Abstract: A waste stripping unit in a packaging production machine (1), positioned downstream of a cutting unit (3) for cutting one or more flat substrates (4). The stripping unit includes a frame (16) supporting two rotary tools cooperating with one another (17, 18). At least one of the two tools (17, 18) is formed with a mandrel (27) and a removable sleeve (28), and the sleeve can be inserted on, fixed to and driven in rotation by the mandrel (27). One tool has protruding needles for the stripping and the other tool has a flexible strip cooperating with the needles.

Abstract: A rotary anvil is outfitted with pins protruding from the base of an axially extending channel along the surface of the anvil. A cutting mat having a generally elongate body includes first and second locking members projecting from opposite axial ends thereof. The cutting mat is installed on the anvil such that the first and second locking members are positioned within the channel over one of the pins. The cutting mat may include a foot extending from the first locking member that includes a pin receptacle that seats down over the pin. Alternatively, a lockup device may be provided to temporarily secure the cutting mat to the rotary anvil. The lockup device includes a pin receptacle on the bottom surface thereof adapted to seat down over the pin. The first and second locking members of the cutting mat are then installed into the channel in cooperation with the lockup device.

Abstract: The rectangular counter-die band, (1) is provided that has corrugated edges (2) formed by alternating peaks (3) and valleys (4), designed such that, when mounted around the corresponding die cutting cylinder (8), the corrugated side edges (2) of the band determine lines of intersection with non-linear adjoining bands (1), thereby preventing the die cutting blades from cutting along said intersection lines. The band also includes corresponding end projections (5) comprising corresponding tongue-and-groove coupling recesses (6) and protrusions (7), both the band (1) and the projections (5) being made from polyurethane and being characterised in that the ends of the band (1) can be provided with projections (5?) having a corrugated outer profile formed by valleys (6?) and peaks (7?), thereby facilitating the intercoupling of the ends of the band (1).

Abstract: A hold-down device is provided for securing graphic arts die plates or die to flat bed or rotary chases having a series of generally cylindrical, hold-down device-receiving cavities. The chase cavities have an innermost portion of greater diameter than the outermost portion of the cavity, presenting a downwardly-facing shoulder therebetween. The device, which is adapted to be inserted in one of the cavities, has a pair of opposed, generally semi-circular anchor members. A fulcrum component positioned between the anchor members has a generally circular fulcrum section received in respective, opposed internal grooves in the anchor members. A lock ring that interconnects the ends of the members remote from the fulcrum section, biases those ends toward one another. When the device is installed in a cavity, the ends of the anchor members are forced toward one another to an extent that the device will fit within the outermost portion of the cavity.

Abstract: A cylinder for processing sheets of printing material includes a clamping channel having a central region and edge regions. A tool plate punches and/or scores and/or perforates the sheets. A support plate carries the tool plate. A first clamping system clamps the support plate and has a first holding device for holding a front end of the support plate and a second holding device for holding a rear end of the support plate. The first holding device and the second holding device are disposed in the edge regions. A second clamping system clamps the tool plate and has a third holding device for holding a front end of the tool plate and a fourth holding device for holding a rear end of the tool plate. The third holding device and the fourth holding device are disposed in the central region. A printing press having the cylinder, is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool comprises a rotary die cylinder having an axis of rotation, a pair of sides and a cylindrical surface, a die plate positioned around the cylindrical surface of the die cylinder and rigidly attached to the die cylinder at a first location, and an adjustable slide assembly operatively connecting the die plate to the die cylinder at a second location, and slidable with respect to the die cylinder between a retracted position and an extended position. The adjustable slide assembly is slidable along either a first direction around the axis of rotation of the die cylinder or a second direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the die cylinder. Adjustment of the adjustable slide assembly adjusts the position of the die plate with respect to the cylinder. The cylinder may be formed as a single piece assembly or as a first piece and a bar attached to the first piece. The bar can be machined to define in combination with the first piece the cylindrical surface.

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 rotary cutting tool with easy to adjust rotary die plates comprises a rotary die cylinder, a die plate adjustably mounted to the rotary die cylinder, an external eccentric mounted on the rotary die cylinder having a first axis of rotation with respect to the cylinder and having a central opening offset from the first axis, and an internal eccentric mounted in the central opening. Rotation of the external eccentric urges the internal eccentric to move with respect to the cylinder, and the die plate moves in response to motion of the internal eccentric.

Abstract: A pizza cutter has a hollow semi-circular shaped handle having a convex curved radiused top edge to facilitate use and reduce hand stress. A removable cutter wheel has outwardly extending axles having protrusions on the outer ends thereof that have a snap fit relationship with recesses on the inner surfaces of the handle whereby the cutter wheel can easily be snapped into and out of the handle for cleaning. The cutter wheel has a dual inner and outer axle assembly engaging complementary shaped bearing surfaces on the handle to distribute pressure exerted on the wheel and keep the cutter wheel aligned with the handle when cutting movement is applied to the cutter.

Abstract: A graphic arts die and support plate assembly is provided that is adapted to be mounted as a unit on the chase of a flat bed or rotary graphic arts press. The assembly includes a plurality of spaced individual dies fixedly mounted in predetermined relative relationship on a support plate member of the unit. Alignment holes in each die that register with orifices in the support plate member are adapted to receive temporary alignment pins thereby assuring correct positioning of the dies with respect to one another on the support plate member until the dies are affixed to the support plate member. Makeready and die lock-up time of the press is significantly decreased because all dies of the assembly may be preregistered with a design artwork before mounting of the die and support assembly on the press. A series of graphic arts die units are also provided that are adapted to be mounted as an assembly encompassing more than 180° of the circumference of a rotary press chase.

Abstract: A rotary anvil is outfitted with pins protruding from the base of an axially extending channel along the surface of the anvil. A cutting mat having a generally elongate body includes first and second locking members projecting from opposite axial ends thereof. The cutting mat is installed on the anvil such that the first and second locking members are positioned within the channel over one of the pins. The cutting mat may include a foot extending from the first locking member that includes a pin receptacle that seats down over the pin. Alternatively, a lockup device may be provided to temporarily secure the cutting mat to the rotary anvil. The lockup device includes a pin receptacle on the bottom surface thereof adapted to seat down over the pin. The first and second locking members of the cutting mat are then installed into the channel in cooperation with the lockup device.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool with easy to adjust rotary die plates comprises a rotary die cylinder, a die plate adjustably mounted to the rotary die cylinder, an external eccentric mounted on the rotary die cylinder having a first axis of rotation with respect to the cylinder and having a central opening offset from the first axis, and an internal eccentric mounted in the central opening. Rotation of the external eccentric urges the internal eccentric to move with respect to the cylinder, and the die plate moves in response to motion of the internal eccentric.

Abstract: The device for mounting and removing blanket strips of a rotary cutting anvil cylinder comprises means for tightening and loosening the ends of at least one blanket strip so as to allow permutation with the other blanket strips of the rotary cutting anvil cylinder. The means for tightening and loosening the ends of a blanket strip include a locking and unlocking element placed in a groove in the periphery of the cylinder body of the rotarycutting anvil cylinder, the groove extending over the entire axial width of the cylinder body. The locking and unlocking element comprises a removable slide moving in the groove. the repective slide includes angled guiding grooves and also grooves all in the shape of linear cams into which fit rollers fixedly attached to at least one jaw which is moveable so as to act on at least one end of the blanket strips. The moveable slide is actuated by atraction device which comprises an adjusting screw fitting into a nut attached to the moveable slide.

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: A rotary anvil is outfitted with pins protruding from the base of an axially extending channel along the surface of the anvil. A cutting mat having a generally elongate body includes first and second locking members projecting from opposite axial ends thereof. The cutting mat is installed on the anvil such that the first and second locking members are positioned within the channel over one of the pins. The cutting mat may include a foot extending from the first locking member that includes a pin receptacle that seats down over the pin. Alternatively, a lockup device may be provided to temporarily secure the cutting mat to the rotary anvil. The lockup device includes a pin receptacle on the bottom surface thereof adapted to seat down over the pin. The first and second locking members of the cutting mat are then installed into the channel in cooperation with the lockup device.

Abstract: A cutting mat includes at least one edge having a nonlinear shape. By nonlinear shape, it is meant that at least one edge of the cutting mat does not follow a single, straight path across the entire length of that edge. For example, a cutting mat may have opposing nonlinear circumferential edges. The cutting mat may include nonlinear axial edges in lieu of, or in addition to the nonlinear circumferential edges.

Abstract: A cover for a rotary die is centrifugally cast with multiple layers to substantially eliminate stress when the cover is cast in an arcuate shape for use in a die cutting system. A locking mechanism attached to ends of the cover is designed to be convenient to install on and remove from a cutting cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is a cylinder cover engageable with a channel. The cylinder cover includes a flexible blanket with two ends, the ends configured to substantially abut when the blanket is circularly wrapped. Further, the cylinder cover includes a female member attached to the first end of the blanket, the female member having a leg connected with and opposing a resilient engaging element by a base member. The resilient engaging element is configured to frictionally engage a sidewall of the channel. Attached to the second end of the blanket is a substantially rigid male member. When engaged with the channel, the blanket is substantially continually supported by a rigid substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a perforating, grooving or cutting device for a multicolor or single-color sheet-fed rotary press (1) comprising printing and/or varnishing groups (2), at least one of which has a rubber cylinder (3) with a holding system (14) for a blanket, as well as an associated counter-pressure cylinder (4). According to the invention, a rectangular base plate (13) is provided, which is made from a flexible and shape-retaining material over which it is possible to glue embossed treatment profiles (29, 37) used as perforating and/or grooving and/or punching profiles corresponding to perforating and/or grooving and/or punching shapes which can be predetermined. Furthermore, at least two fastening strips (17, 18) are provided for detachably attaching the punch foil to opposed marginal areas in the stretched state.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for varying a cylinder's effective diameter. It includes a shell member being removably mounted on a surface of a cylinder. On the easy exchangeable shell member having a base plate an elastic material is provided allowing for a compressible surface gain.

Abstract: A cutting mat comprises a cutting mat body and a lock assembly arranged to secure the cutting mat to a rotary anvil. The lock assembly comprises male and female locking members formed at opposite ends of the cutting mat and integral therewith. There are no metal frames or other components welded or otherwise secured to the male or female locking members. The female locking member slips into an axial channel on a rotary anvil. The cutting mat is wrapped around the rotary anvil, and the male member is inserted into the axial channel in locking relationship with the female locking member. Further, the axial edges of the cutting mat are formed in mating, complimentary serpentine shape to prevent a cutting blade from slipping into the seam between adjacent cutting mat surfaces.

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 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 clamping mechanism for securing a cutting die board to a rotary support cylinder, including a double-acting pressure cylinder having a piston rod coupled to a clamping bolt which cooperates with a keyhole-shaped slot formed through the cutting die board, and an arrangement for supplying low pressure air to an extension chamber defined on one side of the pressure cylinder piston for controlling the magnitude of force applied to the bolt during extension thereof. In an alternate embodiment, a low-force releasable slip coupling connects between the piston rod and the bolt to control the extension force applied to the bolt.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping items such as fibers, fiber strands, ribbon, etc. by passing the items continuously in a loose, unwound, condition through the nip of a blade roll and a backup roll having a working layer on its outer periphery. The chopper of the present invention uses one or more rolls that are radially expandable and retractable to replace the blade roll and/or the backup roll on the prior art choppers so that worn blades and/or a worn working layer can be more quickly and more easily replaced with a new or repaired working layer or blade holder containing sharp blades. The chopper of the present invention eliminates the need to carry large, heavy, awkward rolls through the fiber forming rooms or areas where the items are being chopped and also to transport such rolls back and forth to the location where they are being rebuilt.

Abstract: A cutting mat comprises a cutting mat body and a lock assembly arranged to secure the cutting mat to a rotary anvil. The lock assembly comprises male and female locking members formed at opposite ends of the cutting mat and integral therewith. There are no metal frames or other components welded or otherwise secured to the male or female locking members. The female locking member slips into an axial channel on a rotary anvil. The cutting mat is wrapped around the rotary anvil, and the male member is inserted into the axial channel in locking relationship with the female locking member. Further, the axial edges of the cutting mat are formed in mating, complimentary serpentine shape to prevent a cutting blade from slipping into the seam between adjacent cutting mat surfaces.

Abstract: A cover for a rotary die is centrifugally cast with multiple layers to substantially eliminate stress when the cover is cast in an arcuate shape for use in a die cutting system. A locking mechanism attached to ends of the cover is designed to be convenient to install on and remove from a cutting cylinder.

Abstract: The invention is a cylinder cover engageable with a channel. The cylinder cover includes a flexible blanket with two ends, the ends configured to substantially abut when the blanket is circularly wrapped. Further, the cylinder cover includes a female member attached to the first end of the blanket, the female member having a leg connected with and opposing a resilient engaging element by a base member. The resilient engaging element is configured to frictionally engage a sidewall of the channel. Attached to the second end of the blanket is a substantially rigid male member. When engaged with the channel, the blanket is substantially continually supported by a rigid substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for varying a cylinder's effective diameter. It includes a shell member being removably mounted on a surface of a cylinder. On the easy exchangeable shell member having a base plate an elastic material is provided allowing for a compressible surface gain.

Abstract: A machine for cutting panels, featuring pressure clamping devices for clamping the panels; the machine being characterized in that the carriage houses a supporting and fast-fit connecting element for supporting a cutting tool presenting a circular saw and a fast-fit connector for connection to the element.

Abstract: A cover for a rotary die is centrifugally cast with multiple layers to substantially eliminate stress when the cover is cast in an arcuate shape for use in a die cutting system. A locking mechanism attached to ends of the cover is designed to be convenient to install on and remove from a cutting cylinder.

Abstract: A method of making a perforated laminate wherein a pliable perforation device having plurality of holes and plurality of perforation pins in the holes is assembled on a laminate; the pins are driven through the uncured laminate to perforate the laminate; the laminate is then staged or cured with pins in place; and the pins are then removed from the cured laminate and pushed back into the perforation device for reuse thereof.

Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has an outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. A novel air delivery assembly is provided for delivering vacuum and/or air to the die holder comprising a stationary plate disposed at least at one end of the die holder and defining a groove member for selectively supplying vacuum and/or air so that when rotation of die holder aligns the longitudinal feed tubes with the groove member a supply of vacuum or air is selectively supplied at the surface orifices of the die holder. Another embodiment of the die holder may have an outer surface having a extending along the longitudinal axis for detachably receiving the leading end of the cutting die and a plurality of magnetic members disposed in the die holder surface for attracting the cutting die.