Patent ID: 7299729

Claim:
An improved rotary die apparatus having a first rotary die with a first axis of rotation and a second rotary die with a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation, the apparatus having a frame including a base, a cover opposite the base, a pair of opposing cross members positioned transverse to the first and second axis of rotation, the cross members moveable between the base and the cover, and a pressure member operably engaged with the cover and the cross members, the improvement comprising: the frame having a low speed mode of operation below 600 linear feet per minute, the frame further including: four elongate columns, each column having a first end and a second end, the first end of each column mounted to the base such that the columns are positioned parallel and spaced from one another, and the second end of each column mounted to the cover, each column defining a vertically extending length, the columns having a uniform cross section along the length between the base and the cover; a die support operably engagable with tile frame, the die support for low speed mode of operation consisting of a first modular die support and a second modular die support, the first modular die support having a first bearing and a second bearing positioned spaced from one another with respect to the first axis of rotation, each bearing mounted directly on the base in a location spaced from the columns, each bearing having at least two rollers, each roller having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to one another and angularly spaced from one another with respect to the first axis of rotation, the rollers in rolling engagement and maintaining the first rotary die in a stationary rotary position upwardly, horizontally transverse to the first axis of rotation and longitudinally along the first axis of rotation with respect to the base, the rollers in operable axial engagement with a raised radial flange on each of a first and a second end of the first rotary die to limit linear translation of the first rotary die along the first axis of rotation, and the second modular die support having a first bearing and a second bearing positioned spaced from one another with respect to the second axis of rotation, each bearing mounted to one or the cross members spaced from the columns in rolling engagement with the second rotary die wherein the second die further comprises a first end and an opposite second end positioned axially inward of the raised radial flanges, each of the first and the second ends operably axially engagable with the adjacent radial flange of the first die to limit linear translation of the second die along the second axis of rotation.