Material roll feeder

Abstract

A material roll feeder that can be used to automatically feed material into a machine, such as an electronic cutting machine, is described herein. The roll feeder includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to rotatably support a roll of material, and the second portion can define a channel configured to receive and guide material therethrough from the roll of material. The second portion of the roll feeder can include a guide geometry configured to operatively enable a detached segment of material that has been detached from the roll of material to move over a top surface of the roll of material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to material roller feeder systems, methods and apparatus, and more particularly to material roller feeders for electronic cutting machines. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic cutting machines enable artisans to create a wide range of craft projects. Typically, in an electronic cutting machine, material to be cut is placed on the machine's work area, where one or more tools (such as cutting blades or other tools) cut or alter the material as it is fed back and forth through the machine. Some projects require long segments of material, such as six feet or longer, to be fed through the cutting machine to create large shapes. These long segments can be difficult to manage during cutting operations, especially when the operation requires repeatedly feeding the material back and forth through the machine.

[0003] To address this, numerous roller feeder devices have been developed to manage the feeding of long sections of material into electronic cutting machines. Typically, these devices comprise a frame or housing that rotatably secures the material roll to the front of the cutting machine's working area. The material roll can rotate as it is pulled from the roll into the cutting machine. However, such devices in the prior art have several drawbacks.

[0004] For example, existing roller feeders often struggle to align with the cutting machine to ensure proper material delivery to the machine's working area. Furthermore, conventional roller feeders typically do not provide a solution for managing long segments of material fed not only forward but also backward through the cutting machine. Typically, material fed back from the cutting machine toward the roller feeder either causes the material roll to rotate backward, or it partially unwinds and / or falls above and below the roller feeder. This additional slack in the material fed backward from the cutting machine is difficult to manage and can lead to unwanted kinks or wrinkles in the material. Moreover, cutting material off the rollers after a cutting operation and preparing the next portion for a new cutting operation is not a simple or intuitive process when using conventional roller feeders. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In particular, this disclosure relates to a material roller feeder that can be used to automatically feed material into machines such as electronic cutting machines. In various embodiments, the roller feeder includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to rotatably support a material roll, and the second portion may define a channel configured to receive and guide material from and through the material roll.

[0006] In various embodiments, the first portion defines a groove configured to receive a roll of material. The second portion of the roller feeder may be configured to be detachably coupled to the cutting machine, such that a channel may be configured to operatively guide material from the roll through the channel to the working area of ​​the cutting machine.

[0007] In various embodiments, the second portion defines a cutting groove through which material can be cut. In various embodiments, the roller feeder also includes a cutting device coupled to the second portion of the roller feeder, wherein at least a portion of the cutting device is configured to be operably movable within and along the cutting groove to cut material.

[0008] In various embodiments, the second portion of the roller feeder includes a guiding geometry configured to operable allow a separated material segment, already separated from the material roll, to move above the top surface of the material roll. In various embodiments, a downstream direction is defined from the first portion toward the second portion, and an upstream direction, opposite to the downstream direction, is defined from the second portion toward the first portion. A cutting groove may be located downstream of the first portion of the roller feeder. The cutting groove may also open toward a channel.

[0009] In various embodiments, the guiding geometry includes the shape of a channel, wherein the shape of the channel is configured to operable such that a segment of separating material, at least partially disposed within the channel, can exit the channel and move upstream above the top surface of the material. For example, a second portion of the roller feeder may include an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower surface of the upper wall defining the top of the channel and the upper surface of the lower wall defining the bottom of the channel.

[0010] In various embodiments, the top of the channel includes a first recessed portion, a first protruding portion, and a first bend region between the first protruding portion and the first recessed portion at the top. In various embodiments, the bottom plate of the channel includes a second protruding portion, a second recessed portion, and a second bend region between the second protruding portion and the second recessed portion of the bottom plate. The first recessed portion may be located downstream of the first protruding portion, and the second recessed portion may be located upstream of the second protruding portion. In various embodiments, the first bend region is located upstream of the second bend region. In various embodiments, the cutting groove is located downstream of the first bend region.

[0011] In various embodiments, the upper wall includes contact ribs extending downward into the channel, forming at least a portion of the top of the channel, such that the contact ribs at least partially contribute to the shape of the channel. The contact ribs may have a convex shape transitioning to a horizontal segment. In various embodiments, the contact ribs include first contact ribs disposed on a first transverse portion of the upper wall, and the upper wall includes second contact ribs disposed on a second transverse portion of the upper wall. The first contact ribs may be a first group of contact ribs, and the second contact ribs may be a second group of contact ribs. In various embodiments, each of the first and second groups of contact ribs includes 2 to 10 ribs.

[0012] In various embodiments, the second portion defines the first orifice as the entrance to the channel and the second orifice as the exit of the channel. The channel may include a first region, a transition region, and a second region. The first region may be located directly downstream of the first orifice (e.g., the first orifice is an opening into the first region), the transition region may be downstream of the first region, the second region may be downstream of the transition region, and the second orifice may be downstream of the second region (e.g., the second orifice is an opening into the second region). In various embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel is largest in the transition region.

[0013] According to various embodiments, a roller feeder is also disclosed herein, comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured to rotatably support a material roll, and the second portion defining a channel configured to receive material from the material roll. The roller feeder can be configured to be detachably coupled to a cutting machine.

[0014] In various embodiments, the roller feeder includes at least one retaining mechanism configured to removably retain the roller feeder to a cutting machine. For example, the at least one retaining mechanism may include one of at least one engagement groove and at least one engagement rib disposed along the lower surface of a second portion of the roller feeder. The cutting machine may include the other of the at least one engagement groove and engagement rib, wherein each of the at least one groove is configured to receive a portion of each of the at least one engagement rib. In various embodiments, the roller feeder is configured to be detachably coupled to the cutting machine via a frictional engagement between the at least one engagement groove and the at least one engagement rib.

[0015] In various embodiments, at least one fixing mechanism is configured to reversibly fix to one or more material alignment mechanisms of the cutting machine in response to the roller feeder being detachably coupled to the cutting machine during use. In various embodiments, the roller feeder is configured to be detachably coupled to an open door of the cutting machine during use. In various embodiments, the roller feeder is configured to be removably fixed during use to one or more protruding material alignment features extending upward from the top surface of the open door of the cutting machine.

[0016] According to various embodiments, a method for cutting material in a cutting machine is also disclosed herein. The method may include removably attaching a roller feeder to the cutting machine, the roller feeder including a first portion configured to rotatably support a roll of material and a second portion defining a channel. The method may further include driving material from the roll of material rotatably supported by the first portion of the roller feeder into and through the channel. The method may further include cutting a portion of material from the roll of material to form a separated material segment.

[0017] The method may also include performing a cutting operation on the material (e.g., before cutting the material). In various embodiments, performing the cutting operation on the material includes drawing the material forward and backward through the cutting machine in the working area of ​​the cutting machine, thereby moving the material back and forth through the channel of the roller feeder. In various embodiments, the method further includes removing the separated material segment by pushing it upstream through the channel away from the cutting machine and over the material roll. In various embodiments, a cutting device of the roller feeder is used to perform cutting the separated material segment from the material roll. In various embodiments, the cutting device includes a cutting blade that is slidably engaged in a cutting groove disposed above the channel and opening toward the channel.

[0018] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, the foregoing features and elements may be combined in different combinations without exclusivity. These features and elements, as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments, will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To facilitate understanding of the advantages of this disclosure, the brief description above is described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, although the subject matter of this disclosure is specifically pointed out and clearly claimed in the concluding section of the specification, a more complete understanding of this disclosure can be obtained as far as possible by referring to the specific embodiments and claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not intended to limit its scope. The subject matter of this application will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of a roller feeder according to various embodiments is shown, which is shown to be detachably and / or removably attached to a cutting machine;

[0021] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A top perspective view of a roller feeder according to various embodiments is shown;

[0022] Figure 3A A bottom perspective view of a roller feeder according to various embodiments is shown;

[0023] Figure 3B Various embodiments are shown. Figure 3A Bottom view of the fixed groove of the roller feeder;

[0024] Figure 3C Distances according to various embodiments are shown Figure 3A A maintenance door for the cutting device that is removed from a certain distance by the roller feeder;

[0025] Figure 4A The roller feeder according to various embodiments is shown perpendicular to... Figure 3A The cross-sectional view of plane 4A-4A shown in the indicated direction;

[0026] Figure 4B Cross-sectional views of roller feeders according to various embodiments are shown;

[0027] Figure 4C A perspective cross-sectional view of a roller feeder according to various embodiments is shown;

[0028] Figure 4D An enlarged cross-sectional view of the channel of a roller feeder according to various embodiments is shown;

[0029] Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D Schematic cross-sectional views are shown of various steps in the operation / use of a roller feeder according to various embodiments;

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart showing the various steps of a method for operating / using a roller feeder according to various embodiments; and

[0031] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of a portion of a roller feeder according to various embodiments and various steps of operating / using the roller feeder. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Detailed implementation of the exemplary embodiments described herein is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which demonstrate exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice this disclosure, other embodiments may be implemented, and logical changes and adjustments in design and construction may be made based on this disclosure without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, the detailed implementation herein is for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes.

[0033] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise expressly stated. Thus, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements may include not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The list of items provided does not imply that any or all items are mutually exclusive and / or mutually inclusive, unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0034] Furthermore, in the specific embodiments described herein, references such as "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "various embodiments," "an example," "an example," "some examples," "various examples," "an implementation," "an implementation," "some implementations," "various implementations," "an aspect," "aspect," "some aspects," and "various aspects" indicate that the described embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect does not necessarily include specific features, structures, or characteristics. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, example, implementation, or aspect. Therefore, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect, it is considered that, within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, such feature, structure, and characteristic may be affected by other embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects, whether or not they are explicitly described. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated, a feature, structure, component, characteristic, and / or function may be associated with one or more embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects of this disclosure. After reading the specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand how this disclosure can be implemented in alternative constructions.

[0035] The embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to material roller feeder systems, methods, and apparatus. In particular, this disclosure relates to material roller feeders for electronic cutting machines. The embodiments of this disclosure provide technical solutions to various technical problems in the aforementioned fields. Although many details and examples related to roller feeders for cutting machines are included herein, this disclosure is not necessarily so limited, as various features, components, structures, and / or functions of the disclosed embodiments can be adapted for use and implementation in a variety of other industries. Thus, many applications of this disclosure can be realized.

[0036] For example, in at least one aspect of this disclosure, the roller feeder includes an attachment mechanism that allows for easy alignment with a cutting machine to ensure proper alignment and delivery of the material to be cut onto the working area of ​​the cutting machine. These attachment mechanisms also allow for easy removal of the roller feeder from the cutting machine.

[0037] In various embodiments of this disclosure, the roller feeder includes channels with curvature and profile features, allowing for the gentle (e.g., without damaging the material) management and handling of the cut material segments during cutting operations of the cutting machine. In various embodiments, the roller feeder is configured to prevent material from unwinding and / or bending or wrinkling as it is fed forward and backward (i.e., into and out of the cutting machine, respectively).

[0038] In at least one aspect of this disclosure, the disclosed roller feeder includes a cutting feature and a stopping feature within the roller feeder channel, such that once a cutting operation is performed on a segment of material, the next portion of material to be drawn from the material roll is automatically positioned and ready to be cut during subsequent cutting operations. Additional details regarding the structure, features, performance, characteristics, and benefits are contained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Now turn to the attached image. Figure 1 A perspective view is shown of a roller feeder 10 removably attached to a cutting machine 12 according to various embodiments. The roller feeder 10 generally includes a first portion 8 and a second portion 9, the first portion 8 being configured to rotatably support a roll 14 of material 20, and the second portion 9 defining a channel 30 configured to receive and guide material 20 from the roll 14 through it. The channel 30 can guide material 20 through the channel 30 to a working area 16 of the cutting machine 12. In various embodiments, a typical electronic cutting machine 12 may include a tool 18 configured to impact a segment of material 20 fed into the working area 16 to alter the material in some way. In various embodiments, the tool 18 may include a blade or other cutting device that at least partially cuts the material 20 within the working area 16.

[0040] In at least one other embodiment, tool 18 includes one or more other tools that alter the material 20 in a manner other than cutting. For example, tool 18 may include a scribing tool, a piercing tool, an engraving tool, a denting tool, a foil transfer tool, etc. While numerous cases, details, and references relating to the use of roller feeder 10 in conjunction with cutting machines are included herein, roller feeders can also be used in conjunction with other material processing machines (e.g., non-cutting machines). Thus, roller feeder 10 is configured to feed material 20 into or from a machine, whether or not a cutting machine, where material 20 is fed into or exited from the working area 16, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0041] In various embodiments, reference continues to be made. Figure 1The roller feeder 10 is configured to be detachably coupled and / or removably secured to the open door 22 of the cutting machine 12. The door 22 of the cutting machine 12 can be opened such that the upper surface of the open door 22 forms at least a portion of the working area 16. In this open configuration, the roller feeder 10 can be positioned relative to the cutting machine 12 such that material 20 from the roll 14 smoothly transitions from the roller feeder 10 to the working area 16. (Refer to below) Figure 3A and Figure 3B Additional details are provided regarding the detachable, reversible connection between the roller feeder and the material processing machine.

[0042] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3A Various perspective views of a roller feeder 10 according to various embodiments are shown. The first portion 8 of the roller feeder 10 may include / define a groove 24 (e.g., hemispherical) configured to rotatably support a roll of material, such as... Figure 1 The roll 14 is shown. Additionally, the roller feeder 10 may include one or more rollers 26 disposed at the bottom of the groove 24, the rollers 26 extending upward from their inner surfaces, on which the roll 14 can rest and rotate freely as the material 20 is drawn from the roll 14 into the cutting machine 12. One or more rollers 26 may rotate about an axis to reduce frictional resistance to the rotation of the roll 14 within the groove 24.

[0043] In various embodiments, two or more rollers 26 (e.g., four rollers) may be used to rotatably support the roll 14. In this way, a user can easily place the material roll into the groove 24 and remove the roll 14 when finished, without any additional steps to secure the roll in the groove 24. In various embodiments, material rolls of various widths (such as...) Figure 1 The roll 14 shown can be placed in the groove 24 without any readjustment or hassle. Rolls 14 with a width smaller than the width of the groove 24 can float freely within the groove 24, but generally the material 20 fed into the cutting machine 12 should be centered or aligned with the working area 16 of the cutting machine 12, such as... Figure 1 As shown. Existing cutting machines (such as...) Figure 1 The cutting machine shown may include mechanisms for aligning the material fed into the cutting machine 12, such as tabs or walls extending upward from the working area 16 on either side of the material 20. Regardless of the material alignment mechanism of the cutting machine 12, such mechanisms are sufficient to keep the roll 14 from which the material 20 is drawn properly aligned / positioned within the groove 24. In various embodiments, the first portion of the roller feeder may have other structures, such as an elevated shaft / axis around which the roll rotates.

[0044] In various embodiments, the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10 further defines a cutting groove 32 through which material 20 can be cut. In various embodiments, the cutting groove 32 opens toward the channel 30. The roller feeder may also include a cutting device 36 coupled to the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10, wherein at least a portion of the cutting device 36 is configured to be operatively movable within and along the cutting groove 32 to cut material 20. In various embodiments, the cutting device 36 includes a cutting blade or other cutting / cutting instrument / tool. The cutting blade may be slidably engaged within the cutting groove 32 and may be configured to slide back and forth within and along the cutting groove 32 and throughout the channel 30 to cut material 20 that may be disposed within the channel 30 from the roll 14. In various embodiments, the roller feeder 10 may include the cutting device 36. Alternatively, in various embodiments, such a cutting device is formed separately from the roller feeder 10 but may be used in conjunction with the roller feeder 10 and the cutting machine 12.

[0045] In various embodiments, reference continues to be made. Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3A The cutting device 36 may engage with a structure adjacent to the cutting groove 32. For example, the cutting device 36 may include a grippable handle portion resting on the top surface of the second portion of the roller feeder 10. The handle of the cutting device 36 may include a lower surface that slides along the structure of the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10 adjacent to the cutting groove 32. This structure adjacent to the cutting groove 32 may include protruding ribs and / or protruding supports, thereby minimizing the surface area of ​​the interface between the handle and the second portion of the roller feeder, thus reducing friction. In various embodiments, the interface between the cutting groove 32 and the cutting device 36 includes a stop or other temporary holding feature configured to reversibly secure the cutting device 36 at either longitudinal end of the cutting groove 32, thus helping to keep the cutting device 36 unobstructed when not in use (e.g., during machine cutting operations as material moves back and forth within the channel).

[0046] In various embodiments, the roller feeder 10 includes a ramp 27, typically positioned between the first portion 8 and the second portion 9. The ramp 27 provides a suitable downstream trajectory for material from the roll 14 into the channel to be processed by the cutting machine, and provides a desired trajectory for separating material segments (described below) to move over the top surface of the material roll. In various embodiments, the ramp 27 includes one or more ribs 29 configured to facilitate sliding movement of material down the ramp 27. In various embodiments, the apex of the ramp 27 extends above the top surface of the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10, which defines the cutting groove 32. In various embodiments, the apex of the ramp 27 extends to the level of the axis of rotation of the material roll 14.

[0047] In various embodiments, please refer to the specific details. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The roller feeder 10 includes one or more legs 25 configured to stabilize the roller feeder 10 on a surface. In various embodiments, the roller feeder 10 can be removably secured to the cutting machine 12 via one or more securing mechanisms. At least one securing mechanism for the roller feeder can be one of at least one engaging groove and at least one engaging rib disposed along the lower surface of a second portion of the roller feeder. That is, the roller feeder either includes a groove or a rib, and the machine to which the roller feeder can be reversibly attached has the other of the groove or rib. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing mechanism includes engaging grooves 38 disposed on a lateral side of the lower surface of the roller feeder 10. Each engaging groove 38 can include a groove or channel 30 that engages with one or more material alignment ribs / features of the cutting machine 12.

[0048] For example, including Figure 1 Prior art cutting machines, including the illustrated cutting machine 12, often include one or more components, such as protruding features extending upward from the working area 16, which guide material on the working area 16. In various embodiments, the cutting machine 12 may include a protruding wall extending along the upper surface of an open door 22, which forms part of the working area 16. The engagement groove 38 of the roller feeder 10 may be configured such that an alignment feature of the protrusion of the cutting machine 12 is received in the engagement groove 38. The engagement groove 38 is sized and / or otherwise configured such that a user can press the engagement groove 38 onto the alignment feature of the protrusion, such that the alignment feature of the protrusion forms a frictional engagement with the lower surface of the roller feeder 10. In this way, a user can easily attach the roller feeder 10 to the cutting machine 12, and in doing so, the roller feeder 10 is automatically and properly aligned with the working area 16, such that the material 20 fed from the roller feeder 10 into the cutting machine 12 during use is precisely aligned for cutting operations.

[0049] In various embodiments, the configuration of the engagement groove and engagement rib can be such that certain types / vectors of relative motion between the roller feeder 10 and the cutting machine 12 require the two components to be joined together, while other types / vectors of relative motion require the two components to be separated. For example, the engagement groove 38 can be configured to slidably and longitudinally receive a corresponding rib, or the engagement groove 38 can be pressed against a rib to hold the two components together. See specific references in various embodiments. Figure 3B It shows an enlarged depiction of one of the engagement grooves 38, the opposing walls of which may include tabs 39 or other protrusions that facilitate a firm fit / engagement between the groove and the rib. In various embodiments, the tabs 39 are... Figure 3BThe alternating construction shown (e.g., extending from the alternating walls along the longitudinal direction of the groove).

[0050] The roller feeder 10 may include one or more additional or alternative securing features to enable easy and simple securing and removal of the roller feeder 10. In at least one embodiment, such securing features may include, but are not limited to, latching mechanisms, clamping mechanisms, magnetic mechanisms, hook and loop mechanisms, adhesive mechanisms, etc. As described above, to assist the user in pressing the engagement groove 38 into or onto the protruding feature of the cutting machine 12, at least one embodiment of the roller feeder 10 includes one or more handle portions. These handle portions provide manual gripping features to assist the user in manually securing the roller feeder 10 to and removing the roller feeder 10 from the cutting machine 12.

[0051] In various embodiments, references Figure 3A and Figure 3C The roller feeder 10 also includes a cutting device access door 28. The access door 28 can be removably attached to the roller feeder 10 to cover the blade 34 or other cutting tools of the cutting device 36. The access door 28 can be removed / removed from the roller feeder 10 when the blade 34 needs to be replaced, repaired, or otherwise operated (e.g., ...). Figure 3C This allows the user to access the blade 34. In various embodiments, a portion of the aforementioned retaining mechanism (e.g., a portion of one of the engagement slots in engagement slot 38) may be formed on the removable access door 28. This portion of the retaining mechanism can help grip the access door 28, thus enhancing the user's ability to pull and remove the access door 28 from the roller feeder 10.

[0052] In various embodiments, references Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D Additional details are provided related to the second part 9 of the roller feeder 10, especially details related to the geometry of the channel 30. Figure 4A Is with Figure 3A The cross-sectional view shown is perpendicular to plane 4A-4A. Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4DVarious alternative views and / or configurations of the roller feeder 10 are shown. Furthermore, for ease of reference throughout this disclosure, the term "downstream" is defined as from the first portion 8 of the roller feeder 10 toward the second portion 9 when used in conjunction with the orientation and / or relative position of the components. Correspondingly, the term "upstream" is defined as from the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10 toward the first portion 8 (i.e., opposite to the downstream direction) when used in conjunction with the orientation and / or relative position of the components. That is, downstream is the direction in which material is drawn from the roll 14 in the groove 24 through the channel 30, while upstream is the opposite direction. During use, as the material moves from the roller feeder 10 to the working area 16 of the cutting machine 12, the material is drawn downstream. During the cutting operation, the cutting machine 12 may have to push the material back toward and / or through the channel 30, thus forcing the material to travel upstream. As described in more detail below, channel 30 can be specifically designed and configured such that once the material has been processed by cutting machine 12, the separating / cutting segment of the material moves upstream out of the channel and moves above the top surface of roll 14 (e.g., away from cutting machine 12).

[0053] In various embodiments, reference continues to be made. Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 4D In a cross-sectional view, channel 30 extends between and is defined by the upper wall 44 and the lower wall 46 of the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10. That is, the lower surface of the upper wall 44 defines the top of channel 30, while the upper surface of the lower wall 46 defines the bottom of channel 30. In various embodiments, although the cutting groove 32 may appear to separate the upper wall 44 into two distinct segments, the upper wall may be a single wall through which the cutting groove 32 extends.

[0054] In various embodiments, the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10 defines a first orifice 31 and a second orifice 33. That is, the first orifice may be an upstream opening (e.g., an inlet) of the channel 30, while the second orifice 33 may be a downstream opening (e.g., an outlet) of the channel 30. During use, material 20 from roll 14 can pass through the channel 30 via the first orifice 31 and the second orifice 33. In other words, the roller feeder 10 includes a first orifice 31 and a second orifice 33, which provide a passage for material 20 to move through the channel 30 disposed between the first orifice 31 and the second orifice 33.

[0055] Regarding the shape and design of the channel 30, the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10 (e.g., the shape and structure of the walls defining the channel 30) has a guiding geometry configured to operable that a separated material segment, already separated / cut from the material roll, can move above the top surface of the material roll. In various embodiments, this guiding geometry includes the shape of the channel. That is, the internal shape and orientation of the channel can be configured to operable that a separated material segment, which can be at least partially disposed within the channel 30, can exit the channel 30 and move upstream above the top surface of the material (and above the top surface of the roll 14).

[0056] In various embodiments, the channel shape that facilitates the guiding geometry may include multiple protruding and / or recessed portions. For example, the top and bottom of channel 30 may each include a protruding portion and a recessed portion, respectively. Specific references are given for now in various embodiments. Figure 4D The top of the channel 30 includes a first recessed portion 62 and a first protruding portion 61, with a first bending region 52 (e.g., a bend point or area where the recessed portion switches) between the first recessed portion 62 and the first protruding portion 61. Similarly, according to various embodiments, the bottom of the channel 30 may include a second protruding portion 64 and a second recessed portion 63, with a second bending region 54 between the second protruding portion 64 and the second recessed portion 63.

[0057] In various embodiments, the first recessed portion 62 is located downstream of the first protruding portion 61. In various embodiments, the second recessed portion 63 is located upstream of the second protruding portion 64. In various embodiments, the first bend region 52 at the top is positioned upstream of the second bend region 54 at the bottom. In various embodiments, the widest portion of the channel 30 (e.g., the portion of the channel with the largest cross-sectional area) is the area between the two bend regions 52, 54. As described in more detail below, this area may be defined herein as a transition region 30b of the channel, and this transition region 30b may facilitate the movement of the separating material segment upstream in the channel and toward the material roll, thereby passing over the portion of the material still connected to the roll and still at least partially disposed within the channel.

[0058] In various embodiments, a large portion of the first protrusion 61 at the top is offset upstream relative to the second recess 63 at the bottom, and a large portion of the first recess 62 at the top is offset upstream relative to the second protrusion 64 at the bottom. In various embodiments, a cutting groove 32 that can open toward the channel 30 is located downstream of the first bending region 52. In various embodiments, the cutting groove 32 is located downstream of the first bending region 52 and the second bending region 54.

[0059] In various embodiments, reference continues to be made. Figure 4DThe channel 30, defined by the second portion 9 of the roller feeder 10, includes a first region 30a, a transition region 30b, and a second region 30c. The first region 30a may be downstream of the first orifice 31 (e.g., the first orifice may be an upstream opening of the first region 30a), the transition region 30b may be downstream of the first region 30a, the second region 30c may be downstream of the transition region 30b, and a second orifice 33 may be downstream of the second region 30c (e.g., the second orifice 33 forms an opening downstream of the second region 30c). The channel 30 may typically have an S-curve shape between the first orifice 31 and the second orifice 33. In various embodiments, the first region 30a of the channel has a downward slope / angle defined relative to the downstream direction, and the second region 30c of the channel also has a downward slope / angle defined relative to the downstream direction. The intermediate transition region 30b may have an upward angle / slope defined relative to the downstream direction.

[0060] As described above, the portion of the channel with the largest cross-sectional area is the transition region 30b. The transition region 30b can be defined as the area between the two bends 52 and 54 at the bottom / top of the channel, where the separated material segment (after it has been cut from the remaining material still attached to the material roll) can begin to move upstream and over other materials. References below... Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C , Figure 5D and Figure 6 The method steps provide additional details related to the movement of the separated material segments.

[0061] In various embodiments, please refer to the specific details. Figure 4B and Figure 4C The upper wall 44 includes contact ribs 42 extending downward into the channel 30, forming at least a portion of the top of the channel 30, such that the contact ribs 42 at least partially contribute to the shape of the channel. For example, the contact ribs 42 may have protruding sections transitioning to horizontal or recessed sections. Thus, the contact ribs 42 can form a first protruding portion 61 at the top of the channel. In various embodiments, the contact ribs 42 also include a first bending region 52 and a first recessed portion 62. That is, instead of the entire upper wall 44 having a specific guiding geometry for guiding material through the channel, one or more ribs can provide a guiding geometry, thereby reducing the amount of surface area engagement between the top side of the material (which may be the finished surface of the material) and the top of the channel. That is, by limiting the interfacial contact between the material (e.g., the top side of the material) and the top of the channel, friction is reduced not only by the smoothness of the top side of the material, but also by preventing the material from being damaged or destroyed in response to the repeated back-and-forth movement of the material through the channel during material processing in the machine.

[0062] In various embodiments, continuing the concept of reducing / limiting contact between the upper wall defining the channel and the top side of the material, contact ribs can be provided on the transverse portions of the upper wall, thus contacting only the transverse edge portions of the material being processed. Therefore, any surface damage / scratching (if any) is limited to these transverse edge portions of the material. In various embodiments, the contact ribs include a first contact rib provided on a first transverse portion of the upper wall, and the roller feeder includes a second contact rib provided on a second transverse portion of the upper wall. In various embodiments, the first and second contact ribs are first and second contact rib groups. That is, multiple contact ribs can be provided on opposite transverse edges of the upper wall (see...). Figure 3C (This shows multiple ribs). The number of ribs in each transverse rib group can be between 2 and 10, or more.

[0063] To demonstrate the operational advantages of the roller feeder 10, particularly the geometry of the channel 30, Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D Various schematic diagrams are shown illustrating methods using roller feeders. For example... Figure 5A As shown, material 20 from roll 14 enters the channel towards the working area 16 of the cutting machine 12. That is, when roll 14 is located in the first part 8 of the roller feeder (e.g., disposed within the groove 24), the user can rotate roll 14 to push material 20 through channel 30, as shown. The arrows in Figure 14 indicate the rotation of roll 14 as the material passes through channel 30.

[0064] Once the material 20 has advanced into the working area 16 of the cutting machine 12, an automatic feeding mechanism (such as a pinch roller) controls the material 20, actuating it to move it in and out. In at least one embodiment, the cutting machine 12 will initially pull out a certain length of material 20 required for the cutting operation.

[0065] The method may also include cutting the material to form a separated material segment 20a, such as Figure 5B As shown. The material cutting device 36 can be used to perform the cutting. Once cut, the material 20 is separated into separate material segments (e.g., independent material portions) 20a, which are different from the material portion 20b, while the material portion 20b remains connected to the roll 14. After the separate material segment 20a is cut from the material portion 20b, the cutting blade 34 can be moved back to its initial position so as not to interfere with the movement of the material within the channel 30. The cutting of the material can be performed before or after the material has been processed by the cutting machine 12. Once cut, the separate material segment 20a can be actuated back and forth (i.e., into and out of the cutting machine 12) as required by the cutting operation.

[0066] In various embodiments, please refer to the specific details. Figure 5CThe channel 30, including its curved top and bottom surfaces, guides the separating material segment 20a upstream above the material portion 20b, which remains connected to the roll 14. That is, due to the specific geometry of the channel 30 described herein (including the recessed and protruding portions of the upper and lower surfaces), the separating material segment 20a, possessing a certain inherent stiffness, is driven from the second protrusion at the bottom of the channel 30 to the first protrusion at the top of the channel 30 as it moves upstream through the channel 30. Because the material portion 20b is held in place upstream, the separating material segment 20a initially passes above the top surface of the material portion 20b as it moves upstream and is driven against the first protrusion at the top. In this way, the rotational inertia of the roll 14 prevents the material portion 20b from regressing upstream through the channel 30 containing the separating material segment 20a when it is pushed back above the material portion 20b.

[0067] As described above, certain cutting operations repeatedly pull the separating material segment 20a upstream and downstream during the operation. When the separating material segment 20a is pulled downstream, the friction between the separating material segment 20a and the material portion 20b also tends to pull the material portion 20b downstream. However, advantageously, the second bend region 54 at the bottom of the channel 30 (which may be a stepped transition) acts as a barrier to prevent the material portion 20b, still connected to the roll 14, from being pulled downstream out of the channel 30 as the separating material segment 20a moves downstream. Thus, in various embodiments, the cutting groove can be aligned with the second bend region 54. In this way, during the cutting operation, the separating material segment 20a to be cut moves in and out of the cutting machine 12, thus passing upstream and downstream through the channel 30, while the material portion 20b and the roll 14 remain in place.

[0068] In various embodiments, the separating material segment 20a can be long enough that, as it is pushed upstream through the channel 30 and out of the first orifice 31, the separating material segment 20a will slide over the roll 14 and descend downwards from the upstream of the roll 14. In this way, the roll 14 can serve as a circular guide to prevent wrinkles or kinks from forming when the separating material segment 20a is pushed out of the cutting machine 12 after or during the cutting operation.

[0069] Another step in the method of an embodiment of the operating roller feeder 10 may include, once the cutting machine 12 performs a cutting or other operation on the separated material segment 20a, the user pulls the separated material segment 20a upstream back through the channel 30. Again, as described above and according to various embodiments, this can be done without changing the position of the roll 14 or the position of the material portion 20b still connected to the roll 14. Along these lines, Figure 5DThe complete removal of the separated material segment 20a is shown, with the roll and material portion 20b still in place. Advantageously, once the cutting operation is complete, the arrangement and design of the roller feeder 10 described herein allows the user to remove the separated material segment 20a from the same side where the cutting machine 12 was initially inserted. Similarly, this can be done without damaging the material 20 and the remainder of the roll 14, leaving the material 20 ready for the next cutting operation. Therefore, the user does not need to approach the sides of the cutting machine 12 or move back and forth during use.

[0070] Furthermore, the user can initiate a subsequent cutting operation by rotating the roll 14 to drive the material portion 20b above the second bend area 54 (which may be defined herein as a "step") and downstream through the channel 30, exiting the second orifice 33, onto the working area 16, which constitutes the subsequent cutting operation. Advantageously, according to various embodiments, since the material portion 20b remains in the channel 30, the user does not need to reinsert the material 20 from the roll 14 each time the user wants to begin a cutting operation on a new portion of the material 20. Instead, the roller feeder 10 is capable of automatic material setting, thereby positioning the material 20 for a new cutting operation.

[0071] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method 690 for operating a roller feeder according to various embodiments. Method 690 may include, in step 692, removably securing the roller feeder to a cutting machine. As described above, the roller feeder may be roller feeder 10, and thus may include a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to removably and rotatably support a roll of material, and the second portion defines a channel. Method 690 may further include, in step 694, driving material from the roll of material rotatably supported by the first portion into and through the channel of the second portion of the roller feeder. Furthermore, method 690 may include, in step 696, cutting a portion of material from the roll to form a separated material segment. References above... Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D Various illustrative examples of these steps are provided, as well as various examples of the structure of the roller feeder provided above with reference to the previous figures.

[0072] Method 690 may include additional steps, such as placing a roll of material into a recess 24 of the roller feeder 10. Another step may include inserting material from the roll 14 into a first orifice 31 of the roller feeder 10. In various embodiments, step 696 includes sliding or otherwise actuating a cutting device approaching the material 20 within a channel 30 spanning the material 20 to cut the material as it is positioned within the channel 30. In various embodiments, method 690 also includes, during the cutting operation, pulling the separated material segment 20a forward and backward through the cutting machine 12, and thus upstream and downstream through the channel 30 of the roller feeder 10. Further, the method may include removing the separated material segment 20a by pulling it upstream through the channel 30 and away from the cutting machine 12.

[0073] In various embodiments, references Figure 7A and Figure 7B A cross-sectional view of portion 709 of another embodiment of a roller feeder in use is provided. In this illustrated embodiment, material 20 moves downstream through channel 730, and a cutting device 736 cuts the material 20 outside channel 730. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the cutting device 736 is located downstream of channel 730. Once cut, as... Figure 7B As shown, the separated material section 20a can be fed upstream without interfering with the position of the material section 20b, which remains connected to the material roll upstream of the channel 730.

[0074] In various embodiments, the portion of the roller feeder containing the cutting device 736 has a generally convex shape. This convex shape guides the separated material segment 20a above and outside the channel 730 at the top of the upper wall 744 as it is fed upstream by the cutting machine 12. In this way, the separated material segment 20a does not re-enter the channel 30. Once the separated material segment 20a has been cut and removed from the cutting machine 12, the separated material segment 20a, still attached to the material roll, is in place to be driven downstream, leaving the channel 30, onto the working area 16 of the cutting machine 12 for the next cutting operation.

[0075] This document describes benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems with reference to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to arise or become more significant should not be construed as key, essential, or fundamental features or elements of this disclosure.

[0076] References to features, advantages, or similar language in this specification do not imply that all features and advantages achievable in this disclosure should be present or in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, references to features and advantages are to be understood as referring to specific features, advantages, or characteristics described in connection with embodiments that are included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, discussions of features and advantages, as well as similar language, in this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiments.

[0077] Furthermore, the features, advantages, and characteristics described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter of this application may be practiced without one or more specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages that may not be present in all embodiments of this disclosure may be recognized in certain embodiments. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of this disclosure. No claim element is intended to invoke 35U.SC112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for…”.

[0078] Except as expressly stated herein, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in any other way, wherein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, reference to a singular element does not mean “one and only one”, but rather “one or more”. It should be understood that, unless expressly stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an,” and / or “the” may include one or more, not just one, and references to items in the singular form may also include references to their plural forms. Furthermore, the term “a plurality of” may be defined as “at least two.” As used herein, the phrase “at least one” when used with a series of items means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and that only one item from the series may be required. An item may be a specific object, thing, or category. Moreover, where phrases like “at least one of A, B, and C” are used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted as meaning that in one embodiment only A may be present, in one embodiment only B may be present, in one embodiment only C may be present, or in a single embodiment any combination of elements A, B, and C may be present; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. In some cases, "at least one of A, B and C" can refer to, for example, but not limited to, two of A, one of B, and ten of C; four of B and seven of C; or some other suitable combination.

[0079] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., used herein are merely labels and are not intended to impose any order, position, or hierarchy on the items they refer to. Furthermore, references to items such as “second” do not require or preclude the existence of items such as “first” or lower-numbered items, and / or the existence of items such as “third” or higher-numbered items.

[0080] All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein can be combined. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values ​​described herein are intended to include such values, and other values ​​that are “approximately” or “about” or “around” said values ​​are covered by embodiments of this disclosure, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise defined herein. Therefore, the values ​​should be interpreted broadly enough to cover values ​​that are at least sufficiently close to perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. The values ​​include at least variables expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process and may include values ​​within 5%, 1%, 0.1%, or 0.01% of said values.

[0081] Different cross shading may be used in all the figures to represent different parts, but not necessarily the same or different materials. Surface shading lines may be used in all the figures to represent different parts or areas, but not necessarily the same or different materials. In some cases, reference coordinates may be specific to individual figures. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures included herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical connections between various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may exist in actual systems.

[0082] Any references to attachment, fixation, connection, etc., may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, complete, and / or any other possible attachment options. Additionally, any reference to non-contact (or similar phrases) may include reduced contact or minimal contact. Certain terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “upper part,” “lower part,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” etc., may be used in the above description. Where applicable, these terms are used to provide a clear description when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to describe absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, for an object, simply by flipping the object, the “upper” surface can become the “lower” surface. However, it is still the same object.

[0083] Furthermore, the term "connected" to another element in this specification can include both direct and indirect connections. A direct connection can be defined as one element being connected to another element and in contact with the other element to some extent. An indirect connection can be defined as two elements being connected but not in direct contact with each other, with one or more additional elements between the connected elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another can include both direct and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, "proximity" does not necessarily mean contact. For example, an element may be adjacent to another element without contacting it.

[0084] The schematic flowcharts included herein are generally illustrated as logical flowcharts. Thus, the depicted sequence and labeled steps indicate one or more embodiments of the presented method. The steps described in any method or process description may be performed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the presented order. Furthermore, any reference to the singular includes multiple embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a single embodiment or step. The elements and steps in the figures are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily presented in any particular order. Other steps and methods that are functionally, logically, or effectively equivalent to one or more steps or portions thereof of the illustrated method are contemplated.

[0085] Furthermore, the format and symbols used are for interpreting the logical steps of the method and are not intended to limit the scope of the method. Although various types of arrows and lines may be used in the flowchart, it should be understood that they do not limit the scope of the corresponding method. In practice, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For example, arrows may indicate waiting or monitoring periods of unspecified duration between the enumerated steps of the depicted method. In addition, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly follow the order of the corresponding steps shown. Moreover, no element, component, or method step in this disclosure is intended to be exclusive to the public, whether or not such element, component, or method step is expressly recited in the claims.

[0086] The subject matter of this disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All modifications within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims should be included within their scope.

Claims

1. A roll feeder comprising: a first portion configured to rotatably support a roll of material; and a second portion defining a channel configured to receive and direct material from the roll of material therethrough; wherein the second portion of the roll feeder includes a guide geometry configured to operatively enable a segment of separated material that has been separated from the roll of material to move over a top surface of the roll of material.

2. The roll feeder of claim 1, wherein the first portion defines a recess configured to receive the roll of material.

3. The roll feeder of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the roll feeder is configured to be detachably coupled to a cutting machine, wherein the channel is configured to operatively direct the material from the roll of material through the channel to a working area of the cutting machine.

4. The roll feeder of claim 1, wherein the second portion defines a cutting slot via which the material can be severed.

5. The roll feeder of claim 4, further comprising a severing device coupled to the second portion of the roll feeder, wherein at least a portion of the severing device is configured to be operatively moved within and along the cutting slot to sever the material.

6. The roll feeder of claim 4, wherein: a downstream direction is defined from the first portion toward the second portion; an upstream direction is defined from the second portion toward the first portion, the upstream direction being opposite the downstream direction; and the cutting slot is downstream of the first portion of the roll feeder.

7. The roll feeder of claim 6, wherein the cutting slot is open toward the channel.

8. The roll feeder of claim 7, wherein the guide geometry includes a shape of the channel, wherein the shape of the channel is configured to operatively enable the segment of separated material disposed at least partially within the channel to exit the channel and move in the upstream direction over the top surface of the material.

9. The roll feeder of claim 8, wherein: the second portion of the roll feeder includes an upper wall and a lower wall; a lower surface of the upper wall defines a top of the channel; and an upper surface of the lower wall defines a bottom of the channel.

10. The roll feeder of claim 9, wherein: the top of the channel includes a first recessed portion, a first convex portion, and a first inflection region between the first convex portion and the first recessed portion of the top; and the bottom of the channel includes a second convex portion, a second recessed portion, and a second inflection region between the second convex portion and the second recessed portion of the bottom.

11. The roll feeder of claim 10, wherein: the first recessed portion is disposed downstream relative to the first convex portion; and the second recessed portion is disposed upstream relative to the second convex portion. ​ 12. The roll feeder of claim 11, wherein the first bend region is disposed upstream relative to the second bend region.

13. The roll feeder of claim 12, wherein the cut slot is downstream of the first bend region.

14. The roll feeder of claim 9, wherein the upper wall includes a contact rib extending downward into the channel, the contact rib forming at least a portion of the top of the channel such that the contact rib at least partially contributes to the shape of the channel.

15. The roll feeder of claim 14, wherein the contact rib includes a convex shape transitioning to a horizontal segment.

16. The roll feeder of claim 14, wherein: the contact rib includes a first contact rib disposed on a first lateral portion of the upper wall; and the upper wall includes a second contact rib disposed on a second lateral portion of the upper wall.

17. The roll feeder of claim 16, wherein the first contact rib is a first set of contact ribs and the second contact rib is a second set of contact ribs.

18. The roll feeder of claim 17, wherein, each of the first set of contact ribs and the second set of contact ribs includes 2 to 10 ribs.

19. The roll feeder of claim 9, wherein: the second portion defines a first aperture as an inlet to the channel and a second aperture as an outlet from the channel; the channel includes a first region, a transition region, and a second region; the first region is downstream of the first aperture, the transition region is downstream of the first region, the second region is downstream of the transition region, and the second aperture is downstream of the second region; and a cross-sectional area of the channel is greatest in the transition region.

20. A roll feeder comprising: a first portion configured to rotatably support a roll of material; and a second portion defining a channel configured to receive material from the roll of material; wherein the roll feeder is configured to be removably coupled to a cutting machine; and wherein the second portion of the roll feeder includes a guide geometry configured to operatively enable a separated segment of material that has been separated from the roll of material to move over a top surface of the roll of material.

21. The roll feeder of claim 20, further comprising at least one securing mechanism configured to removably secure the roll feeder to the cutting machine.

22. The roll feeder of claim 21, wherein the at least one securing mechanism includes one of at least one engagement slot and at least one engagement rib disposed along a lower surface of the second portion of the roll feeder.

23. The roll feeder of claim 22, wherein the cutting machine includes the other of the at least one engagement slot and the at least one engagement rib, wherein each of the at least one slot is configured to receive a portion of each of the at least one engagement rib, respectively.

24. The roll feeder of claim 23, wherein the roll feeder is configured to be detachably coupled to the cutting machine via a friction fit between the at least one engagement slot and the at least one engagement rib.

25. The roll feeder of claim 21, wherein the at least one securing mechanism is configured to reversibly secure to one or more material alignment mechanisms of the cutting machine in response to the roll feeder being detachably coupled to the cutting machine during use.

26. The roll feeder of claim 20, wherein the roll feeder is configured to be detachably coupled to an open door of the cutting machine during use.

27. The roll feeder of claim 26, wherein the roll feeder is configured to be removably secured to one or more protruding material alignment features that extend upwardly from a top surface of the open door of the cutting machine during use.

28. A method of cutting material in a cutting machine, comprising: removably securing a roll feeder to a cutting machine, wherein the roll feeder includes a first portion configured to rotatably support a roll of material and a second portion defining a passageway; urging material from the roll of material rotatably supported by the first portion of the roll feeder into and through the passageway; and severing a portion of material from the roll of material to form a separate material segment; wherein a lead geometry of the second portion of the roll feeder is operable to enable the separate material segment that has been separated from the roll of material to move over a top surface of the roll of material.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising performing a cutting operation on the material.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein performing the cutting operation on the material includes pulling the material forward and backward through the cutting machine over a work area of the cutting machine, thereby moving the material back and forth through the passageway of the roll feeder.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising removing the separate material segment by pushing the separate material segment upstream through the passageway away from the cutting machine and over the roll of material.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein severing the separate material segment from the roll of material is performed using a severing device of the roll feeder.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the severing device includes a cutting blade that is slidably engaged within a cutting slot disposed above and open to the passageway. ​

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