Patent ID: 6557446
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: B63B,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for cutting transverse strips from an elongated card and for sorting defective strips from non-defective strips, comprising:a die member having a shear zone defining edge across which successive transverse portions of said card may be traveled, a reciprocatable shear blade which is adjacent to said die member and which has a cutting edge which is coplanar with said shear zone defining edge of said die member and positioned to cut transverse strips from said card at said shear zone defining edge in a sequential manner, and a strip transporting carrier supported for movement between a first location at which a front end of said carrier is adjacent to said die member at said shear zone defining edge thereof in position to receive and support strips which are cut from said card, a second location at which non-defective strips are removable from said carrier and a third location at which defective strips are released from said carrier, wherein said carrier conveys strips along a strip travel path which extends from said first location through said second location to said third location, and, a vertically movable lift gate disposed at said strip travel path between said second and third locations, said lift gate having a lowered position at which movement of said strips from said second location to said third location is blocked and having a raised position at which said strip travel path is open for movement of strips from said second location to said third location.