US4403533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High accuracy slitter system
Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone Inc
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Filing: 1981-07-23
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Granted: 1983-09-13
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Expires: 2001-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A high accuracy slitter system including both method and apparatus for aligning and cutting an elongate web of reinforced elastic material into multiple strips wherein the improved guiding apparatus includes mechanisms for both aligning the web relative to either its longitudinal center line or one of its edges while keeping the web in a generally flat condition and wherein the improved moving member includes a porous conveying member having a plurality of guide members for restraining the member against lateral movement. In a method for aligning and slitting, the improvement includes the steps of aligning the web; keeping it in a generally flat condition while aligning; and restraining the conveying member against lateral movement during slitting.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest R. Cox
- 👤 Duane E. Snyder, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:31
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/38; B29D30/46; B29D2030/466; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0605; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/6472; Y10T83/6572; Y10T83/6576; Y10T83/6584; Y10T83/6606; Y10T83/6633; Y10T83/727; Y10T83/744; Y10T83/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
In an apparatus for aligning and cutting an elongate web of reinforced elastic material into multiple strips which includes in combination: i. means, including a porous substrate, for continuously moving the web in a direction parallel to its length toward and through a cutting or slitting apparatus; ii. means for providing a cushion of gas between said substrate and said web to permit ready transverse movement of said web; iii. guiding means for aligning said web; and iv. means for providing a zone of reduced pressure between said substrate and said web, in said cutting or slitting apparatus, to firmly hold said web to said means for moving; wherein the improvement comprises: (a) said guiding means includes mechanisms for both aligning said web relative to one of its longitudinal center lines and one of its edges as well as for keeping said web in a generally flat condition; and (b) said means for moving includes a moveable porous member having means for restraining said member against lateral movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an apparatus for aligning and cutting an elongate web of reinforced elastic material into multiple strips which includes in combination: i. means, including a porous substrate, for continuously moving the web in a direction parallel to its length toward and through a cutting or slitting apparatus; ii. means for providing a cushion of gas between said substrate and said web to permit ready transverse movement of said web; iii. guiding means for aligning said web; and iv. means for providing a zone of reduced pressure between said substrate and said web, in said cutting or slitting apparatus, to firmly hold said web to said means for moving; wherein the improvement comprises: (a) said guiding means includes mechanisms for both aligning said web relative to one of its longitudinal center lines and one of its edges as well as for keeping said web in a generally flat condition; and (b) said means for moving includes a moveable porous member having means for restraining said member against lateral movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for aligning said web relative to its longitudinal center line includes at least two interconnected pairs of opposed rollers in operative transversely-moveable biasing contact with said opposed edges of said web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 2 wherein said pairs of opposed rollers are interconnected, via a flexible cable, in a manner to produce equal but opposite movements in response to web width variations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for aligning said web relative to one of its edges includes at least two pairs of opposed rollers with one pair of said rollers being in constant transversely-moveable biasing contact with the other of the web edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 4 wherein said other pair of said rollers is fixed against transverse movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claims 2 or 4 wherein said mechanism for keeping said web in a generally flat condition includes a plurality of spaced ball rollers or casters mounted above said web and adapted to engage the top surface of said web as a result of the cushion of gas existing between said substrate and said web, said rollers or casters also permitting ready lateral movement of said web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 1 wherein said moveable porous member takes the form of a conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 7 wherein said means for restraining said member against lateral movement take the form of a plurality of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending guide members attached to the lower surface of said conveyor belt, said guide members being adapted to closely fit into a recessed channel in said porous substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 1 wherein said elongate web of reinforced material comprises pneumatic tire tread ply material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved apparatus for aligning and cutting of claim 9 wherein said tread ply material has high angle bias cord reinforcements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method for aligning and slitting an elongate web of reinforced elastic material into multiple strips including the steps of: i. at least partially supporting said web on a cushion of gas acting through a porous supporting and advancing means; ii. aligning said web; iii. adhering said web to said advancing means; and iv. slitting said web, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) aligning said web relative to one of its longitudinal center lines and one of its edges; (b) keeping said web in a generally flat condition while aligning said web; and (c) restraining said advancing means against lateral movement at least during said slitting step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method for aligning and slitting an elongate web of reinforced elastic material into multiple strips including the steps of: i. at least partially supporting said web on a cushion of gas acting through a porous supporting and advancing means; ii. aligning said web; iii. adhering said web to said advancing means; and iv. slitting said web, wherein the improvement comprises: (a) aligning said web relative to one of its longitudinal center lines and one of its edges; (b) keeping said web in a generally flat condition while aligning said web; and (c) restraining said advancing means against lateral movement at least during said slitting step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improved method for aligning and slitting of claim 11 wherein the step of centering said web relative to its longitudinal center line is accomplished via two interconnected pairs of opposed rollers in operative transversely-moveable biasing contact with the opposed edges of said web.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improved method for aligning and slitting of claim 11 wherein the step of aligning said web relative to one of its edges is accomplished via at least two pairs of opposed rollers with one pair of said rollers being in constant transversely-moveable biasing contact with the other of its edges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improved method for aligning and slitting of claims 12 or 13 wherein the step of keeping said web in a generally flat condition, while aligning said web, is accomplished via a plurality of spaced ball rollers or casters mounted above said web and adapted to engage the top surface of said web.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improved method for aligning and slitting of claim 11 wherein the step of restraining said advancing means against lateral movement is accomplished by providing said advancing means with a plurality of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending guide members, said guide members being adapted to closely fit into a channel in said supporting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improved method for aligning and slitting of claim 11 wherein said elastic sheet comprises pneumatic tire tread ply material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved method for aligning and slitting of claim 16 wherein said tread ply material has high angle bias cord reinforcements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-12 | 1987-03-14 | 1987-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-12 | 1991-03-14 | 1991-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-12 | 1995-03-14 | 1995-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |