Patent ID: 8549967

Claim:
A cutting die for cutting corrugated board wherein the cutting die during a cutting or scoring operation, reduces cracking in the corrugated board along a scoring or cutting line, the cutting die comprising: a. a die board having at least one scoring rule or cutting blade; b. a first elastomer mounted on the die board on a first side of the scoring rule or cutting blade; c. a second elastomer mounted on the die board on a second side of the scoring rule or cutting blade; d. the first elastomer spaced outwardly from the scoring rule or cutting blade such that there is a first space defined between the scoring rule or cutting blade and the first elastomer; e. the second elastomer spaced outwardly from the scoring rule or cutting blade such that there is a second space defined between the scoring rule or cutting blade and the second elastomer; f. a first retainer mounted on the die board adjacent an outside edge of the first elastomer for engaging and retaining the first elastomer during the scoring or cutting operation, and wherein the first elastomer lies between the scoring rule or cutting blade and the first retainer; g. a second retainer mounted on the die board adjacent an outside edge of the second elastomer for engaging and retaining the second elastomer during the scoring or cutting operation, wherein the second elastomer lies between the scoring rule or cutting blade and the second retainer; and h. wherein the scoring rule or cutting blade, the first and second elastomers, and the first and second retainers are configured and spaced such that during the scoring or cutting operation, exposed surfaces of the first and second elastomers engage portions of the corrugated board on opposite sides of the scoring rule or cutting blade so as to move the first and second elastomers inwardly towards the scoring rule or cutting blade and not substantially outwardly past the first and second retainers to at least partially fill the first and second spaces and urge the engaged portions of the corrugated board inwardly towards the scoring rule or cutting blade so as to reduce the tendency of the corrugated board to crack on opposite sides of the scoring or cutting line.