Abstract An improved conveyorized sheet cutter is herein described for cutting a plurality of stacked sheets of thermoplastic material, and the like. A first conveyor is provided for moving stacked sheets of material along a first conveyorized path and an elongated tensioning block is disposed beneath the sheets of thermoplastic material to urge upwardly against the moving material, so as to tension the material. The tensioning block may be formed with a channel for receiving a razor-blade which may be mounted on a second conveyor disposed for movement along the channel, for cutting sheet material held taut across the channel. The first and second conveyor systems are driven through a common drive shaft so as to be mechanically synchronized. As a result thereof, the angle of cutting bias necessary to cut squared off sheets of moving material is constant, regardless of the speed of sheet material travel. In one form of the invention, a plurality of cords may be provided to extend outwardly from leading and trailing edges of the tensioning block for the purpose of supporting the moving sheet material before and immediately after the razor-blade has cut the sheet. The plurality of cords may take the form of a continuous loop having a resilient member incorporated therein for the purpose of maintaining tension in each of the plurality of cords.
Apparatus for severing a travelling web of material transversely into sections of predetermined length comprising means for moving said web longitudinally, a cutting assembly extending transversely of said web of material and including tensioning means bearing against one surface of said web and formed with a slot therein facing said web and a cutter movable transversely of said web of material across the opposite surface of said web parallel to said tensioning means and having a cutting portion thereof extending into said slot to sever the web transversely upon movement of the cutter across said web, means for coordinating the speed of travel of said web of material and said cutter at all speeds of travel of said web, said cutting assembly being movable with respect to said web to a selected angle with respect to the direction of travel of said web to cause said web to be severed transversely at right angles to the direction of movement of said web.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for severing a travelling web of material transversely into sections of predetermined length comprising means for moving said web longitudinally, a cutting assembly extending transversely of said web of material and including tensioning means bearing against one surface of said web and formed with a slot therein facing said web and a cutter movable transversely of said web of material across the opposite surface of said web parallel to said tensioning means and having a cutting portion thereof extending into said slot to sever the web transversely upon movement of the cutter across said web, means for coordinating the speed of travel of said web of material and said cutter at all speeds of travel of said web, said cutting assembly being movable with respect to said web to a selected angle with respect to the direction of travel of said web to cause said web to be severed transversely at right angles to the direction of movement of said web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim No. 1, wherein ord means extends from leading and trailing edges of said tensioning member generally in the direction of said first path, to support moving sheet material immediately before and after said material is cut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim No. 2, wherein said cord means comprises a plurality of low friction cords extending forwardly from said tensioning member to a first transversely extending bar and, then back upon itself to a second transversely extending bar and, again, back upon itself to the leading edge of said tensioning means, to complete a loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim No. 3, wherein said cord means is provided with yieldable resilient means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein there are feed rolls located on one side of said cutting assembly and take-up rolls located on the opposite side of said assembly and said tEnsioning means is displaced with respect to said feed rolls and take-up rolls so as to place said web under tension as it travels over the tensioning means and across the slot therein.