Abstract: The present invention provides a die holder with one or more pre-located recessed areas or voids into which cutting dies can be quickly and easily inserted and secured. The die holder mounts quickly to the cylinder, and can be quickly removed for alternative operations. The die holder can be made according to the operator needs for different types, sizes and positions of dies. Unused voids can be filled with ‘blank’ blocks to achieve a consistent or uniform surface height for the full 360 degree area of the die cylinder. The present invention further provides a removable scrap control apparatus that is not attached permanently to the die cylinder on which it is used, which permits the use of a multiple blade die or a plurality of single blade dies on the same die cylinder without requiring permanent holes, slots or other means to accommodate the scrap control apparatus on the die cylinder or anvil cylinder.

Abstract: A knife holder assembly for a rotary cutting machine includes a holder with a top portion and side portion each including an opening, and an adjusting member with a top portion and side portion each including an opening. The inner side portion of the holder is tapered at an angle substantially the same as the side portion of the adjusting member. A fastener can be inserted through the top portion opening of the holder and the top portion opening of the adjusting member thereby moving the adjusting member in a direction away from the outer side portion of the holder to clamp an inserted knife between the backing portion and the outer side portion of the holder.

Abstract: A bridge assembly includes a urethane-base flexible bridge die having an inner surface and an outer surface. The bridge die is formed for use on a discrete section of a rotary die cylinder and is used with at least one rotary cutting die mounted to the rotary die cylinder. The bridge die has at least one score so that the bridge assembly may be resized by removing a portion of the bridge assembly at the score. A plurality of rubber strips are also included and are attached to the outer surface of the bridge die.

Abstract: A bridge assembly includes a urethane-base flexible bridge die having an inner surface and an outer surface. The bridge die is formed for use on a discrete section of a rotary die cylinder and is used with at least one rotary cutting die mounted to the rotary die cylinder. The bridge die has at least one score so that the bridge assembly may be resized by removing a portion of the bridge assembly at the score. A plurality of rubber strips are also included and are attached to the outer surface of the bridge die.

Abstract: A rotary cutting die includes a translucent or transparent rotary die plate having an inner surface and an outer surface. A cutting rule that defines a cutting design is supported by the die plate. The cutting rule includes a cutting edge, which extends above the outer surface of the die plate, and a support edge disposed within the die plate. The support edge preferably includes a plurality of key-hole shaped notches. Preferably, a plurality of S-shaped hooks are connected to the key-hole notches, and serve to reinforce the rotary die plate and to support the cutting rule in the rotary die plate. The die plate is preferably formed from an epoxy material that, upon hardening or setting, exhibits a low shrink factor.

Abstract: A knife holder assembly for a rotary cutting machine includes a holder with a top portion and side portion each including an opening, and an adjusting member with a body portion and an extender. The extender is adapted to extend through the side portion opening and has a backing portion at its end. The body portion has an indention with a tapered sidewall for allowing a fastener to be inserted through the top portion opening and contact the tapered sidewall thereby moving the adjusting member in a direction away from the side portion to clamp an inserted knife between the backing portion and the side portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a perforation cutting rule for a rotary cutting machine and method of operating the same. The cutting rule has a length, height and thickness and includes a plurality of dovetail-shaped gaps formed along a longitudinal edge to define a plurality of dovetail-shaped cutting teeth. Each tooth includes an outer cutting end and an inner base end, the outer cutting end having a length greater than an inner base end. As the cutting end cuts through multiple sheets the angled sides of the dovetail-shaped teeth provide a relief area to prevent the sheets from bunching or pulling against the teeth during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method of forming a rotary cutting die includes the following steps. A curved cutting rule transfer plate including an inner surface and an outer surface is provided. A cutting rule channel is formed in the transfer plate, and defines a predetermined design. A cutting rule having a cutting edge and a support edge is placed in the cutting rule channel. The support edge of the cutting rule extends from the inner surface of the transfer plate. A translucent rotary die place is formed on the inner surface of the transfer plate. The support edge of the cutting rule extends into and is supported in the rotary die plate. The transfer plate is then removed from the rotary die plate.

Abstract: A rotary embossing die includes a curved metallic plate having an inner and an outer surface. An embossing design is etched on the outer surface of the metallic plate and an epoxy-based support plate is formed on the inner surface of the metallic plate. The metallic plate and the support plate preferably cooperate to define a shoulder. Die clips positioned around the shoulder are used to fasten the embossing die to the die cylinder of a rotary embossing machine. The metallic plate can be formed from brass or magnesium, and is preferably curved to any suitable radius.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing scrap around the die cut blanks in a web comprising a pair of rolls through which the web is passed, one roll carrying flexible pointed fingers arranged substantially parallel thereto for impaling the scrap pieces and the other roll carrying resilient material opposed said flexible pointed fingers to contact the scrap pieces so they may be impaled by the pointed fingers. Scrap pieces are impinged on the pointed fingers as the scrap pieces pass between the fingers and resilient material before the nip of the rolls and are pushed outwardly from the surface of the roll by the flexible point finger for removal by a comb, brush or vacuum means.