Adjuster for corrugating rolls

Claim 1

In combination with a corrugating machine of the type wherein a pair of rolls, each having longitudinally fluted lateral surfaces, are arranged so that the flutes of said rolls intermesh and said rolls, rotating about their longitudinal axes, upon receiving a paper web between them, presses a continuous series of corrugations into said paper as it passes therethrough, the improved arrangement for adjusting corrugating roll flute backlash clearances, during corrugating machine operation, comprising: a first longitudinally fluted corrugating roll; a first driving shaft upon which said roll is fixed for longitudinal rotation; a first helical gear fixed to the first shaft, spaced axially from the first corrugating roll; a motor means for driving said first helical gear; a second longitudinally fluted corrugating roll, intermeshing with said first corrugating roll; a second driving shaft, said second shaft arranged substantially parallel to said first shaft; a second helical gear, splined onto said second shaft so that the second helical gear is free to move axially upon said shaft but not circumferentially with respect to said shaft, said second helical gear intermeshing with said first helical gear and spaced axially from the second corrugating roll; and an adjustable means for positioning said second helical gear axially along its driving shaft, wherein adjustment of said positioning means causes the second shaft to rotate relative to the first shaft as the second helical gear in axial movement is constrained to follow the confining helical gear form of the first helical gear, thereby resulting in rotational adjustment of the back-lash clearances formed by said second corrugating roll flutes relative to said first corrugating roll flutes, said clearance adjustment being firmly locked in place by said positioning means.