DK178863B1

DK178863B1 - Sharpening Machine

Info

Publication number: DK178863B1
Application number: DKPA201600140A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Vagn Sindersen
Original assignee: Fur Tech Aps
Priority date: 2016-03-04
Filing date: 2016-03-04
Publication date: 2017-04-10
Also published as: DK201600140A1; EP3423602A1; WO2017148482A1

Abstract

A sharpening machine (2) for sharpening a scraping roller (4) for scraping the skin side of an animal pelt such as a mink pelt is disclosed.The scraping roller (4) comprises a plurality of teeth with edges (42),wherein the sharpening machine (2) comprises a sharpening member (52) provided with a sharpening structure (32) configured to sharpen an edge (42) of the scraping roller (4) in a manner in which the sharpening structure (32) sharpens the edge (42) by being moved in a direction (alfa ) within a range of 60 degrees relative to the direction along the edge (42) towards the free end (E1, E2) of the scraping roller (4).

Description

Sharpening Machine Field of invention

The present invention relates to a sharpening machine for sharpening a scraping roller for scraping the skin side of an animal pelt such as a mink pelt.

Prior art

It is known to use scraping devices that apply scraping rollers for scraping the skin side of an animal pelt such as a mink pelt. When the scraping rollers blunt, they have to be sharpened or replaced with new ones. When the scraping rollers are removed from a scraping device, they have to be replaced by an additional set of scraping rollers.

From DK 201470629 an apparatus for sharpening scraping edges is known. The apparatus comprises a tool for processing the scraping edges of the scraper roller as well as a computer processing arrangement for processing a model representation of the scraper roller. The scraper roller has a number of teeth having edges, and means for rotating the scraping roller. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a grinding surface forming a furstrum of a cone and forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel from 30-60°. Even with the cone-shaped grinding surface, it may still not be able to sharpen all types of scraper rolls.

Accordingly, the pelts farmers are required to possess several sets of scraping rollers as the scraping rollers typically are sent away for days or weeks to specialised companies capable of sharpening the scraping rollers by means of manually assisted scraping devices.

One drawback of the prior art solutions is that the edges (teeth) of the scraping rollers are sharpened in such a manner that the edges of the scraping roller fray. Hereby, the scraping roller is less efficient to use for scraping the skin side of an animal pelt.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an alternative to the prior art sharpening devices.

It would in particular be advantageous to provide a sharpening machine that can be handled on site (at the farm) by the pelt farmer in such a manner that the need for several sets of scraping rollers is eliminated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sharpening machine that can be handled on site by the pelt farmer.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a sharpening machine as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub claims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The sharpening machine according to the invention is a sharpening machine for sharpening a scraping roller for scraping the skin side of an animal pelt such as a mink pelt, wherein the scraping roller comprises a plurality of teeth with edges, wherein the sharpening machine comprises a sharpening member provided with a sharpening structure configured to sharpen an edge of the scraping roller in a manner in which the sharpening structure sharpens the edge by being moved in a direction within a range of 60 degrees relative to the direction along the edge towards the free end of the scraping roller. The sharpening structure is a rotating sharpening belt arranged to be brought into contact with the edge of the scraping roller.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a sharpening machine that can be handled on site (at the farm) by the pelt farmer in a manner in which the edges of the scraping roller do not fray during the sharpening process.

The scraping roller comprises a plurality of teeth (e.g. 9, 10 or 11 teeth) with edges.

Hereby, the edges of the scraping roller will not fray.

It may be an advantage that the range is within 45 degrees relative to the direction along the edge towards the free end of the scraping roller.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the range is within 30 degrees relative to the direction along the edge towards the free end of the scraping roller.

In a rotating sharpening belt, the heat is transported away as the belt is rotated. Hereby, it is possible to avoid that the sharpening structure is overheated. In comparison, when a sharpening stone is used, dust may cover the stone and reduce the sharpening efficiency.

It may be beneficial that the sharpening machine comprises a detection device configured to detect the rotational direction of the scraping roller.

Hereby, it is possible to adapt the action (e.g. rotational direction or orientation) of the sharpening structure on the basis of the detected rotational direction of the scraping roller.

It may be an advantage that the detection device is an encoder.

It may be advantageous that the sharpening member is configured to change the rotational direction of the sharpening belt when the rotational direction of the scraping roller changes.

Hereby, it is possible to ensure that the sharpening belt sharpens an edge of the scraping roller in a manner in which the sharpening structure sharpens the edge by being moved in a direction along the edge towards the free end of the scraping roller.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening member is configured to change the orientation of the sharpening belt when the rotational direction of the scraping roller changes.

Hereby, it is possible to ensure that the sharpening belt sharpens an edge of the scraping roller in a manner in which the sharpening structure sharpens the edge by being moved in a direction along the edge towards the free end of the scraping roller when the sharpening belt rotates with a fixed rotational direction.

It may be beneficial that the sharpening member comprises a contact member configured to be received by and moved along a groove member of the scraping roller.

Hereby, the contact member can be used to keep the sharpening structure in an optimum position to sharpen the edge of the scraping roller.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening member is configured to displace the sharpening structure vertically upwards (relative to the scraping roller) when the rotational direction of the scraping roller changes. Hereby, it is possible to bring the sharpening structure out of contact with the edge of the scraping roller and displace the scraping roller along a horizontal axis without sharpening the edge of the scraping roller during the horizontal displacement.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening member is configured to displace the sharpening structure vertically downwards (relative to the scraping roller) in such a manner that the sharpening structure is brought into contact with the edge of the scraping roller, when the sharpening structure reaches the end position of the scraping roller. Hereby, the edge of the scraping roller can be sharpened while the scraping roller is moved "back" (displaced horizontally) in a manner in which the sharpening structure approaches the middle portion of the scraping roller.

Hereby, it is possible to provide a more efficient sharpening process.

It may be beneficial that the sharpening member comprises a first end member and a second end member, wherein the scraping roller is configured to be arranged between the first end member and the second end member in such a manner that the contact member may be displaced along a portion (preferably along the proximal half or distal half of the scraping roller with respect to the longitudinal axis of the scraping roller) of the scraping roller in a manner in which the contact member is only guided from a first groove portion in the scraping roller into a first groove member of one of the end members. Accordingly, only one of the end members will guide the contact member from one groove portion in the scraping roller into an adjacent groove portion of the scraping roller by means of the end member.

It may be an advantage that the contact member is ball-shaped.

It may be beneficial that the direction is fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the scraping roller. Hereby, the setting of the sharpening machine is simplified.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening machine comprises a displacement unit adapted to displace the scraping roller along its longitudinal axis.

Hereby, the sharpening structure and the contact member can be kept in a fixed position while the scraping roller is displaced along its longitudinal axis.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening machine comprises a displacement unit configured to displace the contact member along the longitudinal axis of the scraping roller.

Hereby, it is possible to rotate a sharpening structure formed as a sharpening belt in a fixed rotational direction and change the orientation of the sharpening belt in order to ensure that the sharpening structure sharpens the edge by being moved in a direction along the edge towards the free end of the scraping roller.

It may be beneficial that the sharpening member comprises a first end member and a second end member, wherein the scraping roller is configured to be arranged between the first end member and the second end member in such a manner that the contact member may be displaced along a scraping roller in a manner in which the contact member is guided from a first groove member in the scraping roller into a first groove member of the end member and further into an adjacent second groove member of the end member, wherein the first end member is configured in such a manner that the contact member will be guided along the second groove member towards the scraping roller into a second groove member of the scraping roller.

Hereby, the contact member can be guided along a first movement pattern in the first groove member of the scraping roller via a second movement pattern through the first groove member and a third movement pattern through the adjacent second groove member of the left end member back via a fourth movement pattern through the next (adjacent) second groove member in the scraping roller.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the sharpening machine comprises a first end member and a second end member being a reversed version of the first end member, wherein the end members are configured to be arranged at each side of the scraping roller.

It may be advantageous that the sharpening member is configured to sharpen the edge along the entire length of the edge by moving the sharpening structure along the entire length of the edge.

Hereby, the edges of the scraping rollers are sharpened along their entire length.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening member comprises a scraping roller carrier configured to receive a scraping roller in a manner in which the scraping roller is capable of being rotated about the longitudinal axis of the scraping roller.

Hereby, it is possible to rotate the scraping roller about its longitudinal axis when the contact member presses against a groove portion of the scraping roller.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening machine is configured to adjust the position of the sharpening structure and/or contact member in order to allow scraping rollers of different sizes and shapes to be sharpened by using the sharpening machine.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening member comprises a handle for displacing the contact member relative to the sharpening belt.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a sharpening machine according to the invention;

Fig. IB shows a schematic close-up perspective view of a scraping roller arranged on a scraping roller carrier of a sharpening machine shown in Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2A shows a schematic view of a scraping roller carrier according to the invention;

Fig. 2B shows another schematic view of the scraping roller carrier shown in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C shows a further schematic view of the scraping roller carrier shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a sharpening member of a sharpening machine according to the invention;

Fig. 4A shows a view of the sharpening member shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4B shows another view of the sharpening member shown in

Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5A shows a perspective view of the sharpening member and a scraping roller carrier of a sharpening machine according to the invention;

Fig. 5B shows a close-up view of a sharpening structure of a sharpening member during operation of a sharpening machine according to the invention;

Fig. 6A shows a front view of an end member according to the invention;

Fig. 6B shows a perspective view of the end member shown in Fig. 6 A;

Fig. 6C shows a side view of the end member shown in Fig. 6A and in Fig. 6B;

Fig. 7A shows a perspective view of a sharpening member of a sharpening machine according to the invention;

Fig. 7B shows another view of the sharpening member shown in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8A shows a top view of a scraping roller arranged between a first end member and a second end member

Fig. 8B shows a schematic view of a section of the scraping roller shown in Fig. 8A, wherein the scraping roller is arranged in a first position relative to the contact member.

Fig. 8C shows a schematic view of a section of the scraping roller shown in Fig. 8A, wherein the scraping roller is arranged in a second position relative to the contact member and Fig. 8D shows a schematic view of a section of the scraping roller shown in Fig. 8A, wherein the scraping roller is arranged in a third position relative to the contact member.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a perspective view of a sharpening machine 2 according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1A.

The sharpening machine 2 is configured to receive and sharpen a scraping roller 4 for scraping the skin side of an animal pelt such as a mink pelt. The sharpening machine 2 is configured to receive scraping rollers 4 of different size and geometry. Accordingly, the same sharpening machine 2 may be applied for sharpening scraping rollers 4 of different types and sizes.

The sharpening machine 2 comprises a sharpening member 52, a scraping roller carrier 50 and a support structure. The sharpening member 52 is configured to sharpen a scraping roller 4 removably attached to a scraping roller carrier 50 of the sharpening machine 2. The sharpening member 52 and the scraping roller carrier 50 are attached to the support structure.

The sharpening member 52 comprises an electric motor 12 arranged and configured to drive a sharpening structure of the sharpening member 52. The sharpening structure is formed as a sharpening belt (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5B) arranged and configured to be brought into contact with the edge of the scraping roller 4 in order to sharpen the edge of the scraping roller 4.

The sharpening member 52 comprises an angle scale 18 and a handle 46 configured to lock the sharpening belt in fixed orientations relative to the indicated coordinate system having three perpendicular axes X, Y, Z. The scraping roller 4 is attached to a shaft extending along a direction parallel to the X-axis.

The sharpening member 52 comprises an adjustment screw 16 for setting the position of the sharpening belt along the direction parallel to the Y-axis. The sharpening member 52 furthermore comprises a handle 36 for displacing the contact member 30 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5B) vertically (parallel to the vertical axis Z) relative to the sharpening structure 32.

The sharpening member 52 is provided with a handwheel 8 provided with a handle 10. As an alternative, an electrical positioning motor for a computer numerical control (CNC) positioning system may be provided. The handwheel 8 is equipped with a detection member for detecting the vertical displacement (along the Z-axis) of the sharpening belt. The handwheel 8 is configured to vertically displace the sharpening belt upon rotation of the handwheel 8.

The scraping roller carrier 50 comprises a shaft for receiving a scraping roller 4 sandwiched between two end members 6 (only one is visible in Fig. 1A). The sharpening member 52 is configured to be arranged in a fixed position. During the sharpening process, the scraping roller 4 is moved along the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50 by a motor 20 (see Fig. IB). Accordingly, the scraping roller 4 is moved in a direction parallel to the X-axis during operation of the sharpening machine 2.

Fig. IB illustrates a schematic close-up perspective view of a scraping roller 4 arranged on a scraping roller carrier 50 of a sharpening machine 2 shown in Fig. 1A. It can be seen that the scraping roller carrier 50 has received a scraping roller 4 sandwiched between a second end member 6'.

The scraping roller carrier 50 comprises an electric motor 20 configured to displace the scraping roller 4 along the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50. Accordingly, the scraping roller 4 is moved in a direction parallel to the X-axis.

Fig. 2A illustrates a schematic view of a scraping roller carrier 50 according to the invention. The scraping roller carrier 50 corresponds to the one shown in Fig. IB; however, it is seen from a different angle. The orientation of the scraping roller carrier 50 is indicated by a vertical Z-axis and a horizontal X-axis shown next to the scraping roller carrier 50.

The scraping roller carrier 50 comprises a shaft onto which a scraping roller 4 has been sandwiched between a first end member 6 and a second end member 6'. The scraping roller carrier 50 comprises an electric motor 20 adapted to displace the scraping roller 4 along the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50 in a direction parallel to the X-axis.

Two finger screws 24 are attached to a nut that keeps the scraping roller 4 in a fixed position with respect to the shaft onto which the scraping roller 4 is mounted. Hereby, it is possible to tighten and loosen the finger screws 24 without tools. If a longer shaft is replacing a shorter one, it is possible to move the nut and finger screws 24 to a new longer shaft. The scraping roller 4 is provided with groove portions 64, 64'. Each groove portion 64, 64' comprises a first portion having a first slope and a second portion having a second slope.

Accordingly, the first portion and the second portion are angled relative to each other. The first portion and the second portion are joined in a pointed portion I, II. It can be seen that the pointed portion I of the first groove portion 64 is displaced along the X-axis relative to the pointed portion II of the second groove portion 64'. Therefore, it is a great challenge to sharpen the scraping roller 4 by means of the prior art sharping machines.

The scraping roller 4 is attached to the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50 by means of an adjustable coupling member allowing the scraping roller 4 to rotate. In one embodiment of the invention the scraping roller carrier 50 is configured to rotate the scraping roller 4 in order to keep the contact member in contact with the guide wall of the scraping roller 4. The rotation direction may be is anticlockwise. Accordingly, the scraping roller 4 will rotate in correspondence to the geometry of the groove portions 64, 64' of the scraping roller 4 when a guiding element is brought into engaging contact with a groove portion 64, 64' (see Fig. 5B).

An encoder 14 is arranged below the motor 20. The encoder 14 is configured to detect the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4. Accordingly, the encoder 14 can determine when the scraping roller 4 rotates in a clockwise direction or anti-clockwise direction with respect to the X-axis. The information about the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4 detected by the encoder 14 is applied to control the rotational direction of the sharpening structure (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5B) during the displacement of the scraping roller 4 along the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50.

The information about the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4 detected by the encoder 14 is applied to ensure that the sharpening structure sharpens the edges (teeth) of the scraping roller 4 in such a manner that the edges of the scraping roller 4 do not fray. This can be accomplished by ensuring that the sharpening structure sharpens the edges (teeth) of the scraping roller 4 primarily outwardly towards the free end of the scraping roller 4.

It can be seen that the thickness D of the scraping roller 4 is larger than the thickness d of the end members 6, 6'.

Fig. 2B illustrates another schematic view of the scraping roller carrier 50 shown in Fig. 2A. The orientation of the scraping roller carrier 50 is indicated by the coordinate system with a vertical axis Z and a horizontal axis Y shown below the scraping roller carrier 50. It can be seen that the encoder 14 is arranged below the motor 20 and that the motor 20 is centrally arranged with respect to the scraping roller 4 and to the end members 6'.

Fig. 2C illustrates a schematic view of the scraping roller carrier 50 shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B. The orientation of the scraping roller carrier 50 is indicated by the coordinate system with a first horizontal axis X and a second horizontal axis Y shown below the scraping roller carrier 50.

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a sharpening member 52 of a sharpening machine according to the invention. The sharpening member 52 comprises an electrical motor 12 arranged and configured to rotate a sharpening structure 32 formed as a sharpening belt 32. The sharpening belt 32 comprises a turning point 28

The sharpening member 52 comprises a handle 46 arranged to lock the sharpening belt 32 in a fixed orientation (angle) with respect to the coordinate system having a vertical axis Z and a horizontal axis Y. It can be seen that the angle on the angle scale 18 is about zero degrees. The handle 46 is configured to unlock the sharpening belt 32 from a fixed orientation so that the angle can be changed. Hereby, the sharpening member 52 is configured to orientate the sharpening belt 32 according to specific requirements related to the actual scraping roller and its teeth.

The sharpening member 52 is provided with an adjustment screw 16 for setting the position of the sharpening belt 32 along the movement direction 26 indicated with an arrow parallel to the Y-axis.

The sharpening member 52 comprises a contact member 30 formed as a ball adapted to be brought into engaging contact with a groove member of a scraping roller.

Since the sharpening belt 32 is kept in a fixed position relative to the contact member 30, the sharpening belt 32 can be kept in engagement with the edge of a tooth of a scraping roller by keeping the contact member 30 in contact with the adjacent groove member of the scraping roller.

The contact member 30 is arranged in the distal portion of an L-shaped frame member 34. The L-shaped frame member 34 is slidably attached to a bracket 38. The L-shaped frame member 34 can be displaced relative to the bracket 38 by using the handle 36. Hereby, it is possible to displace the L-shaped frame member 34 along the vertical axis Z.

The sharpening member 52 furthermore comprises a handle 36 for displacing the contact member 30 relative to the sharpening belt 32.

Fig. 4A illustrates a view of the sharpening member 52 shown in Fig. 3. The orientation of the sharpening member 52 is indicated by the coordinate system with a horizontal axis X and a vertical axis Z shown next to the sharpening member 52.

The sharpening member 52 comprises an electric motor 12 arranged and configured to drive a sharpening structure 32 formed as a sharpening belt 32. The contact member 30 is seen behind and slightly below the distal part of the sharpening belt 32.

The sharpening member 52 comprises an adjustment screw 16 for setting the position of the sharpening belt 32 along a direction perpendicular to the X-axis and to the Z-axis. The sharpening member 52 is provided with a handle 36 for displacing the sharpening structure 32 of the sharpening member 52 vertically (parallel to the vertical axis Z) relative to the contact member 30. The sharpening member 52 comprises a handle 46 configured to lock the sharpening belt in fixed orientations.

Fig. 4B illustrates another view of the sharpening member 52 shown in Fig. 4A. The orientation of the sharpening member 52 is indicated by the coordinate system with a first horizontal axis X and a second horizontal axis Y shown next to the sharpening member 52.

Fig. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the sharpening member and a scraping roller carrier 52 and a scraping roller carrier 50 of a sharpening machine according to the invention. The scraping roller carrier 52 comprises an electric motor 12 arranged and figured to drive a sharpening structure 32 formed as a sharpening belt 32 adapted to be brought into contact with the edge of a tooth of a scraping roller 4 received by the scraping roller carrier 50.

The scraping roller carrier 52 comprises a handle 46 rotatably mounted by means of a joint (a pin joint) 48. The handle 46 is configured to lock the sharpening belt 32 in a fixed orientation (angle) with respect to the coordinate system having a vertical axis Z, a first horizontal axis X and a second horizontal axis Y. The handle 46 is also configured to unlock the sharpening belt 32 from a fixed orientation (angle) and hereby allowing for changing said orientation (angle). Accordingly, the sharpening member 52 is configured to orientate the sharpening belt 32 according to specific requirements related to the actual scraping roller 4 and its teeth. The scraping roller carrier 52 comprises an angle scale 18 indicating the angle with respect to the Z-axis. This angle is approximately 0 degrees in the configuration shown in Fig. 5A.

The scraping roller carrier 52 is provided with an adjustment screw 16 configured to set the position of the sharpening belt 32 along the direction parallel to the Y-axis. The sharpening member 52 furthermore comprises a handle 36 for displacing the contact member (see Fig. 5B) vertically (parallel to the vertical axis Z) relative to the sharpening structure 32.

The sharpening member 52 comprises a rotatably mounted handwheel 8 provided with a handle 10. The handwheel 8 comprises a detection member 40 for detection of the vertical displacement (along the Z-axis) of the sharpening belt 32. The handwheel 8 is configured to vertically displace the sharpening belt 32 due to rotation of the handwheel 8. Accordingly, the handwheel 8 can be used to manually set the vertical position of the sharpening belt 32.

The scraping roller carrier 50 comprises a shaft for receiving a scraping roller 4. A scraping roller 4 has been sandwiched between two end members 6 (only one is visible in Fig. 5A). The sharpening member 52 is configured to be arranged in a fixed position. During the sharpening process, the scraping roller 4 is moved (in a direction parallel to the X-axis) along the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50 by a motor.

Fig. 5B illustrates a close-up view of a sharpening structure 32 of the sharpening member 52 shown in Fig. 5A during operation of a sharpening machine according to the invention. It can be seen that the sharpening structure 32 is shaped a s a sharpening belt 32 that is brought into contact with a scraping roller edge 42 adjacent to a guide wall 44 of the scraping roller. A contact member 30 formed as a ball engages the groove portion 64. Hereby, the groove portion 64 guides the contact member 30 and thus the position of the sharpening belt 32. In this manner, the sharpening belt 32 is kept in the optimum position for sharpening the scraping roller edge 42 while the scraping roller is displaced along the X-axis. The sharpening member 52 comprises a contact member 30 having a ball rotatably attached to a rod-shaped pin member 31. Hereby, the ball-shaped contact member 30 can rotate with respect to the pin member 31 when the contact member 30 and the scraping roller 4 are moved relative to each other.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 5A and in Fig. 5B comprises an encoder (not shown) arranged and configured to detect the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4. Accordingly, the encoder is configured to determine when the scraping roller 4 rotates in a clockwise direction or anti-clockwise direction with respect to the X-axis. The information about the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4 detected by the encoder is used to control the rotational direction of the sharpening structure 32 during the displacement of the scraping roller 4 along the shaft of the scraping roller carrier 50. The information about the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4 (detected by the encoder) is applied to ensure that the sharpening structure 32 sharpens the scraping roller edges 42 in such a manner that the scraping roller edge 42 of the scraping roller 4 does not fray. This is accomplished by ensuring that the sharpening structure 32 sharpens the scraping roller edges 42 of the scraping roller 4 primarily outwardly towards the free end of the scraping roller 4.

In one embodiment the encoder may be configured to detect a displacement of the scraping roller 4 along to its longitudinal axis and to change the rotational direction or orientation of the sharpening structure 32 on the basis of the encoder-signal.

In one embodiment the sharpening member 52 may comprise two contact members 30. The contact members may be mechanically connected to each other and be configured to be rotated or moved relative to each other.

Fig. 6A illustrates a front view of an end member 6 according to the invention. Fig. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the end member 6 shown in Fig. 6A, and Fig. 6C illustrates a side view of the end member 6 shown in Fig. 6A and in Fig. 6B. Fig. 6D illustrates a top view of a scraping roller 4 sandwiched between a first end member 6 arranged at the left side of the scraping roller 4 and a second end member 6' arranged at the right side of the scraping roller 4. The scraping roller 4 has a longitudinal axis L'.

The end members 6, 6' comprise a centrally arranged cylindrical hole 66. The first end member 6 is configured to be arranged in the left side of the scraping roller 4, whereas the right end member 6' is configured to be arranged in the right side of the scraping roller 4 as shown in Fig. 6D. The second end member 6' is a reversed version of the first end member 6. The end members 6, 6' are configured to be arranged at each side of the scraping roller 4.

The end members 6, 6' comprise a plurality of first groove members 56, 56' and second groove members 58, 58' extending as arced tracks angled relative to the longitudinal axis L of the end member 6.

The second groove members 58, 58' are arranged in such a manner that they connect adjacent sets of first groove members 56, 56'. The groove members 56, 56', 58, 58' are arranged and shaped to guide a contact member as the one shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4A and Fig. 5B.

As indicated in Fig. 6D, a contact member may be displaced along a scraping roller 4 in a manner in which the contact member is guided from a first groove member 64 in the scraping roller 4 into a first groove member 56 of the left end member 6. When the contact member engages the adjacent second groove member 58, the contact member 6 will be guided along this second groove member 58 towards the scraping roller 4 into a second groove member 64'. Hereby, the contact member is guided along a first movement pattern Gi in the first groove member 64 of the scraping roller 4 via a second movement pattern G2 through the first groove member 56 and a third movement pattern G3 through the adjacent second groove member 58 of the left end member 6 back via a fourth movement pattern G4 through the next (adjacent) second groove member 64' in the scraping roller 4.

Accordingly, the end member 6 is configured to guide the contact member from being moved in one direction (along the second movement pattern G2) towards the distal end of the end member 6 into another direction (along the third movement pattern G3) towards the proximal end of the end member 6 and hereby guide the contact member further into the second groove member 64' in the scraping roller 4. The second end member 6' is formed and configured to have a similar function. Since the second (right side) end member 6' is arranged on the right side of the scraping member 4, this right side end member 6' is reversed.

Therefore, by arranging an end member 6, 6' on each end of the scraping roller 4, it is possible to move a contact member from a first side of the scraping member 4 towards the second side of the scraping roller 4 along a first groove member 64 in the scraping roller 4 and to move the contact member the opposite way from the second side of the scraping member 4 towards the first side of the scraping roller 4 along an adjacent second groove member 64' in the scraping roller 4. Hereby, it is possible to keep the contact member moving between the two sides of the scraping roller 4 and sharpen the edges of the teeth of the scraping roller 4 by means of the sharpening structure of the sharpening machine according to the invention.

Fig. 7A illustrates a perspective bottom view of a sharpening member 52 of a sharpening machine according to the invention. The sharpening member 52 comprises an electric motor 12 arranged and configured to drive a rotating sharpening belt 32. A contact member 30 shaped as a ball arranged on a rod structure is provided next to the sharpening belt 32. The contact member 30 is configured to be received by the groove members in a scrapening roller (see Fig. 5B). Fig. 7B illustrates another view of the sharpening 52 shown in Fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A illustrates a top view of a scraping roller 4 arranged between a

first end member 6 and a second end member 6'. The longitudinal axis L' of the scraping roller 4 is indicated in Fig. 8A. A plurality of groove members 64 are provided in the scraping roller 4. A guide wall 44 is demarcating each guide member 64. Each scraping roller 4 comprises a plurality of scraping roller edges 42. The orientation of the scraping roller 4 is indicated by the coordinate system with a first horizontal axis X and a second horizontal axis Y shown below the scraping roller 4. A first rotational direction (0i, a second rotational direction Cö2, a third rotational direction a>3 and a fourth rotational direction CO4 are shown in this coordinate system.

Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C and Fig. 8D illustrate schematic views of a section of the scraping roller 4 shown in Fig. 8A, wherein the scraping roller 4 is arranged in different positions Pi, P2, P3 relative to the contact member 30. A sharpening structure 32 formed as a rotating sharpening belt 32 and a contact member 30 is indicated in a first position Pi in Fig. 8B, in a second position P2 in Fig. 8C and in a third position P3 in Fig. 8D, respectively.

The distance between the sharpening belt 32 and the contact member 30 is fixed. Accordingly, by moving the ball-shaped contact member 30 along the guide wall 44 of the groove member 64, it is possible to keep the sharpening belt 32 positioned on the scraping roller edge 42 in such a manner that the scraping roller edge 42 can be sharpened by the rotating sharpening belt 32.

The angle a between the scraping roller edge 42 and the sharpening belt 32 is indicated in Fig. 8D. In position Pi, it can be seen that the sharpening belt 32 is arranged to rotate in a rotational direction towards the first end Ei of the scraping roller. Since the ball-shaped contact member 30 bears against the guide wall 44 and thus is moved along the groove member 64, the scraping roller is moved along the Y-axis upon being moved along the longitudinal axis L' of the scraping roller.

In Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C and Fig. 8D it can be seen that the sharpening structure 32 formed as a rotating sharpening belt 32 and a contact member 30 are kept in the same position with respect to the Y-axis. This is indicated by the dotted line connecting the contact members 30 shown in Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C and Fig. 8D.

In position Pi, illustrated in Fig. 8B, the encoder (explained with reference to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B) detects that the scraping roller is rotated in a first direction (Oi as indicated. Accordingly, the electrical motor driving the rotating sharpening belt 32 is instructed to rotate the rotating sharpening belt 32 in the rotation direction CO3 as indicated.

In position P2, illustrated in Fig. 8C, the encoder detects that the rotation of the scraping roller 4 stops. Accordingly, the encoder stops the electrical motor driving the rotating sharpening belt 32.

In position P3 illustrated in Fig. 8D, the encoder detects that the scraping roller is rotated in a second direction CO2 as indicated. Therefore, the electrical motor driving the rotating sharpening belt 32 is instructed to rotate the rotating sharpening belt 32 in the rotation direction (O4 as indicated.

Accordingly, the rotating sharpening belt 32 rotates in the direction towards the ends Ei, E2 of the scraping roller. In Fig. 8B, the first end Ei is the end portion closest to the portion of the scraping roller edge 42 being sharpened by the sharpening belt 32, whereas in Fig. 8D the second end E2 is the end portion closest to the portion of the scraping roller edge 42 being sharpened by the sharpening belt 32.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the sharpening member is configured to displace the sharpening structure 32 vertically upwards (relative to the scraping roller 4) when the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4 changes (this may be detected by an encoder configured to register the rotational direction of the scraping roller 4). Hereby, it is possible to bring the sharpening structure 32 out of contact with the edge 42 of the scraping roller 4 and displace the scraping roller 4 along the longitudinal axis L' of the scraping roller 4 without sharpening the edge 42 of the scraping roller 4 during this horizontal displacement.

It may be an advantage that the sharpening member 42 is configured to displace the sharpening structure 32 vertically downwards (relative to the scraping roller 4) in such a manner that the sharpening structure 32 is brought into contact with the edge 42 of the scraping roller 4, when the sharpening structure 32 reaches the end position Ei, E2 of the scraping roller 4. Hereby, the edge 42 of the scraping roller 4 can be sharpened while the scraping roller 4 is moved "back" (displaced horizontally) in a manner in which the sharpening structure 32 approaches the middle portion (second position P2) of the scraping roller 4. Hereby, it is possible to provide a more efficient sharpening process.

It may be beneficial that the sharpening member comprises a first end member 6 and a second end member 6, wherein the scraping roller 4 is configured to be arranged between the first end member 6 and the second end member 6' in such a manner that the contact member 30 may be displaced along a portion (preferably along the proximal half or distal half of the scraping roller 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis L' of the scraping roller) of the scraping roller 4 in a manner in which the contact member 30 is only guided from a first groove member in the scraping roller into a first groove portion 64 of one of the end members. Accordingly, only one of the end members 6, 6' will guide the contact member 30 from one groove portion 64 in the scraping roller 4 into an adjacent groove member of the scraping roller 4 by means of the end member 6, 6'.

List of reference numerals 2 Sharpening machine 4 Scraping roller 6, 6' End member 8 Handwheel 10 Handle 12 Motor 14 Encoder 16 Adjustment screw (finger screw) 18 Angle scale 20 Motor 24 Finger screws 26 Movement direction 28 Turning point 30 Contact member 31 Pin member 32 Sharpening structure 34 Frame member 36 Handle 38 Bracket 40 Detection device 42 Scraping roller edge 44 Guide wall 46 Handle 48 Joint 50 Scraping roller carrier 52 Sharpening member 56, 56', 58, 58' Groove member 60, 60', 62, 62' Protrusion member 64, 64' Groove portion 66 Hole X, Y, Z Axis I, II Pointed portion D, d Thickness L, L' Longitudinal axis

Gi, G2, G3, G4 Movement pattern a Angle

Pi, P2, P3 Position

Ei, E2 End portion CO1, 0)2, CO3, 0)4 Rotational direction

Claims

An abrasive machine (2) for grinding a scraper roller (4) for scraping the skin side of an animal fur, such as a mink fur, wherein the scraper roller (4) comprises four edges with edges (42), characterized in that the grinding machine (2) comprises a grinding unit (52) equipped with a grinding structure (32) designed to grind an edge (42) on the scraper roller (4), such that the grinding structure (32) grinds the edge (42) by moving in a direction (a) within a range of 60 degrees with respect to the direction along the edge (42) towards the free end (Ei, E2) of the scraper roller (4), and in that the grinding structure (32) is a rotating grinding belt (32) disposed so that it contacts the edge (42) of the scraper roller (4).

A grinding machine (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the grinding machine (2) comprises a detection unit (14) configured to intercept the direction of rotation (coi, (Q2) of the scraper roller (4)).

A grinding machine (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the grinding unit (52) is configured to change the direction of rotation ((03, AND) of the grinding belt (32) as the direction of rotation ((01, (O2) of the scraper roller) (4) changes.

A grinding machine (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the grinding unit (52) is configured to change the orientation of the grinding belt (32) as the direction of rotation of the scraper roller (4), CO2, is changed.

A grinding machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding unit (52) comprises a contact unit (30) configured to be received by and moved along a groove element (64, 64 ') on the scraper roller ( 4).

A grinding machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction (a) is determined in relation to the longitudinal axis (L ') of the scraper roller (4).

A grinding machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 5-6, characterized in that the grinding unit (52) comprises a first end element (6) and a second end element (6 ') where the scraper roller (4) is configured. to be positioned between the first end member (6) and the second end member (6 '), so that the contact unit can be displaced along a scraper roller (4), so that the contact unit (30) is guided from a first groove element (64) in the scraper roller (4). ) into a first groove element (56) on the end element (6, 6 ') and further into an adjacent second groove element (58) on the end element (6, 6') where the first end element (6) is configured so that the contact unit (30) will be guided along the second groove element (58) towards the scraper roller (4) into another groove element (64 ') on the scraper roller (4).

A grinding machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding unit (52) is configured to grind the edge (42) along the entire length of the edge (42) by moving the grinding structure (32) along the entire edge (42). length.

A grinding machine (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding unit (52) comprises a scraper roller holder (50) configured to receive a scraper roller (4), so that the scraper roller (4) can be rotated around scraper roll (4) longitudinal axis (L ') ·