Flexible rotary cutting die

(19)

(11)

EP 1 092 517 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	18.12.2002 Bulletin 2002/51

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	18.04.2001 Bulletin 2001/16

(21)	Application number: 00309044.6

(22)	Date of filing: 13.10.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B26F 1/44

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

13.10.1999 US 159270 P

(71)	Applicant: Western Printing Machinery Company
	Schiller Park, Illinois 60176-2348 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Kapolnik, Paul G. Chicago, Illinois 60646 (US)

(74)	Representative: Draper, Martyn John et al
	Boult Wade Tennant Verulam Gardens 70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)

(54)	Flexible rotary cutting die

(57) A rotary cutting die includes a durable, flexible rotary die plate (14) having an inner surface and an outer surface (18). A cutting rule (12) that defines a cutting design is supported by the die plate. The cutting rule includes a cutting edge (16), which extends above the outer surface of the die plate, and a support edge (20) disposed within the die plate. The support edge includes a plurality of keyhole shaped notches (22). Preferably, a plurality of S-shaped hooks (24) are connected to the keyhole notches, and serve to reinforce the rotary die plate and to support the cutting rule in the rotary die plate. The rotary die plate (14) is preferably formed from a durable and flexible urethane-based material that exhibits a low shrink factor during curing or hardening.

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