A cutting device and a method for producing a passepartout

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutting device wherein the blades are perpendicular to the working plane and two independent blades are rotated by a right angle relative to each other so that one of them can only cut in one direction and way and the other can only cut in another direction and way with the two directions orthogonal to each other.

Description

A CUTTING DEVICEAND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PASSEPARTOUTScope of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field related to machinery used to produce ”passe-partouts".

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to aa device that makes it possible, simply and cost-effectively, to cut at least the outer contour of the passe-partout.A brief outline of the prior art

[0003] "Passe-partouts" hhaavvee been known for a very long time. Each "passe-partout" is in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid sheet, generally made of cardboard or similar (but also of other materials), which may possibly be lined with canvas, velvet, etc.

[0004] Thicknesses may vary and, for example, may be of the order of a few millimetres.

[0005] In fact, *passe-partouts" generally have a rectangular or square shape and are made to frame a photograph, painting, print or similar in the form of a picture. AA ggaapp iiss therefore generated between the perimeter of the frame and the object to be framed placed within the frame.

[0006] For the sake of clarity, am example of a well-known "passe-partout" is shown in Figure 1. As can be seen, in this case the design is square but could be rectangular or even of other shapes.

[0007] It is in the form of a flat sheet of a predetermined thickness which is provided with a hole in the centre, i.e. hole 100, which is what in use surrounds the object to be framed, e.g. a print, photo, painting or similar.The material 101 constituting the passe-partout (i.e. thematerial surrounding the hole 100) therefore creates, in use, a separation distance between the object placed in the hole 100 and the perimeter delimiting the frame, which, on the other hand, touches and abuts against the border 102 of the passe-partout.

[0008] As Figure 1 clearly shows (see also section D-D and Figure 1A), the contour of the hole 100 is created by means of a bevel, which is generally of 45°, although it is also made aatt different angles. For example, a cut perpendicular to the two front 101 and rear faces (101') of the passe-partout can sometimes be made, thus replacing the 45° bevel with a 90° angle.

[0009] The exemplary section shown in Figure 1 well highlights this bevel with a 45° angle. In case a bevel is present, thanks to the bevel around the opening 100 (or hole as you may call it) it is possible to better lay the sheet to be framed, which will be flush with the plane 101 forming the front face.

[0010] The outer perimeter 102, which, on the other hand, abuts against the frame within which the "passe-partout" is inserted, does not have a bevel but, rather, always has a simple straight cut that forms a right angle (90°) relative to the front face 101 and the rear face (101') of the "passe-partout" itself.

[0011] To this end, the enlargement of Figure 1A clearly shows the perimeter side 102, which, in fact, forms a right angle relative to the front and rear face of the "passe-partout" . Figure 1 shows in plan view the front face indicated with number 101 and the rear face indicated with number (101').

[0012] Section D-D, as well as Figure 1A, therefore both show, very well, the design of the bevel 103 and also the straight cut oonn the outer border 102 with an angle, therefore, of 90°.

[0013] When inserting the passe-partout into a frame, the front face 101 is generally the one facing outwards, which in fact accommodates the print to be displayed through the bevel, while the rear face is the one that rests against the surface of the frame and which, when the frame is hung on the wall, faces the wall.

[0014] Now, that being said, machines that cut a sheet of cardboard or other materials in order to obtain a "passe- partout" have long been known.

[0015] Generally a sheet of cardboard (or other material) is cut out to obtain a single "passe-partout" or several"passe-partouts" if the sheet size is suitable.

[0016] For example, in the case of several "passe- partouts", several central holes 100 are made at a certain distance from each other (predefined pitch) and then the contours 102 are cut out and the several "passe-partouts" are extracted from the sheet.

[0017] Obviously in the case of a single "passe-partout", a single central hole 100 is first made and then the perimeter 102.

[0018] These cuts are carried out by means of cutting heads that move on guides in a machine for producing"passe-partouts" .

[0019] Such machines are well known in the state of the art.

[0020] For example, European Publication EP2861389 is known, wherein a cutting head, capable of assembling a double blade tilted to generate a V-groove with the same head, is disclosed.

[0021] In EP2035186 a cutting head quick-change system is instead disclosed that bears the cutting blade in such a way that, for example, aa head suitable for bearing a tilted blade can be quickly replaced with a head bearing a non-tilted blade.

[0022] Substantially, therefore , as is well known in the state of the art, there is at least one movable cutting head that moves along guide rails in the direction X and Y in order to be able to freely move in said plane while cutting and / or to reach a certain starting position.

[0023] In addition, at least the part bearing the blade, usually interchangeably, can be lowered and raised along the direction Z to allow the blade to penetrate the material or move away from it.

[0024] The movement direction along the axes (X; Y) thus generates the cutting line when the blade penetrates the material, while the motion along the axis Z moves the blade between a position of penetrating the sheet for cutting and a position of moving away from it.

[0025] In addition to the foregoing, the cutting head is controlled by motors and can rotate further about the axis Z so that a single cutting head can be guided in the cutting path by outlining the cutting perimeter in various directions .

[0026] In particular, referring to Figure 1, considering, for example, a cutting head suitable for assembling a blade tilted by 45°, the tilted blade can cut the sheet and make the hole 100, for example, from point (o') and moving along the axis X. Once reached the point (b') it must move along the axis (Y) and therefore a ninety degree rotation of the head about the axis Z is required to rotate the cutting edge and move the blade for cutting along the direction Y. In this case, the head lifts to release the blade from the sheet and a 90° rotation then takes place, followed by a lowering of the blade again to cut the sheet and continue along the tract (b') - (c'). When point (c') is reached, what has been said above is repeated and the blade mmuusstt further rotate by ninety degrees to arrange the cutting edge of the tilted blade inits cutting direction, with the head moving again in the direction X towards point (d'). Once reached (d'), a further rotation prepares the cutting edge of the blade to cut the last segment (d')-(o') along the axis Y.

[0027] The same processing principle herein described for the hole 100 is then carried out on the border 102, the difference being that the cutting blade is not tilted to form the bevel but is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet 101.

[0028] To do this, either a second cutting head suitable for assembling a blade that is perpendicular to the sheet is present, or the cutting head is of the interchangeable type.

[0029] According ttoo what disclosed, therree may be two separate cutting heads, oonnee of which is movable as described but is designed to bear a tilted blade and a second movable head equally operating as described which is instead designed to bear a blade that is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet 101 (thus to a horizontal plane) to make the perimeter 102.

[0030] In other cases, there may be a single movable head, which is, however, of the interchangeable type, such that, once the bevel cut has been made, the other head can be assembled for cutting the border 102. Thereby, once the bevelled hole 100 is complete, the border 102 is created,

[0031] The 45° bevel could be replaced with aa 9900°° cut, thus using the same non-tilted blade for both the hole 100 and the outer perimeter 102, so having two independent heads oorr aa single head controlled according to the movements described to form the two aforesaid borders.

[0032] In all of the aforesaid cases, however, it is clear that the prior art solutions are particularly structurally complex, yet functional.

[0033] Both in the case of a single, interchangeablemovable head and in the case of two movable heads, such heads require movement members and a control that moves these heads allowing rotation thereof about the axis Z, as well as the necessary vertical movements along the axis Z and movements obviously along the axes X and Y.

[0034] The fact, thus, that such heads must be able to rotate about the axis Z to complete the cuts, in order to rotate and set the cutting edge of the blade properly, requires handling and control mechanisms that make such heads structurally complex and also expensive.

[0035] Moreover, in the event of a breakdown, repair is complex, time-consuming and expensive and can lead to long downtimes .Summary of the invention

[0036] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device, applicable to pre-existing machinery for cutting *passe-partouts" oorr to nneeww machinery in general, which overcomes at lleeaasstt part of the aforementioned technical drawbacks.

[0037] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for cutting at least the outer edge of the "passe-partout", which is simple and functional and which therefore does not require the use of complex movable cutting heads which are rotatable about the axis Z to change the orientation of the cut.

[0038] These and other objects are obtained by means of the present cutting device 20, according to claim 1.

[0039] Such aa cutting device (20) is adapted, in the passe-partout, to make a border that is orthogonal to two front 101 and back 101' faces between which the border is comprised, For example, at least the outer perimeter border 102 of a passe-partout and / or the border 103 relative to the centre hole can be obtained. As shown inthe figures, both of said borders (102, 103) are comprised between the upper face 101 and the lower face 101' of the passe-partout and orthogonal to them.

[0040] In all cases, as said, this border generated by the cut is therefore orthogonal to the two front and rear faces of the sheet being processed or, in case for example of an upper and lower surface not parallel to each other, however said border is orthogonal at least to the support surface of the passe-partout.

[0041] According to the invention, therefore, such a cutting device comprises:At least one first blade-holder support (23, 24) that can be shifted between a lowered cutting position and a raised position;At least one second blade-holder support (23, 24) that can be shifted between a lowered cutting position and a raised position;Said at least first and second blade-holder supports being configured to allow fixing, eeaacchh one, a cutting blade (401);According to the invention, hence:Said first and second blade-holder supports are configured so that, in use, the cutting blades that can be fixed thereto are rotated by 90° or approximately by 90° to each other.

[0042] Thereby, all the aforesaid technical drawbacks are easily overcome.

[0043] In particular, the two blades therefore maintain this above-mentioned arrangement at least during the entire cutting step.

[0044] More particularly, the blade-holder supports are designed ssoo that the relative cutting blade can be assembled therreeoonn (generally in aann interchangeable orreplaceable way, as you may call it, so that the blade can be easily replaced when it is, for example, worn or when it breaks).

[0045] The two blade-holder supports are such that the two blades, when assembled, are rotated relative to each other at a right angle. In particular, each blade is contained in a plane (X, Z) oorr (Y, ZZ)) and these two planes are rotated relative to each other by 90°.

[0046] In particular, the two blade -holder supports provide a seat to house the blade, which can be fixed to each of them in aa removable manner so as to be interchangeable .

[0047] The seats are such that the two blades are rotated by 90 degrees relative to each other once assembled.

[0048] In particular, the two cutting edges of the blade(i.e. the active cutting part, also known as the edge) are rotated by a right angle to each other.

[0049] This means that one blade is contained in a plane Z-X while the other is contained in a plane Z-Y orthogonal to the former Z-X.

[0050] In this extremely simple way, the lowering of the two blade-holder supports and their relative feeding in one direction (X, Y) results in a straight cut in said direction X or Y.

[0051] Thereby, simply lowering and feeding one blade- holder support allows cuts to be made only in one direction, and lowering and advancing the other one allows cuts to be made only in the other direction orthogonal to the previous direction.

[0052] More specifically, in use, the assembly is such that the cutting blade rises from the respective bladeholder support (23, 24) in a direction (Z) that is orthogonal to the surface (X, Y) of the sheet to be cut.

[0053] For example, the blade-holder support may have alongitudinal extension such that it is orthogonal to the working plane and may be configured to clamp the straight blade so that the longitudinal extension of the blade is parallel to that of the blade-holder support.

[0054] Thereby the blade, when clamped in the blade-holder support, points orthogonally to the working plane, creating cutting borders that are therefore orthogonal to the front face 101 and rear face (101') of the sheet being processed.

[0055] Thanks to this arrangement, the blade, when penetrating, therefore cuts in a way orthogonal to the plane of the sheet, producing a cutting border 102 that is orthogonal to the two front and rear faces of the sheet (see for example Figure 1A).

[0056] The blade, therefore, when arranged in the bladeholder support, has a longitudinal extension line that coincides or is at least parallel with the longitudinal extension of the blade-holder support. Thereby, the blade is as if it were an on-axis extension of the blade-holder support .

[0057] When the blade-holdersupport is therefore orthogonal to the sheet to be processed, the penetration creates a border 102 like the one in Figure 1A.

[0058] Therefore, if the blade-holder support is lowered with the blade contained in the plane X-Z, the blade will be able to cut in the direction X and in the direction that depends on which side the cutting edge is facing (e.g. referring to Figure 5 from left to right for bladeholder support -23).

[0059] In the same way, the other blade relative to the other blade-holder support, contained in the plane Y-Z, will be able to cut in the direction Y and in a direction that always depends on which side the cutting edge is facing (when lowered as shown in Figure 4).

[0060] Thus, by combining the use of two separate and distinct blade-holder supports that can be operated independently of each other according to a translation movement along the axis Z to penetrate the sheet and then with relative feeding in one direction, cuts along the axis X and axis Y can be managed in a simple way, so that the perimeter borders 102 (and / or those of the central hole) can be made with a simple device.

[0061] For example, two cuts can be created parallel to each other along the aaxxiiss X and placed at a certain distance from each other along the axis Y with the cutting head relative to the blade-holder support 23 in Figure 5 or 7, and then two cuts can be made along the axis Y spaced a certain distance from each other along the axis X with the other blade-holder support 24 (as in Figure 4), in order to cross the cuts generated and thus realise the perimeter borders or a hole in a square or rectangle.

[0062] Complicated solutions with cutting heads requiring complex rotation systems about the axis Z to rotate the cutting edge in various directions are no longer required.

[0063] In this case, in fact, according to this solution, the two blades are responsible, one for making cuts in one direction only and the other for making cuts in the direction orthogonal ttoo the previous one in order to create rectangular or square geometries with blades that generate a cutting border placed at 90° relative to the two front and rear faces of the sheet being processed.

[0064] It is clear that cutting requires feeding in the direction of the cutting edge, and as there is no rotary mechanism about the axis Z, this means that cuts can only be made in one direction. Thus, as such, having made a cut along the axis X, it is necessary, in order to make a second one parallel thereto and overlapping it, to act with movements along the planes X and Y to reposition theblade at the correct starting point. We will get back to it later on.

[0065] No motors for controlling the rotation along the axis Z are thus provided for both blade-holder supports which are non-rotatable elements and, accordingly, the solution is very simple and cheap.

[0066] Advamtageously, said first and second blade-holder supports are two separate and independent components.

[0067] Advantageously, said first amd second blade-holder supports are configured so that , in use, the assembled cutting blade rises from the respective blade-holder support (23, 24) in a direction (Z) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the surface (X, Y) of the sheet to be cut (i.e. to the cutting plane where the sheet is placed).

[0068] Advantageously, actuating means (21, 22) adapted to shift said first and second blade-holder supports between said lowered position and said raised position and vice versa are comprised.

[0069] Advantageously, a first actuating means (21, 22) controlling the first blade-holder support (23, 24) and a second actuating means (21, 22) controlling the second blade-holder support can be comprised.

[0070] Advantageously, said actuating means can be of the hydraulic or pneumatic type.

[0071] Advantageously, such actuating means can be single- acting or double-acting means.

[0072] Advantageously, in case of single-acting means, elastic means making it possible to achieve the raised position of the cutting blade cam be comprised.

[0073] Advamtageously, said first amd second blade-holder supports are configured so that, at least during the cutting step, they are prevented from rotating about an axis (Z) orthogonal to the plane of the sheet being cut inuse.

[0074] Advantageously, said first and second blade-holder supports each comprise a gripping clamp (30) for removably clamping a blade.

[0075] Advantageously, therefore, the longitudinal extension of the blade, when clamped in the gripping clamp, is parallel to the longitudinal extension of the blade-holder support.

[0076] Advantageously, each gripping clamp is removably fixed to the remaining part (23', 24') of the respective blade-holder support (23, 24) so that the two gripping clamps are rotated by 90° relative to each other.

[0077] Advantageously, the two clamps are twins, therefore identical to each other.

[0078] Advantageously, a reference (e.g. ppiinn--sslloott)) can be provided for the correct assembly of the two gripping clamps, each one in its respective seat of the remaining part (23', 24') of the blade-holder support so that they are rotated relative to each other by 90°.

[0079] A cutting unit ((1100)) comprising a cutting device (20) according to one or more of the foregoing features is also an object of the present invention.

[0080] Advantageously, the cutting device (20) shown above in relation to the cutting unit (10) can be placed in combination with a cutting head (15) configured to bear a tilted cutting blade in order to make an angled bevel (e.g. that 103 in Figure 1).

[0081] Advantageously, to this end, a fixing plate can be provided to fix the cutting device (20) and cutting head (15) thereto.

[0082] A machine for cutting passe-partouts is also an object of the present invention, comprising:A cutting table (200) on which one or more sheets (300) can be arranged in use for producing a passe-partout;A cutting unit (10);At least one first guide (X) and one second guide (Y) are orthogonal to each other to allow to move the cutting unit along said two directions (X; Y) parallel to the surface of the cutting table;And wherein the cutting unit (10) comprises a cutting device (20) according to one or more of the previous characteristics .

[0083] Advantageously, the cutting unit (10) can further comprise a cutting head (15) configured to bear a tilted cutting blade in order to make a bevel (i.e. an angled cut, generally of 45°).

[0084] It is an object of the present invention to use a cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding features, for making at least the outer perimeter borders (102) of a passe-partout.

[0085] A method for making at least the outer perimeter (102) of a passe-partout and with the side (102) defining said outer perimeter which is orthogonal to both the front and rear faces of the passe-partout, is also an object of the present invention, the method comprising;Arranging, on a cutting table (200), a sheet to be cut out to obtain one or more passe-partouts;Arranging a first cutting blade (401) so that its longitudinal extension is orthogonal to the sheet to be cut out;Arranging a second cutting blade (401) so that its longitudinal extension is orthogonal to the sheet to be cut out;And wherein the first cutting blade is movable at least along a first cutting direction (X, Y) parallel tothe plane of the sheet to be cut;The second cutting blade being movable at least along a second direction (X, Y) parallel to the cutting plane;And wherein said first and second cutting blades are arranged so that they are rotated by 90° or substantially 90° relative to each other.

[0086] The cutting edge of the two blades is therefore rotated by 90 degrees relative to each other so that one blade generates cuts in one direction (X, Y) and the other blade generates cuts in the other direction (X, Y) orthogonal to the previous one.

[0087] By combining the cutting movements, cuts of square or rectangular figures are easily obtained.

[0088] Advantageously, therefore, these two blades maintain this arrangement unchanged at least throughout the cutting step to complete the passe-partout.

[0089] Advantageously, said second direction is orthogonal to said previous first direction.

[0090] Advantageously, one cutting blade cuts exclusively along said first direction and feed direction while the other cutting blade cuts exclusively in said second direction and feed direction.

[0091] Advantageously, said first and second cutting blades, at least during the cutting operation, are both prevented from rotating about the axis (Z) orthogonal to the plane of the sheet to be cut.

[0092] Advantageously, the first cutting blades has its longitudinal extension orthogonal to the sheet to be cut out and the second cutting blade has its longitudinal extension orthogonal to the sheet to be cut out.

[0093] In all of the described configurations, movements along the directions (X and Y) can be obtained by means of special (generally electric) drives, which are in themselves well known in the prior art and not the subjectof the present invention.

[0094] The cutting head (15) configured to bear a tilted cutting blade in order to make a bevel is, according to the prior art, motor driven in order to be able to rotate about the axis Z.Brief description of the drawings

[0095] The invention, in one or more embodiments thereof, will be detailed hereinafter according to the following drawings :

[0096] Figure 1 shows an image of a prior art "passe- partout" ;

[0097] Figure 2 and Figure 3 both show, in a perspective view, the device subject of the invention;

[0098] Figure 4 still shows the same device that is the subject of the invention with one right blade in the extended cutting position and the other blade (the left one) retracted in the resting position;

[0099] Figure 5 shows the same image as Figure 4 but with the left blade in the extended cutting position and the right blade in the raised resting position;

[0100] Figure 6 shows a cutting table with axes X and Y along which the cutting unit, comprising the described device, moves, and an enlarged image showing the device of the invention is also highlighted;

[0101] Figures 7 and 8 show sections related to the device subject of the invention; in particular, Figure 7 shows a solution with injection of pressurised fluid (such as air) to lower the blade-holder support; the solution shown in the example in Figure 7 is single-acting, whereby the return to the raised position is achieved, for example, by elastic means such as a spring or spring pack;

[0102] Figure 9 schematises a detailed blade-change procedure and also shows in the exploded view the clamp 30intended to grip the blade that is assembled in the remaining part of the blade-holder support by being inserted into a special channel and with a reference pin that engages in a slot in the remaining part of the blade- holder support in order to have aa forced assembly position; this applies to both of the two clamps 30 related to the two blade-holder supports so that the two clamps 30 are rotated towards each other such that the blades they assemble are rotated towards each other by 90°;

[0103] Figure 10 and Figure 11 better show the blade protection 500 with an additional section; In addition, the section in Figure 11 shows a double-acting solution wherein there are two inlets of pressurised fluid (e.g. air as shown in Figure 11), one of which is intended to lower the piston (P) and the other is intended to raise the piston (P);

[0104] Figure 1122 shows a further overall axonometric view showing the clamps 30 supporting the blade, which are twin but rotated by 90° relative to each other, thus allowing for a rotated assembly of the blades; The reference pins ensure the correct assembly by determining a forced assembly according to a position wherein the pin fits into the reference slot (as already introduced in Figure 9);

[0105] Finally, Figure 13 shows a V-shaped blade (i.e. a blade with two opposite cutting edges) which could easily be assembled in any gripping clamp 30 in place of the single cutting edge blade shown in Figures 4 or 5, for example, in order to have a double cutting direction;Detailed Description of some Configurations of the Invention

[0106] Figure 6 shows an entire assembly, which isbriefly described below for introductory and clarification purposes .

[0107] The figure therefore shows a cutting table 200 forming a support and blocking surface for the sheet to be processed to obtain one or more "passe-partouts" such as the one shown in Figure 1.

[0108] The figure therefore shows an initial sheet 300 which, depending on its size, is processed to obtain one or more "passe-partouts". The sheet is then clamped onto the working plane by means of locking means that are well known in the state of the art and, for this reason , not further detailed herein.

[0109] As schematised in Figure 6, the working table is provided with a first sliding guide 210 extending in the direction Y. More precisely, there are two sliding guides 210 on opposite sides of the plane, thus forming a rail on which a bar 220 slides.

[0110] The bar 220 is, itself, a guide sliding along the axis X for a processing head 10.

[0111] The processing head 10 (also hereinafter referred to as cutting unit 10) is therefore moved along the axis Y and along the axis X by moving the rail 220 along the axis Y and moving the head 10 (or cutting unit) along the rail 220 itself.

[0112] Thereby, any combination of movement in the direction X and Y is obtainable and the movement is controlled through a special engine and control system.

[0113] What has been described so far is however prior art.

[0114] Going into greater descriptive detail of the invention, Figure 6 still shows the processing head or cutting unit 10.

[0115] The processing head 10 (or cutting unit as you may call it) may thus comprise a cutting head 15 suitable forinterchangeably assembling a tilted blade, for example to generate the bevel of the central hole 100, and the cutting device 20 which is the subject of the invention hereinafter described.

[0116] An assembly structure, such as in the form of a suitably shaped crankcase or plate, enables to secure both the cutting head 15 and the cutting device 20 that is the specific subject of the invention.

[0117] The cutting head 15 may be one of those made according to the prior art and already described in the prior art section. They are therefore considered to be fully included in the present description, even by reference to the publications mentioned in the prior art.

[0118] This cutting head 15 thus includes a blade-holder that allows to interchangeably assembly a blade such that the blade can have a tilt suitable for making the tilted bevel relative to the central hole 100 in Figure 1. This head is therefore electronically controlled so that it can rotate about the axis Z as well as being able to move the blade itself between the extracted sheet-cutting position and the retracted position.

[0119] Thereby, according to the prior art, combining the movements according to the described axes X, Y and Z, the opening 100 of Figure 1 is made according to a bevel angle which, as mentioned, is generally of 45° although any other angle would be possible, for example even of 90°.

[0120] According to the invention, in order to easily and cost-effectively make at least the perimeter borders 102 of the "passe-partout" (see for instance Figure 1 and Figure 1A), the cutting device 20 described below is now provided.

[0121] As shown in Figure 2, the cutting device 20 comprises actuating means (21, 22) adapted to drive, according to a simple linear translating movement alongthe axis z, two independent blade-holder supports (23,24).

[0122] In particular, referring to Figure 2 or Figures 4 and 5, a first blade-holder support 23 and a second blade holder 24 are present, arranged next to each other and independent of each other.

[0123] The blade-holder supports are therefore movable along the axis Z between an extended position (or lowered position as you may call it as for example shown in Figure 4) and a retracted position (or raised position as you may call it as for example also shown in Figure 4) independently of each other.

[0124] Both blade-holder supports are actuated by the aforementioned actuating means (21, 22) and can be controlled independently of each other.

[0125] A single actuating means (21, : 22) can be provided which independently controls both blade supports, or preferably, aass described below in the preferred configuration, two separate and distinct actuating means can be provided, each one intended to control its own blade-holder support.

[0126] More specifically, a specific actuating means can be provided for each blade-holder support such that they are present:

[0127] A first blade-holder support 23 provided with its own relative actuating means 22 and a second blade-holder support 24 provided with its own actuating means 21.

[0128] In particular, therefore, said first and second blade-holder supports and their respective actuating means to which they are connected, form, as such, two distinct and separate units that cam be controlled independently of each other.

[0129] The two separate and disjointed units are assembled, as previously mentioned, on a support crankcaseor a plate of suitable geometry so that they are placed next to the previously described head 15 and placed side by side (see figures).

[0130] Thus, going into greater descriptive detail of the invention, Figure 4 shows, for example, the right blade- holder support 24 in the extended (or lowered) position so as to bring the blade into contact with the sheet placed on the working plane to perform the cut while the other left blade-holder support 23 is maintained and shown in the retracted (or raised as you may call it) position.

[0131] It is possible, at any time, to lift the blade- holder support 2244 aanndd lower the left one 23, as for example shown in Figure 5.

[0132] For each blade-holder support, as mentioned above, a specific actuating means is preferably present that is independent of the other actuating means used to actuate the other blade-holder.

[0133] For example, as shown in the enclosed figures, a first actuating mmeeaannss 22 is present that drives its relative first blade-holder support 23 and a second actuating means 21 that drives its relative second blade- holder support 24.

[0134] The actuating means, in general, can be of different types. Preferably they are hydraulic or pneumatic means that drive a rod connected to the relative blade-holder support.

[0135] Both the first and second actuating means (21, 22) thus comprise a cylinder (C) (see Figure 4) into which a pressurised fluid (e.g. liquid such as oil or a gas such as air) is injected. The fluid acts on a piston connected to a rod (8) in such a way as to command the rod in its extension movement as it exits the cylinder (C).

[0136] The hydraulic or pneumatic system described (i.e. air or oil as shown by way of example in the figures) canbe single-acting, i.e. the pressurised fluid controls the extraction movement and maintains the extracted position during the processing. After cutting, the return movement to the retracted position cam be obtained through elastic means once the pressure acting on the piston, e.g. of the springs, has been removed.

[0137] In particular, a spring (or spring pack) may be provided that elongates when the rod (8) is extracted and therefore exerts a return force in the retracted position that acts on the rod and prevails, causing it to retract when the fluid pressure is relieved.

[0138] Thereby, aa simple extraction and retraction movement of the blade-holder is made.

[0139] Still referring to Figure 4, the two inlets (I) for injecting the control fluid into the relative cylinders (C) are shown.

[0140] Other similar extraction and retraction systems could, however, be implemented (e.g. through the use of double-acting pistons as shown in Figure 11).

[0141] It is already clear, from the foregoing, the structural simplicity of the invention, wherein the device consists of two separate and distinct blade-holder supports that can only and exclusively be actuated according to a simple extraction and retraction movement. Thereby, the blades can simply be brought into a cutting position in contact with the sheet being processed or into a separate resting position (i.e. spaced out as they are raised) from the sheet being processed.

[0142] No other kinematic mechanisms are thus provided that allow for rotation about the axis Z, for example, at least during the cutting step, making the device as a whole simple.

[0143] The two blades can be assembled with their cutting edges such that one blade generates cuts in the sheetplane only in the direction X and the other edge generates cuts only in the direction Y orthogonal to the direction X, of course (see also, for example, blade configuration that can be used as in Figure 13, which allows to cut in two directions along one direction).

[0144] The cuts can then be combined to obtain squares or rectangles.

[0145] The blade-holders (23, 24) are therefore fixed, each one, to its respective rod (S), thus being able to be moved (in particular, only shifted) between the extended position and retracted position.

[0146] Figure 7 shows very well the rod (S) that connects to the upper surface that forms the piston (P) on which the pressurised fluid acts, thus moving in its lifting and / or lowering translation movement the relative bladeholder support to which it connects. Figure 7 shows the conduit through which the fluid (e.g. air or oil) passes to push on the surface of the piston (P).[001471Each blade-holder support (23, 24) is structured as follows.

[0148] It comprises a gripping clamp 30 consisting of a first part 31 and a second part 32 (see for instance Figure 4).

[0149] One of the two parts, ee..gg.. the second part or the first part, can be loosened or removed from the remaining part to allow a blade to be inserted interchangeably or removed to replace it if necessary.

[0150] Precisely the section in Figure 7 shows part 31 fixed to the remaining part of the relative blade-holder support (in this case the second blade-holder support 24) and highlights the blade 401 being inserted (the blade can have a single cutting edge as shown in Figure 7 or V- shaped as shown in Figure 13) interchangeably by loosening or removing the other part 32. The two parts can thereforebe loosened or separated to insert the blade interchangeably and, more specifically, part 31 is fixed and part 32 is movable.

[0151] Each gripping clamp 30 fits into a receiving channel formed by the remaining structural part (23•, 24') of the entire blade-holder support.

[0152] This remaining structural part is shown in the figures (see for instance Figure 7) as component 23' in relation to the blade-holder support 23 and as component 24 ' in relation to blade-holder support 24.

[0153] The clamp 30, in the preferred configuration, can therefore be removed from the remaining structural part (23', 24') to which it is connected and can be fixed thereto by quick means such as a grub screw, screws or similar. However , a solution wherein the clamp 30 is one with the rest of the remaining structure (23', 24') is not excluded, i.e. it is not removable although it is obviously designed to allow changing the blade.

[0154] More specifically, Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the process to be followed for changing the blade.

[0155] It should be noted here that the blade-holder support is provided with a blade protection, which is not an essential part of the invention but is nevertheless a recommended accessory for safety reasons.

[0156] It is a sort of a cylinder 500 that is fitted on the blade-holder support and has an opening (blade passage slot shown in Figure 12) through which the blade protrudes (see for example also Figure 9 when the cylinder 500 is disassembled and Figure 10 when assembled).

[0157] This sort of cylinder 500 slides in relation to the blade-holder support on which it is assembled to allow the blade to protrude for cutting, or by locking it in the position wherein the blade is placed therein so as toprevent accidentally cutting the personnel.

[0158] Figure 12 shows the slots through which the blades protrude.

[0159] To change the blade, for example referring to Figure 9, proceed as follows:

[0160] Step A) Extracting the blade protection 500 by loosening the grub screw 501.

[0161] Step B) Separating the blade-holder 30 (or gripping clamp 30 as you may call it) from the remaining structural part (23', 24') by loosening the grub screw (24bis) in the remaining structural part 24' of the entire blade -holder support and sliding said blade-holder downwards once the grub screw has been loosened. The blade-holder 30 (or clamp as stated) is removed from the remainder 24' of the blade-holder support.

[0162] Step C) Loosening the screw joining the two parts 31 -32 of the clamp 30 in order to release the blade and replace it.

[0163] Step D) Proceeding in reverse order to reassemble the whole thing, paying attention to the position of the reference pin. The reference pin is shown in Figure 9 and is better indicated in Figure 12 and is for forcing the two gripping clamps (which are identical to each other) to be assembled in the correct position so that they are rotated by 90° relative to each other (see Figure 12), thus resulting in the two blades being rotated by 90°.

[0164] Step B) Having fixed the two clamps (or one clamp depending on whether the blade change is done on both clamps or on one clamp only), proceeding to fit the two protections 500 which, as said, slide in the blade-holder supports so that, in use, the blade can protrude from the slot.

[0165] Generally, therefore, although not essential, the protections 500 are not removed but placed in a positionwhere the blade protrudes to perform the cut and are slid into a position wherein the blade is contained therein for protection purposes when the device is not in use.

[0166] As already mentioned above, referring to Figure 12, they are shown the reference slots in the two remaining structural parts (23', 24') of the blade-holder supports (23, 24), and with these remaining structural parts adapted to couple with the corresponding reference pins in the blade-holder supports (or gripping clamp) 30 in such a way as to ensure the correct assembly of the blade-holders (or gripping clamp 30) such that the two blades are rotated, as mentioned, by 90 degrees to each other.

[0167] According ttoo the invention, the two gripping clamps 30 are thus globally removably attached, each one, to an overlying structure (23', 24') representing part of the blade-holder support (23, 24).

[0168] More specifically, referring to the section in Figure 7, each blade-holder support (23, 24) consists of:

[0169] A gripping clamp 30 that fits into a channel (by means of a forced pin-slot coupling that serves as an assembly reference) relative to the remaining structure (23', 24'); clamping is carried out by means such as quick means such as screws, grub screws and / or the like;

[0170] The remaining structure (23', 24') in turn consists of:

[0171] An overlying structure (24a) that connects to the rod (S) (e.g. through a threading with the threaded rod end);

[0172] An intermediate part (24b) that connects to the overlaying structure (24a) and forms the receiving seat to receive a rod relative to the gripping clamp 30. In this case, the first part 31 of the gripping clamp 30 is firmly attached to the intermediate part (24b) by means of onerod thereof.

[0173] The second ppaarrtt 32 ooff the gripping clamp 30 couples to the ffiirrsstt part 3311 by means of removable connecting means such as screws, inserts and the like. which can be loosened in order to increase the distance between the two parts 31 and 32 and remove the blade to be replaced, or clamp them again to lock the blade in place.

[0174] The entire blade-holder support, thus comprising the gripping clamp (30) together with the remaining part (23’, 24’), which remaining part (23', 24') connects to the rod (8). The whole thing is therefore kept fixed or is otherwise fixed without the possibility of rotation about the axis Z at least while being used.

[0175] The only possible movement, at least during the cutting operation, is the movement along the axis Z and in any case a translation motion of moving closer to / away from the working surface, apart of course from the fact that the device is assembled on the carriage translating along the axis X by means of the bar 220 and the axis Y by means ooff the bar 220 sliding along the rails 210 (see Figure 6).

[0176] Therefore, the two described blade-holder supports can be lowered and raised and can translate in the direction X and Y but cannot rotate, at least during the processing step, about the axis Z.

[0177] In particular, nnoo automated rotation about the axis Z is possible.

[0178] Continuing in the structural description of the invention, the fact that the two blade-holder supports (23, 24) cannot rotate about the axis Z at least during cutting processing step, makes it necessary to have two separate blade-holder supports each oriented so that the two blades are rotated by about 90° or exactly by 90° to each other (thus right angle). Thereby, one support isenabled to make cuts in only one direction and the other blade-holder support is enabled to make cuts only in the other direction Y orthogonal to the previous X, in order to make geometries such as square or rectangle.

[0179] Assuming, therefore, as shown in the figures, that the two blade-holder supports 23 and 24 are structurally identical (i.e. twins-see all figures) the two blade- holder supports aarree assembled as rotated by 90°. In particular, the clamps 30 that actually engage the blade are rotated so that the gripping clamp 30 relative to the blade-holder support 24 and the gripping clamp 30 relative to the blade-holder support 23 are rotated by an angle of 90° or substantially 90° relative to each other (see, for example, the assembly criterion in Figure 12).

[0180] In fact, as can be clearly seen in Figures 7 and 12, in this exemplary case, the blade-holder support 23 (herein referred to as first blade-holder support 23) is fixed to the rod so that it is rotated by 90° relative to the second blade-holder support 24. This is clear from the fact, for example, that the blade 401 relating to said first blade-holder support 23 shows its side while the one relating to the second blade-holder support 24 is, still in Figure 7, positioned with the cutting edge protruding from the sheet.

[0181] Since in the preferred solution described, the clamp 30 may be separated from the remaining structural part (23', 24'), the ones that are rotated are the clamps 30. However, a solution wherein the clamps 30 are integral and non-removable from the remaining structural part and in any case arranged in a rotated manner is not excluded.

[0182] In any case, in all the configurations of the invention, it is therefore clear that the two blades are positioned in a rotated manner, one relative to the other, as described at length above.

[0183] More specifically, as shown for example in Figure 6, one blade-holder support is such that it has its gripping clamp 30 with an orientation such that the blade cuts in the direction X (or Y), while the other blade- holder support is such that it has a gripping clamp with an orientation such that the blade, when assembled, has the cutting edge facing the other direction Y (or X).

[0184] This means that, quite simply, when lowering, for example, the entire blade-holder support 23 (see Figure 5) , and thus the associated gripping clamp, in this exemplary case this blade-holder support has been configured so that the blade has its cutting edge belonging to the plane X-Z. Substantially, therefore, by moving the entire device in the direction X (see Figures 5 and 6), with this blade lowered a straight cut is created in the direction X.

[0185] The other blade-holder support (as always shown in Figure 5) has been configured so that it is rotated by 90° relative to the previous one, so that when the blade is assembled, it has the cutting edge that belongs to the plane Y-Z (orthogonal to the previous plane X-Z), thus generating a cut in the direction Y only.

[0186] The gripping clamps 30, as is well shown in the section of Figure 7, are such that they allow to assemble a blade which is in the form of a plane that is orthogonal to the working plane of the sheet (i.e. the plane X-Y, see Figure 6) which means that, having penetrated the blade into the sheet to be processed, the feeding in the direction X of a blade generates the border 102 with an angle of 90° relative to the front and rear face of the sheet, and this occurs in the direction X and in the direction Y depending on which one of the two blade-holder supports is lowered.

[0187] Going oonn with the structural description, asupport plate 400 forms two guides on which a blade-holder support (23, 24) slides in each one of them when pushed in the extraction movement from the rod and then returns to the retracted position (see double arrow direction applied to the blade-holder support 24, for example). The rod (S), as shown in Figure 7, is actuated by a flow of aor (or other fluid, such as gas) acting on the piston P, thus lowering the entire unit relative to the blade-holder support sliding on a guide (not shown in the figure for simplicity) relative to the plate 400. In the case ofFigure 7, the system is single-acting, so that the return (lifting movement) takes place with, for example, elastic means. Figure 11 shows the same double-acting solution wherein the return lifting is also done by air injection.

[0188] Thereby, ultimately, returning to Figure 1, while the traditional head with tilted blade is provided with a movement around the axis Z for the same blade to create the four bevel segments (o'-b'; b'-c'; c'-d'; d'-o') as already described in the prior art, the perimeter borders 102 are instead made by simply controlling the lowering / lifting of the two blade-holder supports described above and obviously combining their lowering / lifting movement with the movement of the entire cutting tool along the axis X or Y.

[0189] Below is an operation embodiment with a rotated blade arrangement as shown in figure 5. The cutting sequence is an example:

[0190] More specifically, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 55,, it is possible to start, for example, by performing the tract D'-C' in the direction X by simply lowering, in this example, the first blade-holder support23 which, in the example shown, has been provided so that the blade has a cutting direction coinciding with the direction X from left to right (see Figure 5). When theblade penetrates the sheet, the entire unit 10 is shifted along the axis X and therefore the device 20 is shifted accordingly, wherein the first blade-holder support 23 is with the blade that has penetrated the sheet. Having cut the aforesaid tract D'-C', the blade that was lowered in the configuration of Figure 5 can be raised to lower the other blade-holder support 24, as shown in Figure 4.Thereby, the movement of the entire unit 10 in the direction Y cuts the segment C'-B'.

[0191] At this point, with both blade-holder supports raised, the unit is shifted so that the blade-holder relative to the cut in direction X is at point O', in order to lower it and perform a new cut of the segment O'-B', obviously with a movement always from O' to B'.

[0192] At this point, with both blade-holder supports raised, the unit is shifted in the direction X and Y to position the other blade-holder with the cut in the direction Y at point D' and perform the cut in the direction D'-O'.

[0193] The sequence indicated could be modified by, for example, first performing the two parallel cuts D'-C' andO' -B' in the direction X and then those in the directionY, D'-O' and C'-B'.

[0194] The sequences shown are therefore exemplary because using a V-shaped blade like the one in Figure 13 for both clamps 3300 would further simplify the cutting process .

[0195] Since there is no possibility of rotation about the axis, it is clear that each blade not only cuts in one direction (X or Y) but also in one way, which in the example in Figures 4 and 5 is as follows:

[0196] Blade-holder support 23 cutting direction X in the direction from left to right (e.g. from point O' to point B' referring to Figure 1);

[0197] Blade holder support 24 cutting direction Y with direction from the top of the sheet to its bottom (e.g. from point C' to point B’ referring to Figure 1).

[0198] It is clear that the gripping clamps could be such as to allow that the cutting edge could be assembled in opposite directions and / or assembled with blades such as those shown in Figure 13, and the two blade-holder supports could also be reversed in position compared to those shown as examples in the attached figures.

[0199] However, the arrangement of the two cutting edges is such that the plane containing one blade is rotated by ninety degrees relative to the plane containing the other blade .

[0200] The section in Figure 7 better clarifies the structural arrangement and shows one blade 401 (the one relating to the section plane A-A and thus relating to the support 24) assembled in a plane Z-Y while the other is orthogonal thereto, i.e. a plane X-Z. In Figure 7, as in the other figures, the reference system X (from left to right) , Z and Y (exiting the sheet) are represented.

[0201] As mentioned above, each blade-holder support (23, 24) is not actually rotatable about the axis Z, at least during cutting operations and in automatic mode. By simply arranging two blade-holder supports each assembling a blade perpendicular to the working table and rotated by ninety degrees to each other, it is possible to quickly and easily create straight, non-bevelled cutting lines that meet each other at ninety degrees.

[0202] Ultimately, the perimeter borders of a square or rectangle can be easily achieved with a structurally simple system.

[0203] Just to summarise, referring to Figure 5, in the position shown in Figure 5 the lowered blade-holder support can make "n" cuts in the direction X parallel toeach other at a certain pitch and the other blade-holder, when lowered, ccaann mmaakkee "n" cuts in the direction Y to intersect the cuts X. The blades are then assembled perpendicular to the plane such that the border created is at 90° relative to the front and rreeaarr faces of the processed sheet (i.e. the "passe-partout").

[0204] Having described this, iitt should be noted that both blade-holder supports (23, 24) can still be adjusted in advance, in other words they have a minimum adjustment tolerance about the axis Z to compensate for clearances or misalignment but, once fixed to the rod, during their operation the adjustment position made remains fixed and no rotary movement about the axis Z is envisaged.

[0205] The absence of rotary movement about the axis Z is therefore to be understood in the sense that there is no automatic mechanism that rotates the two head-holder supports by 90° during the cutting operation, so much so that, for example, referring to Figure 5 the lowered blade only cuts in the direction from left to right while the other in the direction Y only cuts in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0206] However, as mentioned, a minimum manual adjustment about the axis Z is still possible to compensate for clearances, which, hhoowweevveerr,, oonnccee carried out, remains fixed until further adjustment.

[0207] In particular, referring to Figure 7, the intermediate part (24b) is rotatable relative to the upper part (24a) to which it connects.

[0208] Figure 8 shows a section and highlights two slots through which the rod of a bolt penetrates.

[0209] The bolt penetrates the intermediate part (24b) and, when it is loosened, it allows the intermediate part (24b) to rotate a minimum relative to the upper part (24a) by an amount determined by the size of the slots. Once theset-up position has been found, the tightening of the bolts freezes the position.

[0210] As previously mentioned, the entire device 20 (referring for example to Figure 2) can be assembled next to aa cutting head 15 that has a blade tilted or perpendicular to the sheet of a known type (thus also with a rotary movement about the axis Z).

[0211] However, aass said, the device 20 described is perfectly capable of manufacturing 90° borders.

[0212] Given that some *passe-partout" products only have 90° borders, including those of the central hole 100, the use of a cutting machine such as the one in Figure 6 wherein, however, only the device 20 is present, thus not coupled with any other cutting head 15, cannot be excluded.

[0213] The ninety-degree rotated arrangement of the blade therefore allows to obtain straight cuts that cross at right angles, resulting in shapes such as rectangles or squares .

[0214] Ultimately, according to the preferred configuration described above, the main concept is to have two blades rotated between them by 90° that are fixed throughout the cutting operation while maintaining their position, in order to make cuts that cross each other at 90° so as to easily create square and / or rectangular cuts.

[0215] In such a case, each gripping clamp 30 of the blade 401 is firmly fixed to the remaining structural part (23', 24') of the respective blade-holder support to which it is fixed, so that the two clamps are rotated between them, thus assembling the two blades rotated between them, or in any case such that the two blades will be rotated between them, as said by 90°.

[0216] Notwithstanding everything described so far, if, however, cuts that cross at angles other than the rightangle (90°) were desirable, it would be sufficient to have the blades rotated by the desired corresponding angle and therefore not necessarily at a right angle.

[0217] Based on the foregoing, in a variant of the invention, it would be sufficient to configure the blade- holder support so as to allow fixing the respective fixing clamp 30 such that two clamps would be placed in a position that is rotated to each other different from the one of the right angle. Once the clamps are fixed, they remain stationary and fixed during the cutting step, thus being able to generate segments that cross even at angles other than right angles.

[0218] Therefore, in such a variant, notwithstanding everything that has been described which also applies to this further variant, it is simply possible to provide more than one fixing position for the clamp 30 relative to the structure (23', 24') to which it is fixed, such that the two clamps can be rotated to each other (and then kept fixed in that position) even at angles other than the right angle.

[0219] Having a removable clamp 30 therefore makes it easily possible to arrange its assembly according to different rotation angles.

[0220] By contrast, a clamp that is fixed and integral with the remaining structural part would make changing angles very complex.

[0221] The fact remains that in all cases (whether there is a right angle or an angle other than a right angle), the solution makes it very easy to obtain straight cuts that cross each other at a certain angle (preferably ninety degrees as widely described).

[0222] Notwithstanding everything described so far, and which is also valid for the following further variant of the invention shown in Figure 13, it would be possible inany clamp 30 to assemble a blade with a double cutting edge (as shown in Figure 13, e.g. with a V-shaped cutting part), i.e. with two opposite cutting edges. This solution with a blade that has two cutting edges eases the creation of cutting lines as it is possible to cut in both directions, i.e. from one point to another (e.g. right to left) and vice versa (e.g. from lleefftt to right), thus simplifying the cutting process.

[0223] In all the described embodiments, in the case of a passe-partout having the front face 101 and rear face 101' not parallel to each other or not parallel to a horizontal reference plane (for example the plane formed by the table on which the passe-partout is laid), however the cut 102 generates a surface that is orthogonal to at least the plane on which the sheet is laid.

[0224] In all the embodiments, notwithstanding everything described so far, applying what has been described, it is not excluded a positioning of the two blade-holder supports ssoo that their extension direction is not orthogonal to the support plane of the sheet to be cut. In this case the kinematic mechanism and all what has been described so far remains valid but, for example in the case of a passe-partout as the one described in Figure 1 or 1A, a bevelled cutting border would be obtained with the same advantages as the border orthogonal to the two faces or to the laying plane.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cutting device (20) for producing, iinn aa passe- partout, one or more cutting borders, preferably for producing the outer perimeter (102) of said passe- partout, and comprising:At least one first blade-holder support (23, 24) that can be shifted between a lowered cutting position and a raised position;At least one second blade holder support (23,24) that can be shifted between a lowered cutting position and a raised position;Said at least one first and one second blade- holder supports being each configured to allow the fixing of at least one cutting blade (401);Characterised in that:Said at least one first and one second blade- holder supports are configured so that the cutting blades (401), when each one is fixed to the respective blade-holder support, aarree rotated relative to each other.

2. The cutting device (20), according to claim 1, wherein said first aanndd second blade-holder supports are further configured in such a way that, when in use as assembled, said blades maintain unchanged or substantially unchanged said arrangement at least during the entire operating cutting step.

3. The cutting device (20), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second blade-holder supportsare two disjointed and independent components.

4. The cutting device (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second blade-holder supports aarree configured such that, in use, the assembled cutting blade rises from the respective blade-holder support (23, 24) according to a direction (Z) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the support surface (101) of the sheet to be cut.

5. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein actuating means (21, 22) adapted to shift said first and second blade-holder supports between a lowered position and a raised position and vice versa are comprised.

6. The cutting device (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a first actuating means (21, 22) controlling the first blade-holder support (23, 24) is comprised and wherein a second actuating means (21, 22) controlling the second blade-holder support is comprised.

7. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said actuating means are of the hydraulic and / or pneumatic type.

8. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said actuating means are single-acting or double-acting.

9. The cutting device (20), according to claim 8, wherein, in the case of a single-acting means, elastic means for reaching the raised position are comprised.

10. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second blade-holder supports are configured so that they are prevented from rotating about an axis (Z) orthogonal to the support plane of the sheet being cut in use or along their longitudinal extension direction, at least during the entire cutting step.

11. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second blade-holder supports each comprise a gripping clamp (30) for clamping, removably, a blade such that the longitudinal extension of the blade, when clamped in the gripping clamp, is parallel to the longitudinal extension of the blade-holder support to which it is connected.

12. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each clamp is fixed, preferably removably, to the remaining structural part (23', 24') of the respective blade-holder support (23, 24) so that the two clamps are rotated to each other, preferably rotated by 90° relative to each other.

13. The cutting device (20), according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the two clamps are twins to each other.

14. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each clamp is removably fixed to the remaining structural part (23', 24') Ofthe respective blade-holder support (23, 24) so that said two clamps can be fixed to said remaining structural part according to two or more different angular positions of rotation, thereby allowing a rotated positioning of one clamp relative to the other according to one or more different angles, preferably rotated by 90° relative to each other.

15. The cutting device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said blades are rotated relative to each other at different angles, preferably rotated by 90° or substantially 90°.

16. The cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims 11 to 15, wherein a reference guide is provided for properly assembling the two clamps, each one in its respective seat of the remaining part of the blade-holder support so that the two clamps result as rotated relative to each other at different angles, preferably rotated relative to each other by 90°.

17. A cutting unit (10) comprising a cutting device (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 16, in combination with a cutting head (15) configured to bear a cutting blade; preferably the cutting blade being tilted in order to make a bevel.

18. The unit according to claim 17, wherein a fixing plate is provided for fixing the cutting device (20) and / or the cutting head (15).

19. A machine for cutting passe-partouts comprising:A cutting table (200) on which one or more sheets (300) can be arranged in use for making apasse-partout;A cutting unit (10);At least one first guide (X) and one second guide (Y) orthogonal to each other to allow to move the cutting unit along said two directions ((XX;; Y) parallel to the surface of the cutting table;And wherein the cutting unit (10) comprises at least one cutting device (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 16.

20. The machine according to claim 19, wherein the cutting unit (10) further comprises aa cutting head (15) controllable in rotation about the axis (Z); preferably configured to bear a tilted cutting blade in order to make a bevel.

21. The use of a cutting device (20), according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 16, for producing at least the outer perimeter borders (102) of a passepartout by making with the first blade-holder support exclusively one or more cuts in one direction and by making with the second blade-holder support exclusively one or more cuts in a second direction, so as to define said outer perimeter borders.

22. A method for producing at least the outer perimeter (102) of a passe-partout, the method comprising:The arrangement, on a cutting table (200), of at least one sheet (300) to be cut out in order to obtain one or more passe-partouts;The arrangement of a first cutting blade (401) so that, when it intercepts the sheet, the cut of saidblade generates a surface (102); preferably orthogonal to at least the front face (101) and / or rear face (101') of the sheet being processed and / or the support plane of the sheet; even more preferably to both the front face and the rear face;The arrangement of a second cutting blade (401) so that, when it intercepts the sheet, the cut of said blade generates a surface (102); preferably orthogonal to at least the front face (101) and / or rear face (101') of the sheet being processed and / or the support plane of the sheet; even more preferably to both the front face and the rear face;And wherein the first cutting blade is movable at least along a first cutting direction (X, Y); preferably parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane that supports the sheet to be cut;The second cutting blade being movable at least along a second direction (X, Y); preferably parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane that supports the sheet to be cut;And wherein said first and second cutting blades are arranged so that they are rotated relative to each other.

23. The method, according to claim 22, wherein said first and second cutting blade are rotated by 90° or substantially 90° relative to each other and / or adjustable to different rotation angles.

24. The method, according to claim 22 or 23, wherein said first and second blades maintain said arrangement unchanged or substantially unchanged at least duringthe entire cutting step.

25. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 22 to 24, wherein aa cutting blade cuts exclusively along a first feed direction while the other cutting blade cuts exclusively in a second feed direction; preferably with said second direction orthogonal to said first direction.

26. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 22 to 25, wherein said first and second cutting blades, at least during the cutting operation, are both prevented from rotating about the axis (Z) orthogonal to the support plane of the sheet to be cut out.

27. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 22 to 26, wherein the first cutting blade is with its longitudinal extension orthogonal to the support plane of the sheet to be cut out and the second cutting blade is wwiitthh iittss longitudinal extension orthogonal to the support plane of the sheet to be cut out.

28. The method, according to one or more of the preceding claims 22 to 27, wherein the cutting blade has a single cutting edge or a double cutting edge, e.g. V- shaped.

Images