Paper removal device

Abstract

A device for removing paper from a damaged paper roll. The device comprising a rotatable platform to support and rotate the paper roll about a central axis. Additionally, the device comprises a circular saw blade attached to a movable arm attached to a track adjacent to the paper roll. The arm is advanceable toward to the central axis of the paper roll such that as the roll is rotated, the saw blade will cut into the roll to thereby remove paper therefrom. The operation of the device can be automated by a controller and sensors such that a single operator can use the device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for removing paper from a paper roll having a central axis, the device comprising: 
 a frame;    a platform rotatably attached to the frame for supporting the paper roll and operative to rotate the paper roll about the central axis defined thereby;    an elongate track attached to the frame and extending in generally parallel relation to the central axis when the paper roll is positioned upon the platform;    a cutting arm attached to the track, the cutting arm being movable toward and away from the central axis when the paper roll is positioned upon the platform; and    a saw blade rotatably attached to the cutting arm so as to reside on a plane which extends in generally perpendicular relation to the central axis when the paper roll is positioned upon the platform;    the movement of the cutting arm toward the central axis during rotation of the paper roll positioned upon the platform facilitating the cutting of the paper roll by the saw blade.    
     
     
         2 . The device of    claim 1    further comprising a saw blade motor attached to the cutting arm and operative to rotate the saw blade.  
     
     
         3 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the cutting arm is slidably mounted to the track and reciprocally movable therealong.  
     
     
         4 . The device of    claim 3    further comprising a drive mechanism attached to the track to reciprocally move the cutting arm along the track.  
     
     
         5 . The device of    claim 4    wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive mechanism motor to move the cutting arm along the track.  
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the arm is pivotally connected to the track.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 6    further comprising a cutting arm motor attached to the cutting arm and operative to pivotally move the cutting arm toward and away from the central axis of the paper roll positioned upon the platform.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 1    further comprising a platform motor attached to the frame and operative to rotate the platform.  
     
     
         9 . The device of    claim 1    further comprising: 
 a saw blade motor attached to the cutting arm and operative to rotate the saw blade;  
 a drive mechanism motor attached to the track to reciprocally move the cutting arm along the track;  
 a cutting arm motor attached to the cutting arm and operative to pivotally move the cutting arm toward and away from the central axis of the paper roll positioned upon the platform;  
 a platform motor attached to the frame and operative to rotate the platform; and  
 a controller attached to the frame and electrically connected to the saw blade motor, the drive mechanism motor, the cutting arm motor and the platform motor, the controller operative to control and coordinate the movement of the motors.  
 
     
     
         10 . The device of    claim 9    further comprising a distance sensor and a wet paper sensor in electrical communication with the controller to facilitate control and movement of the motors.  
     
     
         11 . A method of removing paper from a paper roll having a central axis with a device having a frame, a platform rotatably attached to the frame, an elongate track attached to the frame, a movable cutting arm attached to the track and a saw blade rotatably attached to the cutting arm, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) positioning the paper roll on the platform such that the central axis extends in generally parallel relation to the track;    b) rotating the paper roll about the central axis defined thereby via the rotation of the platform;    c) advancing the saw blade toward the central axis of the paper roll via the cutting arm;    d) cutting the paper roll with the saw blade;    and    e) removing the cut paper from the paper roll.    
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11    wherein step (b) comprises cutting an end of the paper roll with a circular handsaw prior to rotating the paper roll.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 11    further comprising the steps of: 
 f) retracting the saw blade from the central axis of the paper roll via the cutting arm;  
 g) moving the cutting arm along the track into a new position relative to the paper roll; and  
 h) repeating steps (c) through (e).