Title of Invention	"A CUTTING-AND CREASING-WHEEL ASSEMBLY, AND A METHOD FOR CUTTING AND CREASING A COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL"
Abstract	A cutting- and creasing -wheel assembly according to the invention comprises a cutting tool, such AS A circular disc (t) having a continuous or a sensted ending edge (2). The disc is rotatable and supported between a pair of rotatable creasing- wheel halves (3 and 4), the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radial dimension. The disc is controllable for movement between a non-operative position wherein said cutting edge :S Withdrawn radially inside the outer peripheries (5) of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position wherein the euiting edge (2) is projecting radially outside said peripheries (5). The method of slitting a corrugated or otherwise compressible material involves the provision and control of a cutting tool, preferably a circular disc hiving a continuous or serrated cutting edge. 'The disc is arranged to be rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing- wheel halves of equal radial dimension in a cutting- and creasing wheel assembly. Upon sliding, the disc is controlled for projecting said edge radially outsids the peripheries of said crcasing-wheel halves to cut a slit through the material while the material is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing wheel assembly, or vice versa.

Title of Invention

"A CUTTING-AND CREASING-WHEEL ASSEMBLY, AND A METHOD FOR CUTTING AND CREASING A COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL"

Abstract

A cutting- and creasing -wheel assembly according to the invention comprises a cutting tool, such AS A circular disc (t) having a continuous or a sensted ending edge (2). The disc is rotatable and supported between a pair of rotatable creasing- wheel halves (3 and 4), the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radial dimension. The disc is controllable for movement between a non-operative position wherein said cutting edge :S Withdrawn radially inside the outer peripheries (5) of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position wherein the euiting edge (2) is projecting radially outside said peripheries (5). The method of slitting a corrugated or otherwise compressible material involves the provision and control of a cutting tool, preferably a circular disc hiving a continuous or serrated cutting edge. 'The disc is arranged to be rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing- wheel halves of equal radial dimension in a cutting- and creasing wheel assembly. Upon sliding, the disc is controlled for projecting said edge radially outsids the peripheries of said crcasing-wheel halves to cut a slit through the material while the material is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing wheel assembly, or vice versa.

Full Text	TITLE A cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, and a method for cutting and creasing a compressible material. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention refers to a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly useful for producing slits and creasing-lines in a material. The invention also refers to a method for cutting and creasing a material, such aa webs or boards of corrugated or otherwise compressible paper or plastics. BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART In the production of packaging blanks, e.g., it is a common practice to feed a web material to be engaged by creasing tools and cutting tools arranged to produce creasing lines and slits, respectively, in a pattern adapted for making a packaging design, such as a box. In the prior art, creasing wheels and cutting wheels are separately supported and airanged in tandem in machines through which the web material is advanced by feed rollera. Examples of prior art cutting wheels and creasing •wheels may be found in, for example, US. 5,072,641; US 5,964,686, and US 6,840,898. Each operative engagement with a material being fed through separate stations for creasing, cntting etc., increases the risk of the material jamming in or between the separate stations. More stations also means more expensive components such as feed rollera and supporting structures, and results in machines of greater lengths, Longer machines makes the accuracy in lateral guidance of a web material more problematic, and also makes it more difficult to observe and monitor the process and to reach into the structure at maintenance work. Another problem encountered in connection with forming slits through a. corrugated paper board, e.g., is the thickness of the material, resulting from the corrugation that separates the upper paper liner from the lower paper liner. Cutting the corrugated paper board with the circular edge of a cutting wheel thus requires an excessive cutting length through the upper liner and through the corrugation, which may weaken the finished packaging and which may form crack indications that occasionally will lead to rupture. Obviously, this problem grows with increasing radial dimensions of the cutting-wheel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to avoid these problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cutting- and creaaing-wheel assembly, as well as a method, by which safety of operation and precision is enhanced upon cutting through a corrugated or otherwise compressible material. The object is met through the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly and by the method, denned in the appending claims. Briefly, the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly comprises a cutting tool arranged between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radial dimension, The cutting tool is controllable between the creasing-wheel halves to engage and to produce a slit in a material which is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly comprises a circular disc having a cutting'edge. The disc is rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel, the creasLag-wheel halves being of equal radius. The disc is controllable, between the creasing-wheel halves, for movement between a non-operative position wherein said cutting edge is withdrawn inside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position wherein the cutting edge is projected radially outside said peripheries. Preferably, the creasing-wheel halves are ring-shaped and journalled for rotation on rollers, the rollers guiding an inner periphery of the ring-shaped creasing-wheel halves. Also preferred, the radius of the cutting-wheel ia less than the radius of the creasing-wheel halves, and an axis of rotation of the cutting-wheel is displaced from a common axis of rotation for the creasing-wheel halves, In this preferred embodiment, the cutting-wheel is guided and controlled for a linear movement in radial direction of the Greasing-wheel halves, said movement being substantially perpendicular to the general plane of a material that is processed by the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly. Briefly, the method of cutting and creasing a corrugated or otherwise compressible material involves the provision and control of a cutting tool arranged between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radius. Preferably, the cutting tool is a circular disc having a cutting edge. The disc is arranged to be rotatable and movably supported between the two creasing-wheel halves. Upon cutting, the disc is controlled for projecting said edge radially outside the peripheries of said creasing-wheel halves to engage and to cut a slit through the material, which is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa. Preferably, the creaaing-wheel halves are driven and controlled for compression of a material while simultaneously controlling the cutting tool to engage and to cut a slit through the compressed material, resulting in a better controlled cut, higher accuracy and less risk of cracking. In the preferred embodiment, the creasing-wheel halves and the cutting tool are arranged and controlled for engagement with the material at points of contact located essentially on a common line, parallel with an suds of rotation of the creasing-wheel halves. DRAWINGS The invention ia further explained below with reference to the accompanying, diagrammatic drawings, showing one embodiment of the invention and wherein Fig. 1 ia a aide view showing the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly in a creasing mode; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view similar to fig. 1, showing the cutting- and creasing -wheel assembly in a cutting and creasing mode; Fig. 3 is a cut away end view showing the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly in the creasing mode, and Fig, 4 ia an end view similar to fig. 3, showing the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly operating on a corrugated web material in a cutting and creasing mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, a cutting- and creasing-wheel aaaembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a circular disc 1 having a cutting edge 2. The cutting edge may be formed continuously about the entire periphery of the disc, or serrated. The disc 1 is rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rctatable creasing-wheel halves 3 and 4, the creasing -wheel halves being of equal radial dimension. In this context, the expression "creasing-wheel halves" refers to a creasing-wheel structure by which a creasing line is produced by depression of a corrugated or otherwise compressible material in two parallel lines so narrowly spaced that also the material between the lines is compressed, creating in practice a single creasing line allowing for folding the material in a subsequent finishing process. The disc is controllable for movement between a non-operative posi-ticn (figs. 1 and 3) wherein said cutting edge is withdrawn, radially inside the outer peripheries 5 of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position (figs. 2 and 4) wherein the cutting edge 2 is projecting radially outside aaid peripheries 5. In a useful application, the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly is arranged in a machine for producing packaging blanks from a corrugated or otherwise compressible web material. A bracket, the structure of which may be adapted for lateral displacement of the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly relative to the machine, positions the assembly with respect to a web material that is advanced through the machine in order to be engaged by the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, the assembly forming alits and creases in longitudinal and/or transverse directions relative to the feed direction of the material. Optionally, curved or diagonal cutting-and creasing lines may likewise be produced by a proper design and control of the supporting structure. Typically, the cutting- and creasing-whed. assembly is associated with counter-pressure rollers (not shown in the drawings) supporting the web material from the opposite side and assisting cutting- and creasing-wheel assemblies operating in the feed direction, or by a transverse supporting element (also not shown in the drawings) rumiing transvereally to the feed direction and assisting a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly operating in the transverse direction. Attached to the bracket, or formed integrally therewith, is a carrier 6. As will be ex-pleined further below, the carrier 6 houses bearings and drive means for controlling rotation and movements of the creasing-wheel halves 3,4 and the cutting tool or disc The creasing-wheel in the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of the present invention comprises two rings 3 and 4, each of which is formed with an outer and. an inner periphery. The rings 3 and 4 are of equal outer radial dimension and, typically, also of equal inner radial dimension. The inner peripheries of the rings 3,4 are guided on rollers 7, 8 and 9, arranged for the rings to be freely rotating with their centers located on a common axis of rotation. The inner peripheries of the two rings are chamfered and received, respectively, in corresponding notches formed circura-fereiitially on the rollers. The outer peripheries of the rings 3,4 are rounded towards the sides facing outward of the creasing-wheel, while the sides lacing the opposite ring may connect more sharply to the periphery. The rings are joumalled on the rollers with an axial spacing, providing there between a gap sufficient for the disc 1 to move between the rings into an operative position as will be further described below. The rollers 7, & and 9 are journalled for rotation on bearings arranged on a lifter 10, which is guided in the carrier 6 for linear movements substantially perpendicular to the web material, i.e. in a vertical direction when the web material is advanced horizontally beneath the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly as is typically the case. The lifter 10 comprises a vertical rod 11 reaching through the carrier 6 and guided therein through an opening formed in a lower member of the carrier. In its top end, the rod 11 carries a slide block 12 that journals a roller 7 for the creasing-wheel halves 3,4. The slide block 12 ia guided on pillars 13, 14 depending from an upper member of the carrier 6, supporting a jam free motion of the lifter. In its lower end, the rod 11 carries a horizontal girder 15 that journals a pair of roEers 8 and 9 for the creasing-wheel halves 3,4. The operative positions of the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly are controlled by the operation of a power unit acting between the carrier 6 and the girder 15, In the shown embodiment, two cylinders 16 and 17 powered by air are attached to the carrier while the cylinder pistons 18, 19 are connected to the ends, respectively, of the girder 15. Extension of the piatoc.s will thus extend the lifter 11, girder IS, rollers 7, 3 and 9, and the rings or creaaing-wheel halves 3 and 4. Naturally, hydraulic liquid or electricity may be used to operate the power unit/units. The cutting tool, i.e.' the disc 1 described above, is carried by the girder 15, or more precisely, journalled for free rotation on a pivot bearing 20 connected to the piston ends of two cylinder units 21 and 22 that are carried by the girder. By operation-of the cylinders 2 1 and 22, in this embodiment driven by air, the disc 1 is controlled to move relative to and between the creasiiag-wheel halves, from a non-operative position shown in fig. 3 wherein the cutting edge 2 is withdrawn inside the outer peripheries 5 of the creasing-wheel halves 3 and 4, to an operative position shown in fig. 4 wherein the cutting edge projects radially outside aaid peripheries to engage and to form a slit through the material. In practice, preferably, the cutting tool or disc 1 is projected by operation of the cylinders 21,22 to form a slit through the compressible material, while simultaneously the creasing-wheel halves 3,4 are activated for compression of the material, thus reducing the thickness and avoiding the need for excessive cutting length through, e.g., the upper liner and corrugation of a corrugated material. By arranging the cutting-wheel to cut the material through a gap formed between the halves of a split creasing-wheel, the points of contact between the material and the creasing-wheel halves and cutting-wheel, respectively, are located substantially on a common line, parallel with an axis of rotation of the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly. Since cutting is performed on a reduced material thickness, cutting diaca of reduced diameter size may be used. The smaller diameter also allows for reduced thickness of the disc, allowing a minimum gap between the creasing-wheel halves. In other words, since compression and cutting is performed simultaneously in more or less one single point, using a cutting disc of small dimensions, the precision by which slits may be formed through a corrugated or otherwise compressible material in. a machine for producing packaging blanks will be substantially enhanced through, the present invention. Arranging the cutting tool stmultane oualy to operate at substantially the same point as the creasing tool makes a. packaging design program more easy to produce, and may also increase the capacity of the machine. The reason for the later is, that a cut normally should be performed after the creasing operation in order to avoid cracks. To secure this, an inactive backward movement of the tool may be required or multiple tools be installed in succession. Such inactive movement and multiple installations will be avoided through the present invention. Furthennore, projecting the cutting tool all way through a corrugated material will take longer time as compared to a corrugated material in a compressed condition, where the tool only has to project a couple of millimeters. This difference in length, of movement makes it possible to increa.se the capacity of the machine while still maintaining the accuracy of cutting, especially when the tools are operated while the material is moved relative to the assembly or vice versa, Thia ia particularly important when cutting short slits or perforations through a corrugated material, e.g. The preferred embodiment also is a weight-effective solution that allows the use of creaaing-wheels having greater radius: in order to achieve more easily folded creasing lines, higher pressing force may be applied from the bigger creasing-wheels without cracking the paper liner of a corrugated paper board. In the shown embodiment the cutting toul is a circular disc, which may be preferred iix connection with corrugated paper boards. However, other types of cutting tools may be arranged between the creasing-wheel halves and controlled for a single-point engagement in cooperation with the split creasing-wheel. Alternative tools, such as laser cutters, water jet cutters, abrasive water jets and non-circular knifes, e.g., may thus be used in combination with the split creasing-wheel to achieve the higher precision cuts through a compressed section of a compressible material. Although, the invention is explained -with reference to a machine for producing packaging blanks from a web material that is advanced through the machine, the suggested compact structure of a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly is equally useful in applications where a stationary material is processed by one or more cutting- and creaaing-wheel assemblies, driven for movement relative to the material. CLAIMS 1. A cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly comprising a. cutting tool arranged be tween a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the greasing-wheel halves being of equal outer radial dimension, said cutting tool being controllable, between the creaaing~wiieel halves, to project from a non-operative position radially inside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves to an operative position radially out side said outer peripheries. 2. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is a cutting-wheel having a cutting edge, said cutting-wheel being rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the creasing- wheel halves being of equal outer radial dimension and having a common centre of rotation, the cutting-wheel being controllable for projecting the cutting edge from a nan-operative position wherein said, cutting edge is withdrawn radially inside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves, to an operative position wherein the cutting edge is projecting radially outside said peripheries. 3. The cutting- and creaaing-wheel assembly of claim 2, wherein an axis of rotation for the cutting-wheel is displaced from the axis of rotation for the creasing-wheel halves. 4. The cutting- and creasing-wheel asaembly of claim 2, wherein the radius of the cutting-wheel is less than the radius of the cfeasing-wheel halves. 5. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 2, wherein the cutting-wheel is guided and controlled for a linear movement in radial direction of the creasing- wheel halves. 6. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the creasing- wheel halves are ring-shaped. 7. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 6, wherein the creasing-wheel halves are journalled for rotation on rollers guiding an inner periphery, respectively, of the ring-shaped creasing-wheel halves, 8. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the linear move ment of the cutting-wheel is perpendicular to a general plane of the material. 9. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is a laser cutter, a water jet cutter, an abrasive water jet cutter, a. non-circular knife, or any other cutting tool that is controllable to operate through a gap deSned by two creasing-wheel halves.A method of forming slits through a compressible material, wherein a cutting tool is provided and arranged between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves in a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal outer radial dimension and having a common centre of rotation, comprising the step of controlling the cutting tool, between the creasing-wheel halves, to project radially outside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves for cutting a slit through the material in a section thereof which is simultaneously compressed by the creasing-wheel halves while the material is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa. 10. The method of claim 10, wherein the creasing-wheel halves and the cutting tool are arranged for engagement with the material at points of contact located an a common line, parallel with an axis of rotation of the creasing-wheel halves. 11. A method of forming slits through a compressible material, wherein a cutting- wheel having a cutting edge is provided and arranged to be rotatable and movably supported between a. pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves in a cutting- and creas ing-wheel assembly, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal outer radial dimen- . aion and having a common centre of rotation, comprising the step of controlling the cutting-whecl to project said cutting edge radially outside the peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves for cutting a slit through the material while the material is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the creasing-wheel halves are activated for compression of the material while simultaneously the catting edge is projected for cutting a slit through the compressed material. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the creasing-wheel halves and the cutting edge are arranged for engagement with the material at points of contact located on a. common line, parallel with an axis of rotation of the cutting- and creaaing-wheel assembly.

Full Text

TITLE
A cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, and a method for cutting and creasing a
compressible material.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention refers to a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly useful for producing slits and creasing-lines in a material. The invention also refers to a method for cutting and creasing a material, such aa webs or boards of corrugated or otherwise compressible paper or plastics.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
In the production of packaging blanks, e.g., it is a common practice to feed a web material to be engaged by creasing tools and cutting tools arranged to produce creasing lines and slits, respectively, in a pattern adapted for making a packaging design, such as a box. In the prior art, creasing wheels and cutting wheels are separately supported and airanged in tandem in machines through which the web material is advanced by feed rollera. Examples of prior art cutting wheels and creasing •wheels may be found in, for example, US. 5,072,641; US 5,964,686, and US 6,840,898.
Each operative engagement with a material being fed through separate stations for creasing, cntting etc., increases the risk of the material jamming in or between the separate stations. More stations also means more expensive components such as feed rollera and supporting structures, and results in machines of greater lengths, Longer machines makes the accuracy in lateral guidance of a web material more problematic, and also makes it more difficult to observe and monitor the process and to reach into the structure at maintenance work.
Another problem encountered in connection with forming slits through a. corrugated paper board, e.g., is the thickness of the material, resulting from the corrugation that separates the upper paper liner from the lower paper liner. Cutting the corrugated paper board with the circular edge of a cutting wheel thus requires an excessive cutting length through the upper liner and through the corrugation, which may weaken the finished packaging and which may form crack indications that occasionally will lead to rupture. Obviously, this problem grows with increasing radial dimensions of the cutting-wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to avoid these problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cutting- and creaaing-wheel assembly, as well as a method, by which safety of operation and precision is enhanced upon cutting through a corrugated or otherwise compressible material.
The object is met through the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly and by the method, denned in the appending claims.
Briefly, the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly comprises a cutting tool arranged between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radial dimension, The cutting tool is controllable between the creasing-wheel halves to engage and to produce a slit in a material which is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa.
In a preferred embodiment, the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly comprises a circular disc having a cutting'edge. The disc is rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel, the creasLag-wheel halves being of equal radius. The disc is controllable, between the creasing-wheel halves, for movement between a non-operative position wherein said cutting edge is withdrawn inside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position wherein the cutting edge is projected radially outside said peripheries.
Preferably, the creasing-wheel halves are ring-shaped and journalled for rotation on rollers, the rollers guiding an inner periphery of the ring-shaped creasing-wheel halves.
Also preferred, the radius of the cutting-wheel ia less than the radius of the creasing-wheel halves, and an axis of rotation of the cutting-wheel is displaced from a common axis of rotation for the creasing-wheel halves, In this preferred embodiment, the cutting-wheel is guided and controlled for a linear movement in radial direction of the Greasing-wheel halves, said movement being substantially perpendicular to the general plane of a material that is processed by the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly.
Briefly, the method of cutting and creasing a corrugated or otherwise compressible material involves the provision and control of a cutting tool arranged between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal radius. Preferably, the cutting tool is a circular disc having a cutting edge. The disc is arranged to be rotatable and movably supported between the two creasing-wheel halves. Upon cutting, the disc is controlled for projecting said edge radially outside the peripheries of said creasing-wheel halves to engage and to cut a slit through the material, which is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa.
Preferably, the creaaing-wheel halves are driven and controlled for compression of a material while simultaneously controlling the cutting tool to engage and to cut a slit through the compressed material, resulting in a better controlled cut, higher accuracy and less risk of cracking. In the preferred embodiment, the creasing-wheel halves and the cutting tool are arranged and controlled for engagement with the material at points of contact located essentially on a common line, parallel with an suds of rotation of the creasing-wheel halves.
DRAWINGS
The invention ia further explained below with reference to the accompanying, diagrammatic drawings, showing one embodiment of the invention and wherein
Fig. 1 ia a aide view showing the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly in a creasing mode;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view similar to fig. 1, showing the cutting- and creasing -wheel assembly in a cutting and creasing mode;
Fig. 3 is a cut away end view showing the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly in the creasing mode, and
Fig, 4 ia an end view similar to fig. 3, showing the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly operating on a corrugated web material in a cutting and creasing mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, a cutting- and creasing-wheel aaaembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a circular disc 1 having a cutting edge 2. The cutting edge may be formed continuously about the entire periphery of the disc, or serrated. The disc 1 is rotatable and movably supported between a pair of rctatable creasing-wheel halves 3 and 4, the creasing -wheel halves being of equal radial dimension. In this context, the expression "creasing-wheel halves" refers to a creasing-wheel structure by which a creasing line is produced by depression of a corrugated or otherwise compressible material in two parallel lines so narrowly spaced that also the material between the lines is compressed, creating in practice a single creasing line allowing for folding the material in a subsequent finishing process. The disc is controllable for movement between a non-operative posi-ticn (figs. 1 and 3) wherein said cutting edge is withdrawn, radially inside the outer peripheries 5 of the creasing-wheel halves, and an operative position (figs. 2 and 4) wherein the cutting edge 2 is projecting radially outside aaid peripheries 5.
In a useful application, the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly is arranged in a machine for producing packaging blanks from a corrugated or otherwise compressible web material. A bracket, the structure of which may be adapted for lateral displacement of the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly relative to the machine, positions the assembly with respect to a web material that is advanced through the machine in order to be engaged by the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, the

assembly forming alits and creases in longitudinal and/or transverse directions relative to the feed direction of the material. Optionally, curved or diagonal cutting-and creasing lines may likewise be produced by a proper design and control of the supporting structure. Typically, the cutting- and creasing-whed. assembly is associated with counter-pressure rollers (not shown in the drawings) supporting the web material from the opposite side and assisting cutting- and creasing-wheel assemblies operating in the feed direction, or by a transverse supporting element (also not shown in the drawings) rumiing transvereally to the feed direction and assisting a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly operating in the transverse direction. Attached to the bracket, or formed integrally therewith, is a carrier 6. As will be ex-pleined further below, the carrier 6 houses bearings and drive means for controlling rotation and movements of the creasing-wheel halves 3,4 and the cutting tool or disc
The creasing-wheel in the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of the present invention comprises two rings 3 and 4, each of which is formed with an outer and. an inner periphery. The rings 3 and 4 are of equal outer radial dimension and, typically, also of equal inner radial dimension. The inner peripheries of the rings 3,4 are guided on rollers 7, 8 and 9, arranged for the rings to be freely rotating with their centers located on a common axis of rotation. The inner peripheries of the two rings are chamfered and received, respectively, in corresponding notches formed circura-fereiitially on the rollers. The outer peripheries of the rings 3,4 are rounded towards the sides facing outward of the creasing-wheel, while the sides lacing the opposite ring may connect more sharply to the periphery. The rings are joumalled on the rollers with an axial spacing, providing there between a gap sufficient for the disc 1 to move between the rings into an operative position as will be further described below.
The rollers 7, & and 9 are journalled for rotation on bearings arranged on a lifter 10, which is guided in the carrier 6 for linear movements substantially perpendicular to the web material, i.e. in a vertical direction when the web material is advanced horizontally beneath the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly as is typically the case. The lifter 10 comprises a vertical rod 11 reaching through the carrier 6 and guided therein through an opening formed in a lower member of the carrier. In its top end, the rod 11 carries a slide block 12 that journals a roller 7 for the creasing-wheel
halves 3,4. The slide block 12 ia guided on pillars 13, 14 depending from an upper member of the carrier 6, supporting a jam free motion of the lifter. In its lower end, the rod 11 carries a horizontal girder 15 that journals a pair of roEers 8 and 9 for the creasing-wheel halves 3,4.
The operative positions of the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly are controlled by the operation of a power unit acting between the carrier 6 and the girder 15, In the shown embodiment, two cylinders 16 and 17 powered by air are attached to the carrier while the cylinder pistons 18, 19 are connected to the ends, respectively, of the girder 15. Extension of the piatoc.s will thus extend the lifter 11, girder IS, rollers 7, 3 and 9, and the rings or creaaing-wheel halves 3 and 4. Naturally, hydraulic liquid or electricity may be used to operate the power unit/units.
The cutting tool, i.e.' the disc 1 described above, is carried by the girder 15, or more precisely, journalled for free rotation on a pivot bearing 20 connected to the piston ends of two cylinder units 21 and 22 that are carried by the girder. By operation-of the cylinders 2 1 and 22, in this embodiment driven by air, the disc 1 is controlled to move relative to and between the creasiiag-wheel halves, from a non-operative position shown in fig. 3 wherein the cutting edge 2 is withdrawn inside the outer peripheries 5 of the creasing-wheel halves 3 and 4, to an operative position shown in fig. 4 wherein the cutting edge projects radially outside aaid peripheries to engage and to form a slit through the material.
In practice, preferably, the cutting tool or disc 1 is projected by operation of the cylinders 21,22 to form a slit through the compressible material, while simultaneously the creasing-wheel halves 3,4 are activated for compression of the material, thus reducing the thickness and avoiding the need for excessive cutting length through, e.g., the upper liner and corrugation of a corrugated material. By arranging the cutting-wheel to cut the material through a gap formed between the halves of a split creasing-wheel, the points of contact between the material and the creasing-wheel halves and cutting-wheel, respectively, are located substantially on a common line, parallel with an axis of rotation of the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly. Since cutting is performed on a reduced material thickness, cutting diaca of reduced diameter size may be used. The smaller diameter also allows for reduced thickness of the disc, allowing a minimum gap between the creasing-wheel halves. In other
words, since compression and cutting is performed simultaneously in more or less one single point, using a cutting disc of small dimensions, the precision by which slits may be formed through a corrugated or otherwise compressible material in. a machine for producing packaging blanks will be substantially enhanced through, the present invention.
Arranging the cutting tool stmultane oualy to operate at substantially the same point as the creasing tool makes a. packaging design program more easy to produce, and may also increase the capacity of the machine. The reason for the later is, that a cut normally should be performed after the creasing operation in order to avoid cracks. To secure this, an inactive backward movement of the tool may be required or multiple tools be installed in succession. Such inactive movement and multiple installations will be avoided through the present invention.
Furthennore, projecting the cutting tool all way through a corrugated material will take longer time as compared to a corrugated material in a compressed condition, where the tool only has to project a couple of millimeters. This difference in length, of movement makes it possible to increa.se the capacity of the machine while still maintaining the accuracy of cutting, especially when the tools are operated while the material is moved relative to the assembly or vice versa, Thia ia particularly important when cutting short slits or perforations through a corrugated material, e.g.
The preferred embodiment also is a weight-effective solution that allows the use of creaaing-wheels having greater radius: in order to achieve more easily folded creasing lines, higher pressing force may be applied from the bigger creasing-wheels without cracking the paper liner of a corrugated paper board.
In the shown embodiment the cutting toul is a circular disc, which may be preferred iix connection with corrugated paper boards. However, other types of cutting tools may be arranged between the creasing-wheel halves and controlled for a single-point engagement in cooperation with the split creasing-wheel. Alternative tools, such as laser cutters, water jet cutters, abrasive water jets and non-circular knifes, e.g., may thus be used in combination with the split creasing-wheel to achieve the higher precision cuts through a compressed section of a compressible material.
Although, the invention is explained -with reference to a machine for producing packaging blanks from a web material that is advanced through the machine, the suggested compact structure of a cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly is equally useful in applications where a stationary material is processed by one or more cutting- and creaaing-wheel assemblies, driven for movement relative to the material.

CLAIMS
1. A cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly comprising a. cutting tool arranged be
tween a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the greasing-wheel halves being of
equal outer radial dimension, said cutting tool being controllable, between the
creaaing~wiieel halves, to project from a non-operative position radially inside the
outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves to an operative position radially out
side said outer peripheries.
2. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is
a cutting-wheel having a cutting edge, said cutting-wheel being rotatable and
movably supported between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves, the creasing-
wheel halves being of equal outer radial dimension and having a common centre of
rotation, the cutting-wheel being controllable for projecting the cutting edge from a
nan-operative position wherein said, cutting edge is withdrawn radially inside the
outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves, to an operative position wherein the
cutting edge is projecting radially outside said peripheries.
3. The cutting- and creaaing-wheel assembly of claim 2, wherein an axis of rotation
for the cutting-wheel is displaced from the axis of rotation for the creasing-wheel
halves.
4. The cutting- and creasing-wheel asaembly of claim 2, wherein the radius of the
cutting-wheel is less than the radius of the cfeasing-wheel halves.
5. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 2, wherein the cutting-wheel
is guided and controlled for a linear movement in radial direction of the creasing-
wheel halves.
6. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the creasing-
wheel halves are ring-shaped.
7. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 6, wherein the creasing-wheel
halves are journalled for rotation on rollers guiding an inner periphery, respectively,
of the ring-shaped creasing-wheel halves,
8. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 5, wherein the linear move
ment of the cutting-wheel is perpendicular to a general plane of the material.
9. The cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is
a laser cutter, a water jet cutter, an abrasive water jet cutter, a. non-circular knife,
or any other cutting tool that is controllable to operate through a gap deSned by two
creasing-wheel halves.A method of forming slits through a compressible material, wherein a cutting
tool is provided and arranged between a pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves in a
cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal
outer radial dimension and having a common centre of rotation, comprising the
step of controlling the cutting tool, between the creasing-wheel halves, to project
radially outside the outer peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves for cutting a slit
through the material in a section thereof which is simultaneously compressed by
the creasing-wheel halves while the material is moved relative to the cutting- and
creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa.
10. The method of claim 10, wherein the creasing-wheel halves and the cutting tool
are arranged for engagement with the material at points of contact located an a
common line, parallel with an axis of rotation of the creasing-wheel halves.
11. A method of forming slits through a compressible material, wherein a cutting-
wheel having a cutting edge is provided and arranged to be rotatable and movably
supported between a. pair of rotatable creasing-wheel halves in a cutting- and creas
ing-wheel assembly, the creasing-wheel halves being of equal outer radial dimen-
. aion and having a common centre of rotation, comprising the step of controlling the cutting-whecl to project said cutting edge radially outside the peripheries of the creasing-wheel halves for cutting a slit through the material while the material is moved relative to the cutting- and creasing-wheel assembly, or vice versa.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the creasing-wheel halves are activated for
compression of the material while simultaneously the catting edge is projected for
cutting a slit through the compressed material.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the creasing-wheel halves and the cutting edge
are arranged for engagement with the material at points of contact located on a.
common line, parallel with an axis of rotation of the cutting- and creaaing-wheel
assembly.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=lt4P/zxZLxzBpTuJ44dbDA==&loc=+mN2fYxnTC4l0fUd8W4CAA==

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Patent Number

270603

Indian Patent Application Number

7331/DELNP/2007

PG Journal Number

02/2016

Publication Date

08-Jan-2016

Grant Date

01-Jan-2016

Date of Filing

24-Sep-2007

Name of Patentee

NIKLAS PETTERSSON

Applicant Address

2035 CANDLE TREE COVE, SANDY, UT 84092, U.S.A.

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	NIKLAS PETTERSSON	2035 CANDLE TREE COVE, SANDY, UT 84092, U.S.A.

PCT International Classification Number

B26D 1/14

PCT International Application Number

PCT/SE2006/000233

PCT International Filing date

2006-02-22

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	0500431-2	2005-02-25	Sweden