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US 7,398,716 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for processing a tube
OwnerJohn Quigleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When a tube is to be cut into a plurality of sections, a tube feed assembly is operated to rotate the tube and to move the tube along its longitudinal central axis into a work station. The tube and a mandrel move into a telescopic relationship at the work station. The tube feed assembly presses an end of the tube against a stop surface on a stripper at the work station. A plurality of knives are moved into engagement with the tube to cut the tube. Relative movement between the stripper and mandrel separates the sections of the tube from the mandrel. A scrap end section of the tube is directed to a scrap receiving location. Other sections of the tube are directed to a product receiving location.
Claims39
A method of processing a tube, said method comprising the steps of:
- rotating a mandrel disposed at a work station,
- moving a first portion of the tube into a the work station, said step of moving the first portion of the tube into the work station includes the steps of rotating the tube about its longitudinal central axis at the same speed as the mandrel while the tube is spaced apart from the mandrel and moving the mandrel and tube into a telescopic relationship while rotating the mandrel and tube at the same speed,
- cutting the first portion of the tube into a first plurality of sections while rotating the tube and mandrel,
- receiving a scrap section which is disposed on an end of the first portion of the tube at a scrap receiving location,
- receiving sections of the first portion of the tube other than the scrap section at a second receiving location which is separate from the scrap receiving location,
- moving a second portion of the tube into the work station while rotating the tube and mandrel at the same speed,
- cutting the second portion of the tube into a second plurality of sections, and
- directing the second plurality of sections to the second receiving location which is separate from the scrap receiving location.
5 more elements
A method of processing a tube, said method comprising the steps of:
- rotating a mandrel disposed at a work station,
- rotating the tube,
- moving a first portion of the tube into the work station while rotating the tube and mandrel, said step of moving the first portion of the tube into the work station includes moving a leading end of the tube into the work station at a first speed while rotating the tube, reducing the speed at which the leading end of the tube moves into the work station to a second speed which is less than the first speed while rotating the tube, and moving the leading end of the tube into engagement with a stop while the leading end of the tube is moving at the second speed and while rotating the tube,
- cutting the first portion of the tube into a first plurality of sections while rotating the tube and mandrel,
- receiving a scrap section which is disposed on an end of the first portion of the tube at a scrap receiving location,
- receiving sections of the first portion of the tube other than the scrap section at a second receiving location which is separate from the scrap receiving location,
- moving a second portion of the tube into the work station while rotating the tube and mandrel,
- cutting the second portion of the tube into a second plurality of sections,
- directing the second plurality of sections to the second receiving location which is separate from the scrap receiving location.
6 more elements
A method of processing a tube, said method comprising the steps of:
- rotating a mandrel,
- rotating the tube,
- moving a first portion of the tube into a work station, said step of moving the first portion of the tube into the work station includes the steps of rotating the tube about its longitudinal central axis at the same speed as the mandrel while the tube is spaced apart from the mandrel and moving the mandrel and tube into a telescopic relationship while rotating the mandrel and tube at the same speed,
- reducing the speed at which a leading end of the tube moves into the work station from a first speed to a second speed which is less than the first speed while the mandrel and tube are in the telescopic relationship, and moving the leading end of the tube into engagement with a stop while the leading end of the tube is moving at the second speed and the mandrel and tube are in the telescopic relationship,
- cutting the first portion of the tube into a first plurality of sections while rotating the tube and mandrel,
- receiving a scrap section which is disposed on an end of the first portion of the tube at a scrap receiving location,
- receiving sections of the first portion of the tube other than the scrap section at a second receiving location which is separate from the scrap receiving location,
- moving a second portion of the tube into the work station while rotating the tube and mandrel,
- cutting the second portion of the tube into a second plurality of sections, and
- directing the second plurality of sections to the second receiving location which is separate from the scrap receiving location.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.