IES68769B2 - A method and apparatus for forming a notch in a flange in the neck of a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (20) for forming a notch (9) in an internal flange (8) in the neck (3) of a beer keg (1) comprises a cutting tool (45) which is carried on a carrier shaft (46), which in turn, is slidable within a carried housing (32) on which the keg (1) is supported in an inverted orientation. A spigot (43), extending from the carrier housing (32), is engagable in a throat (6) of the neck (3) for locating the housing (32) and the cutting tool (45) therein. An urging ram (48) inserts the carrier shaft (46) and cutting tool (45) into the beer keg (1) through the throat (6). The cutting tool (45) and carrier shaft (46) are urged by the urging ram (48) downwardly, so that as the cutting tool (45) passes the internal flange (8), the notch (90) is formed. A lifting ram (39) raises and lowers the housing (32) and the locating spigot (43) into engagement with the neck (3) of the keg (1)

Description

A method and apparatus for forming a notch in a flange in the neck of a container.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a notch in an internal flange which extends circumferentially around and internally into a throat extending through a neck of a container, and in particular, though not limited to a method and apparatus for forming a notch, in a internal circumferential flange extending around the throat which extends through the neck of a beer keg.

Conventional beer kegs comprise a metal barrel type container which is closed by a pair of end caps. A neck extends centrally from one of the end caps, and a throat extending through the neck communicates with the interior of the barrel. An internal flange extends circumferentially around and internally into the throat and forms an annular seat extending around the throat for receiving and supporting a valve housing which is located in the throat. A gland nut is screwed into the throat for securing and retaining the valve housing seated on the internal flange in the throat. The barrel is charged with beer through a valve in the valve housing and is also pressurised through the valve. A problem arises with such construction of kegs in cases where the gland nut is rapidly removed. If S68769 2 the gland nut is removed before the container has been * depressurised, the valve housing is projected from the throat of the neck by the pressure in the barrel, and » if an individual is struck by the valve housing as it is being projected from the throat, serious injury, which may be fatal, can be caused.

To overcome this problem it is known to form a pair of projecting elements in the valve housing for engaging beneath the internal flange in the throat. An axially extending notch is formed radially into the internal flange for accommodating the projecting elements during insertion and removal of the valve housing. For safety, the projecting elements are located angularly spaced apart from each other around the outer periphery of the valve housing, and also axially spaced apart from each other. The axial spacing between the projecting elements is just greater than the axial width of the internal flange so that both projecting elements engage the internal flange with a bayonet type action. In other words, the valve housing is entered into the throat of the neck of the barrel until the lower of the projecting elements passes through the notch and the upper of the projecting elements engages „ the internal flange. The valve housing is then rotated through a sufficient angle for aligning the upper of the projecting elements with the notch, and the valve housing is then further axially urged into the throat so that the upper of the projecting elements passes through the notch. The valve housing is then further rotated so that neither projecting elements are aligned with the notch. Thus, in this orientation, the valve housing is retained in the throat by the action of the upper of the two projecting elements abutting the internal flange. Accordingly, by virtue of the fact that both projecting elements have been engaged through the notch in the internal flange, no matter what angular orientation the valve housing takes up in the throat, one or both of the projecting elements will retain the valve housing in the throat, even after the gland nut has been released. This, thus, prevents the valve housing from being projected from the throat by the pressure within the barrel after the gland nut has been released, and removal of the valve housing is only possible by rotating the valve housing in bayonet fashion for aligning and drawing the two projecting elements sequentially through the notch in the internal flange.

Since many beer kegs are in use without the safety aspect of the co-operating projecting elements and the notch in the valve housing and internal flange in the throat, respectively, it is desirable that a method and apparatus be provided for forming the notch in the internal flange of a beer keg without any danger of the material which is removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch returning to the barrel.

Our co-pending Irish full-term and short-term Patent Applications which have been filed on even date are directed towards a method and apparatus for forming the projecting elements in the valve housing.

The present invention is directed towards a method and apparatus for forming a notch in the internal flange in the throat of the neck of a beer keg, and also the invention is directed towards providing a method and apparatus for forming a notch in a flange of a throat of a neck of any other container.

According to the invention there is provided a method for forming a notch in an internal flange which extends circumferentially around and internally into a throat extending through a neck of a container, the method comprising the steps of: supporting the container with the neck extending in a generally downward direction, inserting a cutting tool upwardly into the container through the throat with the cutting edge of the tool facing the internal flange when the cutting tool is in the container, the cutting tool being profiled to define the cross-sectional profile of the notch, urging the cutting tool downwardly from the container through the throat so that the cutting edge of the cutting tool engages the internal flange for forming the notch as the cutting tool passes the internal flange, and urging the cutting tool further downwardly below the internal flange and into a chute for delivering . 10 material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch into the chute for transfer to a waste-bin.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of monitoring the chute for confirming that the material removed from the internal flange during the formation of the notch has been transferred from the throat.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of locating the tool in the throat prior to inserting the tool into the container. Advantageously, the tool is mounted to be moveable between a cutting orientation for forming the notch in the internal flange and an inoperative orientation for inoperatively passing the internal flange as the cutting tool is being inserted into the container.

Additionally, the invention provides apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention for forming a notch in an internal flange which extends circumferentially around and internally into a throat extending through a neck of a container, the apparatus comprising: a support means for supporting the container with the neck of the container extending in a generally downward direction, a cutting tool for forming the notch, the cutting tool being profiled to define the cross-sectional profile of the notch, a carrier means for carrying the cutting tool, the carrier means being moveable between an external position with the cutting tool located externally of the throat and an internal position with the cutting tool located within the container, the carrier means carrying the cutting tool so that when the cutting tool is in the internal position, the cutting edge of the cutting tool is facing the internal flange, a chute for receiving material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch, and an urging means for urging the carrier means from the internal position to the external position for forming the notch in the internal flange, and for urging the material removed from the Internal flange during formation of the notch into the chute.

Preferably, a monitoring means is provided adjacent the chute for monitoring material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch as it passes through the chute for confirming that the material of the notch has passed through the chute.

Advantageously, the carrier means is located in a carrier housing, and is moveable relative to the carrier housing between the external and the internal positions. Preferably, the carrier housing is moveable relative to the support means between a remote position with the carrier housing spaced apart from the container and an engaged position with the carrier housing engaging the neck of the container, and supporting the container.

In one aspect of the invention a.means for moving the carrier housing between the remote position and the engaged position is provided.

In another aspect of the invention a locating means is provided for locating the carrier means and the cutting tool relative to the throat prior to inserting the carrier means and the cutting tool into the container.

Preferably, the locating means comprises a locating spigot, the locating spigot extending from the carrier housing and being engagable in the throat for accurately locating the carrier means therein.

Advantageously, the carrier means comprises an elongated shaft slidably located in a bore extending through the carrier housing and the locating spigot.

In one aspect of the invention the chute is formed in the carrier housing, the chute terminating in an entry inlet adjacent the carrier means.

In another aspect of the invention the urging means comprises an urging pneumatic ram.

Preferably, the cutting tool is movably mounted on the carrier means and is moveable between a cutting orientation for cutting the notch in the internal flange and an inoperative orientation for inoperatively passing the internal flange as the cutting tool is being inserted into the container. Advantageously, the cutting tool is pivotally mounted on the carrier means. Ideally, the cutting tool is spring-urged into the cutting orientation.

In one aspect of the invention the cutting tool is provided with a camming surface for engaging the internal flange as the cutting tool is being inserted into the container for urging the cutting tool from the cutting orientation into the inoperative orientation.

Further the invention provides a container having a neck and a throat extending through the neck into the container, and an internal flange extending circumferentially around and internally into the throat, a notch being formed in the internal flange in accordance with the method, according to the invention.

Additionally the invention provides a container in which the notch on the internal flange is formed using the apparatus according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a beer keg illustrating a notch formed in an internal flange of the neck of the beer keg by apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the beer keg of Fig. 1 on the line II-II of Fig. b Fig. 3 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention for forming the notch in the internal flange of the neck of the beer keg of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of the portion of Fig. 4 illustrating part of the portion of Fig. 4 in a different position, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view of detail of the portion of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is an elevational view of part of the portion of Fig. 4, Fig. 8 is a plan view of the part illustrated in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the part of Fig. 7 on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the part of Fig. 7, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another detail of the apparatus of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a portion of container, in this case a beer keg which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, and which illustrates a portion of an end cap 2 of the keg 1 and a neck 3 extending from the end cap 2. A throat 6 extends through the neck 3 into the interior of the beer keg 1. An internal flange 8 extends circumferentially around the throat 6, and extends inwardly from the neck 3 into the throat 6, and forms an annular seat for receiving a valve housing (not shown) which is mounted in the throat 6. The valve housing (not shown) is secured in the throat 6 by a gland nut (not shown). The • construction and assembly of such valve housings in the throat of the neck of a beer keg will be well known to those skilled in the art.

According to a method of the invention, a notch 9 is formed in the internal flange 8 for accommodating a pair of projecting elements (not shown) which are located on the outer periphery of the valve housing (not shown), so that the internal flange 8 co-operates with the projecting elements in bayonet type fashion for retaining the valve housing in the throat when the gland nut has been removed. A notch 10 is formed on an fl external flange 11 of the neck 3, and is aligned with the notch 9 for facilitating visual alignment of the i projecting elements with the notch 9 in the internal flange 8.

Turning now to Figs. 3 to 11, there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, for forming the notches 9 and 10 in the internal flange 8 and the external flange 11, respectively, in accordance with the method of the invention. The method according to the invention will be described below after the apparatus 20 has been described in detail.

The apparatus 20 is located in a main framework 21 which houses a conveyor 22. Only the portion of the main framework 21 and the conveyer 22, adjacent the apparatus 20, is illustrated. The conveyor 22 comprises a pair of spaced apart carrier chains (not shown) which are supported on a support means, namely a pair of parallel spaced apart support bars 24 of the main framework 21, which support beer kegs 1 as the kegs are sequentially brought into alignment with the · apparatus 20. The carrier chains (not shown) convey the beer kegs 1 in the direction of the arrow A along the conveyor 22 in an inverted orientation, in other words, with the necks 3 of the beer kegs 1 extending in a generally downward direction. A plurality of other work stations which are neither illustrated in the drawings, nor will they be described, are provided along the conveyor 22, for sequentially carrying out other operations to the beer kegs 1, for example, washing, cleaning, polishing and inspection of the kegs as the beer kegs are conveyed along the conveyor 22.

The apparatus 20 will only be described in detail, since it is the apparatus 20 which is relevant to the invention. Beer kegs 1 conveyed along the apparatus 20 by the conveyor 22 are sequentially stopped and aligned with the apparatus 20 by suitable alignment means (not shown), above the apparatus 20 with the neck 3 of the beer keg 1 extending downwardly as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Any suitable alignment means, which will be well known to those skilled in the art, may be used.

The apparatus 20 is mounted in the main framework 21 by a pair of mounting plates, namely, an upper mounting plate 25 and a lower mounting plate 26, which are secured to the main framework 21 by brackets 27 and 28, respectively. A pair of guide rods 30 extend between and are supported by the upper and lower mounting plates 25 and 26. A cylindrical carrier housing 32, which engages the neck 3 of each keg 1 and supports the kegs 1 during formation of the notches 9 and 10, is carried on a support plate 33, which is slidably carried by bushings 34 on the guide rods 30. The support plates 33 is rigidly connected by connecting < rods 35 to a main carrier plate 36, which is also slidable on the guide rods 30. Each beer keg 1, which is to be notched, is located above the upper mounting plate 25 with the neck 3 of the beer keg 1 aligned above an opening 37 in the upper mounting plate 25.

The carrier plate 36 and the support plate 33 are » moveable upwardly and downwardly on the guide rods 30 between a remote position, see Fig. 3 whereby the carrier housing 32 is located beneath the mounting plate 25 and well clear of the neck 3 of the beer keg 1 to an engaged position, see Fig. 4 with the carrier housing 32 engaging the neck 3 of the beer keg 1 and supporting the beer keg 1. The opening 37 in the upper mounting plate 25 accommodates the carrier housing 32 into the engaged position. A means for moving the carrier plate 36 and the support plate 33 between the remote position and the engaged position, comprises a pneumatically powered double acting lifting ram 39, the housing 40 of which is secured to the lower mounting plate 26. A piston rod 42 of the lifting ram 39 * extends through the lower mounting plate 26, and is secured to the carrier plate 36 for raising and lowering the carrier plate 36, the support plate 33 and the carrier housing 32. A locating means comprising a locating spigot 43 extends upwardly from the housing 32 for tightly engaging in the throat 6 of the neck 3, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, for locating and aligning the housing 32 relative to the throat 6 for forming the notches 9 and 10.

A cutting tool, in this case a first cutting tool 45 for forming the notch 9 in the internal flange 8 is carried on a carrier means, namely, a carrier shaft 46, which is in turn slidable in a first bore 47 which extends through the housing 32 and the locating spigot 43. The carrier shaft 46 is slidable in the first bore 47 for carrying the cutting tool 45 between an internal position with the first cutting tool 45 within the beer keg 1, as illustrated in Fig. 5, to an external position illustrated in Fig. 4, with the first cutting tool 45 located externally of the beer keg 1, having passed by the internal flange 8 and having formed the notch 9, as will be described below. An urging means for urging the carrier shaft 46 and the first cutting tool 45 from the internal to the external position comprises a double acting pneumatic urging ram 48, a housing 49 of which is rigidly mounted on the carrier plate 36. A piston rod 50 of the urging ram 48 is secured to a plate member 52, to which the carrier shaft 46 is secured. A guide plate 53 is secured to the plate member 52 and clamps and locates a flange 54 of the carrier shaft 46 between the plate member 52 and the guide plate 53. The guide plate 53 is slidable on A the guide rods 30 by means of bushing 55 under the action of the urging ram 48, as the urging ram 48 urges the carrier shaft 46 and in turn, the first cutting tool 45 between the internal and the external positions.

The first cutting tool 45 is pivotally carried in a slot 57 which extends through the carrier shaft 46. A pivot pin 58 extends through the slot 57 for pivotally carrying the first cutting tool 45. The first cutting tool 45 is pivotal about the pivot pin 58 from a cutting orientation, illustrated in Fig. 5, to an inoperative orientation, which is illustrated in Fig. 6, for permitting the first cutting tool 45 to pass by the internal flange inoperatively, as the carrier shaft 46 and the first cutting tool 45 are being urged into the internal position. The slot 57 is shaped at 59 and the first cutting tool 45 is shaped at 60 for accommodating pivoting of the first cutting tool 45 into the inoperative orientation. The slot 57 and the first cutting tool 45 are shaped at 61 and 62, respectively, so that the cutting tool 45 is retained in the cutting position during cutting. A leaf-spring (not shown) is located in the slot 57, and co-operates with the first cutting tool 45 for urging the cutting tool 45 in the direction of the arrow B into the cutting orientation. A camming surface 46 is formed on the first cutting tool 45 for engaging the internal flange 8 as the first cutting tool 45 and carrier shaft 46 are being inserted into the beer keg 1, for in turn pivoting the cutting tool 45 into the inoperative condition, thereby preventing formation of the notch 9 as the first cutting tool 45 is being inserted into the beer keg 1. The cutting tool 45 is profiled at 65 to define the cross-sectional profile of the notch 9 so that, as the cutting tool 45 is urged from the internal to the external position, the notch 9 of the desired profile is formed.

A key-way type slot 67 extends into the carrier housing 32 and the locating spigot 43 for accommodating the cutting tool 45 when the cutting tool is in the cutting orientation. The key-way type slot 67 also acts as a chute for accommodating material which is removed from the internal flange 8 during formation of the notch 9 away from the throat 6. A chute 68 is formed by a bore which is drilled obliquely through the housing 32 to connect with the key-way type slot 67 for delivering the notch material removed from the internal flange 8 to a waste-bin (not shown). A tube 69 of plastics material, is secured to an outlet port 70 of the chute 68, for delivering the notch material into the wastebin 71. A monitoring means, which in this case is provided by a magnetic proximity sensor 72, which is illustrated in block representation in Fig. 3, is mounted on the tube 69 for confirming that the notch material removed from the internal flange of each keg 1 has passed through the tube 69 and has not remained in the throat 6 of the beer keg 1.

A second cutting tool 75 for forming the notch 10 in the external flange 11 is pivotally carried on a carrier shaft 76 which is in turn longitudinally slidable in a second bore 7.1 in the carrier housing 32. The second cutting tool 75 and the second carrier shaft 76 and the pivot mounting of the second cutting tool 75 to the carrier shaft 76 is substantially identical to that of the first cutting tool 45 and the carrier shaft 46, and will not be described in further detail. Features of the second cutting tool 75 and the carrier shaft 76 which are similar to those features of the first cutting tool 45 and the carrier shaft 46 are identified by the same reference numerals. The carrier shaft 76 is secured between the plate member 52 and the guide plate 53 in similar fashion, as the carrier shaft 46 is secured thereto, and accordingly, the carrier shaft 76 is moved simultaneously with the carrier shaft 46 by the urging ram 48. A leaf-spring (not shown) urges the second cutting tool 75 in the direction of the arrow B from an inoperative orientation to a cutting orientation to operate in similar fashion for forming the notch 10 in the external flange 11 as the first cutting tool 45 form the notch 9 in the internal flange 8. A key-way type slot 78 extends into the housing 32 from the second bore 77 for accommodating the second cutting tool 75 in the cutting orientation. The key-way type slot 78 also accommodates the material removed from the external flange 11 during formation of the notch 10, and a chute (not shown) similar to the chute 68, delivers the notch material into the wastebin 71.

The method according to the invention will now be described with reference to the apparatus 1, for forming the notches 9 and 10 in the internal and external flanges 8 and 11, respectively. Beer kegs 1 to be notched are conveyed along the conveyor 22, and are sequentially aligned with the apparatus 20 so that the neck 3 of an aligned beer keg 1 is aligned with the opening 37 in the upper mounting plate 25. As mentioned above, suitable alignment means are provided on the main framework 21 for stopping, locating and aligning the beer kegs 1 with the apparatus 20. Initially, the piston rod 42 of the lifting ram 39 is in a retracted condition with the carrier housing 32, thereby in the remote position beneath the upper mounting plate 25. The piston rod 50 of the urging ram 48 is also in the retracted position, thereby the carrier shafts 46 and 76, and the first and second cutting tools 45 and 75, respectively, are located within the first and second bores 47 and 77, respectively, in the external position. On a beer keg 1 being aligned with the apparatus 20, the piston rod 42 of the lifting ram 39 is extended, thereby raising the carrier plate 36, and in turn the carrier housing 32 through the opening 37 in the upper mounting plate 25, and into engagement with the neck 3 of the beer keg 1. Further raising of the carrier plate 36 by the lifting ram 39 causes the locating spigot 43 to enter into and engage the throat 6 of the neck 3 for locating the carrier housing 32, and in turn, the first cutting tool 45 within the throat 6.

The lifting ram 39 then raises the carrier plate 36, and in turn the carrier housing 32 fully into the engaged position, whereby the beer keg 1 is slightly raised off the conveyor 22 and the support bars 24, so that the entire weight of the keg 1 is carried by the carrier housing 32. The urging ram 48 is next extended for inserting the carrier shaft 46, and in turn, the first cutting tool 45 through the throat 6, and in turn, into the keg 1. Simultaneously with the first cutting tool 45 being inserted into the keg 1, the second cutting tool 75 is urged into a position above a the external flange 11. As the respective cutting tools 45 and 75 are being urged into the keg 1 and above the external flange 11, respectively, the cutting tools 45 and 75 pivot into the inoperative position as the cutting tools 45 and 75 pass the internal and external flanges 8 and 11, respectively, by the action of the flanges 8 and 11 on the camming surfaces 64 of the respective cutting tools 45 and 75.

Once the first and second cutting tools 45 and 75, respectively, have been urged into the keg 1 and above the external flange 11 and the cutting tools 45 and 75 have returned, to their respective cutting orientations, the urging ram 48 is operated for urging the carrier shafts 46 and 76 downwardly, for in turn, urging the first and second cutting tools 47 and 75 pass the respective flanges 8 and 11 for forming the notches 9 and 10, respectively. The material removed from the flanges 8 and 11 during formation of the notches 9 and 10 is urged into the respective key-way slots 67 and 78 by the first and second cutting tools 45 and 75, and in turn, are delivered into the waste-bin 71 through the chute 68, and the chute (not shown) from the key-way slot 78. The sensor 72 monitors the tube 69 to confirm that the material from the notch 9 has passed through the tube 69. If the sensor 72 fails to detect material after a notch 9 has been formed, a signal is sent from the sensor 72 to control circuitry (not shown), which operates an alarm to indicate that the notch material may still be retained in the throat 6 of the keg 1.

On the notch material being delivered into the wastebin 71, the lifting ram 39 is operated to lower the carrier plate 36, and in turn, the carrier housing 32 through the opening 37 into the remote position so that the notched keg 1 may be transferred by the conveyor 22 from the apparatus 20, and the next keg 1 to be notched is aligned with the apparatus 20.

The advantages of the invention are many by virtue of the fact that the notch in the internal flange in the throat of the neck of the beer keg is formed with the beer keg inverted, and is formed by the action of a cutting tool being urged from within the keg outwardly. There is virtually no danger of any material which is removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch remaining in the container, or in the throat of the neck. Additionally, another advantage of the invention is that the method for forming the notch in the internal flange is relatively accurate, and facilitates the formation of a notch relatively easily and inexpensively.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore, described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS Λ1. A method for forming a notch in an internal flange which extends circumferentially around and internally v into a throat extending through a neck of a container, the method comprising the steps of: supporting the container with the neck extending in a generally downward direction, inserting a cutting tool upwardly into the container through the throat with the cutting edge of the tool facing the internal flange when the cutting tool is in the container, the cutting tool being profiled to define the cross-sectional profile of the notch, urging the cutting tool downwardly from the container through the throat so that the cutting edge of the cutting tool engages the internal flange for forming the notch as the cutting tool passes the internal flange, and urging the cutting tool further downwardly below the internal flange and into a chute for delivering material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch into the chute for transfer to a waste-bin. £
2. 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the method further comprises the step of monitoring the chute for confirming that the material removed from the internal flange during the formation of the notch has been transferred from the throat.
3. 3. A method for forming a notch in an internal flange which extends circumferentially around and internally into a throat extending through a neck of a container, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. 4. Apparatus for carrying out the method as claimed in any preceding claim for forming a notch in an internal flange which extends circumferentially around and internally into a throat extending through a neck of a container, the apparatus comprising: a support means for supporting the container with the neck of the container extending in a generally downward direction, a cutting tool for forming the notch, the cutting tool being profiled to define the cross-sectional profile of the notch, a carrier means for carrying the cutting tool, the carrier means being moveable between an external position with the cutting tool located externally of the throat and an internal position with the cutting tool located within the container, the carrier means carrying the cutting tool so that when the cutting tool is in the internal position, the cutting edge of the cutting tool is facing the internal flange, a chute for receiving material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch, and
5. 5. An urging means for urging the carrier means from the internal position to the external position for forming the notch in the internal flange, and for urging the material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch into the chute.
6. 6. 10 5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which a monitoring means is provided adjacent the chute for monitoring material removed from the internal flange during formation of the notch as it passes through the chute for confirming that the material of the notch has
7. 7. 15 passed through the chute.