Cutting – Means to drive or to guide tool – With simple oscillating motion only
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2002-08-27
Chang, Rick (Department: 3729)
Cutting
Means to drive or to guide tool
With simple oscillating motion only
C083S602000, C083S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06439092
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an apparatus for the processing, the possible constriction and possible severance of a strip of plastic material—particularly a multilayer extruded strip—at specified intervals, with a tool that consists of a plurality of segments that can be moved against each other, as well as the possible simultaneous closure of a casing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus of this kind that is used to sever hot plastics pipes is, for example, disclosed in GB-PS 1 109 137.
A similar apparatus for cutting strips of dough to length is shown and described in EP 0 360 446 B.
Although both of these apparatuses are suitable for severing sections of a strip into specified lengths, their design makes them very inflexible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is to create an apparatus of the kind outlined above that can be used flexibly and therefore effectively.
In the solution to this problem proposed by the invention, the tool consists of two sections which can be separated from each other and each of which contains some of the segments.
Since the tool can be separated in the course of the operation, it can be opened further than its segment structure would normally allow, so that it can be deployed for a wide range of different applications.
It is very favourable in this context if in accordance with a further development of the invention two dividable tools are located above each other.
Since the two tools can be divided, they can be opened far enough to permit them to move past each other.
It has proved to be particularly advantageous in this context if in accordance with a further development of the invention the tools are arranged so that they can move vertically.
It is also very advantageous if in accordance with the invention the speed of tool movement can be coordinated with the speed at which the strip is transported.
This makes it possible to produce and transport the strip on a continuous basis, so that it does not have to be slowed down in order to be cut to length.
In a particularly advantageous further development of the invention, tool movement speed and distance and tool closing and opening speed can be coordinated with each other in the movement from the top point to the bottom point.
This means there is no danger that the strip or the severed sections will be affected by the tool, because the latter is already open again when it reaches its bottom point and changes direction and remains open at least to a large extent in accordance with the invention when it completes the movement from ist bottom point to its top point.
In an advantageous further development of the invention, the dividable tool is separated into two parts at least in a middle section of the path it travels from its bottom point to its top point.
It has also proved to be very advantageous if in accordance with the invention the segments of the tool rest against each other with at least one of their surfaces while a further surface is supported against sliding surfaces of a polygonal housing and if an actuating element engages at least one of the segments and is able to move this segment directly—and the other segments indirectly—into the closed position and preferably into the open position as well.
This arrangement makes it possible for a single actuating element to move all the segments at least from their open position to their closed position, as the movement of one segment automatically leads to the movement of the other segments by this one segment as well as by the sliding surfaces. If this actuating element is designed in the appropriate way as a combined pushing and pulling element, it can, however, be used to move the segments from the closed position to the open position too.
It is also very advantageous if in accordance with the invention a further actuating element engages one of the segments of the tool and is able to move this segment and thus indirectly the other segments into the open position.
This further actuating element can be used additionally to move the segments of the tool from their closed position to their open position.
In the case of an apparatus with a two-part housing, it is possible in accordance with the invention that an actuating element engages one segment in each of the two halves of the housing and is able to move the segments into their respective closed position and preferably their respective open position as well.
This makes it possible to initiate the movement operation of the segments while the two halves of the housing are still separated from each other.
It has proved to be very favourable in this context if in accordance with the invention a further actuating element engages one segment in each of the two halves of the housing which is able to move this segment and thus indirectly the other segments of this half of the housing into the open position.
If this further actuating element engages a segment that is located on the outside when the housing is open, it helps in addition to hold this segment in position.
It is also very advantageous if in accordance with a further development of the invention a toothed belt is used as actuating element to engage one of the segments.
The almost wear resistant operation of a toothed belt and its low elasticity is advantageous for operations at higher speed.
In an advantageous further development of the invention, the two halves of the housing are attached to moving support columns that are hollow and are provided inside with a drive unit for adjusting the segments.
It has also proved to be very favourable if in accordance with the invention a gatelike program device can be incorporated in the drive facilities for moving the segments, with the help of which the closing and opening movement of the segments is carried out in accordance with the lifting movement of the tool.
The opening and closing movements can be adapted to the specific requirements in each individual case simply by changing this gatelike program device.
It is also very advantageous if an apparatus for the application of closure elements for the constricted strip is provided in the area of the tool. In addition, an apparatus for the application of two closure elements can be provided, where a cutting device severs the constricted strip between the two applied closure elements.
The invention relates to an apparatus to drive a tool in a ring-shaped movement, where the tool is arranged on a lever arm, that is connected to a pivot bearing with its end opposing the tool.
Tools arranged in this way can easily carry a out ring-shaped movement towards the work piece to be processed and back again.
However, this is not sufficient for work pieces that are moved in longitudinal direction during processing. Therefore, in practical operation the work pieces are in most cases stopped during processing.
The purpose of the invention is to describe an apparatus of the mentioned kind which allows to move the work piece in longitudinal direction while the work piece is processed by the tool.
In the solution to this problem proposed by the invention, the pivot bearing allows longitudinal displacement and the lever arm is engaged by a drive unit which, at the the same time, turns the lever arm around the pivot bearing and moves the pivot bearing in longitudinal direction.
Since the slewing movement and the movement in longitudinal direction take place simultaneously, the tool carries out a ring-shaped movement. The tool moves towards the work piece and, at the same time, moves along with it. Then the tool slews away from the work piece and returns to its starting point.
In an advantageous further development of the invention the drive unit has an eccentric design.
Through different embodiments of the eccentricity it is possible to modify the closing movement and the longitudinal movement within wide boundaries.
It has also proved to be very advantageous if in accordance with a further development of the invention, the lever arm is engaged by a knee lever, the first arm of which is pivoted on a lever arm with one end and to a second arm
Chang Rick
Collard & Roe P.C.
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