US 4,085,635 A · Wire brick cutter

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting clay columns, while continuously moving the clay columns in a generally horizontal direction. One or more clay columns are moved in a given generally horizontal direction A, prior to and during and subsequent to cutting. At least one cutting wire disposed in a generally vertical plane and disposed at an angle of substantially less than 90.degree. with respect to the direction A is moved toward, into engagement with, and through the clay column while the clay column is continuously moved, to provide at least one cut through the column disposed in a plane that is parallel to a line extending in the direction A. The clay column is substantially rectangular in cross-section, and the wire is moved so that it moves at a diagonal through the column, first contacting the leading upper corner of the column, and last contacting the trailing lower corner of the column as it passes through the column. Material that adheres to the cutting wire(s) is automatically removed therefrom, collected, and re-used in forming another clay column.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for cutting clay columns comprising the steps of

a. moving a clay column in a given generally horizontal direction A,
b. disposing at least one cutting wire in a generally vertical plane at a fixed angle of substantially less than 90.degree. with respect to said direction A,
c. reciprocating the at least one cutting wire from a position out of contact with the clay column toward, into engagement with, and through the clay column while continuously moving the clay column in direction A, to provide at least one cut through the column disposed in a plane that is parallel to a line extending in direction A, by moving said at least one wire in a downward direction from generally above the clay column, toward, into engagement with, and to a position generally below the clay column, in a path wherein each point of the wire moves in a straight line, generally perpendicular to said direction A.

Apparatus for cutting a conveyed article comprising

a. a generally horizontal disposed conveyor system including at least two continuous parallel conveyor belts spaced apart from each other a distance X in a direction transverse to the direction A in which articles disposed on said conveyor belts are conveyed,
b. means for mounting at least one cutting wire so that it extends in a generally vertical plane and is disposed at a fixed angle of substantially less than 90.degree. with respect to said direction A, and so that it passes through the space between said conveyor belts, said at least one cutting wire having a horizontal dimension less than X,
c. means for powering said conveyor belts for movement of articles disposed thereon in said direction A,
d. means for moving said at least one cutting wire mounting means so that at least one cutting wire moves from a position above an article downwardly toward and into engagement with and through an article continuously being moved by said conveyor belts in said direction A to provide at least one cut through the article disposed in a plane that is parallel to a line extending in direction A, and
e. means for guiding the movement of said at least one cutting wire mounting means so that it is reciprocal, each point of said at least one cutting wire moving in a straight line, generally perpendicular to said direction A, during movement of said at least one cutting wire toward, into engagement with, and through an article on said conveyor belts.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wire brick cutter

Life of this patent

Wire brick cutter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10