US 11,867,598 B2
Automatic sampling system and method
Thierry Ablonet, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Assigned to COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Appl. No. 17/275,979
Filed by COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
PCT Filed Sep. 9, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/073978
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 12, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/053139, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 19, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 1858196 (FR), filed on Sep. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0034759 A1, Feb. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 1/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/08 (2006.01); B26D 3/00 (2006.01); B26D 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/08 (2013.01) [B26D 3/003 (2013.01); B26D 7/1818 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic sampling system for taking samples from a rubber strip after it has been shaped and while it is moving in a predetermined direction, the system comprising:
an anvil comprising a cylinder of a predetermined diameter and with a circumferential surface that engages the rubber strip during its movement, the anvil being fixed so that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation; and
a punch with a cylindrical housing of a predetermined length extending between a sampling end and an opposite installation end, the punch comprising:
a die-cutter provided at the sampling end for perforating the rubber strip and for obtaining samples of the rubber strip during its movement, the punch having an annular blade of a predetermined diameter;
a fastening and support member provided at the installation end to carry out installation of the punch with respect to a drive shaft to which the punch is rotatably attached, the punch rotating in the same direction as the movement of the rubber strip;
an ejector disposed within the housing that moves along a common longitudinal axis among the ejector, the housing and the die-cutter, the ejector comprising a structure with a predetermined length that extends between a release end and an opposite attachment end, the release end comprising a domed surface characterized by a tapered surface area that facilitates release of the sample, and the attachment end comprising a fastener; and
a rod cylinder constituting a piston with a rod and a chamber in which the piston slides, the rod cylinder comprising a fastening device for connecting the piston and the ejector so that the movement of the piston in the chamber upon supply of a pressurized fluid effects corresponding movement of the ejector between a standby position and a release position.