Stand-alone cutting apparatus

Abstract

The invention discloses a stand-alone apparatus for cutting a web of media or tag stock into individual units for use downstream of a printer. The apparatus may cut vinyl, plastic, or RFID stock material in both back and forth directions. The apparatus comprises a housing, a carriage assembly and a movable cutter assembly. The cutter assembly is easily interchangeable and comprises a cutting element such as a wheel blade, and a pressure adjusting element for adjusting the amount of pressure applied by the cutting element to the stock material. Alternatively, the cutter assembly may be manufactured with a predetermined pressure load, but still permit an operator to adjust the depth of cut. The apparatus may be powered by and or in hardline or wireless communication with a printer, or may further comprise a computer microprocessor, memory and user interface to function wholly independent from a printer.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 492,500, filed May 1, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 552,240, filed August 30, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 552,248, filed August 30, 2017 and priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 552,252, filed August 30, 2017, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background technique [0003] The present invention generally relates to a portable, self-contained device for cutting media, such as prints on the media, to create "kiss cut" or "die cut" like labels on demand. Traditional methods of producing pressure sensitive label matrices primarily involve die cutting or etching or marking processes by blade or laser. For example, die cutting is typically performed with a flatbed or rotary mechanism and involves the process of using a die to cut a web of low strength material, such as pressure sensi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, tests on printer stock have shown that steeper profiles (such as about a 60 degree angle) can catch the edge of the stock and jam the carriage of a printer or cutting device

Moderate profiles (such as about a 45 degree angle) move over the edge of the stock, but bounce can result in short pierce cuts, which is not desired

The lower profile (such as about a 25 degree angle) moves over the edge of the stock, but the leading edge is not perfect, most likely caused by the cutter bouncing over the leading edge of the stock

Also, if the stock is not lying flat on the anvil, edge damage can be a problem when this type of cutter moves into the stock

[0008] While flatter blade angles are generally easier to ride on the leading edge, any damage to the edge of the supply roll could still cause a jam in the printer or cutting equipment

Additionally, these types of cutters tend to wear out quickly, which over time can lead to imperfect cuts of the stock and frequent downtime when repairing (eg, sharpening) or replacing cutters

Adhesive can also build up on the cutter blades, exacerbating the problem

Also, if the media being cut is not maintained under tension, it may cause a jam in the printer or other cutting equipment

A blade with a flatter cutting angle and the anvil it rests against to cut is also prone to premature wear and damage

There is also a limit to how fast the cutter can travel without bouncing

Also, it is unclear whether turning this type of cutter 180° to turn and cut back will have an adverse effect on the overall life of the cutter, printer or other equipment

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