Patent attributes
A sheet material cutting unit has a movable blade mounted to undergo reciprocal movement relative to a stationary blade for cutting a sheet material, and a movable blade holder that reciprocates with the movable blade. A sheet material retaining structure retains the sheet material on a sheet material transfer path during cutting of the sheet material and comprises oppositely disposed stationary and movable holding portions, with the movable holding portion being mounted on the movable blade holder for reciprocal movement therewith. A transmitting structure transmits reciprocation of the movable blade to the movable holding portion to maintain the sheet material in a sandwiched state between the movable holding portion and the stationary holding portion during cutting of the sheet material. The transmitting structure has a notch portion formed in the movable blade holder, a biasing member disposed in the notch portion, and a protrusion of the movable holding portion extending into the notch portion and contacting the biasing member so that during movement of the movable blade toward the stationary cutting member, the movement of the movable blade is transmitted to the movable holding portion.
