US3886833A — Apparatus to effect remote automatic positioning …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 557 words

A positioning apparatus to effect remote automatic positioning of a slitting device for use in a slitting machine for slitting longitudinally to a required width a web of sheet material passing through the machine, the slitting machine having at least one slitting device having upper and lower complementary slitter portions, each portion mounted on a respective slitter base, the web passing between the portions; the machine further having two parallel rails extending transversely across the web, one rail being mounted on each side of the web, the positioning apparatus having transmission means co-operating with each slitter portion for moving the slitter portions along the rails, the transmission means including: i. two rotatable feed screws extending transversely across the web and disposed parallel to the rails, each feed screw being adjacent a respective rail, ii. a feed nut engaging one feed screw and cooperating with a respective slitter base so as to be free to rotate with the feed screw and relative to the slitter portion in a free wheeling mode, and to be locked relative to the slitter base in a feed mode, iii. clutch means cooperating with the respective slitter base and the feed nut and adapted to be operated remotely, the clutch means permitting relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the free wheeling mode, and to prevent relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the feed mode, iv. brake means cooperating with the respective slitter base and a reSpective rail and adapted to be operated remotely so as to lock the slitter base relative to the rail in the free wheeling mode; the positioning apparatus further including: v. reversible drive means to rotate the two feed screws so that in the feed mode a complementary pair of slitter bases are driven at equal speed in the same direction, vi. electrical datum switch means fixed relative to and adjacent a respective rail and adjacent a datum of a particular slitting device, the switch being adapted to be actuated by a respective slitter base as the slitter base traverses the rail, vii. a counter cooperating with one feed screw to count the revolutions of the feed screw from a particular instant so as to permit determination of position of a particular slitter base from a respective datum thereof, viii. electronic control means cooperating with the clutch means, the brake means, the drive means, the datum switch means and the counter, the electronic control means having an input to receive instructions relating to desired slitter position relative to the datum switch means thereof, so that to effect remote positioning of the slitters, the feed screws are driven with the clutch engaged so as to traverse the slitter portions concurrently from an old position towards a respective datum, the clutch means being disengaged and the brake means engaged when datum switch is actuated; and when the feed screws are driven in an opposite direction with the clutch re-engaged and revolutions of the screw are counted by the counter the slitter portions are traversed along the rails and the positions thereof from the datum are determined from the number of revolutions of the feed screw, so that when the desired new location of the slitter portion is reached the clutch is disengaged, thus stopping the slitter portion, and the brake means is actuated.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 557 words

A positioning apparatus to effect remote automatic positioning of a slitting device for use in a slitting machine for slitting longitudinally to a required width a web of sheet material passing through the machine, the slitting machine having at least one slitting device having upper and lower complementary slitter portions, each portion mounted on a respective slitter base, the web passing between the portions; the machine further having two parallel rails extending transversely across the web, one rail being mounted on each side of the web, the positioning apparatus having transmission means co-operating with each slitter portion for moving the slitter portions along the rails, the transmission means including: i. two rotatable feed screws extending transversely across the web and disposed parallel to the rails, each feed screw being adjacent a respective rail, ii. a feed nut engaging one feed screw and cooperating with a respective slitter base so as to be free to rotate with the feed screw and relative to the slitter portion in a free wheeling mode, and to be locked relative to the slitter base in a feed mode, iii. clutch means cooperating with the respective slitter base and the feed nut and adapted to be operated remotely, the clutch means permitting relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the free wheeling mode, and to prevent relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the feed mode, iv. brake means cooperating with the respective slitter base and a reSpective rail and adapted to be operated remotely so as to lock the slitter base relative to the rail in the free wheeling mode; the positioning apparatus further including: v. reversible drive means to rotate the two feed screws so that in the feed mode a complementary pair of slitter bases are driven at equal speed in the same direction, vi. electrical datum switch means fixed relative to and adjacent a respective rail and adjacent a datum of a particular slitting device, the switch being adapted to be actuated by a respective slitter base as the slitter base traverses the rail, vii. a counter cooperating with one feed screw to count the revolutions of the feed screw from a particular instant so as to permit determination of position of a particular slitter base from a respective datum thereof, viii. electronic control means cooperating with the clutch means, the brake means, the drive means, the datum switch means and the counter, the electronic control means having an input to receive instructions relating to desired slitter position relative to the datum switch means thereof, so that to effect remote positioning of the slitters, the feed screws are driven with the clutch engaged so as to traverse the slitter portions concurrently from an old position towards a respective datum, the clutch means being disengaged and the brake means engaged when datum switch is actuated; and when the feed screws are driven in an opposite direction with the clutch re-engaged and revolutions of the screw are counted by the counter the slitter portions are traversed along the rails and the positions thereof from the datum are determined from the number of revolutions of the feed screw, so that when the desired new location of the slitter portion is reached the clutch is disengaged, thus stopping the slitter portion, and the brake means is actuated.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 557 words

A positioning apparatus to effect remote automatic positioning of a slitting device for use in a slitting machine for slitting longitudinally to a required width a web of sheet material passing through the machine, the slitting machine having at least one slitting device having upper and lower complementary slitter portions, each portion mounted on a respective slitter base, the web passing between the portions; the machine further having two parallel rails extending transversely across the web, one rail being mounted on each side of the web, the positioning apparatus having transmission means co-operating with each slitter portion for moving the slitter portions along the rails, the transmission means including: i. two rotatable feed screws extending transversely across the web and disposed parallel to the rails, each feed screw being adjacent a respective rail, ii. a feed nut engaging one feed screw and cooperating with a respective slitter base so as to be free to rotate with the feed screw and relative to the slitter portion in a free wheeling mode, and to be locked relative to the slitter base in a feed mode, iii. clutch means cooperating with the respective slitter base and the feed nut and adapted to be operated remotely, the clutch means permitting relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the free wheeling mode, and to prevent relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the feed mode, iv. brake means cooperating with the respective slitter base and a reSpective rail and adapted to be operated remotely so as to lock the slitter base relative to the rail in the free wheeling mode; the positioning apparatus further including: v. reversible drive means to rotate the two feed screws so that in the feed mode a complementary pair of slitter bases are driven at equal speed in the same direction, vi. electrical datum switch means fixed relative to and adjacent a respective rail and adjacent a datum of a particular slitting device, the switch being adapted to be actuated by a respective slitter base as the slitter base traverses the rail, vii. a counter cooperating with one feed screw to count the revolutions of the feed screw from a particular instant so as to permit determination of position of a particular slitter base from a respective datum thereof, viii. electronic control means cooperating with the clutch means, the brake means, the drive means, the datum switch means and the counter, the electronic control means having an input to receive instructions relating to desired slitter position relative to the datum switch means thereof, so that to effect remote positioning of the slitters, the feed screws are driven with the clutch engaged so as to traverse the slitter portions concurrently from an old position towards a respective datum, the clutch means being disengaged and the brake means engaged when datum switch is actuated; and when the feed screws are driven in an opposite direction with the clutch reengaged and revolutions of the screw are counted by the counter the slitter portions are traversed along the rails and the positions thereof from the datum are determined from the number of revolutions of the feed screw, so that when the desired new location of the slitter portion is reached the clutch is disengaged, thus stopping the slitter portion, and the brake means is actuated.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 557 words

A positioning apparatus to effect remote automatic positioning of a slitting device for use in a slitting machine for slitting longitudinally to a required width a web of sheet material passing through the machine, the slitting machine having at least one slitting device having upper and lower complementary slitter portions, each portion mounted on a respective slitter base, the web passing between the portions; the machine further having two parallel rails extending transversely across the web, one rail being mounted on each side of the web, the positioning apparatus having transmission means co-operating with each slitter portion for moving the slitter portions along the rails, the transmission means including: i. two rotatable feed screws extending transversely across the web and disposed parallel to the rails, each feed screw being adjacent a respective rail, ii. a feed nut engaging one feed screw and cooperating with a respective slitter base so as to be free to rotate with the feed screw and relative to the slitter portion in a free wheeling mode, and to be locked relative to the slitter base in a feed mode, iii. clutch means cooperating with the respective slitter base and the feed nut and adapted to be operated remotely, the clutch means permitting relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the free wheeling mode, and to prevent relative rotation between the nut and the slitter base in the feed mode, iv. brake means cooperating with the respective slitter base and a reSpective rail and adapted to be operated remotely so as to lock the slitter base relative to the rail in the free wheeling mode; the positioning apparatus further including: v. reversible drive means to rotate the two feed screws so that in the feed mode a complementary pair of slitter bases are driven at equal speed in the same direction, vi. electrical datum switch means fixed relative to and adjacent a respective rail and adjacent a datum of a particular slitting device, the switch being adapted to be actuated by a respective slitter base as the slitter base traverses the rail, vii. a counter cooperating with one feed screw to count the revolutions of the feed screw from a particular instant so as to permit determination of position of a particular slitter base from a respective datum thereof, viii. electronic control means cooperating with the clutch means, the brake means, the drive means, the datum switch means and the counter, the electronic control means having an input to receive instructions relating to desired slitter position relative to the datum switch means thereof, so that to effect remote positioning of the slitters, the feed screws are driven with the clutch engaged so as to traverse the slitter portions concurrently from an old position towards a respective datum, the clutch means being disengaged and the brake means engaged when datum switch is actuated; and when the feed screws are driven in an opposite direction with the clutch reengaged and revolutions of the screw are counted by the counter the slitter portions are traversed along the rails and the positions thereof from the datum are determined from the number of revolutions of the feed screw, so that when the desired new location of the slitter portion is reached the clutch is disengaged, thus stopping the slitter portion, and the brake means is actuated.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 96 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the clutch means has two complementary clutch portions, one clutch portion being fixed rotationally relative to the slitter base, and one clutch portion being fixed rotationally relative to the feed nut; one of the clutch portions being movable into engagement with the other clutch portion in response to an electrical signal so as to effectively restrain the clutch portions against relative movement to attain the feed mode, and in response to another electrical signal to release the clutch portions from engagement to attain the free wheeling mode.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 146 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the clutch means has complementary electromagnet clutch portions including: i. an electrical field coil secured to the slitter base and connected electrically to the control means to produce a magnetic field when energized, ii. an armature cooperating with the nut and positioned adjacent the field coil so as to be within the magnetic field thereof when the coil is energized, the armature being adapted for movement so as to be locked relative to the field coil when the coil is energized, so that when the feed screw rotates and the field coil is energized and the clutch engaged, the slitter portion is in the feed mode and traverses the rail, and when the field coil is de-energized and the clutch disengaged, the slitter portion is in the free wheeling mode and remains stationary relative to the rail.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 122 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which: i. the electrical field coil is an annular coil enclosing the feed screw, the coil being wound on a core having a central opening providing clearance for the feed screw, the core having an engaging face disposed in a plane normal to the screw, ii. the armature is an annular member enclosing the feed screw, the armature having a central opening providing clearance for the feed screw and an annular engaging face generally complementary to and spaced closely from the engaging face of the core, the armature cooperating with the feed nut so as to rotate therewith and simultaneously being free for limited axial movEment into and out of engagement with the core.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 82 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further including: i. a resilient means cooperating with the feed nut and armature so that when the field coil is energized and the armature is engaged with the core, the resilient means is strained tending to disengage the armature from the core; and when the field coil is de-energized the resilient means forces the clutch portions out of engagement permitting relative rotation between the armature and field coil with negligible rubbing between the clutch portions.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 31 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which: i. the feed nut is a recirculating ball nut, ii. the feed screw is a ball screw complementary to the feed nut.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 112 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the brake means includes: i. a brake member having a braking surface complementary to a braking surface on the rail, the braking member cooperating with the slitter base and being movable relative to the slitter base, ii. a pneumatic means cooperating with the base and the brake member, the means having an input port and being extensible and retractable so as to engage and disengage the brake, iii. a pneumatic valve provided between the pneumatic means and a pressurized gas supply, the valve being connected pneumatically to the input port and the gas supply, and electrically to the control means for actuation thereby.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 171 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which: i. the slitter base has an elongated cavity defined in part by side walls in the base, the cavity having an open end adjacent the rail, ii. an insert is provided in the open end of the cavity and is adjustable laterally therein, the insert having an opening extending therethrough and an outer face complementary to the braking surface of the rail, iii. the brake member is effectively a piston having the brake surface on one side thereof and positioned within and is a sliding fit in the opening of the insert, an opposite side of the brake member closing generally the opening of the cavity in the slitter body, iv. the pneumatic means is an extensible and retractable flexible bladder extending in the cavity between the brake member and the slitter base, so that inflation of the bladder forces the brake member against the rail to lock the base relative to the rail, and deflation of the bladder releases the brake.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 56 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which: i. the insert is a sliding fit within the open end of the cavity, ii. set screws cooperate with the insert and the slitter base to provide adjustment of the insert relative to the base for attaining a snug sliding fit of the base along the rails.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 131 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the slitter portion has a striker and the electrical datum switch means includes: i. a mounting arm having inner and outer ends, the inner end being hinged to the machine and fixed relative to the rail, ii. a cam is mounted on the arm, the cam adapted to be contacted by the striker of the respective slitter base as the base traverses the rail, iii. a resilient member cooperating with the arm so as to force the arm into path of the striker so as to cause the striker to contact the cam as the slitter base approaches the datum thereof, iv. a two-way electrical switch to be actuated by swinging of the arm in response to contact of the striker portion.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 61 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which: i. each feed screw has a sprocket secured thereto, ii. the drive means includes a reversible electric motor having an output shaft having an output sprocket mounted thereon, iii. a loop of chain extends between the output sprocket and the feed screw sprockets so that the feed screws rotated at equal speeds.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 250 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which: i. the input of the electronic control means has a set and pre-set button, ii. the drive means is connected to a drive control means, and in which the electrOnic control means includes: iii. a logic circuit to verify and transmit instructions from the input, the logic circuit being connected to the datum switch means of each slitter device and the counter means so as to be supplied with data relating to position of each slitter device, iv. a datum switch relay connected to the logic circuit and the datum switch so as to be actuated when the datum switch is actuated, v. a clutch and brake relay connected to the logic circuit and to actuating means of the clutch means and brake means so as to actuate the clutch and brake simultaneously in response to a signal from the logic circuit, vi. a set relay connected to the set button of the input, vii. a drive control relay connected to the set relay and the datum switch relay and the drive control means so as to be responsive to drive direction signals, so that, in response to an instruction fed into the input means, the feed screw is rotated in a reverse direction until each slitter has attained its respective datum, at which time the feed screw is rotated forward to feed the slitters to attain desired settings according to signals from the counter means received in the logic circuit.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 145 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which there is a plurality of slitters mounted on the rails, each slitter having complementary slitter portions cooperating with a respective feed screw, and in which: i. each slitter has a range on the rail, position on the rail being determined relative to a respective datum of the slitter, each datum being provided with a datum switch means which is connected to the logic circuit so that position of each slitter is known relative to its datum, the logic circuit being adapted to prevent operation of the machine should the input means be supplied with a non-valid program having at least one of the following conditions: interchanging of slitters on the rail; slitter positioned too close to an adjacent slitter so as to result in a collision between the slitters; a slitter positioned beyond limits of range.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-06-02	1978-12-02	1979-06-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-06-02	1982-12-02	1983-06-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-06-02	1986-12-02	1987-06-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus to effect remote automatic positioning of web slitter

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