US3253491A - Cutting apparatus for mouthpiece rods - Google Patents

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet l Fzgl.

J. A. RAKOWICZ ETAL CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MOUTHPIECE nous May 31, 1966 Filed June 26, 1963 mum/mks A T TORNE 731 y 1966 J. A. RAKOWICZ ETAL 3,253,491

CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MOUTHPIECE RODS Filed June 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arm/wag y 1966 J. A. RAKOWICZ ETAL 3,253,491

CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MOUTHPIECE RODS Filed June 26, 1965 ,5 Sheets-Sheet s gx'iizm wow, M; QVM Mm y 1966 J. A. RAKOWICZ ETAL 3,253,491

CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MOUTHPIECE RODS Filed June 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M/Vf/VTOR M 4 F 13. 6 ,9 5 MW May 31, 1966 J. A. RAKOWICZ ETAL 3,253,491

CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MOUTHPIECE RODS Filed June 26, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mum 70g A TTOR/VE E United States Patent 3,253,491 CUTTING APPARATU FOR MOUTHPIECE RODS Jan Antoni Ralrowicz and Eric Alfred Luddington, Deptford, London, England, assignors to The Molins 0rganisation Limited, a British company Filed June 26, 1963, Ser. No. 290,820 Claims priority, application Great Britain, .fuly 6, 1962, 26,112/ 62 7 Claims. (Cl. 83-411) This invention concerns improvements in or relating to cutting apparatus for sub-dividing multiple length rods, such as multiple length mouthpiece rods, into single length rods, for example in the production of mouthpieces for cigarettes, and in particular to cutting apparatus in which multiple length rods are carried laterally by a rotating carrier, such as a drum, having flutes in which the rods are supported, past cutting means, such as one or more rotating disc knives each of which acts through a corresponding space in the carrier to sever each multiple length rod transversely of its length, to produce a plurality of single length rods. For convenience such apparatus will be referred to herein as cutting apparatus as specified.

By the term single length rod is meant a rod of the length desired after the cutting operation, and by'the term multiple length rod is meant a rod whose length is a multiple of that of a single length rod. For convenience, a mouthpiece rod of suitable length for incorporation in an individual mouthpiece cigarette will be referred to herein as an individual mouthpiece, and it is to be understood that the length of a single length mouthpiece rod may be a multiple of the length of an individual mouthpiece.

In the manufacture of mouthpiece cigarettes it is often the practice to feed multiple length mouthpiece rods from a hopper to cutting apparatus as specified, in which they are subdivided into single length mouthpiece rods, each of which is double the length of an individual mouthpiece, each single length mouthpiece rod then being inserted between two cigarette lengths to which the mouthpiece rod is joined, and each assembly so formed then being severed through the centre of the single length mouthpiece rod toprodue two individual mouthpiece cigarettes.

It may be desired to manufacture different types of mouthpiece cigarettes, each type of cigarette having individual mouthpieces of a different length. Thus it is sometimes desired to produce single length mouthpiece rods of different lengths, and in some cases this may necessitate the provision of different cutting apparatus for each such different length of single length mouthpiece rod.

According to the present invention there is provided, for use in cutting apparatus as specified a rotatable carrier comprising a selected series of discs of equal diameter and each of a selected width, mounted co-axially in close fixed relationship on a rotatable shaft for rotation therewith and with one end disc at a fixed position relative thereto, the discs having peripheral flutes in which multiple length rods are supportable lengthwise of the carrier, and two selected consecutive discs in the series being spaced apart so that they define a space'in the carrier through which a cutting edge can act, the position of the space lengthwise of the shaft being determined by the widths of the discs, and by the position of the said spaced discs and being arranged to correspond to a position at which a multiple length rod carried on the carrier is to be severed to produce single length rods of a desired length, characterised in that at different times, different such selected series of discs are mountable on the shaft with the said space arranged at different positions lengthwise of the shaft at the said different times, whereby the ice carrier is adaptable for use in the production of single length rods of different desired lengths.

The series of discs may comprise discs of different w dths, the discs being arranged in a selected sequence, and the said spaced discs being at selected positions in the sequence.

A plurality of pairs of consecutive discs in the series may have the discs of each pair spaced apart so as to provide a plurality of such spaces in the carrier, the distance between two such consecutive spaces along the carrier being equal to the desired length of a single length rod. A pair of spaced discs may be separated by a spacing plece.

The series may be selected so that the length of the carrier substantially equals the length of the multiple length rods to be carried thereby, the said space or spaces in the carrier being positioned to divide the length of the carrier into intervals, each of a length equal to the desired length of a single length rod.

. The carrier may comprise a sleeve, on which the discs are slidably mounted, being keyed to the said shaft, and having a flange portion, packing means between the flange portion and the said series to position the series lengthwise of the sleeve, and holding means to hold the discs in close fixed relationship with the said one end disc, the sleeve being capable of accommodating the said different selected series of discs. The said different series of discs may have associated therewith corresponding different selections of packing means to position each such series with the said one end disc at the said'fixed position relative to the shaft.

The said series of discs may be selected from a set of discs, which may contain discs of different widths, from which the said different series can be selected. Similarly the said packing means may be selected from a set of packing collars, which may contain packing collars of different widths, from which the said different selections of packing means can be taken.

Further according to the present invention there is provided, for use in cutting apparatus as specified (e.g. in conjunction with a carrier as set forth above), cutting means comprising a rotatable shaft arranged parallel to the axis of and opposite a carrier in the said cutting apparatus, a disc knife mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, and positioning means to hold the knife in a selected position on the shaft which corresponds to a position at which a multiple length rod carried in a-fiute on the carrier is to be severed to produce single length rods of a desired length, characterised in that the said knife is positioned, at different times, at different such selected positions on the shaft so that the cutting means can be used, at the said different times, in the production of single length rods of different desired lengths.

For example there may be provided two end parts arranged in fixed positions relative to the shaft, the disc knife being slidable along the shaft between the end parts, and the positioning means comprising a selected series of sleeves, each of a selected length, between a selected pair of which the knife is held in the said selected position,

the distance between the knife and each end part being occupied by one or more of the sleeves in the series, and the shaft being capable of accommodating between the end parts, at the said different times, different selected series Further still according to the present invention there is provided, for use with cutting apparatus as specified, a hopper having a fixed wall and an opposed parallel wall whose position can be adjusted, there being provided means to hold the said opposed wall in a selected position at a desired distance from the said fixed wall, whereby multiple length rods of a desired length can be accommodated between, and with their axes substantially perpendicular to the said walls and can fall through the hopper to be fed to the carrier in the said cutting apparatus, the said distance between the walls being at least equal to the said desired length of the multiple length rods, characterised in that the said opposed wall is capable of being positioned at different times, at different selected positions, so that the hopper can accommodate multiple length rods of different desired lengths at the said different times.

For example, the said opposed wall may be connected to a fixed member, there being provided packing means, comprising one or more selected packing pieces each of selected width, between the member and the said wall to position the latter at the said selected position.

Further still according to the present invention there is provided cutting apparatus as specified, comprising a hopper as set forth above, a carrier as set forth above, positioned beneath the hopper with the carrier shaft substantially perpendicular to the planes of the said parallel walls of the hopper, and cutting means as set forth above positioned with the knife shaft opposite and parallel to the carrier shaft, the said selected positions of the adjustable hopper wall, and the disc knife or knives, and the said selected series of discs being such that multiple length rods of a desired length can be contained and can fall through the hopper to be received on the carrier, and can be carried thereby past the cutting means to be severed into single length rods of a desired length, wherein, at different times, the carrier can include the said different series of discs, and the adjustable hopper wall and the disc knife or knives can be arranged at the said different selected positions, so that the cutting apparatus is usable, at the said different times, to produce single length rods of different desired lengths.

The cutting apparatus may include one or more selected packing collars, one or more selected series of knife positioning sleeves, and one or more selected packing pieces which may be selected together with the series of discs from a set of parts comprising sets of disks, packing collars, knife positioning sleeves, and packing pieces.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevation,

FIGURE 2 is a section on the line IIII of FIGURE 1, drawing to a different scale,

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line IIIIII of FIG- URE 1, drawn to a different scale,

FIGURE 4 is a view, similar to part of FIGURE 2, showing a different arrangement of parts,

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to part of FIGURE 3 showing a different arrangement of parts,

FIGURES 6 and 7 are views similar to FIGURES 4 and 5 respectively, showing a further different arrangement of parts.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 the apparatus comprises a hopper 1 having parallel opposed walls 2 and 3 (FIGURE 2) spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the length of multiple length rods to be contained in the hopper 1. Inside the hopper there is provided an endless band 4 (FIGURE 1), which moves in the direction of the arrow over a guide member 4a, a band 4 passing about a roller 5 and a humped roller 6 on which, the guide member 4a rests, the latter being attached at its upper end (not shown) to a fixed part. Connected to the guide member 4a is a guide extension 7. As the roller 6rotates the member 4a and the extension 7 are shaken by the action of the humped roller. Multiple length mouthpiece rods, fed to the hopper 1, are accommodated between, and with their axes substantially perpendicular to, the walls 2 and 3, and can fall through the hopper, guided by the band 4 on the guide member 4a and the guide extension 7. The shaking action of the member 4a assists in maintaining the rods in correct orientation,

and the rotating fluted roller 8 further aligns rods issuing from the bottom of the hopper 1.

A carrier 9, substantially in the form of a drum to be more fully described later, is positioned beneath the hopper 1, between, and With its axis perpendicular to, the planes of the walls 2 and 3 (see FIGURE 2). The carrier 9 has longitudinal flutes 10 in which the multiple length rods can be supported, and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 1. Thus the rods issuing from the bottom of the hopper 1 are received in the flutes 10, a rotating refuser roller 11 acting to guide one rod into each flute, and are conveyed laterally by the rotating carrier 9. Guides 10a are provided to hold the rods in the flutes.

Cutting means, comprising three disc knives 12 mounted on two rotatable shafts 13 and 14, with one knife 12 on the upper shaft 13 and two knives 12 on the lower shaft 14, (see FIGURE 3), are provided to sever the multiple length rods. The shafts 13 and 14 are arranged parallel to the axis of and opposite the carrier 9, in which there are provided spaces in the form of peripheral grooves 15, through which the cutting edges of the knives 12 can act (FIGURES 2 and 3).

Thus, in the arrangement shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, quadruple length mouthpiece rods are fed to the hopper 1, through which they fall to be received in the flutes 10 of the rotating carrier 9. The carrier 9 then carries the rods past the cutting means, and the rotating disc knives 12 sever each rod transversely of its axis at three positions along its length, to produce four single length mouthpiece rods (each of which is double the length of an individual mouthpiece). The single length mouthpiece rods then fall from the carrier 9 as they pass the ends of the guides 10a at the lower portion of its periphery, to pass to further apparatus for inserting each rod between two cigarette lengths to which the mouthpiece rod is joined, each assembly so formed then being severed through the centre of the single length mouthpiece rod to produce two individual mouthpiece cigarettes.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the wall 2 of the hopper 1 is fixed, and the wall 3 is connected by screws 16 to a fixed member in the form of a bracket 17. Screw connections to the bracket 17 are provided at three positions on the wall 3 (two of which are shown in FIGURE 1) to prevent the wall from tipping about an axis in its plane. At each of these screw positions, there is provided packing means, comprising a selected packing piece 18 of a selected width (considered in a direction perpendicular to the wall 3), between the bracket 17 and the wall 3. Thus the wall 3 is held, by the screws 16, against the packing pieces 18, at a selected position which is determined by the width of the packing pieces 18, and which is a desired distance from the wall 2 slightly greater than the length of the multiple length mouthpiece rods to be contained in the hopper 1.

In association with the hopper 1 there is provided a set of packing pieces, containing packing pieces of different widths, to be more fully described later. If it is desired to arrange the wall 3 at a different selected position (so that the hopper 1 can accommodate multiple length rods of a different desired length), the packing pieces 18 can be exchanged for other packing pieces of a different selected width, selected from the set, and the wall 3 can therefore be arranged at the said different position, determined by the selected width of the said other packing pieces.

It will be appreciated that, if desired, a plurality of packing pieces, each of a selected width, could be placed, in conjunction with each screw 16, in sideways abutment between the wall 3 and the bracket 17,-the position of the wall 3 being determined by the combined widths of the packing pieces.

It will further be appreciated that, if desired, the packing pieces 18 could be omit-ted from the hopper, the wall 3 being held in the said selected positions only by the screws 16, and the different positions of the wall 3 being achieved by screwing the screws 16 further into the bracket 17. However, such an arrangement would have the disadvantage that it would be necessary to judge how far to screw the screws 16 into the bracket 17 in order to correctly position the wall 3, whereas, with the provision of packing pieces, it is only necessary to place a packing piece of the correct selected width between the wall 3 and the. bracket 17, and to tighten the screw 16 so that the wall, packing piece and bracket are in abutment, so that the wall 3 is automatically held in the correct selected position. It will also be seen from FIGURE 2 that one position of the wall 3 can be against the bracket 17 without any space between the two.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the carrier 9 comprises a selected series of discs 19 of the same diameter, and each, in FIGURE 2, of the same selected width, slidably mounted co-axially on a sleeve 20 keyed to a rotatable shaft 21. A Washer 22 is provided between the discs of each pair of consecutive discs 19 in the series to separate the discs, and at selected positions the discs so spaced define the grooves 15 in the carrier 9. The discs 19 are peripherally fluted to form the flutes in the carrier 9.

Screws 23 (see also FIGURE 1) pass through the series of discs 19 and the washers 22, and are screwed into a flange portion 24 of the sleeve 20. Packing means comprising a plurality of selected packing collars 25, each of a selected width, is provided between the series of discs 19 and the flange portion 24, to position the series with the left-hand end disc as viewed in FIGURE 2, at a fixed position relative to the sleeve 20 (i.e. at a fixed position relative to the shaft 21).

Thus the discs 19 are held by the screws 23 in close fixed relationship (in abutment with the washers 22), and the positions of the grooves relative to the shaft 21 are determined by the widths of the discs 19. The two end :discs 19 in [the series form the two ends of the carrier 9, the length of which is substantially equal to the length of the multiple length rods to be carried thereby, the grooves 15 being positioned to divide this length into intervals, each of a length equal to the desired length of a single length rod. Thus, in FIGURE 2, the combined widths of two discs 19 and the associated washers 22 make up the desired length of a single length rod.

At different times, different selected series of discs 19 can be mounted on the sleeve 20, and the grooves 15 can thus be arranged at different positions relative to the shaft 21, so that the carrier 9 can be used in the the production of single length rods of different desired lengths.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2, the discs 19 have a width of 9 /2 mm., the series comprising eight discs. Three grooves 15 are thus spaced at regular intervals of mm. along the shaft 21 (the washers being /2 mm. in width), and quadruple length rods of 80 mm. length can be carried on the carrier-9 to be subdivided into single length rods of 20 mm. length. Two packing collars of 8 mm. Width, and one packing collar of 6 mm. width are provided between the right-hand end disc as viewed in FIGURE 2 and the flange portion 24.

FIGURE 4 shows a carrier 9 in which a different selected series of discs 19 is mounted on the sleeve 20. In this arrangement the series comprises discs of different selected widths arranged in a selected sequence. There are provided six discs of 11 /2 mm. width and three discs of 5 /2 mm. width, the sequence having one 5 /2 mm.

between each pair of consecutive discs), and the carrier can carry triple length rods of 90 mm. length which are to be subdivided into single length rods of mm. length. Packing means comprising one selected packing collar of 12 mm. width is provided between the disc 19 and the flange portion 24 to correctly position the series of discs.

FIGURE 6 shows a carrier 9 having a further different selected series of discs 19 mounted on the sleeve 20. In this arrangement the series comprises six discs of 11 /2 mm. width and two discs of 5 /2 mm. width, arranged in a selected sequence having one 5 /2 mm. wide disc followed by three 11 /2 mm. wide discs in two sets along the sleeve 20, a washer again being provided between each pair of consecutive discs. Thus one groove 15 divides the length of the carrier 9 into two intervals of v 42 mm. length, and double length rods of 84 mm. length wide disc followed by two 11 /2 mm. wide discs in three sets along the sleeve 20. Thus, two grooves 15 are provided at regularly spaced intervals of 30 mm. along the shaft 21 (a /2 mm. wide washer again being provided can be divided into single length rods of 42 mm. length on the carrier 9. The packing means provided in this arrangement comprises one packing collar of 12 mm. width and one packing collar of 6 mm. width.

Thus, as can be seen from these examples, different selected series of discs can be mounted on the sleeve 20 at different times, so that different length multiple length rods can be carried and cut on the carrier to produce single length rods of different desired lengths, corresponding different selections of packing means, comprising one or more packing collars 25, being'associated with the said different selected series of discs, to position each such series relatively to the shaft 21.

It will be appreciated that, where a series of discs includes discs of different width, the discs must be arranged in a selected sequence, but that within parts of the sequence the positioning of the discs is arbitrary. Thus, for example, in the series illustrated in FIGURE 4, in each set of three discs having one narrow and two wide .discs, it is immaterial whether the narrow disc is positioned before, between or after the wide discs, since the groove 15 would be at the same position relative to the shaft 21 in each case. However, in order to correctly position the grooves 15 in that series, the discs must be arranged in a sequence having three sets, each containing one narrow and two wide discs.

The discs in a series are selected from a set of discs 19, containing discs of different selected widths and to be more fully described later. Similarly the packing collars 25 are selected from a set of packing collars, containing packing collars of different widths.

It will be appreciated that one series of discs 19 can be mounted on the sleeve 20 without any packing collars 25, the end disc being held directly against the flange portion 24.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the shafts 13 and 14 are each provided with a longitudinal flat face 26 (FIG- URE l) and each disc knife 12 is carried in a support 27 having'a hole shaped to correspond to the shape of the shaft. Thus each disc knife 12 is slidable along its shaft and is mounted for rotation therewith.

The shafts 13 and 14 are mounted in bearings 28 in a fixed housing 29. Considering firstly the shaft 13, a collar 30 is attached to the support 27 for the knife 12. A selected series of sleeves 31, each of a selected length, is mounted on the shaft 13, the knife 12 on its support 27 and the attached collar 30 being positioned between a selected pair of sleeves in the series. The bearings 28 at each end of the shaft 13 hold the sleeves and knife support in abutment and thus the position of the knife on the shaft is determined by the selection of sleeves. In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 3 there are provided four sleeves, two of 2 mm. length, one of 16 mm. length and one of 22 mm. length. These are arranged in a selected sequence with one 2 mm. long sleeve and the 16 mm. long sleeve to the left of the knife as viewed in FIGURE 3, and the other two sleeves on the other side 7 of the knife. Thus the knife is held at a selected position which corresponds to the centre groove 15 on the carrier 9 shown in FIGURE 2.

Another selected series of sleeves 31 is mounted on the shaft 14 to position the two knives relatively thereto. In this case the knives and sleeves 31 are arranged in a selected sequence which comprises, from the left of the shaft as viewed in FIGURE 3, a sleeve of 8% mm. length, a knife 12 on its support 27 and attached collar 30, a sleeve of mm. length, a knife 12 on its support 27 and collar 30, and a sleeve of 4 mm. length. Thus the two knives 12 are held in selected positions on the shaft 14, which correspond to the two end grooves on the carrier 9.

At different times, different selected series of sleeves 31, each of a selected length, can be mounted on the shafts 13 and 14 between the end bearings 28, and each knife 12 can therefore be held in different selected positions relative to its shaft.

Referring to FIGURE 5, which shows cutting means for use in conjunction with the carrier shown in FIG- URE 4, the selected series of sleeves 31 on the shaft 13 comprises, from the left as viewed in FIGURE 5, a sleeve of 8 mm. length, followed by a knife 12 and its associated support and collar, a sleeve of 22 mm. length and a sleeve of 12 mm. length. Thus the knife is held in a selected position which corresponds to the position of the left hand groove 15 in the carrier as viewed in FIGURE 4. The selected series of sleeves 31 on the shaft 14 comprises, from the left as viewed in FIGURE 5, a sleeve of 38 mm. length, a knife 12 and its associated support and collar, and a sleeve of 4 mm. length. The knife 12 is thus held in a selected position which corresponds to the position of the right hand groove 15 in the carrier as viewed in FIGURE 4.

Referring to FIGURE 7, which shows cutting means for use in conjunction with the carrier shown in FIG- URE 6, only the shaft 13 is used. The selected series of sleeves 31 mounted thereon comprises, from the left as viewed in FIGURE 7, a sleeve of 16 mm. length, a knife 12 and its associated support and collar, and a sleeve of 26 mm. length, Thus the knife 12 is held at a position which corresponds to the position of the groove 15 in the carrier shown in FIGURE 6.

Thus, as can be seen from these examples, different selected series of sleeves 31 can be mounted, at different times, on one or both of the shafts 13 and 14, so that the knife or knives 12 can be arranged at different selected positions relative thereto. Where the selected series contains sleeves of different selected lengths they should be arranged in a selected sequence, but it will again be appreciated that within parts of the sequence the positioning of the sleeves may be arbitrary. Thus, for example, in the cutting means shown in FIGURE 5 it is immaterial in which order the sleeve of 22 mm. and 12 mm. length are placed on the shaft 13, provided that they are placed together on the right hand side of the knife 12 as viewed in FIGURE 5.

The sleeves 31 are selected from a set of sleeves, containing sleeves of different lengths, to be more fully described later.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Selected packing pieces 18 are placed between the bracket 17 and the wall 3 to position the latter at a distance from the wall 2 which is slightly greater than the length of the multiple length mouthpiece rods to be subdivided. A selected series of discs 19, together with corresponding selection of one or more packing collars 25, are mounted on the sleeve 20, on the shaft 21, so that the length of the carrier 9 substantially equals the length of the multiple length rods, and so that one or more grooves 15 are provided in the carrier at a selected position or selected positions corresponding to the position or positions at which a multiple length rod is to be severed. A desired number of knives 12 are mounted on one or both of the shafts 13 and 14, together with a selected series of sleeves 31 to position the knife or knives so as to be capable of cutting through the groove or grooves 15. Multiple length rods are then fed to the hopper 1 and the apparatus operates as previously described to cut them into single length rods of a desired length.

Thus, in the arrangement shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, quadruple length rods of mm. length are cut into single length rods of 20 mm. length, each of which is to form two individual mouthpieces of 10 mm. lentgh, In the arrangement shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, triple length rods of mm. length are cut into single length rods of 30 mm. length, each of which is to form two individual mouthpieces of 15 mm. length. In the arrangement shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, double length rods of 84 mm. length are cut into single length rods of 42 mm. length, each of which is to form two individual mouthpieces of 21 mm, length.

The packing pieces 18, the series of discs 19, the packing collars 25 and the series of sleeves 31, are selected from a set of parts comprising the following:

3 packing pieces of each 6 mm., 9 mm., 12 mm., 14 mm., 18 mm., 22 mm., 24 mm., 26 mm., 30 mm., 36 mm., and 38 mm. width,

4 discs of 5 /2 mm. width,

8 discs of 9 /2 mm. width, and

6 discs of 11 /2 mm. width,

2 packing collars of 6 mm. width,

2 packing collars of 8 mm. width, and

2 packing collars of 12 mm width, and

2 sleeves of 2 mm length, and

1 sleeve of each of 4 mm., 5 mm., 8 mm., 9 mm., 10% mm., 11 mm., 12 mm., 16 mm, 20 mm., 22 mm., 26 mm., 31 mm., 33 mm., and 38 mm. length.

By selecting different combinations of parts from the set, the cutting apparatus can be used to produce single length r-ods which can be bisected to form individual mouthpieces of 8 mm., 9 mm., 10 mm., 11 mm., 12 mm., 13 mm., 14 mm., 15 mm., 15 /2 mm., 16 mm., 17 mm., 18 mm., 19 mm., 20 mm., 21 mm., and 22 mm, length.

It will be appreciated, however, that different sets of parts may be provided to suit individual requirements.

In order that the rate of feed of single length rods from the carrier 9, i.e. the number of rods fed per unit of time, should be substantially the same whatever the length of rod being fed, the carrier 9, is arranged to rotate at a different speed when quadruple, triple, and double length rods respectively are being cut. Thus, for example, when each flute 10 of the carrier 9 contains two single length rods (i.e. when double length rods are cut), the speed of rotation of the carrier is twice that when each flute 10 contains four single length rods (i.e. when quadruple length rods are cut).

What we claim as our invention and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. For use in cutting apparatus as specified, a rotatable carrier comprising a selected series of discs of equal diameter and each of a selected width, mounted co-axially in close fixed relationship on a rotatable shaft for rotation therewith and with one end disc at a fixed position relative thereto, the discs having peripheral flutes in which multiple length rods are supportable lengthwise of the carrier, and two selected consecutive discs in the series being spaced apart so that they define a space in the carrier through which a cutting edge can act, the position of the space lengthwise of the shaft being determined by the widths of the discs, and by the position of the said spaced discs, and being arranged to correspond to a position at which a multiple length rod carried on the carrier is to be severed to produce single length rods of a desired length, characterised in that at different times, different such selected series of discs are mountable on the shaft with the said space arranged at different positions lengthwise of the shaft at the said different times, whereby the carrier is adaptable for use in the production of single length rods of different desired lengths.

2. A rotatable carrier as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the series is selected so that the length of the carrier substantially equals the length of the multiple length rods to be carried thereby, the said space or spaces in the carrier being positioned to divide the length of the carrier into intervals, each of a length equal to the desired length of a single length rod.

3. A rotatable carrier as claimed in claim 2, including a sleeve on which said discs are slidably mounted, said sleeve being keyed to the said shaft, and having a flange portion, packing means between the flange portion and the said series to position the series lengthwise of the sleeve, and holding means to hold the discs in close fixed relationship with the said one end disc, the sleeve being capable of accommodating the said different selected series of discs.

4. Cutting apparatus for cutting multiple length rods of mouthpiece material into single length rods, comprising in combination a hopper having side walls one of which is adjustable relatively to the other to enable the hopper to accommodate multiple length rods of different lengths, a rotatable carrier beneath the hopper, said rotatable carrier comprising a rotatable member, a plurality of fluted discs and means for securing said discs at a plurality of positions on said rotatable member to enable the carrier to accommodate rods of different lengths, a shaft parallel with the axis of said rotatable member, at least one disc knife and means for securing said knife at a plurality of positions along the length of said shaft, spacing means to separate at least two consecutive fluted discs to provide a space therebetween through which said disc knife can pass, said discs and said spacing means being positionable at different locations along said rotatable member to provide spaces through which different numbers of knives at different positions along said shaft can pass, whereby the apparatus can be readily adjusted tohandle multiple length rods of different lengths and to cut them into different desired numbers of single length rods of desired lengths.

5. In apparatus for cutting rods into predetermined lengths, a hopper for said rods comprising in combination a rotatable shaft, a sleeve mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and having a flange at one end, a plurality of peripherally fluted discs slidably mounted on said sleeve for rotation therewith, packing collars mounted on said sleeve between said discs and said flange, said flange and said collars having a smaller diameter than that of said discs, a fixed side wall for said hopper located at that side of the hopper remote from said flange, an adjustable side wall mounted at the opposite side of the hopper and movable axially of said shaft and apertured to enable it to be fitted over said collars and said flange, spacing means to space at least two of said discs apart to accommodate a knife between them, and means to hold said discs and said collars against said flange, said discs and said collars-being readily removable and replaceable by different groups of discs and collars to change the effective width of the hopper.

6. An apparatus for cutting rods into predetermined lengths as claimed in claim 5 wherein said spacing means to space at least two of said discs apart to accommodate 3 knife between them comprises at least one annular isc.

7. An apparatus for cutting rods into predetermined lengths as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means to hold said discs and said collars against said flange comprises at least one bolt which passes through said discs and said collars and into said flange.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,443,470 1/ 1923 Halversen 10l64 2,047,021 7/1936 Friden 83411 2,377,130 5/1945 Cohen 83665 2,648,445 8/1953 Roessl 221242 2,716,449 8/1955 Larsen 83411 2,744,619 5/1956 Olson 198211 2,777,567 1/1957 Russell 198211- 2,888,076 5/1959 Lanstro 83- 665 2,898,998 8/1959 Schur 83-926 2,979,979 4/ 1961 Hearden 83435 3,013,694 12/1961 Huhn 221-242 3,067,644 12/1962 Dearsley 83411 3,081,778 3/1963 Dearsley 93-1 FOREIGN PATENTS 924,126 4/1963 Great Britain.

WILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Printary Examiner.

J. L. SEITCHIK, W. S. LAWSON, Assistant Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. FOR USE IN CUTTING APPARATUS AS SPECIFIED, A ROTATABLE CARRIER COMPRISING A SELECTED SERIES OF DISCS OF EQUAL DIAMETER AND EACH OF A SELECTED WIDTH, MOUNTED CO-AXIALLY IN CLOSE FIXED RELATIONSHIP ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH AND WITH ONE END DISC AT A FIXED POSITION RELATIVE THERETO, THE DISCS HAVING PERIPHERAL FLUTES IN WHICH MULTIPLE LENGTH RODS ARE SUPPORTABLE LENGTHWISE OF THE CARRIER, AND TWO SELECTED CONSECUTIVE DISCS IN THE SERIES BEING SPACED APART SO THAT THEY DEFINE A SPACE IN THE CARRIER THROUGH WHICH A CUTTING EDGE CAN ACT, THE POSITION OF THE SPACE LENGTHWISE OF THE SHAFT BEING DETERMINED BY THE WIDTHS OF THE DISCS, AND BY THE POSITION OF THE SAID SPACED DISCS, AND BEING ARRANGED TO CORRESPOND TO A POSITION AT WHICH A MULTIPLE LENGTH ROD CARRIED ON THE CARRIER IS TO BE SEVERED TO PRODUCE SINGLE LENGTH RODS OF A DESIRED LENGTH, CHARACTERISED IN THAT AT DIFFERENT TIMES, DIFFERENT SUCH SELECTED SERIES OF DISCS ARE MOUNTABLE ON THE SHAFT WITH THE SAID SPACE ARRANGED AT DIFFERENT POSITIONS LENGTH-

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