Patents by Inventor James M. Smithwick

James M. Smithwick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10759079
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die assembly is provided that includes a die cylinder, an anvil, and a die board mounted to the die cylinder. The die board includes a series of trim cutting blades. Disposed on the outside of each trim cutting blade is a trim stripper. Secured to the die board adjacent the outside of the trim strippers is a series of retainers that generally retain the trim strippers between trip cutting blades and the retainers. This generally prevents cut pieces of trim from being packed and wedged into a gap between the trim cutting blades and the trim strippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 10357892
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die including a curved die board having a series of product ejector openings formed completely through the die board. Secured to an inner surface of the die board is a substrate. A series of product ejectors are secured to the substrate and project therefrom through the product ejector openings and past an outer surface of the die board. These product ejectors function to engage a portion of a die cut product passing through the nip and exert a force on the die cut product which assists in separating the die cut product from the rotary cutting die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M Smithwick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10022886
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die apparatus is provided for die cutting corrugated board. The apparatus comprises a die board having one or more openings formed therein. A product ejector is secured in the one or more openings for engaging a portion of a die cut product and separating the die cut product from the cutting die. Each product ejector comprises compressible material and includes a main body and one or more tabs integral with the main body or operatively associated with the main body, wherein the tabs are secured to the openings or to another portion of the die board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Saunders, James M. Smithwick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10005198
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die apparatus for die cutting corrugated board. The apparatus comprises a die board having one or more opening formed therein. Inserts are seated and secured in the openings. Product ejectors for ejecting die cut product are adhered or otherwise secured to the inserts that are in turn secured within the openings in the die board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9931759
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die for cutting corrugated board to form a die cut product including one or more product ejectors that are specifically configured to avoid crushing the flutes of the die cut product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James M Smithwick, Jr., Rodney Lee Garmon
  • Publication number: 20180001506
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die includes a curved die board having one or more product ejector openings formed therein. A compressible product ejector is disposed in the product ejector opening for engaging a die cut product and assisting in the separation of the die cut product from the rotary cutting die. Adjacent the product ejector opening is a cutting or scoring rule for cutting or scoring corrugated board. A reinforcement member is embedded into the die board between the product ejector opening and the cutting or scoring rule. The reinforcement member reinforces the cutting or scoring rule, as well as the die board adjacent the reinforcement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Smithwick, JR., David Charles Crawford
  • Publication number: 20180001504
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die for cutting corrugated board to form a die cut product including one or more product ejectors that are specifically configured to avoid crushing the flutes of the die cut product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Smithwick, JR., Rodney Lee Garmon
  • Publication number: 20180001505
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die including a curved die board having a series of product ejector openings formed completely through the die board. Secured to an inner surface of the die board is a substrate. A series of product ejectors are secured to the substrate and project therefrom through the product ejector openings and past an outer surface of the die board. These product ejectors function to engage a portion of a die cut product passing through the nip and exert a force on the die cut product which assists in separating the die cut product from the rotary cutting die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180001503
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die apparatus is provided for die cutting corrugated board. The apparatus comprises a die board having one or more openings formed therein. A product ejector is secured in the one or more openings for engaging a portion of a die cut product and separating the die cut product from the cutting die. Each product ejector comprises compressible material and includes a main body and one or more tabs integral with the main body or operatively associated with the main body, wherein the tabs are secured to the openings or to another portion of the die board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Saunders, James M. Smithwick, JR.
  • Patent number: 9636839
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die for cutting corrugated board includes a die board having an opening therein. Extending through the opening is a cutting or scoring rule. Secured within the opening is one or more inserts that support one or more product ejectors for assisting in separating a die cut product from the cutting die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170028581
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die for cutting corrugated board includes a die board having an opening therein. Extending through the opening is a cutting or scoring rule. Secured within the opening is one or more inserts that support one or more product ejectors for assisting in separating a die cut product from the cutting die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: CONTAINER GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170028580
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die apparatus for die cutting corrugated board. The apparatus comprises a die board having one or more opening formed therein. Inserts are seated and secured in the openings. Product ejectors for ejecting die cut product are adhered or otherwise secured to the inserts that are in turn secured within the openings in the die board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: CONTAINER GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160121507
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die apparatus for cutting and perforating corrugated board comprises a die board having one or more perforating rules. The perforating rule includes a series of spaced apart perforating segments disposed along one edge of the rule. Each perforating segment includes opposed angled shoulders that reduce or minimize the tendency of the corrugated board from becoming hung-up or held on the perforating segments when the perforating segments penetrate the corrugated board to form perforations therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: CONTAINER GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 8549967
    Abstract: A scoring or cutting assembly forms a part of a cutting die used to score and cut corrugated board. The scoring or cutting assembly includes a cutting or scoring rule secured to a die board. First and second elastomers are secured on the die board such that the scoring or cutting rule extends between the elastomers and there is defined a space between the scoring or cutting rule in each of the elastomers. There is also provided a pair of retainers, each retainer being secured to the die board adjacent an outboard side of the elastomers. During a cutting or scoring operation, the elastomers engage the corrugated board on opposite sides of the scoring or cutting rule and apply and inward force to the corrugated board towards the scoring or cutting rule. This causes the corrugated board to resist cracking on opposite sides of the scoring or cutting rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110203435
    Abstract: A rotary cutting die assembly is provided that includes a die cylinder, an anvil, and a die board mounted to the die cylinder. The die board includes a series of trim cutting blades. Disposed on the outside of each trim cutting blade is a trim stripper. Secured to the die board adjacent the outside of the trim strippers is a series of retainers that generally retain the trim strippers between trip cutting blades and the retainers. This generally prevents cut pieces of trim from being packed and wedged into a gap between the trim cutting blades and the trim strippers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CONTAINER GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 6209436
    Abstract: A cutting die for cutting corrugated board that includes a quick attach and detach securing mechanism. The blade securing mechanism allows a blade to be quickly and easily removed from a die board that forms a part of the cutting die, and allows a replacement blade to be quickly and easily inserted into the die board. The die board includes a first slit for receiving a blade and a second slit adjacent the first slit. The blade securing mechanism is associated with the second slit for spreading the second slit and effectively closing the first slit against the blade so as to secure the blade within the first slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 5881620
    Abstract: An elongated rubber ejector is mounted to a die board that forms a part of a cutting die and the ejector functions to engage cut corrugated board and eject the same from the cutting die. The rubber ejector includes upper and lower faces or surfaces with each face including a series of spaced apart raised lugs with a series of spaced apart voids or relief areas disposed between the lugs. Lugs and relief areas formed on one face are staggered with respect to the lugs and relief areas formed on the other face. In practice, the lugs are compressed during a die cutting operation. Once the corrugated board has been cut and the die board and an opposed anvil have been moved apart, the lugs and the ejector expand and in the process the rubber ejector engages the cut corrugated board and ejects the same from the cutting die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Container Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Smithwick, Jr., Jack R. Simpson, Jeffrey Geer
  • Patent number: 5636559
    Abstract: A resilient-scrap ejector is provided for a cutting die. The scrap ejector includes an elongated body made of a resilient material. The elongated body includes a longitudinally-extending web. A plurality of lugs extend from opposite sides of the web and are separated by notches. The notches provide void spaces which allow for deformation for the elongated body when the elongated body is subjected to compressive forces. The scrap ejector is located in a cavity or recess formed in the cutting die for ejecting and stripping scrap severed from the blank. By providing displacement zones or voids, the height of the scrap ejector can be increased without compressing the material beyond the limits of its resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventors: James M. Smithwick, Jr., Jack R. Simpson, Jeffrey Geer
  • Patent number: 5409442
    Abstract: An adjustable-height scoring rule includes a base member and a plurality of interchangeable scoring inserts which are detachably secured to the base member to adjust the height of the scoring rule. The base member includes insert-receiver for receiving the scoring insert. In one embodiment, the insert-receiver comprises a longitudinally-extending channel formed in the top of the base member. The scoring insert includes an insert portion that fits within the channel of the base member. In a second embodiment, the insert receiving means comprises a longitudinally extending boss, and the scoring insert includes a channel member that engages the boss on the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: James M. Smithwick, Jr.