Cutting unit, web of packaging material, and method for cutting preparation features into it

A cutting unit for cutting preparation features in a web of sheetlike material, said cutting unit comprising:

• a first part with a rigid base portion,
• at least one first cutting tool configured to cut a first preparation feature in the web of sheetlike material,
• at least one second cutting tool configured to cut a second preparation feature in the web of sheetlike material;
• at least one third cutting tool configured to cut a third preparation feature in the web of sheetlike material;
• the at least one first cutting tool, the at least one second cutting tool, and the at least one third cutting tool being attached to the rigid base portion of the first part, located at a distance from each other;
• wherein the at least one first cutting tool, at least one second cutting tool, and the at least one third cutting tool are supported by a first flexible support, a second flexible support, and a third flexible support respectively, wherein the first flexible support, the second flexible support, and the third flexible support are located in the rigid base portion of the first part, and each having a surface configured to face toward a second part configured, in operation, to cooperate with the first part and the web of sheetlike material therebetween such that the first and second parts produce at least three preparation features on the web of sheetlike material;
• wherein the at least one first cutting tool is disposed on the surface of the first flexible support and is configured to extend perpendicularly away from the surface of the first flexible support towards the second part such that a cutting surface of the at least one first cutting tool is disposed between the first flexible support and the second part;
• wherein the at least one second cutting tool is disposed on the surface of the second flexible support and is configured to extend perpendicularly away from the surface of the second flexible support towards the second part such that a cutting surface of the at least one second cutting tool is disposed between the second flexible support and the second part;
• wherein the at least one third cutting tool is disposed on the surface of the third flexible support and is configured to extend perpendicularly away from the surface of the third flexible support towards the second part such that a cutting surface of the at least one third cutting tool is disposed between the third flexible support and the second part;
• and
• wherein a hardness of a material of the first flexible support, a hardness of a material of the second flexible support, and a hardness of a material of the third flexible support are different from each other.

A method of cutting preparation features in a web of sheetlike material, comprising:

• receiving a web of sheetlike material at a cutting and/or creasing station;
• passing the web of sheetlike material between a first and a second part of a cutting unit, located at a first and a second cutting and/or creasing roll, wherein the first part of the cutting unit comprises at least one first cutting tool and at least one second cutting tool, and wherein the second part of the cutting unit comprises an anvil against which the web of sheetlike material and the first part of the cutting unit is pressed;
• pressing the first and second cutting and/or creasing rolls against the web of sheetlike material and against each other;
• and
• producing at least one first preparation feature and at least one second preparation feature aligned with each other, wherein the at least one first cutting tool and the at least one second cutting tool are respectively disposed on a surface of a first flexible support configured to face toward the second part and on a surface of a second flexible support configured to face toward the second part, wherein the at least one first cutting tool is configured to extend perpendicularly away from the surface of the first flexible support towards the second part such that a cutting surface of the at least one first cutting tool is disposed between the first flexible support and the second part, wherein the at least one second cutting tool is configured to extend perpendicularly away from the surface of the second flexible support towards the second part such that a cutting surface of the at least one second cutting tool is disposed between the second flexible support and the second part, and wherein a hardness of a material of the first flexible support is different than a hardness of a material of the second flexible support.