Abstract:
An apparatus ( 10 ) for cutting a corner of a stack ( 66 ) of sheet material, such as paper or plastic cards, to have a non-square shape. Broadly, the apparatus ( 10 ) includes a tray ( 12 ) for receiving the stack ( 66 ) such that the corner of the stack ( 66 ) projects through a gap ( 22 ) in the tray ( 12 ) into a cutting path, a blade assembly ( 14 ) which is slidable along the cutting path to cut the corner of the stack ( 66 ), a drive assembly ( 16 ) for driving the blade assembly ( 14 ) along the cutting path, a clamping assembly ( 74 ) for exerting a clamping force on the stack ( 66 ), and one or more spacer blocks ( 70,72 ) that fit closely within the tray ( 12 ) and do not project into the cutting path, including a spacer block ( 70 ) which is interposed between the clamping assembly ( 74 ) and the stack ( 66 ).

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present non-provisional patent application claims priority benefit of an earlier-filed provisional patent application of the same title, Ser. No. 60/698,574, filed Jul. 12, 2005. The identified earlier-filed application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to apparatuses for cutting stacks of sheet material. More specifically, the present invention concerns an apparatus for cutting a corner of a stack of sheet material, e.g., paper or plastic cards, to have a non-square, e.g., rounded, shape, wherein the apparatus receives and retains the individual sheet material members of the stack in a substantially vertical orientation such that the force of gravity assists in properly positioning the individual members for cutting.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Apparatuses for cutting stacks of sheet material, such as paper cards, are known that are vertical in orientation, such that the stacks, and the individual sheet material members of the stacks, are oriented horizontally within the apparatuses during the cutting process. Unfortunately, this can result in disorientation of the individual sheet material members, as well as the stack as a whole, resulting in a non-uniform cut.  
         [0004]     Apparatuses for cutting such stacks are also known that cut only in one direction along a cutting path. Unfortunately, this unidirectional cutting limitation can result in poor or incomplete cuts.  
         [0005]     Due to these and other problems and disadvantages in the prior art, a need exists for an improved apparatus for cutting sheet material.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is an apparatus for cutting a corner of a stack of sheet material, e.g., paper or plastic cards, to have a non-square, e.g., rounded, shape, wherein the apparatus receives and retains the individual sheet material members of the stack in a substantially vertical orientation such that the force of gravity assists in properly positioning the individual members for cutting.  
         [0007]     Broadly, in one embodiment the apparatus comprises a tray, a blade assembly, and a drive assembly. The tray assembly receives the stack such that the corner of the stack is located in a cutting path. The tray is oriented substantially horizontally, and includes a bin having a gap through which the corner of the stack projects into the cutting path. The bin includes a first support panel and a second support panel angularly oriented relative to one another and separated by the gap. The cutting path is substantially linear, and the first direction corresponds to a forward direction and the second direction corresponds to a rearward direction along the cutting path.  
         [0008]     The blade assembly moves along the cutting path to cut the corner of the stack. The blade assembly includes a first cutting edge having the non-square shape and oriented toward a first, or forward, direction along the cutting path and a second cutting edge having the non-square shape and oriented toward a second, or rearward, direction along the cutting path. A top surface of the blade assembly has a groove which corresponds to the non-square shape. The non-square shape may be a substantially rounded shape, in which case the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge each include a first end and a second end which are flared to better accomplish a smoother transition between the substantially straight sides of the sheet material.  
         [0009]     The drive assembly is connected to the blade assembly for facilitating driving the blade assembly along the cutting path.  
         [0010]     The apparatus may further include one or more spacer blocks for occupying space within the tray which is not occupied by the stack. Each such spacer block fits closely within the bin and does not project into or otherwise obstruct the cutting path. There are at least a first spacer block and a second spacer block for positioning in front of and behind the stack, respectively.  
         [0011]     The apparatus may further include a clamping assembly for exerting a clamping force on the stack within the bin. The clamping assembly includes a threaded rod having a first rod end and a second rod end, and a handle connected to the first rod end for turning the threaded rod. The spacer block located in front of the stack is interposed between the clamping assembly and the stack. This spacer block includes an engagement surface against which the clamping assembly exerts the clamping force, wherein the engagement surface is angled relative to a direction of the clamping force so as to force the spacer block both against the bin and against the stack.  
         [0012]     These and other important features of the present invention are more fully described in the section titled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     Further features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for rounding the corners of sheet material according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the cutter blade assembly of the apparatus.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cut-away perspective view illustrating the apparatus in which a stack of sheet material is prepared for cutting.  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the apparatus as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view in side elevation of the apparatus as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view taken from the side of the cutter blade assembly shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus for rounding the corners of sheet material according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the apparatus of  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     With reference to the figures, a cutting apparatus  10  is herein described, shown, and otherwise disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Broadly, the apparatus  10  facilitates cutting the orthogonal corner edge of a stack of sheet material, such as paper, plastic, or non-ferrous metal, to produce a shaped corner other than one having a right-angle. In particular, the embodiment described herein is adapted for cutting a rounded corner, but other shapes can also be cut depending on the chosen configuration of the cutting blade.  
         [0035]     Broadly, the apparatus  10  comprises a housing defining a horizontally disposed tray for receiving the stack  66  in a horizontal, side-by-side position such that a corner edge of each sheet material member of the stack  66  is placed in the cutting path of a rounded blade. The blade is slidably mounted in the housing such that a cutting swath is effected by moving the blade against and along the corner edge of the stack  66 . The blade has cutting edges at a leading end and a trailing end to permit bidirectional back-and-forth cutting to ensure a complete and even, rounded cut of the corner of the stack  66 . The horizontal disposition of the apparatus, coupled with the angled sides of the housing tray, enable the sheet material members of the stack  66  to be settled into place and quickly aligned. After one corner of the stack  66  is cut, the entire stack  66  can be lifted and simply rotated approximately 90 degrees to present the next adjacent corner for cutting. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the apparatus  10  broadly comprises a housing having a tray section  12 , a cutter blade assembly  14 , and a blade drive assembly  16 .  
         [0036]     The tray section  12  is adapted to receive and retain the stack  66  in a substantially vertical orientation such that the force of gravity assists in properly positioning the sheet material members of the stack  66  for cutting. The tray section  12  comprises upper, opposing support panel members  18 , 20  which are positioned relative to each other such that their upper surfaces form a bin within the tray section  12 . In one embodiment, each support panel member  18 , 20  is disposed at an approximately 45 degree angle from a center axis, preferably vertically oriented, such that their combined angles create a V-shaped trough with an approximately 90 degree angle and oriented substantially horizontally. In other embodiments, different angles are used to receive differently shaped sheet material. The top edges of the support panel members  18 , 20  may be extendable or adapted to receive extension members in order to accommodate and properly support larger sheet material during the cutting process. The bottom edges of the support panel members  18 , 20  are spaced apart to define a gap  22  as shown in  FIG. 3 . End plate members  24 , 26  are disposed at the ends of the tray section  12 . The support panel members  18 , 20  are connected to the end plate members  24 , 26  by bolting, welding, or the like. Reinforcing panels  19 , 21  provide structural strength and stability to the tray section  12 .  
         [0037]     Referring also to  FIGS. 7-10  and  18 , the cutter blade assembly  14  comprises a cutter body  28 , a first cutting edge  30 , and a second cutting edge  32 . In one embodiment, the first and second cutting edges  30 , 32  are provided at opposite ends of a double-sided cutting blade. In another embodiment, an extending tongue member  36  projects longitudinally from the cutter body  28  and terminates in the first cutting edge  30 , and a second extending tongue member  38  projects longitudinally from the cutter body  28  and terminates in the second cutting edge  32 . A top surface of the cutter body  28  defines a groove  34  along its entire length and along the extending tongue members  36 , 38 . The groove  34  is rounded and has a constant dimension, which approximates the radius of curvature of the cutting edges  30 , 32 , throughout its entire length, as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . The angle of the tangent lines at the edges of the groove  34  is approximately 90 degrees, and in other embodiments is a little greater than 90 degrees (e.g., 94 degrees in one embodiment) to assure a smooth transition from the rounded corner to the straight edge of the sheet material. Thus, in one embodiment the radius of the groove  34  increases toward the ends. In one embodiment, the flare occurs over the last 1/16 inch of each end. Holes  40 , 42  are disposed through the cutter body  28  and are adapted to receive fastening members for securing the cutter blade assembly  14  to a surface. The holes  40 , 42  are countersunk below the bottom surface of the groove  34 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , so that the heads of the fastening members received within the holes  40 , 42  do not obstruct the passage within and along the groove  34 . The cutter body  28  may be provided with an additional surface feature for visually associating the particular cutter body with a corresponding particular spacer block or set of spacer blocks, as described below. In one embodiment, the additional surface feature is an additional hole or indentation painted with a particular color associated with the corresponding particular spacer block or set of spacer blocks.  
         [0038]     Each of the extending tongue members  36 , 38  have bottom edges which angle downwardly from the blade edge, as shown in  FIG. 18 , urging cut scrap to fall away from the blade. The grooved edge of the first blade as it engages the stack  66  effects a round cut, thereby softening the sharp corner of the stack  66 . As described above, outer edges  44 , 46  of the blade are partially flared out to avoid an uneven cut on the corner of a sheet material member of the stack  66  if it is not exactly lined up for the cut. As the stack  66  is cut, the groove  34  of the cutter body  28  is caused to slide along the newly created rounded corner, permitting the entire cutter assembly  14  to pass by the stack  66 . Once passed, the cutter assembly  14  is brought into position to effect a reverse cut, by engaging the second blade against the opposite side of the stack  66 . The second cutting pass supplements the cut on the corner of the stack  66  made by the first cutting pass.  
         [0039]     In this embodiment of the invention, the cutter blade assembly  14  is mounted on the blade drive assembly  16 . The blade drive assembly  16  is comprised of a carrier member  48  and rail members  50 , 52 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The rail members  50 , 52  span between and are connected to the end plate members  24 , 26 . The carrier member  48  is mounted on the rail members  50 , 52  such that it is moveable along the rail members  50 , 52 , thereby being able to move the cutter blade assembly  14  back and forth along the tray section  12 . The carrier member  48  has channels  54 , 56  which slidably receive the rail members  50 , 52 . As understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, appropriate bearing mechanisms can be provided within the channels  54 , 56  for reducing friction as the carrier member  48  slides along the rail members  50 , 52 . It should also be understood that other sliding mechanism arrangements for the blade drive assembly may be employed using greater or fewer rail members or other track assemblies.  
         [0040]     The carrier member  48  has a central body portion  58  having mass to provide sufficient cutting force to the blade assembly  14  as it engages the stack  66 . The central body portion  58  may be cylindrical with opposing handles  60 , 62 , which give it a shape similar to that of a rolling pin. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a groove  64  is perpendicularly disposed on the top surface of the carrier member  48  for receiving the cutter body  28  in an orientation such that the cutting edges  30 , 32  point and travel in a longitudinal, horizontal direction within the tray section  12 . The cutter body  28  is removably secured within the groove  64  which has threaded sockets to receive threaded fasteners passing through the holes  40 , 42  in the cutter body  28 . The rail members  50 , 52  are positioned underneath the support panel members  18 , 20  of the tray section  12  such that, when the carrier member  48  is mounted on the rails  50 , 52 , the cutter blade assembly  14  lies in proximity to the gap  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The cutter blade assembly  14  is bi-directionally movable longitudinally along the tray section  12  in the gap  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , by sliding the carrier member  48  along the rail members  50 , 52 .  
         [0041]     The angled orientation of the support panel members  18 , 20  within the tray section  12  enable the sheet material members of the stack  66  having an orthogonal (or right angle) corner to settle and lay flush against the surface of the support panel members  18 , 20 . The relative angle between the support panel members  18 , 20  is approximately 90 degrees, which substantially approximates the standard, right angle shape of the corner of the stack  66 . The apparatus  10  lies in a substantially horizontal disposition such that the tray section  12  runs parallel to a supporting surface on which the apparatus  10  is placed, as shown in  FIG. 1 . This construction enables the stack  66  to be simply placed in the tray section  12  where, with the aid of gravity, the edges of the sheet material members of the stack  66  will line up flush and evenly abut against the support panel members  18 , 20 . In an alternate embodiment, the disposition of the apparatus  10  is adjustable to raise one end of the tray section with respect to its other end in order to incline the tray. In this embodiment, the stacking of the sheet material members within the tray section  12  is additionally simplified as gravity will further urge the members into alignment, and cause the members to tilt in a common direction. The gap  22  permits the corner  68  of the stack  66  to lie below the tray section  12  such that the corner  68  is exposed for engagement with the cutter blade assembly  14  and the blade drive assembly  16 , as shown in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0042]     The tray section  12  has a length sufficient to accommodate a large stack  66 . However, any particular cutting operation may involve a number of sheet material members whose stacked length is substantially less than the length of the tray section  12 . Accordingly, spacer blocks  70 , 72  are provided for occupying the unused space within the tray section  12 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . A clamping assembly  74  securely holds the stack  66  in place within the tray while the cutting operation takes place. The clamping assembly  74  comprises a threaded push rod member  76  extending through the end plate  24  and threadedly received in bushings  78 , 80 , as seen in  FIG. 12 . The bushings  78 , 80  reinforce the end plate  24  and the inner bushing  80  is of sufficient length to stabilize the push rod member  76 . A handle  82  is provided for rotating the push rod member  76  about its threaded engagement to effect its extension length from the end plate  24 . As seen in  FIG. 11 , the push rod member  76  exerts pressure on the spacer block  70 , which in turn effectively clamps the stack  66  in place.  
         [0043]     Each spacer block  70 , 72  is configured to have a bottom portion formed with an approximately 90 degree angle so that it abuts precisely with the support panels  18 , 20  of the tray section  12 . The bottom apex  84  of each block extends through the gap  22 , thus placing it just above the path of the cutter blade assembly  14 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . Accordingly, the bottom apex  84  has a curved shape having a degree of curvature approximating that of the groove  34  of the cutter body  28 . In another embodiment, the bottom apex  84  is flat and extends across the gap  22 . This permits the cutter blade assembly  14  to pass unobstructed along the bottom of the spacer blocks  70 , 72  as it cuts the exposed corners of the stack  66  braced within the tray section  12 . This configuration further permits the spacer blocks  70 , 72  to provide as much bracing surface area as possible to the stack  66  to prevent inadvertent bending of the corners. As mentioned, particular cutting bodies may be associated with corresponding particular spacer blocks by an appropriate visual indication, e.g., color. In one embodiment, the spacer block  172  may include, in its top surface, a receiver  190  for receiving the corresponding particular cutting body  128 , thereby allowing for physically associating the cutting body  128  and corresponding spacer block  172  when not in use, as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 .  
         [0044]     During operation, it is desirable to have spacer blocks  70 , 72  on either side of the stack  66 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , to permit sufficient clearance of the blade drive assembly  16  on both sides of the stack  66 . This permits bi-directional cutting of the front and back sides of the stack  66 , thus utilizing both first and second cutting edges  30 , 32  of the blade assembly  14 . Specifically, placing a spacer block  72  opposite the starting end of the cut allows the cutting tool to slide all the way underneath the spacer block  72  so that the return cut begins with the blade spaced from the stack  66 .  
         [0045]     The apparatus  10  is employed for cutting sharp corners to form a rounded edge on the corner of the stack  66 . In preparation, the blade drive assembly  16  is brought back against the end plate  24  and the stack  66  of sheet material is placed in the tray section  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The angled edges of the support panel members  18 , 20  ensure that the edges of the sheet material member of the stack  66  abut precisely in the tray, and that a uniform portion of the corner of each member extends into the gap  22 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . If any sheet material members of the stack  66  are initially out of alignment, they can be simply tapped down. Although the tray can accommodate a large stack  66 , it is advantageous to ensure that space is left on either side of the stack  66  within the tray so that the entire blade drive assembly  16  can completely pass the stack  66  on both ends of the stack  66 . Therefore, a front spacer block  70  is placed in front of the stack  66  and a rear spacer block  72  is placed behind the stack  66 . Additional spacer blocks may be used as needed. It is necessary to securely clamp the stack  66  in place, so the threaded rod member  76  is drawn tight against the front edge of the spacer block  70 . In one embodiment, the block  70  is provided with a hard plastic or metal wear plug to engage the end of the rod  76  and limit wear to the block  70 . In the presently described embodiment, the clamping assembly  74  is positioned in the upper region of the end plate  24  thereby slightly offsetting the push rod member  76  from central engagement with the spacer block  70 . To avoid the spacer block  70  tipping off center when engaged by the push rod member  76 , the front engaging edge  86  is angled slightly from vertical, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The engaging edge angle is preferably approximately 10 degrees with respect to the upright axis, which is substantially vertical, of the apparatus  10 . Further, the tip  87  of the rod  76  is crowned at an angle of approximately 10 degrees to substantially match the angle of the spacer block  70  and force the spacer block  70  down into the tray. This also tends to force the stack  66  down into the tray. Alternate clamping mechanisms, such as a lever clamp, may also be used to secure the stack  66 .  
         [0046]     Once the stack  66  is secured in the tray, the blade drive assembly  16  is actuated to draw the cutter blade assembly  14  across the exposed corner of the stack  66 . In the present embodiment, the handles  60 , 62  are provided so that a person may manually actuate the blade drive assembly  16  by pushing and pulling it longitudinally along the tray section  12 . Although not shown here, it would be understandable to a person having ordinary skill in the art to provide an automated arrangement for actuating the blade drive assembly  16 .  
         [0047]     For purposes of explanation of the cutting operation, reference is made to  FIGS. 12-16 . The central body portion  58  of the blade drive assembly  16  is slidably mounted on the rails  50 , 52 , and as it advances down the tray section  12  along the rails  50 , 52  it first approaches the front spacer block  70 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , the central body portion  58  is configured with an inwardly offset portion  88  in its top surface which provides a sufficient dimension to receive the bottom portion of the tray section  12  and the bottom apex  84  of the spacer block  70 . Similarly, the apex  84  has a dimension slightly less than that of the groove  34  of the cutter body  28  so that the apex  84  will pass within the groove  34  and the blade assembly  14  will pass over the apex  84 . As the blade drive assembly  16  passes the front spacer block  70  it next approaches the stack  66 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The orthogonal corner of the stack  66  exposed through the gap  22  is cut off by the first edge  30  of the cutter blade to leave a rounded corner. For thorough cutting, the blade drive assembly  16  is pushed entirely past the stack  66 , as seen in  FIG. 16 . The apex  90  of the rear spacer block  72  has a dimension slightly less than that of the groove  34  of the cutter body  28  so that the apex  90  will pass within the groove  34  and the blade assembly  14  will pass over the apex  90 .  
         [0048]     The force by which the blade drive assembly  16  is pushed against the stack  66  can be significant, so the end plates  24 , 26  can be reinforced to absorb the shock when the blade drive assembly  16  is pushed against them. In one embodiment, a cushion bumper is provided on the end plates  24 , 26  to stop the motion of the drive assembly  16 . Upon completion of the first passage of the blade drive assembly  16  past the front edge of the stack  66 , it becomes in position to be actuated for return passage against the back edge of the stack  66 . If an incomplete cut was made on the first forward passage, a second reverse passage cut should be sufficient to produce a complete cut. The second cutting edge  32  and the back side of cutter body  28 , and the bi-directional sliding capability of the blade drive assembly  16 , permit a reverse cut to be made simply by sliding the blade drive assembly  16  back along the rail members  50 , 52 .  
         [0049]     The operation is repeated for each corner of the stack  66 . The stack  66  is unclamped by turning the handle  82  to loosen the push rod member  76 . Once unclamped, the entire stack  66  is lifted and rotated approximately 90 degrees and placed back in the tray section  12 . The stack  66  is again clamped and the cutting process is repeated as described above. The remaining two corners of the stack  66  are processed similarly, each time rotating the stack  66  approximately 90 degrees to present the next adjacent corner for cutting. The horizontal orientation of the housing and the approximately 90 degree internal angle orientation of the tray section  12  both utilize gravity to align and orient the stack  66  before it is secured for cutting. In one embodiment, a vibration mechanism is also used to orient the stack  66 .  
         [0050]     As mentioned, another embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of different sizes and configuration of cutting blades to enable the cutting of edges of varying dimensions and shapes. This is accomplished by switching the cutter body  28  of the cutter blade assembly  14  with other cutter bodies having cutter edges  30 , 32  with different radii of curvature, or even irregular, non-round edges  30 , 32 . The curvature and dimension of the cutting edge  30 , 32  would effect the dimensions of the top groove  34 , which in turn would require the use of spacer blocks  70 , 72  having bottom apexes  84  appropriately matched in dimension with the groove  34 . To avoid confusion arising from the use of different size blade assemblies  16  and spacer blocks  70 , 72 , the invention further comprises a method for matching the appropriate cutter blade assembly  14  with the proper size spacer blocks  70 , 72 . As mentioned, one embodiment of such a matching system would comprise a color coded scheme, whereby a particular dimension of blade assembly  16  could be associated with a specific color. Also as mentioned, each spacer block  70 , 72  may be adapted to physical associate with the corresponding cutting body  28  when not in use.  
         [0051]     Referring also to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in an alternative embodiment, which may be substantially similar to the above-described embodiment in most or all other respects, the apparatus  110  includes a mounting plate  192  for mounting the apparatus  110  to a table or other stable support structure. The mounting plate  192  includes a central opening corresponding to the gap between the support panel members  118 , 120  and a corresponding opening in the table to allow cuttings to fall therethrough and into, for example, a waste container. A cushion component  194  is interposed between the mounting plate  192  and the table in order to prevent undesirable wear or other damage to the table which might otherwise be caused by direct contact with the mounting plate  192 .  
         [0052]     Adjustments to dimensions of the apparatus  10  are within the scope of the invention and would be known to those having skill in the art. For instance, the angle at which the support panel members  18 , 20  in the tray section  12  are disposed may be increased where the sheet material has an irregular shape or other than an approximately 90 degree orthogonal angle. Also, the width of the gap  22  may be modified to adjust the degree to which the corner of the stack  66  is exposed to the cutter blade assembly  14 .  
         [0053]     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, is intended to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.