ROLLER

The invention among others relates to an apparatus as well as a method for sharpening the scraping edges of a scraper roller suitable for being used for e.g. scraping the skin side of a pelt of e.g. fox or mink prior to drying the pelt.

Background

Scraper rollers for scraping the skin side of a pelt after the animal, such as a mink or a fox, has been skinned and prior to drying of the pelt are well known in the art from e.g. the European patent application No. EP 2 562 269 Al and the Danish patent No. 177 780 Bl . The scraper rollers have a plurality of scraping edges, such as 7, 8 or 9, and the scraping edges are preformed in the scraper roller, typically by casting of the roller or at least an outer layer or only the scraping edges in a plastics material of hardness in the range of e.g. 78A and Shore 95A which is suitable for cleaning the skin side of the pelt of residuals, such as fat and tendons without damaging the pelt. The scraping edges of the scraper rollers often need to be sharpened, both after initial production of the scraper roller and for refreshing of the scraping edges after use of the scraper roller for its purpose.

Sharpening of the scraping edges is today normally done by a grinding tool or a cutting tool where the mutual movement between the tool and the scraping edge is controlled by means of one or more guides that determine the distance between the tool and the scraping edge to be processed such as disclosed in e.g. Danish patent application No. DK 2012 70097 Al .

The present invention provides a solution for sharpening scraping edges on scraper rollers which solves one or more drawbacks of the above mentioned solution. Description of the invention

The present invention relates in a first aspect to an apparatus for sharpening scraping edges of a scraper roller, said apparatus comprising a tool for processing said scraping edges of the scraper roller, a computer processing arrangement for processing a model representation, such as a three-dimensional data representation of the outer shape and contour of said scraper roller, wherein said apparatus is configured to operate said tool based on said computer processing arrangement so as to sharpen preformed cutting edges of a scraper roller arranged to be processed by said apparatus.

The advantages of the apparatus may among others be that there are no need for guides for determining the position of the processing tool with respect to the scraping edges of the scraper roller and the sharpening process may therefore be conducted much faster and a plurality of rollers may be placed in a processing/working space of the apparatus and have their scraping edges sharpened one by one without having to place each roller in a sharpening apparatus, adjusting the guides etc. All in all, the apparatus provides for a much faster and less manual-labour demanding than the known apparatuses and methods for sharpening the scraping edges. The operation of the tool may in embodiments of the invention comprise moving the scraper roller(s) relative to the tool so as to provide the sharpening by means of the tool.

The apparatus may also be adapted to different types of scraper rollers without constraints and limitations that are present in sharpening solutions where guides are used, simply by modifying the model representation(s) and/or selecting a suitable tool.

The apparatus may thus be used for e.g. sharpening scraping edges on new moulded scraper rollers and/or used scraper rollers that need re-sharpening of the scraping edges to be able to reuse these again. In case of sharpening used scraper rollers, it may be easy to adapt a previous model representation to the roller to be scraped, e.g. by amending diameter information or cutting depth information or the like in the model representation.

The model representation(s) may comprise various data such as data based on a computer Aided Design (CAD) model of a scraper roller and/or further data such as rules or rule sets and/or instructions that enables the apparatus to process the scraper roller arranged to be processed by the apparatus.

The tool is preferably a grinding tool such as a grinding wheel, in particular a diamond grinding wheel comprising diamond grains which, when used on the plastic material of the scraper roller, will not wear and change diameter or at least such wear or diameter change is greatly reduced.

The grinding wheel has preferably a grinding surface forming a frustum of a cone, the grinding surface preferably forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel in the range of 30 to 60°, preferably in the range of 35 to 50°, including both end values. Hereby, may e.g. be ensured that only the widest edge of the grinding wheel is in contact with the material of the scraping edge to be processed.

The inventor has found that this type of grinding wheel is suitable for sharpening various types and forms of scraping edges of scraper rollers in that the form (frustum of a cone) provides sufficient working space to prevent unintended impacts with parts of the scraper roller. This may especially be the case when the apparatus is a computer numerical control milling machine.

However, it may also be a straight grinding wheel or the like in further embodiments of the invention. The inventor has moreover found that a rotating diamond grinding wheel with e.g. the shape of a frustum of a cone may provide more smooth surfaces on the scraping edge. In further aspects of the invention, said tool may be a cutting tool having at least one, preferably a plurality, of cutting edges, e.g. provided at teeth of the cutting tool, and wherein said cutting tool preferably is configured to be rotated around an axis of rotation during sharpening of the scraping edge(s) of said scraper roller. The cutting tool may provide a more smooth surface on the scraper roller after the processing, which may e.g. be advantageous in that this may e.g. reduce friction forces provided by the scraper roller when scraping a skin such as a mink skin or fox skin. It may also provide advantages in relation to working environment and in relation to reducing soiling of parts of the apparatus with the removed material from scraper rollers, as the cut off material may be larger than the material removed by a grinding tool, and may thus not stick to other scraper rollers in a space of the apparatus for processing the scraper rollers and/or to other parts of the apparatus.

In aspects of the invention, the apparatus may be configured for processing pre- formed scraping edges comprising one or more bends, curves, elevations and/or recesses between opposite ends of the scraper roller.

In aspects of the invention, the apparatus may be configured to process scraper rollers comprising a plurality of scraping edges, wherein at least two of said scraping edges are shaped differently. For example a first scraper roller may comprise scraping edges that are shaped differently than scraping edges of second scraper roller arranged in a processing space of the apparatus. Alternatively, or additionally, a scraper roller may comprise differently shaped scraping edges distributed around the scraper roller. The layout of the scraping edges of more modern scraper rollers may have various forms that are intended for improving the scraping of the skin side of a fur. That may however make it more difficult to provide a proper sharpening. Such a sharpening may however be possible by means of the present invention.

The apparatus is preferably a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine, in a particular embodiment comprising a robotic arm on which the tool is mounted.

Such an apparatus has been found suitable for use for sharpening edges of scraper rollers. Hence, in aspects of the invention, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of scraper rollers may be used as starting data, and the model representation may thus either comprise such a Computer Aided Design and/or information based on such. Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) may this be provided based on the model representation(s) by the apparatus.

In aspects of the invention, the apparatus may comprise a working space comprising a support structure configured to support said scraper roller(s), wherein said support structure is configured to be movable in a first movement direction and a second movement direction, wherein the tool is configured to be movable in a third movement direction, and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the sharpening by moving said support structure and/or said tool in said movement directions so that the tool sharpens the cutting edges of the scraper roller(s).

The said movement directions may together provide processing in three dimensions by the tool.

This may provide an advantageous way of sharpening scraper rollers in an apparatus, especially by using a grinding wheel as explained in this document. The apparatus according to the invention may in embodiments of the invention comprise a processing/working space for receiving a plurality of scraper rollers, in which case said apparatus is configured to operate said scraper tool and/or a support structure of the apparatus so as to sharpen preformed cutting edges of each of the plurality of scraper rollers received in said processing space and being arranged to be processed by said apparatus.

This provides e.g. a batch process where an operator may arrange the scraper rollers at the working space and start the sharpening process. The scraping edges of all of the scraper rollers are then automatically sharpened by the apparatus while the operator can do other work.

In aspects of the invention, the apparatus may be configured for processing scraping edges of a plurality of scraper rollers in a batch process where the plurality of scraper rollers are processed before the scraper rollers with sharpened scraping edge are removed from the apparatus. Alternatively, an operator may arrange a scraper roller at a working space of the apparatus while the apparatus processes another scraper roller.

Preferably, the said computer processing arrangement comprises a data processor and a data storage, which data storage comprises one or more model representations of said scraper roller(s).

The computer processing arrangement may in embodiments of the invention be configured to enable the sharpening of the scraping edges of the scraper roller(s) in accordance with a predefined rule set RS. These rules may in embodiments of the invention be considered as a part of the model representation. The set of rules may be used together with or be part of a model representation to provide the sharpening, e.g. by reading and implementing values collected from a model representation.

In aspects of the invention, the apparatus may be configured to process one or more model representations by means of the computer processing arrangement and move said scraper roller(s) and/or said tool according to the processing so as to sharpen scraping edges of said scraper rollers.

The model representation(s) may e.g. in embodiments of the invention comprise one or more of the following information:

• Material and/or hardness information of the scraping edge (2) material,

• Dimension information of the scraper roller such as diameter of the scraper roller and/or height/length of the scraper roller

• Information of the type, shape and/or dimensions of scraping edges of the scraper roller

• number of scraping edges of the scraper roller

• cutting depth information describing how deep the tool should cut in the scraper edge material,

• type information

• scraper roller specific program code, e.g. in the form of rules, to be executed by the apparatus so as to control the sharpening.

• Etc.

Accordingly, the apparatus may use such information directly or indirectly so as to sharpen the scraping edges.

The apparatus may in embodiments of the invention comprise an indicator such as a dial gauge/dial indicator, which indicator is configured for providing information of the scraper roller position and/or orientation in/at the apparatus before said sharpening is initiated. Thus, the one or more scraper roller's orientation and/or position may be fine adjusted according to information from said indicator before the sharpening is initiated.

The apparatus may in embodiments of the invention be configured for switching between different tools by removing a first tool from the shaft and mounting a new tool in it, e.g. as provided by known CNC machines. The apparatus may hence in embodiments of the invention collect a polishing tool to polish the scraping edges to provide an even more sharp and/or smooth surface after a first initial sharpening by means of a grinding wheel.

The model representation(s) may in aspects of the invention comprise program instructions regarding how the tool should be operated so as to sharpen said scraping edges of said scraper roller(s).This may provide a more detailed model representation that provides that the model representation may be executed in the apparatus, e.g. to provide Computer Aided Manufacturing. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of sharpening preformed scraping edges in a scraper roller for scraping the skin side of a fur, the method comprising the steps of arranging the scraper roller in a position to be processed by a tool, and moving the tool and/or the scraper roller so as to sharpen said edges, wherein the movements are controlled by means of a computer processing arrangement using a model representation of said scraper roller.

The movement of the tool may in aspects of the invention at least comprise moving the tool along the preformed scraping edges. The method is preferably performed on scraping edges formed in a plastic material of hardness in the range of Shore 60A - Shore 150A, such as Shore 70A-100A, e.g. shore 78A - Shore 95A. The hardness of the plastic material may in aspects of the invention be in the range of Shore 80A to Shore 90A, preferably in the range of Shore 82A to Shore 88A.

The plastic material of which at least the scraping edges are formed in is preferably polyurethane, more preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

According to one embodiment, the method is performed with a tool being a cutting tool having at least one cutting edge for processing the scraping edges.

The cutting edge may be provided by one or more knives. The cutting tool may be a cutting tool having at least one, preferably a plurality, of cutting edges, e.g. provided at teeth of the cutting tool, and said cutting tool may preferably be rotated around an axis of rotation during sharpening of the scraping edge(s) of said scraper roller.

According to another embodiment, the tool is a grinding wheel, preferably a diamond grinding wheel comprising diamond grains, which may have the properties discussed previously.

In embodiments of the second aspect, said grinding wheel has a grinding surface forming a frustum of a cone, the grinding surface preferably forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel in the range of 30 to 60°, preferably in the range of 35 to 50°, including both end values.

In embodiments of the second aspect, the apparatus is a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine, e.g. as described above in relation to the first aspect.

In embodiments of the second aspect, the apparatus may comprise a robotic arm on which the tool is mounted.

In embodiments of the second aspect, said sharpening is provided by an apparatus comprising a processing space and the method comprises the steps of arranging a plurality of scraper rollers within said processing space, and operating said tool and/or moving said scraper rollers so as to sharpen preformed cutting edges of each of the plurality of scraper rollers received in said processing space and being arranged to be processed by said apparatus.

In embodiments of the second aspect, said method is executed by means of an apparatus according to any of claims 1-18. In a third aspect of the present invention it relates to a method of sharpening preformed scraping edges of a scraper roller for scraping the skin side of a fur by an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: arranging the scraper roller in a position to be processed by a tool, and moving the tool and the scraping roller relatively to each other so that the tool is moved along the scraping edges of the scraper roller so as to sharpen said edges, wherein the tool is a diamond grinding wheel comprising diamond grains.

In embodiments of the third aspect, the scraping edges are formed in a plastic material of hardness in the range of Shore 40A - Shore 160A, such as Shore 70A- 100A, e.g. Shore 78A - Shore 95 A

In embodiments of the third aspect, the hardness of the plastic material is in the range of Shore 80A to Shore 90A, preferably in the range of Shore 82A to Shore 88A.

In embodiments of the third aspect, said plastic material is polyurethane, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

In embodiments of the third aspect, said diamond grinding wheel has a grinding surface forming a frustum of a cone, the grinding surface preferably forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel in the range of 30 to 60°, preferably in the range of 35 to 50°, including both end values.

In embodiments of the third aspect, the method is performed by means of a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine.

In embodiments of the third aspect, the apparatus comprises a robotic arm on which the tool is mounted. In embodiments of the third aspect, the apparatus comprises a processing space and the method comprises the steps of arranging a plurality of scraper rollers within said processing space, and operate said scraper tool so as to sharpen preformed cutting edges of each of the plurality of scraper rollers received in said processing space and being arranged to be processed by said apparatus.

In embodiments of the third aspect, the apparatus comprises a computer processing arrangement for processing a model representation of said scraper roller(s), wherein the apparatus operate said tool and/or said scraper roller(s) based on said computer processing arrangement so as to sharpen preformed scraping edges of a scraper roller arranged to be processed by said apparatus.

It is here understood that the operation of the said scraper rollers may include moving the scraper rollers relative to the tool, e.g. by moving a support structure.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention it relates to a method of sharpening and/or forming preformed scraping edges of one or more scraper rollers for scraping the skin side of a fur by an apparatus, the method comprising providing a sharpening tool which tool is a grinding wheel having a grinding surface forming a frustum of a cone, the grinding surface preferably forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel in the range of 30 to 60°, preferably in the range of 35 to 50°, including both end values, and operating said grinding wheel so as to sharpen said scraping edges.

This method according to the fourth aspect may in aspects be provided by any suitable apparatus or setup using a guide which guides the tool along the scraping edge. Such a setup/apparatus may e.g. comprise a fixing part for fixing a scraper roller, a first guide for adjustment of the tool's engagement depth of the tool in the scraper roller material, and a second guide for guiding the tool in relation to the scraping edges of the scraper roller. In embodiments of the fourth aspect, the method comprises one or more aspects of the second or third aspect. In a fifth aspect of the present invention it relates to use of a diamond grinding tool, such as a grinding wheel comprising diamond grains, for sharpening scraping edges of a scraper roller, which scraper roller is suitable for scraping the skin side of a fur such as a mink fur or fox fur, wherein the scraping edges are made from a plastic material, preferably polyurethane, more preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

In embodiments of the fifth aspect, the use may comprise that the diamond grinding tool is used in a computer numerical control milling machine so as to provide said sharpening. In embodiments of the fifth aspect, the grinding wheel has a grinding surface forming a frustum of a cone, the grinding surface preferably forming an angle with the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel in the range of 30 to 60°, preferably in the range of 35 to 50°, including both end values. In embodiments of the fifth aspect, a method according to any of claims 19-30 is used for sharpening the scraping edges.

In a sixth aspect, the invention may relate to use of a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine for providing a sharpening of scraping edges of scraper rollers according to any of claims 1-30 and/or aspects described above.

It is generally understood that e.g. one or more of the effects and/or embodiments described in relation to the first aspect may also be provided in aspects of the second, third, fourth fifth or sixth aspect and/or further aspects. Brief description of the drawing

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the enclosed drawings of which Figure 1 shows the processing space of an apparatus according to the invention with a plurality of scraper rollers and a diamond grinding wheel processing the scraping edges of one of the scraper rollers, according to embodiments of the invention,

Figures 2, 3 and 4 disclose different details of the processing of scraping edges of the apparatus and method of Figure 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

Figs. 5a-5d and fig. 10 illustrates examples of different types of scraper rollers that may be processed by an apparatus according to embodiments of the invention, Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic embodiment of an apparatus seen from the above according to embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 7 and 8 schematically illustrates examples of the apparatus for sharpening scraping edges of a scraper roller according to embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 9 illustrates a flow chart relating to examples of the operation of an apparatus for sharpening scraping edges of a scraper roller according to embodiments of the invention, Fig. 10 illustrates a further example of a scraper roller,

Fig. 1 la-c illustrates different types of tools in the form of grinding wheels or other types of tools, Fig. 12 illustrates schematically an example of a robotic arm for use for processing scraping edges of scraper rollers according to embodiments of the invention, and Fig. 13 illustrates a further type of tool for sharpening scraping edges of a scraper roller in the form of a cutting tool according to embodiments of the invention. Description of preferred embodiments

The apparatus 10 shown in the drawing may be a CNC (computer numerical control) milling machine of which the processing space WS is shown comprising a plurality of scraper rollers 1 arranged in each their holding arrangements 5 that are mounted within the processing space on a support structure. ^"

The holding arrangements 5 may be designed so that the scraper rollers 1 mounted therein has the precisely same orientation, so that they coincide with a model representation MR (described in more details later on) such as a 3 -dimensional model of the scraper rollers 1 stored in memory means/data storage (not shown) of the apparatus 10 such as the CNC machine.

The shown scraper rollers 1 are new rollers 1 where the scraping edges 2 are blunt 4 prior to the sharpening process performed by the machine 10 according to the present invention, but substantially similar processing may be performed on used scraper rollers 1 in order to re-establish the sharpness of the scraping edges 2 in further embodiments of the invention.

The tool 6 used for processing the scraping edges 2 is a diamond grinding wheel 6 mounted on a vertical shaft 7 that is able to rotate the wheel 6 around the longitudinal axis AX of the shaft 7 which is also the axis of symmetry of the wheel 6, to move the wheel 6 up and down in a movement direction Z in the vertical direction and/or to displace the wheel 6 in both directions X, Y in the horizontal plane. In a particular embodiment, the shaft 7 is a part of robotic arm (not shown) which may perform these movements. With the use of a diamond grinding wheel 6 as opposed to other grinding materials, such as silicon carbide (carborundum) grinding wheels on the relatively soft material of the scraper rollers 1, it is achieved that the diameter of the wheel 6 will remain substantially constant even after extensive use of the wheel which means that the data of the 3 dimensional model of the scraper roller 1 used to control the movement of the wheel 6 does not require correction as a result of wear of the wheel 6.

The grinding wheel 6 preferably has a grinding surface 8 which is of a frustro- conical shape and forms an angle with the vertical axis of symmetry of e.g. 45°. The grinding surface 8 comprises grains of artificial diamond that are embedded in a matrix. The angle between the grinding surface 8 and the axis of symmetry (which is also the axis of rotation) ensures that the lower edge of the grinding surface is the only part of the grinding wheel 6 in contact with the material of the scraping edges 2. It is generally understood that the tool 6 in other embodiments of the invention may be e.g. a cutting tool with sharpened edges, e.g. made by metal, that may provide the sharpening, it may be a silicon carbide (carborundum) grinding wheel (e.g. with a frustroconical shape as described above) and/or the like. The scraping edges 2 are processed by moving the grinding wheel 6 by means of the control unit/computer processing arrangement of the machine 10 to an upper or a lower end of a scraping edge 2 to be processed, rotate the wheel 6 and/or move the wheel 6 up or down and e.g. also in the horizontal plane according to the data of the model representation relating to the scraper roller to be processed, stored in the memory means of the machine 10.

As illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises a support structure 9 such as a base plate or another suitable support for supporting the scraper roller(s) 1 when they are processed by the tool 6. In figures 2 and 3, the tool 6, such as the grinding wheel 6, is moved from the lower end of a scraping edge 2 and up (see arrow Al), so that a blunt part 4 of the edge 2 is visible above the point of engagement between the scraping edge 2 and the tool 6. In figure 4, the tool 6 is moved from the upper end of a scraping edge 2 and downwards (see arrow A2), whereby the blunt part 4 of the edge 2, i.e. the non- processed part, is visible below the point of engagement and the sharpened part 3 of the scraping edge 2 is visible above said point. As illustrated in fig. 2, the apparatus 10 may comprise a support structure 9 configured to support the scraper roller(s) 1. The support structure 9 may in embodiments of the invention be configured to be movable in a first movement direction X and a second movement direction Y, whereas the rotatable shaft 7 may be moved in a third movement direction Z. This provides a three dimensional processing space, e.g. so that various types, sizes and of scraper roller(s) 1 can be sharpened.

Thereby, the apparatus 10 may be configured to provide the sharpening by moving the support structure 9 and the tool 6 in the facilitated movement directions X, Y, Z so that the tool sharpens the cutting edges 2 of the scraper roller(s) 1.

It is understood that in embodiments of the invention where a support structure 9 is moved in an X and Y direction to move the scraper roller(s) 1 relative to the tool 6, this movement may be provided together with the vertical movement Z of the tool 6 to provide the sharpening according to the form of the scraping edges of the respective scraper roller 1. The information of the form of the scraping edge 2 of the scraper roller is preferably provided by a model representation as explained in more details later on, so that the apparatus can move the scraper rollers (by moving the structure 9) and the tool according to instructions based on the model representation. It is generally understood that the apparatus 10 may comprise any suitable type of sensor(s) and/or other position detection means (not illustrated) that enables the apparatus 10 to determine the position of the tool 6 and/or the scraper roller(s) 1, and hence operate the apparatus 10 in accordance with a model representation to sharpen scraper edges of the roller(s) 1.

If the Apparatus is e.g. a CNC machine, it may comprise a set of different tools that the apparatus may automatically shift between during or before sharpening by collecting tools from a tool cartridge (not illustrated). E.g. to provide an initial sharpening by the grinding tool 6 followed by a polishing process by a polishing tool, by collecting an indicator tool to determine the scraper roller position/orientation and/or the like.

The same may be provided by a robotic arm in former embodiments of the invention.

Figs. 5a-5d illustrates examples of different types of scraper rollers 1 seen in perspective that may be processed by the apparatus 10.

The scraper rollers 1 may comprise V-shaped scraping edges 2 as illustrated in fig. 5a and in figs. 1-4, they may comprise straight scraping edges 2 as illustrated in fig. 5b or 5d, e.g. where the scraping edges 2 are inclining in relation to the longitudinal direction of the scraper roller 1 (fig. 5d), or where the scraper edges 2 are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the scraper roller 1 (fig 5b).

Also, it is understood that a scraping edge 2 may comprise a plurality of elevations 2a and/or recesses 2b along the scraping edge 2 as illustrated in fig. 5c, e.g. providing wave shaped scraping edges or the like.. Also, the scraper rollers may in embodiments of the invention comprise spiral shaped scraping edges (not illustrated) extending partly around the periphery of the roller. Also, in embodiments which are not illustrated, the scraper roller 1 may comprise scraping edges that differ from each other around the scraper roller. For example, the scraper roller may comprise V-shaped elements as illustrated in fig. 5a, but where the "recesses" of the scraping edges are located at different locations along the different scraping edges (see fig. 10). Accordingly, it is understood that the apparatus 10 may process scraping edges of various types of scraper rollers 1, in embodiments of the invention, even to an extent where a batch processing may comprise processing of different types of scraper rollers at the working space WS according to different model representations before the scraper rollers of different types are moved from the apparatus 10 again.

Generally, it is understood that the scraping edges may be made from a plastic material, preferably polyurethane, more preferably thermoplastic polyurethane. The scraping edges 2 may be formed in a plastic material of hardness in the range of e.g. Shore 60A - Shore 150A, such as Shore 70A-100A, e.g. shore 78A - Shore 95A

The scraper rollers 1 comprising scraping edges 2 to be sharpened comprises a plurality of scraping edges 2 distributed around the scraper roller 1 as shown in the figures.

The scraper rollers 1 are preferably suitable for scraping the skin side of a fur such as a mink fur, fox fur or the like to remove fat residues, sinew residues, flesh residues and/or the like on the skin side.

The scraper rollers 1 to be processed in the apparatus 10 may e.g. comprise between four and twenty scraping edges 2 distributed around the scraper roller, such as between six and fifteen scraping edges 2 distributed around the scraper roller, for example between seven and twelve scraping edges 2 distributed around the scraper roller (including both end values). For example a scraper roller 1 may comprise five, six seven, eight, nine, ten or even more scraping edges 2 distributed around the scraper roller. la and lb identifies opposite, parallel end surfaces of a scraper roller 1, between which end surfaces la, lb the scraping edges 2 extends.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic embodiment of the apparatus 10 seen from above. Four scraper rollers 1 each having a plurality of scraping edges 2 are attached to a support structure 9 such as a support plate or a frame, by means of a holding arrangement 5.

The holding arrangement 5 may e.g. comprise a rod with a thread (not illustrated) where the rod is attached to the support structure 9 and extends upwards from the support structure 9. The scraper rollers 1 may comprise a central shaft opening for e.g. receiving a drive shaft of a scraping apparatus. The rod may thus extend through the shaft opening, and a support part 5 a may subsequently be arranged on the rod and an attachment part 5b such as a nut or the like may then be arranged on the rod thread and rotated on the rod to squeeze the scraper roller 1 between the support part 5a and the support structure 9, thereby attaching the scraper roller to the support structure 9.

Fig. 6 moreover illustrates the tool 6 attached to the rotatable shaft 7. The tool may, by moving the shaft 7 by drive means be moved in the X and Y direction to move the tool to the different processing positions of the respective scraper roller and/or during processing of the roller 1 to sharpen the scraping edge. Also and/or alternatively, the support structure 9 may be moved in the indicated X and Y direction to get the tool 6 to the different processing positions for processing the respective scraper roller and/or during processing of the roller 1 to sharpen the scraping edges 2 of the rollers 1. The tool 6 may moreover be moved in a Z-direction as described earlier to provide sharpening of the edges 2 in the longitudinal direction of the scraper rollers 1 along the respective scraping edge 2. Alternatively or additionally, the support structure 9 may also be moved in the Z direction during sharpening according to a model representation of the respective scraper roller.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an example of the apparatus 10 for sharpening scraping edges 2 of a scraper roller 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

The apparatus 10 comprises a computer processing arrangement 11. The computer processing arrangement 11 comprises one or more data processors DP such as one or more central processing units CPU's. The data processor(s) DP access information of one or more model representations MRl-MRn that are stored in a data memory/data storage DS. The data storage DS may comprise a flash-based data memory, it may comprise a DRAM based memory, it may comprise a hard disk drive having rotating platters coated with magnetic material and/or any other suitable type of data storage. The apparatus 10 operates according to one or more rule sets RS that enables the data processor arrangement DP to interpret the model representation(s) correctly and sharpen scraping edges 2 of scraper rollers 1 accordingly. The rule set(s) RS may be generic to a plurality of different types and sizes of scraper rollers, or it may be individual to a specific type of scraper rollers.

The data processor thus provides instructions to drive means DM1, DM2 of the apparatus 10 according to the processing of data.

The apparatus 10 may hence in embodiments of the invention comprise a first drive means/drive arrangement DM1 that controls the shaft 7 to which the tool 6 is attached. The drive means/arrangement DM1 may hence e.g. comprise an electric motor or another suitable drive to rotate the shaft around it longitudinal axis. Also, the drive means/arrangement DM1 may in embodiments comprise a drive to move the tool in upwards and downwards in a Z-direction in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 7 and/or in other directions. The apparatus 10 may also, as illustrated, in embodiments of the invention comprise a second drive means/drive arrangement DM2 that controls the scraper rollers, e.g. by means of a drive or drives that provides movement of the support structure 9 in a horizontal plane in an X and/or Y direction as explained above.

The second drive means DM2 may also or alternatively comprise a rotation device that enables rotation of the scraper roller(s) 1 to provide the sharpening of the edges 2 by the tool 6. The apparatus 10 may thus by the drive means/arrangements enable movement of the scraper roller(s) 1 and/or the tool 6 so that these together are moved in multiple directions such as two, three or four directions during sharpening. For example, this may be provided by moving the scraper rollers in an X and Y direction (e.g. also by rotating the support structure 9), and moving the tool in a Z-direction.

It is generally understood that in embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 10 may be a computer numerical control (CNC) machine that may comprise various types of tools and which is suitable for processing a subject such as a scraper roller 1 as explained above.

The rule set(s) RS may in embodiments of the invention be designed according to different types of scraper rollers.

For example, a first rule set may be configured with the purpose of processing a scraper roller having V-shaped scraping edges with a specific design, and a specific number of scraping edges. A second Rule set RS may be configured with the purpose of processing a scraper roller having V-shaped scraping edges with another design, and another number of scraping edges A third rule set RS may be configured with the purpose of processing a scraper roller having spiral-shaped scraping edges with another design, and another number of scraping edges and so on. The model representations MRl-MRn may comprise different information of the respective scraper roller 1 to be sharpened. They may e.g. comprise information of - scraper roller dimension information such as scraper roller diameter and/or height/length of the scraper roller

- number of scraping elements/edges,

- distance between scraping edges

- shape of scraping elements,

- material hardness (e.g. given by shore value)

- material type information providing information regarding the material that the scraper roller edges are formed in (e.g. Polyurethane (PUR/ PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and/or another suitable type of polymers such as polyurethane plastics.)

- cutting depth information describing how deep the tool should cut in the scraper edge material.

The apparatus 10 may in advantageous embodiments be configured to operate according to a computer aided engineering (CAE) method. For example, the apparatus 10 may be configured to operate according to the Computer Aided Design (CAD) and/or Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) method. In such cases, a computer aided design CAD of a scraper roller 1 may be utilized in a model representation MRl-MRn to provide a computer-aided process by the apparatus 10.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an example of the apparatus 10 for sharpening scraping edges 2 of a scraper roller 1 according to embodiments of the invention. This example is substantially similar to the example of fig. 7. However here, the model representation(s) MRl-MRn may comprises program instructions regarding how the tool 6 should be operated so as to sharpen said scraping edges (2) the said scraper roller(s) (1). The program instructions may be provided by providing that the model representations comprises a rule set RS including instructions that can be read and interpreted by the Data processor DP. The model representation(s) MRl-MRn may thus in embodiments of the invention be considered as one or more programs which when executed by the computer processing arrangement 11 provides sharpening of edges 2 of a scraper roller 1 according to the type of scraper roller 1 that the respective model representation MRl-MRn is configured to be used for. Hence, an operator may determine the specific type of scraper roller 1 to be processed, and select the appropriate program (MRl-MRn) according to which the scraper roller should be processed. The operator arranges the scraper rollers 1 properly at a working space WS of the apparatus 10, and initiate the sharpening procedure by pressing a button or in another way determined by the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 then executes the selected model representation(s) MRl-MRn to provide the sharpening of the edges 2.

Fig. 9 illustrates a flowchart according to embodiments of the invention. In step S91 (ARR SCR) scraper rollers 1 are arranged in the processing space WS of the apparatus 10 by a human operator or alternatively a robot arm or the like. The scraper rollers 1 may e.g. be located e.g. as illustrated in figs 1-4 or 6 above. The scraper rollers are preferably orientated in a specific way to have a predetermined starting point of a scraping edge oriented in a specific way. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise scanning means such as optical scanning means for scanning the scraper rollers to determine their position and thereby identify a suitable starting point for sharpening.

In optional step S92 (FA SCR), the apparatus 10 may provide an indicator such as a dial gauge/dial indicator, This indicator is configured for provide information of the scraper roller position and/or orientation at the apparatus 10 before said sharpening is initiated so that a fine adjustment of the scraper rollers in the processing space may be provided if needed to assure that the scraper roller(s) are positioned as intended. In step S93 (ST PROCF SCR), when the scraper rollers are located correctly in/at the apparatus 10, the sharpening process starts to sharpen the edges 2 of the scraper rollers. The tool 6 is hence used to sharpen a first scraping edge of a first scraper roller. This is continued (step S94 - CONT PROC) until the first scraping edge of the first scraper roller has been sharpened (test T91).

If the first scraping edge has been sufficiently sharpened by the tool 6 (test T91), the apparatus 10 then operates the tool and/or the scraper rollers (e.g. by moving a support structure and/or the shaft) so that a next edge 2 is processed, step S95 - NEXT EDGE.

This process continues e.g. until all edges are processed on a scraper roller (test T92 - ALL EDG?) and the apparatus 10 then operates the tool and/or the scraper rollers (e.g. by moving a support structure and/or the shaft) to process scraping edges of a next scraper roller arranged in the working space/processing space at the apparatus (if more than one scraper roller is arranged in the space/processing space), e.g. as described above. When scraper edges 2 of all scraper rollers 1 in the processing/working space WS has been processed (test T93 - ALL SCR?), the sharpening procedure of the scraper rollers ends and an operator can remove the scraper rollers.

It is understood that the sharpening generally may be provided in a plurality of other ways within the scope of the invention. For example by shifting between sharpening different scraping edges of different scraping rollers in the processing space without finishing sharpening of all scraping edges of a first scraper roller before continuing to the next scraper roller to sharpen its scraping edges and/or the like. A human operator may hence do other work while the apparatus automatically sharpens the scraping edges of the scraper rollers 1 in the processing/working space. The apparatus 10 may in embodiments of the invention estimate the time it takes to sharpen all the scraper rollers in the processing space based on the model representation(s) relating to the scraper rollers to be processed and/or a rule set RS, and provide this information to the operator so the operator knows when to return to the apparatus 10.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of a scraper roller 1 to be processed by the apparatus 10 in perspective. The scraper roller 1 comprises scraping edges 2 of different shapes in that the scraping edges are V-shaped, but the position V-shape's turning point/turning curve 2a is displaced in the axial direction AD of the scraper roller 1 at the different scraping edges 2 around the scraper roller. "H" indicates the height/length of the scraper roller 1, and "D" indicates the scraper roller diameter. The scraper roller 1 comprises a central shaft opening 30, e.g. extending through the roller 1 which is intended for receiving a shaft connected to drive means of an apparatus for processing the skin side of a fur. This shaft opening 30 may be used by a holding arrangement for holding the scraper roller in the apparatus 10 during sharpening.

Fig. l la-l lc illustrates different tools for sharpening a scraping edge according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 11a illustrates a straight grinding wheel 6 with a grinding surface 8, the grinding surface 8 is arranged substantially at the periphery of the wheel 6.

Fig. 1 lb illustrates a grinding wheel 6 with a grinding surface, the grinding surface 8 is arranged substantially at the periphery of the wheel 6. The grinding wheel has an upper curved surface from the periphery towards the shaft 7 to e.g. provide a more strong structure. Fig. 11c illustrates that the tool 6 may be grinding wheel 6 with a grinding surface 8 forming a frustum of a cone. The grinding surface 8 may preferably form an angle with the axis A of rotation of the grinding wheel 6 by the shaft 7 in the range of 30 to 60°, preferably in the range of 35 to 50°, including both end values. Such a tool 6 with inclining surface may also in embodiments be provided by a grinding wheel known as a "tapered grinding wheel"

The tool 6 may in embodiments of the invention may be a silicon carbide (carborundum) grinding wheel (e.g. with a frustro-conical shape as described above). However, the tool is preferably a diamond grinding tool.

The diamond grinding tool may have various characteristics such as different grinding wheel diameter, different diamond Carats, different diamond concentrations, different grit sizes/types and/or different matrix types as well as the grinding wheel may be driven with a suitable rotation speed to provide a surface speed of the grinding wheel that is suitable for grinding/processing/cutting in the scraping edge material of the scraper roller 1. These parameters may be selected in a suitable way to e.g. provide an optimized sharpening. Fig. 12 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a robotic arm 22 with a plurality of rotation axes AX1-AX5. The robotic arm 22 thus comprises a plurality of arm parts/segments that can be rotated in relation to the other, thereby moving and controlling a tool 6 (not illustrated in fig. 12) connected to a free end 20 of the arm 22. The arm 22 is mounted at a base 21.

The robotic arm 22 may e.g. be of the type having a "waist" joint, a "shoulder" joint, an "elbow" joint, and a "wrist" joint. It is generally understood that the robotic arm may comprise any suitable number of joints such as at least three joints, e.g. at least four joints, e.g. at least five joints such as at least six joints. The arm 22 may have no more than 8 joints. Accordingly, the robotic arm 22 may have at least three, such as at least four, e.g. at least five such as at least six or seven degrees of freedom to allow segments of the arm to pivot in different way according to the number of degrees of freedom.

The apparatus 10 as described above may thus in embodiments of the invention comprise a robotic arm 22, a tool 6 may be connected to the free end 20 to be controlled by the robotic arm 22, and the tool is hence operated by the arm 22 and the segments of the arm 22 may be moved according to instructions from a computer processing arrangement based on a model representation to sharpen scraper roller edges.

In embodiments of the invention (see fig. 13), the sharpening may also be provided by a tool 6 having one or more sharp edges/knife elements that are used to sharpen the edges. These/this knife and/or the scraper rollers are thus moved to sharpen the blade according to a model representation to sharpen scraper roller edges.

In embodiments of the invention which is/are not illustrated, an apparatus may be provided where guides are used which guides the tool 6 along the scraping edge, where the tool is a grinding tool such as a diamond grinding tool. Such a setup/apparatus may e.g. comprise a fixing part for fixing a scraper roller, a first guide for adjustment of the tool's 6 engagement depth of the tool in the scraper roller material, and a second guide for guiding the tool in relation to the scraping edges of the scraper roller.

As mentioned above, the scraper rollers 1 disclosed in the different embodiments above are preferably suitable for scraping the skin side of a fur such as a mink fur, fox fur or the like to remove fat residues, sinew residues, flesh residues and/or the like on the skin side. This scraping may be performed by an apparatus for processing the skin side of a tubular fur which is arranged on a mandrel. The mandrel may have a rectangular cross sectional shape and be moved in a longitudinal direction to provide a relative movement between the scraper roller of the apparatus and the skin, so as to scrape the skin. In other examples, the mandrel may be a substantially conical rotating mandrel. The apparatus for processing fur may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or even more scraper rollers dependent on the configuration and/or type of apparatus for processing fur. The scraper rollers are pressed against the skin side of the fur to scrape the skin side, and the scraper rollers are thus rotated so that the scraping edges 2 of the scraper rollers cones into contact with the skin side to scrape the skin side.

Fig.13 illustrates a further type of tool 6 which may be used for sharpening scraping edges 2 of a scraper roller 1 according to embodiments of the invention. In this embodiment, the tool 6 is a cutting tool having a plurality of cutting edges/ knife elements 12 for sharpening the edges 2 of the scraper roller(s) 1.

The tool 6 thus comprises in this embodiment a plurality of cutting edges/knife elements 12 provided at teeth 13 (preferably evenly) distributed around the periphery of the tool 6. The tool 6 may thus in embodiments of the invention form a substantially flat "circular saw" having a plurality of teeth 13 with sharp cutting edges /knife elements 12.

The tool 6 comprises (or is attached to) a shaft 7 for rotating the tool 6 during sharpening so that the knife elements 12 of the tool 6 alternatingly cuts off a small part of the scrapper roller in order to provide a sharper scraping edge 2 on the scraper roller 1.

Thus, the apparatus 10 may as previously explained provide a sharpening of the scraping edges of a scraper roller 1, in this case by means of a cutting tool 6 having a plurality of sharp cutting edges/knife elements 12.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tool 6 having sharp cutting edges 12 is substantially flat and may thus have cutting edges 12 that has a length LI of no more than 3 cm such as no more than 2 cm, preferably no more than 1.5 cm. This may provide sufficient movement freedom during the processing of the scraping edges 2 of scraper rollers so that only the intended part of the scraper roller 1 is processed by the cutting edges 12. In other embodiments of the invention, the cutting tool may have a form substantially as illustrated and described above in relations to e.g. figs. 1 la-1 lc, however having cutting edges instead of a grinding surface.

The tool 6 may also in embodiments of the invention comprise cutting edges 12 gradually inclining from an outer periphery towards the shaft 7 (not illustrated), e.g. forming a frustum of a cone or a cone, and only a (lower, outer) part of the cutting edges may e.g. be utilized during sharpening in such embodiments.

The cutting edges 12 may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis AX of the shaft 7 in embodiments of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention, the cutting edges 12 may be arranged in an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis AX, e.g. between 5° and 50° such as between 10° and 45° in order to provide that the individual cutting edge 12 gradually get into contact with the part of the scraper roller to be processed. For example, The cutting edge 12 may here get in contact with the scraper roller at a lower (or upper) point of the cutting edge(s) 12 of the tool 6, and as the tool 6 is rotated, the point of engagement/impact between the scraper roller 1 and the cutting edge 12 may gradually move along the cutting edge due to the positioning of the tool and/or the design of the cutting edges 12 of the tool 6.

Generally, It is to be understood that a cutting tool 6 having cutting edges 12 may be utilised in any suitable embodiment of the present invention, and that e.g. a grinding wheel processing solution as described previously may thus be substituted with a cutting tool processing solution.

In general, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be adapted in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in e.g. the claims. For example, it is to be understood that various combinations of the use of different types of tool 6 (see e.g. figs. 1 la-1 lc and/or 13), model representation(s) (MRl-MRn), CNC machines or robottic arms and/or the like may be used to sharpen and/or form edges of a scraper roller of various types as shown for example in figs. 5a-5d and/or fig. 10.

References

1 Scraper roller

2 Scraping edge

3 Sharpened part of scraping edge

4 Blunt part of scraping edge

5 Holding arrangement for holding scraper roller

5a Support part

5b attachment part

6 Tool, such as a diamond grinding wheel

7 Shaft for grinding wheel/tool

8 Grinding surface

9 Support structure

10 Apparatus

11 Computer processing arrangement

12 Cutting edges of cutting tool

13 Tooth of cutting tool

DS Data storage for storing model representations

DP Data Processor(s)

RS Rule Set(s)

DM1 First drive means/arrangement

DM2 Second drive means

WS Working space/ processing space at which scraper rollers may be arranged

LI Length/extent of cutting edge of cutting tool