Device and method for cutting off an end section of a can blank

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9987761-B2
Application number	US-201214005057-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 23, 2012
Priority date	Mar 24, 2011
Publication date	Jun 5, 2018
Grant date	Jun 5, 2018

Abstract

The invention is to a device and method, for cutting a can blank in which case an end section of the can blank is severed. The can blank is moved by means of a conveyor arrangement at a constant speed about a first axis of rotation. Preferably, a laser beam is used as the cutting means. A deflecting arrangement deflects the laser beam to a focal point where the side surface of the can blank is located. Due the rotation of the can blank about its longitudinal axis, the axial end section of said can blank is severed. The focal point of the laser beam does not change relative to the longitudinal axis of the can blank during the laser cutting operation.

First claim

We claim:

1. Device ( 10 ) for cutting a can blank ( 11 ), comprising:
a conveyor arrangement ( 27 ) comprising several can receptacles ( 28 ) for accommodating respectively one can blank ( 11 ), said conveyor arrangement rotating about a first axis of rotation (D 1 ),
wherein each can receptacle ( 28 ) is allocated a holding arrangement ( 29 ) comprising a plate ( 30 ), said plate rotatable about a second axis of rotation (D 2 ),
a cutting means ( 69 ) that, adapted to the rotation of the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ) about a first axis of rotation (D 1 ), also rotates about the first axis of rotation (D 1 ),
the holding arrangement ( 29 ) further comprises a holding element ( 58 ), said holding element being movable between an inoperative position (I) and a holding position (II),
in its holding position (II), the holding element ( 58 ) supports the can blank ( 11 ) on its side surface ( 20 ), and,
the holding element ( 58 ) is supported so that it can be guided in a shifting manner parallel to the second axis of rotation (D 2 ).

2. Device as in claim 1 , characterized in that a cutting tool ( 100 ) having a cutting edge ( 101 ) is used as the cutting means ( 69 ), said cutting tool rotating together with the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ) about the first axis of rotation (D 1 ).

3. Device as in claim 2 , characterized in that each can receptacle ( 28 ) is allocated a cutting tool ( 100 ).

4. Device as in claim 3 , characterized in that the cutting tool ( 100 ) is supported by the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ) so that said cutting tool can be moved radially or aslope relative to the second axis of rotation (D 2 ).

5. Device as in claim 1 , characterized in that, the cutting means ( 69 ) comprises a laser beam ( 71 ), a laser source ( 70 ) configured to produce the laser beam ( 71 ), said laser source being stationary relative to the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ), and a deflecting arrangement ( 72 ), said deflecting arrangement deflecting the laser beam ( 71 ) of the laser source ( 70 ) adapted to the rotation of the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ), are provided, whereby the deflected laser beam ( 71 ) is disposed to act as the cutting means in the region of its focal point (F).

6. Device as in claim 5 , characterized in that the deflecting arrangement ( 72 ) is supported so as to be shiftable parallel to the second axis of rotation (D 2 ).

7. Device as in claim 5 , characterized in that the deflecting arrangement ( 72 ) comprises at least one reflecting surface ( 74 ), said reflecting surface moving adapted to, or together with, the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ).

8. Device as in claim 7 , characterized in that the number of reflecting surfaces ( 74 ) of the deflecting arrangement ( 72 ) corresponds to the number of the can receptacles ( 28 ).

9. Device as in claim 1 , characterized in that the holding element ( 58 ) comprises an arcuate or annular support part ( 60 ), said support part enclosing the side surface ( 20 ) of the can blank ( 11 ) at a distance from the can bottom ( 32 ).

10. Device as in claim 9 , characterized in that the support part ( 60 ) has an air bearing ( 61 ) on its inside.

11. Device as in claim 1 , characterized in that shifting of the holding element ( 58 ) between the inoperative position (I) and the holding position (II) is accomplished by a cam rail ( 51 ), whereby a cam follower ( 52 ) connected to the holding element ( 58 ) abuts against said cam rail.

12. Device as in claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 30 ) is non-rotatably connected to a drive wheel ( 42 ).

13. Device as in claim 12 , characterized in that an arcuate drive rail ( 81 ) is arranged coaxially to the first axis of rotation (D 1 ), whereby the drive wheel ( 42 ), in a first segment of the rotation of the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ) about the first axis of rotation (D 1 ), abuts against the drive rail.

14. Method for cutting a can blank ( 11 ) with the device ( 10 ) of claim 5 , comprising the following steps:
supplying several can blanks ( 11 ) to respectively each of the can receptacles ( 28 ) of the conveyor arrangement ( 27 ) rotating about the first axis of rotation (D 1 );
activating the laser source ( 70 ) and deflecting the laser beam ( 71 ), adapted to a rotational movement (R) of the can blank ( 11 ) about the first axis of rotation (D 1 ), by means of the deflecting arrangement ( 72 ); and
rotating the can blank ( 11 ) about its longitudinal axis (D 2 ) during the laser cutting operation.

Assignees

• Blei Klaus
• Gunther Uwe
• Schuler Pressen Gmbh

Inventors

• Blei Klaus
• Gunther Uwe

Classifications

• Y10T83/4734

  Flying support or guide for work · CPC title

• B65G47/846

  Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements · CPC title

• B23D31/001

  for trimming deep drawn products (combined with deep-drawing presses B21D24/16) · CPC title

• B26D7/01

  Means for holding or positioning work · CPC title

• B21D51/26

  cans or tins; Closing same in a permanent manner (making outlet arrangements B21D51/38; welding or soldering B23K) · CPC title