# US 5,704,264 A · Cutting die with elevated stripping land > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,264 A - Document ID: US5704264A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/522,051 - Filed: 1995-08-31 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-08-31 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Timothy James Blenke; James Richard Larsen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704264A ## CPC - B26D 7/18: Means for removing cut-out material or waste - B26D 3/10: Making cuts of other than simple rectilinear form (cutting-out B26F) - B26F 1/44: Cutters therefor; Dies therefor - B26F 1/384: {using rotating drums} - B26F 2001/4472: {Cutting edge section features} - Y10T 83/0467: By separating products from each other - Y10T 83/0515: During movement of work past flying cutter - Y10T 83/2107: For radial movement of product - Y10T 83/4838: With anvil backup - Y10T 83/9372: Rotatable type - B26D: CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING (for growing crops or plants A01D, A01G; for fodder or straw A01F; for bulk butter A01J; for dough A21C; slaughtering A22B; for tobacco, cigars or cigarettes A24; marking-out, perforating or making buttonholes A41H25/00; manufacturing footwear A43D; brushmaking A46D; surgery A61B; disintegrating, mincing or shredding in general B02C; cutting wire, making pins or nails B21F, B21G; of the kind used formetal B23; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; hand-held cutting tools B26B; perforating, cutting-out, stamping-out or punching, or severing by means other than cutting B26F; for wood B27; for stone B28D; working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29; making boxes, cartons, envelopes or bags, of paper or similarly worked materials, e.g. metal foil, B31B; article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices B65H35/00; for leather or upholstery B68, C14B; for glass C03B; making matches C06F; for peat C10F; for sugar C13B45/00; for textile materials D06H; civil engineering, building, mining, see Section E; for light guides G02B6/25; cutting processed photographic material G03D15/04) - B26F: PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING (marking-out, perforating or making buttonholes A41H25/00; shoemaking A43D; surgery A61B; punching metal B21D; drilling metal B23B; cutting of metal by applying heat locally, e.g. flame cutting, B23K; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; details common to machines for severing B26D; drilling wood B27C; drilling stone B28D; working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29; making boxes, cartons, envelopes or bags, of paper or similarly worked materials, e.g. metal foil, B31B; of glass C03B; of leather C14B; of textile materials D06H; for light guides G02B6/25; of tickets G07B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract This invention pertains to cutting dies for cutting continuous strip elements from a continuous web of fibrous and/or polymeric material. An improved cutting die has an elevated stripping land between adjacent but spaced elongated cutting knives. The elevated stripping land obviates the trim element becoming lodged in the trim zone between the cutting knives, and thereby assists in stripping the trim element from the trim zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cutting die for cutting web elements from a parent web, said cutting die comprising: (a) a die substrate having a base land for receiving the parent web to be cut; (b) first and second elongated cutting knives mounted on said die substrate at said base land, said first and second elongated cutting knives extending to respective first and second cutting edges at respective first and second heights, the first and second heights being measured from said base land, said first and second cutting knives extending alongside but being separated from each other along a path, thus defining a trim zone between said first and second elongated cutting knives; and (c) an elevated stripping land in said trim zone, extending alongside and at least propinquant at least one of said first and second elongated cutting knives, said elevated stripping land having a third height, measured from said first base land, shorter than said first and second heights, said stripping land being non-compressible, said elevated stripping land comprising first and second elevated stripping land elements each extending alongside a respective one of said first and second elongated cutting knives, said stripping land elements being separated from each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, said first and second elevated stripping land elements each extending generally continuously alongside the respective one of said first and second elongated cutting knives. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, said first and second cutting knives having respective first and second lengths, said first and second elevated stripping land elements extending along the first and second lengths and between said first and second cutting knives at the third height, the third height being generally uniform along the path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A cutting die as in claim 3, the third height of said first and second stripping land elements being at least 30 percent as great as the first and second heights. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A cutting die as in claim 4, said trim zone comprising a minimum width between said first and second elongated cutting knives, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.50 inch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A cutting die as in claim 3, the third height of said first and second stripping land elements being about 40 percent to about 50 percent of the first and second heights. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) A cutting die as in claim 3, said trim zone comprising a minimum width between said first and second elongated cutting knives, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.50 inch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, said first and second cutting edges being located at a first imaginary surface disposed outwardly of said die substrate by the magnitude of the first and second heights, said first and second elevated stripping land elements being located at a second imaginary surface intermediate said base land and said first imaginary surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, each of said first and second elongated cutting knives having first and second elongated sides, said second elongated sides extending upwardly from said first and second elevated stripping land elements at a constant angle, the upward extensions thereof terminating at the respective ones of said first and second cutting edges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, each of said first and second elongated cutting knives having first and second elongated sides, said first elongated sides extending upwardly from said base land at a first constant angle, the upward extensions thereof terminating at the respective ones of said first and second cutting edges. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A cutting die as in claim 10, said second elongated sides extending upwardly from said first and second elevated stripping land elements at a second constant angle, the upward extensions thereof terminating at the respective ones of said first and second cutting edges. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A cutting die as in claim 11, said cutting die having a center of rotation, the respective said first and second constant angles being between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees, measured from a line extending through the center of rotation of said cutting die to the respective said elongated sides. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, said trim zone comprising a minimum width between said first and second elongated cutting knives, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.50 inch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, said trim zone comprising a minimum width between said first and second elongated cutting knives, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.25 inch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A cutting die as in claim 14, each of said first and second elongated cutting knives having first and second elongated sides, the first elongated sides extending upwardly from said base land at a first constant angle, the respective said second elongated sides extending upwardly from said first and second elevated stripping land elements at a second constant angle, the upward extensions of said first and second elongated sides terminating at respective ones of said first and second cutting edges, said cutting die having a center of rotation, the respective said first and second constant angles being between about 25 degrees and about 45 degrees from a line extending through the respective said cutting edges and the center of rotation of said cutting die. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A cutting die as in claim 1, including a recessed portion of the trim zone between said first and second elevated stripping land elements. ### Claim 17 A method of cutting web elements from a generally endless flexible parent web having a maximum thickness to be cut, the method comprising the steps of: (a) feeding the parent web to a cutting die having a circumference, and having first and second elongated cutting knives mounted on a die substrate at a base land, the first and second elongated cutting knives extending to respective first and second cutting edges at respective first and second heights, the first and second heights being measured from the base land, the first and second cutting knives extending alongside but being separated from each other along a path about the circumference of the cutting die, thus defining a trim zone between the first and second elongated cutting knives, and an elevated stripping land in the trim zone, extending alongside and at least propinquant at least one of the first and second elongated cutting knives, the elevated stripping land having a third height, measured from the first base land, shorter than the first and second heights, the trim zone having a first depth to the stripping land, measured from the first and second cutting edges, less than a second depth to the base land; and (b) bringing the cutting die into cutting relationship with an anvil, with the parent web between the cutting die and the anvil, and thereby cutting web elements from the parent web, including a trim element in the trim zone. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, the elevated stripping land being contiguous with both of the first and second elongated cutting knives. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the first and second cutting knives have respective first and second lengths and the elevated stripping land extends along the first and second lengths and between the first and second cutting knives at the third height, the third height being generally uniform. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the first depth is no more than 70 percent as great as the second depth. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the trim zone comprises a minimum width between the first and second cutting edges, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.50 inch. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the first depth, from the first and second cutting edges to the stripping land, is no more than about 1.25 times the maximum thickness of the parent web at the trim element, and including the step of stripping the trim element out of the trim zone as a continuous strip of material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) A method as in claim 18, including limiting the first depth, of the trim zone, to no more than about 1.25 times the maximum thickness of the parent web at the trim element. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, including stripping the trim element from the stripping land as a continuous strip of indefinite length. ### Claim 25 A method of separating a trim element from a parent web along a serpentine path, the parent web having a maximum thickness, the trim element having periodic, repeating, minimum and maximum widths, and minimum and maximum thicknesses, the method comprising the steps of: (a) feeding the parent web to a cutting die having first and second elongated cutting knives mounted on a die substrate at a base land, the first and second elongated cutting knives extending to respective first and second cutting edges at respective first and second heights, the first and second heights being measured from the base land, the first and second cutting knives extending alongside, and being separated from, each other along the serpentine path, thus defining a trim zone on the cutting die between the first and second elongated cutting knives, and an elevated stripping land in the trim zone, extending alongside and at least propinquant at least one of the first and second elongated cutting knives, the elevated stripping land having a third height, measured from the base land, shorter than the first and second heights, the trim zone having a first depth to the stripping land, measured from the first and second cutting edges, less than a second depth to the base land, and no greater than the maximum thickness of the parent web; (b) bringing the cutting die into cutting relationship with an anvil, with the parent web between the cutting die and the anvil, and thereby separating the trim element from the parent web, with the trim element being disposed at the stripping land between the first and second cutting knives, the repeating minimum width of the trim element being no more than 0.38 inch; and (c) stripping the trim element from the stripping land as a continuous strip of indefinite length. ### Claim 26 A method of separating a trim element from a parent web having a maximum thickness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) feeding the parent web to a cutting die having first and second elongated cutting knives mounted on a die substrate at a base land, the first and second elongated cutting knives extending to respective first and second cutting edges at respective first and second heights, the first and second heights being measured from the base land, the first and second cutting knives extending alongside but being separated from each other along a path, thus defining a trim zone on the cutting die between the first and second elongated cutting knives, and an elevated stripping land in the trim zone, extending alongside and at least propinquant at least one of the first and second elongated cutting knives, the elevated stripping land having a third height, measured from the base land, shorter than the first and second heights, the trim zone having a first depth to the stripping land, measured from the first and second cutting edges, less than a second depth to the base land; (b) bringing the cutting die into cutting relationship with an anvil, with the parent web between the cutting die and the anvil, and thereby separating the trim element from the parent web, with the trim element being disposed at the stripping land between the first and second cutting knives; and (c) stripping the trim element from the cutting die as a continuous strip of indefinite length. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A method as in claim 26, said first and second cutting knives extending alongside but being separated from each other along a path about a circumference of said cutting die. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) A method as in claim 26, the stripping land being non-compressible. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) A method as in claim 26, the stripping land being metal. ### Claim 30 A method of cutting web elements from a generally endless flexible parent web having a maximum thickness to be cut, the method comprising the steps of: (a) feeding the parent web to a cutting die having first and second elongated cutting knives mounted on a die substrate at a base land, the first and second elongated cutting knives extending to respective first and second cutting edges at respective first and second heights, the first and second heights being measured from the base land, the first and second cutting knives extending alongside each other along a path, thus defining a trim zone between the first and second elongated cutting knives, and an elevated stripping land in the trim zone, extending alongside and at least propinquant at least one of the first and second elongated cutting knives, the elevated stripping land having an outer stripping surface at a third height, measured from the first base land, shorter than the first and second heights, the stripping land being non-compressible, the trim zone having a first depth to the stripping land, measured from the first and second cutting edges, less than a second depth to the base land; and (b) bringing the cutting die into cutting relationship with an anvil, with the parent web between the cutting die and the anvil, and thereby cutting web elements from the parent web, including a trim element in the trim zone, the trim element being compressed against the non-compressible stripping land, the stripping land thus assisting in preventing lodging of the trim element between the first and second elongated cutting knives. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A method as in claim 30 wherein the first depth is no more than 70 percent as great as the second depth. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) A method as in claim 30 wherein the trim zone comprises a minimum width between the first and second cutting edges, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.50 inch. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) A method as in claim 30 wherein the trim zone comprises a minimum width between the first and second cutting edges, at the first and second heights, of no more than about 0.38 inch. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) A method as in claim 30 wherein the first depth, from the first and second cutting edges to the stripping land, is no more than about 1.25 times the maximum thickness of the parent web at the trim element, and including the step of stripping the trim element out of the trim zone as a continuous strip of material. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) A method as in claim 30, including stripping the trim element from the stripping land as a continuous strip of indefinite length.