Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A jogger is provided for aligning carton blanks die cut from a sheet supported on inner grid mounted to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The jogger includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member having a recess formed therein and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jogger element is positioned within the recess and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A fastening element extends through the bore through the plate member and is receivable in a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: A jogger is provided for aligning carton blanks die cut from a sheet supported on inner grid mounted to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The jogger includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member having a recess formed therein and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jogger element is positioned within the recess and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A fastening element extends through the bore through the plate member and is receivable in a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: A rail assembly is provided for supporting a blanking tool insert on an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a die cutting machine. The rail assembly includes an elongated insert receiving structure for receiving a portion of the blanking tool insert. A plate member is interconnected to the outer frame and a clamping structure is operatively connected to the plate member. The clamping structure is movable between a clamping position for rigidly retaining a portion of the insert receiving structure against the plate member and a release position.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes an outer frame comprised of a pair of opposite longitudinally extending side rails and a pair of opposite cross rails extending crosswise between the side rails. Each of the cross rails has a T-shaped slot formed therein opening to its inner surface, and each of the side rails have a T-shaped slot formed therein opening to its upper surface. Each slot extends downwardly at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. A plurality of corner pieces rigidly interconnect the rails together with fasteners extending into the T-shaped slots of adjacent side and cross rails so that when tightened, the corner pieces function like clamps to rigidly interconnect the rails together.

Abstract: A stiffening rail support is provided for attaching a stiffening rail to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine to discourage the flexing thereof. The stiffening rail support includes a clamping piece defining a vertically extending inner face, an opposite vertically extending outer face, and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jaw element is operatively connected to the clamp piece so as to define a clamp cavity therebetween. The jaw element is movable between a clamping position for retaining a portion of the stiffening rail in the clamp cavity and a release position.

Abstract: A clamp piece is provided for interconnecting an inner grid to an outer frame of a frame assembly of a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The clamp piece includes a plate member having inner and outer faces and a cavity formed therein for receiving a portion of the bar that makes up the inner grid. A bore extends between the inner face and the outer face of the plate member along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A screw extends through the bore and into the outer frame to interconnect the clamp piece to the outer frame. A clamping structure is positioned within the cavity and is movable between a clamping position for retaining the portion of the bar in the cavity of the plate member and a release position.

Abstract: A bracket for properly locating a lower blanking tool with respect to a pull-out frame during a blanking operation in a carton die cutting machine. The bracket is mounted on the inner side of a side rail for the lower blanking tool and includes a projecting spring member releasably engageable within a groove formed in the top side of a corresponding cross rail of the pull-out frame. The bracket also includes a projecting datum member engageable with the inner side of the pull-out frame's cross rail to aid in positioning the lower blanking tool on the pull-out frame.

Abstract: A stiffening assembly is provided for stiffening an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine to discourage the flexing thereof. The stiffening assembly includes an elongated rod and a clamping piece defining a vertically extending inner face, an opposite vertically extending outer face, and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jaw element is operatively connected to the clamp piece so as to define a clamp cavity therebetween. The jaw element is movable between a clamping position for retaining a portion of the elongated rod in the clamp cavity and a release position.

Abstract: A jogger is provided for aligning carton blanks die cut from a sheet supported on inner grid mounted to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The jogger includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member having a recess formed therein and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A jogger element is positioned within the recess and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A fastening element extends through the bore through the plate member and is receivable in a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: A panel connection device is provided for attaching a panel of an inner grid to an outer frame for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The panel connection device includes a plate member defining inner and outer faces. The plate member has a recess formed therein for receiving a portion of the panel and a bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A clamping structure extends into the recess in the plate member for retaining a portion of the panel therein. A fastening element extends through the bore in the plate member into a corresponding slot in the outer frame to interconnect the plate member to the outer frame.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for interconnecting a grid element to a support rail for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The connection device includes a generally flat base having first and second sides and an inner surface for engaging the grid element. First and second connection arms depend from opposite sides of the base. The connection arms have terminal ends receivable in corresponding first grooves in the support rail. A flyer extends from the connection device for raising a scrap portion of the carton above the grid element after a blanking operation.

Abstract: A clamp piece is provided for interconnecting an inner grid to an outer frame of a frame assembly of a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The clamp piece includes a plate member having inner and outer faces and a cavity formed therein for receiving a portion of the bar that makes up the inner grid. A bore extends between the inner face and the outer face of the plate member along an axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A screw extends through the bore and into the outer frame to interconnect the clamp piece to the outer frame. A clamping structure is positioned within the cavity and is movable between a clamping position for retaining the portion of the bar in the cavity of the plate member and a release position.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes an outer frame comprised of a pair of opposite longitudinally extending side rails and a pair of opposite cross rails extending crosswise between the side rails. Each of the cross rails has a T-shaped slot formed therein opening to its inner surface, and each of the side rails have a T-shaped slot formed therein opening to its upper surface. Each slot extends downwardly at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. A plurality of corner pieces rigidly interconnect the rails together with fasteners extending into the T-shaped slots of adjacent side and cross rails so that when tightened, the corner pieces function like clamps to rigidly interconnect the rails together.

Abstract: A flush mounted presser assembly for a die cutting machine. The presser assembly includes a support member having an upper surface which defines a substantially horizontal plane, a presser movable vertically in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the support member between a first extended position spaced from the support member beneath the horizontal plane and a second retracted position also beneath the horizontal plane of the support member, and a mounting arrangement for mounting the presser to the support member wherein the mounting arrangement is disposed flush with or below the horizontal plane of the support member so that none of its components extend or project above the horizontal plane of the support member. The mounting arrangement comprises a base mounted on the support, a linkage assembly interconnecting the base and presser, and a spring for biasing the linkage assembly and presser toward its first extended position away from the support member.

Abstract: A flush mounted presser assembly for a die cutting machine. The presser assembly includes a support member having an upper surface which defines a substantially horizontal plane, a presser movable vertically in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the support member between a first extended position spaced from the support member beneath the horizontal plane and a second retracted position also beneath the horizontal plane of the support member, and a mounting arrangement for mounting the presser to the support member wherein the mounting arrangement is disposed flush with or below the horizontal plane of the support member so that none of its components extend or project above the horizontal plane of the support member. The mounting arrangement comprises a base mounted on the support, a linkage assembly interconnecting the base and presser, and a spring for biasing the linkage assembly and presser toward its first extended position away from the support member.

Abstract: A hollow gripper bar having a hexagonal profile which reduces the bending and torsional stresses applied thereto by the acceleration and deceleration of the bar in a die cutting machine. The gripper bar includes an upper wall, a spaced lower wall, a leading wall and a trailing wall extending between the upper and lower walls. The leading wall includes a front top portion extending transversely from the upper wall and a front bottom portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the front top wall portion. The trailing wall is similar in design to the leading wall and includes a rear top portion extending transversely from the upper wall and a rear bottom portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the rear top portion. Both the front top portion and rear top portion have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the upper wall.