Automatic feeding, grinding and classification of woodworking knives

Description

1 / 42 AUTOMATIC FEEDING, SHARPENING AND SORTING OF WOODWORKING KNIVES TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a machine for maintaining and / or producing knives for woodworking and, more specifically, to an automatic machine designed for feeding, sharpening and sorting knives for woodworking. BACKGROUND

[0002] Industrial woodworking knives, such as Key Nife™ chipping knives, are essential components of industrial woodworking machines (e.g., planers, etc.) and require periodic sharpening and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Manual processes for feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives can be time-consuming, laborious, and prone to human error. An automated solution is desirable to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety in the production and maintenance processes of woodworking knives.

[0003] There is therefore a need for an automatic machine designed to feed, sharpen and sort woodworking knives that offers greater efficiency, precision and safety compared to existing manual processes. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides examples of an automatic machine for feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives, control systems for such machines, and methods for feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives. The present disclosure addresses the shortcomings of existing machines and methods for maintaining woodworking knives and provides an improved machine for maintaining or producing woodworking knives. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 7 / 78 2 / 42

[0005] One advantage of the present disclosure is the provision of machines for the maintenance of woodworking knives and their components (e.g., hoppers, guide rail systems, sharpening assemblies, etc.) with improved features compared to existing technologies, tools, processes and systems.

[0006] In some embodiments, a machine for feeding, sharpening and sorting a woodworking knife includes: a hopper for removablely holding a woodworking knife and having a receiving end and a feeding end, the hopper being gravity fed; a sharpening assembly, the sharpening assembly having a first sharpener and a second sharpener;a guide rail system for receiving the woodworking knife at a first end and for releasing it at a second end, the guide rail system comprising a chain with protrusions for releasable retention of the woodworking knife and an actuator for moving the woodworking knife; the knife is received on the chain with protrusions at the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is oriented towards the feed end of the hopper and the second end is positioned distally to the feed end of the hopper, and the guide rail system is positioned so that both the first and second sharpeners are able to simultaneously contact the woodworking knife as it is moved from the first end to the second end;When the received woodworking knife is moved to the second end of the guide rail system, it is released from the chain with protrusions; a rotary sorting station, positioned to receive and sort the woodworking knife after it is released from the second end of the guide rail system; and one or more measuring probes positioned and; Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 8 / 78 3 / 42 aligned to measure the woodworking knife as it is moved along the guide rail system between the hopper and the sharpening assembly; and a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0007] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, the chain with protrusions receives a woodworking knife from the hopper, pulling the woodworking knife as it falls into the guide rail system.

[0008] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, the measurement of the woodworking knife by one or more measuring probes comprises the measurement of the dimensions of the woodworking knife's edge.

[0009] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, the PLC determines the sharpening state of the woodworking knife based on the measurement results of one or more measuring probes.

[00010] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, the sharpening state of the woodworking knife comprises a first sharpening, a second sharpening, a third sharpening or scrap.

[00011] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, one or both of the first and second sharpeners adjust their height based on the PLC's determination of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife.

[00012] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, one or both of the first and second sharpeners adjust their height based on the PLC determination of a third sharpener, so that the measured and determined woodworking knife does not come into contact with the first and second sharpeners.

[00013] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, the rotary sorting station comprises one or more buckets mounted on a rotating bearing, the sorting station Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 9 / 78 4 / 42 rotary turner rotates to align one or more buckets with the second end of the guide rail system, so that the aligned bucket receives a woodworking knife released from the guide rail system.

[00014] In one embodiment of the automatic machine described herein, the bucket or buckets are positioned in a rotary manner, so that a designated bucket receives a woodworking knife based on the sharpness of the woodworking knife.

[00015] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for automatically feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of woodworking knives through a receiving end of a hopper; (b) gravity feeding the woodworking knives through the feeding end of a hopper to a first end of a guide rail system; (c) pulling knives through the guide rail system using a chain with protrusions; (d) measuring the sharpening state of the woodworking knife using one or more measuring probes; (e) determining the sharpening state of the woodworking knife with a programmable logic controller (PLC); (f) adjusting the height of one or both of the first and second sharpeners of a sharpening set based on the PLC's determination of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife;(g) move the woodworking knife through the sharpening assembly to a second end of the guide rail system, thereby sharpening the woodworking knife; and (h) receive the woodworking knife in a designated bucket at a rotary sorting station, thereby sorting the sharpened woodworking knife.

[00016] In one embodiment of the methods described herein, the steps of determining the sharpness of the knife for work Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 10 / 78 5 / 42 wood, adjusting the height of the first and second sharpeners and classifying the woodworking knife allow for efficient maintenance of the woodworking knife based on its sharpness.

[00017] Other aspects and modalities of revelation are evident in light of the detailed description given here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00018] Other advantages, permutations and combinations of the invention will now be presented from the above and the detailed description below of the various specific embodiments of the invention, together with the accompanying drawings, each of which is intended to be non-limiting, wherein: Figures A and B are perspective views of an automatic knife sharpening system for feeding, sharpening, and sorting industrial woodworking knives.

[00019] FIGURES UC and 1D are front and rear elevation views, respectively, of the system in FIGURES A and 1B.

[00020] FIGURES E and 1F are elevation views of the inlet and outlet ends, respectively, of the system in FIGURES A and 1B.

[00021] FIGURE MG is a plan view of the system in FIGURES A and 1B.

[00022] FIGURE SH is a perspective view of the system components of FIGURES A and 1B.

[00023] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the structure.

[00024] FIGURES A, 3B and 3C are perspective, side elevation and plan views, respectively, of the guide rail assembly with some components removed for clarity.

[00025] FIGURES 3D, E and 3F are seen in side elevation, front elevation and perspective of a part of the closed circuit. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 11 / 78 6 / 42

[00026] FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a hopper, a measuring assembly and a set of rails shown in relation to parts of the structure.

[00027] FIGURES A and 5B are seen in perspective from the hopper.

[00028] FIGURES UC and 5D are front and side views, respectively, of the hopper in FIGURES A and 5B.

[00029] FIGURES A, 6B and 6C are front, perspective and side views, respectively, of a fastening assembly.

[00030] FIGURE A is a plan view of a sensor assembly in combination with the rail assembly, hopper and mounting assembly.

[00031] FIGURE BI is a perspective view of a pair of sensors suitable for use in the sensor array of Figure A.

[00032] FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the sensor assembly in FIGURE A, with some components removed for clarity.

[00033] FIGURES A and 9B are elevation views of the ends of the sensor assembly before and during a knife measurement, with some components removed for clarity.

[00034] FIGURE 10 is an elevation view of the ends of the grinding assembly in relation to parts of the structure, viewed from an end downstream of the track.

[00035] FIGURE 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a grinding wheel assembly and its components.

[00036] FIGURE 12 shows the sharpeners in relation to a knife in the guide track assembly, viewed from a downstream end of the track. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 12 / 78 7 / 42

[00037] FIGURES A and 13B are perspective views of the classifier assembly, with some components removed for greater clarity in FIGURE F3.

[00038] FIGURES F3 and 13D are a plan view and a partial perspective view of the classifier assembly and its components.

[00039] FIGURE 14 illustrates a computer-implemented method for operating a knife rectifier.

[00040] FIGURE 15 illustrates additional details of the method in Figure 14.

[00041] FIGURE 16 illustrates a controller configured to implement several operations described herein.

[00042] FIGURE 17 illustrates a user interface configured to implement several operations described herein; and

[00043] FIGURES A through 18H illustrate an example of a graphical user interface (GUI).

[00044] Everything in accordance with the modalities of the present revelation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00045] Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by an ordinary technician in the technical field to which the disclosure pertains. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, the appropriate methods and materials are described below.

[00046] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to automatic machines for feeding, sharpening and sorting woodworking knives, sharpening assemblies, guide rail systems, rotary sorting stations and methods with enhanced functionality for maintaining woodworking knives. In the embodiment illustrated, the woodworking knives are Key Nife™ chipping knives. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 13 / 78 8 / 42

[00047] The present disclosure offers several advantages over existing technologies. For example, existing machines for feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives are not precise enough to keep the woodworking knives within the desired or even acceptable tolerances. This is due to several factors, including, for example, human error. Furthermore, existing machines for feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives require manual operation and are inefficient.

[00048] One advantage of the present disclosure is the provision of machines for feeding, sharpening and sorting woodworking techniques with improved features compared to existing technologies, in particular by using automatic operation.

[00049] FIGURES A to 1G illustrate an embodiment of an automatic knife sharpening system 100. In this embodiment, the knife sharpening system is configured to automatically feed, grind, and classify woodworking knives. The knives are illustrated by way of example as chipping knives with a specific length and cross-sectional shape. However, the knife sharpening systems (and the corresponding apparatus and methods) disclosed herein are adaptable for use with industrial woodworking knives of other lengths and shapes, as discussed further below. Furthermore, the features of the knife sharpening system 100 and its parts that are indicated below as optional may be omitted.Therefore, some system or device modalities may lack one or more (or all) of these optional features, and the corresponding methods of control, operation, or use of such modalities may omit steps or actions involving the omitted feature(s).

[00050] In various embodiments, the knife sharpening system 100 includes a knife sharpening apparatus 100a (for Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 14 / 78 9 / 42 abbreviated, “knife sharpener 100a) and a control system 100b. The control system 100b is configured to control various operations of the knife sharpener 100a.

[00051] The knife sharpener 100a includes a frame 102, a guide rail assembly 110, and at least one sharpening assembly 160. Preferably, the guide rail assembly 110 and the sharpening assembly 160 are supported by the frame 102. Mounting both assemblies on a common rigid support with their respective non-moving parts in a fixed spatial relationship can help reduce errors in the positioning of moving parts, such as the sharpening disc(s) of the sharpening assembly 160. However, in some embodiments, the guide rail assembly 110 may be mounted on the frame 102 and the sharpening assembly 160 or parts thereof may be mounted on another support frame, or vice versa. In this case, the frame 102 and the other support frame are preferably fixed in a position relative to each other.

[00052] Referring now to Figure 2, the structure 102 can be configured to support the guide rail assembly 110. In some embodiments, the structure 102 may include vertical supports 104, such as legs, beams, plates and / or other similar structures. The structure 102 may also include one or more lateral supports 106, such as beams, plates, metal sheets or other rigid or semi-rigid materials and the like. The vertical supports 104 and the lateral supports 106 may be connected in any suitable manner. Preferably, at least one of the side supports 106 is connected to two or more of the vertical supports 104 to form a raised base for the guide track assembly 110. For example, as best illustrated in Figures 1H and 2, the vertical supports 104 may include legs and / or sheet metal parts connected to each other to form the sides and ends of a generally rectangular hollow body, and the side supports 106 may include Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 15 / 78 10 / 42 crossbeams and / or plates connecting the sides or ends of the hollow body. However, the illustrated configuration is not essential. The structure may have any configuration that is suitable to support the guide rail assembly in the desired spatial relationship to the 160 grinder assembly and / or other components.

[00053] The guide rail assembly 110 includes a rail 112 and an endless loop 116 (Figures 3A to 3C). The T-track 112 can be a pair of tracks 112a and 112b, each with a corresponding knife support surface (shown in Figure 3B as 114a and 114b, respectively). Tracks 112a and 112b are parallel to each other and separated by a space. The knife support surfaces 114a-b collectively define a flow path extending from an upstream portion of track 112 to a downstream portion of track 112. The cross-sectional profile of the rails and / or the angle of the knife support surfaces 114a and 114b, and the distance between rails 112a-b (i.e., the size of the space between them), are preferably selected to match the shape and dimensions of the knife 10. Optionally, the guide track assembly 110 and / or the structure 102 may further include an exit portion that slopes downward to guide the knives 10 as they exit the guide track 112.If present, the output section may include a pair of inclined output tracks 112c (see, for example, Figure 3A) and / or a ramp 112d (Figure 1C, 1D).

[00054] The closed circuit 116 is preferably mounted on the same support structure (e.g., side support(s) 106) as the channel 112. The closed circuit 116 may be a roller chain that engages with the sprockets 120a and 120b mounted on the drive shaft 122a and the intermediate shaft 122b, respectively. The shafts 122a and 122b are mounted on the side support(s) 106 by means of respective supports 124. The supports 124 may be sealed ball bearings mounted Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 16 / 78 11 / 42 with housings, cushion block bearings or similar. The drive shaft 122a can be connected to the motor 128. The motor 128 can be a servo motor, a stepper motor or another suitable type of motor. Optionally, the motor 128 can be connected to the drive shaft 128 by a gearbox 126 and / or a flexible shaft coupling. The motor 128 is operable to rotate the drive shaft 122a and the sprockets 120a and 12b to drive the closed loop 116 along a rotational path. The upper part of the rotational path extends between the rails 112a, 112b. The lower part of the rotational path is normally below the track 112.

[00055] The closed loop 116 includes at least one shoulder 118. The shoulder 118 is dimensioned to extend into the flow path between rails 112a-b as it is carried along the top of the rotational path of the closed loop 116. Although the closed loop 116 is illustrated as a roller chain, it could alternatively be a belt or similar. In that case, pulleys or sprockets configured to engage the belt could replace the sprockets 122a, 122b.

[00056] With knife 10 supported on rails 112a-b, infinite loop 1 16 can be rotated to place a protrusion 118 in contact with the knife, thus advancing the knife along the flow path, on track 112, in a first direction towards a downstream end of the track.

[00057] In some embodiments, the infinite loop 116 has multiple protrusions 118. In this case, the protrusions 118 can be spaced at regular intervals. The spacing can be selected to correspond to the spatial arrangement of various components or assemblies along the flow path. For example, in embodiments that include a knife receptacle, a sensor assembly, and a crusher assembly (described later) arranged along the flow path, the protrusions Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 17 / 78 12 / 42 118 can be spaced along the infinite loop 116 so that when a protrusion is passing through the knife receptacle to engage a first knife, a second protrusion is advancing a second knife through the sensor assembly, a third protrusion is moving a third knife through the crusher assembly, and a fourth protrusion is at or near the distal end of the track to discharge a fourth knife.

[00058] In other embodiments, the closed circuit 116 has only a single protrusion 118. In particular, some embodiments of the system 100 or apparatus 100a include a structure, a set of guide rails, and a sharpening assembly, but do not include a sensor assembly and / or a knife receptacle (described later). In these embodiments, the guide rail system (and the clamping assembly, if present) and the rotational path of the infinite loop 116 can be relatively short, reducing the time required for the protrusion 118 to return to the upstream end of the rail to engage the next knife. For example, the sensor assembly may be omitted in embodiments intended only for use in grinding new, unused knives that have substantially uniform dimensions before sharpening. Such embodiments can be used in the manufacture of pre-sharpened knives. Similarly, some models may not have a receptacle for knives (for example, a hopper).The receptacle for knives can be omitted, for example, in embodiments configured for use in environments where the knives will be placed on the lane individually by a human operator or by another machine (e.g., a pick-and-place machine, an industrial robot, etc.).

[00059] Optionally, the knife sharpener 100a may include a knife receptacle 130 configured to hold one or more knives. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5A Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 18 / 78 From 13 / 42 to 5D, the knife receptacle 130 is configured to retain a removable knife 10 in the trough 112 at a first location along the flow path. A lower portion of the knife receptacle 130 defines a passage 138 sized to allow the shoulder 118 and knife 10 to exit the receptacle along the flow path as the shoulder 118 advances the knife along the track in the first direction. The knife receptacle 130 is located upstream of the crusher assembly 160 (described further below) and / or near an upstream end of the track 112.

[00060] In some embodiments, the knife receptacle 130 is a hopper configured to retain a stack of knives in a removable manner. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the knife receptacle 130 has a hollow body 132 with opposite sides 132a, 132b connected to corresponding ends of a back part 132c. Preferably, the back part 132c has (or possesses) an inclination of 45 to 75 degrees relative to the horizontal. Each of the sides 132a and 132b has a corresponding groove or contour 138a and 138b, respectively, above the channel 112 to allow protrusions (and, in the case of side 132b, knives) to pass through the sides of the hopper. A fixed guide 134 may be removablely or permanently attached to the downstream side 138b. An adjustable guide 136 can be mounted in a movable manner on the rear 132c.The guides 134 and 136 can be rails or other elongated structures of any suitable shape and size to help hold the knife or knives in the desired position, with the knife or stack of knives arranged between the guides. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable guide 136 includes a guide element 136a (e.g., a rail) that is movably coupled to the back part 132c and generally oriented parallel to the sides 132a, 132b. The guide member 136a is coupled at its upper end to a fastening member 136c that fits on the opposite side of the back part 132c. An adjustment member 136b, Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 19 / 78 14 / 42, like a threaded T-bolt, is disposed through a corresponding hole in the guide member 136a. The T-bolt can be turned in one direction to loosen and move the adjustable guide laterally along the rear 132c toward or away from the fixed guide 134, and turned in the opposite direction to fix the adjustable guide in place. In operation, a knife or stack of knives is placed in the knife receptacle with the downstream end(s) abutting the fixed guide 134. The adjustable guide 136 is moved to contact the opposite end(s) of the knife(s), and the T-bolt is turned to fix the adjustable guide 136 in place. This configuration allows the operator to adjust the knife receptacle 130 to accommodate knives of different lengths.

[00061] The configuration of the knife receptacle varies between different embodiments. Preferably, the knife receptacle is adapted to receive a stack of knives, so that the lowest knife is disposed on the track with the edges to be sharpened facing upwards. Rotating the infinite loop causes a protrusion 118 to contact the upstream end of the knife and advances the protrusion 118 and the knife along the track 112. As the lowest knife is removed from under the stack, the next lowest knife in the stack is gravity-deposited onto the track. Although the knife receptacle 130 illustrated is configured as a gravity-fed hopper, in other embodiments, the knife receptacle may be an electric hopper or any other device suitable for feeding knives onto the track. Again, some embodiments of the knife sharpener assembly do not include a knife receptacle.

[00062] In some embodiments, the knife sharpener 100a includes a fastening assembly positioned to engage a knife in the flow path between an upstream end and a downstream end of the track 112. In the embodiment illustrated, the fastening assembly 140 includes a series of mounted rollers 144 Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 20 / 78 15 / 42 rotatably in the lower part of an elongated lower housing 142a by respective pins 144b. An elongated upper housing 142b is connected to the lower housing 142a by screws 148b. Pressure elements 148a (in this example, compression springs) are arranged between the lower housing 142a and the upper housing 142b. The fastening assembly can be mounted on the lower part of a support structure 146 which, in turn, is mounted on the structure (e.g., on a side support member 106). The support structure 146 is configured to retain the fastening assembly 140 above the track 112, with the lower parts of the rollers 144a extending into the knife flow path. As the knife is moved along track 112, the upper surface of the knife is engaged by rollers 144a, which are forced upwards by contact to compress pressure members 148.As the knife continues to move along the track and the rollers 144a roll along its upper surface, the downward force provided by the compressed pressure elements 148a helps to retain the knife in the chute.

[00063] In some embodiments, the upstream end of the fastening assembly 140 is located near the downstream side 132a of the knife receptacle 130, and the downstream end of the fastening assembly 140 is located downstream of the sharpening assembly. Alternatively, in embodiments that do not have a knife receptacle, the upstream end of the fastening assembly 140 may begin at any location along the track 112 that is upstream of the sharpening assembly. In other embodiments, the fastening assembly may have other configurations. Any device or mechanism suitable for exerting appropriate downward force on the knife in the track 112 may replace the fastening assembly illustrated. Some embodiments may not have a fastening assembly. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 21 / 78 16 / 42

[00064] In several embodiments, the knife sharpener 100a may include a sensor array 150 (Figures 7A to 9B). The sensor array 150 is configured to measure the width of the knife at various locations along the length of the knife.

[00065] In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 150 includes sensors 152a and 152b arranged on opposite sides of the track 112. Sensors 152a and 152b are configured to capture measurements of the distance between the knife centerline (i.e., the longitudinal centerline of track 112) and the respective knife edge as the knife is moved along the track between the sensors. Preferably, sensors 152a and 152b are spring-loaded inductive linear position sensors configured to obtain measurements in response to linear displacement. Each sensor is provided with a respective contact roller (154a, 154b) at the distal end of the roller. The sensors are oriented transversely to the track with the contact rollers separated by a gap whose width is less than the width of the knife.As the knife advances along track 112 and enters the space, the knife edges are engaged by the respective contact rollers, which are pushed outward, away from the centerline of the flow path. This linear displacement of the contact rollers triggers sensors 152a and 152b to obtain a series of measurements as the contact rollers traverse the respective edges of the knife. Each measurement obtained by a sensor represents the width of the knife from the longitudinal centerline of the knife to the respective edge of the knife at a corresponding location along the length of the knife. Collectively, the measurements collected by sensors 152a and 152b represent the width of the knife at a plurality of locations along the knife. Preferably, sensors 152a and 152b are at least partially contained within their respective housings 156a and 156b. Each of the sensors may be provided with a corresponding sensor holder 158, such as a bracket or. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 22 / 78 17 / 42 similar, which is configured to retain a distal end of the respective sensors in the desired position relative to the flow path. In Figure 7A, one sensor holder 158 is shown, while the other is hidden to show the underlying features.

[00066] The sensor assembly configuration varies between different embodiments. Other sensor types suitable for measuring knife width can replace sensors 152a and 152b. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sensor assembly can be omitted.

[00067] Referring now to Figures 10 to 12, the knife sharpener 100a may include at least one sharpening assembly 160. Preferably, the sharpening assembly 160 is mounted on the frame 102 and positioned near the downstream end of the track 112. While some embodiments include two sharpening assemblies 160a, 160b positioned on opposite sides of the flow path (Figure 10), other embodiments may have only one sharpening assembly 160. For example, embodiments with only one sharpening assembly may be designed to be used for grinding knives with only one edge.

[00068] The grinding assembly 160 includes a grinding disc 162 coupled to an operable motor 164 to drive the grinding disc 162 into rotation. Preferably, the motor 164 is movably mounted on a motor support base 166. In some embodiments, a guide rail 168 is mounted on the motor support base 166 and is movably coupled by one or more carriages 170 (e.g., ball bearing carriages) mounted on the motor 164. The motor 164 can be raised and lowered along the guide rail 168 by a linear positioner mounted on the motor support base 166 and operationally coupled to the motor 164. For example, the linear positioner may include a positioning motor 184 connected to a ball screw 176. The ball screw 176 may be disposed through a nut. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 23 / 78 A ball screw 174, 18 / 42, is coupled to a support 178. The support 178 is configured to be connected to the motor 164, either directly or through an intermediate coupling member 186, such as a mounting plate or bracket. The upper end of the ball screw 176 is connected to a positioning motor 184, optionally through a shaft coupling 182. The positioning motor 184 can be mounted on the motor support base 166 in any suitable manner, such as by means of a motor support 172 which is fixed in position relative to the motor support base. The positioning motor 184 is configured to rotate the ball screw 176 in opposite directions to move the ball nut 174 up and down on the ball screw, thus raising and lowering the motor 164 and the grinder 162.

[00069] Motor 184 is preferably a servo motor. Alternatively, motor 184 may be a stepper motor. In that case, motor 184 is preferably coupled to a position sensor (e.g., an encoder). Motor 184 may be connected to ball screw 176 by a shaft coupling 182 or in any other suitable way.

[00070] In some embodiments, the sharpening assembly 160 may be provided with a position detector 180 configured to detect an initial or starting position of the screw holder, ball nut and / or sharpener. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the position detector 180 is a limit switch fixedly coupled to the motor support base 166 and positioned to contact the screw holder 178 when the sharpener 162a (or other moving part coupled thereto) is in an initial or “starting” position. In other embodiments, the sharpening assembly 160 may be provided with other means of position detection. In other embodiments (for example, those intended for use in sharpening only new knives) Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 24 / 78 19 / 42 and not used of uniform width), the position detector can be omitted.

[00071] Optionally, the structure 102 and / or the sharpening assembly 160 may include an adjustment guide 108 configured to facilitate adjustment of the angle of the motor support base 166. By way of example, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, the adjustment guide 108 may be (or include) a support element 108a, such as a plate, beam or the like, which is fixedly attached to one or more of the vertical support elements 104 and / or lateral support elements 106. The support member 108a extends below and transversely to the flow path along a downstream side of the motor support base(s) 166. A pivoting through hole 108b extends through the support member 108a in axial alignment with a corresponding pivoting through hole 188b on the downstream side 188a of the motor support base 166.A pin, screw, or other articulation element may be inserted into the through holes 108b and 188b to secure the motor support base 166 to the frame 102 and / or to provide an articulation axis around which the motor support base 166 may be articulated relative to the support element 108a. The support member 108a may further include adjustment through holes 108c with corresponding angle indicators (e.g., labels) 108d. In the illustrated example, the support member 108a has three adjustment through holes to adjust the angle of the motor support base to the corresponding designated angles (7 degrees, 10 degrees, and 12 degrees) relative to the vertical, but the number of adjustment through holes and the corresponding angles may vary between embodiments.The motor support base 166 can be adjusted to one of the designated angles by aligning the corresponding adjustment through hole 108c with a corresponding adjustment through hole 188c on the downstream side 188a of the motor support base 166 and inserting a pin, screw or. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 25 / 78 20 / 42 another fastening device through the aligned passage holes.

[00072] Alternatively, the knife sharpener 100a may be provided with other means for adjusting the angle(s) of the sharpener assembly(ies) relative to the vertical or relative to the structure. In other embodiments, the knife sharpener 100a does not have a mechanism or means for adjusting the angle(s) of the knife sharpener assembly(ies).

[00073] Optionally, the knife sharpener 100a can be supplied with a classifier assembly 190 disposed downstream of the flow path. The classifier assembly 190 is configured to receive the sharpened knife in one of a plurality of receptacles.

[00074] Referring now to Figures 13A to 13D, in some embodiments, the classifier assembly 190 includes a fixed frame 192, a rotating frame 194 and a drive system 196. The fixed frame 192 has an upper part 192a, a lower part 192b and sides 192c. The upper and lower parts 192a, 192b are generally rectangular and each has a circular opening. The rotating frame 194 has an upper part 194a and a lower part 194b joined by internal support ribs 194e. The upper and lower parts 194a and 194b are circular and have a slightly larger diameter than the corresponding openings in the upper and lower parts 192a and 192b, respectively, of the fixed frame. The internal support ribs 194e between the upper and lower parts 194a and 194b divide the interior of the rotating structure 194 into compartments, each sized to accommodate a corresponding classifier container 194f.Optionally, the upper part 194a may have labels or other indicators to designate the classification category of each compartment or container 194f. The rotating structure 194 also includes an outer track 194c that is fixedly coupled to it. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 26 / 78 21 / 42 lower part 192b of the stationary structure 192, and an inner track 194d that is fixedly coupled to the lower part 194b of the rotating structure 194. The inner track 194d is rotatable relative to the outer track 194c, allowing the rotating structure 194 to rotate about a central vertical axis of rotation relative to the stationary structure 192.

[00075] The classifier assembly 190 may have a drive system 196 configured to rotate the rotating frame 194 relative to the fixed frame 192. The drive system 196 may include a shaft 196a fixedly coupled to the lower part 194b of the rotating frame 194 and extending from it. A toothed belt pulley 196b is mounted axially on the shaft 196a. A motor 196d is mounted on the fixed frame (e.g., on the lower part 192b) and a second toothed belt pulley 196c is mounted axially on the motor 196d (e.g., on the motor output shaft). The pulleys 196b and 196c are connected by a toothed belt 196e. Optionally, the classifier assembly 190 may also include a position detector 198 configured to detect an initial position or starting position of the rotating structure 194 relative to the fixed structure 192 and / or a location, such as an exit end or longitudinal centerline of the track 112 or channel 112d.For example, as shown in Figure 13D, the position detector 198 may be a fork sensor or any other suitable type of light beam object detection sensor. In this case, one of the internal support ribs 194e may have an outward-extending part 194g, and the position detector 198 may be mounted inside the stationary structure 192 in alignment with the extending part 194g, so that the initial or starting rotational position of the rotating structure 194 is the rotational position at which the extending part 194g is detected by the position detector 198. If the position detector is a U-shaped fork sensor with the transmitter and the... Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 27 / 78 22 / 42 receiver on corresponding fork arms, the “initial” position may be the rotational position in which the extending part 194g of the support rib 194e is between the transmitter and the receiver.

[00076] The 196d motor is preferably a servomotor. However, the 196d motor may instead be a stepper motor. In that case, the 196d motor is preferably operationally coupled to a position sensor (e.g., an encoder). And, although the position detector 198 is preferably a fork-shaped sensor or other beam-sensing object sensor, other suitable position sensors known in the art may instead be used. Some embodiments do not include a classifier assembly. For example, in some embodiments intended for use only for sharpening new and unused knives to a uniform initial width, or those intended for use for sharpening knives to a uniform final width, the classifier 190 may be omitted.

[00077] In various embodiments, the knife sharpener 100a generally operates in the following manner. A knife (or a stack of knives) is placed in the knife receptacle 130, as described above; or, in embodiments without a knife receptacle, the knife is placed in the track 112. The motor 128 is driven to propel the infinite loop 116 into rotation. Rotating the infinite loop places the protrusion 118 into contact with the upstream end of the knife. As the protrusion 118 advances along the flow path in the first direction, it pushes the knife along the flow path. The knife is engaged by the fastening assembly 140 (if present) as it moves along the flow path through the space between sensors 152a and 152b (if present) and through the crusher assembly 160 before exiting track 112 and falling into one of the sorting receptacles of the classifier 190 (if present). Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 28 / 78 23 / 42

[00078] In several embodiments, the control system 100b is configured to automatically control at least some of the operations of the crusher apparatus 100a, such as the positions of the crushing discs in relation to the frame and the rotational position of the rotating frame of the classifier assembly.

[00079] The control system 100b preferably includes a controller 300 (Figure 16) and a user interface 400 (Figure 17). In various embodiments, the control system 100b is configured to perform some or all of the operations of a method for operating or controlling a knife sharpener (e.g., knife sharpener 100a). An example of such a method is illustrated in Figure 14.

[00080] Referring now to Figure 14, in block 201, controller 300 receives measurement signals from sensors 152a and 152b for a knife (e.g., knife 10) as the knife passes through the opening between the sensors. As the contact rollers at the ends of the sensors roll along the edge of the knife, the sensors send corresponding measurement signals to the PLC. Each measurement represents a measured width of the knife (e.g., the distance from the centerline of the track to the edge of the knife) at a corresponding interval along the length of the knife.

[00081] In block 203, controller 300 adjusts the measurements received from sensors 152a and 152b based on the deviation values ​​(if any) for the sensors. For example, the deviation values ​​can be determined through a calibration process and saved in a memory of controller 300 (or user interface 400), and controller 300 can retrieve these values ​​from memory. Controller 300 can adjust the measurements received from sensors 152a, 152b by applying the deviation value (if any) for each sensor to the measurements obtained by that sensor.

[00082] In block 205, controller 300 determines the knife width at intervals along the knife length. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 29 / 78 24 / 42 based on the adjusted measurements. If each of the sensors 152a and 152b measures the distance from the centerline of the track or knife to the corresponding edge of the knife, so that each sensor is measuring the width of one side of the knife, the controller can determine a total width at a specific location along the knife by summing the two adjusted measurements (one for each sensor 152a and 152b) for that location.

[00083] In block 207, controller 300 can calculate an average knife width based on the widths determined in block 205. For example, the controller can calculate the average of the total widths to determine an overall average knife width.

[00084] In block 209, controller 300 can determine a target width for the knife based on the average width and a desired reduction value. The reduction value can represent the desired reduction in the total width of the knife from end to end to be achieved through sharpening. For example, a reduction value of 0.002 represents a reduction of 0.001 along each edge of the knife. The controller can subtract the predetermined reduction value from the average width of the knife to obtain the target width. Typically, the reduction value is entered or selected by a human operator (e.g., via user interface 400).

[00085] In block 211, controller 300 can determine one or more target positions for sharpener(s) 162 based on the target width of the knife. For example, controller 300 can use trigonometric functions to determine the target position(s). Figure 15 illustrates this principle.

[00086] In summary, the controller can first calculate the height of a triangle indicated in 211a (dashed lines around knife 10) based on the measured or target width of the knife. The angles of the knife's support surfaces along tracks 112a and 112b, and the distance between the tracks, are known. Then the bottom point of the triangle is also known. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 30 / 78 25 / 42 is known. Therefore, the controller can calculate the height of this triangle using trigonometry. Then, the controller can calculate the vertical component (211b) required for the sharpener to move to the vertical elevation needed to sharpen the knife to the target width. This vertical component is one side of a second triangle, with the second side (the horizontal side 211d) representing the initial position (e.g., the position where screw support 178 engages with position detector 180) and the third leg (211c) representing the actual path of the sharpening disc's movement (e.g., parallel to the angle of the motor support base 166 and / or screw 176). The initial position (defined by position detector 180) and the angle p are known. Since motor 184 is a servomotor (or a stepper motor equipped with a comparable encoder or position detector), the absolute position of the sharpening disc is known, and that of the sharpening disc 162 is known.Preferably, motor(s) 184 is / are moved to the initial position at startup, and the controller tracks the position relative to the initial position based on data from the motor 184 position sensor. The grinding disc can be repositioned relative to the position detector 180, and the controller can use trigonometry to calculate the required displacement distance.

[00087] Optionally, the controller can determine the target position for the sharpening disc(s) based, in part, on a classification category determined for the knife. For example, if the controller determines that the classification category for the knife is reject (i.e., that the knife should not be sharpened), the controller can determine the target position as the starting position, so that the knife passes under the sharpening disc(s) without coming into contact with it / them.

[00088] Returning now to Figure 14, in block 213, controller 300 can send a control signal to motor 184 of the grinding assembly to implement the target position. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 31 / 78 26 / 42 determined. In modes with two grinding sets, the controller determines a target position for each of the grinding discs and sends a control signal to both motors 184 to implement the determined target position for the corresponding grinding discs.

[00089] In block 215, controller 300 can determine a target sorting position for the classifier (e.g., a target rotational position for the rotary frame 194) based on the target knife width. For example, if the knife can be sorted into one of several categories, e.g., first sharpening, second sharpening, third sharpening, and rejects, the controller can receive a predetermined maximum width or a range of widths for each category. The predetermined values ​​or ranges can be stored in a memory of the controller and / or entered by an operator through the user interface 400. The controller can determine the correct category for the knife by comparing the target knife width with the predetermined values / ranges.As with motor(s) 184, the classifier assembly motor (e.g., motor 196d) is preferably sent to an initial position (e.g., the position where the extending part 194g of the inner support rib 194e is detected by the position detector 198) when starting the knife sharpener. The position for each classification category can be set relative to the initial position, for example, the position for the first category can be set to 0 degrees, the position for the second category set to 90 degrees, etc. If the classifier motor is a servomotor or a stepper motor equipped with an encoder or equivalent position detector, the motor or controller can track the rotational position of the rotating structure, allowing the controller to determine the rotational position that corresponds to the classification category determined for the knife. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 32 / 78 27 / 42

[00090] In block 217, controller 300 can send some or all of the measured or calculated values ​​(e.g., average knife width, target knife width, target sharpener position, target sorting position, current sharpener position, current sorting position, etc.) to user interface 400. Controller 300 can also receive user input data and other data from user interface 400.

[00091] Figure 16 is a schematic illustration of controller 300, according to various embodiments. Controller 300 may be a programmable logic controller (PLC). Alternatively, controller 300 may be a personal computer or other computer device. Controller 300 is configured to receive data from user interface 400 and send data to it. Controller 300 is further configured to receive and process data from various sensors or devices of the knife sharpener 100a, such as sensors 152a and 152b, position detector(s) 180, position detector 198 and / or motor position encoders or sensors 184 and 196d.

[00092] Referring first to Figure 16, the controller 300 may include a processor 302 and a memory 304 communicating with the processor 302. Optionally, the memory 304 and the processor 302 may be integrated into a central processing unit (CPU) 308. The controller 300 may also include one or more input modules 312 (e.g., input boards) and one or more output modules 314 (e.g., output boards) and one or more communication interfaces 310. Optionally, the controller 300 may also include a power supply 316 configured to convert AC power to DC power. The memory 304 may include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or both. In some embodiments, the memory 304 includes random access memory (RAM). Optionally, the memory 304 may also include read-only memory (ROM), firmware, flash memory, a disk drive. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 33 / 78 28 / 42 hard drive, a solid-state drive, an external storage device or resource, and / or any other suitable type of memory.

[00093] Memory 304 includes logic 306 and data 318. Logic 306 includes instructions that are executable by processor 302 to perform various operations to control the knife sharpener 100, such as receiving measurement signals from sensors, adjusting measurements, determining knife widths, calculating average knife widths, determining target widths for the knives and target positions for the sharpener(s) and rotating structure (of the classifier), sending corresponding control signals, and communicating with the user interface 400. For example, in some embodiments, instructions may be executable by processor 302 to perform some or all of the steps of method 200 (e.g., some or all of blocks 201 through 219). Data 318 may include user inputs and other data received from user input 400, as well as data received from sensors, position detectors, motor encoders, and the like.

[00094] In operation, feedback or position data from motors 184 and 196d, sensors 152a and 152b, and position detectors 180 and 198 can be sent via input module(s) 312 to processor 302, which processes the received data according to logic 306. Processor 302 calculates the average and target widths of the knives and the target positions for the sharpening disc(s) and rotary table of the classifier and / or other information (e.g., input and output status, additional parameters, etc.) and optionally stores them in memory 304. Command signals from processor 302 are sent via output module(s) 314 to motors 184 and 196d. The 302 processor sends the determined or calculated values ​​and, optionally, other information (e.g., measurement data, current status of motors or actuators, etc.) to the Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 34 / 78 29 / 42 operator interface 400 and receives data from operator interface 400, via communication interface(s) 310.

[00095] Referring now to Figure 17, the user interface 200 may be a computing device, such as a tablet, touch-screen PC, laptop, desktop computer, or similar. Typically, the computing device includes system control logic 802 coupled to one or more processors 404 (e.g., a processor core), memory 406, 408 coupled to the system control logic 402, and one or more communication interfaces 410 coupled to the system control logic 402. The operator interface 400 may also include an interface device 416, such as a display screen or touch screen, configured to display the user interface. Optionally, the operator interface 400 may further include one or more additional input or output (I / O) devices 418 (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, joystick, or switch, etc.) configured to receive input from a human operator.The control logic of system 402 may include any suitable interface controller to provide any suitable interface to at least one of the processors 404 and / or any suitable device or component in communication with the control logic of system 402. The control logic of system 402 may also interoperate with input or output device 416 and / or input or output devices 418.

[00096] The control logic of the 402 system may include one or more memory controllers to provide an interface to the 406 memory. The 406 memory may be used to load and store data and / or instructions. The 406 memory may include any suitable volatile memory, such as RAM and / or dynamic random access memory (DRAM). NVM or 408 storage may be used to store data and / or instructions. NVM or 408 storage may include any non-volatile memory. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 35 / 78 30 / 42 suitable, such as flash memory, and / or any suitable non-volatile storage device, such as one or more hard disk drives (HDDs), one or more solid-state drives, one or more compact disc drives (“CDs”), and / or one or more digital versatile disc drives (“DVDs”). In some embodiments, the system control logic 402 may include one or more input or output (“I / O”) controllers to provide an interface to NVM or storage 808 and communication interface(s) 410.

[00097] In some embodiments, the system memory 406, the NVM or storage 408, and / or the system control logic 402 may include program logic 412 and / or data 414. The program logic 412 includes instructions that are executable by the processor(s) 404 to perform some or all of the operator interface operations 400 described herein, such as rendering or displaying a user interface (e.g., a GUI) for a knife sharpener system or component(s) thereof, processing operator inputs (e.g., instructions, operating parameters, setpoints, etc.), sending command signals to the controller 300, processing data received from the controller 300, and updating the user interface and / or memory. An embodiment of a GUI suitable for use with embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated by way of example in Figures 18A to 18H.

[00098] The 410 communication interface(s) may provide an interface for the 400 operator interface to communicate across one or more networks and / or with other devices (e.g., 300b controller, server(s), etc.). The 410 communication interface(s) may include any suitable hardware and / or firmware, such as a network adapter, one or more antennas, a wireless interface, and so forth.

[00099] Optionally, NVM or 408 storage can include a storage resource that is accessed via Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 36 / 78 31 / 42 a network via communication interface(s) 410. Similarly, in some embodiments, the computer system includes two or more computer devices and the functions or operations of the operator interface 400 are distributed among the computer devices. For example, the computer system may include one or more servers that perform some or all of the data processing and / or storage, and a client computer that interacts with the server(s) and presents the user interface on the interface device 416. Optionally, the operator interface 400 may be an industrial HMI operator station with an integrated touch screen. [000100] In summary, in some embodiments, a knife sharpening system includes a hopper for retaining and gravity-feeding woodworking knives into a guide rail system, in which a chain with protrusions pulls a released woodworking knife through a sharpening assembly, in which the first and second sharpeners are automatically adjusted by a programmable logic controller and by one or more measuring probes, to a rotary sorting station. [000101] In some embodiments, an automatic machine for feeding, sharpening and sorting a woodworking knife includes one or more of the following elements: a hopper for releasably holding a woodworking knife and having a receiving end and a feeding end, the hopper being gravity fed; a sharpening assembly, the sharpening assembly having a first sharpening disc and a second sharpening disc; a guide rail system for receiving the woodworking knife at a first end and releasing it at a second end, the guide rail system comprising a chain with protrusions for releasably holding the woodworking knife and an actuator for moving the woodworking knife. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 37 / 78 32 / 42 received on the chain with protrusions at the first and second ends, wherein the first end faces the feed end of the hopper and the second end is positioned distally to the feed end of the hopper, and the guide rail system is positioned so that both the first and second sharpeners are able to simultaneously contact the woodworking knife as it is moved from the first end to the second end; when the received woodworking knife is moved to the second end of the guide rail system, it is released from the chain with protrusions; a rotary sorting station, positioned to receive and sort the woodworking knife after it is released from the second end of the guide rail system;and one or more measuring probes positioned and aligned to measure the woodworking knife as it is moved along the guide rail system between the hopper and the sharpening assembly; and a programmable logic controller (PLC). [000102] As used in this document, the term “receiving end” refers to the end of the hopper where the woodworking knives are inserted into the hopper. As used in this document, the term “feeding end” refers to the end of the hopper where the woodworking knives are gravity-fed into the guide rail system. By “gravity-fed” it is understood that the woodworking knives retained in the hopper are released by falling freely from the hopper onto the rail system by gravity. In some embodiments, the hopper is configured to releasably retain a plurality of woodworking knives. In some embodiments, the hopper is configured to releasably retain one or more woodworking knives. In certain embodiments, the hopper is configured to Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 38 / 78 33 / 42 to hold between one and one hundred woodworking knives in a releasable manner. In some embodiments, the hopper is configured to hold between approximately one and fifty woodworking knives in a releasable manner. [000103] In some embodiments, the chain with protrusions receives a woodworking knife from the hopper, pulling the woodworking knife as it falls into the guide rail system. In some embodiments, the actuator comprises a stepper motor, a servomotor, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the actuator comprises a servomotor. [000104] In some embodiments, measuring the woodworking knife using one or more measuring probes comprises measuring the dimensions of the woodworking knife's edge. By "dimensions of the woodworking knife's edge" is meant the length, width, and thickness of the woodworking knife's edge. In some embodiments, the automatic machine comprises two, three, four, five, or six measuring probes. In certain embodiments, the automatic machine comprises two measuring probes. In other embodiments, each of the two measuring probes is positioned on either side of the edges of a woodworking knife. [000105] In some embodiments, the PLC determines the sharpening state of the woodworking knife based on the measurement results of one or more measuring probes. In some embodiments, the sharpening state of the woodworking knife is based on specific limit values ​​of the dimensions of the woodworking knife's edge. In some embodiments, the sharpening state of the woodworking knife comprises one or more sharpening states. In some embodiments, the sharpening state of the woodworking knife comprises between a first sharpening and a tenth sharpening. In certain embodiments, the sharpening state of the woodworking knife comprises a first sharpening, a second sharpening, a third sharpening. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 39 / 78 34 / 42 sharpening or scrap. In some models, the limit values ​​for the dimensions of the knife edge for woodworking decrease from the first sharpening to the second sharpening, to the third sharpening, and to scrap. [000106] In some embodiments, one or both of the first and second sharpening wheels are raised or lowered based on the determination of the PLC of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife. In some embodiments, the height(s) of one or both of the first and second sharpening wheels are adjusted based on the determination of the PLC of a third sharpening, so that the measured and determined woodworking knife does not come into contact with the first and second sharpening wheels. [000107] In some embodiments, the first and second sharpening stones are positioned to make contact with the entire edge of a woodworking knife. The distance between the first and second sharpening stones is predetermined based on a woodworking knife. In some embodiments, the first and second sharpening stones can be adjusted to achieve a specific distance. [000108] In some embodiments, the rotary sorting station comprises one or more buckets mounted on a rotating bearing; the rotary sorting station rotates to align one or more buckets with the second end of the guide rail system, so that the aligned bucket receives a woodworking knife released from the guide rail system. In some embodiments, the rotation of one or more buckets comprises actuation by a stepper motor, a servomotor, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the rotation of one or more buckets comprises actuation by a servomotor. In some embodiments, one or more buckets are designated for a specific sharpening state. In some embodiments, one or more buckets are positioned in a rotary manner, so that a designated bucket receives a knife for Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 40 / 78 35 / 42 woodworking based on the sharpness of the woodworking knife. In some embodiments, the rotary sorting station comprises between one and ten buckets. In certain embodiments, the rotary sorting station comprises four buckets. In other embodiments, the four buckets correspond to a first sharpening, a second sharpening, a third sharpening, and scrap. [000109] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for automatically feeding, sharpening, and classifying woodworking knives, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of woodworking knives through a receiving end of a hopper; (b) gravity feeding the woodworking knives through the feeding end of a hopper to a first end of a guide rail system; (c) pulling the knives through the guide rail system using a chain with protrusions; (d) measuring the sharpening state of the woodworking knife using one or more measuring probes; (e) determining the sharpening state of the woodworking knife with a programmable logic controller (PLC); (f) adjusting the height of one or both of the first and second kneading discs of a sharpening assembly based on the PLC's determination of the kneading state of the woodworking knife;(g) move the woodworking knife through the sharpening assembly to a second end of the guide rail system, thereby sharpening the woodworking knife; and (h) receive the woodworking knife in a designated bucket from a rotary sorting station, thereby sorting the sharpened woodworking knife. [000110] In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the PLC determines the sharpening state of the knife based on the measurement result of one or more measuring probes. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the state of Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 41 / 78 36 / 42 Sharpening a woodworking knife comprises a first sharpening, a second sharpening, a third sharpening or scrap. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, one or both of the first and second sharpening wheels adjust their height based on the determination of the PLC of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, one or both of the first and second sharpening wheels adjust their height based on the determination of the PLC of a third sharpening, so that the measured and determined woodworking knife does not come into contact with the first and second sharpening wheels. [000111] In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the rotary sorting station comprises one or more buckets mounted on a rotating bearing; the rotary sorting station rotates to align one or more buckets with the second end of the guide rail system, so that the aligned bucket receives a woodworking knife released from the guide rail system. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the rotation of one or more buckets comprises actuation by a stepper motor, a servo motor, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, one or more buckets are designated for a specific sharpening state. In some embodiments of the methods described herein, one or more buckets are positioned rotatably, so that the sorting comprises the positioning of a bucket designated to receive a woodworking knife based on the sharpening state of the woodworking knife. [000112] In some embodiments of the methods described herein, the steps of determining the sharpness of the woodworking knife, adjusting the height of the first and second sharpeners, and classifying the woodworking knife allow for efficient maintenance of the woodworking knife based on its sharpness. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 42 / 78 37 / 42 [000113] Some embodiments of a system for feeding, sharpening and sorting a cutting knife include: - A hopper for removable storage of a cutting knife, with a receiving end and a feeding end, the hopper being gravity-fed; - A sharpening set, the sharpening set having a first sharpener and a second sharpener; - A guide rail system for receiving the chipping knife at a first end and releasing the chipping knife at a second end, the guide rail system comprising a chain with protrusions for releasable retention of the chipping knife and an actuator for moving the chipping knife received on the chain with protrusions from the first end and the second end, wherein: The first end faces the feed end of the hopper, and the second end is positioned distally to the feed end of the hopper. The guide rail system is positioned so that both the first and second sharpeners are able to simultaneously contact the chipping knife as it is moved from the first end to the second end; - When the chipping knife is moved to the second end of the guide rail system, it is released from the chain with protrusions; - A rotary sorting station, positioned to receive and sort the chipping knife after it is released from the second end of the guide rail system; and - One or more measuring probes positioned and aligned to measure the chipping knife as it is moved along the guide rail system between the hopper and the sharpening assembly; and - A programmable logic controller (PLC). Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 43 / 78 38 / 42 [000114] In this embodiment, the hopper can be configured to retain a plurality of woodworking knives in a removable manner. The chain with protrusions can receive a woodworking knife from the hopper, pulling the woodworking knife as it falls into the guide rail system. The actuator may comprise a servomotor. The measurement of the woodworking knife by one or more measuring probes may comprise the measurement of the dimensions of the woodworking knife's edge. The PLC can determine the sharpening state of the woodworking knife based on the measurement results of one or more measuring probes. The sharpening state of the woodworking knife can be determined based on specific limit values ​​of the dimensions of the woodworking knife's edge. The sharpening state of the woodworking knife may comprise a first sharpening, a second sharpening, a third sharpening, or scrap.The height of one or both of the first and second sharpeners can be adjusted based on the PLC's determination of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife. The height of one or both of the first and second sharpeners can be adjusted based on the PLC's determination of a third sharpening, so that the measured and determined woodworking knife does not come into contact with the first and second sharpeners. The first and second sharpeners can be positioned to come into contact with the entire edge of a woodworking knife. The rotary sorting station may comprise one or more buckets mounted on a rotary bearing, and the rotary sorting station may rotate to align one or more buckets with the second end of the guide rail system, so that the aligned bucket receives a woodworking knife released from the guide rail system.The rotation of one or more buckets may involve actuation by a stepper motor, a servomotor, or a combination thereof. Each of the one or more buckets may be designated. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 44 / 78 39 / 42 for a specific sharpening state. One or more buckets can be positioned in a rotational manner, so that a designated bucket receives a woodworking knife based on the sharpening state of the woodworking knife. [000115] In some embodiments, a method for automatically feeding, sharpening, and sorting woodworking knives includes: a. to provide a plurality of woodworking knives through a receiving end of a hopper; b. gravity feed the woodworking knives through the feed end of a hopper to the first end of a guide rail system; c. Pulling knives through the guide rail system using a chain with protrusions; d. measure the sharpness of the woodworking knife using one or more measuring probes; e. Determine the sharpness of a woodworking knife using a programmable logic controller (PLC); f. Adjust the height of one or both of the first and second sharpeners in a sharpening set based on the PLC's determination of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife; g. move the woodworking knife through the sharpening assembly to a second end of the guide rail system, thus sharpening the woodworking knife; and h. Receiving the woodworking knife in a designated bucket from a rotary sorting station, thus sorting the sharpened woodworking knife. [000116] In this embodiment, the PLC can determine the sharpening state of the knife based on the measurement result of one or more measuring probes. The sharpening state of the woodworking knife may comprise a first sharpening, a second sharpening, a third sharpening, or scrap. The height of one or both of the first and second sharpening wheels may be Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 45 / 78 40 / 42 adjusted based on the PLC's determination of the sharpening state of the woodworking knife. The height of one or both of the first and second sharpening wheels can be adjusted based on the PLC's determination of a third sharpening, so that the measured and determined woodworking knife does not come into contact with the first and second sharpening wheels. The rotary sorting station may comprise one or more buckets mounted on a rotary bearing, and the rotary sorting station may rotate to align one or more buckets with the second end of the guide rail system, so that the aligned bucket receives a woodworking knife released from the guide rail system. The rotation of one or more buckets may comprise actuation by a stepper motor, a servo motor, or a combination thereof. Each of the one or more buckets may be designated for a specific sharpening state.The bucket(s) can be positioned in a rotational manner, so that the classification involves positioning a designated bucket to receive a woodworking knife based on the sharpness of the woodworking knife. The steps of determining the sharpness of the woodworking knife, adjusting the height of the first and second sharpeners, and classifying the woodworking knife can allow for efficient maintenance of the woodworking knife based on its sharpness. [000117] In this disclosure, all terms referred to in the singular form are intended to encompass their plural forms. Similarly, all terms referred to in the plural form are intended to encompass their singular forms. Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by an ordinary technician in the technical field to which this disclosure refers. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 46 / 78 41 / 42 [000118] As used in this document, the term “approximately” refers to a variation of approximately + / -10% from a given value. It should be understood that such variation is always included in any value indicated here, whether specifically mentioned or not. [000119] It should be understood that compositions and methods are described in terms of comprising, “containing” or “including various components or steps,” compositions and methods may also “essentially consist of” or “consist of the various components and steps.” Furthermore, indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein as meaning one or more of one of the elements they introduce. [000120] For the sake of brevity, only certain intervals are explicitly revealed here. However, the intervals of any lower bound can be combined with any upper bound to recite an interval not explicitly recited, just as the intervals of any lower bound can be combined with any other lower bound to indicate an interval not explicitly indicated; similarly, the intervals of any upper bound can be combined with any other upper bound to indicate an interval not explicitly indicated. Furthermore, whenever a numeric interval with a lower bound and an upper bound is revealed, any number and any included interval that falls within the interval are specifically revealed.In particular, each range of values ​​(of the form "from approximately a to approximately b" or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b") revealed here should be understood as establishing each number and interval encompassed by the broader range of values, even if not explicitly mentioned. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, page 47 / 78 42 / 42 [000121] Thus, each individual point or value can serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other individual point or value or any other lower or upper limit, to mention an interval not explicitly mentioned. Therefore, the present revelation is well adapted to achieve the aforementioned ends and advantages, as well as those inherent in it. The specific modalities revealed above are merely illustrative, since the present revelation can be modified and practiced in different but equivalent ways, evident to those skilled in the art and who benefit from the teachings contained herein. Although individual modalities are discussed, the revelation encompasses all combinations of all such modalities. Furthermore, it is not intended to impose limitations on the details of construction or design shown herein, except as described in the claims below.Furthermore, the terms in the claims have their simple and common meaning unless explicitly and clearly defined by the patent holder. Therefore, it is evident that the specific illustrative embodiments described above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. If there is any conflict in the use of a word or term in this descriptive report and in one or more patents or other documents that may be referenced herein, the definitions that are consistent with this descriptive report shall be adopted. [000122] Many obvious variations of the embodiments described herein will be suggested to persons skilled in the technical field, in light of the present disclosure. Such obvious variations are within the intended full scope of the appended claims. Petition 870250105634, dated 11 / 18 / 2025, p. 48 / 78

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for sharpening a knife, wherein the knife is an industrial woodworking knife for motorized rotary cutting heads, the apparatus CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a frame; a set of guide rails supported by the frame, wherein the set of guide rails includes a rail and an endless loop with at least one protrusion, wherein the rail has a pair of knife support surfaces arranged along opposite sides of the endless loop and configured to support the knife on them, the support surfaces defining a flow path, and the endless loop is rotatable to move the protrusion in a first direction, from a first location along the groove to a second location along the groove, so as to advance the knife in the groove along the flow path, from the first location to the second location;and a grinding assembly with at least one first grinding wheel and a first motor configured to rotate the first grinding wheel, wherein the first grinding wheel is disposed downstream of the receptacle along the flow path.

2. Apparatus, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the sharpening assembly additionally comprises a linear positioner coupled to the motor and selectively operable to adjust the elevation of the first sharpener relative to the structure.

3. Apparatus, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the linear positioner includes a ball screw, a ball nut and a position detector configured to detect a position of the nut.

4. Apparatus, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the linear positioner includes a servomotor or a stepper motor connected to the ball screw. Petition 870250093342, dated 10 / 13 / 2025, page 16 / 21 2 / 5 5. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally includes a frame-mounted fastening assembly, wherein the fastening assembly is configured to apply a downward force against an upward-facing knife surface on the track.

6. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally includes a set of sensors configured to detect the width of the knife on the track between the first location and the second location.

7. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally includes a classifier assembly disposed downstream of the track, wherein the classifier assembly includes a rotating structure, a plurality of classifier receptacles and a drive system operable selectively to rotate the rotating structure, thereby positioning one of the selected classifier receptacles to receive the knife.

8. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the classifier assembly is supported by the frame and the rotating frame is mounted on a rotating bearing.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the drive system includes a stepper motor and / or a servo motor.

10. Apparatus, according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the classifier assembly additionally includes an operable position sensor for detecting a rotating position of the rotating structure.

11. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally includes a knife receptacle located upstream of the sharpening assembly along the flow path and configured to retain the knife in a removable manner in the trough at the first location, in Petition 870250093342, dated 10 / 13 / 2025, page 17 / 21 3 / 5, whereby the knife receptacle defines a passage dimensioned to allow the protrusion and knife to exit the receptacle along the flow path in the first direction.

12. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 2 to 4, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally includes: a frame-mounted fastening assembly, wherein the fastening assembly is configured to apply a downward force against an upward-facing knife surface on the track; a knife receptacle located upstream of the sharpening assembly along the flow path and configured to releasably retain the knife on the track at the first location, wherein the knife receptacle defines a sized passage to allow the shoulder and knife to exit the receptacle along the flow path in the first direction; a sensor assembly configured to detect the width of the knife on the track between the first location and the second location;and a classifier assembly located downstream of the track, wherein the classifier assembly includes a rotating structure, a plurality of classifier receptacles and a drive system operable selectively to rotate the rotating structure, thereby positioning one of the selected classifier receptacles to receive the knife.

13. A computer-implemented method for controlling a knife sharpener, as defined in claim 6, the method CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: determining an average knife width based on data received from the sensor array; determining a target knife width based on the average width and a desired reduction value; determining a target position for a sharpening disc based on the target width; and sending a control signal to the linear positioner to reposition the sharpening disc to the target position.

14. Method according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED in that determining the average knife width includes applying a deviation value to the data received from the sensor array to obtain adjusted measurements.

15. A computer-implemented method according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED in that the knife sharpener additionally includes a classifier assembly disposed downstream of the track, and the classifier assembly includes a rotating structure, a plurality of classifier receptacles, and a drive system operable selectively to rotate the rotating structure, thereby positioning one of the selected classifier receptacles to receive the knife, the method further including: determining a target classification position for the rotating structure based on the target width of the knife; and sending a second control signal to the drive system to reposition the rotating structure at the target classification position.

16. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that each of the classifier containers corresponds to a classification class, and each classification class is associated with a corresponding maximum knife width or a range of knife widths, and wherein the determination of the target classification position includes comparing the average knife width or the target knife width with the maximum knife widths or the ranges of knife widths.

17. A computer-implemented method according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that one of the classification classes is a reject or scrap class, the method further including: determining, based on comparison, that the target classification position is the position associated with the reject or scrap class; and in response, sending the control signal to the linear positioner to reposition the sharpening disc in the target position, wherein the target position is a position in which the sharpening disc is above the flow path, so that the sharpening disc does not come into contact with the knife.

18. Knife sharpening system, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises an apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12 and a control system, wherein the control system is programmed to execute a method as defined in any one of claims 13 to 17.

19. Non-transient computer-readable medium CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it has machine-readable instructions stored therein which, after execution by one or more computer processors of a control system, cause the control system to execute the method as defined in any of claims 13 to 17.

20. Computer program product CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors of a computer, cause the computer to execute the method as defined in any of claims 13 to 17. Petition 870250093342, dated 10 / 13 / 2025, pp. 20 / 21

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