Abstract A can end trimmer is disclosed including a main frame, a main rotary shaft mounted for rotation on the main frame and a plurality of self-contained cutter unit assemblies detachably connectable to the main shaft. Each cutter unit assembly includes first and second rotary cutter knives having circular cutting edges with one knife being mounted for movement between a first position having its cutting edge spaced from the cutting edge of the other knife and a second position having its cutting edge overlying the cutting edge of the other knife. A rotary vacuum chuck is mounted for cam controlled reciprocation toward and away from the cutter members for positioning a can end over the movable rotary knife when the knife is in its first or open position, subsequent closure of the knife trims the can end and subsequent opening of the knife permits the holder to retract the finished can from the cutting position; a unique stripper ring discharges the scrap ring to a separate receiving area. Finger discs mounted on the main shaft provide unique work handling functions for removing unfinished cans from an infeed means and positioning the cans for engagement by the vacuum chuck and for aiding in discharge of finished cans to an outfeed means. Control means for the cutter unit is supported by the main shaft or frame and the entire cutter unit can be removed for maintenance or placement with minimum difficulty. Another embodiment of the invention employs a central cutter knife and planetary cutter knives movable to overlying relation with respect to a cutting edge of the central knife for effecting the trimming of can ends positioned over the planetary knife members by automatic handling means similar to that of the first embodiment.
Rotary cutting means usuable with a like manner as a cutting couple comprising: a cutter shaft portion having an outer end surface extending radially with respect to its axis, removable flange means mounted on said cutter shaft portion defining a radial abutment flange surface extending radially outwardly adjacent the outer end surface of the cutter shaft portion, a rotary knife member formed of a relatively thin cutter disc having planar sides the outer periphery of which define first and second peripheral cutting edges and an axial aperture matingly received over said cutter shaft portion, a slide sleeve including a radial surface facing said abutment flange surface mounted on said cutter shaft for axial reciprocation with respect thereto, said relatively thin cutter disc being positioned between the radial surface of the slide sleeve and the abutment flange surface; and biassing means for urging said slide sleeve toward said removable flange means so that oen of said planar sides of said relatively thin cutter disc is positively and accurately positioned against said abutment flange to provide an accurate positioning of the cutting edge defining the outer periphery of the planar side engaging the abutment flange surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
Rotary cutting means usuable with a like manner as a cutting couple comprising: a cutter shaft portion having an outer end surface extending radially with respect to its axis, removable flange means mounted on said cutter shaft portion defining a radial abutment flange surface extending radially outwardly adjacent the outer end surface of the cutter shaft portion, a rotary knife member formed of a relatively thin cutter disc having planar sides the outer periphery of which define first and second peripheral cutting edges and an axial aperture matingly received over said cutter shaft portion, a slide sleeve including a radial surface facing said abutment flange surface mounted on said cutter shaft for axial reciprocation with respect thereto, said relatively thin cutter disc being positioned between the radial surface of the slide sleeve and the abutment flange surface; and biassing means for urging said slide sleeve toward said removable flange means so that oen of said planar sides of said relatively thin cutter disc is positively and accurately positioned against said abutment flange to provide an accurate positioning of the cutting edge defining the outer periphery of the planar side engaging the abutment flange surface.