US4249441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for chopping strand
Assignee: Johns Manville Corp
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Filing: 1979-03-09
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Granted: 1981-02-10
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Expires: 1999-03-09
Abstract
Abstract This invention pertains to an improved blade retaining means for a blade roll used in a chopper assembly which severs continuous lengths of a material into discrete increments. Prior art devices provided blade retaining means which facilitated stress-inducing vibrations and generated stress concentrations in the ends of the blades. Attempts to cushion the blades using an elastomer blade restraining insert were incapable of eliminating contamination of the work product due to a severing of the insert when the blades were installed and used. Other blade retaining means were incapable of reuse and prevented use of the chopper blades directly from the manufacturer, i.e., all of the blades had to be cut to an exact and equal length. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved blade retaining means comprising an annular blade retainer 52 positioned at each end of a blade roll cylinder member 50 wherein a side surface of each of the blade retainers 52 has at least one annular groove 62. Reusable blade retaining urethane rings 64 each have an annular bead 66 which is positioned within each annular groove 62 so that the blade retaining rings 64 engage chopper blades 34 at each end thereof in order to elastically restrain chopper blades 34, which need not be cut to an exact length, against movement in a direction circumferentially and radially of the blade roll cylinder member 50.
Inventors
- 👤 John V. Sturtz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:32
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/10; C03B37/16; D; D01; D01G; D01G1/00; D01G1/02; D01G1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/913; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/465; Y10T83/4766; Y10T83/4795; Y10T83/483; Y10T83/4838; Y10T83/4841; Y10T83/4844; Y10T83/929; Y10T83/9457; Y10T83/9464
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In a cylindrical blade roll having an axis of rotation along its centerline for use with a chopper assembly for cutting strands into short lengths comprising a blade roll cylinder member, an elastomer tire affixed about said cylinder member, a plurality of chopper blades projecting generally radially from said tire, each of said blades having a cutting edge, a base portion and two sides, and blade retaining means, the improvement comprising: said blade retaining means comprising an annular blade retainer positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, an axially inward surface of each of said blade retainers having at least one annular groove therearound and an annular elastomer ring juxtaposed between each of said blade retainers and said blades, said elastomer ring having at least one annular bead positioned within said groove, whereby a cushioned support is provided for said blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a cylindrical blade roll having an axis of rotation along its centerline for use with a chopper assembly for cutting strands into short lengths comprising a blade roll cylinder member, an elastomer tire affixed about said cylinder member, a plurality of chopper blades projecting generally radially from said tire, each of said blades having a cutting edge, a base portion and two sides, and blade retaining means, the improvement comprising: said blade retaining means comprising an annular blade retainer positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, an axially inward surface of each of said blade retainers having at least one annular groove therearound and an annular elastomer ring juxtaposed between each of said blade retainers and said blades, said elastomer ring having at least one annular bead positioned within said groove, whereby a cushioned support is provided for said blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The blade roll of claim 1, wherein said annular bead is formed at a distal portion of said ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The blade roll of claim 1 or 2 wherein said ring is made of a urethane material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The blade roll of claim 3, wherein the hardness of said material has a Shore A hardness of about 90 durometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The blade roll of claim 4, wherein said axially inward surface is inclined toward said blades, the angle of inclination of said axially inward surface being selected so that when said annular blade retainer is positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, said blades are elastically embedded in said elastomer ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The blade roll of claim 1, wherein the thickness of said ring is between 0.05-0.10 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The blade roll of claim 6 wherein the thickness of said ring is 0.09 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The blade roll of claim 7, wherein said axially inward surface is inclined toward said blades, the angle of inclination of said axially inward surface being selected so that when said annular blade retainer is positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, said blades are elastically embedded in said elastomer ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A chopper assembly for cutting strands into short lengths, comprising: a blade roll comprising a blade roll cylinder member, a plurality of chopper blades projecting generally radially therefrom, each of said blades having a cutting edge, a base portion and two sides; blade retaining means comprising an annular blade retainer positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, each axially inward surface of said blade retainers having at least one annular groove and a blade retaining elastomer insert positioned between a blade retainer and said blades, said insert having an annular bead disposed in said groove for positioning said insert relative to said blade retainers and said blades, said blades elastically deforming a surface of said insert; a backup roll adjacent to said blade roll, means for supplying strands between said blades and said backup roll, and means for rotating said blade roll and said backup roll so that strands delivered from said blades and said backup roll are cut into discrete lengths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A chopper assembly for cutting strands into short lengths, comprising: a blade roll comprising a blade roll cylinder member, a plurality of chopper blades projecting generally radially therefrom, each of said blades having a cutting edge, a base portion and two sides; blade retaining means comprising an annular blade retainer positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, each axially inward surface of said blade retainers having at least one annular groove and a blade retaining elastomer insert positioned between a blade retainer and said blades, said insert having an annular bead disposed in said groove for positioning said insert relative to said blade retainers and said blades, said blades elastically deforming a surface of said insert; a backup roll adjacent to said blade roll, means for supplying strands between said blades and said backup roll, and means for rotating said blade roll and said backup roll so that strands delivered from said blades and said backup roll are cut into discrete lengths.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The chopper assembly of claim 9 wherein said blades elastically deform said insert one-third of its total thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The chopper assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein said annular bead has approximately a 1/8" radius.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The chopper assembly of claim 11, wherein said axially inward surface is inclined toward said blades, the angle of inclination of said axially inward surface being selected so that when said annular blade retainer is positioned at each axial extremity of said blade roll cylinder member, said blades are elastically embedded in said elastomer insert.
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) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |