Flexible duct connector processing system
AssigneeProduction Products, Inc.
InventorsRichard Christopher Gass, Drew Evan Miles, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The flexible duct connector processing system of the present invention comprises a decoiler machine and a processing machine. The decoiler machine stores one or more rolls of flexible duct connector stock which are fed to the processing machine. The processing machine beads, notches, and cuts the flexible duct connector stock according to programmed instructions received from a control system. A conveyor system disposed after the processing machine optionally collects the cut flexible duct connector stock and conveys it in batches.
Claims20
A flexible duct connector processing apparatus comprising:
- a control unit for automating operation of the flexible duct connector processing apparatus;
- a pulling-out unit for feeding flexible duct connector stock into the flexible duct connector processing apparatus;
- a spreading out and guiding unit for tensioning a fabric of the flexible duct connector stock;
- a levelling unit for removing any curvature from the flexible duct connector stock;
- a notching unit for cutting notches in metal strips of the flexible duct connector stock;
- and
- a shearing unit for automatically cutting the flexible duct connector stock to a predetermined length.
A flexible duct connector processing system comprising:
- a decoiler for holding at least one roll of flexible duct connector stock,
- wherein the flexible duct connector stock comprises a first metal strip edge joined to a center fabric portion by a first seam and a second metal strip edge joined to the center fabric portion by a second seam;
- and
- a processing unit comprising:
- a control unit for controlling the processing unit;
- a pulling-out unit for pulling the flexible duct connector stock from the at least one roll;
- a spreading out and guiding unit for tensioning the center fabric portion of the flexible duct connector stock, the spreading out unit comprising:
- an expansion roller set that engages an interior of the seam and the second seam of the flexible duct connector stock;
- and
- a guide roller set that engages the first metal strip edge and the second metal strip edge of the flexible duct connector stock;
- a levelling unit for removing any curvature from the flexible duct connector stock;
- a notching unit for adding notches to metal strips of the flexible duct connector stock;
- and
- a shearing unit for automatically cutting the flexible duct connector stock to a predetermined length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.