GB1567117A - Rolling device - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A ROLLING DEVICE (71) We, SUNDWIGER EISEN HUTTE MASCHINENFABRIK GRAH & CO., a Kommanditgesellschaft organised according to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, of 5870 Hemer, Pederal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a rolling device for smoothing the edges of strips of a band which has been divided longitudinally into a plurality of strips.

A device of this kind is known in the prior art from DDR Patent No. 96,033. In the known smoothing device an individual pair of rollers is provided for each longitudinal dividing point, the pair of rollers being disposed in a cage and the cage being spring loaded. This indirect support by means of the spring loaded cage permits individual reaction of each rolling ring.

Since an independent spring loaded cage is necessary for each rolling ring in the known construction, the expense of construction is considerable, particularly in the case of numerous narrow longitudinal strips. Thus, for example, when the number of longitudinal strips is 20, 21 pairs of rollers would be necessary.

For the purpose of smoothing a multiplicity of narrow strips the applicants are aware from their own operations and from practice of a rolling device in which the smoothing of the dividing points is effected between a thick roller v mter- roller) and a thin roller. It is not known to what extent this device is public knowledge in U.K. The thin roller is in turn supported radially over its length by means of a number of individually adjustable supporting rollers, so that the thin roller can to a certain extent be adapted to the shape of the divided band. Individual adjustment to the respective longitudinal dividing points is however not possible with this rolling device. In addition, this construction requires a large number of supporting rollers and individual adjusting means, so that here again technical expense is high.

According to the present invention there is provided a rolling device for smoothing the edges of strips of a band which has been longitudinally divided into a plurality of strips, which device has at least on one side of the band for each longitudinal dividing line a rolling ring which is supported in the radial direction by elastic means. all the rolling rings being disposed on a common roller, the elastic means being disposed between the respective rolling ring and the common roller.

The elastic means should be selected so that, depending on the load, predetermined values for the spring deflection are maintained. Rubber or synthetic plastics, for example, neoprene, are suitable as elastic means.

The axial spacing of the rolling rings may be achieved by means of spacer rings. These spacer rings have a smaller external periphery than the rolling rings, so that only the rolling ring has a smoothing function. At the two axial ends of the roller fastening may be effected by means of shaft nuts, which may be lock-nuts. Care should be taken that the arrangement is such that the spacer rings and rolling rings are held axially but that the desired radial movability of the rolling rings is retained. Preferably the rolling ring has a certain convexity on its external periphery, in order to avoid impressions on the band strip. This may alternatively be achieved by rounding the outer edges of the rolling ring.

A particularly inexpensive embodiment of the invention is one in which an axially continuous covering on the periphery of the roller serves as elastic means. In this construction it is expedient to ensure that the inside diameter of the rolling rings and of the spacer rings is slightly greater (for example 1 mm greater) than the outside diameter of the elastic means, so that replacement of individual parts will still be possible after long use. The inner edges lying nearer the elastic means - of the spacer rings and roller rings are preferably rounded in order to avoid damage to the elastic means. If spacer rings are provided the radially inner edges of the space rings are even sharply bevelled in order to enable the elastic means to retract into the resulting cavity when the elastic means yields in consequence of squeezing during the smoothing. The above described construction having an axially continuous covering is particularly suitable for bands for which less stressing is necessary during smoothing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment an individual ring is provided as elastic means for each rolling ring, this elastic ring being situated between the radially outer rolling ring and a radially inner centring ring mounted on the shaft. In this arrangement the elastic ring is embedded between the rolling ring and the centring ring. The units each comprising a rolling ring, elastic ring, and centring ring are in turn held spaced apart in the axial direction by spacer rings.

In this arrangement it is expedient for the width of the elastic ring to be made smaller than the width of the rolling ring and centring ring, so that during the springing operation the elastic ring will be able to bulge out axially. In this arrangement the inside diameter is adapted to the diameter of the roller, taking into account the customary tolerances, so that accurate seating is achieved. A particularly durable unit is obtained if the elastic ring is made of rubber and is secured by vulcanization between the rolling ring and centring ring. This arrangement with a centring ring is suitable for heavier stressing and distinguished -by a particularly long life.

The dimensins of the rolling ring, spacer rings, and elastic means depend on the stressing in each particular case. It is expedient for the rolling ring to be from 5 to 10 times wider than the width of kerf formed after the longitudinal division, so that each rolling ring can simultaneously smooth two neighbouring strip edges. Depending on the width of the strip, typical width for the rolling ring are between 5 and 20 mm. The following figures are given as an example: A band intended for razor blades is to be divided into from 20 to 30 longitudinal strips. When customary separating blades are used as longitudinal dividing devices, kerf widths of from 1 to 3 mm may occur.

The rolling ring may for example have an outside diameter of 120 mm and the elastic means an outside diameter of 100 mm. In the radial direction the elastic means may then have a thickness of from 5 to 10 mm, for example in cases where spring deflection is under 1 mm with a load of 11 kp. For the roller itself there then remains an outside diameter of from 80 to 90 mm depending on the thickness of the elastic means and the dimensions of the centring ring, if one is provided. Taking into account the spring deflection, the outside diameter of the spacer ring could for example be fixed at 115 mm.

It has been found that the present construction may permit operationally reliable smoothing. After passing through the rolling device the edges are also adapted to the surface shape of the band. Difficulties in reeling no longer occur. The simple construction permits rapid replacement of the rolling rings, while with the aid of the spacer rings the rolling rings can be accurately secured in relation to the position of the longitudinal edge. In the case of particularly strong materials it is possible to use for the rolling ring lying in the middle (roughly the middle third) an elastic means which has slightly less spring elasticity, so that even in this special case no difficulties can arise due to deflection of the entire roller. The elastic means have the advantage that even with deviating plane-parallel band cross-sections automatic adaptation of the rolling rings occurs, while the smoothing function is performed reliably.

Particular embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partial diagrammatical view of a first embodiment; and Figure 2 is a partial diagrammatical view of a second embodiment.

The two embodiments of rolling device have the common feature that a bottom roller 6 is in the form of a continuous roller in a manner known per se. Viewed in the direction of the axis of the roller 6, the various longitudinal strips 7 are disposed side by side with the formation of individual kerfs 8.

According to the embodiment of Figure 1. an upper roller 1 is provided for the purpose of smoothing the edges of the strips 7 with rolling rings 2 which are spaced axially apart by spacer rings 4. The rolling rings 2 are each supported in the radial direction against the roller 1 by an elastic means 3. The elastic means provided is an axially continuous covering on the roller.

The spacer rings 4 have rounded or bevelled inner edges 4a. The outside diameter of the spacer rings is less than the outside diameter of the rolling rings 2. At the two ends of the roller (not shown) the outermost spacer rings are held in position by means of shaft nuts, so that no axial movement is possible, while however radial mobility of the rolling rings 2 is retained.

The inside diameter of the rolling rings 2 and spacer rings 4 is about 1/2 mm greater than the outside diameter of the elastic means 3, so that replacement of these parts is possible even after long use.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the elastic means consists of several rings 13 which are each disposed radially between an outer rolling ring 12 and a centring ring 15 situated on the inside on the roller 10. The spacer rings are mounted directly on the roller 10. The inside diameters of the centring rings 15 and of spacer rings 14 are so adjusted to the diameter of the roller 10 that good seating is obtained, allowing for tolerance, while replaceability should be taken into account. In the axial direction the rolling and spacer rings are once again held by a shaft nut. Figure 2 shows that the elastic ring 13 is narrower than the roller ring 12 and centring ring 15, so that space remains between the elastic ring 13 and the spacer ring 14 when the elastic ring 13 bulges out during operation. The construction shown in Figure 2 is suitable for heavier stressing and is distinguished by a particularly long life.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 (with units consisting of a ring 13, rolling ring 12, and centring ring 15) makes it possible for the elasticity of the elastic means to be varied in accordance with the varying thickness of the band over its width. In the outer quarter of the band, for example, it is possible to use an elastic material having greater or lower elasticity than in the middle part. By this means it is possible to achieve a uniform rolling force even if the material of the band varies over its width.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the outer edges of the rolling rings are rounded with a radius of 50 mm over a width of 3 mm. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the rolling rings have a slightly convex shape (crowned), based on a radius of 400 mm.

Although in the two embodiments described the bottom roller is a continuous roller of known construction, the rollers on both sides of the strip may be equipped with rolling rings and described above.

It is essential to the functioning of the rolling devices described above that each individual rolling ring should perform its rolling function with the desired load and that irregularities in the cross-sections of the band should not have the consequence that any strips lying at a greater distance will not be smoothed because of the deflection of the entire roller. The elastic means permits the uniform smoothing of all longitudinal edges, since as a consequence of the individiual direct springing provided by the elastic means the rolling forces for an uneven band can be made uniform. Because all the rolling rings are mounted on a common carrier roller the arrangement is distinguished by a simple construction, while nevertheless a multiplicity of narrow strips, for example with a strip width below 10 mm, can be individually smoothed without problems. The construction of the rolling device which has the roller equipped with rolling rings on one side of the longitudinal strips and the continuous roller, known per se, on the other side of the longitudinal strips is particularly simple.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A rolling device for smoothing the edges of strips of a band which has been longitudinally divided into a plurality of strips, which device has at least one side of the band for each longitudinal dividing line a rolling ring which is supported in the radial direction by elastic means, all the rolling rings being disposed on a common roller, the elastic means being disposed between the respective rolling ring and the common roller.

2. A rolling device according to claim 1 wherein the axial distance between the rolling rings is fixed by spacer rings.

3. A rolling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the elastic means is an axially continuous covering on the periphery of the common roller.

4. A rolling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each rolling ring has an individual elastic means formed by a ring disposed between the respective rolling ring and a centring ring mounted radially internally on the common roller.

5. A rolling device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The inside diameter of the rolling rings 2 and spacer rings 4 is about 1/2 mm greater than the outside diameter of the elastic means 3, so that replacement of these parts is possible even after long use. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the elastic means consists of several rings 13 which are each disposed radially between an outer rolling ring 12 and a centring ring 15 situated on the inside on the roller 10. The spacer rings are mounted directly on the roller 10. The inside diameters of the centring rings 15 and of spacer rings 14 are so adjusted to the diameter of the roller 10 that good seating is obtained, allowing for tolerance, while replaceability should be taken into account. In the axial direction the rolling and spacer rings are once again held by a shaft nut. Figure 2 shows that the elastic ring 13 is narrower than the roller ring 12 and centring ring 15, so that space remains between the elastic ring 13 and the spacer ring 14 when the elastic ring 13 bulges out during operation. The construction shown in Figure 2 is suitable for heavier stressing and is distinguished by a particularly long life. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 (with units consisting of a ring 13, rolling ring 12, and centring ring 15) makes it possible for the elasticity of the elastic means to be varied in accordance with the varying thickness of the band over its width. In the outer quarter of the band, for example, it is possible to use an elastic material having greater or lower elasticity than in the middle part. By this means it is possible to achieve a uniform rolling force even if the material of the band varies over its width. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the outer edges of the rolling rings are rounded with a radius of 50 mm over a width of 3 mm. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the rolling rings have a slightly convex shape (crowned), based on a radius of 400 mm. Although in the two embodiments described the bottom roller is a continuous roller of known construction, the rollers on both sides of the strip may be equipped with rolling rings and described above. It is essential to the functioning of the rolling devices described above that each individual rolling ring should perform its rolling function with the desired load and that irregularities in the cross-sections of the band should not have the consequence that any strips lying at a greater distance will not be smoothed because of the deflection of the entire roller. The elastic means permits the uniform smoothing of all longitudinal edges, since as a consequence of the individiual direct springing provided by the elastic means the rolling forces for an uneven band can be made uniform. Because all the rolling rings are mounted on a common carrier roller the arrangement is distinguished by a simple construction, while nevertheless a multiplicity of narrow strips, for example with a strip width below 10 mm, can be individually smoothed without problems. The construction of the rolling device which has the roller equipped with rolling rings on one side of the longitudinal strips and the continuous roller, known per se, on the other side of the longitudinal strips is particularly simple. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A rolling device for smoothing the edges of strips of a band which has been longitudinally divided into a plurality of strips, which device has at least one side of the band for each longitudinal dividing line a rolling ring which is supported in the radial direction by elastic means, all the rolling rings being disposed on a common roller, the elastic means being disposed between the respective rolling ring and the common roller.

2. A rolling device according to claim 1 wherein the axial distance between the rolling rings is fixed by spacer rings.

3. A rolling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the elastic means is an axially continuous covering on the periphery of the common roller.

4. A rolling device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each rolling ring has an individual elastic means formed by a ring disposed between the respective rolling ring and a centring ring mounted radially internally on the common roller.

5. A rolling device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.