Chipless trimming of plastic bottles
AssigneeAutotech Corporation
InventorsJames R. Proffitt, Michael J. Kelly, Peter J. Hatas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for trimming the neck of plastic bottles includes means for rapidly rotating a cutting blade around the neck being trimmed while progressively moving the cutting blade through the thickness of the neck. During the cutting, a flat surface of the cutting blade rubs against the newly cut upper neck or finish surface to provide a polished surface therefor.
Claims32
A method for trimming waste plastic from the neck of a plastic bottle, said neck having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface defining a closed loop extending around an axis, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a tool having a cutting edge;
- (b) engaging said cutting edge against said outer surface;
- (c) moving said cutting edge around said outer surface;
- and said neck to (i) move said cutting edge around said closed loop and (ii) move said cutting edge toward said inner surface;
- and
- (d) interconnecting a cam with said tool, said cam controlling the depth of positioning of said cutting edge between said outer surface and said inner surface.
A method for trimming waste plastic from the neck of a plastic bottle, said neck having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface defining a closed loon extending around an axis, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a tool having a cutting edge and a planar surface extending from said cutting edge;
- (b) gripping said neck below said waste plastic;
- (c) engaging said cutting edge against said outer surface;
- (d) imparting relative movement between said cutting edge and said neck to (i) move said cutting edge around said closed loop and (ii) move said cutting edge progressively closer to said inner surface as it moves around said closed loop;
- (e) causing said cutting edge to make multiple revolutions around said closed loop prior to said cutting edge reaching said inner surface;
- and
- (f) forming a substantially flat surface perpendicular to said axis during steps (d) and (e);
- and
- (g) imparting relative movement between said planar surface and said flat surface to polish said flat surface.
A method for trimming waste from the upper portion of a plastic bottle having outwardly facing closure engagement means adjacent the area to be trimmed, said area having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface defining a circular or other closed loop path extending around an axis, comprising the steps of:
- (a) gripping said closure engagement means with a gripping mechanism;
- (b) providing a tool having a cutting edge and a planar surface;
- (c) imparting relative movement between said cutting edge and said area to (i) move said cutting edge into engagement with said outer surface around said closed loop path and (ii) move said cutting edge toward said inner surface;
- (d) causing said cutting edge to make multiple revolutions around said closed loop prior to said cutting edge reaching said inner surface;
- (e) forming a substantially flat surface perpendicular to said axis during steps (c) and (d) and causing said planar surface to make multiple revolutions around said closed loop while in contact with said flat surface to polish said flat surface.
A method for trimming waste from the upper portion of a plastic bottle having outwardly facing closure engagement means adjacent the area to be trimmed, said area having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface defining a circular or other closed loop path extending around an axis, comprising the steps of:
- (a) gripping said closure engagement means with a gripping mechanism;
- (b) providing a tool having a cutting edge;
- (c) imparting relative movement between said cutting edge and said area to (i) move said cutting edge into engagement with said outer surface around said closed loop path and (ii) move said cutting edge toward said inner surface;
- and
- (d) interconnecting a cam with said tool, said cam controlling the depth of positioning of said cutting edge between said outer surface and said inner surface.
Apparatus for trimming waste from the neck portions of plastic bottles to form a surface defining a finish thereon, said neck portions having inner and outer surfaces extending around an axis comprising
- (a) a neck gripper movable between an open and a closed position for engaging and supporting said neck portions, said neck gripper, when closed around one of said neck portions, defining an axis co-axial with said neck portion axis and having an engagement surface substantially perpendicular to said axis;
- (b) a cutting blade movable in sliding engagement with said neck gripper engagement surface (i) toward and away from said axis and (ii) circumferentially around said axis;
- (c) a cutting blade support for supporting said cutting blade, said support being rotatable around said axis along with said cutting blade;
- and
- (d) a cam mechanism for moving said cutting blade toward said axis and away from said axis.
Apparatus for trimming waste from the neck portions of plastic bottles to form a surface defining a finish thereon, said neck portions having inner and outer surfaces extending around an axis comprising
- (a) a neck gripper movable between an open and a closed position for engaging and supporting said neck portions, said neck gripper, when closed around one of said neck portions, defining an axis co-axial with said neck portion axis;
- (b) a cutting blade movable (i) toward and away from said axis and (ii) circumferentially around said axis;
- (c) a cutting blade support for supporting said cutting blade, said support being rotatable around said axis along with said cutting blade;
- and
- (d) a cam mechanism for moving said cutting blade toward said axis and away from said axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.