GB803367A - Method and apparatus for sub-dividing a continuously extruded bar of plastic material - Google Patents

Abstract

803,367. Cutting extruded soap &c. into lengths. HEDLEY & CO., Ltd., T. Aug. 30, 1956 [Nov. 22, 1955], No. 33489/55. Class 87(2). Plastic material is extruded up to a certain length on to a table ; the length is cut off as the table is moved ; the cut length is moved transversely across the table and is thus partially severed by a cutting device, pushing and completing the severance of a previous partly severed length ; the subdivided material is transferred to a moving conveyer and the table returns to its original position, the newly cut end of the extruded material being supported throughout movement of the table. The table 5 is movable horizontally and carries a set 4 of rollers which support the material 1, e.g., soap, issuing from the extrusion head 2 and passing intermediately over a stationary set of rollers 3. A clutch 8, Fig. 4, transmits the drive from a motor 9 through a belt 12 to a disc 11 carrying a crank pin 16 which slides along a slot 15 in a lever 14 which thus oscillates to move the table 5 with a quick return motion. When the length of material extruded is such that it reaches to the far end of the table, Fig. 2, its end trips a switch 6 by which the electrically operated clutch 8 is engaged, whereby the table is moved in the direction of extrusion, carrying with it the set 4 of rollers. As the table starts its movement a trip lever 27, Fig. 5, which depends from it, meets the shoulder 33 of a finger 34 and releases a latch 25, whereupon a spring 30 moves a lever 22 which pulls down a yoke 20 carrying a cutting wire 21 which cuts off the length of soap lying on the table. A member 19<SP>1</SP> also descends and presses on the end of the severed length to ensure that it moves with the table. The following free length of extruded soap is supported by the set of rollers 4. During the forward movement of the table the lever 22 engages a fixed member, (not shown) and the cutting mechanism is recooked. The table 5 also carries a frame of which the lower and upper members 49, 51 are shown in Fig. 6. Wires 47 are stretched by tensioning keys 50 in a row across this frame and the severed length of soap 1<SP>1</SP> is pushed sideways through them and so subdivided. The pushing mechanism is mounted on the table 5 and comprises a pair of gear-wheels 42, a link 45 being pivoted at one end to a gear wheel and at the other end to a common pusher bar 46. The gear-wheels mesh with a rack 43 fixed to the body of the machine and the forward movement of the table therefore causes transverse movement of the pusher bar. To obviate " feather " on the cut edges the extent of movement of the bar 46 is such that the length 1<SP>1</SP> is partially sub-divided and the sub-division of the preceding severed length is completed, while the length sub-divided before that is pushed off the table on to a conveyer 58 which moves beside it. The frame 49, 51 also carries channel-shaped cutters 52, 53 at the top and bottom of the wires 47 which bevel the corners of the pieces sub-divided from the length 1<SP>1</SP>. Shoots 54, 55 direct scrap material from the top of the wires 47 to a scrap conveyer 56 and a shoot 57 directs scrap material from the bottom of the wires. As the driving disc 11 completes its revolution, returning the table 5, a projection 38, Fig. 4, trips a switch 41, so disengaging the clutch 8 towards the end of the return stroke and an inclined face 35 on the finger 34, Fig. 5, is then engaged by the end of the trip lever 27 and the finger is depressed to actuate a switch 36 which applies a brake 37 and brings the table 5 to rest in the starting position.