Abstract: A method and apparatus for die cutting at least one blank in a sheet and stripping waste material therefrom, characterized by forming a band of interconnected individual sheets by positioning the leading edge of the sheet in alignment with the trailing edge of the last sheet in the band, interconnecting the edges and then intermittently conveying the band of interconnected sheets through a platen press with a dwell for die cutting, followed by a dwell in a stripper station for removing waste and then separating the die cut sheet prior to transfer to a delivery station for subsequent handling. In the preferred embodiments, the separating of the sheets can be accomplished subsequent to the stripping of the waste material or during the stripping operation.

Abstract: A sheet carrying apparatus for use in a sheet processing machine characterized by a continuously moving belt for transporting a sheet from a sheet receiving station, a pressing member coacting with the belt to ensure nipping of a leading edge of a sheet between the pressing member and belt as the sheet is received at the sheet receiving station, and a device for shifting the pressure member between an advanced position engaging the leading edge of the sheet in the sheet receiving station and a retracted position which is clear of the leading edge of the sheet as it is received on the belt. Preferably, the pressure member is a roller mounted on an end of a lever which pivots on an axle and the axle is provided with pinion gears at each end which are engaged on spaced rack gears with the shifting device including an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder engaging one end of the axle and a guide for each end of the axle so that the axle moves in a linear path.