Cutting tool for a rotary cutting device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to cutting tools for mulcher and mower heads and cutting drums or discs thereof. Specifically, this disclosure relates to cutting tools with features to increase the wear or erosion life of the cutting tool. There is provided a cutting tool configured to size-reduce material that has a body having three sets of opposing sides and at least one cutting edge on a leading one of the opposing sides. The cutting edge(s) can include edge surfaces extending in a plane that is different from an edge plane of the cutting edge. In some implementations, the cutting edge has grooves extending in a direction that is perpendicular or at an angle to the cutting edge.

Description

CUTTING TOOL FOR A ROTARY CUTTING DEVICETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to cutting tools for mulcher and mower heads and cutting drums or discs thereof. Specifically, this disclosure relates to cutting tools with features to increase the wear or erosion life of the cutting tool.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cutting devices comprising a rotating drum or a rotary disc with cutting teeth are used to shred, cut, or size reduce a material. As the drum or disc rotates, the cutting edge of the teeth dig into the material and remove a depth of the material being shredded to size reduce the material. As the teeth come into contact with the material being shredded, they become dull or blunt, which can increase the cutting resistance. An increase in the cutting resistance can increase the fuel consumption of the machine the rotary drum or disc is being used with. Moreover, an increase in the cutting resistance can increase stress on the other machine components and decrease productivity as the rotational speed of the rotating drum is decreased.

[0003] Moreover, once dull, conventional teeth for rotary drums or discs are removed from the rotary drum or disc and replaced with new teeth, increasing the overall cost and maintenance time associated with operating the rotary drum or disc. In some instances, conventional teeth have cutting edges with a single straight edge that extends from either side wall of the tooth or a v-shape edge with two straight edges that converge at or near the center of the cutting tooth at an apex. Straight cutting edges are prone to being worn down and becoming dull and / or blunt, thus increasing the amount of replacement and / or maintenance required with the rotating drum.

[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for more cost effective and efficient devices that would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address the above-mentioned issues.

[0006] According to one broad aspect, there is provided a cutting tool for mounting onto a rotary drum or disc for shredding a material, the cutting tool comprising: a coupling surface for mountingonto the rotary drum or disc; a cutting surface opposite to the coupling surface, the cutting surface having at least two cutting edges; a first side surface extending from the coupling surface to the cutting surface and a second side surface opposing the first side surface; and a top surface extending from the coupling surface to the cutting surface and a bottom surface opposing the top surface; wherein the cutting tool is configured to be rotatable, such that the cutting tool is configured to mount to the rotary drum or disc in a first position with a first one of the at least two cutting edges being in a cutting path of the rotary drum or disc and in a second position with a second one of the at least two cutting edges being in the cutting path; and wherein at least one of the at least two cutting edges comprises edge surfaces extending in a plane that is different from an edge plane of the at least one cutting edge.

[0007] In some embodiments, the at least one of the at least two cutting edges comprises at least one groove extending through the at least one of the at least two cutting edges to provide the edge surfaces.

[0008] In some embodiments, wherein the edge surfaces comprise opposing outer groove edges on the top surface and / or the bottom surface and opposing cutting groove edges on the cutting surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, wherein the cutting groove edges have a length that is longer than the outer groove edges.

[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves.

[0011] In some embodiments, the at least one groove comprises a base, a first side surface extending from the base to the cutting surface and the top surface or the bottom surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface.

[0012] In some embodiments, the base is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first side surface and / or the second side surface is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one groove has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a respective one of the at least two cutting edges.

[0015] In some embodiments, the at least one groove is orientated across the at least one of the at least two cutting edges in a curve.

[0016] In some embodiments, the curve has a curve radius of between about 5 mm and about 75 mm.

[0017] In some embodiments, the curve is a concave curve extending laterally outwardly from the top surface to the cutting surface.

[0018] In some embodiments, the at least one groove is provided on the cutting surface at an angle with an axis perpendicular to the at least one of the at least two cutting edges.

[0019] In some embodiments, the angle is between about 1 and about 50 degrees.

[0020] In some embodiments, the angle is between about 15 and about 45 degrees.

[0021] In some embodiments, the at least two cutting edges comprise a top cutting edge on the top surface and a bottom cutting edge on the bottom surface that is opposing the top cutting edge and the at least one groove comprises at least one top groove on the top cutting edge and at least one bottom groove on the bottom cutting edge.

[0022] In some embodiments, the at least one top groove and the at least one bottom groove comprises corresponding grooves.

[0023] In some embodiments, the corresponding grooves are parallel to each other.

[0024] In some embodiments, the at least one top groove and the at least one bottom groove have mirrored symmetry along a horizontal plane extending from the first side to the second side.

[0025] In some embodiments, the at least one top groove and / or the at least one bottom groove comprises at least two grooves, and the at least two grooves have mirrored symmetry along a vertical center plane extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.

[0026] In some embodiments, the cutting surface further comprises a blade surface.

[0027] In some embodiments, a leading side height of the at least one groove is between about 80% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

[0028] In some embodiments, a length of the at least one groove on the cutting surface measured between the at least one cutting edge and a leading end of the at least one groove along the cutting surface is between about 50% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

[0029] In some embodiments, a length of the at least one groove on the top surface is between about 10% and about 60% of a length of the top surface.

[0030] In some embodiments, the at least one groove is at least two grooves, and the at least two grooves are spaced apart along the at least one cutting edge at a distance.

[0031] In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent ones of the at least two grooves is between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least 25% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

[0033] In some embodiments, at least 50% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

[0034] In some embodiments, the top surface and / or the bottom surface comprises a relief surface on a trailing side of a corresponding one of the at least two cutting edges.

[0035] In some embodiments, a surface interface between the first side surface or the second side surface and the top surface or the bottom surface is tapered.

[0036] According to another broad aspect, there is provided a cutting tool for mounting onto a rotary drum or disc for shredding a material, the cutting tool comprising: a leading surface having at least one cutting edge; a trailing surface opposite to the leading surface; and a plurality of sides extending from the leading surface to the trailing surface; wherein the at least one cutting edge comprises at least three edges configured to engage with and size reduce the material being shredded and wherein the at least three edges extend in at least three planes.

[0037] In some embodiments, the at least one cutting edge comprises at least one groove extending through the at least one cutting edges, wherein the at least one groove is defined by opposing groove edges and the opposing groove edges comprise at least two of the at least three edges.

[0038] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the opposing groove edges are on the cutting surface.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the opposing groove edges are on a respective one of the plurality of sides.

[0040] In some embodiments, the at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves.

[0041] In some embodiments, the at least one groove comprises a base, a first side surface extending from the base to the cutting surface and one of the plurality of sides through the at least one cutting edge.

[0042] In some embodiments, the base is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first side surface and / or the second side surface is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

[0044] In some embodiments, the at least one groove has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the respective one of the at least two cutting edges.

[0045] In some embodiments, the at least one groove is formed as a curve across the at least one cutting edge.

[0046] In some embodiments, the curve has a curve radius of between 5 mm and 75 mm.

[0047] In some embodiments, the curve is a concave curve extending laterally outwardly from one of the plurality of sides to the cutting surface such that a leading end of the at least one groove is further from a center vertical plane of the cutting tool than a trailing end of the at least one groove.

[0048] In some embodiments, the at least one groove is provided on the cutting surface at an angle with an axis perpendicular to the respective one of the at least two cutting edges.

[0049] In some embodiments, the angle is between about 1 and about 50 degrees.

[0050] In some embodiments, the at least one cutting edge on the leading side comprises a first cutting edge on a leading side of a first one of the plurality of sides and a second cutting edge on the leading side of a second one of the plurality of sides and the at least one groove comprisesat least one first groove on the first cutting edge and at least one second groove on the second cutting edge.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first cutting edge is opposing the second cutting edge.

[0052] In some embodiments, the at least one first groove and the at least one second groove comprises corresponding grooves that are parallel to each other.

[0053] In some embodiments, the at least one first groove and the at least one second groove have mirrored symmetry along a plane extending from opposing sides of the plurality of sides.

[0054] In some embodiments, the cutting surface further comprises a blade surface.

[0055] In some embodiments, a leading side height of the at least one groove is between about 80% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

[0056] In some embodiments, a length of the at least one groove on the cutting surface measured between the at least one cutting edge and a leading end of the at least one groove along the cutting surface is between about 50% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

[0057] In some embodiments, a length of the at least one groove on the top surface is between about 10% and about 60% of a length of the top surface.

[0058] In some embodiments, the at least one groove is at least two grooves, and the at least two grooves are spaced apart along the at least one cutting edge at a distance.

[0059] In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent ones of the at least two grooves is between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.

[0060] In some embodiments, at least 25% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

[0061] In some embodiments, at least 50% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

[0062] According to another broad aspect, there is provided a cutting tool configured to size- reduce material, the cutting tool comprising: a body having three sets of opposing sides; and atleast one cutting edge on a leading one of the opposing sides, the at least one cutting edge comprising grooves extending in a direction that is perpendicular to the at least one cutting edge or a direction that is at an angle to the at least one cutting edge.

[0063] According to another broad aspect, there is provided a mulcher head configured to mulch, shred, or size-reduce a material, the mulcher head comprising: a frame; a cutting drum rotatably mounted to the frame; an actuator for rotating the cutting drum; and a plurality of cutting tools removably couplable to the cutting drum; wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting tools are the cutting tools as defined above.

[0064] According to another broad aspect, there is provided A cutting tool for mounting onto a rotary drum or disc for shredding a material, the cutting tool comprising: a coupling surface for mounting onto the rotary drum or disc; a cutting surface opposite to the coupling surface, the cutting surface having at least two cutting edges; a first side surface extending from the coupling surface to the cutting surface and a second side surface opposing the first side surface; and a top surface extending from the coupling surface to the cutting surface and a bottom surface opposing the top surface; wherein at least one of the at least two cutting edges comprises edge surfaces extending in a plane that is different from an edge plane of the at least one cutting edge.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

[0066] FIG. 1A is a front or leading view of a cutting tool according to one embodiment;

[0067] FIG. 1B is a side view the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1A;

[0068] FIG. 1C is a perspective side view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1A;

[0069] FIG. 1D is a perspective rear or trailing view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1A;

[0070] FIG. 2A is a perspective front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0071] FIG. 2B is a perspective rear or trailing view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 2A;

[0072] FIG. 2C is a front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 2A;

[0073] FIG. 3A is a front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0074] FIG. 3B is a perspective rear or trailing view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 3A;

[0075] FIG. 3C is a perspective front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 3A;

[0076] FIG. 4A is a perspective front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0077] FIG. 4B is a perspective rear or trailing view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 4A;

[0078] FIG. 4C is a front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 4A;

[0079] FIG. 5A is a perspective front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0080] FIG. 5B is a perspective rear or trailing view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 5A;

[0081] FIG. 5C is a front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 5A;

[0082] FIG. 5D is a side view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 5A;

[0083] FIG. 6A is a perspective front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0084] FIG. 6B is a perspective rear or trailing view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 6A;

[0085] FIG. 6C is a front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 6A;

[0086] FIG. 7A is a front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0087] FIG. 7B is a side view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 7A;

[0088] FIG. 8A is a front or leading view of a cutting tool according to another embodiment;

[0089] FIG. 8B is a side view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 8A;

[0090] FIG. 8C is a perspective front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 8A;

[0091] FIG. 9 is a side view of a plurality of cutting tools according to one embodiment coupled to an exemplary cutting drum;

[0092] FIG. 10 is a perspective front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1A with a portion shown in stippled lines that is case hardened;

[0093] FIG. 11 is a perspective front or leading view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 2A with a portion shown in stippled lines that is case hardened;

[0094] FIG. 12 is a schematic showing a comparison of the wear patterns of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 2A with (a) no wear, (b) moderate wear, and (c) extensive wear and the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1A with (d) no wear, (e) moderate wear, and (f) extensive wear, as well as a matching side profile of a cutting tool with (g) no wear, (h) moderate wear, and (i) extensive wear.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] There is provided a cutting tool that has features to increase the wear or erosion life of the cutting tool and contributes to reduction in cutting resistance, even after a long interval of utilization. The reduction in cutting resistance is retained without external interventions, such as mechanical grinding, buffing, or sharpening. The cutting tools also have improved debris discharge features. To reduce the cutting resistance in the cutting plane, the cutting tools can have a cutting edge that includes at least three edges extending in at least three planes or directions. In some embodiments, the cutting edges include one or more grooves or serrations that add at least two edges to the cutting edge on the cutting tool. In some embodiments, the cutting edge can include edge surfaces extending in a plane that is different from an edge plane of the at least one cutting edge. In some embodiments, the cutting edge can include grooves or serrations that have edge surfaces extending in a plane different than a plane of the cutting edge.

[0096] When the rotary drum or disc is rotated, the cutting tools are susceptible to damage from impacting objects other than the organic material being shredded or grinded, such as rocks. The cutting teeth with grooves or serrations can be resistant to dents or other damage on the edges of the cutting tool. Moreover, in contrast to straight edges, resistance to dents or damage on the edge can improve as the cutting tool is being used ( / .e., as the cutting edges are worn down from use) as the cutting edges and surfaces of the cutting tool become rounded, which spreadsthe impact load of the non-organic material more evenly on the cutting edges without drastically reducing the productivity of the cutting tool.

[0097] In some embodiments, the grooves or serrations on the cutting edge of the cutting tool can provide improved debris discharge features and contribute to producing a smaller size of the shredded material. As the cutting edge hits the material being shredded first, the grooves or serrations provide less surface area available to the material at the first point of contact than a straight blade. For example, if a cutting tool has a width of 6 cm and a straight blade without grooves or serrations that extends the entire width of the cutting tool ( / .e., a 6 cm long cutting edge), all 6 cm of the cutting edge will come into contact with the material being shredded. However, when the cutting edge is provided with 4 grooves having a width at the cutting edge of about 1 cm, then only 2 cm of the cutting edge is coming into contact with the material at the first point of contact.

[0098] After the initial or first point of contact, the edges of the groove then come into contact with the material, producing a smaller sized material, which can be desirable as the shredded organic matter will decompose faster than larger pieces. These smaller pieces of shredded organic matter can be directed through the grooves on the leading surface of the cutting tool, thus providing better debris discharge. In some embodiments, the leading surface has a higher surface area than the other surfaces of the cutting tool and / or is formed as a concave shape such that it is geometrically stronger than other surfaces of the cutting tool. As such, when the smaller pieces of the shredded organic matter are directed through the grooves on the leading surface, the wear or erosion impact is reduced or minimized.

[0099] In some embodiments, the cutting tool is configured to be rotatable such that the cutting tool has more than one cutting edge on the leading side that can be used until the end of the cutting edge’s wear or erosion life. For example, when a leading side of the rotatable cutting tool includes two cutting edges, the wear or erosion life of the cutting tool can be at least doubled by rotating the cutting tool to utilize the second cutting edge. In some embodiments, the cutting tool is configured to be reversible such that the cutting tool has more than one cutting edge on opposing or adjacent surfaces, such that multiple surfaces on the cutting tool are configured to be the leading side of the cutting tool. In some embodiments, the cutting tool has two opposing cutting edges on a leading side and two opposing cutting edges on a trailing side. In this embodiment, both the leading side and the trailing side are rotatable to each provide two wear or erosion lives of the cutting tool. Moreover, the cutting tool is reversible, such that the cuttingtool can be flipped to orientate the trailing side as the leading side, thus providing a total of four erosion or wear lives to the cutting tool. In some embodiments, some or all of the cutting edges on the reversible and / or rotatable cutting tool can include grooves or serrations.

[0100] Referring now to Figures 1A to 1 D, a cutting tool 100 according one embodiment is shown. The cutting tooth 100 has a top surface 110, a bottom surface 120, a leading or cutting surface 130, a trailing or coupling surface 140, a first side surface 150a, and a second side surface 150b that are close to perpendicular to the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 120.

[0101] In the exemplary embodiment, the top surface 110 and the bottom surface 120 each have a relief surface 112 that is recessed from the top surface 110 or bottom surface 120, such that the leading side of the cutting tool 100 (the cutting surface 130) is larger than the trailing side (the coupling surface 140).

[0102] In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting surface 130 is on a leading side of the cutting tool 100, such that the cutting surface 130 faces the direction of rotation while the rotating drum or mulcher head is in use. The leading side of the top surface 110 ( / .e., the apex between the cutting surface 130 and the top surface 110) has a top cutting edge 160T and the leading side of the bottom surface 120 ( / .e., the apex between the cutting surface 130 and the bottom surface 120) has a bottom cutting edge 160B extending between the first side 150a and the second side 150b. In some embodiments, the cutting surface 130 further includes a blade surface 132 adjacent to the top cutting edge 160T and / or the bottom cutting edge 160B. In the exemplary embodiment, the blade surfaces 132 are each a planar surface that is adjacent to the concave shape of the cutting surface 130, such that a first one of the blade surfaces 132 extends between the top cutting edge 160T and the concave surface of the cutting surface 130 and a second one of the blade surfaces 132 extends between the bottom cutting edge 160B and the concave surface of the cutting surface 130.

[0103] The coupling surface 140 is on a trailing side of the cutting tool 100, such that the coupling surface 140 faces a direction that is opposite that of the direction of rotation of the rotating drum or disc. In some embodiments, the coupling surface 140 further includes an aperture 142 that is configured to receive a fastener to couple the cutting tool 100 to a leading side of the cutting drum or disc or a tool holder on the cutting drum or disc.

[0104] In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting tool 100 is configured to be rotatable, such that when the cutting edge in the cutting path gets dull or blunt, the cutting tool 100 can beremoved and rotated, such that the second cutting edge can be placed in the cutting path. For example, the cutting tool 100 can be removably coupled to a cutting drum or tool holder on the cutting drum such that the top cutting edge 160T is in the cutting path. During use, when the top cutting edge 160T gets dull or blunt, the cutting tool 100 can be loosened or removed and rotated 180° along an axis of rotation AR that is coaxial to the fastener in the aperture 142, such that the bottom cutting edge 160B is in the cutting path. Once rotated, the fastener can be tightened or the cutting tool 100 can be re-removably coupled to the cutting drum or tool holder with the fastener.

[0105] In the exemplary embodiment, the top cutting edge 160T and the bottom cutting edge 160B are opposing each other. However, it is also contemplated that the first and / or second side surface 150a, 150b can include a cutting edge. For example, the cutting tool 100 can include four cutting edges on each of the top surface 110, the bottom surface 120, and the first and second side surfaces 150a, 150b, such that when rotating the cutting tool 100, the cutting tool 100 would only be rotated 90° when moving the cutting tool to a second or subsequent position.

[0106] Referring now to Figures 2A to 2C, a cutting tool 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The cutting tool 200 includes a body having a top surface 210, a bottom surface 220, a leading or cutting surface 230, a trailing or coupling surface 240, a first side surface 250a, and a second side surface 250b. The first and second side surfaces 250a, 250b and the coupling surface 240 are close to perpendicular to the top surface 210 and the bottom surface 220. In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting surface 230 has a substantially concave surface, which can provide a recess for the debris of the material being shredded to move away from the cutting surface 230 during rotation of the rotating drum. The concave surface also increases the geometric strength of the leading side of the cutting tool 200.

[0107] In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting surface 230 is on the leading side of the cutting tool 200, such that the cutting surface 230 faces the direction of rotation while the rotating drum or mulcher head is in use. The leading side of the top surface 210 and the bottom surface 220 each have a cutting edge 260 ( / .e., the cutting surface 230 has at least two cutting edges 260). The coupling surface 240 is on the trailing side of the cutting tool 200, such that the coupling surface 240 faces a direction that is opposite that of the direction of rotation of the rotating drum. In some embodiments, the coupling surface 240 further includes an aperture 242 that is configured to receive a fastener to couple the cutting tool 200 to a leading side of the cutting drum or disc or a tool holder on the cutting drum or disc.

[0108] In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting edges 260 each include two grooves 270 extending through the cutting edge 260 from the top surface 210 to the cutting surface 230. The grooves 270 each comprise two opposing groove edges on the top surface 210 that define the groove 270 on the top surface 210 and two opposing groove edges on the cutting surface 220 that define the groove 270. However, it is contemplated that the grooves 270 can extend only partially or substantially through the cutting edge, such that the grooves 270 only include groove edges on the top surface 210 or only include the groove edges on the cutting surface 230.

[0109] As is best shown in Figures 2A and 2C, each of the grooves 270 has outer grooves on the top surface 210 (a first side top edge 272a and a second side top edge 272b) that are spaced apart and opposed to each other to define the groove 270 on the top surface 210. The cutting surface 230 of each groove 270 has cutting grooves edges (a first side leading edge 274a and a second side leading edge 274b) that are spaced apart and opposed to each other to define the groove 270 on the cutting surface 230. The groove edges 272a, 272b, 274a, 274b co-operate with the cutting edge 260 to increase the accumulative surface area of the edges that are engaging with and cutting into the material being shredded.

[0110] In some embodiments, the grooves 270 can be curved, for example to increase the accumulative surface area of the edges that engage with the material being shredded. In the exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figure 2C, the grooves 270 are curved laterally outwardly from the top surface 210 to the cutting surface 230. In other words, a leading end 270c of the groove 270 is further from a center vertical plane PL of the cutting tool 200 than a trailing end 270d of the groove 270. However, it is contemplated that other configurations are possible, such that the grooves 270 are curved laterally inwardly from the top surface 210 to the cutting surface 230, are straight, or are at the same or different angles.

[0111] In some embodiments, the grooves 270 can include a base 276, a first side surface 278a, and a second side surface 278b. In such embodiments, the first side top edge 272a and the first side leading edge 274a are defined by the apex between the first side surface 278a and the top surface 210 and the cutting surface 230, respectively. Similarly, the second side top edge 272b and the second side leading edge 274b are defined by the apex between the second side surface 250b and the top surface 210 and the cutting surface 230, respectively.

[0112] The base 276 can be substantially planar, curved, such as a concave curve or a convex curve, slanted, or angled. Similarly, the first and second side surfaces 278a, 278b can besubstantially planar, curved, such as a concave curve or a convex curve, slanted, or angled. In the exemplary embodiment, the base 276 is substantially planar and the first and second side surfaces 278a, 278b are tapered away from the base 276, such that width of the base 276 is smaller than a width between the first side top edge 272a and the second side top edge 272b and a width between the first side leading edge 274a and the second side leading edge 274b. In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second side surfaces 278a, 278b can extend to the top surface 210 and the cutting surface 230 in a substantially perpendicular manner and / or one or both of the first and second side surfaces 278a, 278b can extend to the top surface 210 and the cutting surface 230 at an angle.

[0113] In some embodiments, the width Wi of the groove 270 at the cutting edge 160 corresponds to the reduction in surface area that contacts the material being shredded at a point of first contact. In other words, the accumulative surface area at the point of first contact is the surface area of the cutting edge 160 minus the widths Wi of each of the grooves 270 at the cutting edge. In the exemplary embodiment, the width Wi of the groove 270 at the cutting edge 160 is the widest portion of the grooves 270.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first and second side surfaces 278a, 278b can extend to the top surface 210 and the cutting surface 230 with a varying angle, such that the width between the first side top edge 272a and the second side top edge 272b and the width between the first side leading edge 274a and the second side leading edge 274b differ. For example, the leading side of the groove 270, defined by the first and second side leading edges 274a, 274b can have a larger width than the width Wi of the groove 270 in line with the cutting edge 260 and the width of a trailing side of the groove 270, defined by the first and second side top edges 272a, 272b.

[0115] It is contemplated that the grooves 270 can have any shape or configuration. In some embodiments, the grooves 270 are square grooves, bevel grooves, V-shaped grooves, J- shaped grooves, U-shaped grooves, flare bevel grooves, flare V-shaped grooves, etc. In some embodiments, a portion, a majority, or an entirety of the first side surface 278a and / or the second side surface 278b can be planar, convex curved, concave curved, perpendicular with respect to the top surface 210 or the bottom surface 220, perpendicular with respect to the cutting surface 230, angled with respect to the top surface 210 or the bottom surface 220, and / or angled with respect to the cutting surface 230.

[0116] It is further contemplated that other type of grooves, serrations, or non-straight cutting edge surfaces can be utilized. For example, in some embodiments, the cutting edges 260 can be serrated, saw-toothed, zig-zagged, or notched so as to provide additional edges to the cutting edge 260.

[0117] In some embodiments, the cutting tool 200 comprises at least three edges configured to engage with and size reduce the organic material that extend in at least three planes or directions. For example, referring to Figure 2C, the cutting tool 200 includes nine edges extending in nine directions: the cutting edge 260 that extends in a first direction; two first side top edges 272a extending in a second and third direction ( / .e., one on each groove 270), two second side top edges 272b extending in a fourth and fifth direction, two first side leading edges 274a extending in a sixth and seventh direction and two second side leading edges 274b extending in an eighth and ninth direction.

[0118] However, it is contemplated that a cutting tool can have three edges extending in three planes or directions or three edges that are non-collinear. For example, a cutting tool 200 can include a single groove 270 provided only on the cutting surface 230, such that the cutting tool 200 includes the cutting edge 260 extending in a first direction, a first side leading edge 274a extending in a second direction, and a second side leading edge 274b extending in a third direction. Any other configurations that provide at least three edges extending in three planes or directions are also possible.

[0119] Referring now to Figures 3A to 3C, a cutting tool 300 having a body with substantially similar features to body of the cutting tool 200 is shown. The cutting tool 300 differs in the number, shape, and orientation of the grooves. The cutting tool 300 includes a top cutting edge 360T extending between the side walls of the body on the top surface 310 and a bottom cutting edge 360B extending between the side walls on the bottom surface 320. In this embodiment, the cutting tool 300 includes three top grooves 370T extending through the top cutting edge 360T from the top surface 310 to the cutting surface 330 and three bottom grooves 370B extending through the bottom cutting edge 360B from the bottom surface 320 to the cutting surface 330.

[0120] In this embodiment, both the top grooves 370T and the bottom grooves 370B extend through the top cutting edge 360Tat an angle 0i, 02 towards a second side 300b of the body. In other words, the top grooves 370T and the bottom grooves 370B have mirrored symmetry along a center horizontal plane PH extending from the first side 300a to the second side 300b througha center of the cutting tool 300. In such embodiments, when the cutting tool 300 in a first position is removed from the cutting drum or the tool holder and rotated to the second position, the cutting edge in the cutting path of the second position has grooves with an opposite orientation than the cutting tool in the first position before being rotated. For example, if the cutting tool 300 was used in a cutting holder with the top cutting edge 360T being placed in the cutting path first, once that top cutting edge 360T was worn down, the cutting tool 300 could be removed or loosened and rotated such that the bottom cutting tool 360B is in the cutting path. When the bottom cutting tool 360B is in the cutting path, the orientation of the bottom grooves 370B are opposite that of the top grooves 370Twhen the top cutting edge 360T is in the cutting path.

[0121] In other embodiments, the orientations or direction of the top grooves 370T can have an orientation or direction that is parallel to the orientation or direction of the bottom grooves 370B, such that when rotated, the grooves in the cutting path have the same orientation whether they are the top grooves 370T or the bottom grooves 370B. For example, the top grooves 370T can extend through the top surface 310 of the top cutting edge 360T towards the second side 300b of the cutting surface 330, whereas the bottom grooves 370B can extend through the bottom surface 320 of the bottom cutting edge 360B towards a first side 300a of the cutting surface 330.

[0122] In some embodiments, the top grooves 370T can extend or pass through the top cutting edge 360T at an angle 0i to an axis Ai perpendicular to the top cutting edge 360T. The bottom grooves 370B can extend through the bottom cutting edge 360B from the bottom surface 320 to the cutting surface 330 at an angle 02 to an axis Ai perpendicular to the bottom cutting edge 360B. In some embodiments, the angle 01 of the top grooves 370T is different from the angle 02 of the bottom grooves 370B. In the exemplary embodiment, the angle 01 of the top grooves 370T is substantially equal to the angle 02 of the bottom grooves 370B. The angles 01, 02 of the top and bottom grooves 370T, 370B, respectively, can be between about 1° and 50°, or between about 15° and about 45°.

[0123] As the rotary cutting drum rotates, the top or bottom cutting edge 360T, 360B in the cutting path first comes into contact with the material to be shredded, followed by the top or bottom grooves 370T, 370B and the cutting surface 330 of the cutting tool 300. Accordingly, the top or bottom cutting edge 360T, 360B in the cutting path and the leading or cutting side of the corresponding top or bottom grooves 370T, 370B can have increased wear during use of the rotary drum or disc. In some embodiments, the groove edges on the cutting surface 330 have aheight Hi on the leading side that is longer than a length Li of the groove edge on the top surface 310. In some embodiments, the groove edges on the cutting surface 330 are substantially longer than the groove edges on the top surface 310 to account for the additional erosion the cutting surface 330 is subjected to.

[0124] Referring now to Figures 4A to 4C, a cutting tool 400 having a body with substantially similar features to the body of the cutting tool 200 is shown. The cutting tool 400 differs in the number, shape, and orientation of the grooves. The cutting tool 400 includes top and bottom cutting edges 460 extending between the side walls of the body on the top surface 410 and the bottom surface 420, respectively. In some embodiments, the top surface 410 and / or the bottom surface 420 includes a relief surface 412 that is recessed from the top surface 410 or the bottom surface 420. A leading side of the cutting tool 400 has a concave cutting surface 430 with a blade surface 432 adjacent to each of the cutting edges 460. In this embodiment, the cutting tool 400 includes four grooves 470I-4 extending through the cutting edge 460 on the top surface 410 and four grooves 470s-8 extending through the cutting edge 460 on the bottom surface 420.

[0125] In some embodiments, a majority of the edges on the grooves 470i-s are on the cutting surface 430, such that a length L2 of the edges on the top surface 410 for grooves 470I-4 or the bottom surface 420 for grooves 470s-8 is relatively short compared to a height H2 of the groove edges on the cutting surface 430. For example, the height H2 of the groove edges on the cutting surface 430 is between about 2 and about 20 times the length L2 of the edges on the top surface 410 or bottom surface 420. In the exemplary embodiment, the height H2 of the edges on the cutting surface 430 is about 10 times the length L2 of the edges on the top surface 410.

[0126] In some embodiments, the length L2 of the edges or edge surfaces on the top surface 410 or bottom surface 420 (outer groove edges) can be related to the length L3 of the top surface 410 or bottom surface 420. For example, the length L2 of the edges on the top surface 410 or the bottom surface 420 can be between about 1% and about 90% of the length L3 of the top surface 410 or bottom surface 420, or between about 10% and 60% of the length L3 of the top or bottom surface 410, 420. In the exemplary embodiment, the length L2 of the edges on the top surface 410 or bottom surface 420 (outer groove edges) are about 1.88 mm from the cutting edge 460 and the length L3 of the top or bottom surface 410, 420 is about 19.39 mm.Accordingly, the length L2 of the outer groove edges is about 10% of the length L3 of the top surface 410. In other embodiments, for example referring back to Figures 2A to 3C, the lengthof the outer groove edges of the grooves 270, 370 on the top surface 210, 310 of the cutting tool 200, 300 is about 20% of the length of the top surface 210, 310.

[0127] Similarly, in some embodiments, the height H2 of the groove edges on the cutting surface 430 can be related to the length L4 of the blade surface 432. For example, the height H2 of the groove edges on the cutting surface 430 can be between about 1% and about 350% of the length L4 of the blade surface 432, or between about 80% and 300% of the length L4 of the blade surface 432. In the exemplary embodiment, the height H2 of the groove edges on the cutting surface 430 are 16.96 mm from the cutting edge 460 and the length L4 of the blade surface 432 is about 8.20 mm. Accordingly, the height H2 of the groove edges on the cutting surface 430 is about 207% of the length L4 of the blade surface 432. In other embodiments, for example referring back to Figures 2A to 3C, the height of the groove edges for grooves 270, 370 on the cutting surface 230, 330 of the cutting tool 200, 300 is about 230% and 240%, respectively, of the height of the blade surface. However, it is contemplated that the leading side height of the groove edges on the cutting surface can be equal to or less than the length of the blade surface of the cutting tool.

[0128] In some embodiments, the grooves 470i-s can extend at an angle with an axis perpendicular to the cutting edge in different directions. In some embodiments, the row of top grooves 470I-4 and the row of bottom grooves 470s-8 have an orientation such that they have mirror symmetry along the horizontal plane PH. In some embodiments, opposing grooves (such as the first and fifth grooves 470i,s or fourth and eighth grooves 4704, s) extend towards the same side surface of the cutting tool 400. In the exemplary embodiments, the first, second, fifth, and sixth grooves 470I ,2,S,6 extend towards the first side 400a and the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth grooves 4703,4,7,8 extend towards the second side 400b.

[0129] In some embodiments, the grooves 470i-s have mirrored symmetry along a center vertical plane PL extending from the top surface 410 to the bottom surface 420 through a center of the cutting tool 300.

[0130] In some embodiments, the grooves 470i-s that are complementary to each other are orientated parallel or substantially parallel to each other, such that when the cutting tool 400 is rotated, the first one of the complimentary grooves is in the same position as the second one of the complimentary grooves. As used herein, complimentary grooves means grooves 470i-s that are in the same position when the cutting edge 460 the groove 470i-s is on is in the cutting path.For example, the first and eighth grooves 470i,s are complimentary grooves because, when the cutting tool 400 is in a first cutting position with the cutting edge 460 on the top surface 410 being in the cutting path, the first groove 470i is at an outer position on the left hand side, when looking at the leading side (cutting surface 430). When the cutting tool 400 is rotated 180°, such that the cutting tool 400 is in a second cutting position with the cutting edge 460 on the bottom surface 420 being in the cutting path, the eighth groove 470s is at the outer position on the lefthand side.

[0131] Referring now to Figures 5A to 5C, a cutting tool 500 having a body with substantially similar features to body of the cutting tool 200 is shown. The cutting tool 500 differs in the number, shape, and orientation of the grooves. The cutting tool 500 includes opposing cutting edges 560 with three pairs of corresponding grooves 570I-3 (three grooves 570I-3 on one cutting edge 560 and three corresponding grooves 570I-3 on the opposing cutting edge 560). Each of the opposing cutting edges 560 are adjacent to a blade surface 532 on a leading side of the cutting tool 500. In some embodiments, the corresponding grooves 570I-3 have substantially the same orientation. In the exemplary embodiment, the corresponding pair of grooves 570I-3 are orientated substantially perpendicular to the cutting edges 560.

[0132] The corresponding grooves 570I-3 each have a cutting side height F that can extend from the cutting edge 560 to the leading end of the corresponding groove 570I-3. For example, the cutting side height H can be between about 1 mm and about 25 mm, or between about 5 mm and about 15 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting side height H ( / .e., the leading side height of the cutting side groove edges) is 10.43 mm and a length Ls of the blade surface 532 is about 8.20 mm (in other words, the height H of the groove edges on the cutting surface is 127% of the length Ls of the blade surface 532).

[0133] The skilled artisan will understand that, due to the blade surface 532 being tapered and the cutting surface 530 being concave, a length Ls of the cutting side groove edges on the corresponding grooves 570I-3 is greater than the height H4 of the grooves when viewing from the leading side. In some embodiments, the length Ls of the groove edges on the cutting surface 530 (measured from the cutting edge 560 to the leading end of the groove along the curve of the cutting surface 530) can be between about 1 mm and about 40 mm, or between about 10 mm and about 20 mm. For example, the length Ls of the groove edges on the cutting surface 530 can be between about 50% and about 300% of the length Ls of the blade surface 532, or between about 90% and about 200% of the length Ls of the blade surface 532. In the exemplaryembodiment, the length Le of the groove edges on the cutting surface 530 is 13.45 mm corresponding to about 164% of the length Ls of the blade surface 532.

[0134] In some embodiments, the width of the corresponding grooves 570I-3 can vary along a length of the groove. In the exemplary embodiment, the width of the corresponding grooves 570I-3 are the same, with each having a widest width W2 ( / .e., a width at the widest part of the corresponding grooves 57O1-3) of between about 1 mm and about 20 mm, or between about 5 mm and about 15 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, the widest width W2 of each of the corresponding grooves 570I-3 is about 9.34 mm.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first side and the second side of the cutting edges 560 can be tapered such that a width W3 of the cutting edge 560 is less than a width W4 of the cutting tool 500. The tapered surface 562 can help prevent material from catching on a corner of the leading side (the apex of the cutting surface 530, the bottom surface 520, and a respective one of the sides). Similarly, the surface interface 502 between the top surface 510 or bottom surface 520 and the side surfaces 550 or the surface interface 504 between the coupling surface 540 and the top surface or the bottom surface 520 can be tapered. In the exemplary embodiment, the width W3 of the cutting edge 560 is 42.33 mm and the width W4 of the cutting tool 500 is 50.32 mm.

[0136] In some embodiments, adjacent ones of the corresponding grooves 570I-3 on the same cutting edge 560 can be spaced apart along the width W3 of the cutting edge 560 at the same or varying distances. For example, the corresponding grooves 570I-3 can be spaced apart by a distance Di of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance Di between adjacent ones of the corresponding grooves 570I-3 is 3.36 mm.

[0137] It is contemplated that the distance Di between adjacent ones of the corresponding grooves 570I-3 depends on the width W3 of the cutting edge 560 (which is dependent on the width W4 of the cutting tool 500) and the widest width W2 of the grooves 570I-3. For example, the distance Di between adjacent ones of the corresponding grooves 570I_3can be adjusted based on the width W3 of the cutting edge 560 and the widest width W2 of the corresponding grooves 570I-3, such that between 25 and 90% of the cutting edge 560 includes the corresponding grooves 570I-3. In some embodiments, at least 50% of the width W3 of the cutting edge 560 includes the corresponding grooves 570I-3. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, thetotal surface area of the three corresponding grooves 570I-3 is 28.02 mm, corresponding to about 56% of the width W3 of the cutting edge 560.

[0138] It is understood that each of the dimensions described herein are relative to the size of the tooth. The exemplary cutting tools 200, 300, 400, and 500 are each based on a 2” kerf tooth, which has an overall width of about 50.32 mm (1.981 inches). However, the size of the cutting tool can vary greatly depending on the type of rotary drum or disc the cutting tool is being used with.

[0139] In some embodiments, the top surface 510 and / or the bottom surface includes a relief surface 512. The surface interface 514 between the portion of the top surface that includes the cutting edge 560 and the relief surface 512 can be tapered.

[0140] Referring now to Figures 6A to 6B, a cutting tool 600 having a body with substantially similar features to body of the cutting tool 500 is shown. The cutting tool 600 differs in the shape and orientation of the grooves. As can be seen, the grooves 670 on the cutting tool 600 have a width and elongated shape that are orientated substantially perpendicular to the cutting edges 660.

[0141] As can be seen, a widest width Ws of the grooves 670 is larger than the widest point of the grooves 570 on the cutting tool 500. In the exemplary embodiment, a width We of the groove on the cutting edge 660 is less than the widest width Ws of the groove 670.

[0142] Referring now to Figures 7A and 7B, a cutting tool 700 having a body with substantially similar features to body of the cutting tool 400 is shown. The cutting tool 700 differs in the shape and orientation of the grooves. As can be seen, the grooves 770 on the cutting tool 700 are curved across the cutting edges 760.

[0143] In the exemplary embodiment, a leading side height Hs of the cutting groove edges of the grooves 770 is about 16.96 mm and a length L? of the cutting groove edges is about 21.48 mm. The overall height He of the cutting tool 700 is 55.56 mm, meaning that the cutting groove edges on the top and bottom sides of the cutting tool 700 extend across about 61% of the overall height He of the cutting tool 700. In the exemplary embodiment, a length Ls of the outer groove edges is about 1.88 mm, corresponding to about 9.7% of the length of the top surface of the cutting tool 700.

[0144] Referring now to Figures 8A to 8C, a cutting tool 800 according to another embodiment is shown. The cutting tool 800 comprises a body having a top surface 810, a bottom surface 820, a leading surface 830, a trialing surface 840, and side surfaces 850. In the exemplary embodiment, the leading surface 830 includes a cutting surface 832 and a coupling surface 834. The cutting surface 832 and the coupling surface 834 each comprise a concave surface that are delimited from each other by a protrusion 836. The concave surface formed by the coupling surface 834 and the protrusion 836 is configured to be retained in a tool holder or aperture within a rotary drum or disc, for example with a wedge.

[0145] In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting tool 800 includes a single cutting edge 860 formed on an apex between the top surface 810 and the cutting surface 830 ( / .e., a leading side of the top surface). The cutting edge 860 can include at least one groove 870 extending through the cutting edge 860. In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting tool 800 includes three grooves 870 extending through the cutting edge 860 to form top groove edges 872 on the top surface 810 and bottom groove edges 874 on the cutting surface 832.

[0146] As shown best in Figure 8A, the grooves 870 are curved and provided at an angle with respect to an axis extending perpendicular to the cutting edge 860. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the grooves are provided at the same angle and orientation ( / .e., angled to the same side). However, other configurations are contemplated, such as grooves 870 being angled toward each other, being angled away from each other, being substantially perpendicular to the cutting edge 860, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the grooves 870 can be curved with a curve radius CR of between about 5 mm and about 75 mm, or between about 10 mm and about 45 mm. In the exemplary embodiment, the curve radius CR of the groove 770 is about 25.4 mm (or about 1 inch). In some embodiments, the grooves 870 are formed on the cutting edge 860 with a milling tool, such as a 2-inch milling tool.

[0147] Referring now to Figure 9, cutting tools 900 according to another embodiment are shown removably coupled to a rotary or cutting drum 901. The cutting tools 900 can have substantially the same features as cutting tools 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and / or 700. In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting tools 900 include a body with a first cutting edge 960i and a second cutting edge 9602 opposite to the first cutting edge 960i on a leading side of the body.

[0148] As can be seen, the first and second cutting edges 960I,2 both face the direction of rotation DR while the cutting drum 901 is in use. In some embodiments, the cutting tool 900includes an aperture (not shown) that is configured to receive a fastener 902 to couple a trailing side of the cutting tool 900 to a leading side of the cutting drum 901 or, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, to a leading side of a tool holder 903 on the cutting drum 901.

[0149] In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting tools 900 are in a first position such that the first cutting edge 960i is in the cutting path CP. During use in the first position, the cutting drum 901 is rotated in the direction of rotation DR, such that the first cutting edge 960i comes into contact with the material to be shredded, mulched, or otherwise size reduced. As the first cutting edge 960i becomes dull or blunt from use, a cutting radius Rc of the rotary ( / .e., a distance from a rotational axis of the cutting drum 901 to the cutting path CP) is decreased. In conventional systems, when the first cutting edge 86O1 becomes dull, the fastener 902 is removed and the entire cutting tool would be removed. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastener 902 can be loosened or removed such that the cutting tool 900 can be rotated 180° along an axis of rotation AR of the fastener 902. Once rotated 180° along the axis of rotation AR to place the cutting tool 900 in the second position, the second cutting edge 9602 forms the cutting path CP. Once rotated, the fastener 902 can be tightened or the cutting tool 900 can be re-removably coupled to the cutting drum 901 or tool holder 903 with the fastener 902.

[0150] Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, the cutting tool 100 having two opposing straight cutting edges 160 and the cutting tool 200 having two opposing cutting edges 260 with grooves 270 extending therethrough is shown. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the cutting tool or a portion thereof (for example, the cutting edges, the groove edges, the cutting surface, the side surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces, and / or the coupling surface) can be reinforced. For example, the cutting tool can undergo case hardening to increase the hardness on the outer surface of the metal. In the exemplary embodiments, an entirety of the outer surface of the cutting tools 100, 200 includes a portion 101, 201, respectively, that has undergone case hardening or is covered in a reinforcing material. The outer surface area of the cutting tool 200 with grooves 270 has an increased outer surface area. By providing an increased outer surface area, the area hardened by the case hardening or reinforcement is increased due to the larger number of cutting surfaces that are hardened, which can increase the overall life of the cutting tool 200.Experimentation

[0151] Referring now to Figure 12, a comparison of the wear patterns of the cutting tool 100 having two opposing straight cutting edges 160 and the cutting tool 200 having two opposing cutting edges 260 with grooves 270 extending therethrough is shown. The cutting tool 200 with grooves 270 is shown with (a) no wear, (b) moderate wear, and (c) extensive wear and the cutting tool 100 with a single cutting edge 160 is shown with (d) no wear, (e) moderate wear, and (f) extensive wear. Figure 12 also shows the matching side profile of a cutting tool, which could be cutting tool 100 or cutting tool 200, with (g) no wear, (h) moderate wear, and (i) extensive wear. In some embodiments, the side profile of the cutting tool 100 and the cutting tool 200 after having experienced the same level of wear are substantially similar; however, the cutting tool 200 with grooves 270 retains more edge surfaces (the cutting edge and the groove edges) for a longer wear period.

[0152] As can be seen, due to the larger number of cutting edges ( / .e., the cutting edge 260 and the multiple groove edges), the cutting tooth 200 that includes grooves 270 maintains, or in some cases, even increases, the cutting efficiency of the cutting tool 800 due to the wear or erosion being spread across the additional cutting edges. In other words, as shown in images (b) and (c) the multiple edges created by the grooves 270 provides additional cutting surfaces in which the cutting tool 200 can engage with the material being shredded.

[0153] It is also contemplated that, when in use, the cutting tools on the cutting drum are prone to striking non-organic matter, such as rocks or small pieces of metal. During such an impact, the cutting tool with grooves (such as cutting tools 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) have additional edges that increase the resistance to dents caused by an impact with non-organic material because the grooved profile of the leading side of the cutting tool either are round or become round during use, thus spreading the impact of the non-organic material more evenly on the leading side without substantially reducing the productivity. For example, as shown in images (b) and (c) of Figure 12, the groove edges of the grooves 270 are rounded, which can increase the resistance to impacts by non-organic material.

[0154] With reference to Figure 9 and images (g) to (i) of Figure 12, a height of the cutting tool, which is reduced with wear and erosion, has an impact on the cutting radius Rc because the height H? of the cutting tool in image (g) ( / .e., no wear), which is defined by the distance between the cutting edges, is a portion of the cutting radius Rc of the cutting drum. However, during use, when the cutting tools 100, 200, experience moderate wear, such as shown in image (h) of Figure 12, the height Hs of the cutting tool is decreased, thus resulting in a cuttingradius that is less than the cutting radius Rc of a cutting drum with cutting tools 100, 200 that do not have any wear ( / .e., the height H? of the cutting tool prior to use is larger than the height Hs of a cutting tool exhibiting moderate wear). Similarly, when the cutting tools 100, 200, experience extensive wear, such as shown in image (i) of Figure 12, the height Hg of the cutting tool is decreased further, thus resulting in a cutting radius that is less than the cutting radius of the cutting tools 100, 200 having moderate wear and the cutting radius Rc of a cutting drum with cutting tools 100, 200 that do not have any wear.

[0155] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A cutting tool for mounting onto a rotary drum or disc for shredding a material, the cutting tool comprising: a coupling surface for mounting onto the rotary drum or disc; a cutting surface opposite to the coupling surface, the cutting surface having at least two cutting edges; a first side surface extending from the coupling surface to the cutting surface and a second side surface opposing the first side surface; and a top surface extending from the coupling surface to the cutting surface and a bottom surface opposing the top surface; wherein at least one of the at least two cutting edges comprises edge surfaces extending in a plane that is different from an edge plane of the at least one cutting edge.

2. The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the at least two cutting edges comprises at least one groove extending through the at least one of the at least two cutting edges to provide the edge surfaces.

3. The cutting tool of claim 2, wherein the edge surfaces comprise opposing outer groove edges on the top surface and / or the bottom surface and opposing cutting groove edges on the cutting surface.

4. The cutting tool of claim 3, wherein the cutting groove edges have a length that is longer than the outer groove edges.

5. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves.

6. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one groove comprises a base, a first side surface extending from the base to the cutting surface and the top surface or the bottom surface, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface.

7. The cutting tool of claim 6, wherein the base is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

8. The cutting tool of claim 7, wherein the first side surface and / or the second side surface is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

9. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the at least one groove has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a respective one of the at least two cutting edges.

10. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the at least one groove is orientated across the at least one of the at least two cutting edges in a curve.

11. The cutting tool of claim 10, wherein the curve has a curve radius of between about 5 mm and about 75 mm.

12. The cutting tool of claim 10 or 11 , wherein the curve is a concave curve extending laterally outwardly from the top surface to the cutting surface.

13. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the at least one groove is provided on the cutting surface at an angle with an axis perpendicular to the at least one of the at least two cutting edges.

14. The cutting tool of claim 13, wherein the angle is between about 1 and about 50 degrees.

15. The cutting tool of claim 13, wherein the angle is between about 15 and about 45 degrees.

16. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the at least two cutting edges comprise a top cutting edge on the top surface and a bottom cutting edge on the bottom surface that is opposing the top cutting edge and the at least one groove comprises at least one top groove on the top cutting edge and at least one bottom groove on the bottom cutting edge.

17. The cutting tool of claim 16, wherein the at least one top groove and the at least one bottom groove comprises corresponding grooves.

18. The cutting tool of claim 17, wherein the corresponding grooves are parallel to each other.

19. The cutting tool of any one of claim 16 to 18, wherein the at least one top groove and the at least one bottom groove have mirrored symmetry along a horizontal plane extending from the first side to the second side.

20. The cutting tool of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the at least one top groove and / or the at least one bottom groove comprises at least two grooves, and the at least two grooves have mirrored symmetry along a vertical center plane extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.

21. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 20, wherein the cutting surface further comprises a blade surface.

22. The cutting tool of claim 21 , wherein a leading side height of the at least one groove is between about 80% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

23. The cutting tool of claim 21 , wherein a length of the at least one groove on the cutting surface measured between the at least one cutting edge and a leading end of the at least one groove along the cutting surface is between about 50% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

24. The cutting tool of any one of claims 2 to 23, wherein a length of the at least one groove on the top surface is between about 10% and about 60% of a length of the top surface.

25. The cutting tool of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the at least one groove is at least two grooves, and the at least two grooves are spaced apart along the at least one cutting edge at a distance.

26. The cutting tool of claim 25, wherein the distance between adjacent ones of the at least two grooves is between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.

27. The cutting tool of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein at least 25% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces or wherein at least 50% of the width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

28. The cutting tool of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the top surface and / or the bottom surface comprises a relief surface on a trailing side of a corresponding one of the at least two cutting edges.

29. The cutting tool of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein a surface interface between the first side surface or the second side surface and the top surface or the bottom surface is tapered.

30. The cutting tool of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the cutting tool is configured to be rotatable, such that the cutting tool is configured to mount to the rotary drum or disc in a first position with a first one of the at least two cutting edges being in a cutting path of the rotary drum or disc and in a second position with a second one of the at least two cutting edges being in the cutting path.

31. A cutting tool for mounting onto a rotary drum or disc for shredding a material, the cutting tool comprising: a leading surface having at least one cutting edge; a trailing surface opposite to the leading surface; and a plurality of sides extending from the leading surface to the trailing surface; wherein the at least one cutting edge comprises at least three edges configured to engage with and size reduce the material being shredded and wherein the at least three edges extend in at least three planes.

32. The cutting tool of claim 31 , wherein the at least one cutting edge comprises at least one groove extending through the at least one cutting edges, wherein the at least one groove is defined by opposing groove edges and the opposing groove edges comprise at least two of the at least three edges.

33. The cutting tool of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of the opposing groove edges are on the cutting surface.

34. The cutting tool of claim 32 or 33, wherein at least a portion of the opposing groove edges are on a respective one of the plurality of sides.

35. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves.

36. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the at least one groove comprises a base, a first side surface extending from the base to the cutting surface and one of the plurality of sides through the at least one cutting edge.

37. The cutting tool of claim 36, wherein the base is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

38. The cutting tool of claim 36 or 37, wherein the first side surface and / or the second side surface is substantially planar, curved, slanted, or angled.

39. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 38, wherein the at least one groove has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the respective one of the at least two cutting edges.

40. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 39, wherein the at least one groove is formed as a curve across the at least one cutting edge.

41. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 40, wherein the curve has a curve radius of between 5 mm and 75 mm.

42. The cutting tool of claim 41 , wherein the curve is a concave curve extending laterally outwardly from one of the plurality of sides to the cutting surface such that a leading end of the at least one groove is further from a center vertical plane of the cutting tool than a trailing end of the at least one groove.

43. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 42, wherein the at least one groove is provided on the cutting surface at an angle with an axis perpendicular to the respective one of the at least two cutting edges.

44. The cutting tool of claim 43, wherein the angle is between about 1 and about 50 degrees.

45. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 44, wherein the at least one cutting edge on the leading side comprises a first cutting edge on a leading side of a first one of the plurality of sides and a second cutting edge on the leading side of a second one of the plurality of sides and the at least one groove comprises at least one first groove on the first cutting edge and at least one second groove on the second cutting edge.

46. The cutting tool of claim 45, wherein the first cutting edge is opposing the second cutting edge.

47. The cutting tool of claim 45 or 46, wherein the at least one first groove and the at least one second groove comprises corresponding grooves that are parallel to each other.

48. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein the at least one first groove and the at least one second groove have mirrored symmetry along a plane extending from opposing sides of the plurality of sides.

49. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 48, wherein the cutting surface further comprises a blade surface.

50. The cutting tool of claim 49, wherein a leading side height of the at least one groove is between about 80% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

51. The cutting tool of claim 49, wherein a length of the at least one groove on the cutting surface measured between the at least one cutting edge and a leading end of the at least one groove along the cutting surface is between about 50% and about 300% of a length of the blade surface.

52. The cutting tool of any one of claims 32 to 51 , wherein a length of the at least one groove on the top surface is between about 10% and about 60% of a length of the top surface.

53. The cutting tool of any one of claims 31 to 52, wherein the at least one groove is at least two grooves, and the at least two grooves are spaced apart along the at least one cutting edge at a distance.

54. The cutting tool of claim 53, wherein the distance between adjacent ones of the at least two grooves is between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.

55. The cutting tool of any one of claims 31 to 54, wherein at least 25% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

56. The cutting tool of any one of claims 31 to 54, wherein at least 50% of a width of the at least one cutting edge comprises the edges surfaces.

57. A cutting tool configured to size-reduce material, the cutting tool comprising: a body having three sets of opposing sides; andat least one cutting edge on a leading one of the opposing sides, the at least one cutting edge comprising grooves extending in a direction that is perpendicular to the at least one cutting edge or a direction that is at an angle to the at least one cutting edge.

58. A mulcher head configured to mulch, shred, or size-reduce a material, the mulcher head comprising: a frame; a cutting drum rotatably mounted to the frame; an actuator for rotating the cutting drum; and a plurality of cutting tools removably couplable to the cutting drum; wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting tools are the cutting tools according to any one of claims 1 to 57.

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