Cutting – With means to convey work relative to tool station – With projections on work-carrier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-10
2001-04-03
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Cutting
With means to convey work relative to tool station
With projections on work-carrier
C083S430000, C083S431000, C083S663000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209433
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to rotary die cutting apparatus and methods, and further relates to apparatus and methods for cutting a product sheet. The invention has particular utility in cutting product sheets formed from thick stock such as multi-layer laminates, polymers, or polyurethanes. These product sheets include, but are not limited to, sports cards, school-type portraits, souvenirs and memorabilia.
2. Background Information
The state of the art includes various devices and methods for cutting a product sheet. These known devices are labor intensive. They are difficult to operate and maintain because of problems related to clearing jams and to replacing the tooling for product changeovers and wear.
The present invention provides an economical, durable, and simple apparatus and method for cutting product sheets which is believed to constitute an improvement over existing technology.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cutting product sheets formed from thick stock. The apparatus or cutter generally comprises a frame, an anvil roll revolvably attached to the frame, a die roll revolvably attached to the frame and in operable contact with the anvil roll, and a drive mechanism for revolving the anvil roll and the die roll. Both the anvil roll and die roll have a cylindrical body. The anvil roll body has a smooth, hard surface. The die roll has tooling or blades that extend from the body. The anvil roll and die roll are geared together to allow product sheets to be fed between the rolls and cut by the tooling.
The frame generally comprises a base, a motor plate attached to the base, a set of opposing anvil bearing blocks attached to the base, and a set of opposing die bearing blocks attached to the anvil bearing blocks. The anvil roll extends between and is revolvably attached to the anvil bearing blocks. Similarly, the die roll extends between and is revolvably attached to the die bearing blocks. The die roll has a pair of spring-loaded pins that are retractable into the body of the die roll. The product sheet is fed into the apparatus and stopped by the pins in a predetermined position with respect to the tooling on the die roll. The pins are preferably rotatable and eccentric. An operator adjusts the predetermined position for stopping the product sheet by rotating the retractable pins.
The drive mechanism preferably comprises an electric motor. The motor drives the anvil roll using a belt. An engagement mechanism selectively engages the motor to the anvil roll, thus allowing the motor to run continuously. The engagement mechanism preferably includes a single revolution clutch attached to a journal shaft of the anvil roll. The clutch prevents the motor from driving the anvil roll when it is engaged, and allows the motor to drive the anvil roll for one revolution when it is released. The clutch is preferably actuated by energizing a solenoid. The engagement mechanism may further include a latch mechanism for accurately stopping the rotation of the clutch and the anvil roll after one revolution. The latch mechanism prevents backlash and provides a consistent stop and start position for each revolution, thus enabling the product sheets to be consistently and repeatably processed. The apparatus also includes a transparent upper cover around the die roll. The transparent cover enables the operator to monitor the die cutting process. Additionally, the upper cover and die bearing blocks are constructed and arranged to be quickly and easily removed, providing the operator with the ability to quickly remove and replace the die roll to sharpen the tooling or to perform a product changeover. Furthermore, the fasteners used to attach the die bearing blocks on the anvil bearing blocks provide a means to adjust the load pressure applied by the die roll against the anvil roll. The product sheet is fed along an infeed guide or product placement device into the cutter. Each sheet stops against the spring-loaded pins of the die roll, which is at a predetermined start and stop position. When the clutch is released, the revolving anvil roll and die roll draw the product sheet and cut the product into the desired pattern. The cut product exits into a tray. The product placement device eliminates guesswork by automatically centering the sheet to the tooling on the die roll.
The cutter is suitable for use in cutting product sheets of thick stock such as multi-layer laminates, polymers, or polyurethanes. For instance, the cutter can be used to cut sports cards or school portraits. For example, the apparatus can cut individual sports cards from an 8.5″ by 7.5″ sheet containing six cards in two rows and three columns. The cutter is designed to cut sheets ranging in width from 8½ inches to 17 inches.
The features, benefits and objects of this invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and drawings.
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Howard Timothy
Schiebout David
Then Daniel
Beekman Marvin L.
Delta Industrial Services, Inc.
Hughes S. Thomas
Jimenez Marc
Skinner and Associates
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