Device for severing a continuous axially moving rod-like member into separate elements

A device for severing a continuous rod-like member into separate elements during axial movement of the rod-like member along a predetermined path through a severance zone, comprising:

• a ledger disc having a radially facing annular peripheral groove and a radial knife guide slot extending inwardly from the periphery of said ledger disc so as to intersect said groove, said ledger disc being rotatably mounted in a substantially vertical plane beneath said path for supporting said rod-like member substantially tangentially in said annular groove during passage through the severance zone;
• a flexible cutting knife slidable cooperable with said knife guide slot in said ledger disc;
• knife support means including a universal joint mounted adjacent to the severance zone and movable for causing said knife to follow an endless course intersecting said path at said annular groove with a component of motion along said path in the direction of movement of said rod-like member;
• means for rotating said ledger disc at a predetermined speed;
• and,
• means for driving said knife support means in synchronism with said ledger disc to cause said knife to pass through said knife guide slot when in the severance zone, said driving means including means for causing said knife to pass through said guide slot at a greater speed than the speed maintained during the remainder of its movement.