US3760671A

US3760671A - Punching apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3760671A
Application number: US00258864A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Jenkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-06-01
Filing date: 1972-06-01
Publication date: 1973-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-25

Abstract

The present invention discloses a machine for continuously punching holes in a substrate which is to be used in a skin packaging operation. The machine includes a frame which has a punching roll, which is rotatively mounted by the frame and the punching roll includes a cylindrical shell and a cylindrical center roll. The cylindrical shell is provided with a plurality of openings and fitted in these openings are a plurality of punching pins and these pins are backed up on one end by the cylindrical center roll which prevents them from inward movement. The outer surface of the cylindrical shell is swedged tightly around each of the pins where it exits its respective opening and this prevents outward movement of the pins during normal operation of the machine. The outward end of each pin is pointed to perform a punching function. A rubber backup roll is mounted preferably below and parallel to the punching roll. Means are provided for raising and lowering the punching roll relative to the rubber backup roll so that the outward end of the pins may be positioned relative to the rubber backup roll and preferably are at least in contact with the rubber backup roll. Means are provided for rotatively driving the punching roll and the rubber backup roll. Pieces of substrate are fed into the entrance end of the machine and are removed from the exit end of the machine by means of a plurality of belts which are mounted generally horizontal and parallel with each other. The belts are driven by means of first-drive axles which in turn rotatively carry sheaves which in turn carry the belts. The same construction is provided at the exit end to remove the substrate after they have had the holes punched in them by the aforementioned pins. Ejection rollers are mounted at the exit end of the machine and are adapted to engage the upper surface of the increments of substrate to aid in removing the substrate from between the punching roll and the backup roll. Weights are provided for varying the pressure of the ejection rollers on the increments of substrate. This prevents the punching roll from its normal tendency of pulling the pieces of substrate which are trying to exit the machine around the punching roll.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Jenkins [451 Sept. 25, 1973 PUNCHING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-J. M. Meister Att0rneyWoodling, Krost, Granger & Rust [57] ABSTRACT The present invention discloses a machine for continuously punching holes in a substrate which is to be used in a skin packaging operation. The machine includes a frame which has a punching roll, which is rotatively mounted by the frame and the punching roll includes a cylindrical shell and a cylindrical center roll. The cylindrical shell is provided with a plurality of openings and fitted in these openings are a plurality of punching pins and these pins are backed up on one end by the cylindrical center roll which prevents them from inward movement. The outer surface of the cylindrical shell is swedged tightly around each of the pins where it exits its respective opening and this prevents outward movement of the pins during normal operation of the machine. The outward end of each pin is pointed to perform a punching function. A rubber backup roll is mounted preferably below and parallel to the punching roll. Means are provided for raising and lowering the punching roll relative to the rubber backup roll so that the outward end of the pins may be positioned relative to the rubber backup roll and preferably are at least in contact with the rubber backup roll. Means are provided for rotatively driving the punching roll and the rubber backup roll. Pieces of substrate are fed into the entrance end of the machine and are removed from the exit end of the machine by means of a plurality of belts which are mounted generally horizontal and parallel with each other. The belts are-driven by means of firsti drive axles which in turn rotatively carry sheaves which in turn carry the belts. The same construction is provided at the exit end to remove the substrate after they have had the holes punched in them by the aforemen- ,tioned pins. Ejectionrollers are mounted at the exit end of the machine and are adapted to engage the upper surface of the increments of substrate to aid in removing the substrate from between the punching roll and the backup roll. Weights are provided for varying the pressure'of the ejection rollers on the increments of substrate. This prevents the punching roll from its normal tendency of pulling the pieces of substrate which are trying to exit the machine around the punching roll.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ;\i: e N

PUNCHING APPARATUS The present invention relates generally to the field of preparing substrate for use in skin packaging operations. The substrate normally comprises a solid fiber paper or corrugated paper construction and is normally required to have some air permeability so that the vacuum packaging operation can be properly accomplished as is understood by those well skilled in the art. The present apparatus, therefore, is uniquely adapted to produce the holes necessary in the substrate and as' required by the vacuum skin packaging operation. Other devices have been provided and utilized in the past for performing this function and the present invention involves itself with the refinements which necessarily make or break an economic venture which is seeking to perform this overall function. The advantages of the present apparatus have to do with the specific construction of the punching roll and particularly the means that are utilized to securely hold the punching pins in position during working of the apparatus, yet which provide a construction whereby if a pin is broken it can be conveniently removed and replaced by another unbroken pin. The apparatus also has unique cooperation between the punching and backup roll which is provided, and a convenient and economical means is provided for transporting substrate to the entrance end of the punching apparatus and removing punched substrate from the exit end of the apparatus. All of the above referred to advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a complete review of the accompanying drawings and specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially in section of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the punching roll taken in the same direction as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring specifically t0 the drawings, the apparatus for continuously punching holes in substrate which is disclosed herein has been indicated generally bythe reference numeral 20. The substrate is normally adapted to be used in skin packaging products thereto and the apparatus includes in combination a frame identified by the reference numeral 22. A punching roll 25 is provided which has first and second end portions 26. and 27, respectively, and bearings 28 are carried by the frame and rotatively mount the first and second end portions of the punching roll. The punching roll comprises a cylindrical shell 31 having a plurality of openings therein all identified by the reference numeral 32 and these openings 32 are adapted to receive punching pins 35. A cylindrical center roll 38 is provided within the shell 31 and has a surface 39 which closes the inner end of the openings 32. This is best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The punching pins 35 each has a cylindrical portion fitting in its respective opening and also has an extreme end which abuts the surface 39 which prevents inward movement of the pin and positively positions the pins. The outer surface of the cylindrical shell 31 is swedged tightly around each of the pins at 46 where the pin exits its respective opening and this serves to prevent outward movement of the pin during normal operation of the apparatus. This swedging operation is performed by a tool 45 shown in FIG. 4, and this tool is manipulated by positioning it as shown and then striking the upper end of the same with a hammer or other similar object.

A rubber (or similar material) backup roll 52 which has first and second end portions 53 and 54, respectively, is provided and bearings 57 serve to rotatively mount the first and second end portions of the rubber backup roll through the medium of a mounting roll 56 to which the rubber portion of the backup roll is attached. The rubber backup roll is mounted in a position generally parallel with the punching roll.

Means are provided for raising and lowering the punching roll relative to the backup roll whereby the outward ends of the pins may be engaged with the rubber backup roll to the degree desired. This means includes mounting blocks 59 for the bearings 28 and a threaded member 60 is integrally secured to the mounting blocks so that movement upwardly or downwardly of one will be reflected in the other. The upper end of the threaded member 60 is threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the frame as shown and the upper end of the threaded member is provided with a knurled member 61 which may be manipulated by an operator of the apparatus. It will be seen that by appropriately turning the threaded member 60 that the punching roll can be raised or lowered as desired. The advantage of this is that less accuracy need be provided in the apparatus as originally built in that the ends of the punching pins can actually be brought into engagement with the rubber backup roll so as to insure that the holes that are punched in the substrate are completely through the substrate and without the necessity of worry that the pointed ends of the punching pins will be damaged by an inaccurate adjustment or setting of the punching roll relative to the backup roll. Drive means 63 have been indicated schematically in FIG. 2 and are for the purpose of rotatively driving the punching and backup rolls. The punching roll and the rubber backup roll define what are referred to as entrance and exit ends to the apparatus which are respectivelyidentified by the

reference numerals

66 and 68.

On the entrance end of the apparatus there is provided a first drive axle 71 mounted generally parallel to the punching and backup rolls and two sheaves 72 are mounted on this first drive axle 71 for rotation therewith as best seen in FIG. 3. Belts 73 are carried by the sheaves and although it has not been illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that there are corresponding drive axles and sheaves tosupport the other portion of the belts 73 so that they may travel inthe manner indicated in the drawings. These structures will be located to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. It will be seen from FIG. 3 that a table portion 74 of the frame 22 is located somewhat below the level of the belts and the purpose of this is to enable a substrate 76 to be carried by the upper surface of these belts and fed into the entrance end 66 of the apparatus and between the punching and backup rolls. Drive means 78 have been indicated schematically for the purpose of driving the drive axle 71. A like construction is provided on the exit end of the apparatus and performs the function of removing the punched pieces of substrate from the apparatus. Briefly, this structure of the apparatus includes a second drive axle 81 carrying sheaves 82 which serve to support and drive belts 83 carried by the sheaves. Drive means 88 are illustrated schematically and for purpose of driving the belts for the function pointed out above.

It will be seen in the drawings that a removable cover 90 is provided over the punching roll so that this particular part of the apparatus is not exposed during the normal operation of the device. Mounted on the back of the cover are a plurality of ejection rollers 92 which include a shaft 93 which serves to rotatively mount the rollers and these rollers can be swung into and out of engagement with the upper surface of the pieces of substrate because the shaft 93 is in turn carried by a plate 97 which is pivotally connected to the cover at 98. A lever 94 which has a weight 95 is connected to plate 97 and this exerts a force on the rollers to hold them against the substrate. The position of the weights on the levers can be varied. The purpose of these ejection rollers is to provide a means of removing the punched pieces of substrate from between the punching roll and the backup roll. Without the use of these ejection rollers the trailing edge of the substrate has a tendency to be carried around the punching roller, thereby clogging up and otherwise disrupting the punching operation. With the ejection rollers 92 in place upon the upper surface of the substrate enough force is exerted on the substrate tending to pull it out of the apparatus rather than permitting it to be carried around the punching roll as aforesaid.

It will, therefore, be seen that all of the advantages referred to hereinabove are provided in an apparatus in an efficient and economical manner. It will be seen that the punching pins are held in operative position in a convenient and economical manner and in the event one of the pins is broken or otherwise damaged it can be conveniently replaced by the simple expedient of removing the cylindrical center roll 38 from the cylindrical shell 31 and then by means of a punch and hammer or similar operation the pin can be driven inwardly from its respective opening. The provision of the punching roll and rubber backup roll also provides a construction which does not require the same tolerances as in the situation where a non-rubber backup roll is provided and this assures that the substrate which pass through the apparatus are all provided with openings which are necessary in the event the substrate are to be used in a skin packaging operation. The use of the convenient expedient of the ejection rollers 92 also assures that each and all of the punched substrate will be conveniently removed from the punching apparatus.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and' the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including in combination a frame, a punching roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting said first and second end portions of said punching roll, said punching roll comprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein to receive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell and having a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality of openings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openings with each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said opening and abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inward movement and positively locates said pin, said cylindrical shell being swedged tightly around each of said pins where it exits its respective opening to prevent outward movement of same during normal operation of the apparatus, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it to perform a punching function. a rubber backup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions of said rubber backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, means for rotatively driving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll, said punching roll and said rubber backup roll defining entrance and exit ends of said apparatus, a first drive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the entrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate to the entrance end of said apparatus and between said punching and backup rolls whereat holes are punched in the increments of substrate, means for driving said first drive axle, a second drive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the exit end of said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said second drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate away from the exit end of said apparatus after the holes have been punched therein, means for driving said second drive axle, ejection rollers mounted at the exit end of said apparatus and adapted to engage the upper surface of the increments of substrate to aid the same in traveling on the belts driven by said second drive axle and prevent the same from being carried around said punching roll by the action of said pins, and weight means for varying the pressure of said ejection rollers on the increments of substrate.

2. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including in combination a frame, a punching roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting said first and second end portions of said punching roll, a punching roll comprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein to receive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell and having a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality of openings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openings with each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said opening and abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inward movement and positively locates said pin, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it to perform a punching function, a rubber backup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions of said rubher backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, means for rotatively driving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll, said punching roll and said rubber backup roll defining entrance and exit ends of said apparatus, a first drive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the entrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate to the entrance end of said apparatus and between said punching and backup rolls whereat holes are punched in the increments of substrate, means for driving said first drive axle, a second drive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the exit of said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said second drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate away from the exit end of said apparatus after the holes have been punched therein, and means for driving said second drive axle.

3. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including in combination a frame, a punching roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions of said punching roll, said punching roll comprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein to receive punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell and having a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality of openings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openings with each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said opening and abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inward movement and positively locates said pin, said cylindrical shell being swedged tightly around each of said pins where it exits its respective opening to prevent outward movement of same during normal operation of the apparatus, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it to perform a punching function, a rubber backup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions of said rubber backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, and means for rotatively driving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll.

Claims

2. Apparatus for continuously punching holes in a substrate including in combination a frame, a punching roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatingly mounting said first and second end portions of said punching roll, a punching roll comprising a cylindrical shell having a plurality of openings therein to receive Punching pins, a cylindrical center roll within said shell and having a surface which closes the inner end of said plurality of openings, a plurality of punching pins in said plurality of openings with each said pin having a cylindrical portion fitting in said opening and abutting said surface of said center roll which prevents inward movement and positively locates said pin, the outward end of each pin being pointed to enable it to perform a punching function, a rubber backup roll having first and second end portions, bearings carried by said frame and rotatively mounting said first and second end portions of said rubber backup roll with said roll in a position generally parallel to said punching roll, means for raising and lowering said punching roll relative to said rubber backup roll whereby the outward ends of said pins may be engaged with said rubber backup roll, means for rotatively driving said punching roll and said rubber backup roll, said punching roll and said rubber backup roll defining entrance and exit ends of said apparatus, a first drive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the entrance to said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said first drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate to the entrance end of said apparatus and between said punching and backup rolls whereat holes are punched in the increments of substrate, means for driving said first drive axle, a second drive axle mounted parallel to said punching and backup rolls at the exit of said apparatus, a plurality of axially spaced sheaves mounted on said second drive axle for rotation therewith, belts carried on said sheaves and adapted to transport increments of substrate away from the exit end of said apparatus after the holes have been punched therein, and means for driving said second drive axle.