Masking removal system and method
AssigneeCardinal IG Company
InventorsCurtis Lee Queck, Robert Casper Buchanan, Michael John Milewski, Jacobus P. Pretorius
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides machines for removing strips of masking from glazing panes. Also provided are methods of removing strips of masking from glazing panes. One embodiment of a machine for removing strips of masking material from a glazing pane includes a cutting head and a processing station. The processing station can be constructed to retain the glazing pane in a processing position with a first surface of the glazing pane oriented toward the cutting head. The cutting head can be movable in various directions across the masked glazing pane and include cutters to cut strips from the masking material.
Claims36
A machine for automated removal of strips of masking film from a masked glazing pane, comprising a cutting head and a processing station, the processing station constructed to retain a glazing pane having opposed first and second surfaces in a processing position wherein the first surface of the glazing pane is oriented toward the cutting head, the cutting head being movable in an X direction and in a Y direction, the X and Y directions being offset from each other by an angle of 90 degrees, the cutting head having two spaced-apart cutters, the cutting head being adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the cutting head is in the first configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the X direction, in a masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from the masking film, and when the cutting head is in the second configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the Y direction, in the masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from such masking film, wherein the two spaced-apart cutters are two cutting wheels.
A machine for automated removal of strips of masking film from a masked glazing pane, comprising a cutting head and a processing station, the processing station constructed to retain a glazing pane having opposed first and second surfaces in a processing position wherein the first surface of the glazing pane is oriented toward the cutting head, the cutting head being movable in an X direction and in a Y direction, the X and Y directions being offset from each other by an angle of 90 degrees, the cutting head having two spaced-apart cutters, the cutting head being adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the cutting head is in the first configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the X direction, in a masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from the masking film, and when the cutting head is in the second configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the Y direction, in the masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from such masking film, the machine comprising an upright platen constructed to support the second surface of the glazing pane, and a conveyor adjacent a bottom region of the upright platen, the conveyor constructed to support a bottom edge of the glazing pane.
A machine for automated removal of strips of masking film from a masked glazing pane, comprising a cutting head and a processing station, the processing station constructed to retain a glazing pane having opposed first and second surfaces in a processing position wherein the first surface of the glazing pane is oriented toward the cutting head, the cutting head being movable in an X direction and in a Y direction, the X and Y directions being offset from each other by an angle of 90 degrees, the cutting head having two spaced-apart cutters, the cutting head being adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the cutting head is in the first configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the X direction, in a masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from the masking film, and when the cutting head is in the second configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the Y direction, in the masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from such masking film, wherein the cutting head further comprises a claw constructed to lift an edge region of the masking film away from the first surface of the glazing pane.
A machine for automated removal of strips of masking film from a masked glazing pane, comprising a cutting head and a processing station, the processing station constructed to retain a glazing pane having opposed first and second surfaces in a processing position wherein the first surface of the glazing pane is oriented toward the cutting head, the cutting head being movable in an X direction and in a Y direction, the X and Y directions being offset from each other by an angle of 90 degrees, the cutting head having two spaced-apart cutters, the cutting head being adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the cutting head is in the first configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the X direction, in a masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from the masking film, and when the cutting head is in the second configuration the two spaced-apart cutters are operable to make two respective cuts, elongated in the Y direction, in the masking film on the first surface of the glazing pane to thereby cut a strip from such masking film, the machine comprising a knurl tool located between the two spaced-apart cutters, the knurl tool being operable to knurl the masking film in a location between the two respective cuts elongated in the X direction, when the cutting head is in the first configuration or between the two respective cuts, elongated in the Y direction, when the cutting head is in the second configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.