Oscillating knife-rotating anvil flying cutter

Claim 2

A flying knife for synchronously cutting continuously translating material, comprising: cutting means, means for oscillating the cutting means; means for periodically pivoting the cutting means to oppositely pointing alignment with the oscillating means axis, thereby periodically extending the cutting means for cutting; means for supporting translating material at a position for cutting on oscillation of the extended cutting means and for clearing on oscillation of the cutting means when not extended; means for adjustably synchronizing operation of the cutting means with translation of material for cutting, including: means for measuring the velocity and distance of translation of material, means for measuring the angular velocity and position of the oscillating means, means for setting cut length required, and means responsive to all said measuring and setting means for thereby controlling velocity and repetition rate of said oscillation of the cutting means.

Claim 3

A flying knife as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for measuring velocity and distance of translation of material includes a tracking wheel, a support for holding the tracking wheel in contact with translating material, a roller adapted for rotating in synchronism with material translation velocity, and a connection adapted to bring the tracking wheel and the roller in contact in the absence of material for tracking.

Claim 4

A flying knife as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for adjustably synchronizing operation of the cutting means includes means for adjusting extension of the cutting means in proportion to position, direction of rotation, and oscillation rate of the oscillating means.

Claim 5

A flying knife for cutting continuously moving material, comprising: a shaft having an axis of rotation, a first actuator adapted for oscillating the shaft about said axis of rotation, a blade having pivotal connection with a radial portion of the shaft, a second actuator adapted for pivoting the blade away from and toward the shaft, thereby radially extending and retracting the blade with respect to the shaft; a stop adapted for limiting pivotal motion of the blade in one direction with the blade in the extended position; a roller adapted for continuous rolling, a frame positioninG the roller to support continuously moving material for cutting between said roller and the blade on oscillation of the shaft with the blade in the extended position; a control system having a sensor assembly for measuring velocity and travel of continuously moving material and adapted through connection with the first actuator for adjustably proportioning the velocity and frequency of oscillation of the shaft in response to said measurements, and means for causing the second actuator to extend and retract the knife blade repetitively in respective successive half cycles of shaft oscillation.

Claim 6

A flying knife for cutting continuously moving material, comprising: a shaft having an axis of rotation, a first actuator adapted for oscillating the shaft about said axis of rotation, a blade having pivotal connection with a radial portion of the shaft, a second actuator adapted for pivoting the blade away from and toward the shaft, thereby radially extending and retracting the blade with respect to the shaft; a stop adapted for limiting pivotal motion of the blade in one direction with the blade in the extended position; a roller adapted for continuous rolling, a frame positioninG the roller to support continuously moving material for cutting between said roller and the blade on oscillation of the shaft with the blade in the extended position; a control system having a sensor assembly for measuring velocity and travel of continuously moving material and adapted through connection with the first actuator for adjustably proportioning the velocity and frequency of oscillation of the shaft in response to said measurements, and means for causing the second actuator to extend and retract the knife blade repetitively in respective successive half cycles of shaft oscillation.

Claim 7

A flying knife as recited in claim 4, wherein the shaft axis and the blade pivot axis are spaced in parallel relation with the roller axis, with the blade pivot axis positioned intermediate the distance of said spacing.

Claim 8

A flying knife as recited in claim 5, wherein the roller has a yielding surface and wherein the roller is positioned to receive a portion of the blade in said yielding surface during cutting.

Claim 9

A flying knife as recited in claim 6, and means for continuously rotating the roller at a rate synchronous with velocity of material to be cut.

Claim 10

A flying knife as recited in claim 4, wherein the control system sensor assembly includes means for tracking moving material, wherein a driven roller is provided adjacent said means for tracking moving material, and whereas a movable connection is provided for bringing together the means for tracking moving material and the driven roller in the absence of moving material.

Claim 11

A flying knife for synchronously cutting continuously translating material, comprising cutting means, means for oscillating the cutting means including a shaft having intermediate the length thereof a relatively small diamter portion adapted for receiving bearing support and oscillatory drive, with a relatively large diameter tubular portion outboard each side of the relatively small diameter portion, said relatively large diameter tubular portions having pivot structure co-axially aligned along a peripheral portion thereof for pivotally mounting said cutting means; means for periodically pivoting the cutting means to oppositely pointing alignment with the oscillating means axis, thereby periodically extending the cutting means for cutting; means for supporting translating material at a position for cutting on oscillation of the extended cutting means and for clearing on oscillation of the cutting means when not extended, and means for adjustably synchronizing operation of the cutting means with translation of material for cutting.

Claim 12

A flying knife for synchronously cutting continuously translating material, comprising cutting means, means for oscillating the cutting means including a shaft having intermediate the length thereof a relatively small diamter portion adapted for receiving bearing support and oscillatory drive, with a relatively large diameter tubular portion outboard each side of the relatively small diameter portion, said relatively large diameter tubular portions having pivot structure co-axially aligned along a peripheral portion thereof for pivotally mounting said cutting means; means for periodically pivoting the cutting means to oppositely pointing alignment with the oscillating means axis, thereby periodically extending the cutting means for cutting; means for supporting translating material at a position for cutting on oscillation of the extended cutting means and for clearing on oscillation of the cutting means when not extended, and means for adjustably synchronizing operation of the cutting means with translation of material for cutting.

Claim 13

A flying knife as recited in claim 9 wherein the cutting means comprises a knife bar having a slot, a blade protrusively affixed in the knife bar slot, and pivot structure along the knife bar adapted for pivotal co-action with said shaft pivot structure.