US3791567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Web gripping, advancing apparatus
Assignee: Gloucester Engineering Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-17
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-12-17
Abstract
Abstract Web gripping, advancing and forming apparatus operable periodically upon successive portions of a continuous web such as heat-softened plastic sheet for forming articles therefrom. The advancing mechanism includes a pair of elongated indexing jaws disposed in an axial direction parallel to the length of the web, arranged together to grip the web over a long extent in the direction of the length of the web, a driver for advancing and retracting the indexing jaws in the axial direction and a clamping assembly, fixed in the axial direction, the clamping assembly mounted to clamp the jaws together while permitting their axial movement for advancing the web, and to release the jaws while permitting their axial retracting movement. A clamping mechanism includes a spaced apart series of pressing members arranged to press a jaw against a web, the series of pressing members connected to a series of cranks operated in unison by a control rod, preferably with springs either biasing the cranks to gripping position or springs interposed between the control rod and cranks so that the rod acts through springs in urging the jaw to gripping position. Pressing members in the form of rollers permit relative axial movement of jaws, forming a path therefor. The axially moving indexing jaws, of low inertia and lacking self-support against buckling, are slidably guided and supported by axially fixed surfaces including holding jaws. The mechanism extends the length of both warming ovens and forming dies.
Inventors
- 👤 C Schott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H20/00; B65H20/16; B65H20/18; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/261; B65G; B65G25/00; B65G25/04; B65G25/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a machine operable periodically upon successive portions of a continuous web, the machine including an advancing mechanism, the improvement wherein said advancing mechanism includes a pair of elongated indexing jaws disposed in an axial direction in the direction of the length of the web, arranged together to grip said web over an elongated region extending in the direction of the length of the web, a driver for advancing and retracting said indexing jaws in the axial direction and a clamping assembly, fixed in the axial direction, said clamping assembly mounted to clamp said jaws together while permitting their axial movement for advancing the web, and to release said jaws while permitting their axial retracting movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a machine operable periodically upon successive portions of a continuous web, the machine including an advancing mechanism, the improvement wherein said advancing mechanism includes a pair of elongated indexing jaws disposed in an axial direction in the direction of the length of the web, arranged together to grip said web over an elongated region extending in the direction of the length of the web, a driver for advancing and retracting said indexing jaws in the axial direction and a clamping assembly, fixed in the axial direction, said clamping assembly mounted to clamp said jaws together while permitting their axial movement for advancing the web, and to release said jaws while permitting their axial retracting movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said pair of indexing jaws are disposed to act along a first edge of said web and a second pair of indexing jaws are disposed along an opposite edge to cooperate with said first pair of indexing jaws in positioning said web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The machine of claim 2 including, along each edge, a first holding jaw, an opposed second holding jaw, and a clamping assembly, said holding jaws being elongated and disposed in the direction of the axis of said web, and the respective clamping assembly mounted to press said holding jaws together to hold said web stationary during retraction of said indexing jaws and to release said web during advancement of saiD indexing jaws.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said clamping assembly includes a plurality of devices disposed at positions spaced apart longitudinally along the length of said indexing jaws.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The machine of claim 4 wherein said devices comprise two sets of rollers, one set associated with each such index jaw, the rollers arranged to define a guide path for said indexing jaws, said path extending in the direction of travel of said jaws, the said sets adapted to apply oppositely acting clamping forces to said jaws.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The machine of claim 5 wherein said rollers are spring loaded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine of claim 6 including a mechanism for moving said rollers in coordination to apply said clamping forces during advancement of said indexing jaws and to release said forces during retraction of said indexing jaws.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The machine of claim 7 wherein said indexing jaws lack self-support against detrimental flexing in a lateral direction and including lateral guides adapted to prevent said flexing while guiding movement of said indexing jaws.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The machine of claim 8 wherein said indexing jaws comprise elongated bars of substantially rectangular cross-section, each of said bars having a thickness less than one-fifth of its width, the widthwise direction of said bars arranged in the direction of clamping forces and said lateral guides arranged to support said bars in the direction of thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 7 wherein said roller moving mechanism includes a hydraulically driven push rod and cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The machine of claim 7 wherein each said roller is mounted for rotation about an axis on a crank and wherein said crank is rotatably mounted on an axis parallel to and displaced from said roller axis whereby rotation of said crank moves said roller to forceably bear on one said indexing jaw.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
The machine of claim 7 wherein the rollers of each set are all of the same diameter and arranged to define a straight line path for the respective indexing jaws, said straight lines being parallel to each other and to the direction of travel of the jaws, the jaws having roller-engaging surfaces that are straight and parallel to said direction of travel, whereby, as said jaws advance, the points of application of force progressively shift relative to the jaws themselves without change of position of the jaws relative to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The machine of claim 12 including a series of cranks associated with one set of said rollers, one crank with each roller, said cranks connected to move in unison to change the spacing of said rollers relative to said second set of rollers thereby to apply and relieve said clamping forces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine of claim 13 including a push rod connecting said cranks, a spring interposed between each crank and said rod effective to resiliently urge the respective roller against the respective jaw.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A web advancing mechanism comprising two sets of opposed, elongated jaws mounted side by side, a first set comprising indexing jaws mounted for axial movement, the second set comprising holding jaws, said indexing jaws and said holding jaws having slide surfaces, each indexing jaw being disposed against and slidably guided by a respective holding jaw during axial movement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A web advancing mechanism comprising two sets of opposed, elongated jaws mounted side by side, a first set comprising indexing jaws mounted for axial movement, the second set comprising holding jaws, said indexing jaws and said holding jaws having slide surfaces, each indexing jaw being disposed against and slidably guided by a respective holding jaw during axial movement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The advancing mechanism of claim 15 wherein a said indexing jaw is reciprocable in the transverse direction, perpendicular to the web for gripping and releasing said web, said respective holding jaw constructed and arranged to guide said indexing jaw in both axial and transverse directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The advancing mechanism of claim 15 wherein said indexing jaw comprises a strip-form member having oppositely directed planar side surfaces, one of said side surfaces engaged with and guided by the respective holding jaw, the opposite side surface engaged by and guided by a complementary guide means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The advancing mechanism of claim 15 wherein a said indexing jaw is flexible, and non-self-supporting in the direction perpendicular to its slide surFace, the slide surface of the respective holding jaw supporting said indexing jaw against columnar buckling, enabling said indexing jaw to be driven axially in a straight line.
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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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |