Cutting – Cutting motion of tool has component in direction of moving... – With means to render cutter pass ineffective
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-18
2001-07-31
Dexter, Clark F. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Cutting motion of tool has component in direction of moving...
With means to render cutter pass ineffective
C083S302000, C083S344000, C083S346000, C083S561000, C101S226000, C101S248000, C400S621000, C493S370000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267034
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to equipment for handling web-like materials, such as paper for example, and more particularly to a high speed rotary cutter assembly capable of selectively assuming operative or idle modes. The invention also extends to a high speed device for handling a multi-form web, capable of folding the web forms into separate and independent stacks without any interruption of the web folding operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices to automatically fold a continuous multi-form web into a stack are well-known and wide spread in the printing industry. Typically, such devices employ a folder assembly in the form of a swing chute to lay the incoming forms of the web in a superposed relationship to form a stack. In most applications, the forms on the web are separated from one another by transverse perforation lines at which the folds are made in order to form the stack.
The major drawback of existing folding machines is that they can operate only at limited speeds. Therefore, a single folding machine is not capable of processing the output of a high speed printing press. As a result, the cost effectiveness of these devices is limited since a normal production line must incorporate several folders running in parallel.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is a high speed rotary cutter for a web-like material which can selectively assume an operative or idle mode, thereby being capable to perform a variety of cutting operations simply by changing the actuation sequence of the cutter.
Another object of the invention is a web handling device capable of folding a multi-form web into stacks, which can operate continuously, without the necessity of interrupting the folding operation in order to allow the removal of a completed stack from the machine.
As embodied and broadly described herein the invention provides a rotary cutter assembly for transversely cutting a moving web-like material, the rotary cutter assembly comprising:
a blade carrier roll;
an elongated blade mounted to the blade carrier roll, the blade extending along an axis of rotation of the blade carrier roll;
an anvil roll (for the purpose of this specification “anvil roll” shall mean a roll which is free of a cutting edge which cooperates with the blade carrier roll in order to cut the web) mounted generally parallel to the blade carrier roll and defining therewith a nip through which the web-like material is advanced, the anvil roll being capable of moving relative to the blade carrier roll between operative and idle positions, in the operative position the anvil roll being proximate to the blade carrier roll to effect a cut in the web-like material by the action of the elongated blade pressing the web-like material against the anvil roll, in the idle position the anvil roll being spaced apart relative to the blade carrier roll, thereby creating a space to allow the web-like material to yield away from the blade carrier roll upon engagement by the elongated blade in order to preclude cutting of the web-like material;
an actuator coupled to the anvil roll for selectively moving the anvil roll between its operative and idle positions; and
a drive for rotating the blade carrier and anvil rolls at respective tangential speeds correlated to a translational speed of the web-like material through the rotary cutter assembly, the drive maintaining a driving relationship with the anvil roll during movement of the anvil roll between the operative and idle positions.
The principal advantage of the cutter assembly in accordance with the invention resides in its versatility. The cutter assembly is capable to effect a variety of different cutting operations simply by modifying the sequence of actuation of the cutter assembly.
In a preferred embodiment, the anvil roll of the cutter assembly is mounted in floating bearing blocks which allow the anvil roll to be moved in translation relative to the blade carrier roll without affecting the rotational movement of the anvil roll. To raise the anvil roll toward the blade carrier roll and place the cutter assembly in the operative mode, a rotary cam is provided acting on the anvil roll through the intermediary of an idler roller. The anvil roll is brought to the inoperative position under the effect of gravity by displacing the rotary cam to a position in which the anvil roll is allowed to descend.
In a most preferred embodiment, the driving relationship between the prime mover of the cutter assembly and the blade carrier and anvil rolls is maintained irrespective of the position of the anvil roll relative to the blade carrier roll. The blade carrier and anvil rolls are rotated at web speed. As a result, a very accurate cutting action can be performed since the position of the cutting blade on the blade carrier roll with relation to the moving web can be precisely controlled.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides a rotary cutter assembly for transversely severing a multi-layered web moving at high speed, the rotary cutter assembly comprising:
a blade carrier roll;
an elongated cutting blade mounted to the blade carrier roll, the elongated blade extending along an axis of rotation of the blade carrier roll;
an anvil roll beneath the blade carrier roll defining therewith a nip through which the multi-layered web is advanced at high speed, the anvil roll having a generally cylindrical and smooth surface for cooperating with the elongated cutting blade for severing the multi-layered web, the anvil roll being capable of controlled movement toward and away the blade carrier roll for selectively enabling and precluding, respectively, occurrence of a cooperating engagement between the elongated blade and the anvil roll when the elongated blade registers with the nip and causing severance of the multi-layered web;
an actuator coupled to the anvil roll for selectively moving the anvil roll toward and away the blade carrier roll; and
a drive for rotating the blade carrier and anvil rolls at a tangential speed which generally corresponds to a translational speed of the web-like material through the rotary cutter assembly, the drive maintaining a driving relationship with the anvil roll during movement of the anvil roll toward and away the blade carrier roll.
As embodied and broadly described, the invention further provides a web handling device for forming a continuous multi-form web into a stack, said web handling device comprising:
a folder assembly for laying successive forms of the web in a superposed relationship to form a stack;
a table beneath the folder assembly for receiving and supporting the stack, the table being movable away from the stack at a speed correlated to the build-up rate of the stack in order to prevent the top of the stack from interfering with the folder assembly;
a temporary stack support assembly capable of moving relative to the table between extended and retracted positions, in the extended position the temporary stack support assembly extending between the folder assembly and the table, whereby successive forms of the web are layered in a superposed relationship on the temporary stack support assembly, in the retracted position the temporary stack support assembly being in a spaced apart relationship with the table to allow the folder assembly to lay the web in a folded condition on the table, the temporary stack support assembly being movable toward the extended position and toward the retracted position along different paths of travel; and
a stack ejector operating in a timed relationship with the folder assembly for ejecting from the table a completed stack of forms when the temporary stack support assembly is in the extended position.
The web handling device in accordance with the invention is capable of operating at a relatively high speed since the web folding operation is performed without any interruption when a stack of forms is completed and must be ejected from the machine. This is achieved by using the temporary stack support assembly which provides a supp
Dexter Clark F.
Gollin Michael A.
RDP Marathon Inc.
Venable
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