US2382210A - Thread cutter for tying machines - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 14, 1945.

E. CUMMINS THREAD CUTTER FOR 'IYING MACHINES Filed June 8, 1944 I N V EN TOR. fl/MM/ms Patented Aug. 14, 1945 Earl Cummins, Kalamazo o ,Mich. ApplicationJune 8, 1944, SerialNo; 539,392

6 cla s. (01. 164-58).

This invention relates to improvements in thread'cutter for tying machines.

The main objects of this invention are:

a First, to provide a thread cutter for link'tying machines in which the blade can be quickly removed and re'placed'and at the same time one which is eifectively and securely supported.

1 Second, to provide a thread cutter which permits the use of fragmentsof safety razor blades or the like as blades. j j Third to provide a cutter for link tying machines which is well adapted for use inmachines now having considerable use. i

Objects pertaining to details and economies of the invention. will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims. i I

l A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a link tying machine shown diagrammatically and conventionally having my improved cutter associated therewith, only such portions of the machine being illustrated as would be desirable to illustrate a practical application or adaptation of my invention. I

Fig.12 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the cutter. partially advanced to the work and as it is about to severthe tying thread "or strand. Fig.3 is a perspective view of my improved cutter removed from the machine, the blade clamp being shown in blade releasing position by dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view mainly in section on. line 4-4 ofFig. 2.

- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the blades.

. In the operation'of link tying machines used in the manufacture of link sausages'weiners, and the like, one of the problems is to keep the'tying strand or thread cutter in suitable condition. While the operator is expected to keep the blade or cutter to an edge approaching razor sharpness,

the tendency is to neglect this; with the result that the edge is dulled and fails to cut the thread, the machine becomes clogged, and the material being packaged is discharged over and into the machine with a general fouling of the apparatus and requiring a shut-down to clean the machine and restore it to operating condition. Further, in such machines as are now generally in use, considerable time is required to remove and replace a blade, and this is one reason why the operator of the machine neglects the blades or fails'to give the attention necessar'yfor the suc'- cessful operation of the machine. I

In the embodiment of my inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawing, I, I represent sausage links or weiners, 2 the tyingstrandor thread which is ledfrom'a suitable spool, {not illustrated, through suitable guide and tensioning members to the rotary tying head 31 The machine, designated generally bythe numeral I4, is designed "to feed or advance the stuffed casings throughthe winding or tying head with astep by step movement. As the details of 'thismecha nism form no part ofmy present invention I have not illustrated the same hereinlf The cutterarm 4 is timed to be actuated'in proper synchronism with the feeding of the stuffed casings and the operation of the winding head. Again, Ihave not illustrated themechanisni forsecuring this timed operation as thatforms no part of my invention.

The knife armis provided with a? bracket 5 carrying a suitable stud provided with a clamping nut 6 for securing my improved blade holder T to the knife arm. The holder 1 is provided with a laterally opening notch 8:,to receive the' threaded stud 9 so that the nut fi may be clamped on to the holder fo'rreleasably securing it. The holder is further provided with holesllll on either side' of the notch 8 which engagestuds H on the bracket 5, thereby securelyretaining the blade holder'ori the arm while permitting 'itsready' removal as occasion may require. The 'holder is provided with a pair of upwardly projecting laterally spaced studs [2 adapted to engage shoulders]?! formed on the blade I5 by forming opposed notches therein at lGuThes'e notches result in a shank 0r tang ll disposed between the studs 12 and rearwardly engaging one of the studs l2. This supports the blade against rearwardand pivotal tiltingmovement with its cutting edge l8 projecting forwardly beyond theholder and preferably in an inclined relation to the tying thread or strand 2 so as to engage the samewitha draw The blades l5 may desirably be formed from razor blades such for example as Gillette'blades, but in the accompanying drawing I have not attempted toillustrate the relative thickness of the blades to other parts or the exact bevel of the cutting edge.

The blade is retained by means of the clamp l9 which is provided with'a clamping arm 2|] extending between the studs l2 and overlapping the blade. The clamp is pivotally and clampingly supported by-means of the coiled spring 2| which is arranged on the pin 22, the pin being arranged through a hole 23. The inner end of the spring engages the under side of the blade holder while its outer end is in thrust engagement with the head of the screw 24, see Fig. 4. The clamp l9 may be lifted from between the studs and swung to position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, which releases the blade, and to renew or replace the blade it is only necessary to lay it upon the holder with its tang or shank between the studs and swing the clamp to engaging position. The clamp is supported against pivotal movement when in engaged position by the studs l2 at each side of the finger portion 20.

With this arrangement I not only provide a blade which has a very efiective cutting edge, but

" the blades can be replaced or renewed very quickly'and they are very economical. The blades commonly used with this type of machine require frequent grinding and the grinding should be done by'askilled workman. As stated, the blades are often neglected and become dull so that the wind'mg strand or thread is not severed. The result isthat the machine becomes clogged and there is usually a considerable loss of time and material in restoring the machine to operation,

. I have not attempted to illustrate various modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as I have illustrated my invention in ahighly "practical embodiment. It is believed that those skilled in the art will be able to adapt my invention as maybe desired, not only for the specific use in link tying machines but for other uses where highly effective thread cuttersare desired. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1; Ina cutter of the class described, the combination of a blade holder comprising a plate-like body member having laterally spaced studs thereon, a'flat. blade having an inclined cutting edge superimposed on said body, said blade having notchesextending from Opposite edges thereof receiving said studs and providing a shank extending laterally behind one of the studs and in thrust engagment therewith to sustain tiltin thrust on said blade, a plate-like clamping member provided with an inclined finger extending between saidstuds in overlapping clamping re- ,lationto said blade, said clamping member havreceiving said studs and providing a shank extendin laterally behind one of the studs and in thrust engagement therewith to sustain tilting thrust on said blade, a plate-like clamping member provided with an inclined finger extending between said studs in overlapping clamping relation'tosaid blade, said clamping member having a pin thereon disposed through said body member, and a coiled spring arranged on said pin to apply clamping stress to said {clamping member.

3. In a cutter of the class described, the combination of a blade holder member having laterally spaced studs thereon, a flat blade superimposed on said holder member with its cutting edge projecting forwardly beyond th holder member, said blade having. notch-like recesses extending from opposite edges thereof receiving said studs and providing a shank extending laterally behind one f the studs and in thrust engagement therewith, a blade clamping member provided with a. finger extending between said studs in overlapping relation to said blade, said blade clamping member having a pin thereon disposed through said holder member, and a coiled spring arranged on said pin, said pin being provided with a thrust member for the outer end of said spring.

4. The combination in a :cutter of a blade holder member having laterally spaced studs thereon, a fiat blade superimposed on said holder body member with its cutting edge projecting forwardly thereof, said blade having thrust shoulders in supporting engagement with said studs, and a shank extending between the studs and in rearward engagement with one of them, a blade clamping member provided with a finger extending between th studs in overlapping relation to said blade, said clamping member having a pin thereon disposed through said holder body member, and a spring associated withsaid pin for applying blade clamping stress to said clamping member, said pin being in longitudinal and pivotal engagement with said holder body member.

5. In a cutter of the class described, the combinationof a flat plate-like holder having laterally spaced studs on the face thereof, a flat blade superimposed on said holder member with its butting-edge projecting forwardly beyond the forward edge of the holder member, said blade having notch-like recesses opening to the front and rear edges of the holder member and spaced to receive said front and rear studs with the edges of the notches in thrust sustaining engagement with the studs, and a blade clamping member pivotally mounted on and resiliently biased toward the holder member and provided with a finger extendin between and laterally supported by said studs in overlapping relation to the blade and urging it against said holder.

6. In a cutter of the class'descrlbed, the combination of a blade holder member having laterally spaced upwardly projecting studs thereon, a flat blade superimposed on saidholder'member with its cutting edge projecting forwardly beyond the forward edged the holder member, said blade having oppositely disposed notch-like recesses in its front and rear edges providing a shank disposed and supportingly fitting between said studs and shoulders in thrust engagement with said studs, and a blade clamping member provided with a finger extending between and I laterally supported by said studs in overlapping relation to said blade, said blade holder being resiliently biased to clamp the bladejupon the holder. 1

EARL CUMMIN S.

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