Device and method for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object

Abstract

Device for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object (10), wherein the mat-like object (10) has several tubular or hose-like or capillary-like elements (11) arranged in a plane in which they are aligned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and are connected to each other by at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element (12) extending transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, with a plate-like guide body (13) for the mat-like object (10), with at least one wheel-like drive body (15) which is rotaryally driven for the translational movement of the mat-like object (10) between the guide body (13) and the drive body (15), wherein a first slot (17) is provided in the guide body (13) and at least a second slot (18) is provided in the respective drive body (15), with at least one separating element or cutting element (19), by means of which, when the first slot (17) of the guide body (13) is aligned with the second slot (18) or one of the second slots (18) of the respective drive body (15), at least one connecting element (12) of the mat-like object (10) is cut through in order to separate the cut of defined length from the mat-like object (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object. The invention further relates to a method for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object.

[0002] Tubular, tube-like, or capillary elements that provide flow channels can be connected to each other by thread-like or wire-like connecting elements extending transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the tubular, tube-like, or capillary elements, forming a mat-like object in which the tubular, tube-like, or capillary elements are aligned parallel to each other in a single plane. When sections of defined length are cut from such a mat-like object, care must be taken to prevent damage to the tubular, tube-like, or capillary elements during the cutting process. The mat-like object from which sections are cut, or a cut-off section, can be referred to as a semi-finished product.Such damage to the semi-finished product can lead to leaks in the later product and thus to rejects, i.e., not a proper product.

[0003] So far, it has been difficult to cut off a section of defined length from a mat-like object containing tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements connected by thread-like or wire-like connecting elements and aligned parallel to each other, without risk of damaging the tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements.

[0004] DE 21 2019 000 253 U1 discloses a cutting device for pipes. The cutting device has a work table which serves to hold the pipes to be cut. With such a cutting device, pipe sections can be cut off from pipes.

[0005] DE 10 2004 017 471 B3 discloses a transport roller used for transporting a web of material wound onto a winding shaft. The transport roller is equipped with a cutting device comprising a cutter and a knife holder.

[0006] EP 2 127 827 A1 discloses a cling film cutter consisting of a base with a positioning frame for fixing a cling film, a rotating rod arranged under the positioning frame and a conveyor wheel mounted inside the base.

[0007] US 4 949 617 A discloses a device for applying and dispensing a roll-shaped cover paper.

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a novel device and a corresponding method for separating a cut-off of defined length from a mat-like object.

[0009] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 7.

[0010] The device according to the invention serves to cut off a section of defined length from a mat-like object, wherein the mat-like object has several tube-like or hose-like or capillary-like elements which are arranged in a plane in which they are aligned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and which are connected to each other by at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element extending transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

[0011] The device according to the invention has a plate-like guide body for the mat-like object.

[0012] The device according to the invention further comprises at least one wheel-like drive body which can be driven rotationally or by turning for translational or linear movement of the mat-like object between the guide body and the at least one drive body.

[0013] A first slot is provided in the guide body of the device according to the invention, and at least a second slot is provided in the at least one drive body of the device according to the invention.

[0014] The device according to the invention further comprises at least one separating element or cutting element by means of which, when the first slot of the guide body is aligned with the second slot or one of the second slots of the at least one drive body, the at least one connecting element of the mat-like object can be cut through in order to cut off the section of defined length from the mat-like object.

[0015] Using the device according to the invention, cut pieces of defined length can be separated from a mat-like object, which has several tubular or hose-like or capillary elements that are aligned parallel to each other in a plane and that are connected to each other via at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element, without risk of damage to the tubular or hose-like or capillary elements.

[0016] Preferably, the respective wheel-like drive body has circular segment-shaped grooves on its circumference, which are adapted to the diameter of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements of the mat-like object. This is particularly advantageous for the defined transport of the mat-like object along the plate-like guide body while maintaining the relative alignment of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements.

[0017] Preferably, the device according to the invention has at least two wheel-like drive bodies which are arranged at a distance from each other and are axially aligned. This particularly advantageously ensures the parallelism of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements during the transport of the mat-like object and during the cutting of the defined length from the mat-like object.

[0018] Preferably, the separating or cutting element can be inserted in an insertion direction perpendicular to the plate-like guide body between two immediately adjacent, tube-like or capillary-like elements of the mat-like object, which extend in the area of ​​aligned slots of the guide body and drive body, wherein the separating or cutting element can be moved in a separation direction perpendicular to the insertion direction parallel to the immediately adjacent, tube-like or capillary-like elements, separating the cut-off piece from the mat-like object. This is particularly advantageous for separating the cut-off piece of a defined length from the mat-like object.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, without being limited thereto. These show: Fig. 1 a mat-like object from which a cut of definite length is to be separated; Fig. 2 a section of a device according to the invention for separating a cut-off of defined length from the mat-like object; and Fig. 3 a detail of the Fig. 2.

[0020] The invention relates to a device and a method for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object 10. Fig. Figure 1 shows such a mat-like object 10, wherein the mat-like object 10 has several tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11. The tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11 are arranged in a plane in which they are aligned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11. The tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11 are connected to each other by at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element 12 extending transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the elements 11.

[0021] In Fig. 1. The tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11 are connected to one another adjacent to their free ends by at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element 12 extending transversely to their longitudinal direction. The mat-like object 10 can also be referred to as a fabric or microfabric. The invention relates to a device and a method for cutting sections of defined length from such a mat-like object 10 without damaging the tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11.

[0022] Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows sections or details of a device according to the invention for separating blanks from the mat-like object 10, wherein the device has a plate-like guide body 13 for the mat-like object 10, which in the illustrated embodiment is stationary. The mat-like object 10 is movable translationally or linearly relative to the plate-like, stationary guide body 13 in the direction of arrow 14.

[0023] To move the mat-like object 10 along the plate-like, stationary guide body 13, the device according to the invention has at least one wheel-like drive body 15. The wheel-like drive body 15 can be driven rotationally for translational movement of the mat-like object 10 in the direction of arrow 14, specifically in the direction of arrow 16.

[0024] The wheel-like drive body 15 comes into contact with the mat-like object 10 immediately adjacent to a connecting element 12.

[0025] A first slot 17 is provided in the plate-like guide body 13, which is stationary in the illustrated embodiment. At least one second slot 18 is provided in the rotatably driven drive body 15.

[0026] The respective second slot 18 in the drive body 15 extends in the radial direction of the drive body 15.

[0027] The device according to the invention further comprises at least one separating element or cutting element 19. With the aid of the at least one separating element or cutting element 19, when the first slot 17 of the guide body 13 aligns with the second slot or one of the second slots 18 of the drive body 15, the at least one connecting element 12 of the mat-like object 10 can be cut through in order to separate the section of defined length from the mat-like object.

[0028] Preferably, the device according to the invention has at least two wheel-like drive bodies 15, which are arranged at a distance from each other and are axially aligned. This allows the parallel alignment of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11 of the mat-like object 10 to be maintained particularly advantageously during transport and when separating the cut piece from the mat-like object 10.

[0029] When several wheel-like drive elements 15 are present, they can be driven together or, preferably, individually. The advantage of individually driven drive elements 15 is that by driving the drive elements 15 individually, deviations in the parallelism of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11 of the mat-like object 10 can be compensated for.

[0030] Preferably, each wheel-like drive body 15 is combined with a separating element or cutting element 19 to cut through the thread-like or wire-like connecting elements 12 simultaneously or almost simultaneously with the smallest possible time offset.

[0031] According to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Each wheel-like drive body 15 has circular segment-shaped grooves 20 around its circumference. These circular segment-shaped grooves 20 are adapted to the diameter of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements 11 of the mat-like object 10 in order to move the mat-like object 10 precisely in the direction of arrow 14, while maintaining the parallel alignment of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements 11 in the direction of arrow 14, parallel to the plate-like guide body 13, which is stationary in the illustrated embodiment. For the transport of the mat-like object 10, the tubular, hose-like, or capillary elements 11 of the mat-like object 10 engage in the circular segment-shaped grooves 20 of the respective drive body 15 immediately adjacent to a connecting element 12.

[0032] What is the best way? Fig.3 can be removed, the separating element or cutting element 19 can be inserted in an insertion direction 21, which extends perpendicular to the plate-like guide body 13, which is stationary in the illustrated embodiment and thus perpendicular to the translational direction of movement 14 of the mat-like object 10, between two immediately adjacent tube-like or capillary-like elements 11 of the mat-like object 10, which extend in the area of ​​aligned slots 17, 18 of guide body 13 and drive body 15.

[0033] During transport of the mat-like object 10, a tip of the respective separating element or cutting element 19 is retracted to such an extent that the mat-like object 10 can be moved unhindered over the guide body 13.

[0034] If a cut-off piece is to be separated from the mat-like object 10, the respective separating element or cutting element 19 is inserted in the direction of the insertion direction 21 between two immediately adjacent elements 11, which extend in the area of ​​aligned slots 17, 18.

[0035] Subsequently, the respective separating element or cutting element 19 is moved in a separating direction 22, which extends perpendicular to the insertion direction 21, along the longitudinal extent of the tubular or hose-like or capillary-like elements 11 between two immediately adjacent elements 11, in order to cut through the at least one wire-like or thread-like connecting element 12 between the respective immediately adjacent elements 11 and thereby separate the cut of defined length from the mat-like object 10.

[0036] The cutting process can be carried out by the cutting device 19 extending perpendicularly from the plane of the guide body 13 with aligned slots 17, 18, thus cutting through the at least one wire-like or thread-like connecting element 12. The cutting device 19 can be designed to be particularly wide so that the entire cut-off section can be separated in a single stroke. A blade or cutting edge of the cutting device 19 can have a wedge angle so that not all cutting forces occur simultaneously during the stroke.

[0037] The mat-like object 10 is preferably unwound from a roll or spool and fed to the device according to the invention. The mat-like object 10 is then moved in the direction of arrow 14 between the plate-like guide body 13, which is stationary in the illustrated embodiment, and the at least one drive body 15. The respective drive body 15 serves, on the one hand, to transport the mat-like object 10 in the direction of arrow 14, and on the other hand, to maintain the parallel alignment of the tubular, hose-like, or capillary-like elements 11 of the mat-like object 10 when cutting the at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element 12, as well as to hold the cut-off section and the remaining mat-like object 10 after the cut-off section has been separated from it.

[0038] Furthermore, the defined section length when separating the cut piece from the mat-like object 10 can be set via the at least one drive body 15, in particular via the positioning of the slot 18 or every second slot 18 around the circumference of the respective drive body 15 and via its rotational speed. The drive body 15 can also be referred to as an indexing wheel, indexing gear, or drive wheel.

[0039] Then, when the first slot 17 of the guide body 13 aligns with the second slot 18 of the respective drive body 15, at least one separating or cutting element 19 can be moved into the aligned slots 17, 18, namely between two immediately adjacent tubular or hose-like or capillary elements 11 of the mat-like object 10, which are located in the area of ​​the aligned slots 17, 18.

[0040] By a translational displacement of the respective separating or cutting element 19 parallel to the longitudinal extension of the tubular or hose-like or capillary-like elements 11, the at least one connecting element 12 can be cut through, wherein a cutting edge of the respective separating or cutting element 19 is preferably inclined to the respective connecting element 12 such that the resulting cutting force acts in the direction of the guide body 13 and pushes the mat-like object 10 in the direction of the guide body 13.

[0041] The invention further relates to a method for cutting off a section of defined length from the mat-like object 10. The method according to the invention is carried out using the device described above. To cut off a section of defined length from the mat-like object 10, the mat-like object 10 is moved translationally in the direction of arrow 14 between the guide body 13 and the respective rotary-driven drive body 15.

[0042] Then, when the first slot 17 of the guide body 13 aligns with the second slot 18 of the drive body 15, the at least one connecting element 12 can be cut by moving the respective separating element or cutting element 19 between two parallel tubular, hose-like or capillary elements 11 of the mat-like object 10 into the aligned slots 17, 18 and then moving it parallel to the tubular, hose-like or capillary elements in order to ultimately separate the cut from the mat-like object 10.

[0043] During the insertion of the separating element or cutting element 19 between two immediately adjacent tubular or hose-like or capillary elements 11 of the mat-like object 10, which extend in the area of ​​aligned slots 17, 18 of guide body 13 and drive body 15, and during the cutting of the at least one connecting element 12, the at least one drive body 15 and thus the mat-like object 10 preferably remains stationary, i.e., is preferably not moved.

[0044] Alternatively, the entire device can be moved translationally in the transport direction, but it must then be ensured that no relative movement occurs between the tubular or hose-like or capillary-like elements 11 and the slots 17, 18.

Claims

[1] Device for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object (10), wherein the mat-like object (10) has several tubular or hose-like or capillary-like elements (11) arranged in a plane in which they are aligned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and are connected to each other by at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element (12) extending transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, with a plate-like guide body (13) for the mat-like object (10), with at least one wheel-like drive body (15) which is rotaryally driven for the translational movement of the mat-like object (10) between the guide body (13) and the drive body (15), wherein a first slot (17) is provided in the guide body (13) and at least a second slot (18) is provided in the respective drive body (15), with at least one separating element or cutting element (19), by means of which, when the first slot (17) of the guide body (13) is aligned with the second slot (18) or one of the second slots (18) of the respective drive body (15), at least one connecting element (12) of the mat-like object (10) is cut through in order to separate the cut of defined length from the mat-like object (10). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the respective wheel-like drive body (15) has circular segment-shaped grooves (20) on its circumference which are adapted to the diameter of the tubular or hose-like or capillary-like elements (11) of the mat-like object (10). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized byat least two wheel-like drive bodies (15) which are arranged at a distance from each other and are axially aligned. [4] Device according to claim 3, characterized by , that the wheel-like drive bodies (15) can be driven individually. [5] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the separating element or cutting element (19) can be inserted in an insertion direction perpendicular to the plate-like guide body (13) between two immediately adjacent tube-like or capillary-like elements (11) of the mat-like object (10), which extend in the area of ​​aligned slots (17, 18) of guide body (13) and drive body (15). [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized by, that the separating element or cutting element (19) is movable in a separating direction perpendicular to the insertion direction parallel to the immediately adjacent, tube-like or capillary-like elements (11) while separating the cut-out from the mat-like object. [7] Method for cutting off a section of defined length from a mat-like object (10), wherein the mat-like object (10) has several tubular or hose-like or capillary elements (11) arranged in a plane in which they are aligned parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction and are connected to each other by at least one thread-like or wire-like connecting element (12) extending transversely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, comprising the following steps: translational movement of the mat-like object (10) between a guide body (13) and at least one rotary-driven drive body (15), then, when a first slot (17) of the guide body (13) is aligned with a second slot (18) of the at least one drive body (15), the at least one connecting element (12) of the mat-like object (10) is cut and thereby the cut-off of defined length is separated from the mat-like object (10). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the same is carried out using the device according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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