Abstract: A cutter arrangement for media processing equipment, including a cutter module to be arranged on a shaft via a dedicated one of a number of transmission devices, at least one of the cutter module and the transmission devices comprising a registration feature to guide a user to arrange the cutter module on the dedicated one of the number of transmission devices.

Abstract: A combination printer and cutting device for printing upon and cutting a web of media or tag stock into individual units. The device may cut vinyl, plastic, or RFID stock material as it moves through the printer in both back and forth directions. The device comprises a printer and a cutting apparatus that is further comprised of a carriage assembly and a movable cutter assembly. The cutter assembly is easily interchangeable and comprises a cutting element such as a wheel blade, and a pressure adjusting element for adjusting the amount of pressure applied by the cutting element to the stock material. Alternatively, the cutter assembly may be manufactured with a predetermined pressure load, but still permit an operator to adjust the depth of cut. The cutting apparatus is adaptable for use with both new and existing printers.

Abstract: A configurable cutter mechanism for a printer and corresponding methods are provided. The cutter mechanism may comprise a rotary cutter mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for translation across at least a portion of a width of a paper path perpendicular to the rotation axis. A fixed blade assembly may be provided that is adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter. The fixed blade assembly may extend across the width of the paper path. A controller may be provided for controlling a variable length of travel of the rotary cutter across the width of the paper path. The paper path runs between the rotary cutter and the fixed blade assembly.

Abstract: The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using concentric cutters in which a rotatable cutter having floating teeth rotates concentrically about a stationary cutter having fixed teeth. The object is cut by a severing action caused by the floating teeth of the rotatable cutter sliding against the fixed teeth of the stationary cutter. Embodiments of the invention include a UUV system for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects, concentric cutting assemblies for use in the UUV system and other systems, and a method for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects. A UUV system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a concentric cutting assembly at the forward end and a propulsor at the aft end. The concentric cutting assembly integrates seamlessly within the UUV housing and is deployed from the forward end of the UUV, enabling the UUV to quickly and efficiently penetrate through objects blocking its path.

Abstract: The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using concentric cutters in which a rotatable cutter having floating teeth rotates concentrically about a stationary cutter having fixed teeth. The object is cut by a severing action caused by the floating teeth of the rotatable cutter sliding against the fixed teeth of the stationary cutter. Embodiments of the invention include a UUV system for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects, concentric cutting assemblies for use in the UUV system and other systems, and a method for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects. A UUV system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a concentric cutting assembly at the forward end and a propulsor at the aft end. The concentric cutting assembly integrates seamlessly within the UUV housing and is deployed from the forward end of the UUV, enabling the UUV to quickly and efficiently penetrate through objects blocking its path.

Abstract: Cutting device for cutting strips from a band of material (8). The cutting device is provided with an elongate upper knife (1) and a lower knife (2) that is movable in longitudinal direction along the elongate upper knife (1), for cutting the material (8) by the movement of the lower knife (2) along the upper knife (1). The elongate upper knife (1) can be swiveled to at least substantially abutting contact with the lower knife (2), wherein the swiveling comprises at least a component transverse to the elongate upper knife (1). The upper knife (1) can be swiveled to against the lower knife (2) by means of an electromotor, in particular a servomotor (5), wherein the upper knife (1) exerts a force on the lower knife (2).

Abstract: A configurable cutter mechanism for a printer and corresponding methods are provided. The cutter mechanism may comprise a rotary cutter mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for translation across at least a portion of a width of a paper path perpendicular to the rotation axis. A fixed blade assembly may be provided that is adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter. The fixed blade assembly may extend across the width of the paper path. A controller may be provided for controlling a variable length of travel of the rotary cutter across the width of the paper path. The paper path runs between the rotary cutter and the fixed blade assembly.

Abstract: A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet of paper includes a base configured to support the at least one sheet, a rail extending across at least a portion of the base, and a cutting assembly having a carriage slidably coupled to the rail and a blade positioned on the carriage. The trimmer also includes a blade opposing member coupled to the base adjacent to the rail and an indicator operable to display a usable life status of at least one of the blade and the blade opposing member.

Abstract: A counter-die includes a tubular body, divided into several parts (1-1?-1?) and joined to each other by tongue and groove joints using twisted edges (2) at the ends, preferentially three parts, these having an inner sector (3) which is the largest, of injected plastic, very resistant and light, over the exterior surface of which there is a coating (4) of polyurethane. The parts are joined to each other by orifices (7) and grooves (8) in their ends, more specifically in the area made of injected plastic, through which respective rods or pins (11) pass.

Abstract: The device comprises a path for the web material (N) and, along said path, at least one cutting unit (7A). The cutting unit comprises: a plurality of intermediate disk-shaped blades (9A) disposed on one side of the feed path of the material, which can be positioned transversely to the direction of feed and cooperating with a fixed counter-blade (33A) disposed on the opposite side of said path. Also provided are two lateral disk-shaped blades (10A) to cut the trimmings; and a member for transverse positioning of the blades. The two lateral blades each cooperate with a respective movable counter-blade (71A), separate from the fixed counter-blade, which can be positioned transversely to the direction of feed of the web material.

Abstract: Specially designed to form an element that is easy and fast to install, with a long useful life and which improves the expulsion of residues after stamping, the counter-die of the invention is composed of a tubular body, divided into several parts (1-1?-1?) and joined to each other by tongue and groove joints using twisted edges (2) at the ends, preferentially three parts, these having an inner sector (3) which is the largest, of injected plastic, very resistant and light, over the exterior surface of which there is a coating (4) of polyurethane. The parts are joined to each other by orifices and grooves in their ends, more specifically in the area made of injected plastic, through which the respective rods or pins (11) pass.

Abstract: The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using concentric cutters in which a rotatable cutter having floating teeth rotates concentrically about a stationary cutter having fixed teeth. The object is cut by a severing action caused by the floating teeth of the rotatable cutter sliding against the fixed teeth of the stationary cutter. Embodiments of the invention include a UUV system for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects, concentric cutting assemblies for use in the UUV system and other systems, and a method for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects. A UUV system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a concentric cutting assembly at the forward end and a propulsor at the aft end. The concentric cutting assembly integrates seamlessly within the UUV housing and is deployed from the forward end of the UUV, enabling the UUV to quickly and efficiently penetrate through objects blocking its path.

Abstract: Specially designed to form an element that is easy and fast to install, with a long useful life and which improves the expulsion of residues after stamping, the counter-die of the invention is composed of a tubular body, divided into several parts (1-1?-1?) and joined to each other by tongue and groove joints using twisted edges (2) at the ends, preferentially three parts, these having an inner sector (3) which is the largest, of injected plastic, very resistant and light, over the exterior surface of which there is a coating (4) of polyurethane. The parts are joined to each other by orifices and grooves in their ends, more specifically in the area made of injected plastic, through which the respective rods or pins (11) pass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting continuously conveyed printed products (5). The cutting device has multiple conveying elements (3) which run around a closed path for conveying at least one single printed product (5) or printed product groups (5?). The printed products (5, 5?) are moved along their conveyance path past at least one cutting station (10). In each cutting station, at least one edge of the printed product (5) is cut by knife blades (11, 12) and counter blades (13, 14) in a shear cut. For this shear cut, according to the invention, multiple self-sharpening blades (11, 12) come into cutting engagement with at least one counter blade (13, 14). Alternatively, multiple counter blades (13, 14) come into cutting engagement with at least one self-sharpening blade (11, 12). A significant improvement in edge retention and cutting quality is achieved by means of targeted blade kinematics, blade arrangement, product guidance, and blade geometry.

Abstract: A manually operable cutter device for cutting flexible sheet material, the cutter device comprising a cutter body which is movable over a work surface on which the flexible sheet being cut can rest. The device comprises a cutting blade assembly operatively mounted to the cutter body and including a rotatable cutter blade having a peripheral edge portion and a fixed cutter blade adapted to cooperate together to provide a cutting zone in which sheet material can be cut. The rotatable cutting blade is mounted for rotation about an axis which extends generally laterally with respect to a normal feed direction of the sheet material to the cutting zone and the direction of rotation of the peripheral edge portion through the cutting zone is in the normal feed direction. The tangential peripheral speed of the rotating cutter blade in the cutting zone is not less than the speed of the feed of sheet material to the cutting zone.

Abstract: A combining device for the chopper set of a table sawing machine includes at least a fixing base, a chopper plate and an eccentric shaft. The fixing base secured in a table sawing machine body has a vertical wall bored with a threaded hole and having its opposite sides respectively provided with a position-limiting recess. The eccentric shaft has its front side screwed in the threaded hole of the fixing base, disposed with an eccentric press member. The chopper plate has its lower end formed with a positioning member fitted in the position-limiting recesses, cut with a long notch at a location matching with the threaded hole. When the eccentric shaft is rotated, the press member presses one sidewall of the long notch to firmly fix the chopper plate in the position-limiting recesses of the fixing base.

Abstract: A roll paper cutter, for cutting roll paper which is fed out from a roll of paper so that it can be separated from an outer circumference of the roll of paper, comprises: a rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail perpendicular to the roll paper feeding direction; a stationary knife fixed at and supported by a carriage moving along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail; and a rotary knife pivotally supported by the carriage and rotated coming into contact with the stationary knife when the carriage is moved. When the carriage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the rail, a cutting edge intersection formed by the rotary knife, which is rotated by the movement of the carriage, and also formed by the stationary knife crosses and cuts the roll paper in the width direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a running paperboard web includes a thin high speed rotary slitting blade that is plunged through the moving web and into a slot between a pair of anvil surfaces supporting the web on the opposite side. Because the slitting blade and the anvil surfaces are vertically separated and pre-positioned before order change, an adjustment apparatus is provided to spread the anvil surfaces apart to provide an open gap with a large target for blade edge when it is plunged through the web and into the slot. The anvil surfaces are then closed to bring the edges of the surfaces against the opposite faces of the blade for running operation. Preferably, the anvil surfaces are mounted on brackets hinged together below the surfaces to move the edges of the surfaces defining the slot between the opened and closed positions in the manner of a clam shell.

Abstract: A roll paper cutter, for cutting roll paper which is fed out from a roll of paper so that it can be separated from an outer circumference of the roll of paper, comprises: a rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail perpendicular to the roll paper feeding direction; a stationary knife fixed at and supported by a carriage moving along the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail; and a rotary knife pivotally supported by the carriage and rotated coming into contact with the stationary knife when the carriage is moved. When the carriage is moved in the longitudinal direction of the rail, a cutting edge intersection formed by the rotary knife, which is rotated by the movement of the carriage, and also formed by the stationary knife crosses and cuts the roll paper in the width direction.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting long lengths of sheet material, roll material, or web material into predetermined or discrete lengths comprises a frame having a stationary blade extending transversely of the frame and a carriage movable transversely of the material to be cut having a movable blade thereon that cooperates with the stationary blade to cut material. The movable blade is mounted on the carriage so that it can be canted at an angle with respect to the stationary blade during transverse movement of the carriage in one direction and can be oppositely canted at an angle with respect to the stationary blade during movement of the carriage in the opposite direction. In one embodiment, a toggle mechanism is used to cant the movable blade. In a second embodiment, a fluid cylinder is used to cant the movable blade.

Abstract: This is a cutter assembly for linerless strip media having an uncovered adhesive backing. There is a cutter for transverse movement across the media and a backing bar with at least two cutting edges. The backing bar can be rotated to place one of the cutting edges in contact with the cutter. A cleaning station cleans the previously used cutting edge as the bar is rotated. Rotating and fixed cutters can be used. The cutter is replaceable and can be supplied in combination with as associated media for which it is designed. The cutter may partially cut the media to make it separate without fouling the cutter with adhesive. A self-healing "solid" roller is also disclosed.

Abstract: The rotary cutting blade is mounted on a cutting machine which dispenses and cuts sheet material. The cutting machine includes a frame for supporting a cutting table top and a dispenser for supporting a roll of floor covering material. The rotary disk shaped cutting blade is mounted on a support block the frame below the table top for movement along a slot in the cutting table. A cable or chain driven rotary drive drives the block back and forth and at the same time provides the rotary motion to the cutting disk in a direction such that a leading edge of the disk moves upwardly relative to the floor covering material as it cuts. The chain passes over a sprocket on the block which carries a clutch so that the clutch slips when the block reaches one end of the slot and allows the chain to continue driving the rotary blade. A rotary sharpening disk is mounted at one end of the slot and is driven by the chain so as to rotate against the blade in a sharpening action while the block remains stationary.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism having a movable carriage and two cutters. Each cutter has an anvil that opposes a blade, and one of these is a roller that rolls against the other for progressively biasing material against the blades, producing cuts through the material. The rollers are rotatably mounted to the carriage, which is mounted to a lead screw that controls the position of the carriage. As the carriage moves across the material, the rollers roll, and the material is cut. The space between the anvil and the blade of at least one of the cutters can be varied to disengage that cutter so that the rolling of the roller will not cut the material. The engagement and disengagement of the cutter is dependent on the position of the carriage.

Abstract: This is a cutter assembly for linerless strip media having an uncovered adhesive backing. There is a cutter mounted for transverse movement across the media and a backing bar with at least two cutting edges. The backing bar can be rotated to place one of the cutting edges in position to cooperate with the cutter to cut the media. The backing bar is rotatable about a transverse axis simultaneously with feed movement of the media at a rotational speed equal to the feed speed of the media. This causes the media to ride up on a pointed portion of a cutting edge without dragging across the cutting edge as the cutting edge moves into a use position in which the media is supported by a support surface of the cutting edge. A cleaning station cleans the previously used cutting edge as the bar is rotated. Rotating and fixed cutters can be used. The cutter is replaceable and can be supplied in combination with an associated media for which it is designed.

Abstract: To adapt a punch press to cut work blanks, a cutting mechanism having a freely rotating cutting wheel is provided to a first support of the punch press while a corresponding die having a groove for mating with the cutting wheel is provided to a second support of the punch press. To operate, the cutting wheel is moved toward the die a given distance such that the cutting edge of the cutting wheel slidably mates with the cutting edge of the groove of the die to effect cutting of the workpiece. By synchronously rotating both the cutting wheel and the die to different orientations while maintaining their respective cutting edges aligned and in sliding contact with each other, by moving a worksheet relative to the cutter wheel and die, a multidirectional cut path may be effected on the worksheet.

Abstract: A cutting module comprises a circular knife and a circular bedknife rotatively mounted on a frame in such a way that their respective axes are substantially parallel to each other. The distance between the axis of the knife and the bedknife is such that their respective periphery is brought close together or brought to bear on each other over a part of their periphery in order to cut a web passing between the knife and bedknife. The knife or the bedknife are mounted on a mechanism provided with an adjustable eccentric so as to adjust the penetration by modifying the height of engagement of the knife with respect to the bedknife.

Abstract: A screw shaft supporting structure capable of absorbing elongation of a screw shaft due to changes in environmental temperatures irrespective of the position of the rotary blade on said screw shaft is disclosed. In the sheet material cutting device, that portion of the screw shaft which is supported by a bushing and another portion thereof supported by a frame end absorbs elongation of the screw shaft due to heat. When the supporting member holding the rotary blade is positioned at A in FIG. 1, elongation of the screw shaft due to thermal expansion is absorbed in a gap formed between the stepped portion of the screw shaft and the frame end. When the supporting member holding the rotary blade is positioned at B in FIG. 1, elongation of the screw shaft due to thermal expansion is absorbed in a gap S1 formed between the stepped portion of the screw shaft and the bushing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a belt-shaped member includes: a lower blade; a cutter; a holder for supporting the cutter; a carriage for revolving the holder about an axis of revolution intersecting an axis of rotation of the cutter by maintaining a very small angle to the axis of rotation of the cutter; a revolving mechanism for revolving the holder about the axis of revolution to cause the cutter to undergo precession about the axis of revolution, a direction of inclination of the cutter being set such that, when the belt-shaped member is cut from one side toward other side of the lower blade, a side of the cutter on the other side of the lower blade is located closer to the lower blade, while when the belt-shaped member is cut from the other side toward the one side of the lower blade, a side of the cutter on the one side of the lower blade is located closer to the lower blade; and a moving mechanism for moving the cutter and the holder along the lower blade.

Abstract: An improved disc-shaped knife rotary cutter which has a reduced size and is not complicated in structure as a whole, and which require a knife only on the upper side of a traveling sheet. The knife can be used over a long period and paper powder produced as a result of cutting of a sheet by the knife can be removed by a suction box extending over a full width of the sheet. The improved rotary cutter performs cutting by moving a knife edge portion of a rotating disc-shaped knife into a surface of a sheet being successively fed. On the underside of the traveling sheet, a brush consisting of rod-shaped brush elements is fixed on a backing table over the entire region in the lateral widthwise direction of the sheet. A knife edge of the knife is disposed close to a front end portion of the backing table and upon transfer of the knife in the lateral widthwise direction of the sheet the knife is raised to be disengaged from the brush and the sheet and then it is transferred and set in position.

Abstract: A paper cutting device provided in a facsimile machine, copier, printer, or the like for cutting paper discharged from a roll at a predetermined length. The paper cutting device includes a stationary cutter (2), a movable cutter (5) and movable carriage (3) to which the movable cutter is secured and which is movable along the stationary cutter (2) so that the stationary cutter in cooperation with the movable cutter cut the paper. The stationary cutter (2) extends in the lateral direction of the paper which is supplied to the paper cutting device. The carriage (3) includes a front plow portion (33a) for guiding the paper to a cutting position where the stationary cutter (2) and the movable cutter (5) overlap. When the carriage (3) traverses to cut the paper, the paper is urged toward the cutting position by the front plow portion and is cut. Thereafter, the cut portion of the paper is separated from the carriage 3 at a curved concave portion 33d of the carriage.

Abstract: A portable tool for forming louvers in a sheet metal work piece. The tool has a substantially C-shaped frame with an upper leg, a lower leg, and a body forming a throat in which the louvers are formed. A female die assembly is mounted on the lower leg of the frame. A male die is positioned in a carriage which slides longitudinally along the upper leg of the frame. Stops define the length of travel of the carriage and clamps hold the work piece between the female die assembly and the male die. An increasing cutting and forming force is applied to the male die, and against the work piece and the female die assembly, until a louver is cut and formed in the work piece.

Abstract: A sheet material cutter which cuts a sheet material by the cooperation of a circular rotary cutting blade moving while rotating and a long sheet-shaped fixed cutting blade, and provides a sheet material cutter, having a simple construction. The device permits satisfactory cutting of a strip-shaped sheet material such as paper by simply causing the rotary cutting blade to incline by an angle necessary for cutting, both in forward and backward motions of the rotary cutting blade, by the cooperation of the circular rotary cutting blade moving while rotating, a roller for rotating this rotary cutting blade and a roller guide.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having a holding member for holding a sheet; a plurality of cutter member for cutting the sheet held by the holding member; and a shifting member engaged by the plurality of cutting member, for shifting the plurality of cutting member in parallel with each other. The shifting member is so designed that it can shift the cutting means without aligning them perpendicular to a cutting direction during the cutting of the sheet.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for cutting sheets of relatively thin material is disclosed. The cutter assembly comprises a base member, a pair of support posts securely attached to the base member, and an elongated guide rail having a first end and a second end supported by the support posts in laterally spaced relation to the base member. A cutting strip is securely retained by the base member for receiving the sheets of material thereon. There is a cutter head slidably mounted on the elongated guide rail, and a cutting wheel operatively retained in rotatable relation by the cutter head. A spring biasing means biases the cutting wheel toward the cutting strip such that the cutting wheel is received in intimately contacting relation against the cutting strip. The cutting wheel moves along the elongated guide rail so as to intimately contact the cutting strip along the length thereof, so as to thereby permit cutting of the sheets of material when they are between the cutting wheel and the cutting strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming lateral marginal portions of a scalloped stream of partially overlapping sheets has two counterknives at that side of the path for the sheets which is adjacent the leaders of successive sheets and a pair of rotary knives located opposite the counterknives at the side of the path which is adjacent the trailing ends of successive sheets. The sheets of the stream of sheets issuing from a printing machine must be inverted by 180.degree. if the counterknives are located beneath the respective rotary knives. Trimming operations which are carried out upon successive sheets having leaders at that side of the path which is adjacent the counterknives are less likely to result in tearing of the sheets than the trimming operations in conventional apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a strip of paper along transverse cut lines spaced along the strip of paper. The apparatus permits ready access to adjustable paper cutting blades utilized in the apparatus and enables ready adjustment of the direction of travel of the strip of paper with respect to the cutting blades to compensate for skewing of the cut lines wiht respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip of paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cutting apparatus which is an improvement over co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,151 including a mechanism for accelerating the cutting mechanism prior to transverse severing of a traveling web; wherein an elongate knife and a cooperating rotatable knife are mounted on separate mounting members which are biased to urge the knives into cutting cooperation; wherein an electric motor is stationarily mounted and the cutting mechanism moves together with the traveling web, and the electric motor causes the rotatable knife to travel through a flexible drive connection; and wherein the rotatable knife is mounted for sliding movement on a slide mounted on a rod, with the slide having a bearing protected by and between a pair of spaced floating seals received on the rod.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for maintaining the cutting conditions constant at a rotary punch by bringing the rotary punch to a constant, predetermined temperature and maintaining the rotary punch at that temperature. Tempering elements are included in the rotary punch so as to maintain constant and set the spacing of the cylindrical envelope described by the cutting edge or edges from the opposing tool.

Abstract: A tape cutter for cutting postage imprinted tape is disclosed. The tape cutter includes a cutting wheel which is moved by a motor from one side of the tape across the tape to the other side of the tape to cut it. The motor moves the cutting wheel across the tape in a given direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A cutter module for a mailing machine having a support wall and base includes a cutter support member slideably mounted to one of the mailing machine support walls such that the cutter support member can be slideably displaced longitudinally traversed to a tape portion. The mailing machine includes tape eject mechanism for ejecting indicia printed tape portions. A rotary cutter blade is rotatively mounted to the cutter support member. A drive mechanism reciprocally displaces the cutter support member traverse to the tape portion. A cutter beam is provided coactive with the rotary cutter blade.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for adjusting the knife clearance in sheet cutters. In a sheet cutter, the web material is cut by means of a cutter drum (1) rotated by drive mechanism (4) and provided with cutting knives (2), and a counter knife (5) disposed in a knife support (6) and positioned at knife clearance distance from the moving cutting knives (2). In the method according to the invention, the cutting forces acting on the cutting knives of the sheet cutters, or their effect on the structure of the sheet cutter during its operation, are measured, and the information from the measurement is used as a command variable for the knife clearance. The command variable can be determined in several different ways, and according to one embodiment of the invention, it is determined by measuring the vibration level of the structure of the sheet cutter due to the cutting forces. The invention is also related to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a record media cutting blade has a carriage for moving the cutting blade from a home position to a record media cutting position. The carriage has a photosensor secured thereto and is operably associated with a first reflecting member at the home position of the carriage and with a second reflecting member at the record media cutting position of the carriage. The second reflecting member is operably associated with the photosensor for partial cut or for full cut of the record media by the cutting blade. The movement of the carriage is controlled by the output of the photosensor to a comparator, to a converter and to a central processing unit.

Abstract: A film cutter which includes a supporting frame structure with a translucent supply side platform mounted thereon and adapted to be illuminated by an underlying light source and including a film cutter mounted on the frame structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for trimming signatures moving in a continuous stream and in an arcuate path as controlled by a conveyor. A trimming knife is stationarily disposed adjacent the arcuate path for engaging the marginal edges of the signatures and trimming those edges. Input and output conveyors are in signature-flow communication with the conveyor of the arcuate path, and either input or output conveyor can be reversed for the input and output function, and also the conveyor having the arcuate path can accordingly be reversed so that the signatures can move in either continuous arcuate path of movement for the trimming process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cutting mechanism for a stacker. A web of record members traveling in a longitudinal direction is severed by the cutting mechanism while the web is traveling. The cutting mechanism severs the web transversely to cut off the record members. The cutting mechanisms has cutters or knives that travel as a unit with respect to each other and with respect to the web in the longitudinal direction as the web travels.

Abstract: A cutter assembly (82) for cutting web material such as paper (80) includes a circular cutter (100) having an endless peripheral blade (102) mounted on a frame (92) on which also is mounted a tension roller in the form of a pulley (94). A smaller pulley (98) is mounted on and co-axial with the circular cutter 100, and a belt (96) is trained around the pulleys (94 and 98). The portion of the belt (96) on the tension roller (94) provides an engagement surface adapted to engage the paper (80) so that movement of the cutter assembly (82) causes rotation of the tension roller (94) and thus faster rotation of the circular cutter (100). This results in efficient cutting of the paper (80) and high cut quality because the tension roller (94) prevents bunching of the paper (80) in the vicinity of the endless blade (102).

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting sheet material has a cutting blade on a carriage which is displaced along a guide member to co-operate with a fixed blade. The apparatus is removably mounted on a structure which provides a support surface for the material to be cut and, to this end, there are clamping means for removably securing the cutting apparatus to the structure.

Abstract: The cutting wheel (40) is rotatably guided in a cutting carrier (50), and under the force of a spring acting axially against the cutting rail (50) so that the cutting wheel (40) is pivotable out of a neutral starting position plane parallel to the cutting rail (50), by an angle (.alpha..sub.max) corresponding to the maximum admissible cutting angle between cutting wheel (40) and cutting rail (50). Depending on the force (F.sub.F) of a spring (46), the cutting resistance (F.sub.W), and the frictional force between cutting wheel (40) and cutting rail (50), the cutting wheel (40) adjusts itself automatically to the respective cutting angle (.alpha..sub.s). The pivoting range for the cutting wheel (40) extends in both directions, so that the cutting device acts in both directions of movement of the cutting carrier (26).

Abstract: A rotary knife mechanism for severing record media is carried along with the printing mechanism to provide a compact cutting device for full or partial cutting of the media in either direction of travel of the printing mechanism. The position of the rotary knife in relation to a cooperating member is controlled by a solenoid programmed in timed manner to move the knife from a cam-supported position to an operating position as the printing mechanism is caused to be traversed across the printer.

Abstract: A tape (100) is transported by a continuous strip of backing paper (102) along a tape guide (22) into position for the tape (100) to be cut by a blade (12). The tape guide (22) has an essentially flat center portion (24) and opposite side portions (28) that are inclined toward blade (12) relative to center portion (24). Side portions (28) are preferably smoothly curved. Side portions (28) guide the lateral edges of the tape (100) and paper (102) to bend toward blade (12) when a lateral cut is being made. This allows a cut of essentially constant depth to completely sever tape (100), including any fibers (106) that have come loose from the edges of paper (102), without severing paper (102).