US3875836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet cutter
Assignee: Imperial Group PLC
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Filing: 1974-03-04
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A device and method for cutting light porous fragile sheet material, e.g. sheets of reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The sheet is transported along a surface e.g. a roller, with traverse grooves across which it is sucked to hold it in tension during cutting e.g. by longitudinal cutters on a second roller. If desired the sheet can also be cut along its direction of transportation, e.g. by cutting discs.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Hutchinson
- 👤 Christopher Jump
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:19
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D11/00; A; A24; A24B; A24B7/00; A24B7/04; B26D1/00; B26D1/01; B26D1/12; B26D1/25; B26D1/34; B26D1/40; B26D1/405; B26D1/56; B26D1/62; B26D1/626; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0405; Y10T83/0419; Y10T83/0424; Y10T83/0515; Y10T83/0524; Y10T83/0538; Y10T83/0548; Y10T83/0553; Y10T83/0562; Y10T83/202; Y10T83/2066; Y10T83/207; Y10T83/465; Y10T83/4699; Y10T83/4702; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/6476; Y10T83/6489; Y10T83/6491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for continuously cutting sheet material comprising a. transporting means providing a surface movable to transport said sheet material in a given direction, said transporting surface having a plurality of grooves transverse to said given direction, b. means for increasing the tension of said sheet across said grooves by sucking said sheet partially into said grooves, said means including conduit means connected to said grooves and adapted to be connected to a vacuum, and c. cutting means for engaging said sheet material within said grooves when said sheet material is tensioned by said tension increasing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for continuously cutting sheet material comprising a. transporting means providing a surface movable to transport said sheet material in a given direction, said transporting surface having a plurality of grooves transverse to said given direction, b. means for increasing the tension of said sheet across said grooves by sucking said sheet partially into said grooves, said means including conduit means connected to said grooves and adapted to be connected to a vacuum, and c. cutting means for engaging said sheet material within said grooves when said sheet material is tensioned by said tension increasing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising d. means for blowing said sheet material off said transporting means after cutting of said sheet material, said means including a source of fluid under pressure adapted to be connected to said conduit means connected to said grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as recited in claim 2 further comprising e. means for continuously cutting said sheet material along its direction of transportation to intersect transverse cuts and so further divide said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the transporting means is a roller having longitudinal grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein the cutting means comprise longitudinal cutters outwardly disposed on a second roller mounted and dimensioned so that during rotation each cutter engages with a longitudinal groove in the transporting roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1 further comprising means for continuously cutting the sheet material along its direction of transportation to intersect transverse cuts and so further divide the material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein the means for continuously cutting the sheet material along its direction of transportation comprises a series of rotatably mounted cutting discs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein the transporting surface carries a series of grooves each parallel to the direction of transport, the cutting discs being mounted to act upon the sheet where it lies over the grooves.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of continuously cutting light, porous, fragile sheet material such as a tobacco substitute sheet, said method comprising the steps of a. transporting said sheet in a given direction via a movable transporting surface having grooves therein disposed transversly to said given direction, b. tensioning said sheet across said grooves by applying a vacuum to said grooves to partially suck said sheet into said grooves, and c. cutting said sheet within said grooves while said sheet is so tensioned.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of continuously cutting light, porous, fragile sheet material such as a tobacco substitute sheet, said method comprising the steps of a. transporting said sheet in a given direction via a movable transporting surface having grooves therein disposed transversly to said given direction, b. tensioning said sheet across said grooves by applying a vacuum to said grooves to partially suck said sheet into said grooves, and c. cutting said sheet within said grooves while said sheet is so tensioned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 9 comprising the further step of d. repelling said sheet from said transporting surface after cutting of said sheet by applying fluid under pressure to said grooves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 10 comprising the further step of e. continuously cutting said sheet along its direction of transportation to intersect said transverse cuts and so further divide said sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |