Automatic sampling system and method

An automatic sampling system for taking samples from a rubber strip after it has been shaped and while it is moving in a predetermined direction, the system comprising:

• an anvil comprising a cylinder of a predetermined diameter and with a circumferential surface that engages the rubber strip during its movement, the anvil being fixed so that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation;
• and
• a punch with a cylindrical housing of a predetermined length extending between a sampling end and an opposite installation end, the punch comprising:
• a die-cutter provided at the sampling end for perforating the rubber strip and for obtaining samples of the rubber strip during its movement, the punch having an annular blade of a predetermined diameter;
• a fastening and support member provided at the installation end to carry out installation of the punch with respect to a drive shaft to which the punch is rotatably attached, the punch rotating in the same direction as the movement of the rubber strip;
• an ejector disposed within the housing that moves along a common longitudinal axis among the ejector, the housing and the die-cutter, the ejector comprising a structure with a predetermined length that extends between a release end and an opposite attachment end, the release end comprising a domed surface characterized by a tapered surface area that facilitates release of the sample, and the attachment end comprising a fastener;
• and
• a rod cylinder constituting a piston with a rod and a chamber in which the piston slides, the rod cylinder comprising a fastening device for connecting the piston and the ejector so that the movement of the piston in the chamber upon supply of a pressurized fluid effects corresponding movement of the ejector between a standby position and a release position.

An automated process for sampling a rubber strip moving in a predetermined direction, the process comprising the following steps:

• a first phase of the process comprising the following steps:
• the step of shaping the rubber strip to a predetermined thickness;
• and
• the step of directing the rubber strip, after shaping, to an automatic sampling system such that the rubber strip passes between an anvil and a punch of the automatic sampling system, the anvil comprising a cylinder of a predetermined diameter and with a circumferential surface that engages the rubber strip during its movement, the anvil being fixed so that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and the punch having a cylindrical housing of a predetermined length extending between a sampling end and an opposite installation end;
• a second phase of the process comprising the following steps:
• the step of sampling the rubber strip by a die-cutter provided at the sampling end of the punch and having an annular blade of a predetermined diameter, with an ejector of the punch remaining in the standby position, the ejector being disposed within the housing of the punch and moving along a common longitudinal axis among the ejector, the housing and the die-cutter, the ejector comprising a structure with a predetermined length that extends between a release end comprising a domed surface with a tapered surface area and an opposite attachment end;
• and
• the step of taking a sample with the die-cutter;
• a third phase of the process comprising the following step:
• the step of engaging the sample taken during the second phase, with the ejector remaining in the standby position while securing the sample taken as the punch rotates toward a down position;
• and
• a fourth phase of the process comprising the following steps:
• the step of supplying a rod cylinder of the punch with pressurized fluid to effect corresponding movement of the ejector from the standby position to a release position, this step being performed simultaneously with the continuous rotation of the punch toward the down position;
• and
• the step of releasing the sample from the domed surface to a recovery means.