US2090591A - Fur hairing machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 17, 1937. J. GOLDING FUR HAIRING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Unveil or Aug. 17, 1937.

J. GOLDING FUR HAIRING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1935 v 2 Sheets-Sheet? Patented Aug. 17, 1937 FUR HAIRING MACHINE Julius Golding, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as-

signor to Unity Machine Corporation, Newark, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application July 19, 1935, Serial No. 32,140

13 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for cutting off short the longer stiff hairs which are associated in some pelts with softer or shorter hairs. In such machines as are now on the market the pelts are pinned in close succession to a travelling canvas conveyor and are sharply bent round the edge of a fixed bar which thus fans out the hairs. At this point the travel of the pelt is V temporarily stopped and the hairs are subjected I fastening operations.

' to the action of a rotating brush which lays down the hairs in the direction in which the pelt has been travelling. The brush is then withdrawn from contact with the hair and at the same time .a rotary cutter is brought into action and the hard hairs which spring up again after the brush has acted on them are trimmed off. The cutter is then withdrawn, the pelt is again temporarily put in motion and the rotary brush brought into action again when the forward movement is again stopped. This succession of operations continues till the pelt or pelts are completely trimmed.

In such older machines considerable time and labor are expended in pinning the pelts to the 'canvas conveyor, and one object of my invention is to devise conveying means such that it is merely necessary to place the pelts in fixed positions on a belt conveyor without going through As pelts differ in length with such an arrangement there may be blank spaces left on the conveyor canvas between pelts Where no work is done, resulting in a time loss, and another object I have in mind is to automatically speed up the travel of the conveyor canvas at such times as blank spaces are passing the point where trimming is effected.

In the older machines the rotary brush which lays down the hair contacts but briefly with the pelt at the trimming point whereas I have found 'that much better results are obtained, particularly when using my form of conveyor belt, if the brush travels for an appreciable distance in contact with the pelt after the pelt has passed the trimming point to more effectively lay down the soft hairs, and a third object of my invention is to provide such a movement for the brush.

I attain my object by means of the construc- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine:-

Fig. 2 a plan view of the same from which the brush mechanism has been omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 3 a detail in side elevation of part of the (Cl. Mil-28) Fig; 4 a detail in plan showing the clutch mechanism for starting and stopping the reciprocatory movements of the rotary trimmer to and from the operating point;

Fig. 5 a horizontal section of part of the clutch mechanism which is shown in plan in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 a vertical section on line 66 in Fig. 4.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Referring to the drawings, I is the frame of the machine suitably shaped to support the different parts. This frame carries the stationary bar 2 formed with a thin edge round which passes the conveyor belt 3, which also passes round the rollers i, 5 and the tightening roller 6. The roller 5 is the drive roller and is actuated intermittently as hereinafter described.

The conveyor belt 3 is preferably of canvas, and to it are secured at regular intervals the transverse flaps l' which, on the upper part of the belt, have their free edges directed rearwardly having reference to the direction of travel 7 of the belt towards the bar 2. The forward edges of the pelts to be trimmed are inserted beneat these flaps on the upper part of the belt.

To securely hold the pelts in place before, dur. ing and after treatment, I provide auxiliary conveyor belts 8 and 9, which respectively pass round the drive rollers Hi and II and the idler rollers i2 and E3. The under side of the belt 8 extends in close parallelism with the upper part of the belt 3 from a point close to the edge of the bar 2 some distance back therefrom. Almostfat the bend a spring pressed roller M holds the belt 3 or a pelt thereon firmlypressed towards the bar 2 and holds down the fur on the pelt to give the rotary brush it a better opportunity to act on the fur which has escaped from under the roller. The upper side of the belt 9 extends in close parallelism with the under side of the belt. 3 from a point sufiiciently far from the edge of the bar 2 to leave a short substantially straight part of the belt 3 exposed'and runs back to aflconvenient point for discharging the pelts.

To increase the grip of the auxiliary belts on the pelts, placed on the conveyor belt 3, the, belts '8 and 9 are provided with projecting spikes 1.5. A pair of pressure rollers 61 are provided between These rollers" are positioned just before v the initial point of enwhich the conveyor belt 3 passes.

gagement ofthe upper. auxiliary belt therewith.

These rollers serve to flatten out the pelts before they pass between the two belts.

The drive rollers I9 and H for the belts 8 and 9 are driven in synchronism with the roller 5 as hereinafter described.

The fur on pelts passing round the edge of the bar 2 is fanned out by the bend and is then subjected to the action of a rotary brush 16. This brush, while the belt 3 is stationary, is presented to the fur at the bend and is then drawn down to pass under the bend and to travel parallel to proper direction. 7 f

and substantially in contact with the fur where the latter is exposed at the underside of the bar. After this short period of parallelism the brush is completely withdrawn more particularly to avoid interference with other parts.

During its travelling movement the brush is rotated to brush down the fur in a direction away from the bend. The stiffer hairs Which it is desired to cut off, however, spring up again 7 at the bend into the path of a rotary cutter 17 which is presented atthe bend while the belt 3 is stationary and when the brush I6 is withdrawn. 7

The rotary cutter comprises the stationary knife I! and the rotary blade [1 which are carried by the vertical slide l8 suitably guided on the frame of the machine.

The driving means for the conveyor belts will now be described. Journalled in. the frame I is a main drive shaft I9 which may be driven in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by belt from a line shaft. This shaft carries a crank disk 20 which actuates a connecting rod 2|, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a rock arm 22 journalled concentric with a ratchet wheel 23. This ratchet wheel is pickedby a pawl 24 pivoted on'the arm 22 and by means of the gearing 25 drives the roller 5 in a clockwise direction. The pawl and ratchet wheel form in effect an over-running clutch.

The roller 5 has also secured thereto a sprocket wheel 26 which is connected by a sprocket chain 2 with a sprocket wheel 28 having a geared driving connection with the drive roller ll of the belt 9. From the roller H the roller I9 is driven by sprocket gearing 23 to rotate in the same direction as the roller I l. driven inermittently in synchronism and in the The rotary brush is supported and guidedv by the following means. Anarm 34 roughly parallels the under side of the belt 9; At one end of this arm the brush is journalled. The other end of the arm is pivotally connected to the upper end of the'rocker arm 35 fulcrumed between its ends on the shaft 33. Tothe lower end of the rocker arm 35 is pivoted one end of a' slotted linki36, the slotted .partembracing a shaft 31 on which is secured the-'cam 38 which engages a projection 39 on the link. When the cam is driven, the arm 34 is thus reciprocated.

A spring 65 serves to resiliently hold the projection 39 in engagement-with the cam. The arm 34 is'guided by means of a stationary slotted guide 49 into the slot 4| of which the projection 42 on the arm 34 is fitted. This slot is so shaped that, when the arm.34 is moved to the right, the brush first moves towards the work, then substantially parallel to it, and finally round the bend at the edge of the bar 2. When thearm is 1 moved'to the left the movement of the brush is, V of course, reversed.

{This movement 'is'important since, when the brush is moving to the right parallel to the work, ittendsto'hold the flaps 'l. and the pelts against Thus all the belts are the belt 3 and, when moving back, the movement of translation helps the rotary movement to lay down the fur.

The rotary brush is rotated and the cam 38 driven by the following means. On the drive shaft I9 is secured a sprocket wheel 39, which, by means of a chain 3|, drives a sprocket wheel 32 fast on the shaft 33. This shaft, by sprocket gearing 43, drives a sprocket wheel 44 concentric with the pivotal connection between the arms 34 and 35. The sprocket wheel 44, by means of sprocket gearing 45, drives the rotary brush, which rotates continuously while the machine is running. The cam 38 must be driven in time with the conveyor belts, though not necessarily intermittently and this may be effected by driving it by sprocket gearing 46 from the shaft 33, which in turn is driven from the drive shaft IS.

The rotary cutter l1 requires to be presented to the work when the brush is withdrawn from the bend at theedge of the bar 2. Forthis purpose I provide-the suitably fulcrumed bell crank lever 47, one endof which is connected, by means of a pin and slot connection, with the slide l8, while the other end is pivotally connected with one end of an eccentric rod 48 actuated by the eccentric 49 connected by a positive clutch 59 with the drive shaft l9.

As long as the clutch is engaged, the rotary cutter will be reciprocated to and from the work in synchronism with the movements of the rotary brush.

The rotary knife of the cutter I1 is driven by sprocket gearing 66 from the shaft l9.

To drive the conveyor belts continuously when V the blank spaces are presented at or adjacent to the trimming point I provide the following mechanism. An electric motor 5| is belted to. a pulley 52 on the shaft of the drive roller 5. In the pulley 52 is an overrunning clutch (not shown) which permits of the intermittent movements of the roller when the motor 5| is not running.

The circuit 53 of the motor includes a switch a of which 54 is the stationary contact and 55 the movable contact. The latter is formed as an arm fulcruined between. 'its ends. The upper end of the contact arm 55 is connected by a pin-andslot connection with the lower end of the finger 55 which is fulcrumed between its ends and at its upper end bears against the belt 3 or a pelt thereon below the bar 2. A spring 51 tendsto to'rnove the finger to throw the contact arm to close the switch and energize the motor.

As long as there is a pelt beneath the end of the finger 56 the switch remains open, but as soon as ablank space comes beneath the finger end the finger is free to rock and close the switch. 4

The conveyors are then continuously driven till the end of a pelt is moved under the finger and opens the switch. As it is desirable to stop the reciprocating movements of therotary cutter when the conveyor'belts are operating continuously, I provide the following .mechanism. The clutch 59 comprises a member 58 loose on the. drive shaft and a member 59 fixed on the shaft. A spring actuated sliding bolt 60 is cartheadjacent face of the member 59.

and the side of the member 59 there may beintroduced a wedge 62 which, as the clutch members rotate, williorce back the bolt and stop the drive of the member 59 till the wedge is withdrawn. I

The wedge is carried .0 1 a arm 63 pivoted maintain the finger in contact with the'belt and V between its ends, the outer end of the arm being connected to the core of a solenoid 64 included in the circuit of the motor 5!. Thus, when the motor is started, the solenoid is energized and the wedge 62 is moved into the path of the projection 6i and thus disengages the clutch 5i] and stops the drive of the positioningmeans of the rotary cutter till the motor circuit is again broken. The bolt 60 is so positioned relative to the eccentric that, when the reciprocating movement of the rotary cutter is stopped, the cutter will be left in its inoperative position.

The operation of the machine is as follows. Assuming the drive shaft 19 to be driven, the conveyor belts are intermittently driven. The operator then positions pelts on the belt 3 with their edges beneath the flaps I. The pelts are thus carried forward intermittently beneath the belt 8 and bent round the bar 2. While the work is stationary the rotary brush is advanced to a position to brush down the fur adjacent the bend and then withdrawn to allow the rotary cutter to be brought to the same position and then retracted. While the brush and cutter are moving away from the working position the belt moves to bring forward a fresh portion of a pelt and the operations of the brush and knife are repeated. This sequence of operations goes on as long as pelts are presented at the working position substantially without a break but, as soon as a blank space on the belt 3 comes beneath the finger 58, the motor is energized and the belts driven continuously, preferably at high speed till such time as the blank space on the belt 3 has passed the finger, thus compensating to a considerable extent for the Waste of time in the operation of the machine due to the fact that the pelts are not positioned on the belt 3 substantially in contact end to end. During the continuous operation of the belts the 4 rotary cutter remains out of action.

versely thereof and each adapted to receive the edge of a pelt beneath it; supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; a rotary brush; a rotary cutter; means for intermittently moving the conveyor belt; means for .alternately presenting the brush and the cutter to the pelt substantially at the point where it is bent round the bar and while the pelt is substantially stationary; endless auxiliary belts suitably supported and guided to engage the surfaces of the pelts on the main belt both before and after they reach thebar to hold them firmly in position on said main belt ;and a pair of pressure rollers, between which the conveyor belt passes, and which are positioned just'before the initial point of engagement of the upper auxiliary belt therewith.

2. A pelt trimming machine comprising a thin edged bar; a flexible conveyor belt for pelts; flexible flaps connected to the conveyor belt transversely thereof and each adapted to receive the edge of a pelt beneath it; supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; a rotary brush; a rotary cutter; means for intermittently moving the conveyor belt; means for alternately presenting the brush and the cutter to the pelt substantially at the point where it is bent round the bar'and while the pelt is substantially stationary; and endless them firmly in position on said main belt, the

auxiliary belts being provided with a series of prongs to positively engage the pelts.

3. A pelt trimming machine comprising a thin edged bar; a flexible conveyor belt for pelts; supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; a rotary brush; a rotary cutter; means for intermittently moving, the conveyor belt; and means for alternately presenting the brush and the cutter to the pelt substantially at the point where it is bent round the bar and While the pelt is substantially stationary, the brush presenting means including means to cause the brush, when being retracted veyor belt; and means for alternately presenting the brush and the cutter to the pelt substantially at the point where it is bent round the bar and while the pelt is substantially stationary, the brush presenting means including meansto cause the brush, when being retracted from engagement with a pelt, to first move round the bend of the pelt at the edge of the bar and then move for a short distance parallel'to and in contact with the pelt surface which has passed the bend, and finally withdraw substantially entirely from contact with the pelt, the return being in the reverse order. I

= 5. In a pelt trimming machine the'combination of a bar; a flexible conveyor belt for peltsy supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; a rotary brush for brushing the pelt at or near the bend; an arm substantially paralleling the portion of the conveyor belt which has just passed the bend and on one end of which the brush is journalled; a rocker arm pivoted at one .end on a stationary support and at the other to the brush carrying arm; means for oscillating the rocker arm to reciprocate the brush carrying arm; a' stationary cam groove; a projection on said brush carrying arm engaging in the groove whereby, when the arm is reciprocated, it is also rocked onthe rocker arm and the position of the brush in a direction to-and-from the peltf' surface variedj' means for intermittently driving the conveyor belt; and connections wherebythe driving means for the rocker arm and the conveyor belt are synchronized'sothat the brush is operative on edge of the said bar; a rotary brush for brushing the pelt at or near the bend; an arm substantially paralleling the portion of the cone veyor belt which has just passed the bend and on one end of which the brush is journalled; a rocker arm pivoted atone end on a stationary support and atthe other to the brush carrying arm; means for oscillating the rocker arm to reciprocate the brush carrying arm; a stationary cam groove; a projection on said brush carrying arm engaging in the groove whereby, when the arm is reciprocated, it is also rocked on the rocker arm and the position of the brush in a direction to-and-from the pelt surface varied; means for intermittently driving the conveyor belt; connections whereby the driving means for the rocker arm and the conveyor belt are synchronized so that the brush is operative on the pelt while the conveyor belt is stationary; a rotary cutter; and means for moving the cutter toand-from a position to' operate on the pelt at the bend synchronized to cause the operation of-the cutter and brush to alternate while the conveyor is stationary.

7. A pelt trimming machine comprising a thin edged bar; a flexible conveyor belt for pelts; supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; holding means for pelts on the belt at fixed intervals whereby blank spaces will be left on the vbelt between short pelts;

means for efiecting an intermittent drive of the belt at normal operatingspeed including an. over- .running clutch; normally non-operating means for driving the belt continuously, also including an over-running clutch; means for trimming the pelt at the bend; and means for conditioning the continuous drive for operation including a finger whose position is determined by the passage under it of blank spaces or pelts, continuous drive taking place when a blank spaceis under the finger.

. 8. A pelt trimming machine comprising a thin edged'bar; a flexible conveyor belt for pelts; supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bent it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; holding means for pelts on the belt at fixed intervals whereby blank spaces will be left on the belt between short pelts; means for effecting an intermittent drive of the belt at normaloperating speed including an over-running clutch; normally non-operating means for driving the belt continuously, also including an over-running clutch; a rotary cutter; means for presenting the cutter to the pelt substantially at the bend while the belt is stationary and withdrawing it while the belt is moving; means for conditioning the continuous drive for operation including a finger whose position is determined by the passage under it of blank spaces or pelts,

continuous drive taking place when a blank space is under the finger; and means for inhibiting the presentation movement of the cutter while the belt is being continuously driven.

9. A pelt trimming machine comprising a thin edged bar; a'flexible conveyor belt for pelts; supporting and guiding means forthe belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round the edge of the said bar; holding means for pelts on the belt at fixed intervals comprising flexible flaps connected to the conveyor belttransversely thereof by their forward edges, having reference to the direction of travelof the belt; means for eifecting an intermittent drive of the belt; a rotary brush; and means for presenting the brush to the pelt substantially at the point where it is bent round the bansaid brush presenting means being adapted when the belt is moving to move the brush along and in contact with a portion of the belt or a pelt which'has passed the bend,

and thereafter when the belt is stationary to re- 7 turn along the same path. I

10. A pelt trimming machine comprising a thin edged bar; a flexible conveyor belt for pelts; flexible flaps connected to the conveyor belt transversely thereof and each adapted to receive the edge of a pelt beneath it; supporting and guiding means for the belt adapted to bend it and a pelt thereon sharply round theedge of the said bar; a rotary brush; a rotary cutter; means for intermittently moving the conveyor belt; and

means for alternately presenting the brush and rying pelts; means for brushing the pelt; means for cutting the coarse hairs of the pelts; means on the conveyor in predetermined positions for engaging the lead ends of the pelts; and means for automatically speeding up theconveyor when a pelt has been trimmed to present a fresh pelt to the brushing and cutting means. 1

12. A pelt trimming machine comprising a normally intermittentlydriven conveyor for carry 'ing pelts; means for brushing the -pelt;"means for cutting, the coarse hairs of the peltsymeans tn;

the conveyor in predetermined positions for en gaging the lead ends of the pelts; means for automatically speeding up the conveyor'whn a pelt brushingand cutting means; and means for automatically throwing the cutting'meansqout;

of action when the conveyor is speededupj has been trimmed to presenta fresh pelt'to the 13. A pelt trimming machinecomprising a bar having a thin edge; a normally intermittently driven conveyor for carrying pelts around the said. thin' edge; a reciprocating bar; a'rotary brush carried by the reciprocating bar; means for cutting the coarse hairs of thepelts; and,

means for guiding the reciprocating bar so that the brush follows the underside of the thin edged bar as it moves towards and away from the said thin edge.

JULIUS GOLDING.

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