Abstract: A converting assembly performs a plurality of conversion functions on sheet material to convert the sheet material into packaging templates. The converting assembly includes a plurality of tool rollers. Each of the tool rollers has one or more conversion tools thereon. The one or more conversion tools on an individual tool roller are configured to perform a subset of the plurality of conversion functions that convert the sheet material into packaging templates.

Abstract: The present invention is provided with: one slitter device which forms cutting lines on a corrugated board web in a conveying direction and produces a plurality of slitted webs; a plurality of cutoff devices which cut the slitted webs in the width direction; a director device which separates the plurality of slitted webs cut by the slitter device and distributes same to the plurality of cutoff devices; and a separation cutting device which is disposed on the upstream side of the director device, and forms separation cutting lines, which are for separating the plurality of slitted webs with the director device, between the slitted webs of a new order and an old order, wherein the cutting operation is continued after the separation cutting device is stopped at the position of a separation cutting line of the new order.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a flexible material (14) comprises: a first roller (5) extending along a main axis (A1); a second roller (6) extending along a longitudinal axis (A2), the first roller (5) and the second roller (6) being mutually co-operating to carry out an operation on the flexible material (14), an interspace (37) being defined between the first roller (5) and the second roller (6) though which the flexible material (14) can pass; a pressing device for pushing the first roller (5) and the second roller (6) one towards another; a position adjustment device for adjusting the relative position of the first roller (5) and the second roller (6), the position adjustment device being distinct from the pressing device.

Abstract: A score knife positioner includes a carriage bracket having a locating tab for receiving a score knife assembly. Linear bearings are attached to the carriage bracket and are configured to engage with a pair of guide rails. The linear bearings are offset from one another and located so that score knife positioners on either side of a particular score knife positioner can be nested together. The carriage bracket has a width less than a width of the score knife assembly and allows adjacent score knife assemblies to be positioned so that there is less than one-half inch between score knifes. Score knife positioners can be moved to a desired location and locked into place via a carriage brake attached to the carriage bracket.

Abstract: A fiberboard sheet is provided comprising a surface protector with a plurality of embedded creases wherein each of the creases can be folded in order to position a portion of the fiberboard sheet horizontally and another portion of the fiberboard sheet vertically. The fiberboard surface protector provides for quick and easy folding of the fiberboard sheet, along a multitude of crease lines, to allow for simultaneous horizontal and vertical protection within a single product. The fiberboard surface protector eliminates the need for two or more separate products and extra steps in the protection process. The fiberboard surface protector creates a seamless barrier between a horizontal and a vertical junction of orthogonally adjacent surfaces.

Abstract: A system that converts sheet material into packaging templates includes a converting assembly that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on the sheet material as the sheet material moves through the converting machine in a first direction. The converting assembly may be mounted on a frame such that the converting assembly is elevated above a support surface. One or more longhead converting tools performs conversion functions on the sheet material in a first direction and a crosshead converting tool performs conversion functions on the sheet material in a second direction in order to create packaging templates.

Abstract: An improved net cutting assembly that may be used with an agricultural baler net wrapping system. More particularly, an up-cut net knife for improved cutting of wrapping material (e.g., a net) used to wrap bales of crop material in an agricultural baler. The up-cut net knife assembly improves net cutting performance by providing an up-cut net knife that moves in the same direction as the net whereby the motion of the net helps the knife get into the cut position. Further, embodiments of the up-cut knife assembly move the up-cut knife cutting edge at substantially the same speed and in the same direction as the net to be cut. This motion of the up-cut knife allows the up-cut knife to be lifted up into the net motion using a driver and then to continue on with no relative motion—or at least minimal relative motion of the knife to the net—until the knife gets into the cut position. In the cut position, the knife stops and the net is pulled against the knife blade resulting in cutting the net.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

Abstract: A machine and method for converting film into bags or other articles includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar with a sealing zone and a weakening zone, or it can include or at least one sealing die that extends in the machine direction. The single sealing zone or sealing die may be a heated perforator, and may include a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A package associating disposable absorbent articles structured for reduced chafing is disclosed. The package may associate at least two sets of articles, the articles in the respective sets having respectively differing structures, so that a user has the differing articles available to apply to a wearer. The respective structures may be varied to effect differing contact locations and pressures about the waist and legs of the wearer. The time over which the wearer continuously wears articles of unvarying fit may thereby be reduced, reducing the likelihood or extent of continuous contact and pressure by articles at concentrated locations of the wearer's skin and body. Likelihood of irritation and chafing may thereby be reduced. An associated method for reducing skin irritation or chafing is disclosed. A method for manufacturing such a package by manufacturing differing structures on a single manufacturing line is disclosed.

Abstract: Absorbent members and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the absorbent member is a unitary absorbent fibrous web having a density profile through its thickness. In one embodiment, the density profile of the fibrous web is skewed toward one of the surfaces of the fibrous web. In such embodiments, the maximum density of the web may be located outside of the central 30% zone of the thickness of the web. In one embodiment, the method involves subjecting a precursor web to at least one cycle (or pass) through a mechanical deformation process. Typically, the method involves subjecting the precursor web to multiples cycles (or passes) through a mechanical deformation process.

Abstract: A cutting device feeds a web between a die roll and an anvil roll, and cuts a continuous portion of the web. The cutting device includes a continuous portion transport unit configured to hold and transport the continuous portion of the web being continuous in a moving direction of the web, and a discontinuous portion transport unit configured to hold and transport a discontinuous portion of the web being discontinuous in the moving direction of the web. The die roll includes a first large diameter portion whose outer peripheral surface is provided with a cutting blade configured to cut the continuous portion of the web. The anvil roll includes a second large diameter portion disposed to face the first large diameter portion. By the discontinuous portion transport unit, the discontinuous portion passes through between the die roll and the anvil roll without contacting the first large diameter portion and the second large diameter portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an order change in a corrugator uses a minimum slit head configuration with all slit heads carried on two sides of a single tool support structure. A single robot is operable on the support structure to independently reset the positions of slit heads during a running order to prepare for subsequent order change in a most efficient manner, utilizing order scheduling that eliminates order changes that cannot be formed with the minimum slit head configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting and grooving device (10), in particular for cardboard boxes, having two round grooving tool halves (12; 14) and a cutting device (16) disposed between the two grooving tool halves (12; 14), whereby the cutting device is movable between a non-operative position radially inside between the grooving tool halves (12; 14) and an operative position radially outside the grooving tool halves (12; 14). It is possible with the cutting and grooving device (10) both to groove and also to cut workpieces (11). (FIG.

Abstract: A rolling mechanism for having an opening perforation line on a plastic packaging film is disclosed, including a carriage frame, a pressure bearing unit, an impact cushioning mechanism, and an opening cutter assembly. The pressure bearing unit includes a pressure bearing seat, an anvil roll, and a retention plate, wherein the retention plate comprises a receptacle channel. The retention plate is used to position the anvil roll in the receptacle channel of the pressure bearing seat. The impact cushioning mechanism is coupled between the carriage frame and the pressure bearing seat. The opening cutter assembly is arranged adjacent to the anvil roll, which includes an opening cutter shaft and at least one opening cutter blade attached to the periphery of the opening cutter shaft.

Abstract: A cutting device feeds a web between a die roll and an anvil roll, and cuts a continuous portion of the web. The cutting device includes a continuous portion transport unit configured to hold and transport the continuous portion of the web being continuous in a moving direction of the web, and a discontinuous portion transport unit configured to hold and transport a discontinuous portion of the web being discontinuous in the moving direction of the web. The die roll includes a first large diameter portion whose outer peripheral surface is provided with a cutting blade configured to cut the continuous portion of the web. The anvil roll includes a second large diameter portion disposed to face the first large diameter portion. By the discontinuous portion transport unit, the discontinuous portion passes through between the die roll and the anvil roll without contacting the first large diameter portion and the second large diameter portion.

Abstract: A folder includes a first signature conveyor conveying first signatures along a first signature path; a second signature conveyor conveying second signatures along a second signature path; and a chopper located between the first and second signature paths imparting a fold on both the first and second signatures. A chopper and method are also provided.

Abstract: Curvilinear or other complex perforation patterns for paper products, such as paper towels and bath tissue, can be produced using a differential speed perforation nip formed between a rotating pattern roll and a moving anvil surface. The relative speed between the perforation elements on the surface of the pattern roll and the anvil surface shears the web at the perforation points.

Abstract: A cutting- and creasing -wheel assembly includes a cutting tool, such as a circular disc having a continuous or a serrated cutting edge. The disc is rotatable and supported between a pair of rotatable creasing- wheel halves, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radial dimension. The disc is controllable for movement between a non-operative position wherein the cutting edge is withdrawn radially inside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position wherein the cutting edge is projecting radially outside the peripheries. The method of slitting a corrugated or otherwise compressible material involves the provision and control of a cutting tool, preferably a circular disc having a continuous or serrated cutting edge. The disc is arranged to be rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves of equal radial dimension in a cutting- and creasing wheel assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a whetstone type of scoring device for production of gypsum boards which can accurately and stably form a groove of a constant depth on a sheet of paper for gypsum board liner, and which can prevent wear of a rotary blade and a backing block. The scoring device (11) for a gypsum board production machine (10) has the rotary blade (24) and the backing block (30). The sheet (3) travels under tension over the block (30), which abuts against the lower surface of the sheet. The block has an opening (32) immediately under the blade. The lower surface of the sheet is released downward by the opening. The sheet is ground by a blade edge (24a) while being slightly bent downward within a range of the opening (within an intimate contact area of an angle ?).

Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.

Abstract: A cushioning dunnage producing machine comprises a crumpler, a roll of paper sheet material having a first end at a radially innermost location and a second end at a radially outermost location, the first end fed into the crumpler, the crumpler drawing the paper sheet from the roll and crumpling the paper sheet into cushioning dunnage, and a cutter which travels laterally across the cushioning dunnage to cut the dunnage into a strip of a desired length.

Abstract: A folding apparatus (1) in a web-fed rotary printing press for folding signatures (2) which are cut off from a running web of material (6) by a cutting device (40) and carried on a signature transport surface (10) of a folding blade cylinder with the aid of at least one rotating band-shaped conveying element (12, 22, 36, 38) has the feature that the cutting device (4) includes a cutting blade (14) arranged on the folding blade cylinder (8) as well as a rotating anvil element (16) which interacts with the cutting blade; the band-shaped conveying element (12, 22, 36, 38) being passed around the rotating anvil element (16) in such a manner that the band-shaped conveying element acts as a supporting element for the cutting blade (14) during the cutting of the signatures (2).

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

Abstract: A sheet finisher includes means for cutting a non-folded edge of at least one folded sheet. Means are used for setting a cutting position in accordance with a preselected length of the at least one folded sheet in a direction of sheet conveyance and a sensed length of the at least one folded sheet in the direction of sheet conveyance. An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus having means for forming a toner image on a sheet in accordance with image data, and the sheet finisher.

Abstract: A device for the cross perforation of webs, preferably paper webs for producing sacks, comprises a rotatingly driven perforating blade and a grooved roller, both of which are mounted on a machine frame and between them passes the web to be perforated. To adjust the penetration depth of the teeth of the perforating blade into the ring grooves of the grooved roller, there is at least one adjusting device for changing the distance between the axes of rotation of the perforating blade and the grooved roller.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for seizing flat material (1). The device includes a transfer cylinder (6) rotating about an axis and having an outer surface (16). A cutting cylinder (3) cooperates with said transfer cylinder (6) and has at least one knife assembly (5) mounted thereon. A set of product seizing elements (7) is arranged in the outer periphery of said cutting cylinder (3), actuable about a common center point (11). Tips (25) of said product seizing elements (7) cooperate with counterparts (9) on the surface (16) of said transfer cylinder (6).

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

Abstract: In a method for working an elongate web of material, use is made of a machine which comprises a feeding device for feeding the web at a given speed and a cutting device for making cuts in the web. The cutting device comprises a rotary backing roll and a rotary cutting roll with a projecting cutting means. The cutting roll is adapted to move, during a first part of its revolution, the cutting means into engagement with the backing roll to form the cuts in the web and, during a second part of its revolution, define with the backing roll a gap through which the web moves essentially unimpededly. A control means is adapted to control, preferably in an infinitely variable manner, the speed of rotation of the cutting roll relative to the speed of the web during the second part of the revolution for optional adjustment of the distance between succeeding cuts in the web.

Abstract: A device for electrostatically charging a multilayer material web includes electrostatic charge elements assigned to outer sides of the multilayer material web, the charge elements being disposed upline of an inlet of the multilayer material web into a cylinder group of a folder, as viewed in a travel direction of the multilayer material web, the cylinder group including cylinders formed with respective outer cylindrical surfaces, the cylinders including a cutting cylinder pair having a cutting nip into which a leading end of the multilayer material web extends, the cutting cylinder pair being provided with an electrically insulated cutting tool; and a folder including the charging device.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for producing tubular hollow items, in particular for containers, form card material or the like, to improve the efficiency and thus to reduce the costs on the production of known packages, the following steps are proposed: transporting a blank bound by longitudinal edges, or a web of card material or the like, from which the blank is separated into a bending station, the blank or the web being bent by guide elements acting as a bending apparatus and then being held stationary in the bending station and being bent by means of movable bending apparati into the finished shape of the hollow item and an overlap region being formed, in which the two longitudinal edges of the blank, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow item, are placed one on top of the other and are connected to one another and the hollow item being conveyed out of the bending station.

Abstract: An improved device for forming box joining flaps in a box splitting machine comprises a supporting frame for supporting a joining flap cutting assembly, the supporting frame being transversely driven with respect to the paperboard material feeding direction, by a worm screw in turn driven by a geared motor unit controlled by a controlling electronic apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a score line in a pre-cut blank, such as an envelope blank (3), includes a scoring blade roller (6) and a counter roller (7), wherein a portion of the circumferential surface of the scoring blade roller (6) is provided with a suction shell (12) having a plurality of suction openings (13) therein. The suction openings are connected together in respective groups that may be individually and selectively connected to a vacuum or suction air source. In this manner, a leading edge portion (72) of the blank (3) can be taken up, held, and rotationally pulled by the scoring blade roller (6), while a tail portion (70, 71) of the blank (3) downstream of the score lines (2) or the scoring blades (33, 34) is not fixedly held on the scoring blade roller (6), but rather is only loosely held and guided along.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a pad wherein a rotatable forming screen which has a generally cylindrical surface and at least one outwardly projecting nob is employed. The nob is positioned on the forming screen whereby the nob is circumscribed by the material, e.g., cellulosic fluff, deposited on the forming screen to form the pad. The pad is transferred from the forming screen to a moveable transfer surface. The transfer surface may be either flat or round and moves at a velocity which is at least as great as the velocity of the forming screen. The nob located on the forming screen includes a thrust surface disposed on a trailing edge of the nob. The thrust surface imparts a compressive force on the pad during the release of the pad from the forming screen. The compressive force is at least partially directed towards the transfer surface and thereby assists in the release and transfer of the pad. A vacuum may also be used to attract the pad to the transfer surface.

Abstract: A high speed rotary cutter assembly for transversely cutting a moving web, comprising a cutting roll and an anvil roll rotating at web speed which are selectively movable toward and away from one another to set the rotary cutter assembly in operative and idle modes, respectively. The invention also extends to a web handling device for forming a continuous multi-form web into a stack, comprising a folder assembly laying successive forms of the web in a superposed relationship on a table to form a stack. A temporary stack support assembly is extended along an arcuate descending path between the folder assembly and the table when the stack is completed for temporarily holding the incoming folded product until the completed stack on the table has been ejected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for perforating a web of material intended to form an outer casing sheet of absorbent articles. As the web is advanced, the web is first provided with a large number of mutually separated cuts in the nip defined between raised plateaus on a matrix cylinder and circumferentially extending knife-edges of a cutting cylinder. The web is then deformed transversely to its plane at parts which border on each cut. The invention also relates to a perforated outer casing sheet which includes recesses in the form of mutually adjacent elongated channel-like grooves.

Abstract: An apparatus for making prototype packaging or boxes for various products includes a support surface for supporting a sheet material and a cutting tool for cutting contour lines of the box from the strip material. The support surface includes a recess to accommodate a bristle insert for providing a bristle surface for the cutting tool to engage during cutting operations. As the cutting tool penetrates the sheet material during the cutting operation and comes into contact with the bristle surface, the cutting tool does not become dulled and does not damage the bristle surface. The bristle surface also supports a creasing operation when crease lines are formed with a creasing tool within the sheet material. Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention accommodates a grooved insert interchangeable with the bristle insert for creasing operations.

Abstract: Moving paper webs are treated by having a cross-groove or crease pressed into them prior to being transversely cut and folded. The cross-groove or crease is produced by a radially vibrating, rail-like pressure tool that cooperates with a counter-pressure tool. These tools cooperate to form a sharp, folded crease, even in thick products. The crease is formed along the to be formed cross fold line.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying segments of sheet material to articles by adhering leading and trailing ends of the label segments to the articles. The method further includes forming a plurality of perforations in the label segments in the vicinity of the ends as the segments are formed. The perforations allow access to solvent to dissolve or loosen the adhesive and facilitate subsequent removal of the label. The perforations can be formed in a spaced relation along a length of a web of sheet material. The web of sheet material is then cut into sheets along a line the locates the perforations at the trailing end of one segment and the leading end of another segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine for cutting at least two components of a multi-component workpiece from webs of material which are moving at different speeds relative to one another, and depositing the two cut components on a third web of material moving at yet a different speed.The machine cuts the first component from a moving first web, transfers the cut component to overlie a moving web of second material, and cuts the second component from the second web while the first component overlies and falls, either wholly or partially, within the cut boundaries of the second component. The mated first and second cut components are then transferred by the machine to a web of third material.An optional embossing roller imparts a pattern to the stacked cut first and second components as they pass between the embossing and anvil rollers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to severing a running material web in a folding apparatus of a web-fed rotary printing press. In one exemplary embodiment, a severing element is moved in the traveling direction of the web with a speed which is substantially equal to the speed of the running web and is simultaneously moved across the width of the web in a substantially lateral direction. The severing element can be a sled with a blade, a laser source, a high-pressure fluid jet or a heated wire. The severing element is received and guided by a guiding rail coupled to a pair of endless parallel transport chains.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a card product including a sheet with at least one cut-out and a card which is disposed in the cut-out of the sheet, wherein the sheet and the card are held together by at least one adhesive strip which is coated on one side with contact adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dimensionally accurate cutting of a product carrier (1) which is in the form of a strip, is transported further in a cyclic or continuous manner in the longitudinal direction and has cells which are arranged one behind the other and are sealed in an airtight manner comprises a rotating cutter roller (15), which severs the product carrier (1) in each case in the region of a sealing web (4) which is situated between two cells (2), is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and is provided with a lattice-like embossing (19). In order to identify and localise the sealing web (4), an optical reflection sensor (6) is arranged above and/or below the product carrier (1) and generates an AC voltage signal which corresponds to the lattice structure when the sealing web (4) is located in the region of the reflection sensor (6), the number of periods being a measure of the width b of the sealing web (4).

Abstract: A device for perforating, die-cutting, cutting or creasing in printing machines comprises a supporting foil which at two of its opposite sides is provided with strips for mounting onto a rubber blanket cylinder of a printing unit, whereby a component for perforating, die-cutting, cutting or creasing is affixed to the supporting foil. An impression cylinder covered with a protection foil co-operates with the rubber blanket cylinder. The use of a relatively hard supporting foil instead of a rubber blanket allows for much cleaner and quicker perforation and punching, and the affixing of the perforating, die-cutting, cutting or creasing component to the supporting foil on the rubber blanket cylinder allows a much easier and more precise positioning of that component. As a result, the device can also be used in endless printing machines. Moreover, the use of an independent inner underlying blanket allows an exact calibration of the total thickness of the supporting foil comprising the working tools.

Abstract: A box blank forming apparatus includes at least one printing assembly, a slotting assembly, and a feeding and conveying mechanism for feeding blanks through the apparatus. The printing assembly includes a rotatable printing cylinder, and the slotting assembly includes a rotatable blade. The feeding and conveying mechanism brings the blanks into contact with the printing cylinder and the slotter blade to complete printing and slotting operations on the blanks in the formation of boxes. An interrupter is provided in association with the printing assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the printing cylinder, and similar structure can also be provided with the slotting assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the slotter blade. A controller is provided for controlling operation of the interrupter of the printing assembly.

Abstract: A tool positioning device for use in combination with a machine for working paperboard blanks conveyed in a horizontal direction through the machine. The machine includes pairs of parallel rotary shafts wherein each pair of shafts includes upper and lower shafts and carry a plurality of tool heads. The positioning device includes a plurality of coupling members actuated in a vertical direction by actuators wherein the coupling members are moved downwardly into engagement with the tool heads. The coupling members are supported on an actuator support which is mounted to a transfer structure wherein the transfer structure moves the actuator support in axial movement to thereby slide the tool heads along their respective shafts to preselected positions along the shafts.

Abstract: A signature perforating knife that is useable to perforate multi-layer signatures is formed as a compound knife using either several knife blades or a combination of knife blades and spacer blades. Each compound perforating knife has a uniform base thickness. The specific characteristics of the compound perforating knife can be adapted in accordance with the weight of the paper web being printed and the number of layers of the multi-layer signature which will be perforated and then folded in a folding apparatus of a web-fed rotary printing press.

Abstract: A rotating cutting apparatus has an arrangement for controlling and finishing the cutting which is arranged between a cutting station and a receiving station. This arrangement includes a conveying arrangement for box blanks, an arrangement for acting on the cut flaps of the box blanks to bend them out of the plane of the blank and an arrangement for pressing the flaps back into the plane of the blank.

Abstract: An improved slotter wheel apparatus (10) designed for use in the formation of box blanks is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a rotatable drive shaft (22), a slotter blade (16) supported on the drive shaft (22) and blade coupling structure (20). The slotter blade coupling structure (20) is operable for selectively coupling the slotter blade (16) with the rotating drive shaft (22) so that the slotter blade (16) is rotated by the shaft (22) and slots blanks passing under the apparatus (10). The slotter blade coupling structure (20) is also operable for selectively decoupling the slotter blade (16) from the drive shaft (22) to prevent the slotter blade (16) from slotting blanks passing under the apparatus (10). In a preferred construction of the invention, the slotter blade coupling structure (20) includes a clutch assembly (76), a brake assembly (78), and a controller (82) for controlling the operation of the clutch and brake assemblies.

Abstract: An arrangement for scoring continuously transported flat workpieces to be folded along scored lines is composed of scoring tools fastened to shafts that are parallel to each other. One part of the scoring tools features a groove and the other part features a ridge. The groove and the ridge follow a helical path over external cylinders defined by the tools and engage with each other in the contact region of their cover lines. In order to set lengths of the scored lines, a tool part is composed of a package of tightly compact, discoid segments that carry the scoring tools. At least one part of these segments can be retained on the shaft in a manner permitting rotation, and located at different angles, in order to be able to form two scored lines with only one pair of scoring rolls. A cylindrical saucer-type segment forming a second scoring tool is retained on each shaft.