US3713570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for cutting glass tubes
Assignee: Kahle Engineering Co
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Filing: 1971-09-17
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-09-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved means is disclosed for cutting glass tubes at a precise position and with an evenly cut end. The device may be used alone as a glass tube cutter or it may be incorporated in a larger glass forming machine at a separate tube cutting station. The tube cutter has a crack-off wheel rotatably mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of the glass tube being cut. This wheel has a capillary groove in its rim which holds a bead of water below a dry projecting wheel edge. The rotating crack-off wheel brings the bead of water into contact with the heated glass tube resulting in a precisely positioned and even cut or crack-off of the glass tubing at the point contacted by the water bead.
Inventors
- 👤 H Heflich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:20
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B33/00; C03B33/06; C03B33/09; C03B33/095; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
An improved crack-off means for glass tubing comprising the combination of: a crack-off wheel; means for rotating the crack-off wheel; and means for forming a circular bead of water on the wheel edge including a capillary groove and means for feeding water into the groove to form the bead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
An improved crack-off means for glass tubing comprising the combination of: a crack-off wheel; means for rotating the crack-off wheel; and means for forming a circular bead of water on the wheel edge including a capillary groove and means for feeding water into the groove to form the bead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An improved crack-off means for glass tubing comprising the combination of: a crack-off wheel; means for rotating the crack-off wheel; and means for forming a circular bead of water on the wheel edge including a capillary groove and means for feeding water into the groove to form the bead.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An improved crack-off means for glass tubing comprising the combination of: a crack-off wheel; means for rotating the crack-off wheel; and means for forming a circular bead of water on the wheel edge including a capillary groove and means for feeding water into the groove to form the bead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 1 in which the edge of said crack-off wheel on one side of said capillary groove extends radially outwardly further than the edge of said crack-off wheel on the other side of said groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 2 in which said further extending edge comprises an upper edge and the water feeding means supplies water over the lower wheel edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 3 which further comprises means for blowing excess water from the edge of said crack-off wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises mounting means for said wheel including means for yieldably urging said wheel toward the glass tubing, and adjustable stop means to determine the position of greatest wheel movement toward the tubing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 1 in which said water feeding means comprises a water absorbent wheel having its edge engaging said crack-off wheel adjacent said capillary groove, and a conduit for supplying water to said absorbent wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An improved crack-off means for generally vertically held glass tubing comprising the combination of: a horizontal positioned crack-off wheel; means for rotating the crack-off wheel; means for forming a circular bead of water on the wheel edge including a capillary groove; means for feeding water into the groove to form a self-supporting bead; the upper edge of said crack-off wheel above said groove extending radially outwardly beyond the lower edge of said crack-off wheel below said groove; and said water feeding means comprising a water absorbent wheel engaging the lower edge of said crack-off wheel and means supplying water to said water absorbent wheel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
An improved crack-off means for generally vertically held glass tubing comprising the combination of: a horizontal positioned crack-off wheel; means for rotating the crack-off wheel; means for forming a circular bead of water on the wheel edge including a capillary groove; means for feeding water into the groove to form a self-supporting bead; the upper edge of said crack-off wheel above said groove extending radially outwardly beyond the lower edge of said crack-off wheel below said groove; and said water feeding means comprising a water absorbent wheel engaging the lower edge of said crack-off wheel and means supplying water to said water absorbent wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 7 which further comprises means for blowing excess water from said crack-off wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The crack-off means as claimed in claim 7 which further comprises mounting means for said wheel including means for yieldably urging said wheel toward the glass tubing, and adjustable stop means to determine the position of greatest wheel movement toward the tubing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |