US3728925A

US3728925A - Paper trimmer

Info

Publication number: US3728925A
Application number: US00121047A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Peters
Original assignee: Box Innards Inc
Current assignee: Box Innards Inc
Priority date: 1971-03-04
Filing date: 1971-03-04
Publication date: 1973-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-24

Abstract

A paper trimmer for use in cutting a continuous strip of paper to a desired width as such a strip is conveyed along a path and occasionally moves tranversely to the path can be constructed utilizing a support extending transversely to the path, a carriage movably mounted on the support, guide means for engaging the strip and for conveying transverse motion of the strip to the carriage so as to move the carriage in accordance with such transverse motion and a cutter assembly mounted on the carriage for cutting the strip to a desired width as it moves along the path.

Description

O United States Patent 1 [111 3,728,925 Peters Apr. 24, 1973 [5 PAPER TRIMMER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Charles Peters, Anaheim, Calif- 252,563 6/1926 Great Britain ..83/441 [73] Assignee: Box nna ds, Inc. Anaheim Calif 418,180 10/l934 Great Britain ..83/441 22 i Man 4 1971 Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Attorney-Edward D. OBrian [21] Appl. No.: 121,047

[57] ABSTRACT A paper trimmer for use in cutting a continuous strip 83/498 of paper to a desired width as such a strip is conveyed [51] Int. Cl. ..B26d l/24 along a path and occasionally moves tranversely to the [58] Field of Search ..83/373, 425, 428, p can be constructed utilizing a Support extending 83/441, 482 560, 498 transversely to the path, a carriage movably mounted on the support, guide means for engaging the strip and 56] References Cited for conveying transverse motion of the strip to the carriage so as to move the carriage in accordance with UNITED STATES PATENTS such transverse motion and a cutter assembly mounted on the carriage for cutting the strip to a 2,316,249 4/1943 Johnson ..83/425 X desired width as it moves along the path 1,235,006 7/1917 Butler et al... ..83/441 909,854 1/1909 Denison ..83/441 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 24 I973 SHEET 1 OF 2 Y Y INVENTOR.

CHARLES L. PETE/2s fan/A20 D. OPE/Au PATENTEUAPR 24 I975 sum 2 OF 2 Eon/420 D. OER/AN ATrazA/EY PAPER TRIMMER CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Charles L. Peters, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 68,616 filed Sept. 1, 1970 entitled, Machine for Creating Divider Structures Such as are Used as Internal Partitions Within a Box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of divider structures such as are used as internal partitions to hold bottles within a box so that such bottles are separated from one another, the term paper" is used to designate the nature of the material used in such internal partitions. The term board is also used in substantially a synonymous manner to designate the material within such partitions. In a sense both of these terms are somewhat inaccurate or inappropriate as not completely indicating the characteristics or properties of a material as employed in such a partition.

A material as employed in such a partition should be relatively stiff and yet still should be sufficiently flexible so that it can be bent around a roller or the like as during manufacture. Such partitions are normally formed from strips of what may be referred to as cardboard or cardboard-like material. However, they may also be formed out of a material such as an expanded polystryne composition having physical properties related to the physical properties of cardboard. It is to be understood that the terms paper" and board" as employed in this specification and in the appended claims are utilized synonymously to designate any material having physical properties such as those indicated in this discussion.

Thus, these terms as used herein do not designate comparatively thin, non-self-supporting sheets or strips of material and do not designate sheets or strips of material which are so thick and inflexible in character that they cannot be handled as a flexible or somewhat flexible web or strip. To fall within the terms paper and board" employed in this specification, a material must, when in strip form, be sufficiently stiff so as to be capable of being handled in such a way that during such handling it will not easily bend yet it must be sufficiently flexible so that it can be conveniently processed.

Such paper or board as employed in the manufacture of dividerstructures as indicated in the preceding and/or as employed for other purposes is commonly supplied by a manufacturer in the form of a comparatively large roll of a continuous strip of material. Such rolls are comparatively hard to handle. They are frequently of a greater width than may be desired for a particular manufacturing operation. Thus, for example, a roll of paper for use in a machine as disclosed in the aforenoted application, Ser. No. 68,6]6 may be undesirably wide for use in forming a member in an internal partition. When such an undesirable width is encountered it is necessary to trim the strip of paper contained in such a roll to a desired width.

As a continuous strip of paper is supplied from a large supply roll, the edges of such a strip of paper frequently are not in a desired precise alignment. Further as such a strip is supplied so that its moved or conveyed along a path it will frequently shift or move transversely to the path. Such lack of alignment and such movement make it difficult to satisfactorily trim a strip of paper to a desired width and such trimming has been a problem. Various means have of course been suggested in order to accomplish trimming as herein indicated. Included within such means are structures which have cut off both edges ofa strip of paper as such a strip is moved along a path and moves transversely to the path.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for use in cutting or trimming a continuous strip of paper to a desired width as such a strip is conveyed or moved along a path and as such a strip moves transversely relative to said path as the result of factors which are unimportant to the present invention. Further objectives of the present invention are to provide an apparatus for the purpose indicated: which is comparatively inexpensive; which is comparatively easy to use; which is comparatively effective for its intended purpose; and which is capable of giving prolonged, reliable, relatively maintenance-free performance.

In accordance with this invention, these and various other related objectives of the invention as will be ap' parent from a detailed consideration of the remainder of this specification are achieved by providing a paper trimmer for use as described which comprises: a support extending transversely of the path along which a strip of paper is conveyed or moved; a carriage movably mounted on the support so as to be capable of being moved along the length of the support between the ends of it during movement of the strip transversely to the path; two edge guide means for engaging the side edges of the strip during movement of the strip along the path, these edge guide means being mounted on the carriage so as to engage the side edges of the strip and transfer transverse motion of the strip relative to the path to the carriage so as to move the carriage as the strip moves transversely relative to the path; and a cutter assembly means for cutting the strip to a desired width as the strip moves along the path, the cutter assembly means being mounted on the carriage so as to engage and cut the strip as the strip moves away from the carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

It will be realized that the accompanying drawings are primarily intended to be used for explanatory purposes in explaining the construction and operation of a presently preferred embodiment or form of a paper trimmer in accordance with this invention. The precise trimmer shown in the drawings is not the invention, but is only a specific unit embodying the essential concepts or features of the present invention as defined or summarized by the appended claims. These concepts or features can be easily embodied within other somewhat differently constructed trimmers or cutters through the use or exercise or of routine engineering skill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

In the drawings there is shown a paper trimmer in accordance with this invention used in cutting a continuous strip 12 of paper as this term is used herein to a desired width as such a strip 12 is conveyed along a path away from a conventional supply roll 14 through the operation of conventional powered feed rollers 16. Such rollers 16 grasp or engage the strip 12 so as to pull it off the roll 14, causing the roll 14 to rotate around a bar 18 serving as an axle. Usually the roll 14 will be provided with a central hub engaging this bar 18. The bar 18, the rollers 16, and the trimmer 10 may be mounted so as to be supported on a framework (not shown). If desired, each may be mounted on a separate framework.

When mounted a support 22 forming a part of the trimmer 10 is held so as to extend horizontally transverse to the path of travel of the strip 12 caused by the operation of the rollers 16. This support 22 preferably is an upwardly extending U-shaped channel of uniform cross-sectional configuration. This support 22 carries a carriage 26 in such a manner that this carriage 26 can be reciprocated or moved back and forth upon the support 22. The carriage 26 itself preferably includes a downwardly extending U-shaped channel 28 fitting over the support 22. This channel 28 carries a plurality of top support rollers 30 which engage the top edges 32 of the support 22. It also includes or carries a plurality of bottom rollers 34 engaging the base 38 of the support 22. The

rollers

30 and 34 are used in sufficient number and are spaced sufficiently far from one another so that the carriage 26 can only be moved in a linear path transverse to the path of travel of the strip 12.

The base 40 of the channel 38 is provided with a slot 42 extending in the direction of such travel. This slot 42 carries two edge guides 44 at a distance from one another corresponding to the width of the strip 12 prior to trimming. Each of these guides 44 includes a bottom plate 46, a top plate 48 and a bolt 50 holding these

plates

46 and 48 together on opposite sides of the base 40. It will be noted that the top plates 48 are provided with over hung shoulders 52 effectively providing notches between the edge guides 34 and the carriage 26 which carry the initial side edges 54 of the strip 12.

The paper trimmer 10 also includes a cutter assembly 56. This assembly employs a bottom plate 58 which is operatively secured to a top plate 60 through another bolt 62. The plate 60 carries a small bracket 64 which in turn supports a bearing 66 serving to hold a shaft 68 parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage 26 below the plane or surface of the base 40 of this carriage 26. This shaft 68 rotatably supports a small disk-like cutting wheel 70 as shown.

In the cutter assembly 56, the plate 60 also supports another bracket 72 which in turn supports a pin 74 extending parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage 26. This pin 74 extends through a support hole 76 carried by another bearing 78 which in turn, extends parallel to the bearing 66. The bracket 72 also carries an overhanging extension 80 having bifurcated arms 82 extending above the bearing 78. A pin 84 extending between the arms 72 rotatably supports a latching handle 86 in such a manner that a cam surface 88 carried by the handle 86 can, by movement of the handle 86, be forced against the bearing 78. When the handle 86 is in a position as shown it serves to hold this bearing 78 in such a position that a disk-like cutting wheel 90 corresponding to the wheel 70 carried by a shaft 92 extending through the bearing 78 is positioned relative to the cutting wheel 70 as shown. In this operative or closed position, the bearing 78 is forced away from the bearing 66 up against the cam surface 88 by a small coil spring 94 biased between the two

bearings

66 and 78.

In this closed position the larger surfaces 96 of the

wheels

70 and 90 overlap one another slightly as shown in FIG. 3 and are located in substantially the same plane. In this closed position the beveled edges 98 of these

wheels

70 and 90 both lead to or are positioned with respect to the surfaces 96 so that the junctures of these surfaces 96 and the edges 98 will serve as cutting edges. When the

wheels

70 and 90 are in this closed position, they engage the strip 12 so as to cut this strip 12 to a desired width corresponding to the placement of the

wheels

70 and 90 relative to the edge guides 44. The relative position between these edge guides 44 and of the cutter assembly 56 can of course be easily changed by loosening the

bolts

50 and 62 and moving the edge guides 44 and the cutter assembly 56 to a desired location. This makes it possible to use the trimmer 10 with strips 14 of various widths and to trim the strips passing through the trimmer 10 to various desired extents.

It is believed that the manner in which the trimmer 10 is set up for use will be essentially obvious. With the handle 86 in an open position, the strip 12 will be inserted between the guide edges 44 and the cutting

wheels

70 and 90 and will be inserted so as to pass between the feed rollers 16. The handle 86 may then be returned to a vertical position as shown and the feed rollers 16 operated. During such operation the friction between the strip 12 and the

wheels

70 and 90 will cause rotation of these wheels.

In the use of the trimmer 10 these edge guides 44 will engage the edges of the strip 12 in such a manner that the inherent physical characteristics or properties of the strip 12 will convey through the guides 44 to the carriage 26 any shifting of the strip 12 transverse to the path of this strip. As a consequence of this, the carriage 26 will be moved in accordance with any travel or movement of the strip 12 transverse to the normal direction or movement of the strip 12, as a consequence or direct result of such movement.

During movement of the carriage 26 described, the cutter assembly 56 will of course move back and forth with the carriage 26 and will always remain at a fixed relative position with respect to the edge guides 44. As a consequence of this, the strip 12 will be slit, cut or trimed to a desired fixed width as this strip 12 is pulled through the paper trimmer by the operation of the feed rollers 16. Hence, these feed rollers 16 supply the power for the operation of the trimmer 10. This is considered significant since these feed rollers 16 are normally required for other purposes than the operation of a paper trimmer 10 in an apparatus.

lclaim:

1. A paper trimmer for use in cutting a continuous strip of paper to a desired width as such a strip is conveyed along a path and moves transversely relative to said path which comprises:

an elongated support extending transversely to said path,

a wheeled carriage movably mounted on said support so as to be capable of being reciprocated on its wheels along the length of said support between the ends thereof as said strip moves transversely relative to said path, said carriage having a top on which said strip of paper rests as it moves along said path,

two edge guide means for engaging the side edges of said strip during movement of said strip along said path, said edge guide means being mounted on said carriage so as to engage and overlie the side edges of said strip above said top in order to transfer transverse motion of said strip relative to said path to said carriage so as to move said carriage as said strip moves transversely relative to said path,

a cutter assembly means for cutting said strip as said strip moves along said path, said cutter assembly means being mounted on said carriage so as to engage and out said strip as said strip moves away from said carriage.

2 A paper trimmer as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said cutter assembly comprises coacting cutter wheels, one above and the other below said path, said cutter wheels are flat, disk-like wheels having beveled peripheries and said cutter wheels are rotatably mounted in said assembly so that the largest sides of said wheels overlap one another,

one of said wheels is mounted so as to rotate in a fixed position relative to said carriage and the other of said wheels is movably mounted relative to said carriage so as to facilitate the use of said paper trimmer,

said cutter assembly includes cam clamp means for clamping said other of said wheels relative to said one of said wheels in an operative position.

Claims

1. A paper trimmer for use in cutting a continuous strip of paper to a desired width as such a strip is conveyed along a path and moves transversely relative to said path which comprises: an elongated support extending transversely to said path, a wheeled carriage movably mounted on said support so as to be capable of being reciprocated on its wheels along the length of said support between the ends thereof as said strip moves transversely relative to said path, said carriage having a top on which said strip of paper rests as it moves along said path, two edge guide means for engaging the side edges of said strip during movement of said strip along said path, said edge guide means being mounted on said carriage so as to engage and overlie the side edges of said strip above said top in order to transfer transverse motion of said strip relative to said path to said carriage so as to move said carriage as said strip moves transversely relative to said path, a cutter assembly means for cutting said strip as said strip moves along said path, said cutter assembly means being mounted on said carriage so as to engage and cut said strip as said strip moves away from said carriage.

2. A paper trimmer as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said cutter assembly comprises coacting cutter wheels, one above and the other below said path, said cutter wheels are flat, disk-like wheels having beveled peripheries and said cutter wheels are rotatably moUnted in said assembly so that the largest sides of said wheels overlap one another, one of said wheels is mounted so as to rotate in a fixed position relative to said carriage and the other of said wheels is movably mounted relative to said carriage so as to facilitate the use of said paper trimmer, said cutter assembly includes cam clamp means for clamping said other of said wheels relative to said one of said wheels in an operative position.