Lowell Harris

US Patent:

6029552, Feb 29, 2000

Filed:

Jun 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/869925

Inventors:

Lowell D. Harris - Kingsport TN

International Classification:

B26D 100

US Classification:

83 13

Abstract:

Inside-out cutter apparatus for cutting fiber tow into predetermined lengths including rotatable cylindrical member defining an axially extending passageway for receiving fiber tow therethrough and an outlet opening on periphery of cylindrical member through which fiber tow emerges onto work surface formed around periphery, work surface including at least one guide shoulder and a base surface bordering along length of guide shoulder with guide shoulder and base surface angled to position fiber tow on work surface at acute angle to axis of rotation and away from alignment with direct circumferential path leading from outlet opening, and an array of knives extending around work surface with cutting edges facing toward and spaced from work surface; and method of cutting fiber tow inside-out into predetermined lengths including steps of rotating circumferential work surface around an axis, feeding fiber tow within work surface through opening in periphery of work surface onto work surface, positioning fiber tow as first layer around and toward one side of work surface at acute angle to axis, positioning other successive layers of fiber tow onto work surface at acute angle and radially inwardly to each other and to first layer, thereby engaging, lifting and moving each first layer by other successive layers toward opposite side of work surface and continuously cutting a portion of each first layer of fiber tow.