Steven A Mclean

US Patent:

6857346, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

Apr 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122260

Inventors:

Steven McLean - Brick NJ, US

Assignee:

Stevens Industries, L.L.C. - Pt. Pleasant NJ

International Classification:

B26D001/143

US Classification:

83169, 83171, 834111

Abstract:

A machine for removing the tips of tablet punches includes a housing that contains a turret that is rotated about a substantially vertical axis and a cutting wheel. The turret supports a plurality of tablet punches in a substantially vertical position with the tips of the punches being exposed below the turret. A cutting wheel is positioned below the turret and is located in a position so as to be in the path of the tips as the turret rotates. A motor rotates the cutting wheel so that the tips are removed from the punches as they are rotated into the path of the wheel. The turret rotates at a relatively low speed and the cutting wheel rotates at a relatively high speed. A nozzle is directed to the position where the cutting wheel engages the tips of the punches and sprays a cooling fluid in order to cool the cutting wheel and tips to prevent overheating thereof.