Cutting – Processes – Effecting diverse or sequential cuts in same cutting step
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-25
2001-08-28
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Processes
Effecting diverse or sequential cuts in same cutting step
C083S346000, C083S663000, C083S665000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279440
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a novel knife apparatus and method for cutting articles from a sheet or web of material. In one aspect, this invention relates to a knife having a unique configuration which can be formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least portions of the outer peripheries of two adjacent articles.
2. Background
Many different kinds and types of articles are manufactured today which entail cutting or stamping out a plurality of identically shaped articles from an elongated sheet or web of material. The sheet or web of material can be a single layer or a laminate formed from two or more layers. In producing such articles, trim waste is usually present, and it is beneficial from a cost standpoint to minimize such waste. Trim waste is defined as all material which does not make up a finished article. It includes waste located adjacent to the periphery of each article as well as waste cut out from the interior of an article. Even when the trim waste is kept to a minimum, its presence still can cause problems in that it has to be separated and conveyed away from the finished articles. The trim waste also must be handled if it is to be properly disposed of, reclaimed, or recycled.
INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION
For uniquely configured articles having at least one non-linear edge, it is very difficult to do away completely with trim waste. However, it is possible to minimize the amount of trim waste and to design the waste to have a certain profile so that it can be easier to handle as it is separated from the finished articles.
One way to minimize trim waste is to design the cutting knife to have a profile such that the knife will simultaneously cut two adjacent articles from a sheet or web of material. By arranging two or more articles across and/or along a sheet or web of material such that two articles are joined by a common peripheral segment, a reduction in waste can be obtained.
Now, a novel knife has been invented having a unique configuration formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of two adjacent articles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a knife and method for cutting articles from a sheet or web of material.
A specific object of the present invention is to provide a knife having a unique configuration which can be formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of two adjacent articles.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a knife which has a bifurcated configuration which can simultaneously cut a portion of the outer peripheries of two adjacent articles.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a knife which has at least three cutting members intersecting at a common location.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a knife which will present a more economical way of cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material.
Still further, an object of the present invention is to provide a die knife having a thickness of at least about 0.003 inches (about 0.076 mm).
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, this invention relates to a knife formed in or secured to the outer surface of a rotary die cutter for cutting a plurality of articles from a sheet or web of material. The knife includes a first cutting member having a first end, and second and third cutting members joined to the first end of the first cutting member. The second and third cutting members are arranged relative to one another to form an arcuate section which cooperates with the first cutting member to form a general wishbone configuration. The knife and method of the present invention provide a specified cutting edge knife thickness and specified knife configuration for a rotary die cutter in cooperation with a specified proximity to a corresponding rotary anvil. The unique configuration enables two articles to be cut simultaneously from a sheet or web of material with zero clearance between at least a portion of the outer peripheries of the two adjacent articles.
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Ahles John Glen
Clare Brian Dennis
Holewinski Robert Lee
Plamann Jeffrey Allen
Tease Timothy Noel
Connelly Thomas J.
Glantz Douglas G.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Parker Thomas M.
Rachuba M.
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