Apparatus for cutting a continuous element of indeterminate length into predetermined lengths

Abstract

Apparatus for cutting a continuous .[.elements.]. .Iadd.element .Iaddend.of indeterminate length into predetermined lengths employs a pair of transversely spaced endless chains having a plurality of crossplates connected to and extending between the chains. Clamping means and cutting means are respectively mounted on the crossplates. A clamping cam is provided for actuating the clamping means and a cutting cam is provided for actuating the cutting means. The clamping means has a cam follower associated therewith which is cooperable with the clamping cam, and the cutting means has a cam follower associated therewith which is cooperable with the cutting cam.

We claim:  .[.1. Apparatus for cutting a continuous element of indeterminate length into predetermined lengths, the apparatus comprising a pair of transversely spaced, endless chains having the top reaches of the chains lying in one plane and the bottom reaches lying in a second plane, a plurality of crossplates connected to and extending between the chains, clamping means and cutting means mounted on the crossplates, the clamping means and cutting means each being mounted for movement in the direction of the length of a crossplate, a clamping cam for actuating the clamping means, the clamping means having a cam follower associated therewith cooperable with the clamping cam, and a cutting cam for actuating the cutting means, the cutting means having a cam follower associated therewith cooperable with the cutting cam, the clamping and cutting cams extending generally in the direction of the length of the chains..].  .[.2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means and the cutting means are in sets, each set comprising a cutting means and at least one clamping means, each respectively mounted on a crossplate..]. .[.3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means includes a first spring mounted clamping bar mounted on a crossplate, the clamping bar having resilient gripping means at one end and the cam follower at the opposite end..]. .[.4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein there are two clamping cams, one on each side of the apparatus; and wherein the clamping means includes a second spring mounted clamping bar mounted on the same crossplate and opposite the first clamping bar, the second bar having resilient gripping means at the end facing the end of the first bar having the resilient gripping means, the opposite end of the second bar having a cam follower for engagement with the other clamping cam..]. .[.5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the clamping bars are respectively mounted for reciprocation in aligned guide blocks fixed to the crossplate..]. .[.6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cutting bars are respectively mounted for reciprocation in aligned guide blocks fixed to the crossplate..]. .[.7. apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the clamping means and the cutting means are in sets, each set comprising a cutting means and at least one clamping means, each respectively mounted on a crossplate..]. .[.8. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cutting means includes a first spring mounted cutting bar mounted on a crossplate, the bar having a blade at one end and the cam follower at the opposite end..].  .[.9. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are two cutting cams, one on each side of the apparatus; and wherein the cutting means includes a second spring mounted cutting bar mounted on the same crossplate and opposite the first cutting bar, the second bar having a blade at the end facing the end of the first bar having the blade, the opposite end of the second bar having a cam follower for engagement with the other cutting cam..]. .[.10. Apparatus according to claim 9, including means for adjusting the distance between the two clamping cams..].  .[.11. Apparatus according to claim 9, including means for imparting an impact force to the section of the continuous element following the action of the cutting means..]. .[.12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the means for imparting an impact force comprises a breaker element mounted to reciprocate at predetermined timed intervals..]. .[.13. Apparatus according to claim 4, including means for adjusting the distance between the two clamping cams..]. .[.14. Apparatus according to claim 4, including means for imparting an impact force to the section of the continuous element following the action of the cutting means..]. .[.15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means for imparting an impact force comprises a breaker element mounted to reciprocate at predetermined timed intervals..]. .[.16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting means includes a first spring mounted cutting bar mounted on a crossplate, the bar having a blade at one end and the cam follower at the opposite end..].  .[.17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein there are two cutting cams, one on each side of the apparatus; and wherein the cutting means includes a second spring mounted cutting bar mounted on the same crossplate and opposite the first cutting bar, the second bar having a blade at the end facing the end of the first bar having the blade, the opposite end of the second bar having a cam follower for engagement with the other cutting cam..]. .[.18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the cutting bars are respectively mounted for reciprocation in aligned guide blocks fixed to the crossplate..]. .[.19. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for imparting an impact force to the section of the continuous element following the action of the cutting means..]. .[.20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for imparting an impact force comprises a breaker element mounted to reciprocate at predetermined timed intervals..]. .Iadd. 21. Apparatus for pulling and cutting an elongated element comprising a substantially rigid extrudate into predetermined lengths, the apparatus comprising a pair of endless chains transversely spaced with the top reaches of the chains lying in one plane and the bottom reaches lying in a second plane; a plurality of crossplates connected to and extending between the chains; clamping bars and cutting bars for clamping and cutting the continuous element mounted on the crossplates, the clamping bars and cutting bars each being mounted for respective clamping and cutting movement in the direction of the length of a crossplate; clamping cam means for actuating the clamping bars, each clamping bar having a cam follower at one end thereof urged against the clamping cam means by spring means, the clamping bars each having resilient gripping means at the end thereof opposite the end having the cam follower; and cutting cam means for actuating the cutting bars, each cutting bar having a cam follower at one end thereof urged against the cutting cam means by spring means and a cutting blade at the opposite end; the clamping and cutting cam means extending generally in the direction of the length of the chains in the vicinity of the top reaches of the chains, whereby clamping and cutting occur in the vicinity of the top reaches of the chains; and the clamping cam means being formed to cause the gripping means to hold and pull the substantially rigid extrudate prior to the cutting thereof by the cutting blade and to cause the cut lengths of the extrudate to be held and advanced by the gripping means after the severance of the elongated element into the cut lengths. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein there are two clamping cam means, one on each side of the apparatus, and two cutting cam means, one on each side of the apparatus, opposite clamping cam means being identical, and opposite cutting cam means being identical. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the crossplates each have opposite clamping bars and opposite cutting bars thereon, the opposite clamping bars and the opposite cutting bars each being respectively mounted in aligned guide blocks fixed to the crossplates. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein means is provided for adjusting the distance between the clamping cam means. .Iaddend.