Patent ID: 6450752
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: B21B,B23D,B26D

Abstract:
A method of incrementally feeding an elongate tube having a length along a linear tube path to a point of use, the method comprising the steps of:moving a first belt around first and second spaced pulleys in a first endless path so that a part of the first endless path is parallel to the linear tube path; moving a second belt around third and fourth spaced pulleys in a second endless path so that a part of the second endless path is parallel to the linear tube path; engaging the tube between the first and second belts so that the length of the tube is substantially parallel to the linear tube path and grippingly engaged between the first and second belts over a substantial length of the linear tube path; moving at least one of the belts incrementally to move the tube incrementally along the tube path towards the point of use; measuring a distance the tube travels during the moving step; and controlling the incremental movements of the moving step based on the distance measured in the measuring step, whereby the first and second belts positively and consistently advance the tube along the linear tube path as the at least one belt is incrementally moved.