US 5,373,880 A · Method of continuously processing chopsticks as well as an apparatus for carrying out the method

Abstract

A method of continuously processing chopsticks (35), the outer shape of which is defined by two mutually parallel surfaces and two opposing, plane, oblique surfaces (5, 6) inclining towards one another by the same inclination seen relative to a common plane of symmetry. The chopsticks (35) are advanced in the longitudinal direction while passing pairs of processing implements (37, 38 and 39). During the advancing movement, one oblique surface (5) of the chopsticks (35), the common longitudinal plane of symmetry, and the second oblique surface (6) are aligned one by one substantially parallel to a common plane of alignment (50) extending in the direction of advance (36) and are processed by a pair of processing implements (37, 38 and 39) associated with each aligning position. The advance is carried out by continuously rotating friction rolls (8 to 34) engaging the mutually parallel surfaces of the articles.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method of continuously processing elongated articles having an outer shape defined by two mutually parallel surfaces and two opposing, plane, oblique surfaces inclining towards one another by the same inclination relative to a common plane of symmetry, said method comprising the steps of

(a) advancing said articles in a longitudinal direction while passing pairs of processing implements;
(b) during the advancing movement aligning one oblique surface of said articles, a common longitudinal plane of symmetry, and a second oblique surface one by one substantially parallel to a common plane of alignment extending in a direction of advance and processing said articles by a pair of processing implements associated with each of several alignment positions, said advancing being carried out by bringing continuously rotating friction rolls into engagement with said mutually parallel surfaces of said articles.

An apparatus for continuously processing elongated articles, comprising

(a) conveyor means advancing the articles in a longitudinal direction;
(b) a plurality of sets of processing implements processing the articles while they pass through said apparatus;
(c) a plurality of activatable friction rolls adapted to engage parallel surfaces of said articles and to advance said articles during passage of said processing implements;
(d) two guides staggered from one another in a direction of advance of said articles, said guides being associated with respective sets of said processing implements and comprising opposing plane guide surfaces parallel to a common plane of alignment extending in said direction of advance and substantially perpendicular to axes of rotation of said friction rolls, said guide surfaces being adapted to successively engage an oblique surface of said articles;
(e) resilient pressing means for pressing said articles against said guide surfaces;
and
(f) identical centering rolls between said guides and operating from respective sides towards said common plane of alignment, said centering rolls being biased by uniform spring tension and engaging said respective oblique surfaces of said articles so as to align said plane of symmetry of said articles parallel to said plane of alignment while said articles are subjected to processing by means of a pair of said processing implements.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of continuously processing chopsticks as well as an apparatus for carrying out the method

Life of this patent

Method of continuously processing chopsticks as well as an apparatus for carrying out the method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9