US4642086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming flexible fold lines in a thermoplastic sheet
Assignee: TRANSPARENT PACKAGING CORP 827 MARTIN STREET RAHWAY NEW JERSEY 07065
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Filing: 1985-07-29
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2005-07-29
Abstract
Abstract There is provided an improved apparatus for forming foldable box blanks from a thermoplastic sheet by forming flexible fold lines in the thermoplastic sheet, with the apparatus including a plurality of scoring tools and a flat plate having a plurality of grooves formed therein opposite to the scoring tools. In addition, the apparatus includes means for heating the scoring tools to less than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic sheet. In this manner, when the heated scoring tools engage the thermoplastic sheet, it is deformed on its upper surface by the scoring tools and on its lower surface by the grooves in the grooved plate to form a plastic sheet having the desired flexible fold lines.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Howarth, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:50
CPC Classifications
B; B31; B31F; B31F1/00; B31F1/08; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/02; B29C53/04; B29C53/06; B29C37/00; B29C37/0053; B29C37/0057; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7162; B31B; B31B50/00; B31B50/25; B31B50/252
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for forming foldable box blanks from a thermoplastic sheet by forming flexible fold lines in the thermoplastic sheet which has an upper and lower surface, comprising: scoring means including a plurality of scoring tools each having a longitudinal axis; a flat plate disposed opposite to said scoring tools for supporting said thermoplastic sheet, said flat plate having a plurality of sets of grooves formed therein at locations corresponding to and opposite to said scoring tools; the longitudinal axes of said grooves being offset relative to the longitudinal axes of said scoring tools; means for heating said scoring tools to less than the melting temperature of said thermoplastic sheet; and means for moving said heated scoring tools into engagement with said thermoplastic sheet to soften said thermoplastic sheet so that is is deformed on its upper surface by said scoring tools and so that it is deformed on its lower surface by the grooves in said plate, said deformed areas forming said flexible fold lines in said thermoplastic sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for forming foldable box blanks from a thermoplastic sheet by forming flexible fold lines in the thermoplastic sheet which has an upper and lower surface, comprising: scoring means including a plurality of scoring tools each having a longitudinal axis; a flat plate disposed opposite to said scoring tools for supporting said thermoplastic sheet, said flat plate having a plurality of sets of grooves formed therein at locations corresponding to and opposite to said scoring tools; the longitudinal axes of said grooves being offset relative to the longitudinal axes of said scoring tools; means for heating said scoring tools to less than the melting temperature of said thermoplastic sheet; and means for moving said heated scoring tools into engagement with said thermoplastic sheet to soften said thermoplastic sheet so that is is deformed on its upper surface by said scoring tools and so that it is deformed on its lower surface by the grooves in said plate, said deformed areas forming said flexible fold lines in said thermoplastic sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including tools for die cutting said thermoplastic sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said grooved plate acts as a bed for receiving said die cutting tools.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scoring tools are shorter than said die-cutting tools.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scoring tools are connected to said heating means for heating said scoring tools to just below the melting temperature of said thermoplastic sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axes of said grooves are disposed at a 45 degree angle to the longitudinal axis of said scoring tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grooves have a width of 0.020 inches at their widest point and a depth of 0.015 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said scoring tools are shorter than said die cutting tools.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3271560A
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US3359773A
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FR2549774A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-09 | 1990-08-11 | 1991-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |