Rotary die cutting machine having integral scrap stripper

Abstract

A rotary die cutting machine having an integral scrap stripper for separating the scrap portion from the product portion of the cut sheet. The rotary die cutting machine includes a rotatably mounted cylindrical die cutting roll including a number of circumferentially and longitudinally extending upstanding rule-like dies affixed to the outer surface of the roll and defining a pattern for cutting a sheet into a product portion and a scrap portion. The scrap stripper includes a plurality of pin-like impaling members projecting outwardly from the roll, the pin-like members being positioned on the roll so as to pierce and hold the scrap portions to the roll such that the product portion separates from the scrap portion as the roll rotates. One or more blade-like scrapping knifes having an edge resting substantially against the outer surface of the roll operate to peel the scrap portion from the roll as the roll rotates, causing the product portion and the scrap portion to assume separate paths of travel from the rotary die cutting machine. In order to prevent contact between the scrapping knives and the longitudinally extending rule-like dies, gaps or interruptions are provided in the dies by means of a cutting wheel to permit the passage of the scrapping knives therethrough.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.