Abstract: A die cutting/scoring apparatus has die cutting/scoring and blanket covered steel anvil roller pairs arranged in sections some of which sections displace to permit dismounting of and changing die cutting/scoring rule members or printing members mounted on plywood substrates, which are bolted to a roller. The roller pairs also convey sheet material being processed through the sections. Sheet material pliable drive members are provided which replace the die cutting rule members or printing members on a roller in an idle section. The drive members comprise pliable magnetic substrates made of vinyl, rubber or elastomeric material which magnetically attach to a corresponding steel roller that is being idled. A pliable compressible foam or other rubber or plastic material high friction drive engagement member is bonded to the substrate forming a strip which is easily and quickly wrapped about a roller.

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: 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 and to support the first layer. The first layer outer work surface is roughened to mimic a shot peened surface.

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 circular cylindrical bearing section for a die cutter blanket comprises two segments pivoted relative to each other at one interface therebetween and resiliently urged radially apart by spring plungers at a second interface therebetween. A blanket section is wrapped about the two segments which are resiliently urged against the overlying blanket section secured to the bearing section by a conventional channel in the bearing and mating male-female interlocking members on the blanket. An array of bearing-blanket sections on an anvil roll are axially coupled by annularly spaced mating pins and notches at opposite axially facing edges of the bearing sections. The array of bearing-blanket sections are selectively slid as a unit along the anvil roll to rapidly relocate the blanket sections to minimize local blanket wear. The interlock members of each blanket section may be misaligned axially with the respect to the interlock members of the adjacent blanket sections.

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.