Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ANTI- FLAMMABLE BOARD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an anti-flammable board. Background Art

[2] A sandwich panel refers to a construction element used for building walls, and consists of a pair of metal plates and a core board sandwiched therebetween. The core board consists of insulating material, preferentially of glass wool, styrofoam board(EPS), or the like.

[3] However, the sandwich panel is vulnerable to a fire when the core board has no fire resistance. In order to resolve this problem have been introduced a method in which the core board is coated with a fireproof solution and a method in which the styrofoam is expanded on a condition that each foam bead is coated with a fireproof solution.

[4] However, the fireproof solution does not permeate through the inside of the core board so that when the board is sliced, the cross section becomes bare of the fireproof solution. Also, the fireproof solution may fall off the foam beads during a expansion process, or the foam beads may melt from heat in a fire.

[5] Also, the fireproof solution delays drying time, and the styrofoam cannot be dried at a high temperature since it deforms under high temperature. When insufficiently dried, water resistance and adhesive property deteriorate and the fireproof solution may be washed out by rain.

[6] Therefore, a new method has been introduced that applies a fireproof solution to the core board and accommodates a plurality of the core boards in a treatment apparatus such as a drying apparatus or a heating apparatus for a certain time. However, inserting and withdrawing the board have been performed manually so that it consumes much time and costs and lowers the efficiency of the process. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] The present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an anti-flammable board that reduces a drying time and improves a drying efficiency by improving a drying process for a board and a fireproof solution injected into the board.

[8] The present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an anti-flammable board that reduces time and costs and improves an efficiency of processing board by automatically inputting and outputting a plurality of boards into/

from a board treatment apparatus. Technical Solution

[9] According to one aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing apparatus for anti- flammable board comprising a drying apparatus is provided, the drying apparatus comprising: a loading part that loads a board containing a fire retardant solution; a heating part that applies hot wind and/or microwave to the board; and a discharging part that discharges water vapors within the board to the outside.

[10] The loading part may comprise: a drying chamber, one side of which is open ; and a guide part formed at either end of the open side of the drying chamber.

[11] The heating part may comprise: a heating chamber disposed at a predetermined distance from the loading part; and a magnetron combined with the heating chamber.

[12] The heating part may comprise a magnetron that is combined with the drying chamber and applies microwave to the board through the inside of the drying chamber.

[13] The discharging part may comprise a pump or a blower connected with the drying chamber through a pipe.

[14] The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise: a transportation part transporting a board; a boring part boring injection holes in the board; a nozzle part injecting the board with a fire retardant solution through the injection hole; and a solution separation part separating the fire retardant solution into water and fire retardant inorganic materials by applying a negative (-) pressure to the board.

[15] The solution separation part may accommodate respectively in a plurality of slots the same plural number of the boards injected with the fire retardant solution and then applies a negative (-) pressure on a surface of the boards, and the manufacturing apparatus may further comprise an automatic input apparatus disposed adjacent to the solution separation part, wherein the automatic input apparatus comprises: an input arm part that picks up the board; an input pivot axis that is combined with the input arm part and pivots the input arm part to an angle that allows the board to be inserted in the slot; an input servo motor that is combined with the input arm part and moves the input arm part to a position that allows the board to be inserted in the slot; and an input motor that moves the board to be inserted in the slot.

[16] The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a controller part that controls the input servo motor, wherein the controller part receives position information on the plurality of slots and thereby generates control signal that controls the input servo motor to direct the input arm part to sequentially move to a position corresponding to each slot.

[17] The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise an automatic output apparatus, wherein the automatic output apparatus comprises: an output arm part that picks up the

board withdrawn from the solution separation part; an output servo motor that is combined with the output arm part and moves the output arm part to a position corresponding to the slot to pick up the board; an output pivot axis that is combined with the output arm part and pivots the output arm part so that the board pivots to a predetermined angle; and a conveyor that delivers the board rotated to a predetermined angle to the drying apparatus.

[18] The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a controller part that controls the output servo motor, wherein the controller part receives position information on the plurality of slots and thereby generates control signal that controls the output servo motor to direct the output arm part to sequentially move to a position corresponding to each slot.

[19] The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a surface treatment part that is disposed over the conveyor and removes residual fire retardant solution remaining on a surface of the board by applying a pressure to the board.

[20] The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a pivot arm that pivots the board delivered by the conveyor to an entrance of the drying apparatus to a predetermined angle that allows the board to be inputted in the drying apparatus.

[21] According to another aspect of the present invention is provided a manufacturing method for an anti-flammable board comprising: (a) loading a board containing a fire retardant solution; (b) applying hot wind and/or microwave to the board; and (c) discharging water vapor within the board to the outside.

[22] The manufacturing method may further comprise prior to the step (a): (d) boring injection holes in a surface of the board; (e) injecting the fire retardant solution into hollow spaces among beads in the board through the injection holes; and (f) applying a negative (-) pressure on the surface of the board.

[23] The step (f) may be performed in a solution separation part that accommodates respectively in a plurality of slots the same plural number of the boards and then separates the fire retardant solution into water and inorganic fire retardant materials, and the manufacturing method may further comprise between the step (e) and the step (f): (g) pivoting the board to an angle that allows the board to be inserted into the slot; (h) moving the board to a position that allows the board to be inserted into the slot; (i) inserting the board into the slot; and (j) repeating the steps (g) through (i) so that the plurality of the boards are inserted respectively into the plural number of the slots.

[24] The steps (b) and (c) may be performed in a drying apparatus, and the step (a) may comprise: (k) withdrawing the board from the solution separation part; (1) pivoting the board to a predetermined angle and then delivering the board to the drying apparatus; and (m) repeating the steps (k) and (1) so that the plurality of boards accommodated in the solution separation part are delivered to the drying apparatus.

[25] The step (1) may comprise removing the residual fire retardant solution on the surface of the board by applying a pressure to the board. [26] The manufacturing method may further comprise, posterior to the step (1), pivoting the board that reaches an entrance of the drying apparatus to a predetermined angle that allows the board to be inputted in the drying apparatus. [27] Additional aspects, features, and advantages will be elucidated from the following drawings, claims, and specification.

Advantageous Effects

[28] The present invention performs solution separation by using vacuum and performs drying by using magnetron and pump, thereby improving a drying efficiency and reducing a drying time.

[29] An automatic input apparatus and an automatic output apparatus are respectively disposed prior and posterior to a solution separation part so that a board is automatically inputted into and withdrawn from the solution separation part, and further the board is inputted and withdrawn in accordance with a time the solution separation part spending on processing the board, thereby reducing working time and costs. Brief Description of the Drawings

[30] Fig.1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing an anti-flammable board according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[31] Figs.2 and 3 are conceptual views of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[32] Fig.4 is a front view of a drying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[33] Fig.5 is a side cross sectional view of the drying apparatus in Fig.4,

[34] Fig.6 is a plan view of the field modulation plate in Fig.5,

[35] Fig.7 is a front view of a drying apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[36] Fig.8 is a side cross sectional view of the drying apparatus in Fig.7,

[37] Fig.9 is a side view of an automatic input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[38] Fig.10 is a plan view of an automatic input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[39] Fig.11 is a front view of an automatic input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[40] Fig.12 is a front view of an automatic output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[41] Fig.13 is a plan view of an automatic output apparatus according to an embodiment

of the present invention,

[42] Fig.14 is a side view of an automatic output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[43] Fig.15 is a front view of an automatic output apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[44] Fig.16 is a plan view of an automatic output apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention,

[45] Fig.17 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for an anti-flammable board according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[46] Fig.18 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for an anti-flammable board according to another embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[47] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. Also, specific descriptions on related prior art will be omitted in order to concentrate on the gist of the present invention.

[48] The terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order.

[49] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto only by the claims. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a" or "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[50] It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof.

[51] Hereinafter, same reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the drawings and the repeated description about the same reference characters is omitted.

[52] Fig.1 is a block diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for an anti-flammable board according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig.1 are shown a boring

apparatus 10, a nozzle 20, a compressing roller 30, 40, a drying apparatus 100, a board 310, a transportation part 320, a boring part 330, a nozzle part 340, a first surface treatment part 350, a solution separation part 360, a second surface treatment part 370, a drying part 380, and a packing part 390.

[53] According to this embodiment, an anti-flammable board is manufactured by loading a board injected with a fire retardant solution, applying a microwave to the loaded board, and discharging water vapor within the board to the outside. The following describes a manufacturing apparatus for an anti-flammable board according to the embodiment of the present invention

[54] The board 310 is transported by the transportation part 320 from the boring part 330 to the packing part 390. The transportation part 320 may be a conveyor belt, a roller, a wire, or the like.

[55] The boring part 330 creates injection holes in the board 310 by employing the boring apparatus 10. The injection hole reduces surface resistance of the board 310, thereby facilitating the injection of a fire retardant solution. The injection holes may be formed one or either side of the board 310.

[56] The fire retardant solution is injected in the board 310 through the nozzle part 340.

With the nozzle being adhered close to one or either side of the board 310, the fire retardant solution is sprayed so that the fire retardant solution is injected into the injection holes bored in the board 310 and pores formed in the board and pores neighboring the injection holes. The nozzle part 340 may comprise single or a plurality of nozzles 20.

[57] The first surface treatment part 350 removes the fire retardant solution remaining on the surface of the board 310. After injecting a sufficient amount of the solution in the board 310, the residual fire retardant solution on the surface of the board 310 may be removed by the compressing roller 30.

[58] The solution separation part 360 separates the fire retardant solution into water and inorganic fire retardant materials by applying a vacuum pressure or a near vacuum pressure to the board 310, thereby enhancing a drying efficiency of the board 310. An example for the solution separation part 360 may be a vacuum chamber (not shown) and a pump (not shown) supplying a minus pressure to the board. Prior and posterior to the solution separation part 360, additional apparatuses (not shown) may be disposed to automatically insert and withdraw the board into and from the solution separation part 360.

[59] The second surface treatment part 370 removes residual solution on the surface of the board 310 from the surface of the board 310 that experienced the solution separation part 360. The second surface treatment part 370, like the first surface treatment part 350, may employ the compressing roller 40.

[60] The drying part 380 dries the board 310 in order to prevent the fire retardant solution or the inorganic fire retardant materials from leaking out of the board 310. The drying part 380 may comprise a drying apparatus 100, 200, 300, which will be described later.

[61] The packing part 390 wraps the board 380 that experienced the drying part 380. In the case that a overall height of package is 50cm, 10 pieces of 50T boards, 5 pieces of IOOT boards are loaded to be wrapped. The packing part 390 may comprise a counting apparatus (not shown) counting the boards, a wrapping apparatus (not shown), and a dispensing apparatus.

[62] Figs.2 and 3 are conceptual views of a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figs. 2 and 3 are illustrated a loading part 110, a guide part 112, 112', a heating part 120, a discharging part 130, and a board 140.

[63] The loading part 110 is a means for loading the board 140 that is to be dried. The loading part 110 supports the board 140, allowing the board to be exposed to a hot wind or a microwave supplied by the heating part 120.

[64] Meanwhile, the loading part 110 may comprise the guide part 112 that guides the board 140 to move according to a predetermined path, thereby allowing the board 140 to be loaded on an exact position. An example of the guide part 112 may be a guide- rail disposed at either end of the loading part 110 as shown in Fig. 2 or an end sill 112' as shown in Fig.3.

[65] The heating part 120 applies a hot wind or a microwave to the board 140. A magnetron may be employed to generate the microwave. The heating part 120 may be disposed a predetermined distance from the board 140 or adjacent or closely to the board 140. The hot wind or the microwave causes water particles within the board 140 to vibrate, thereby drying the board 140.

[66] The discharging part 130 discharges water vapors generated in the board 140 to the outside. When the water particles vibrate, water vapors are created within the board 140.

[67] These water vapors increase the humidity within the board 140, lowering a drying efficiency of the board 140, so that more microwaves should be applied to the board 140, which may heat the board 140 above an endurable temperature. The board 140 may deform or be broken when it is heated above the endurable temperature. The discharging part 130, a pump, for example, may be employed to solve such problem.

[68] Here, the board 140 may be an ESP (expanded polystyrene) in which a fire retardant solution is injected in order to increase the fire resistance.

[69] Fig.4 is a front view of a drying apparatus according to a first preferable embodiment of the present invention. Fig.5 is a side cross sectional view of the drying apparatus in Fig.4. Figs. 4 and 5 show a board 140, a drying chamber 210, a guide part 212, a heating chamber 224, a magnetron 222, a field modulating plate 226, a discharging

part 230, a pipe 232, a blower 234, a pump 236, and a supporting frame 250.

[70] The board 140 that is an object to dry is laid on the drying chamber 210. The drying chamber 210 may have a box shape, and a side of it (upper side) is open to receive microwave from the magnetron 222. The drying chamber 210 is an example of the loading part 110 in Fig.2.

[71] At either end of the open side of the drying chamber 210 is formed the guide part

212. The guide part 212 guides the board 140 to a predetermined path so that the board 140 can be loaded on an exact position.

[72] The heating chamber 224 provides a path along which a microwave generated from the magnetron 222 is projected to the board 140. The heating chamber 224 may have a box shape, and a side (lower side) of it is open so that the microwave is projected to the board 140 through the open side.

[73] Meanwhile, when the magnetron is disposed opposite to the board, the microwave generated from the magnetron 222 may be concentrated on some parts of the board 140. The concentration of the microwave may cause breakage or deformation of the board.

[74] In order to prevent such problem, a plane of the heating chamber 224 is sloped as shown in Fig.5. By disposing the magnetron 222 on the sloped plane of the heating chamber 224 as well, the microwave can be reflected by inner surfaces of the heating chamber 224 to be projected uniformly to the board 140. The heating chamber 224 and the magnetron 222 are an example of the heating part 120 in Fig.2.

[75] Fig.6 is a plan view of the field modulating plate of Fig.5. In Fig.6 are illustrated a groove 226a, an inclined portion 226b, and a round portion 226c.

[76] The heating chamber 224 described above may modulate a path of the microwave by including the field modulating plate 226 as well as by forming a sloped plane.

[77] The field modulating plate 226 is formed of metal, and may have a plurality of grooves 226a as shown in Fig.6. The groove 226a is formed to comprise the inclined portion 226b and the round portion 226c in order to create a diffused reflection, which allows the microwave to be projected uniformly on the surface of the board 140.

[78] When the microwave is applied to the board 140, water vapors are generated within the board 140, lowering a drying efficiency of the board. In order to improve the drying efficiency, the discharging part 230 may be provided to discharge the water vapors within the board to the outside. The discharging part 230 may comprise a pump 236, a drying chamber 210 and a pipe 232 connecting the drying chamber 210 with the pump 236.

[79] The pump 236 applies a minus pressure through the pipe 232 to the inside of the drying chamber 210, so that the water vapors within the board 140, which sits on the upper side of the drying chamber 210, can be discharged to the outside through the

drying chamber 210 and the pipe 232.

[80] When the pump 236 connected with the drying chamber 210, on which the board is loaded, is driven to inhale, external air flows into the drying chamber 210 through the pores of the board 140 and chinks between the board 140 and the drying chamber 210, and then the inflow air is discharged to the outside of the drying chamber 210 by the pump 236. Through this air circulation, the water vapors within the board 140 are discharged to the outside via the drying chamber 210 and the pipe 232.

[81] The pipe 232 connects the pump 236 and the drying chamber 210, and functions as a passage through which the water vapors are discharged. The discharging part 230 may comprise a blower 234 together with the pump 236 or without the pump 236.

[82] Meanwhile, the board 140 may remain adhered to the upper side of the drying chamber 210 due to the minus pressure within the drying chamber 210 even after the pump 236 and/or the blower 234 stop operating, causing an error in the transportation of the board 140.

[83] Accordingly, the drying chamber 210 may comprise an air supply valve(not shown), which opens when the pump 236 and/or the blower 234 stop operating, in order to get rid of the minus pressure in the drying chamber 210, so that the board finished with the drying process can be transported smoothly.

[84] The drying apparatus in this embodiment is combined with the supporting frame 250, and as shown in Fig.4, the heating chamber 224 may be combined with an upper part of the supporting frame 250 and the drying chamber 210 may be combined with a lower part of the supporting frame 250.

[85] With such an arrangement, the heating chamber 224 may move vertically along the supporting frame 250, so that a distance between the heating chamber 224 and the drying chamber 210 may vary.

[86] Fig.7 is a front view of a drying apparatus according to a second preferrable embodiment of the present invention, and Fig.8 is a side cross sectional view of the drying apparatus in Fig.7. In Figs.7 and 8 are illustrated a board 140, a drying chamber 310, a guide part 312, a magnetron 322, a guide vane 324 , a discharging part 230, a pipe 232, a blower 234, a pump 236, and a supporting frame 350.

[87] Comparing to the first embodiment, the drying apparatus 300 has a distinctive feature that the magnetron 322 is combined with the drying chamber 310. Below here, the description will be focused on such distinction.

[88] As shown in Fig.8, since the magnetron 322 is combined with the drying chamber

310, a plane of the drying chamber 310 is sloped in order to prevent microwave from the magnetron 322 from concentrating on a certain spots of the board 140. The magnetrons 322 are also mounted on the sloped plane so that the microwave from the magnetron 322 can be projected uniformly on the board 140.

[89] The drying chamber 310 may further comprise the guide vane 324 that alters a path of the microwave, so that the microwave is not concentrated on certain spots.

[90] The description on the discharging part in the first embodiment is the same with the discharging part in this embodiment.

[91] Fig.9 is a side view of an automatic input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.10 is a plan view of the automatic input apparatus, and Fig.11 is a front view of the automated input apparatus. In Figs.9 through 11 are illustrated a board 310, a solution separation part 362, a slot 264, an automatic input apparatus 400, an imput arm part 410, an input pivot axis 420, an input servo motor 430, and an input motor 440.

[92] The description below relates to an automatic input apparatus for manufacturing an anti-flammable board that automatically inputs the board 310 containing a fire retardant solution into the solution separation part 362.

[93] The solution separation part 362 accommodates the board 310 in a plurality of slots

364 arranged with a predetermined interval, and separates the fire retardant solution into water and inorganic fire retardant materials by applying vacuum or near vacuum negative pressure to a surface of the board 310, thereby enhancing a drying efficiency of the board 310.

[94] The board 310 containing a fire retardant solution is sequentially processed by the solution separation part 362 and the drying apparatus, so that only inorganic fire retardant materials remain in the board 310.

[95] The automatic input apparatus 400 comprises the input arm part 410 picking up the board 310, the input pivot axis 420 adjusting a rotation of the board 310 so that the picked up board 310 can be inserted in the slot 364 of the solution separation part 362, the input servo motor 430 adjusting a position of the board 310 according to a position of the slot 364, and the input motor 440 inserting the board 310 of which rotation and position are adjusted into the slot 364.

[96] The input arm part 410 has a plurality of arms to secure the picking up of the board

310, which has a rectangular shape. The input pivot axis 420 is combined with an end of the input arm part 410, allowing the plurality of arms to rotate around the pivot axis. The rotation of the input arm part 410 lets the board 310 the input arm part 410 picking up have an angle that allows the board 310 to be inserted into the slot 364 of the solution separation part 362.

[97] For example, as shown in Figs.9 through 11, when the board 310 is laid in a horizontal direction, but the slot 364 of the solution separation part 362 is formed in a vertical direction, the pivot axis is driven to pivot the input arm part 410 so that the board 310 sits vertically.

[98] The input servo motor 430, which is combined with the input arm part 410, aligns the

board 310 with the slot 364 by moving the input arm part 410 to a preset position. And then the input motor 440 is operated to insert the aligned board 310 into the slot 364.

[99] A controller (not shown), connected to the input servo motor 430, controls the servo motor. The controller may be a PC(Personal Computer) that communicates with the automatic input apparatus 400 through an interface. The controller contains information on a position of each slot 364, generates by using that information a control signal that drives the input servo motor 430 to move the picked up board 310 to a position of a desired slot 364, and transmits the control signal to the automatic input apparatus 400.

[100] For example, in the case that the solution separation part 362 has ten slots that are named from first to tenth, the controller controls the input servo motor 430 to insert a first picked up board into the first slot, a next picked up board into the second slot, and to repeat such arrangement, thereby allowing ten boards to be inserted into corresponding slots respectively.

[101] In this way, inputting the boards 310 in the solution separation part 362 by the automatic input apparatus 400 can save time and costs compared to inputting manually. Also, by adjusting an input timing of the board 310 to a time the solution separation part 362 spends processing the board 310, the process can be accelerated.

[102] For example, if the solution separation part having ten slots requires 2 minutes for each separation process, and another 2 minutes for initialization, and the automatic input apparatus 400 needs 2 minutes inputting 10 boards into one solution separation part, one automatic input apparatus can be disposed per four solution separation parts to maximize the process efficiency.

[103] More specifically, while a first solution separation part performs a separation process, the automatic input apparatus inputs boards into a second solution separation part, and while boards are withdrawn from the first solution separation part, the automatic input part inputs boards into a third solution separation part, and while the first solution separation part is initialized, boards are inputted into a fourth solution separation part, and then the automatic input apparatus inputs boards into the first solution separating part again, thereby eliminating a time loss in the procedure.

[104] Fig.12 shows a front view of an automatic output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.13 is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig.12, and Fig.14 is a side view of the apparatus in Fig.12. In Figs. 12 through 14 are illustrated a drying apparatus 100, a board 310, a solution separation part 362, a slot 364, an automatic output apparatus 500, an output arm part 510, an output pivot axis 520, an output servo motor 530, and a conveyor 540.

[105] The embodiment described below refers to the automatic output apparatus 500 for manufacturing an anti-flammable board that automatically withdraws the board 310

finished with a solution separation process and inputs it in the drying apparatus 100. The foregoing description on the solution separation part is the same with the solution separation part 362.

[106] The drying apparatus 100 dries the board 310 by applying microwave and/or hot wind to the board 310 finished with the solution separation process in order to evaporate water within the board 310, and at the same time or subsequently by discharging water vapors generated from the board 310 to the outside. This drying process leaves inorganic fireproof material within the board 310, so that a fireproof board is produced.

[107] The automatic output apparatus 500 comprises the output arm part 510 picking up the board 310 withdrawn from the solution separation part 362, the output servo motor 530 adjusting a position of the output arm part 510 to the slot 364 so that the output arm part 510 can pick up the board 310, and the output pivot axis 520 pivoting the output arm part 510 so that the board 310 withdrawn from the slot 364 can rotate a predetermined angle.

[108] Like the automatic input apparatus 400, the output arm part 510 also has a plurality of arms in order to secure the picking up of the board 310, which has a rectangular shape, and the output pivot axis 520 is combined with an end of the output arm part 510 so that the plurality of arms can pivot around the pivot axis. The output pivot axis 520 drives the output arm part 510 to revolve, so that the picked up board 310 rotates to an angle that allows the board 310 to be loaded on the conveyor 540.

[109] The conveyor 540 delivers the board 310 finished with the solution separation process to the drying apparatus 100.

[110] For example, as shown in Figs. 12 through 14, the output arm part 510 picks up the board 310 sits in a vertical direction, and then pivots to lay the board 310 in a horizontal direction.

[111] The output servo motor 530 combined with the output arm part 510 moves the output arm part 510 to a position where the slot 364 of the solution separation part 362 is located, aligning the output arm part 510 with the slot 364. Then the output arm part 510 withdraws the board 310 from the solution separation part 362, pivots the board 310 to the horizontal direction, and places the board 310 on the conveyor 540, thereby allowing the board 310 to be transported to the drying apparatus 100.

[112] Like the input servo motor 430, a controller (not shown) is connected with the output servo motor 530 to control the servo motor 530. The controller contains information on a position of each slot 364, generates by using that information a control signal that instructs the output servo motor 530 to move the output arm part 510 to a position of the slot 364 from which the board 310 is to be removed, and transmits the control signal to the automatic output apparatus 500.

[113] For example, when the solution separation part 362 has ten slots named from first to tenth, the controller controls the output servo motor 530 to align the output arm part 510 with the first slot in order to carry the board removed from the first slot, then to align with the second slot, and repeats such sequential alignment, thereby allowing ten boards to be withdrawn from the ten slots.

[114] With the above automatic output apparatus 500, time and costs can be saved compared to withdrawing the board 310 manually. Also, by adjusting an withdrawing timing of the board 310 to a time the solution separation part 362 spends processing the board 310, the process can be accelerated.

[115] Meanwhile, the manufacturing apparatus for fireproof board according to the present embodiment may further comprise a surface treatment part (not shown) disposed parallel with the automatic output apparatus 500. The surface treatment part is disposed above the conveyor 540 that transports the board 310 withdrawn from the solution separation part 362 to the drying apparatus 100, so that the surface treatment part removes residual fire retardant solution remaining on a surface of the board 310 by applying a pressure to the board 310 finished with the solution separation process.

[116] In order for this, a compression roller (not shown) may be disposed on a side of the surface treatment part facing the board 310 to apply a pressure to the board 310.

[117] Also, the surface treatment part may be disposed consecutively with the automatic input apparatus 400. Before the board 310 injected with the fire retardant solution through a nozzle is inputted into the solution separation part 362, the surface treatment part may remove residual fire retardant solution remaining on the surface of the board 310 by applying a pressure to the board 310. A compression roller may be used for applying a pressure.

[118] By removing residual solution on the surface of the board 310 by performing the surface treatment prior and/or posterior to the solution separation, the solution separation process and the drying process can be more effective. Also, the collected fire retardant solution can be reused for the solution injection process.

[119] Fig.15 is a front view of an automatic output apparatus according to another embodiment, Fig.16 is a plan view of the automatic output apparatus in Fig. 15. In Figs.15 and 16 are shown a drying apparatus 100, a board 310, a solution separation part 362, a slot 364, an automatic output apparatus 500, an output arm part 510, an output pivot axis 520, an output servo motor 530, a conveyor 540, and a pivot arm 550.

[120] While in the prior embodiment illustrated in Figs.12 through 14 the drying apparatus 100 was disposed at an end of the conveyor 540, the drying apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to a drive direction of the conveyor 540. Depending on an arrangement design and a process efficiency, the solution separation part 362 and the drying apparatus 100 may be disposed in a

different way. Figs. 15 and 16 show an example in which the drying apparatus 100 is disposed aside the conveyor 540, perpendicular to the drive direction of the conveyor 540.

[121] In this case, the pivot arm 550 may change an angle of the board 310 with respect to the drying apparatus 100 so that the board 310 loaded on the conveyor 540 can be arranged in a direction that allows the board 310 to be inputted into the drying apparatus 100.

[122] More specifically, the pivot arm 550 is extended across the conveyor 540, perpendicular to the drive direction of the conveyor 540, and is configured to pivot as far as an entrance of the drying apparatus 100. The pivot arm 550 pivots the board 310 delivered to the entrance of the drying apparatus 100 so that the board 310 is arranged in a direction that allows the board 310 to be inputted in the drying apparatus 100.

[123] However, the pivot arm 550 may have a different configuration as long as it can change the angle of the board 310 on the conveyor 540.

[124] Fig.17 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for a fireproof board according to an embodiment of the present invention. This manufacturing method comprises loading a board injected with a fire retardant solution Sl 10, applying a microwave to the loaded board S 121, and discharging water vapor within the board to the outside S 122. Each process will be described in detail below here.

[125] A process that injects a fire retardant solution to a board is as follows.

[126] First, injection holes are bored in the board 310 Sl 11. The injection holes may be formed on one side or either side of the board 310. The injection holes may be bored by a pin, a blade or a boring apparatus 10.

[127] The boring apparatus 10 has a plurality of slotting pins projected along the circumference of a revolving roller part at predetermined intervals, so that while the board passes through the boring apparatus 10, the slotting pins bore the injection holes. The roller part may rotate by means of a motor, or spontaneously due to a transportation force of the board 310.

[128] Each slotting pin 114 of the boring apparatus 10 is projected along the circumference of the roller part, and the length and the thickness of the slotting pin 114 correspond to the depth and the width of the injection hole 124.

[129] Meanwhile, in the case that the board 310 has injection holes on either side, the injection holes may be formed to be the same, which can simplify the forming process of the injection holes and maintain the same incumbustibility even if the board 310 is turned over during the manufacturing process.

[130] Then, a fire retardant solution is injected to the board 310 Sl 12. The solution may be injected through the pores in the board 310 and the injection holes. In the case that the board is formed by expanding foam particles, the fire retardant solution may be

injected in spaces between the beads. A nozzle 20 may be employed for the solution injection. By contacting the nozzle 20 with one or both sides of the board 310 and spraying the solution, the fire retardant solution is injected into the pores within the board 120 and the injection holes.

[131] Next, the fire retardant solution exposed on a surface of the board 310 is removed Sl 13. During injecting the fire retardant solution, the solution may be left on the surface of the board 310. The board 310 may be compressed with the compression roller 30 to a predetermined depth to remove the residual solution, which can be collected for reuse.

[132] However, in the case that the board 310 is compressed with the roller 30, the width of the board 310 may be modified. Therefore, when a board with an exact width and thickness is desired, the exposed solution may be removed by employing other means without compressing the board 310.

[133] Next, a negative pressure is applied to the board 310 Sl 14. This aims to separate the fire retardant solution into water and fire retardant inorganic materials, thereby improving a drying efficiency of the board 310.

[134] More specifically, this allows the water having a lower density to be let out of the board 310 while the fire retardant inorganic materials having a higher density remain in the board 310, thereby reducing a drying time, which is usually extended due to a high heat capacity of the water.

[135] Next, the fire retardant solution exposed on the surface of the board 310 is removed Sl 15. After the fire retardant solution is separated by the minus pressure, the surface of the board 310 is processed again by a compression roller 40.

[136] Through the above processes, the board 310 containing the fire retardant solution is loaded in the drying apparatus 100. The drying process is described in the following.

[137] A microwave is applied to the board 310 accommodated in the drying apparatus S 121. The microwave causes water molecules in the board 310 to vibrate, thereby evaporating the water.

[138] However, when the board 310 is heated, water vapors are generated, increasing the humidity within the board 310, which deteriorates the drying efficiency. Therefore, the water vapors within the board 310 may be discharged to the outside 310 in order to lower the humidity.

[139] Applying the microwave and discharging the water vapors may be performed simultaneously, successively, or alternately. By drying the board 310, the fire retardant solution and/or the fireproof inorganic materials are prevented from letting out of the board 310.

[140] Fig.18 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing fireproof board according to an embodiment of the invention. In the below is described a method for manu-

facturing fireproof board employing the manufacturing apparatus described above.

[141] A board 310 is inputted in the solution separation part 362 as follows: The board 310 is loaded, is rotated to have an angle that allows the board 310 to be inserted into the slot 364 of the solution separation part 362 SlO, is moved to be aligned with the slot 364 S20, and then is inserted into the slot 364 S30. These processes may be performed automatically by the automatic input apparatus 400.

[142] When the solution separation part 362 has a plurality of slots 364, the above process is repeated until each slot 364 accommodates the board 310. The automatic input apparatus 400 may insert the board 310 in accordance with a time the solution separation part 362 processes the board 310.

[143] After finishing the solution separation process, the board 310 is withdrawn from the solution separation part 362 S40. The withdrawn board 310 is rotated a predetermined degree and is put on the conveyor 540, and the conveyor 540 delivers the board 310 to the drying apparatus 100. As described in the above embodiment, these processes may be performed automatically by the automatic output apparatus 500.

[144] The surface treatment part may remove residual fire retardant solution remaining on the surface of the board 310 by applying a pressure to the board 310 on the conveyor 540.

[145] Thus, by removing residual solution on the surface of the board 310 by performing the surface treatment prior and/or posterior to the solution separation process, the solution separation process and the drying process can be more effective. Also, the collected fire retardant solution can be reused in the solution injection process.

[146] The above process is repeated until all of the boards 310 finished with the solution separation process are delivered to the drying apparatus 100. The board 310 inputted in the drying apparatus 100 is dried to be a fireproof board.

[147] When the drying apparatus 100 is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to a drive direction of the conveyor 540, the board 310 may be rotated by using the pivot arm 550 to be rearranged in a direction that allows the board 310 to be inputted in the drying apparatus 100 S60. Industrial Applicability

[148] Although the present invention is described by referring to one of preferable embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[149]