US3675525A

US3675525A - Machine for cutting rolls of sheet material

Info

Publication number: US3675525A
Application number: US66027A
Authority: US
Inventors: William C Ellison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-08-21
Filing date: 1970-08-21
Publication date: 1972-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-11

Abstract

Machine for cutting rolls of sheet material, in particular paper, prior to reworking. A heavy knife with horizontallydisposed cutting edge is forced downwardly in guided translation to make a radial cut in the roll. The knife is carried by a pair of vertical racks which are synchronously forced downwardly by a motor, acting through speed-reducing means.

Description

United States Patent Ellison [45] July 11,1972

[54] MACHINE FOR CUTTING ROLLS OF SHEET MATERIAL [72] inventor: William C. Ellison, Route 2. Box l0O6-B,

Chester, Va. 23831 [22] Filed: Aug.2l, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 66,027

[52] US. Cl 83/629, 83/635. 83/648, 83/924 [51] Int. 5/08 {58] Field oISearclL. ..83/924. 629, 635, 178, I79, 83/54; 28/19 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,481,162 9/!949 Seely ..83/629 X 558,864 4/l 896 Van Osta ..83/629 2,804,l40 8/l957 Van Riper... .u83/54 X 3,160,044 l2/l964 Somendile ..83/924 X 3,l63,066 12/1964 Beaulieu et al. ......i........83/924 X Primary Examiner--Frank T. Yost ArtorneyElizabeth Newton Dew 57 ABSTRACT Machine for cutting rolls of sheet material, in particular paper, prior to reworking. A heavy knife with horizontally-disposed cutting edge is forced downwardly in guided translation to make a radial cut in the roll. The knife is carried by a pair of vertical racks which are synchronously forced downwardly by a motor, acting through speed-reducing means.

8Clairm,6Drawlngl1gures SPEED REDUCER PMENIEBJHL I 1 11/2 SHEET 10F 3 REDUCER FIG. 1

INVENTOR WILLIAM c. ELLISON (SW 7 6M FlllL ATTORNEY PATENTEDJIII I I I972 SHEET. 2 CF 3 I|I.|IIIIIIII I I II INVENTOR ATTORNEY WILLIAM c. ELLISON a id I;

60 UP 6| UP LIMIT SWITCH O O 0 DOWN 21 .62 IO MACHINE FOR CUTTING ROLLS OF SHEET MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sheet paper coming from the Fourdrinier or like type of machine, is in the form of a ribbon several feet in width. The machine embodies a slitter attachment by which the sheet is automatically slit longitudinally into selected or desired widths. The strips thus formed are collected as individual rolls. The widths of the strips forming these rolls are determined by orders from customers and, of course, the knives of the slitter attachment are adjustable in accordance with these ordered widths. Due to the facts set forth foregoing, there is usually left over an end or remnant roll for which there is no market or demand. Such remnant rolls may, for instance, be 7 to 8 inches in width and 3 to 4 feet in diameter.

In order to avoid loss of this remnant paper the rolls thereof are processed by placing them in a re-pulper wherein the paper is returned to pulp form, mixed with new pulp of like grade and fed to the Fourdrinier in the usual way. Large savings of usable paper stock are thereby effected.

Before being returned to the re-pulper vat, each aforesaid remnant roll is cut in a radial plane through its axis. The cut extends from the periphery of the roll to its center or axis, so that the roll may disintegrate into strips of varying lengths which are thus readily dispersed in the vat and re-worked into pulp.

Formerly the cutting of the remnant rolls was done by hand manipulated tools or by hand-held power tools. In both cases the work was tiresome, difficult and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A heavy frame of cantilever type has a base shaped to receive and hold a large heavy roll of sheet material, such as paper which is to be reworked or reconstituted. Horizontally superposed over the base is a platform mounting two vertical, horizontally-spaced rack bars each guided for vertical translation only by antifriction bearings carried by the platform. A shaft journaled on the platform has fixed thereto a pair of pinions each in mesh with a respective one of the racks. The rear end of the shaft carries a large worm gear in mesh with a worm fixed to a second shaft and connected with a driving motor through speed-reducing means. The lower ends of the rack bars are rigidly attached to and support a heavy knife assembly having a horizontally-disposed cutting edge which is parallel with, and constrained to translation only in a vertical plane through the axis of a roll of paper properly emplaced upon the base. Energization of the motor drives the rack bars and knife assembly downwardly to make a clean, detritus-free cut extending to the axis of the roll. The roll is thus opened to ready access of treating liquid when deposited into a vat thereof. Limit switches are controlled by the translation of the knife assembly, or by one rack bar, to afford precise and automatic control of the reversible driving motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevation showing a roll of material to be cut, in position on the base of the machine and the knife in contact with the roll, ready to descend in a cutting operation;

FIG. 2 is a partially-broken side elevation to a scale reduced from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view to about the same scale as FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view in a plane identified by line 4-4, FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view in a plane identified by line 5-5, FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a simplified wiring diagram of the motor control.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A heavy metallic frame generally identified at I, includes spaced parallel bars or

feet

2 and 3 each having the lower end of a respective one of

vertical columns

4 and 5 fixed to and rising therefrom. From FIG. 2 it is noted that column 4, for ex ample, is attached to its foot 2 at a location between the center and rear end thereof. Column 5 is attached to its foot 3 at a similar location and thus lies directly behind column 4 as the parts are viewed upon FIG. 2.

At their

top ends columns

4 and 5 are rigidly attached, as by welding, to hollow or

tubular beams

6 and 7, it being noted from FIG. 2 in particular, that the beams are of about the same length as

feet

2 and 3 and have their ends substantially in vertical registration therewith. The cantilever frame thus formed affords an open space between the feet and bars and within which the knife may operate as subsequently described. A rear reinforcing column shown at 9, FIG. 2, has its ends, lower and upper, rigidly attached to the corresponding ends of foot 2 and beam 6. A like reinforcing column not shown, interconnects the rearward ends of foot 3 and beam 7. The parts thus forming the heavy rigid frame may be secured together by welding.

A heavy metallic plate 8 has a size of about the same dimensions as the rectangle defined by spaced

parallel beams

6 and 7, and rests upon and is rigidly secured to the upper horizontally coplanar surfaces of these beams. From FIG. 3 it is also noted that plate 8 has a transverse extension 8a for support of the speed reducer and motor, subsequently described.

Plate 8 has a pair of apertures spaced along and adjacent its longitudinal center line L, FIG. 3. Two vertical rack bars 10 and II are mounted for guided longitudinal translation in and through the respective apertures. From FIG. 2 in particular it is seen that the lower ends of these rack bars conjointly support a knife assembly 12 and which may consist of a heavy backing bar 13 and a blade 14 rigidly but removably secured to the bar. The blade is removable to facilitate repair, sharpening and replacement when necessary.

A shaft 15 is journaled in aligned bearing blocks l6, l7 and 18 bolted to the top of plate 8. The shaft extends rearwardly as shown upon FIG. 3 and at a location adjacent rear bearing 18 has a relatively large heavy worm gear 19 keyed thereto. Also keyed or otherwise fixed to shaft 15 are

pinions

20 and 21, in mesh with rack bars 11 and II), respectively.

In order to positively guide the rack bars in vertical translation only, by and in response to rotation of shaft 15, and to hold each positively in mesh with its

pinion

20 or 21, as the case may be, each rack is provided with identical guide roller means as best shown at FIG. 4 for rack bar 10. Thus, referring to this figure, an upper bracket 22 is rigidly attached to the top surface of plate 8 and has a hole through its vertical leg, to accommodate a threaded rod 23. The rod is adjustably fixed relatively to the bracket by

nuts

24 and 25, in a manner clear from inspection of the figure.

A yoke 26 is fixed to the inner end of rod 23 and by means of antifriction ball or roller bearings, journals a roller 27 having smooth contact with the planar back surface of bar 10. From FIG. 4 it is noted that a horizontal plane through the axis of roller 27 passes above the corresponding plane through the axis of shaft 15.

Below plate 8 a second threaded rod 28 extends through horizontally aligned holes in hollow beam 6 and carries at its inner end a yoke-and-

roller combination

29, 30 like that just described for rod 23. The roller is adjusted for a smooth fit against rack bar 10, below the horizontal plane through the axis of shaft 15, by

nuts

31, 32, as is clear from FIG. 4.

The guide rollers for rack bar ll, upper and lower, and their mountings, are duplicates of those just described for bar 10, so that it is sufficient to identify top bracket 33, top roller 34, its yoke 35. Also identified at FIG. 3 is threaded rod 37 on the inner end of which is fixed the yoke journaling the lower guide roller for rack bar I l, and similar in construction, purpose and function to roller 30 for bar 10, as previously described.

By the construction just described, rack bars l0, l1 and knife assembly 12 fixed to the lower ends thereof, are guided for accurate translation in response to rotation of shaft 15, in a vertical plane about midway between

columns

4 and 5.

At the rearward portion of base plate 8, a bracket 38 is bolted to the top surface of the plate. The bracket is apertured to pass shaft IS with clearance and has

bearings

39, 40

secured to it, aligned along an axis horizontally transverse to and above shaft 15. These bearings journal a shaft 41. The shaft has a worm 42 fixed thereto, and in mesh with gear 19 previously mentioned.

Shaft 41 is coupled at 43 to the output of a conventional speed reducer 44 bolted to extension 80 of base plate 8. At its outward end speed reducer 44 mounts a bracket 45 on which driving motor 46 is fixed, with its shaft coupled at 47 to the input of the reducer. The motor is reversible so that in one direction of rotation by the connections previously described, knife assembly 12 is positively forced downwardly. while in its other direction of rotation it is retracted upwardly. Referring to FIG. 1, it is noted that a concavely-upward arcuate plate 48 has its opposite edges secured to

bars

2 and 3, for support of a roll of material R such as paper or like sheet material. The plate is so proportioned and disposed that when a roll R is located thereon, the vertical radial plane through its axis coincides with the vertical plane of translation of the cutting edge of blade 14.

As a valuable adjunct l have provided the attachment shown upon FIG. 5. A pair of parallel duplicate arms, one of which appears at 49, have their upper ends pivoted in bearing brackets fixedly attached to the under side of bean 6, for conjoint pivoting about a common horizontal axis. The arms are parallel and between their ends are twisted 90 to journal between them, at their distal ends, a roller 50. The arms such as 49 are interconnected between their ends, by a rod 51 which, at about its mid point passes through the loop at one end of an eye-bolt 52. This bolt extends upwardly through an opening 53 in plate 8.

Above plate 8 the bolt is surrounded by a compression spring 54 surmounted by a collar 55 and nut 56 so that in a way obvious from inspection of FIG. 5, the force with which spring 54 urges bolt 52 upwardly can be varied as desired or necessary. When the cutter or knife assembly is in its normal upper or raised position, roller 50 bears against one beveled edge of knife 14 as shown, and thus in a way clear from inspection of FIG. 5, yieldingly holds it in elevated position. When the knife is forced downwardly by energization of motor 46, roller 50 rides on the smooth planar rear faces of rack bars and 11 and returns to the position shown automatically when the knife is again elevated to inactive position. Further, during downward cutting motion of the knife the attachment acts through roller 50 to assist in guiding the knife and rack bar assembly in smooth movement, without loose play.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified wiring diagram. Closure of main switch 57 readies the machine for operation. With a roll of paper in correct position on support 48, below knife 14, and with the knife elevated, when "down switch 58 is manually closed and held in such position, motor 46 is energized through down-limit switch 59 and by the construction previously described the knife is thrust downwardly to make a clean cut in the subjacent roll of paper. When the cut has been completed, switch 58 is released to stop motor 46 and then up switch 60 may be manually closed and held closed to reverse motor 46 and thereby effect upward retraction of the knife. This circuit passes through up-limit switch 61. The normally-closed

limit switches

59 and 61 are vertically adjustably fixed to suitable brackets on the frame. Switch 59 is located so that it will be engaged and opened by a lug 62 fixed with the top end of rack bar 10 a little after the knife arrives at the center or axis of the roll R. Similarly, up-limit switch 61 is so positioned that it will be engaged and opened by lug 62 when and as the knife moves into a position a little above its normal uppermost position. Thus as a safety feature these limit switches prevent excessive over-travel of the knife, both downwardly and upwardly.

Lamps

63 and 64 which may be of different color, are inserted into the up and down circuits respectively, and give a visual indication of the circuit actually closed at any given instant.

As numerous substitutions of equivalents, and changes of shape, form and relations and locations of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, after a study of the foregomg disclosure, the disclosure IS to be taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

lclaim:

l. A cutting machine comprising a frame, a platform fixed atop said frame, a first shaft journaled on said platform on one side thereof, for rotation on a first axis parallel therewith, first and second parallel rack bars spaced along said first axis and extending through apertures in said platform, normal thereto, first and second pinions fixed to said shaft in spaced relation therealong, in engagement with said rack bars, respectively, a first pair of rollers journaled on a second axis parallel with said first axis and fixed with said platform, each roller of said first pair being in rolling contact with the planar face of a respective one of said rack bars, opposite to the teeth thereof, and a second pair of rollers journaled on a third axis fixed with said platform, parallel with said second axis, parallel planes through said second and third axes and parallel with said platform, lying on opposite sides, respectively, of said first axis.

2. The machine of claim I, and means mounting each said roller on said frame, for adjustment toward and from its respective rack bar.

3. The machine of claim 1, said plane of said second axis lying on said one side of and parallel with said platform, more remote therefrom than said first axis, said third axis lying on said other side of the platform.

4. The machine of claim 3, said frame including spaced, ground-engaging foot bars, and mounting said platform horizontally elevated above and spaced relation with said foot bars, said knife assembly including a cutting edge essentially in the plane determined by said rack bars, and means carried by said foot bars for supporting and holding a roll of sheet material to be cut, with its axis horizontal and in the vertical plane through and below said cutting edge.

5. The machine of claim 1, a worm gear fixed with said first shaft, a second shaft journaled on said platform for rotation on an axis normal to and offset from said first axis, a worm gear fixed to said second shaft and in mesh with said gear, a driving motor, and speed reducer means carried by said platform and interconnecting said motor with said second shaft.

6. The machine of claim 5, a lug fixed to one said rack bars and projecting therefrom, and a control circuit for said motor including upward and downward normally closed switches in the path of said lug, to be opened thereby when said knife assembly is substantially in its uppermost and downwardmost limiting positions, respectively.

7. The machine of claim I, a pair of spaced parallel arms, bearing means pivoting said arms at one end thereof, on an axis offset from and parallel with said first axis, a backing roller journaled by and between said arms at the distal ends thereof, brace means interconnecting said arms for pivoting as a unit, and spring means connected with said arms and urging said backing roller with adjustable force, into engagement with the planar faces of both said rack bars.

8. The machine of claim 7, said knife assembly including a cutting blade with beveled edge, said backing roller yieldingly engaging said beveled edge when said knife assembly is in upper position, to releasably hold said assembly in upper position.

Claims

1. A cutting machine comprising a frame, a platform fixed atop said frame, a first shaft journaled on said platform on one side thereof, for rotation on a first axis parallel therewith, first and second parallel rack bars spaced along said first axis and extending through apertures in said platform, normal thereto, first and second pinions fixed to said shaft in spaced relation therealong, in engagement with said rack bars, respectively, a first pair of rollers journaled on a second axis parallel with said first axis and fixed with said platform, each roller of said first pair being in rolling contact with the planar face of a respective one of said rack bars, opposite to the teeth thereof, and a second pair of rollers journaled on a third axis fixed with said platform, parallel with said second axis, parallel planes through said second and third axes and parallel with said platform, lying on opposite sides, respectively, of said first axis.

2. The machine of claim 1, and means mounting each said roller on said frame, for adjustment toward and from its respective rack bar.

7. The machine of claim 1, a pair of spaced parallel arms, bearing means pivoting said arms at one end thereof, on an axis offset from and parallel with said first axis, a backing roller journaled by and between said arms at the distal ends thereof, brace means interconnecting said arms for pivoting as a unit, and spring means connected with said arms and urging said backing roller with adjustable force, into engagement with the planar faces of both said rack bars.