Ring forming machine

Claim 2

APPARATUS FOR THE-PRODUCTION OF ANNULAR ARTICLES FROM ELONGATED WORKPIECES OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, THE ELONGATED WORKPIECE HAVING A FIRST AND A SECOND END, COMPRISING: A. A BASE, B. A FIRST CLAMP MOVABLY ATTACHED TO THE BASE AND ADAPTED TO GRASP THE FIRST END OF THE WORKPIECE, C. A SECOND CLAMP MOVABLY ATTACHED TO THE BASE AND ADAPTED TO GRASP THE SECOND END OF THE WORKPIECE, D. A HEATING PLATE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE BASE AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSED, PARALLEL SURFACES, E. POSITIONING MEANS FOR PRESENTING THE FIRST END OF THE WORKPIECE TO THE FIRST SURFACE OF THE PLATE, AND F. A MANIPULATOR WHICH CAUSES THE SECOND CLAMP TO PRESENT THE SECOND END TO THE SECOND SURFACE TO THE PLATE, THE ELONGATED WORKPIECES HAVING A LONGITUDINALLYDIRECTED CONCAVE GROOVE AND EACH OF THE CLAMPS INCLUDING A PROTUBERANCE OF SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO THE GROOVE AND POSITIONED TO ENGAGE THE GROOVE WHEN THE ENDS OF THE WORKPIECE ARE HELD BY THE CLAMPS.

Claim 3

Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a cutting blade is provided which forms the elongated workpieces from a continuously extruding cylinder resulting from an extruder.

Claim 4

Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein a take-up area is provided between the cutting blade and the extruder and accumulation means is provided to indicate when a predetermined length of the extruded cylinder has accumulated within the area.

Claim 5

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces of thermoplastic material, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, the first clamp being rotatable on a first pivot which is fixed with respect to the base and the second clamp being rotatable on a second pivot which is movable with respect to the base, d. a heating plate movably mounted on the base and having first and second opposed, parallel surfaces, e. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to the first surface of the plate, and f. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the second surface of the plate.

Claim 6

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces of thermoplastic material, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, the first clamp being rotatable on a first pivot which is fixed with respect to the base and the second clamp being rotatable on a second pivot which is movable with respect to the base, d. a heating plate movably mounted on the base and having first and second opposed, parallel surfaces, e. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to the first surface of the plate, and f. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the second surface of the plate.

Claim 7

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the positioning means and the manipulator each rotate their corresponding clamp 180* on the pivots from a first position to a second position when the workpiece is held on the clamp, the ends of the workpieces being directed away from each other in the first position and toward each other in the second position.

Claim 8

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said manipulator includes a first actuator and a second actuator which can, from time to time, override the first actuator, said actuators being used to change the spatial relationship between the second pivot and the base.

Claim 9

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a cutting blade is provided which forms the elongated workpieces from a continuously extruded cylinder resulting from an extruder.

Claim 10

Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein a take-up area is provided between the cutting blade and the extruder and accumulation means is provided to indicate when a predetermined length of the extruded cylinder has accumulated within the area.

Claim 11

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the elongated workpieces have a longitudinally directed concave groove and each of the clamps include a protuberance of shape corresponding to the groove and positioned to engage the groove when the ends of the workpiece are held by the clamps.

Claim 12

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the first clamp is rotatable on a first pivot which is fixed with respect to the base and the second clamp is rotatable on a second pivot which is movable with respect to the base.

Claim 13

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a biasing means is provided which maintains a predetermined distance between the hot plate and the first end at all times except when the second end is in contact with the hot plate.

Claim 14

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the plate can be placed in a position between the ends and the ends can be contacted with the plate, and the plate does not move from that position while one of the ends contact the plate.

Claim 15

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, f. a cutting blade which forms the elongated workpieces from a continuously extruded cylinder resulting from an extruder, g. a take-up area between the cutting blade and the extruder, and h. accumulation means to indicate when a predetermined length of the extruded cylinder has accumulated within the area.

Claim 16

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, f. a cutting blade which forms the elongated workpieces from a continuously extruded cylinder resulting from an extruder, g. a take-up area between the cutting blade and the extruder, and h. accumulation means to indicate when a predetermined length of the extruded cylinder has accumulated within the area.

Claim 17

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the elongated workpiece have a longitudinally-directed concave groove and each of the clamps include a protuberance of shape corresponding to the groove and positioned to engage the groove when the ends of the workpiece are held by the clamps.

Claim 18

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the first clamp is rotatable on a first pivot which is fixed with respect to the base and the second clamp is rotatable on a second pivot which is movable with respect to the base.

Claim 19

Apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the positioning means and the manipulator each rotate their corresponding clamp 180* on the pivots from a first position to a second position when the workpiece is held on the clamp, the ends of the workpieces being directed away from each other in the first position and toward each other in the second position.

Claim 20

Apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said manipulator includes a first actuator and a second actuator which can, from time to time, override the first actuator, said actuators being used to change the spatial relationship between the second pivot and the base.

Claim 21

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein a biasing means is provided which maintains a predetermined distance between the plane and the first end at all times except when the second end is in contact with the first end.

Claim 22

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein each clamp consists of a fixed jaw and a movable jaw that moves vertically to grasp the workpiece.

Claim 23

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein means is provided to form the workpiece into a downwardly-extending storage loop before it arrives at the clamps.

Claim 24

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein electrical controls including a photocell is operable by the bight of the storage loop to start a clamping cycle.

Claim 25

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the first clamp grasps the first end of the workpiece, and then moves longitudinally to measure a required length of workpiece.

Claim 26

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the second clamp grasps the second end of the workpiece after the first clamp has completed its longitudinal movement.

Claim 27

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the clamps rotate 180* downwardly toward one another.

Claim 28

Apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the apparatus is free of impediment under the space between the clamps, so that the said workpiece loop is free to form and to drop downwardly when completed.

Claim 29

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, the elongated workpieces having a longitudinally-directed concave groove and each of the clamps including a protuberance of a shape corresponding to the groove and positioned to engage the groove when the ends of the workpiece are held by the clamps.

Claim 30

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, the elongated workpieces having a longitudinally-directed concave groove and each of the clamps including a protuberance of a shape corresponding to the groove and positioned to engage the groove when the ends of the workpiece are held by the clamps.

Claim 31

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, the first clamp being rotatable on a first pivot which is fixed with respect to the base and the second clamp being rotatable on a second pivot which is movable with respect to the base, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends.

Claim 32

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, the first clamp being rotatable on a first pivot which is fixed with respect to the base and the second clamp being rotatable on a second pivot which is movable with respect to the base, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends.

Claim 33

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, f. means to form the workpiece into a downwardly-extending storage loop before it arrives at the clamps, and g. electrical controls including a photocell operable by the bight of the storage loop to start a clamping cycle.

Claim 34

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, f. means to form the workpiece into a downwardly-extending storage loop before it arrives at the clamps, and g. electrical controls including a photocell operable by the bight of the storage loop to start a clamping cycle.

Claim 35

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, the first clamp grasping the first end of the workpiece and then moving longitudinally to measure a required length of workpiece.

Claim 36

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, the first clamp grasping the first end of the workpiece and then moving longitudinally to measure a required length of workpiece.

Claim 37

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, the second clamp grasping the second end of the workpiece after the first clamp has completed its longitudinal movement.

Claim 38

Apparatus for the production of annular articles from elongated workpieces, the elongated workpieces having a first and a second end, comprising: a. a base, b. a first clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the first end of the workpiece, c. a second clamp movably attached to the base and adapted to grasp the second end of the workpiece, d. positioning means for presenting the first end of the workpiece to an imaginary traverse plane, and e. a manipulator which causes the second clamp to present the second end to the said plane and to the first end, so that the workpiece loop thus formed extends downwardly from the ends, the second clamp grasping the second end of the workpiece after the first clamp has completed its longitudinal movement.