Cutter module with an integrated trim disposal mechanism

Details Cutter module with an integrated trim disposal mechanism Cutter module with an integrated trim disposal mechanism

1999-11-22

2001-08-21

Rosenbaum, Mark (Department: 3725)

Solid material comminution or disintegration

Apparatus

Including means applying fluid to material

C241S100000, C241S101200, C241S101400

Reexamination Certificate

active

06276621

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to paper processing and mail processing, and more particularly to a cutter module with an integrated trim disposal mechanism.
BACKGROUND ART
The use of continuously fed form-feed material remains extensive. An example of a typical application of such material is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,474, issued on Oct. 27, 1998, to Pitney Bowes. As described in the '474 patent, a continuous web of paper having a pair of perforated margin strips is provided. Each of the margin strips includes a plurality of linearly, uniformly spaced apertures which engage the pins of a pair of toothed timing belts or the like. The belts then feed the web past a pair of conventional, stationary, slitter knives and cooperating rollers. The slitter knives cause the margin strips to be severed from the web. The severed margin strips are commonly called “trim”.
After being created, trim must be disposed of. While the '474 patent discloses a method of deflecting trim away from the area where it could create jam, the '474 patent does not disclose any method of actually disposing of the trim.
To date, the most widely used method of trim disposal uses a large trim removal device such as the one shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,232, issued Jun. 21, 1994, to Moore Business Forms. This device is not only costly from a purchasing price standpoint but also external to the device creating the trim, e.g., cutter. Accordingly, it consumes valuable resources and floor space that can be used for more productive purposes.
Similarly, Precision Cutters, Inc. (PCI) of Phillipsburg, N.J. (www.precisioncutters.com) makes and sells an external trim disposal system. Accordingly, it faces many of the same problems posed by the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,232, to Moore Business Systems.
Despite the existence of prior art apparatuses, there is room for improvement within the art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel trim disposal apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a trim disposal apparatus that takes up minimal additional floor space.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trim disposal apparatus that turns trim into low volume end products that can be easily disposed of in a simple receptacle.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide trim disposal apparatus that is integrated into a trim generating device, e.g., a cutter module.
These and other objects of the invention are met in whole or in part by a cutter module with integrated trim disposal mechanism, comprising: a cutter housing; cutter blades contained within the housing; a trim disposal mechanism also contained within the housing and comprising: a trim disposal path contained within the housing, the entrance to the trim disposal path being adjacent the cutting blades and the exit to the trim disposal path being distant from the cutting blades; a trim transport sub-assembly for drawing trim from the entrance to the trim disposal path to the exit to the trim disposal path; and a trim fragment collector, the trim fragment collector being positioned downstream of the exit to the trim disposal path.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4572496 (1986-02-01), Casper et al.
patent: 4878626 (1989-11-01), Leuthold et al.
patent: 5036739 (1991-08-01), Clar
patent: 5235882 (1993-08-01), Rabourn
patent: 5322232 (1994-06-01), Freeman et al.
patent: 5628864 (1997-05-01), Kataigi et al.
patent: 5826474 (1998-10-01), Howard et al.
Precision Cutters, Inc., “The ABC's of Trim & Filament “In-Line” Cutting Systems”.
Precision Cutters, Inc., “Product Brochure”.

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