame 60, with the frame 60 being supported by parallel linkages 66.

The coring unit 67 is more fully depicted in Figures 21 to 23. The coring unit 67 includes a base frame 68 which supports a vertically movable subframe 69. The subframe 69 is moved vertically relative to the frame 68 by means of hydraulic or pneumatic rams (not illustrated). Mounted on the frame 69 is a plurality of coring tools 70 (more fully depicted in Figure 23). Each coring tool 70 includes a hollow cylindrical coring blade 71 housed in a mounting 72. The mounting 72 is rotatably supported by bearings 73 supported in the frame 69. Secured to each mounting 72 are pairs of pulleys 74, with the pulleys 74 of adjacent tools 70 being linked by belts. The tools 70 are divided into sets 75, with each set 75 being driven by a belt 76 and associated electric motor 77. Accordingly, each blade 71 is rotatably driven about a generally vertical axis 78 while being lowered to engage the laminated structure the blade 71 are aligned with the longitudinal grooves formed in the laminated structure by the blades 46.

The laminated structures, now formed with holes and slots are delivered to a dispatch conveyor 78.