Method of dispensing a microfoam sheet

Claim 1

A method of dispensing a microfoam sheet of predetermined size including the steps of: a. positioning the leading edge of a web of microfoam in operative relationship with a web moving means in the form of nip rolls; b. moving the web by means of the nip rolls between upper and lower members, the upper member having means defining first and second plates having an aperture therebetween adapted to receive a web cutting means, the first plate having means defining a web holding surface and the second plate having means defining a web clamping surface, the lower member having means defining first and second plates having an aperture therebetween adapted to receive such web cutting means, the first plate having means defining a web holdinG surface and a web first guiding surface and the second plate having means defining a web clamping and first guiding surface, which first guiding surfaces of the first and second plates of the lower member are disposed at an angle to the holding and clamping surfaces of the first and second plates of the upper member as the web is moved between the upper and lower members, such angle extending outwardly in the direction of web travel, and the web cutting means being positioned out of contact with the web in an inoperative position as such web is moved between the upper and lower members; c. moving the web a predetermined length past the web cutting means with the leading edge extending at least beyond the outer edge of the second plates of the upper and lower members; d. moving the nip rolls out of operative relationship with the web, while simultaneously pivoting the lower member upwardly into an operative position whereby to hold the web between the holding surfaces of the first plates of the upper and lower members and to clamp the web between the clamping surfaces of the second plates of such upper and lower members; e. cutting the web to form a microfoam sheet of predetermined size by moving the cutting means through the apertures between the plates of the upper and lower members, then returning such cutting means to its original inoperative position; f. retaining, by friction, the cut sheet between the clamping surfaces of the second plates of the upper and lower members; and g. pulling the cut sheet from between these second plates of such upper and lower members.

Claim 2

A method of dispensing a microfoam sheet of predetermined size including the steps of: a. positioning the leading edge of a web of microfoam in operative relationship with a web moving means in the form of nip rolls; b. moving the web by means of the nip rolls between upper and lower members, the upper member having means defining first and second plates having an aperture therebetween adapted to receive a web cutting means, the first plate having means defining a web holding surface and the second plate having means defining a web clamping surface, the lower member having means defining first and second plates having an aperture therebetween adapted to receive such web cutting means, the first plate having means defining a web holdinG surface and a web first guiding surface and the second plate having means defining a web clamping and first guiding surface, which first guiding surfaces of the first and second plates of the lower member are disposed at an angle to the holding and clamping surfaces of the first and second plates of the upper member as the web is moved between the upper and lower members, such angle extending outwardly in the direction of web travel, and the web cutting means being positioned out of contact with the web in an inoperative position as such web is moved between the upper and lower members; c. moving the web a predetermined length past the web cutting means with the leading edge extending at least beyond the outer edge of the second plates of the upper and lower members; d. moving the nip rolls out of operative relationship with the web, while simultaneously pivoting the lower member upwardly into an operative position whereby to hold the web between the holding surfaces of the first plates of the upper and lower members and to clamp the web between the clamping surfaces of the second plates of such upper and lower members; e. cutting the web to form a microfoam sheet of predetermined size by moving the cutting means through the apertures between the plates of the upper and lower members, then returning such cutting means to its original inoperative position; f. retaining, by friction, the cut sheet between the clamping surfaces of the second plates of the upper and lower members; and g. pulling the cut sheet from between these second plates of such upper and lower members.