US 4,281,546 A · Variable volume sample cutter and method of use

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cutting elastomeric material into volumetric elastomer samples is disclosed. These volumetric samples may be reproduced at identical mass for precision testing purposes. The volumetric samples are reproducible for such precision purposes by the use of a volumetric adjustment mechanism which determines the volume of the cavity into which elastomeric material is compressed before cutting. The apparatus also has a moving cutting mechanism with a contoured cutting area, which in combination with the volumetric adjustment apparatus, removes deleterious air bubbles and other deformities prior to cutting the elastomeric material. The volumetric adjustment apparatus is housed within a die apparatus, which has a damping mechanism to permit complete manipulation of the elastomer prior to cutting the elastomer into the volumetric plug. After the cutting of the plug has occurred, the ejection apparatus pushes the volumetric plug from the cavity whereupon another cycle is begun. The apparatus may also treat and cure uncured elastomeric material within the volumetric cavity by the application of heat sources to the apparatus surrounding the cavity.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for the variable cutting of volumetric samples from elastomeric material, comprising:

(a) a fixed frame having a forming post housing;
(b) a die cutting apparatus having a pressured downward stroke, an unpressured upward stroke, a periphery and a surface means for concentrically manipulating the elastomeric material towards said periphery;
(c) a die receiving apparatus having tension-damping means for tensionally mounting said receiving apparatus on said frame and for damping said downward stroke against the elastomeric material, and having a die with an internal hollow having a dimension;
said die having an annular groove at the uppermost area of said internal hollow;
and,
(d) a volumetric sample adjustment apparatus having a movable forming post and adjustment means for moving said forming post, said forming post having a contact surface which resides in said internal hollow of said die, so that said movable forming post and said die dimension determine a volumetric cavity into which the elastomeric material may be manipulated, by said surface means during said downward stroke of said die cutting apparatus, thereby extruding excess elastomeric material between said periphery and said annular groove prior to cutting the material into the volumetric sample by said groove and said periphery during said upward stroke.

3 more elements

A method for cutting a volumetric sample for elastomeric material, comprising:

(a) placing a section of elastomeric material on a die receiving apparatus, said die receiving apparatus having tension-damping means for damping pressure against the elastomeric material and having a die with an internal hollow having a dimension;
said die having an annular groove at the uppermost area of said internal hollow;
(b) adjusting a volumetric sample adjustment apparatus having a movable forming post within a fixed forming post housing and adjustment means for moving said forming post, said forming post having a contact surface which resides in said internal hollow of said die, so that said movable forming post and said die dimension determine a volumetric cavity;
(c) moving a die cutting apparatus into contact with the elastomeric material, said apparatus having a pressured downward stroke, an unpressured upward stroke, a periphery, and surface means for concentrically manipulating the elastomeric material toward said periphery, said surface means having an axis;
(d) manipulating and compressing during said pressured downward stroke a section of the elastomeric material into said volumetric cavity;
(e) extruding the elastomeric material from said volumetric cavity between said groove and said periphery during said pressured downward stroke;
and,
(f) cutting the elastomeric material into a volumetric sample of homogeneous form by contacting the upper edge of said groove with said periphery during said unpressured upward stroke.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable volume sample cutter and method of use

Life of this patent

Variable volume sample cutter and method of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13