Flexible rotary cutting die

(19)

(11)

EP 1 197 306 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

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

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	17.04.2002 Bulletin 2002/16

(21)	Application number: 01308680.6

(22)	Date of filing: 11.10.2001

(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 TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

11.10.2000 US 686691

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

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

(74)	Representative: Bayliss, Geoffrey Cyril 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 (10) includes a durable, flexible rotary die plate (14) having an inner surface and an outer surface. A cutting rule (12) that defines a cutting design is supported by the die plate. The cutting rule incluees 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 key-hole notches, and serve to reinforce the rotary die plate and to support the cutting rule in the rotary die plate. The rotary die plate 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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