Abstract:
A film cutter arrangement for a cutter roller is provided, and punched film cutters for producing cutouts have a cutting edge. The film cutter arrangement and the punched film cutters are attached to a lateral surface of the cutter roller magnetically and/or by vacuum. The punched film cutters can be variably positioned relative to the format film cutters in axial and circumferential directions of the cutter roller by adapter elements.

Description:
[0001]    This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/003767, which was filed on May 27, 2009, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 025 899.7, which was filed in Germany on May  29 ,  2008 , and which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Flex die cutters with fixed window positions and flex die cutters with variable window positions are used in production machines, in particular production machines that are used for manufacturing mailing envelopes of all formats with cut-out windows. Depending on the format of, for instance, a mailing envelope, windows are cut in a wide variety of positions by the flex die cutters, which project above the lateral surface of a cylinder. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    An interchangeable flex die cutter is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,733 B1. The flex die cutter disclosed therein is one with which a variable window position may be produced. The variability in the location of the window position relates only to the axial direction, however. In the solution known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,733 B1, a window cutout for cutting a window in a planar sheet of material, such as a sheet of paper for instance, is affixed in different positions in the axial direction using attachment pins. This means that the window cutout can be cut in changeable positions in the axial direction with respect to the mailing envelope being produced. 
         [0006]    DE 199 25 612 A1, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,123, and which is incorporated herein by reference, relates to a rotary blade roll. It is preferably used for manufacturing envelope blanks. The rotary blade roll includes at least one roll body part that is located in a rotationally fixed manner on a rotating shaft and on whose circumferential surface magnetic elements are arranged in rows, wherein at least one flex die cutter is provided which has a thin, flexible base plate made of a magnetically permeable material, from which projects at least one sharp cutting edge designed as a single piece. This cutting edge is designed with a predetermined cutting shape, wherein the base plate has front and back edges and two opposing side edges, and the flex die cutter is held by means of the magnetic elements such that it lies flat on the circumferential surface. 
         [0007]    Holding and positioning pins are arranged in a row in the roll body part. These pins project radially out of the circumferential surface to a height h, which corresponds approximately to a thickness d 1  of the base plate, wherein a number of slots oriented toward the cutting edge are made in a row in the base plate in a region adjoining the forward edge; the width b of these slots corresponds to a width b 1  of the holding and positioning pins. These pins project into the slots so that the flex die cutter can be axially displaced and repositioned in the region of a slot length, but is positioned in a fixed and reproducible manner viewed in the circumferential direction of the second body part. 
         [0008]    Both of the solutions outlined above according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,733 B1 and DE 199 25 612 A1 are solutions in which the flex die cutters disclosed in each case have a fixed, predetermined arrangement with respect to the window position they are to produce. An entire new window cutter is needed for each change in contour or position of the window. Even in the case of flex die shape cutters in which axial adjustment is possible, a new flex die window cutter is needed for a radial change in position. Moreover, it is worth noting that separate cutting stations are normally required for shape cutting and for window cutting. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to permit flexibility during cutting of envelopes of different designs with flex die cutters on just one magnetic cylinder, in particular in the positioning of the window to be cut out. 
         [0010]    It is proposed according to an embodiment of the invention to change the window position in which an envelope window is to be cut in both the axial and radial (x- and y-) directions in a certain format during shape cutting. To this end, displaceable flex die window cutters are attached, which is accomplished using a pin strip principle. This means that existing flex die window cutters that are already employed which have suitable openings for the attachment pins may be used. 
         [0011]    Depending on the design of the die shape cutter employed, the pin strip of the magnetic roll is used, or pins on the flex die shape cutter are used. 
         [0012]    The placement of the flex die window cutter can take place within a recess of the flex die shape cutter. The recess is located, for example, in the region of the shape level in nearly the entire blank region when the outline cutters can be positioned only on die shape cutters implemented as side strips. 
         [0013]    The variability in axial window positions is provided by the consistent use of the pin strip principle. The variability in the radial window position is achieved by means of prefabricated adapter plates. These adapter plates are aligned either by means of the aforementioned pin strip principle, or by placement at a bottom recess edge of the flex die shape cutter. 
         [0014]    A grid of radial positions can be covered by the adapter plates. Additional radial positions can be achieved by shortening the adapter plates. 
         [0015]    The cylinders on production machines in which all formats of envelopes, for example, can be produced, are implemented as magnetic cylinders, which is to say they have permanent magnet characteristics. These magnetic characteristics of the lateral surface of the cylinder permit the securing of flex die shape cutters and flex die window cutters with the assistance of magnetic force. Generally, the flex die shape cutters and the flex die window cutters that assume variable axial and radial positions on the lateral surface are subjected to vacuum in order to secure them reliably to the lateral surface. To this end, the entire lateral surface of a cylinder is perforated with a plurality of holes, of which a number of perforations extend, e.g., in the form of rows and segments to the lateral surface of the cylinder. If individual segments are subjected to vacuum, then the flex die shape cutters or the flex die window cutters are held in their predetermined position on the circumference of the cylinder, so that centrifugal forces that arise at high rotational speeds can be counteracted, which is to say that both the flex die shape cutters and the flex die window cutters are held reliably on the circumference of the cylinder. The flex die shape cutters and flex die window cutters are held on the circumference of the cylinder primarily by magnetic force. The application of vacuum to the blade roll tends to have more of a supporting effect with regard to securing the flex die shape cutter and the flex die window cutter or cutters employed. As a result of the application of vacuum to the blade roll, envelopes, for example, are held during transport, and as a result of suction ports subjected to vacuum, the scraps of paper produced during cutting of the envelopes are held and secured by the ports subjected to vacuum, and are later removed from the transport path. 
         [0016]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the flex die window cutters can be attached at existing pin strips of the flex die shape cutters employed. Direct attachment of a flex die window cutter on an appropriate pin strip, for example on an inside edge of a flex die shape cutter, can be carried out; in addition, the use of adapters or embossing plates of different widths and with greater lengths in the circumferential direction is also possible, so that the flex die window cutter can be secured in any desired axial or circumferential direction within a cutout region of a flex die shape cutter. Apart from adapter plates implemented in different configurations, the flex die window cutter can also be secured in addition by adapter strips on the circumference of the cylinder. The adapter strips can be attached to the lateral surface of the cylinder both magnetically and through the application of vacuum. The application of vacuum is recommended especially at relatively high rotational speeds, which is to say high production speeds, on account of the high centrifugal forces produced during operation. 
         [0017]    In addition to direct alignment of the flex die window cutter used in each case, the adapter plates that are used can likewise be aligned by means of the pin strip principle or they can be fixed in their position by placement on one of the recess edges of flex die shape cutter. Because of the different configuration of the adapter plates, which can be implemented, for example, as embossing or adapter plates in the shape of cuboids or strips, it is possible to achieve all common window positions to be produced in all common formats of envelopes within one recess in a flex die shape cutter. 
         [0018]    A set of adapter strips or adapter plates can be used, so that the flex die window cutters can be repositioned easily and quickly to the new axial and/or radial position for the window during changeover in the format being produced. 
         [0019]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  a section through a blade roll with vacuum supply holes and vacuum ports in the lateral surface of the blade roll, 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  a partial section of a roll body part of a blade roll with flex die cutter attached, 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  a set of adapter plates in different configurations for defining different axial and radial positions of a flex die window cutter, 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  a flex die window cutter attached by means of an adapter plate in a recess of a flex die shape cutter with pin cams, 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  a two-piece flex die shape cutter with adapter plate attached to the pin strip of a magnetic cylinder including flex die cutter, 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  a flex die shape cutter in a split design, with an adapter plate that is elongated in the circumferential direction, on which is accommodated a flex die window cutter, 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  a flex die shape cutter with pin cams and with recess, in which a flex die cutter is attached by means of an adapter plate, 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  a flex die shape cutter with recess with, inserted in the recess, a flex die window cutter which is held in position by a strip-shaped adapter plate supported on the trailing recess edge, 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  a flex die shape cutter with two flex die window cutters placed in its recess, one of which is positioned in the pin strip of the magnetic cylinder and the other of which is positioned through a strip-shaped adapter plate in similar manner to  FIG. 8 , 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  a flex die shape cutter with flex die window cutters set in different positions in a recess, and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  a flex die shape cutter with three flex die window cutters located in a recess, one of which is attached directly in the pin strip, another of which is secured in the recess by means of an adapter plate, and the third flex die window cutter is supported on a strip-shaped adapter plate on a recess. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional representation of the important parts of a blade roll and its support. 
         [0033]    Visible in  FIG. 1  is a blade roll  10 , whose bearings  14  and important parts are shown in cross-section, but without a flex die cutter and without the parts needed to attach and align a flex die cutter. 
         [0034]    The blade roll  10  includes a supporting shaft  12 , which is mounted in machine frames  16  with the aid of bearings  14 , and is driven by means of a gear  18  or directly by a servomotor. Supported on the supporting shaft  12  in a rotationally fixed manner between the machine frames  16  is a cylindrical roll body part  20 , on whose lateral surface  22  are located suction ports  24  that are arranged next to one another in rows  74 . In the roll body part  20 , suction passages  26  are arranged parallel to the axis at a distance from an axis of rotation of the blade roll  10 ; these suction passages stand in air-conducting communication with the suction ports  24 . Located on the end face of the roll body part  20  is a suction control valve  28 , which is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the frame wall  16  by means of a spacing and centering bushing  30 . The suction control valve  28  has two separate, mutually concentric suction passages  32 , which are followed by fresh air passages  34 . The suction passages  32  are connected by a suction supply  36  to a suction source that is not shown. The suction passages can be subjected to suction starting from the suction passages  32  via an intake and transport angle region. A 3/3 directional control valve  38  is associated with the suction control valve  28  in each of the suction passages  26  in the roll body part  20 . By means of the 3/3 directional control valve  38 , a suction passage  26  can be blocked or connected to the suction control passages  32  through a through-hole  40 . Each of the suction passages  32  is followed by a fresh air passage  34 , whence a release of the vacuum takes place in the suction passages  26  and the suction ports  24  that are formed in the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows the arrangement and attachment of a flex die cutter to the roll body part of a blade roll revolving in the direction of rotation. 
         [0036]    A flex die shape cutter  54  is held magnetically on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  revolving in the direction of rotation  52 . The flex die shape cutter  54  includes a base plate  56  of thin design. The base plate  56  of the flex die shape cutter  54  is preferably made of a magnetically permeable material with a small thickness. The base plate  56  of the flex die shape cutter  54  includes a front edge  60  and a back edge  62 . Located on the base plate  56  of the flex die shape cutter  54  is at least one sharp cutting edge  58 , designed as a single piece, which forms a specific cutting shape, thus, e.g., for producing an envelope, to name just one example. 
         [0037]    Arranged in the flex die shape cutter  54  are apertures  64 , which stand in air-conducting communication with the suction ports  24 . The cross-sectional representation in  FIG. 2  shows regions in the lateral surface  22  covered by the base plate  56  of the flex die shape cutter  54  that are not provided with apertures  64 . 
         [0038]    Viewed in the direction of rotation  52  of the blade roll  10 , slotted openings  68  are made in the base plate  56  in a forward region  70  adjoining the front edge  60 . The slotted openings  68  extend essentially in rows next to one another at a leading edge (cf. the representation in  FIGS. 3-11 ), of, for example, flex die window cutters  78 , as is described in greater detail below. 
         [0039]    Located on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  is at least one row of positioning pins  66 , which pins project radially out of the lateral surface  22  of the roll body part  20  to a certain height. This height corresponds approximately to the thickness of the base plate  56  of the flex die shape cutter  54  to be secured. The holding and positioning pins are likewise arranged in rows in circumferential segments on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0040]    Moreover, as shown in the cross-sectional view in  FIG. 2 , magnetic elements  50  are arranged in rows on the lateral surface  22  of the roll body part  20 , with one of these rows alternating in each case with a row  74  of suction ports  24 . 
         [0041]    For accurately placed positioning and securing of a flex die shape cutter  54  on the lateral surface  22  of the roll body part  20 , said cutter is attached to the holding and positioning pins  66 —as shown in FIG.  2 —so that the holding and positioning pins  66  project into the slotted openings  68  at the front edge  60  of the flex die shape cutter  54 . During the attachment process, the flex die shape cutter  54  can be displaced to a limited extent in the x-direction, i.e. in the axial direction, within the region of a slot length of the slotted openings  68 . Greater axial displacements can be achieved by repositioning the flex die shape cutter  54  in the row  74  of the holding and positioning pins  66 . After the attachment process, the flex die shape cutter  54  is secured in an interlocking manner in the circumferential direction by means of the holding and positioning pins  66  engaging the slotted openings  68 , and is secured in a force-locking manner on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  by means of the magnetic elements  50 . Thus, even under difficult cutting conditions, shifting of the flex die shape cutter  54  on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  is not possible. 
         [0042]    A set of adapter elements can be seen in the representation in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]    As is evident from the representation in  FIG. 3 , a set of adapter elements according to this illustration includes, for example, an adapter element  74  in the shape of a square, at whose front edge are provided slotted openings  68  next to one another in a row for the attachment of attachment pins  66  (pin cams). At the trailing end, which is to say the back edge of the adapter element  74  according to the representation in  FIG. 3 , are located holding and positioning pins  66 , likewise arranged next to one another in a row. In addition, the set of adapter elements  74 ,  76  as represented in  FIG. 3  includes strip-shaped adapter elements  76 . These are implemented with a length L and can be implemented with various widths B 1  or B 2 . 
         [0044]    The adapter elements  74  and  76  shown in  FIG. 3  have in common that they are made of a magnetically permeable material and can, of course, also be implemented with different geometries than those shown in  FIG. 3 , which is to say other than rectangular, square, or strip-shaped. 
         [0045]    The principle of operation of the set of adapter elements shown by way of example in  FIG. 3  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 11 , which will be described in greater detail below. In these  FIGS. 4 through 11 , the blade roll  10  from  FIGS. 1 and 2  is merely indicated. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows by way of example a flex die shape cutter  54  formed as a single piece with a recess. 
         [0047]    As is evident from the representation in  FIG. 4 , the recess  84  is delimited by a boundary  86 . The flex die shape cutter  54  as shown in the top view in  FIG. 4  is made in accordance with the curvature of the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 , and includes, in addition to the leading front edge  60 , the back edge  62 . The flex die shape cutter  54  as shown in the top view in  FIG. 4  is implemented as a single piece. The aforementioned slotted openings  68 , with which the flex die shape cutter is attached to holding and positioning pins  66  that are implemented in the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 , extend in the form of a row in the region of the front edge  60 . 
         [0048]    As  FIG. 4  shows, the holding and positioning pins  66  are located in the boundary  86  that runs parallel to the front edge  60  of the flex die shape cutter  54 . Attached in these is a rectangular adapter element  74 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . At the leading edge of the rectangular adapter element  74 , this element has the slotted openings  68 , while the holding and positioning pins  66  in a row are implemented on the trailing end of the adapter element  74  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The slotted openings at the front edge of the flex die window cutter  78  are attached in these holding and positioning pins  66  on the trailing edge of the adapter element  74 . Both the rectangular adapter element  74  and the flex die window cutter  78  are secured on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  by the magnets  50  shown in  FIG. 2 , which are arranged in a row next to one another on the lateral surface  22 , and assisted by the rows of suction ports  24  that extend in alternation with the rows of magnetic elements  50  and to which vacuum is supplied. In this way it is ensured that both the adapter elements  74 , the adapter element  74  as depicted in  FIG. 4 , and the flex die window cutter  78  positioned thereby, are held reliably and securely on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 , and remain secured, even at relatively high rotational speeds. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  additionally shows that the flex die window cutter  78  can have a surrounding cutting edge  58 , which delimits a window cutout  82 . Formed along the boundary  86  of the recess  84  are suction ports  80 . Both the cutting edge  58  of the flex die window cutter  78 , and the cutting edge  58  of the flex die shape cutter  54 , define on the one hand a shape cutting die outline of the envelope to be transported, and on the other hand of the window cutout  82  to be cut. Thus, the suction ports that secure the window scrap are identified by the reference number  80 . 2  on the window cutter within the cutting edge  58 . With reference to the cutting edge  58 , suction ports  80  are located outside the shape cutting die outline defined by the cutting edge  58  of the flex die shape cutter  54 . The suction ports  80  outside the cutting edge  58  serve to transport lateral scrap strips, while suction ports  80 . 1  located inside the cutting edge  58  of the flex die shape cutter  54  serve to transport the envelopes to the blade roll  10 . 
         [0050]    Visible in the depiction shown in  FIG. 5  is a multi-piece flex die shape cutter, which includes a first blade part  88  and a second blade part  90 . The boundaries  86  of the first blade part  88  and second blade part  90  that face one another delimit the recess  84 . The cutting edges  58  located on the blade parts  88 ,  90 , connected as a single piece to the base plate of the applicable blade parts  88 ,  90 , each define a cutting shape, so that an envelope, for example a mailing envelope, can be cut out of a material in sheet form, such as a sheet of paper or cardboard, for example. 
         [0051]    Each of the two blade parts  88  and  90  includes the front edge  60  with recesses  68  arranged next to one another in rows, as well as the back edge  62 , which is designed without slotted recesses. 
         [0052]    As is evident from the depiction in  FIG. 5 , the adapter element  74 , with its slotted openings  68  implemented at the front edge and arranged in the form of rows, is attached in holding and positioning pins  66 , which in this case are implemented on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0053]    Located in a row on the trailing edge of the adapter element  74  in the shape of a rectangle, which preferably is made of a magnetically permeable material, are holding and positioning pins  66 . Attached to these, in turn, are the slotted openings  68  in the leading edge of the flex die window cutter  78 . This cutter includes a surrounding cutting edge  58 , which defines a recess identified by the reference symbol  82  that is made by the flex die window cutter  58  in, e.g., a mailing envelope, which is to say a window envelope. 
         [0054]    As an alternative to the depiction in  FIG. 5 , the adapter element  74  shown there, which extends a relatively short distance in the y-direction, can also be made longer, cf. in particular the example embodiment in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0055]    The depiction in  FIG. 6  likewise shows a two-piece flex die cutter. Similar to the depiction from  FIG. 5 , the flex die shape cutter  54  includes the first blade part  88  and the second blade part  90 . Both blade parts  88  and  90  include a front edge  60  and back edge  62 . Slotted openings  68  extend in both blade parts  88  and  90 . 
         [0056]    As is evident from the depiction in  FIG. 6 , an adapter element  74  that extends in the circumferential direction, which is to say in the y-direction, is accommodated. This adapter element has, on its leading edge, a number of slotted openings  68  located next to one another. These openings are attached to, for example, holding and positioning pins  66  on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . Located on the trailing end of the adapter element  74  that has a longer extent in the y-direction are a number of holding and positioning pins  66 . Attached to these are slotted openings  68  of the front edge of the flex die window cutter  78 . The x- or y-position of the flex die window cutter  78  with respect to the boundary  86  of the recess  84  between the first blade part  88  and the second blade part  90  of the window cutter  54  is determined as a function of the length, which is to say the extent in the y-direction (circumferential direction) of the adapter element  74 . 
         [0057]    The x-position of the flex die window cutter  78  can be achieved, for example, by moving and reattaching the flex die window cutter  78  on the holding and positioning pins  66  on the trailing end of the adapter element  74 . Another positioning possibility for the flex die window cutter  78  is produced in that this securing adapter element  74  itself is moved and reattached in the x-direction to the holding and positioning pins  66  on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0058]    This is determined by the spacing of the boundaries  86  and the production requirements. 
         [0059]    A single-piece window cutter  54  is visible in the depiction in  FIG. 7 . This, too, includes the front edge  60  and back edge  62 . The recess  84  of the single-piece window cutter  54  is defined by the boundaries  86 . As  FIG. 7  shows, the flex die window cutter  78  is secured by the adapter element  74  within the recess  84 . The adapter element  74  with its slotted openings  68  is attached to the holding and positioning pins  66 , which are located on the boundary  86  of the recess  84  on the side that extends parallel to the front edge  60  and parallel to the two back edges  62 . Attached to the trailing edge of the adapter element  74  is the flex die window cutter  78  with its slotted openings  68  in the holding and positioning pins  66 . The flex die window cutter  78  depicted in  FIG. 7  likewise shows a surrounding cutting edge  58 , which delimits the recess  82 , which is to say the window opening to be made in the sheet material, thus, for example, a mailing envelope window. 
         [0060]    Reference numbers  80 ,  80 . 1  identify suction ports located in the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54 . All suction ports  80 . 1  located within the cutting edge  58  of the flex die shape cutter  54  serve to transport the blank, which is to say the sheet from which the envelope contour is cut, while all suction ports  80  located outside the cutting edge  58  serve to transport scraps. The suction ports  80 . 2  located inside the window cutout  82  in  FIG. 7  serve to transport the window scraps cut out of the window cutout  82 . 
         [0061]    Evident in the depiction in  FIG. 8  is a single-piece flex die shape cutter  54 , which has a recess  84 , inside of which a flex die window cutter  78  is positioned by means of a strip-shaped adapter element  76 . 
         [0062]    As  FIG. 8  shows, in contrast to the exemplary embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the flex die window cutter  78  is not attached with holding and positioning pins  66  (pin cams), but instead is secured magnetically or by vacuum on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The flex die window cutter  78  positioned in the recess  84  in  FIG. 8  is positioned with respect to the boundary  86  extending parallel to the back edge  62  by the adapter strip  76 . This adapter strip has a length L and a width B 1 , cf. the depiction in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0063]    Due to the action of the magnetic elements  50  embedded in the lateral surface  22  and the application of vacuum to the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 , both the adapter element  76  and the flex die window cutter  78  are fixed in place. In a manner analogous to the variant embodiments described above, this cutter has the surrounding cutting edge  58  which delimits the recess  82 . The flex die window cutter  78  shown in  FIG. 8  that is positioned by the adapter element  76  also has slotted openings  68  next to one another at its front edge. As a supplement to the securing by the application of vacuum to the lateral surface  22  and the securing by the magnetic elements  50  embedded in the lateral surface  22 , the flex die window cutter  78  shown in  FIG. 8  and positioned by the strip-shaped adapter element  76  could also be attached at its slotted openings  68  to the holding and positioning pins  76  through the use of an appropriately configured adapter element, cf. the above variant embodiments. 
         [0064]    The depiction in  FIG. 9  likewise shows a single-piece flex die shape cutter that has a divided front edge  60  and a back edge  62  of discontinuous design. 
         [0065]    The single-piece flex die shape cutter  54  delimits the recess  84 , which is framed on the sides by a boundary  86 . In a manner analogous to the variant embodiment for  FIG. 8  already outlined above, the adapter element  76  in the form of a strip is located inside the recess  84  at a section of the boundary  86  extending parallel to the back edge  62 . The length of the strip-shaped adapter element  76  is labeled L, and its width is labeled B 1 . The flex die window cutter  78  is secured with respect to the y-direction by this strip-shaped adapter element  76 . Securing in the x-direction is accomplished by the action of the magnetic elements  50  embedded in the lateral surface  22  and by the application of vacuum to the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0066]    Moreover, it is evident from the depiction in  FIG. 9  that an additional flex die window cutter  78  is attached to holding and positioning pins  76  on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . The flex die window cutter  78  shown in  FIG. 9  can be a flex die window cutter  78  previously described in conjunction with the variant embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 through 8 . Its displacement in the X-direction is accomplished simply by repositioning it on the holding and positioning pins  76 . The flex die window cutter  78  is primarily secured by magnetic force; the application of vacuum to the lateral surface has a supporting effect. 
         [0067]    In contrast to the exemplary embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 8 , multiple flex die window cutters  78 —namely two thereof—are positioned in the exemplary embodiment from  FIG. 9 . These cutters are secured through the holding and positioning pins  66  (pin cams), magnetic force, and the application of vacuum to the blade roll  10 , or through magnetic force and the application of vacuum to the blade roll  10 . 
         [0068]    Because of the variable positioning capability in both the y-direction (circumference) and the x-direction (axial direction) shown, windows in envelopes, to name just one example, can be produced in any desired positions. 
         [0069]      FIG. 10  shows another exemplary embodiment of a single-piece flex die shape cutter. 
         [0070]    As  FIG. 10  shows, the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54  includes the front edge  60  and the back edge  62 . These extend continuously in the x-direction, which is to say in the axial direction with respect to the blade roll  10 . Located in the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54  is a recess  84 , which is delimited by the boundary  86 . As is additionally evident from  FIG. 10 , a first (for example) of the three flex die window cutters  78  located in the recess  84  is fixed in place by the strip-shaped adapter element  76 . This element is implemented with a length L and a width B 2 , cf. the depiction in  FIG. 3 . The flex die window cutter  78  likewise includes at its leading end the slotted openings  68 , which applies to all of the flex die window cutters  78  located in the recess  84 . Another of the flex die window cutters  78  is attached by its slotted openings  68  to holding and positioning pins  66  at the trailing end of the adapter element  74 . This element is attached to a pin strip of holding and positioning pins  66  at the circumference of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0071]    For reasons of identical part use, the three flex die window cutters  78  used in the recess  84  in  FIG. 10  are identical and can be arranged at different positions with respect to the axial direction (y-coordinate) and the circumferential direction (x-coordinate) in the recess  84  of the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54  in the manner shown. In an analogous manner to the exemplary embodiments cited above, the three flex die window cutters  78  shown in the recess  84  in the exemplary embodiment from  FIG. 10  are secured magnetically by the magnetic elements  50  embedded in the lateral surface  22  and also by the application of vacuum to the suction openings  24  in the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10  in accordance with the depictions in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0072]    The suction ports  80 . 1 , which serve to transport the blank, are located inside the cutting edge  58 , while the suction openings  80  located outside the cutting edge  58  of the flex die shape cutter  54  serve to transport the scraps produced during cutting. 
         [0073]      FIG. 11  shows a flex die shape cutter  54  whose front edge  64  is divided in design, and whose back edge  62  is continuous. In the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54 , the recess  84  is delimited by the boundary  86 . 
         [0074]    Located in the bottom half of the recess  84  of the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54  are three flex die window cutters  78 . One of the flex die window cutters  78  is positioned in the circumferential direction (y-direction) with the aid of the strip-shaped adapter element  76 . The flex die window cutter or cutters  78  is/are secured in the x-direction by magnetic force, if applicable also by the application of vacuum to the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0075]    A second flex die window cutter  78 , likewise provided with a surrounding cutting edge  58 , is attached by its slotted openings to the holding and positioning pins  66  on the trailing end of the adapter element  74 . This element, in turn, has on its leading end slotted openings  68  arranged next to one another in the form of a row, which are attached to holding and positioning pins  66  that are not shown in  FIG. 11 . This additional flex die window cutter  78  is also fixed in place by attachment in a row of holding and positioning pins  66  formed in the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 , by the action of magnetic force of the magnetic elements  50 , and additionally by the action of the vacuum. 
         [0076]    Finally, a third flex die window cutter  78  is in turn fixed in place by attachment in a strip or row of holding and positioning pins  76  implemented in the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 , by the action of magnetic force, and additionally by the action of the vacuum on the lateral surface  22  of the blade roll  10 . 
         [0077]    The depiction shown in  FIG. 11  also makes it clear that the single-piece flex die shape cutter  54  can accommodate at least three identical flex die window cutters  78 . Of course, additional flex die window cutters  78  can also be accommodated in the top half of the recess  84  delimited by the boundary  86 . Depending on the size of the recess  82 , which must be produced in each case, larger or smaller flex die window cutters  78  may be used as shown in the above exemplary embodiments from  FIGS. 4 through 11 . 
         [0078]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.