WO2024164059A1

WO2024164059A1 - Apparatus for removing scrap from pre-cut material sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2024164059A1
Application number: PCT/CA2023/050148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Quercia
Original assignee: Paolo Quercia
Priority date: 2023-02-06
Filing date: 2023-02-06
Publication date: 2024-08-15

Abstract

An apparatus for removing a scrap material piece from pre-scored and pre-cut sheet material. The apparatus includes three hinges and a scrap piece removing arm with a first arm that is hingeably connected to two hinges. The scrap piece removing arm has a second arm hingeably connected to two hinges. The scrap piece removing arm has a piston that hingeably connected to a hinge. The piston is resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel. A scrap piece contacting portion located between the two arms, and is shaped to engage the scrap material piece during a scrap piece removal operation in which the scrap material piece is pushed thereagainst to move the arm 0 downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the restricted path of travel.

Description

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SCRAP FROM PRE-CUT MATERIAL SHEET

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present generally concerns stripping presses useful for removing scrap from precut and scored sheet material, and more particularly to a stripping press apparatus for high volume scrap removal from pre-cut and scored sheet material.

BACKGROUND

Template sheet material is typically made from paper, cardboard, paperboard and the like. If such templates need shaped holes cut therein, a stripping jig is typically used. For such shaped holes, the templates typically include a pre-scored and partially precut shape which define the scrap piece that is to be removed during processing.

Die-cutting presses are well known and widely used to strip waste pieces from the sheet material. For example, Bobst et al. in United States patent number US 3,786,731 describes a press for cutting material in which a pair of frames and a board which includes a number of pre-cut die openings therein, which are shaped to the desired design. A number of stripping tools are connected to the frames and sandwich the waste material therebetween once the sheet material is moved between the frames. In this design, the stripping tools work in concert to remove the waste material.

In another example, Vossen et al in United States patent number 5,181,640 describes a stripping station that operates by using a die which punches the waste piece from the pre-cut material and passing through a number of rollers which help to move the waste piece away from the cut sheet.

While the designs of Bobst and Vossen achieve the desired results, they both suffer from a number of significant drawbacks. Generally, the stripping stations operate sluggishly for use in high-throughput stripping operations. Also, paper jams may occur frequently after the waste piece is removed or while the waste piece is being removed. It is known that the Vossen apparatus is prone to waste material being stuck between the rollers. This is problematic because to remove the stuck material, the press and the stripping device must be shut down, often for a significant amount of time while the paper jam is removed. Such shutdowns cause loss of production and by extension loss of revenue.

Thus, there is, a need for a high volume, efficient stripping press, that is easy to use, has low maintenance costs and provides efficient stripping.

BRIEF SUMMARY

We have significantly reduced, or essentially eliminated, the problems associated with the designs described above by designing a stripping apparatus that can operate in a high-volume capacity. Our stripping press has few moving parts and includes a novel and unobvious resiliently and hingeably mounted arm that has minimal contact points. Furthermore, the efficiency of scrap piece removal is increased by the use of pins in which an indent catches the cut piece as it moves through the removal process so as to significantly improve the speed and efficiency of the scrap removal. Moreover, a novel housing structure includes an internal channel that restricts the arms movement during a stripping operation. The housing is a modular feature that is both compact and easy to manufacture. Moreover, our stripping apparatus is retrofittable and useable in the Bobst press stripping stations.

Accordingly, there is provided an apparatus for removing a scrap material piece from pre-scored and pre-cut sheet material, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third hinges; a scrap piece removing arm having a first arm portion hingeably connected to the first and second hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a second arm portion hingeably connected to the second and third hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a piston hingeably connected to the third hinge, the piston being resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel; and a scrap piece contacting portion located between the first and second arm portions, the scrap piece contacting portion being shaped to engage the scrap material piece during a scrap piece removal operation in which the scrap material piece is pushed thereagainst to move the first arm portion downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the first restricted path of travel. In one example, the apparatus further includes a pin configured to permit axial movement relative to the scrap piece contacting portion, the pin having a pin end including a pin indent located therein, the pin indent being sized and shaped to hold the scrap piece during the scrap piece removal operation in which the pin pushes against the scrap piece contacting portion and pinches the scrap piece. In which in a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion is located away from the scrap material piece, the first arm portion being moved upwardly so that the piston is released to move along a second restricted path of travel.

In one example, the apparatus further includes a housing having first and second shells, the first shell having an inner male connector, the second shell having an inner female connector, the male and female connectors being disposed towards each other and interconnected in a connecting configuration, the housing having an opening therein sized and shaped to permit movement of the scrap piece removing arm relative thereto, the housing having a guide channel located therein, the scrap piece removing arm being hingeably and resiliently connected to the first hinge to permit movement of the removing arm relative to the opening and along the guide channel. The housing is sized and shaped for mounting on a first jig plate, the housing including a jig plate mounting portion to permit the housing to be mounted in a first jig plate indent adjacent a first jig plate template opening, the scrap removing arm being disposed towards the first jig plate template opening.

In one example, the pin is mounted on a second jig plate and located adjacent the scrap piece removing arm.

In another example, a plurality of spaced apart pins are mounted on the second jig plate. One or more additional cutting members are mounted on the second jig plate.

In another example, the plate mounting portion includes first and second orthogonally disposed extensions panels.

In another example, the scrap piece contacting portion extends away from the removing arm receiving opening in a default configuration.

In yet another example, the scrap piece contacting portion includes a first planar surface disposed generally parallel to the sheet material, a second planar surface disposed generally orthogonal relative to the sheet material, and an angled surface interconnecting the first and second planar surfaces, the surfaces being sized to contact the sheet material scrap.

In one example, first and second angled surfaces disposed to contact a scrap piece, the housing being shaped for mounting on a first plate adjacent a removing opening.

In another example, the scrap piece removing arm is resiliently connected to the housing.

Accordingly, in another embodiment there is provided an apparatus for removing a scrap material piece from pre-scored and pre-cut sheet material, the apparatus comprising: a scrap piece removing arm having first, second and third hinges and a first arm portion hingeably connected to the first and second hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a second arm portion hingeably connected to the second and third hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a piston hingeably connected to the third hinge, the piston being resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel; a scrap piece contacting portion located between the first and second arm portions, the scrap piece contacting portion being shaped to engage the scrap material piece during a scrap piece removal operation in which the scrap material piece is pushed thereagainst to move the first arm portion downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the first restricted path of travel; and a pin configured to permit axial movement relative to the scrap piece contacting portion, the pin having a pin end including a pin indent located therein, the pin indent being sized and shaped to hold the scrap piece during the scrap piece removal operation in which the pin pushes against the scrap piece contacting portion and pinches the scrap piece.

In one example, in a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion is located away from the scrap material piece, the first arm portion being moved upwardly so that the piston is released to move along a second restricted path of travel In another example, in a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion is located away from the scrap material piece, the first arm portion being moved upwardly so that the piston is released to move along a second restricted path of travel.

In one example, the apparatus further includes a housing having first and second shells, the first shell having an inner male connector, the second shell having an inner female connector, the male and female connectors being disposed towards each other and interconnected in a connecting configuration, the housing having an opening therein sized and shaped to permit movement of the scrap piece removing arm relative thereto, the housing having a guide channel located therein, the scrap piece removing arm being hingeably and resiliently connected to the first hinge to permit movement of the removing arm relative to the opening and along the guide channel.

In one example, a resilient member interconnects the piston with the third hinge to permit movement of the piston along the first restricted path of travel. The resilient member is a spring.

In one example, the housing is sized and shaped for mounting on a first jig plate, the housing including a jig plate mounting portion to permit the housing to be mounted in a first jig plate indent adjacent a first jig plate template opening, the scrap removing arm being disposed towards the first jig plate template opening.

In yet another example, the pin is mounted on a second jig plate and located adjacent the scrap piece removing arm.

In one example, a plurality of spaced apart pins are mounted on the second jig plate.

In one example, one or more additional cutting members are mounted on the second jig plate.

In one example, the plate mounting portion includes first and second orthogonally disposed extensions panels.

In one example, the scrap piece contacting portion extends away from the removing arm receiving opening in a default configuration. In one example, the scrap piece contacting portion includes a first planar surface disposed generally parallel to the sheet material, a second planar surface disposed generally orthogonal relative to the sheet material, and an angled surface interconnecting the first and second planar surfaces, the surfaces being sized to contact the sheet material scrap. First and second angled surfaces disposed to contact a scrap piece, the housing being shaped for mounting on a first plate adjacent a removing opening. The scrap piece removing arm is resiliently connected to the housing.

Accordingly, in another embodiment there is provided a pushing apparatus for use with a stripping apparatus to strip a scrap piece from a pre-scored and pre-cut material sheet, the pushing apparatus comprising: an elongate pin mounted on a jig plate and disposed generally orthogonal relative to the jig plate, the elongate pin having a pin end and a pin indent located in the pin end, the pin end and the pin indent being sized and shaped to pushing contact the scrap piece so as to strip the scrap piece.

In one example, the elongate pin is configured such that in a stripping operation, the pin end is orientated towards an axially located scrap piece removing arm having first, second and third hinges and a first arm portion hingeably connected to the first and second hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a second arm portion hingeably connected to the second and third hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a piston hingeably connected to the third hinge, the piston being resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel; and a scrap piece contacting portion located between the first and second arm portions, the scrap piece contacting portion being shaped to engage the pin end to move the first arm portion downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the first restricted path of travel.

Accordingly in another embodiment, there is provided a method for stripping a scrap piece from a pre-scored and pre-cut material sheet, the method comprising: locating the prescored and pre-cut material sheet between first and second jig plates, the material sheet being secured therebetween, the first jig having mounted thereon at least one housing having resiliently mounted therein a scrap removing arm, the second jig having mounted thereon at least one pin having a pin indent located adjacent a pin end; aligning the at least one pin with the scrap removing arm; advancing the at least one pin towards the scrap removing arm to push against the scrap piece contacting portion and to pinches the scrap piece between the at least one pin and the scrap removing arm, the at least one pin being moved a sufficient distance to remove the scrap piece from the material sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of that described herein will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

Fig. i is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stripping press with a sheet of material having a pre-cut piece of material to be removed;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a stripping housing showing a stripping arm located in a default configuration;

Fig. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of the housing showing an angled stripping arm with three hinge points;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional cut side view of the housing showing the location of the angled stripping arm;

Fig. 5 illustrates sectional cut through views taken along lines A-A and B-B of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the housing;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the housing showing the location of the stripping arm;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the housing opposite the location of the stripping arm.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a second jig plate showing location of a plurality of cutting members and pins; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a first jig plate showing location of opening having a cut sheet therein and partially removed and a housing adjacent a stripping arm housing;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a stripping operation (A to B to C); and

Fig. 12 illustrates side views of a male pin showing location of a pin indent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the list of elements following the word “comprising” are required or mandatory but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present.

As used herein, the term “consisting of’ is intended to mean including and limited to whatever follows the phrase “consisting of’. Thus, the phrase “consisting of’ indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory and that no other elements may be present.

Referring now to Figs. 1 through 10, there is shown generally at 10 a press for pressing material sheet 12 and is used to remove one or more scrap material pieces 14 from prescored and pre-cut sheet material 16. The sheet material 16 is typically a sheet of paper, paperboard, cardboard, and the like. Such sheets of material are used as template with various applications. Examples of various applications include, but are not limited to, backing sheets for blister packages; blanks for construction paperboard cartons and the like. In the example shown, the press 10 is used in a conventional diecutting press of a conventional design that is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The press 10 includes first and second spaced apart jig plates 18, 20 that are mounted on two rods 22, 24. During a stripping operation, described below, the plates 18, 20 can be moved towards each other once the sheet material 16 is secured therebetween.

Referring now to Figs 1, 2 and 9, an apparatus for removing the scrap material piece 14 is shown generally at 26. The apparatus 26 is mounted adjacent an opening 28 that is cut into the first plate 18 and is aligned with a plurality of pins 30. The pins 30 are mounted on the second plate 20 and are disposed generally orthogonal relative thereto. In addition to the pins 30, a number of additional cutting members 32 are located between or adjacent the pins 30.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 1, the scrap material 14 is generally registrable with the shape of the openings 28. This permits consistent cutting of the desired shapes in the template. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other shapes of varying size can be cut in to the first jig plate 18 to accommodate the sheet material 16 and the pre-scored and pre-cut shapes therein.

Referring now to Figs 2, 3 and 10, a housing 34 is shown which is typically mounted in a recess 36 of the first jig plate 18 adjacent the opening 28. The housing 34 includes first and second shells 38, 40. The first shell 38 has an inner male connector 42 for interconnecting and engaging the second shell 40 which has an inner female connector 44. To permit this, the male and female connectors 42, 44 are disposed towards each other. The housing 34 includes a front opening 46 therein sized and shaped to permit movement of a scrap piece removing arm 48 that is moveable relative to the housing 34. When assembled, the housing 34 is generally rectangular cuboid and includes an inner chamber 50 into to which the scrap piece removing arm 48 moves. The housing 34 includes a guide channel 52 located therein at a lower end portion 54. The scrap piece removing arm 48 is hingeably and resiliently connected to a plurality of hinges 56, which are described below. The housing 34 is sized and shaped for mounting on the first jig plate 18 and includes a jig plate mounting portion 58 to permit the housing to be mounted in a first jig plate indent adjacent the first jig plate template opening 28. The scrap removing arm 48 is disposed towards the first jig plate template opening 28. The plate mounting portion 58 includes first and second orthogonally disposed extensions panels 60, 62. Referring specifically now to Fig. 3, the plurality of hinges 56 includes first, second and third hinges, 64, 66, 68. The scrap piece removing arm 48 includes a first arm portion 70 hingeably connected to the first and second hinges 64, 66. The scrap piece removing arm 48 further includes a second arm portion 72 that is hingeably connected to the second and third hinges 66, 68. The scrap piece removing arm 48 includes a piston 74 that is hingeably connected to the third hinge 68. The piston 74 is resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel 78. The second and third hinges 66, 68 are mounted to the first and second shells 38, 40, using dowels 80, 82 which permit smooth axial and hingeable movement thereabouts. A resilient member (not shown) is generally used to surround the piston 74 and to permit resilient movement along the restricted path of travel 78. In one example, the resilient member is a spring, more specifically a coiled spring. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other resilient members may be used.

Still referring to Fig. 3, 4, and 11, a scrap piece contacting portion 84 is located between the first and second arm portions 70, 72. The scrap piece contacting portion 84 being shaped to engage the scrap material piece 14 during a scrap piece removal operation in which the scrap material piece 14 is pushed thereagainst to move the first arm portion 70 downwardly thereby pushing the piston 74 along the first restricted path of travel 78. The scrap piece contacting portion 84 extends away from the removing arm receiving opening in a default configuration. The scrap piece contacting portion 84 includes a first planar surface 90 disposed generally parallel to the sheet material 16. A second planar surface 92 disposed generally orthogonal relative to the sheet material, and an angled surface 94 interconnects the first and second planar surfaces 90, 92. The surfaces 90, 92, 94 are sized to contact the sheet material scrap. The first hinge 64 permits movement of the removing arm 48 relative to the opening and the piston 74 along the guide channel 52.

Referring to Figs 4 and 11, during a stripping operation, the pin 30 pushes against the surface 90 and causes resilient movement about the hinge 64.

Generally speaking, it can be said that the scrap piece removing arm 48 is resiliently connected to the housing 34. Referring now to Figs. 1, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the pin 30 is configured to permit axial movement relative to the scrap piece contacting portion 84. The pin 30 includes a pin end 100 including a pin indent 102 located therein. The pin indent 102 is sized and shaped to hold the scrap piece 14 during the scrap piece removal operation in which the pin 30 pushes against the scrap piece contacting portion 84 and pinches the scrap piece 14 therebetween. Also, the pin 30 is mounted on a pin base 104 and includes a pin screw end 106 for connecting to a bolt (not shown). In a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion 84 is located away from the scrap material piece 14. The first arm portion 70 is moved upwardly so that the piston 74 is released to move along a second restricted path of travel.

As best seen in Fig. 9, one or more pins 30 are mounted on the second jig plate 20 are are located adjacent the scrap piece removing arm 48. One or more additional cutting members are mounted on the second jig plate 20.

Operation

Referring now to Fig, 1 and 11, an operation of the apparatus 10 will now be described. Pre-printed (pre-scored or pre-cut) or unprinted sheets are fed through an die cut auto platen press and cut to the desired shape with a steel rule die. This aspect is well known to those skilled in the art. The sheet is held together with strategically located nicks in the steel rule die to permit movement between pressing stations. As is known in the art, a nick is a small gap placed in the cutting rule of the steel rule die which allows the sheet to travel through the press without breaking apart until its neatly stacked at the end. Generally, the sheets are fed through the machine they pass through the first station of the press which is where the desired shape is die-cut After the sheet is die-cut it then moves to the stripping station (our stripping apparatus 10). At the stripping station 10 the die-cut sheet 16 momentarily stops over the female stripping board (also known as the first jig plate 18) where the the scrap piece removing arm 48 (also known as the “Angel strip”) is located. The male stripping jig (the second jig plate 20) moves vertically down to the female jig 18 with an installed male pin 30 which is aligned with the scrap removing arm 48. The scrap 14 is pinched between the male pin 30 and the scrap removing arm 48I and is pull pulled through the slightly larger precut matching hole in the plywood of the female jig plate 18.

It should be noted, the apparatus can be used with or without the male pin 30.

Advantageously, the process is carried out at high speed. As will be apparent from the above, different presses and different layouts vary the press speeds.

Other Embodiments From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

1. An apparatus for removing a scrap material piece from pre-scored and pre-cut sheet material, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third hinges; a scrap piece removing arm having a first arm portion hingeably connected to the first and second hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a second arm portion hingeably connected to the second and third hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a piston hingeably connected to the third hinge, the piston being resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel; and a scrap piece contacting portion located between the first and second arm portions, the scrap piece contacting portion being shaped to engage the scrap material piece during a scrap piece removal operation in which the scrap material piece is pushed thereagainst to move the first arm portion downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the first restricted path of travel.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, further includes a pin configured to permit axial movement relative to the scrap piece contacting portion, the pin having a pin end including a pin indent located therein, the pin indent being sized and shaped to hold the scrap piece during the scrap piece removal operation in which the pin pushes against the scrap piece contacting portion and pinches the scrap piece.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which in a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion is located away from the scrap material piece, the first arm portion being moved upwardly so that the piston is released to move along a second restricted path of travel.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, further includes a housing having first and second shells, the first shell having an inner male connector, the second shell having an inner female connector, the male and female connectors being disposed towards each other and interconnected in a connecting configuration, the housing having an opening therein sized and shaped to permit movement of the scrap piece removing arm relative thereto, the housing having a guide channel located therein, the scrap piece removing arm being hingeably and resiliently connected to the first hinge to permit movement of the removing arm relative to the opening and along the guide channel.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, in which a resilient member interconnects the piston with the third hinge to permit movement of the piston along the first restricted path of travel.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, in which the resilient member is a spring.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 4, in which the housing is sized and shaped for mounting on a first jig plate, the housing including a jig plate mounting portion to permit the housing to be mounted in a first jig plate indent adjacent a first jig plate template opening, the scrap removing arm being disposed towards the first jig plate template opening.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which the pin is mounted on a second jig plate and located adjacent the scrap piece removing arm.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 2, in which a plurality of spaced apart pins are mounted on the second jig plate.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 9, in which one or more additional cutting members are mounted on the second jig plate.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 4, in which the plate mounting portion includes first and second orthogonally disposed extensions panels.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the scrap piece contacting portion extends away from the removing arm receiving opening in a default configuration.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the scrap piece contacting portion includes a first planar surface disposed generally parallel to the sheet material, a second planar surface disposed generally orthogonal relative to the sheet material, and an angled surface interconnecting the first and second planar surfaces, the surfaces being sized to contact the sheet material scrap.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 31, in which first and second angled surfaces disposed to contact a scrap piece, the housing being shaped for mounting on a first plate adjacent a removing opening.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 4, in which the scrap piece removing arm is resiliently connected to the housing.

16. An apparatus for removing a scrap material piece from pre-scored and pre-cut sheet material, the apparatus comprising: a scrap piece removing arm having first, second and third hinges and a first arm portion hingeably connected to the first and second hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a second arm portion hingeably connected to the second and third hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a piston hingeably connected to the third hinge, the piston being resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel; a scrap piece contacting portion located between the first and second arm portions, the scrap piece contacting portion being shaped to engage the scrap material piece during a scrap piece removal operation in which the scrap material piece is pushed thereagainst to move the first arm portion downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the first restricted path of travel; and a pin configured to permit axial movement relative to the scrap piece contacting portion, the pin having a pin end including a pin indent located therein, the pin indent being sized and shaped to hold the scrap piece during the scrap piece removal operation in which the pin pushes against the scrap piece contacting portion and pinches the scrap piece.

17. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which in a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion is located away from the scrap material piece, the first arm portion being moved upwardly so that the piston is released to move along a second restricted path of travel.

18. The apparatus, according to claim 17, in which in a default configuration, the scrap piece contacting portion is located away from the scrap material piece, the first arm portion being moved upwardly so that the piston is released to move along a second restricted path of travel.

19. The apparatus, according to claim 16, further includes a housing having first and second shells, the first shell having an inner male connector, the second shell having an inner female connector, the male and female connectors being disposed towards each other and interconnected in a connecting configuration, the housing having an opening therein sized and shaped to permit movement of the scrap piece removing arm relative thereto, the housing having a guide channel located therein, the scrap piece removing arm being hingeably and resiliently connected to the first hinge to permit movement of the removing arm relative to the opening and along the guide channel.

20. The apparatus, according to claim 18, in which a resilient member interconnects the piston with the third hinge to permit movement of the piston along the first restricted path of travel.

21. The apparatus, according to claim 19, in which the resilient member is a spring.

22. The apparatus, according to claim 18, in which the housing is sized and shaped for mounting on a first jig plate, the housing including a jig plate mounting portion to permit the housing to be mounted in a first jig plate indent adjacent a first jig plate template opening, the scrap removing arm being disposed towards the first jig plate template opening.

23. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the pin is mounted on a second jig plate and located adjacent the scrap piece removing arm.

24. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which a plurality of spaced apart pins are mounted on the second jig plate.

25. The apparatus, according to claim 9, in which one or more additional cutting members are mounted on the second jig plate.

26. The apparatus, according to claim 23, in which the plate mounting portion includes first and second orthogonally disposed extensions panels.

27. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the scrap piece contacting portion extends away from the removing arm receiving opening in a default configuration.

28. The apparatus, according to claim 16, in which the scrap piece contacting portion includes a first planar surface disposed generally parallel to the sheet material, a second planar surface disposed generally orthogonal relative to the sheet material, and an angled surface interconnecting the first and second planar surfaces, the surfaces being sized to contact the sheet material scrap.

29. The apparatus, according to claim 28, in which first and second angled surfaces disposed to contact a scrap piece, the housing being shaped for mounting on a first plate adjacent a removing opening.

30. The apparatus, according to claim 18, in which the scrap piece removing arm is resiliently connected to the housing.

31. A pushing apparatus for use with a stripping apparatus to strip a scrap piece from a pre-scored and pre-cut material sheet, the pushing apparatus comprising: an elongate pin mounted on a jig plate and disposed generally orthogonal relative to the jig plate, the elongate pin having a pin end and a pin indent located in the pin end, the pin end and the pin indent being sized and shaped to pushing contact the scrap piece so as to strip the scrap piece.

32. The apparatus, according to claim 31, in which the elongate pin is configured such that in a stripping operation, the pin end is orientated towards an axially located scrap piece removing arm having first, second and third hinges and a first arm portion hingeably connected to the first and second hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a second arm portion hingeably connected to the second and third hinges, the scrap piece removing arm having a piston hingeably connected to the third hinge, the piston being resiliently moveable along a first restricted path of travel; and a scrap piece contacting portion located between the first and second arm portions, the scrap piece contacting portion being shaped to engage the pin end to move the first arm portion downwardly thereby pushing the piston along the first restricted path of travel.

33. A method for stripping a scrap piece from a pre-scored and pre-cut material sheet, the method comprising: locating the prescored and pre-cut material sheet between first and second jig plates, the material sheet being secured therebetween, the first jig having mounted thereon at least one housing having resiliently mounted therein a scrap removing arm, the second jig having mounted thereon at least one pin having a pin indent located adjacent a pin end; aligning the at least one pin with the scrap removing arm; advancing the at least one pin towards the scrap removing arm to push against the scrap piece contacting portion and to pinches the scrap piece between the at least one pin and the scrap removing arm, the at least one pin being moved a sufficient distance to remove the scrap piece from the material sheet.