Finishing/burnishing tool

Abstract

A burnishing tool including a tapered cam shaft including a camming surfaces having a planar spatial orientation substantially the same as the planar spatial orientation of sides of a pyramid, wherein respective keys respectively extend along respective camming surfaces of the tapered cam shaft, the keys having respective longitudinal axis of extensions parallel to the respective camming surfaces and lying in respective planes normal to the planar spatial orientations of the respective camming surfaces, wherein the camming surfaces are arrayed about a cam shaft axis that is normal to a plane that is parallel to a base of the pyramid. The burnishing tool further includes a burnishing assembly, the burnishing assembly includes segmented burnishing components including respective cammed surfaces positioned on the tapered cam shaft adjacent respective camming surfaces. These segmented burnishing components include mate with the cam shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a schematic of a burnishing tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 b-1d are schematics of components of the burnishing tool depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 a is a schematic of a component of the burnishing tool depicted in FIG. 1

FIG. 2 b is an elaboration on the concept of defining the camming surfaces of the cam shaft by a pyramid.

FIGS. 2 c-2f present further details of components of the burnishing tool depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts use of the burnishing tool depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 a is a schematic of another embodiment of the burnishing tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a partial schematic of the device of FIG. 4a when viewed along the centerline of the device.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a portion of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4a.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of another embodiment of the present invention, showing profiled button tools in place of a machined surface.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of a portion of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8-11 are schematics depicting various view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematics of an embodiment of the tool shaft utilized to implement some embodiments of the present invention where a heater is installed in the burnishing tool.

FIG. 14 presents another embodiment of the present invention, where the burnishing tool has fixed, non-movable, burnishing surfaces.

Claims

1. A burnishing tool, comprising: a tapered cam shaft, wherein the tapered cam shaft includes camming surfaces having a planar spatial orientation substantially the same as the planar spatial orientation of sides of a pyramid, wherein respective keys respectively extend along respective camming surfaces of the tapered cam shaft, the keys having respective longitudinal axis of extension parallel to the respective camming surfaces, and wherein the camming surfaces are arrayed about a cam shaft axis that is normal to a plane that is parallel to a base of the pyramid;a burnishing assembly, the burnishing assembly including: segmented burnishing components including respective cammed surfaces positioned on the tapered cam shaft adjacent respective camming surfaces, wherein the segmented burnishing components include respective keyways substantially extending along the respective cammed surfaces to accept the respective keys of the tapered cam shaft, the respective keyways having a longitudinal axis of extension substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of extension of the respective keys, and wherein the segmented burnishing components have burnishing surfaces; anda carrier assembly, the carrier assembly applying force on the segmented machine components to hold the segmented machine components against the tapered cam shaft;wherein the burnishing tool is configured to permit adjustment of the position of the burnishing assembly with respect to the tapered cam shaft in the direction of the cam shaft axis to advance and retract the segmented burnishing components in a radial direction with respect to the cam shaft axis due to movement of the cammed surfaces of the segmented burnishing components along the respective camming surfaces of the cam shaft.

2. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the tapered cam shaft has a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion being located closer to an intersection of planes defined by extrapolation of the camming surfaces than the proximal portion, wherein the segmented burnishing components are advanced in the radial direction about the cam shaft when the burnishing assembly is moved in a direction along a vector defined by movement away from the distal portion towards the proximal portion, and wherein the segmented burnishing components are retracted in the radial direction about the cam shaft when the burnishing assembly is moved in a direction along a vector defined by movement away from the proximal end towards the distal portion.

3. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the carrier assembly extends around the segmented burnishing components, wherein the burnishing tool further comprises at least one anti-rotation guide to counteract a torque applied to the segmented burnishing components, wherein the burnishing assembly rides along the anti-rotation guide.

4. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein when the cammed surfaces of the segmented burnishing components are positioned on the tapered cam shaft adjacent respective camming surfaces, and wherein the cammed surfaces collectively form a receptacle having surfaces having a planar spatial orientation substantially the same as the planar spatial orientation of sides of the pyramid.

5. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the burnishing tool is configured to burnish at least a rotating plastic container in a chipless and dustless manner.

6. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein a heater is located inside at least one hole in the tapered cam shaft.

7. The burnishing tool of claim 6, wherein a thermocouple is attached to the burnishing tool for monitoring a temperature of at least one of the tool and an area proximate the tool.

8. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the segmented components of the burnishing assembly, when held against the tapered cam shaft, form a generally cylindrical outer surface and form a cavity having at least one of a generally pyramidal shape and a generally truncated pyramidal shape.

9. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the carrier assembly comprises means that imparts a force onto the segmented burnishing components to draw the segmented burnishing components together, and wherein the tapered cam shaft imparts a force onto the segmented burnishing components to push the segmented burnishing components apart when the segmented burnishing components are moved in at least one direction along the cam shaft.

10. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the keys and keyways are of rectangular cross-section, the cross-section being taken in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis.

11. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the pyramid is selected from the group consisting of a triangular pyramid, a rectangular pyramid, a square pyramid, a pentagonal pyramid, a hexagonal pyramid, and a heptagonal pyramid.

12. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein at least some of the burnishing surfaces are arranged opposite the cammed surfaces.

13. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein at least some of the burnishing surfaces are arranged adjacent to the cammed surfaces.

14. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of extensions lie in planes that are respectively normal to the base legs of the pyramid.

15. A burnishing tool, comprising: a burnishing assembly, the burnishing assembly including: segmented burnishing components, the burnishing components including respective horizontal and vertical burnishing surfaces;wherein the segmented burnishing components are arranged about a longitudinal axis such that the respective vertical burnishing surfaces lie on or substantially near an extrapolated cylindrical surface having a geometric center positioned on or substantially near the longitudinal axis;wherein the segmented burnishing components are arranged about the longitudinal axis such that the respective horizontal burnishing surfaces lie on or substantially near a plane normal to the longitudinal axis; andwherein, at least one of (a) the vertical burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the longitudinal axis collectively extend less than about 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis, and (b) the horizontal burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (iii) the horizontal burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the plane normal to the longitudinal axis and (iv) a cylindrical surface having as its axis the longitudinal axis collectively extends less than about 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

16. The burnishing tool of claim 15, wherein, at least one of (a) the vertical burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the longitudinal axis collectively extend less than about 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis, and (b) the horizontal burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (iii) the horizontal burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the plane normal to the longitudinal axis and (iv) a cylindrical surface having as its axis the longitudinal axis collectively extends less than about 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

17. The burnishing tool of claim 15, wherein, at least one of (a) the vertical burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the longitudinal axis collectively extend less than about 45 degrees about the longitudinal axis, and (b) the horizontal burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (iii) the horizontal burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the plane normal to the longitudinal axis and (iv) a cylindrical surface having as its axis the longitudinal axis collectively extends less than about 45 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

18. The burnishing tool of claim 15, wherein, at least one of (a) the vertical burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the longitudinal axis collectively extend less than about 25 degrees about the longitudinal axis and (b) the horizontal burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (iii) the horizontal burnishing surfaces that lie on or substantially near the plane normal to the longitudinal axis and (iv) a cylindrical surface having as its axis the longitudinal axis collectively extends less than about 25 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

19. The burnishing tool of claim 15, wherein the burnishing components include respective burnishing buttons having at least one of a closed arcuate surface and closed circular surface, at least a portion of the closed arcuate and closed circular surfaces forming the respective vertical burnishing surfaces.

20. The burnishing tool of claim 15, wherein the burnishing components include respective burnishing prongs having at least one of arcuate and circular surfaces, at least a portion of the at least one arcuate and circular surfaces forming the respective vertical burnishing surfaces.

21. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the burnishing components include respective vertical burnishing surfaces, wherein the burnishing components are arranged about the cam shaft axis such that the respective vertical burnishing surfaces of the burnishing components lie on or substantially near an extrapolated cylindrical surface having a geometric center positioned on or substantially near the cam shaft axis; and wherein the outer burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces of the burnishing components that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the cam shaft axis collectively extend less than about 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

22. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the burnishing components include respective vertical burnishing surfaces, wherein the burnishing components are arranged about the cam shaft axis such that the respective vertical burnishing surfaces of the burnishing components lie on or substantially near an extrapolated cylindrical surface having a geometric center positioned on or substantially near the cam shaft axis; and wherein the outer burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces of the burnishing components that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the cam shaft axis collectively extend less than about 45 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

23. The burnishing tool of claim 1, wherein the burnishing components include respective vertical burnishing surfaces, wherein the burnishing components are arranged about the cam shaft axis such that the respective vertical burnishing surfaces of the burnishing components lie on or substantially near an extrapolated cylindrical surface having a geometric center positioned on or substantially near the cam shaft axis; and wherein the outer burnishing surfaces are configured such that a series of arcs formed by the intersection of (i) the vertical burnishing surfaces of the burnishing components that lie on or substantially near the extrapolated cylindrical surface and (ii) a plane normal to the cam shaft axis collectively extend less than about 35 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

24. A burnishing tool, comprising: a cam shaft, wherein the tapered cam shaft includes a camming means; anda burnishing assembly, the burnishing assembly including: a means for burnishing, the means for burnishing including a means for interfacing with the camming means to cam the means for burnishing in a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cam shaft.

25. The burnishing tool of claim 24, wherein the burnishing tool further comprises a means to prevent rotation of the burnishing assembly about the longitudinal axis of the cam shaft.

26. The burnishing tool of claim 24, further including a means for heating the burnishing assembly.

27. A method of smoothing a container, comprising: rotating the container about a longitudinal axis of the container;bringing together the container and the burnishing tool of claim 1 such that a portion of the container contacts at least one of the burnishing surfaces of the respective segmented burnishing components; andburnishing the container via contact between the at least one of the burnishing surfaces and the container while the container is rotating.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: advancing the segmented burnishing components in the radial direction with respect to the cam shaft axis as a result of pressure from the container on at least one of the burnishing surfaces that drives the segmented burnishing components along the cam shaft axis.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising: heating the burnishing components utilizing a heater.

30. A method of smoothing a container, comprising: rotating the burnishing tool of claim 1; andbringing together the container and the burnishing tool such that the container contacts at least one of the burnishing surfaces of the respective segmented burnishing components; andburnishing the container via contact between the at least one of the burnishing surfaces and the container while the burnishing tool is rotating.

31. A method of smoothing a container, comprising: bringing together the container and a burnishing tool such that an opening of the container contacts at least one burnishing surface of a burnishing component of the burnishing tool;advancing the at least one burnishing surface of the burnishing component in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container as result of pressure on the at least one burnishing surface from the container that drives the burnishing surfaces of the burnishing tool in the direction of the longitudinal axis so that the burnishing component is cammed by a tapered cam shaft of the tool, wherein the tapered cam shaft includes camming surfaces having a planar spatial orientation substantially the same as the planar spatial orientation of sides of a pyramid, wherein respective keys respectively extend along respective camming surfaces of the tapered cam shaft, the keys having respective longitudinal axis of extension parallel to the respective camming surfaces, and wherein the camming surfaces are arrayed about a cam shaft axis that is normal to a plane that is parallel to a base of the pyramid; andburnishing the container via contact between the at least one of the burnishing surfaces and the container by rotating at least one of the container and the burnishing tool.

32. A burnishing tool, comprising: a plurality of burnishing surfaces arrayed about a longitudinal axis of the burnishing tool substantially on the same plane, wherein the plurality of burnishing surfaces are respectively separated by sections of the tool that at least one of (i) does not have a burnishing surface and (ii) does not have a burnishing surface on the same plane as the plurality of burnishing surfaces, and wherein the burnishing surfaces are non-movable.

33. The burnishing tool of claim 32, further comprising a canted burnishing surface, the canted burnishing surface being at a substantial angle with respect to the plane.

34. The burnishing tool of claim 32, further comprising a heater configured to heat the burnishing surfaces.

35. A method of smoothing a container, comprising: rotating the container about a longitudinal axis of the container;bringing together the container and the burnishing tool of claim 32 such that an opening of the container contacts at least one of the burnishing surfaces; andburnishing the container via contact between the at least one of the burnishing surfaces and the container while the container is rotating.