Abstract: A clamping mechanism is provided for clamping a cutting die to the die holder of a rotary cutting assembly used to cut a pattern in an envelope blank or the like. The clamping mechanism is adapted to fit within and cooperate with a groove of the die holder to clamp at least one of the ends of the cutting die therebetween for securing the cutting die to the holder. One embodiment of the clamping mechanism comprises a clamping bar and a position adjustment assembly for adjusting the vertical position of the clamping bar in the groove so as to accommodate different size cutting dies. Another embodiment of the clamping mechanism comprises a clamping bar which pivotably engages a slot disposed in the die holder.

Abstract: A rotary hot foil stamping machine is provided for repeatedly stamping a foil image onto a continuous product web at a consistent interval along the length of the product web. The rotary hot foil stamping machine includes first and second die stations, each die station comprising a servo driven rotary die holder with at least one removable die attached thereto. Counter rolls are mounted adjacent each die holder such that the outer surfaces of the dies engage the counter rolls as the dies are rotated past the counter rolls. The die holders are driven at a constant speed such that said die surfaces engage the counter rolls simultaneously at regular timed intervals.

Abstract: A universal cutting assembly is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder can have either a magnetic or non-magnetic outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices therein radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for individually and selectively supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. A novel die plate locating system is also provided for use with the universal cutting assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic cutting assembly and waste removal system is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has a magnetic outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices therein radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. In order to maximize the number of orifices while minimizing the number of magnetic members, the magnetic members are disposed in a plurality of rows wherein each row contains alternating magnets and orifices and a row of orifices are disposed between each adjacent row of magnets, and the orifices are connected to corresponding feed tubes in a matrix.

Abstract: A multi-use die system is provided having a die holder with reference marks disposed circumferentially and radially along the longitudinal axis of the holder, and a multi-use die plate for magnetic affixation to the die holder which impresses a pattern onto a material blank. The die plate has straight and angular reference marks disposed thereon which are adapted to align with the radial and longitudinal reference marks on the die holder so as to properly align the die on the die holder at a predetermined position. In a straight rotary die system, the die is aligned such that the straight reference mark on the die is aligned with the respective corresponding radial and circumferential references on the die holder. In the angular rotary die system, the die is aligned such that the angular mark is aligned with the corresponding radial and circumferential references on the die holder.

Abstract: A magnetic cutting assembly and waste removal system is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has a magnetic outer surface and a plurality of surface orifice therein radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. In order to maximize the number of orifices while minimizing the number of magnetic members, the magnetic members be disposed in a plurality of rows wherein each row contains alternating magnets and orifices and a row of orifices are disposed between each adjacent row of magnets.

Abstract: A cutting die system having an improved waste or scrap removal system is provided. Curved edge patterns are cut into the cutting die plate within the parameters of the cutting edge. These partial cutouts having curved edges are provided so that when the cutting die is mounted to the die cylinder, the bending of the cutting die to fit the curvature of the die cylinder causes the cut out shape to pop up. The direction of the pop-up cut out shape is complementary to the relative direction of rotation of the cutting die and the height of the projections remains below the cutting edge height. When the pop-up cut out shape comes in contact with the waste or scrap material, the waste or scrap material is pushed outward and away from the direction of the die cylinder.

Abstract: A multi-use die system is provided having a die holder with reference marks disposed circumferentially and radially along the longitudinal axis of the holder, and a multi-use die plate for magnetic affixation to the die holder which impresses a pattern onto a material blank. The die plate has straight and angular reference marks disposed thereon which are adapted to align with the radial and longitudinal reference marks on the die holder so as to properly align the die on the die holder at a predetermined position. In a straight rotary die system, the die is aligned such that the straight reference mark on the die is aligned with the respective corresponding radial and circumferential references on the die holder. In the angular rotary die system, the die is aligned such that the angular mark is aligned with the corresponding radial and circumferential references on the die holder.

Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has an outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. A novel air delivery assembly is provided for delivering vacuum and/or air to the die holder comprising a stationary plate disposed at least at one end of the die holder and defining a groove member for selectively supplying vacuum and/or air so that when rotation of die holder aligns the longitudinal feed tubes with the groove member a supply of vacuum or air is selectively supplied at the surface orifices of the die holder. Another embodiment of the die holder may have an outer surface having a extending along the longitudinal axis for detachably receiving the leading end of the cutting die and a plurality of magnetic members disposed in the die holder surface for attracting the cutting die.

Abstract: A cutting die and chisel for cutting a stack of material such as paper and the like. The cutting die has a cutting edge for cutting a central portion in the material and the chisel has a cutting edge for cutting the excess peripheral portion of the stack so that the peripheral portion does not interfere with the cutting of the central portion. The chisel has a body portion for receiving at least one magnet so that the chisel may be magnetically attached to the periphery of the chisel.

Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has an outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. A novel air delivery assembly is provided for delivering vacuum and/or air to the die holder comprising a stationary plate disposed at least at one end of the die holder and defining a groove member for selectively supplying vacuum and/or air so that when rotation of die holder aligns the longitudinal feed tubes with the groove member a supply of vacuum or air is selectively supplied at the surface orifices of the die holder. Another embodiment of the die holder may have an outer surface having a extending along the longitudinal axis for detachably receiving the leading end of the cutting die and a plurality of magnetic members disposed in the die holder surface for attracting the cutting die.