Patent GB-797071-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for handling elastic tubing in connection with cutting the same into gaskets or the like
IPC: B26D3/16
Filed: 1955-11-23
Abstract: 797,071. Cutting tubes into gaskets. OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS CO. Nov. 23, 1955 [May 5, 1955], No. 33552/55. Class 31 (1). A rubber or like tube T mounted on a tubular holder 19 is moved lengthwise on to a mandrel 20 having tapered ends by means operated by pneumatic motors 23, 30, the loaded mandrel is transferred to a cutting- machine where the tube is cut into gaskets T<SP>1</SP>, the mandrel with the gaskets is withdrawn from the cutting-machine, and the gaskets pushed off the mandrel on to one of a plurality of rods 67 by means operated by a pneumatic motor 50. The cylinder 23 has its piston associated with a head 25, Fig. 1, for engagement with one end of the mandrel 20. The piston-rod 31, Fig. 5, of the cylinder 30 is connected to a slide bracket 32 having attached thereto a head 34 which is slidably mounted on the holder 19. When the tube T is placed on the holder 19 it bears against the head 34. The tube T is expanded to facilitate its transfer to the mandrel, by means of air under pressure supplied to the head 34 through a tube 35 from a pipe 37 extending to a port 39, the latter being closed by the end portion of the tube 35 when the head 34 is in its retracted position. For separating the loaded mandrel from the holder 19, the latter has a spring-influenced pushbutton 21a mounted therein. The piston-rod 51 of the cylinder 50 is connected to a head 52 having a tube 53 mounted thereon. Air under pressure for operating the cylinder 50 is supplied through a pipe 55 and valve 56. During the initial forward stroke of the tube 53, the speed is retarded by means of a cam 60 operating a valve 58 to permit air to get under the gaskets T<SP>1</SP> to allow them to move freely along the mandrels as they are discharged therefrom. Valve solenoids 90, 91, Fig. 12, control the reversal of the air motor 50. Air under pressure within the tube 53 is supplied through a pressure-tube 64, Fig. 5, connected to the head 52 for reciprocation therewith. The air supply during the initial movement of the tube 53 is retarded and controlled in the same manner as the air supply through the tube 35. During the return stroke of the tube 53, the pressure of air supplied through the head 52 is increased to ensure the mandrel being blown out off the tube. The high-pressure air is supplied through a pipe 66a, Fig. 5, under the control of a valve L which is opened and closed by means of solenoids 95, 96, Fig. 12. A loaded mandrel is placed on a runway 82, Fig. 3, permitting it to roll on to a carrier 80 provided with cradles 81. The carrier 80 is rotated stepwise so that each cradle receives a loaded mandrel and transfers it to a cutting- machine where the tube is cut into gaskets. The mandrels carrying the gaskets are returned on a runway 84 to a position adjacent a cradle 43 on to which the mandrels are placed. The rods 67 are carried by a spider 68 which is rotated stepwise by means of an indexing cylinder 71 associated with a valve 72 and solenoid 103, Fig. 12. Operation.-An empty tube T is first placed on the holder 19, an empty mandrel in the cradle 21, and a mandrel loaded with gaskets T<SP>1</SP> in the cradle 43. A switch 106, Fig. 12, is then closed to complete a circuit through solenoid 108 of cylinder 23, solenoid 91 of cylinder 50 and solenoid 109 of cylinder 30. The cylinder 23 advances the head 25 to engage one end of the mandrel and move it lengthwise until the opposite end of the mandrel engages the holder 19. The cylinder 30 operates to push the tube T on to the mandrel 20. As soon as the head 34 has moved forward a short distance, the port 39 is opened to supply air under pressure between the tube T and the holder 19. The movement of the cylinder 50 is restricted during the initial portion of its advance by means of the cam 60 controlling the valve 58. When the valve 58 is released from control by the cam 60, the tube 53 can move forward freely. When the tube 53 has advanced a short distance, air under low pressure is supplied by the tube 64 between the mandrel and ring gaskets T<SP>1</SP> while the latter are being pushed off the mandrel. As the piston of the cylinder 30 is completing its forward stroke, it closes a switch 42. This completes circuits to solenoids 110, 111 for reversing the cylinders 23, 30 respectively. The cylinder 23 now retracts its piston, permitting the pushbutton 21a to disengage the mandrel 20 from the holder 19, leaving the mandrel free in the cradle 21. The cylinder 30 also retracts the head 34. As the cylinder 50 completes its forward stroke, it closes switch 97 and completes the circuit for the solenoid 90 so that the cylinder 50 is reversed. At the same time, a circuit is completed through the solenoid 95 of the valve L so that high-pressure air is supplied through the tube 53 for blowing out the mandrel therefrom. During the retraction of the cylinder 50, a dog 99 closes a switch 102. This makes a circuit for the solenoid 96 so that the valve L cuts off the high-pressure air. The closing of the switch 102 also makes the circuit for the solenoid 103 of the indexing cylinder 71 so that the spider 68 is indexed. The loaded mandrel can now be removed from the cradle 21 and transferred to the cutting-machine. Specification 797,003 is referred to.