Outfeed lifter ramp for blanking boxes and other die-cut paper products

Abstract

The present invention contemplates an outfeed lift ramp (24) for use with a male (19) and female (18) combination of blanking dies for separating a diecut paper box blank (21) from an attendant web portion (20). Outfeed lift ramp (24) is appended to the leading edge (33) of female die member (18) adjacent to blanking through holes (32) at preselected points corresponding to a series of naturally occurring or benign box blank slots (31). During the blanking operation, the diecut and partially stripped sheet (17) is interposed over the die through holes and the upper arcuate portion of the lift ramp (38) extends through the through slots (31) of the sheet to be blanked thereby permitting the sheet to lie flush against the female die surface. After blanking, box blanks 21 are forced through female die through holes (32) and all that remains on the female die surface is a flexible and flimsy web (20). Upon automatic removal of the web across the die face, entanglement and snagging on the die leading edge (33) often occurs. The lift ramps (24), however, while not impeding the blanking operation, serve to lift and support the flexible internal webs (25) generated by blanking across the die leading edge independent of the non-supportive nature of the web (20).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.