Abstract: A die cutter blanket assembly includes a plastic sheet material member and a sheet metal liner that has an array of preferably dome shaped dimples molded to the plastic sheet material member, the liner being attached to the member by bonding during the molding process. The dimples permit the plastic material to flow therebetween on a side of the liner opposite the sheet material member to encapsulate the liner with the plastic material as the liner and plastic sheet member are molded. The resulting blanket assembly is more flexible and easier to install on an anvil cylinder than prior blanket assemblies which comprise conventional flat metal liners without the encapsulation.

Abstract: A first layer of urethane sheet material is molded with a plurality of interlocking male and female fingers at opposing blanket ends and which fingers form a projection for insertion into an anvil channel. The fingers are arrayed in a plane beneath the plane of the first layer. The abutting ends of the blanket above the fingers form a seam of different configuration than the fingers, e.g., linear, to minimize formation of flat spots on the work surface. A fabric is bonded to the underside of the sheet material in one embodiment or a second layer of urethane is molded to blanket underside to form a major portion of the fingers and the projection in a second embodiment. The second layer has a relative durometer that is harder than the first layer, and a shrinkage smaller than that of the first layer to minimize the formation of edge curl.

Abstract: An anvil blanket is molded urethane sheet material and formed with a plurality of interlocking fingers at mating opposing blanket ends and includes a depending projection which mates with a channel in the anvil about which the blanket is wrapped. A urethane insert having a hardness greater than the blanket material is molded embedded in the blanket to form a portion of the fingers and a portion of the projection depending from the fingers. A woven fiberglass fabric provides support for the blanket and which fabric is molded to the blanket. The insert has a durometer greater than that of the blanket to minimize the formation of surface recess defects at the projection which might otherwise occur due to the increased thickness of material at the projection. The insert may have other properties different than that of the blanket material including rebound, modulus, and cut and tear strength among others for resisting the formation of blanket surface defects.

Abstract: A molded anvil blanket is formed with a projection depending at each end, the ends for abutting when wrapped about the anvil, the anvil having a transverse channel for receiving the projections. The projections mate to form a common recess enclosed by a metal angle member secured to each projection. The angle member and projections have a transverse slot for mounting the blanket end and projections on a pneumatic mechanism attached to the anvil. The mechanism includes an air cylinder secured to the anvil in a radial anvil bore. The cylinder has a shaft which extends in response to pressurized air. A spring attached to the air cylinder and to a T-bar which releasably engages the blanket common recess normally biases the projections locked into the channel in a fail safe mode. The activated air cylinder lifts the projections out of the channel so the blanket ends can be manually released from the anvil by sliding the T-bar out of engagement with the projections via the slots in the projections and angle member.

Abstract: A molded anvil blanket is formed with a projection depending at each end, the ends for abutting when wrapped about the anvil, the anvil having a transverse channel for receiving the projections. The projections mate to form a common recess enclosed by a metal angle member secured to each projection. The angle member and projections have a transverse slot for mounting the blanket end and projections on a pneumatic mechanism attached to the anvil. The mechanism includes an air cylinder secured to the anvil in a radial anvil bore. The cylinder has a shaft which extends in response to pressurized air. A spring attached to the air cylinder and to a T-bar which releasably engages the blanket common recess normally biases the projections locked into the channel in a fail safe mode. The activated air cylinder lifts the projections out of the channel so the blanket ends can be manually released from the anvil by sliding the T-bar out of engagement with the projections via the slots in the projections and angle member.

Abstract: An anvil blanket is molded urethane sheet material and formed with a plurality of interlocking fingers at mating opposing blanket ends and includes a depending projection which mates with a channel in the anvil about which the blanket is wrapped. A urethane insert having a hardness greater than the blanket material is molded embedded in the blanket to form a portion of the fingers and a portion of the projection depending from the fingers. A woven fiberglass fabric provides support for the blanket which is molded to the fabric. The insert has a durometer greater than that of the blanket to minimize the formation of surface recess defects at the projection which might otherwise occur due to the increased thickness of material at the projection. The insert may have other properties different than that of the blanket material including rebound, modulus, and cut and tear strength among others for resisting the formation of blanket surface defects. Different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A polyurethane layer is bonded to a sheet metal liner and secured to an anvil roller channel by depending interlocking male and female locking members at the respective blanket ends. The female locking member comprises a U-shaped channel member formed from the liner. The channel member has an extension formed of doubled over sheet material with an inclined lip for engaging the anvil channel in resilient interference fit in cooperation with a distal channel member side wall. The channel member is filled with the layer material as the layer is formed to form a solid female member and has a lateral side wall from which a locking projection extends for locking engagement with a mating recess in the male member. A wedge projection projects from a face of the male member contiguous with the outer blanket surface. The wedge projection extends from the blanket outer surface an extent smaller than the blanket layer thickness to minimize insertion load on the male member due to interference with the female member.

Abstract: A die cutter blanket covers an anvil roller and includes a polyurethane coating bonded to a sheet metal liner secured to an anvil roller channel by interlocking male and female locking portions secured to the blanket ends. The female locking portion comprises an end of the blanket coating depending from the blanket end and overlying a depending backing liner leg. Both are riveted to a first leg of an L-shaped member. An elastomeric element is secured to an end edge of the second leg via a tongue and groove and/or by bonding. The second leg and element are in interference compressive friction engagement with the channel. The male locking portion is interlocked to the inserted female portion. In other embodiments a separate compressible strip is secured in or formed part of the channel material to engage an end of the second leg. A further shim is in the channel or attached to the first leg and cooperates with the element to provide desired additional compressive frictional engagement with the channel.

Abstract: Locking means for a cutting die blanket including male and female locking elements that may be quickly engaged with minimal effort. A series of shoulders, located in the female section, are provided to engage a ledge on the male section. The locking means is closed by forcing the male section into the female section through a series of steps wherein the ledge and shoulders cooperate to effect engagement.

Abstract: A rotary, die cutting anvil system having a rotatable head with a cover mounted on the peripheral surface thereof. The cover includes inner and outer laminated layers. The outer layer is made of a generally tough resilient composition that is softer than the hard inner layer to which it is bonded. The inner layer has holes for receiving pins. The cover is mounted on the head by forcing the pins into the holes. The resilience and shape of the hard inner layer maintains the cover on the anvil until it is pryed off. The pins may be fixed to the anvil head or be fixed on rings or sleeves slidably mounted in grooves on the periphery of the anvil head to permit linear or oscillatory freewheeling.

Abstract: Rotary die cutting apparatus wherein the die blanket is mounted with respect to the anvil head such that both longitudinal and transverse relative movement is permitted between the die blanket and the anvil head during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller having a core with a channel formed in the surface which extends across the surface of the core. The channel is tapered in width from a first width adjacent a first edge to a second width adjacent a second opposite edge. A blanket is provided for covering the core with the blanket having a split element adapted to fit around the surface of the core and having first and second abutting edges. The blanket has first and second flanges depending from its abutting edges which flanges, when in abutting relationship, define a cross-sectional area substantially identical to the core channel.

Abstract: Anvil structure for use in rotary die cutting apparatus is disclosed to include a shaft mounted anvil head, a slip ring slidably mounted on the anvil head and a die blanket releasably secured to the slip ring.

Abstract: Locking means for a cutting die blanket is disclosed to include male and female locking elements which, when engaged, generate a state of compression in the blanket coating material such as to achieve uniform resistance to penetration throughout the surface of the blanket.