CN111344152B

CN111344152B - Embossing tool and method for embossing an article

Info

Publication number: CN111344152B
Application number: CN201780096634.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·埃里克森; J·加拉赫; T·史沫特莱; M·范德林登
Original assignee: Imprint Co ltd
Current assignee: Imprint Co ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-08
Filing date: 2017-11-08
Publication date: 2021-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-08
Also published as: CA3081540A1; CN111344152A; EP3707006A1; JP2021511978A; NZ765156A; AU2017439186A1; WO2019094005A1; EP3707006A4; AU2017439186B2

Abstract

An imprinting tool is provided that includes a base and a cover. The cover is removably secured to the base by a hinge assembly. The base may include a first base hinge and a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge. The hinge section may comprise first and second walls which may be biased to define a cavity accessible through a passage between the first and second walls. The hinge sections may be separated by one or more receptacles. The cover may include one or more hinge chains corresponding to the hinge sections on the base. The aspect ratios of the hinge chains are unequal, allowing easy insertion and removal of the cover plate. The cover plate may also include one or more protrusions that space the hinge strands. These protrusions correspond to the receiving portions on the base.

Description

Embossing tool and method for embossing an article

Patented and trademark committee:

john ericsson (John Ericson), american citizen, with a mailing address 2112East 3780South, zip 84109, salt lake city, utah; jessica Galagher (Jessica Gallagher), American citizen, a Cobbel Canyon Nanlu 8991, Santa Claus, Japan, and Zip 84093; tanner Standley (Tanner Smidley), the American citizen, whose mailing address is Nanfang forest Square No. 11957, Zip code 84096, Herleman City, Utah; the inventor of the michael van der lindden (Mike Vanderlinden), U.S. citizen, mailing address sahara 2092, zip code 84124, hounds, utah, as an embossing tool set forth below, requested patent rights granted to his patent application.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of imprint technology, and more particularly to imprint tools and methods.

Background

In imprint processes, it is often a challenge for the process personnel to apply repetitive imprint patterns efficiently and accurately. For example, conventional embossing process tools typically include embossing sections made of red rubber, acrylic, photopolymer, foam, and many other materials known in the art. The stamp is secured to a base, typically made of wood, which may include a handle or gripping section that allows a user to grasp the stamp, press it into a supply of ink, and then deposit the ink onto the surface to be stamped.

However, stampers generally desire to make a greater volume of stamping surface (e.g., greeting cards or invitations). The method of individually performing the imprint process on each surface becomes cumbersome and also results in inconsistent results due only to human error.

Some stamping tools have been created to address this problem. However, a significant improvement of the present invention over prior art stamping devices is that the invention features a hinge mechanism that allows for multi-directional stamping and quick replacement of the cover plate from a different orientation. It also allows embossing a wider variety of surfaces in size and shape. In particular, since the invention can work with only two hinge walls, it allows more variation in the length and width of the article being stamped. Moreover, since the present invention does not require the cover plate to rest on the hinge wall, it allows for more variation in the depth of the workspace, which means that it can accommodate thinner stamps without the need for shimming compared to prior art stamping tools.

The present invention, in its various embodiments, addresses all of the foregoing issues, as well as other issues that will become apparent herein.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is an embossing tool. In various embodiments thereof, the tool includes a base and a cover. The cover is removably secured to the base by a hinge assembly.

According to one embodiment, the base includes a first base hinge and a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge. The base hinge may include one or more hinge sections. In some embodiments, the hinge section has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall may be biased to define a cavity accessible through a passage between the first wall and the second wall. In some embodiments, the hinge sections are separated by one or more receptacles. The cover may include one or more hinge chains corresponding to the hinge sections on the base. The aspect ratios of the hinge chains are unequal, allowing easy insertion and removal of the cover plate. The cover plate may also include one or more protrusions that space the hinge strands. These protrusions correspond to the receiving portions on the base.

The configuration of the hinge chain may vary. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the hinge chain is rectangular. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the hinge chain is elliptical. In other embodiments, the cross-section of the hinge strip is diamond-shaped. The protrusion may have a rounded corner, and the receiving portion may also have a rounded corner.

A method of embossing an article is also included. An embossing tool is provided. The stamping tool may include a base having a top surface, a first base hinge, and a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge. The first base hinge and the second base hinge may include one or more hinge sections. The stamping tool also includes a cover plate removably attached to the base. The cover has a bottom surface relative to the base and may include one or more hinge strands corresponding to one or more hinge sections on the base. The aspect ratios of the hinge chains are unequal. In operation, the cover is placed in an open position relative to the base. The stamp is attached to the bottom surface of the cover plate. Placing an article to be imprinted on the top surface of the base. Applying a quantity of ink to the stamp and, when the cover is placed in the closed position, bringing the stamp into contact with the article to imprint the article with the ink.

Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts an imprint process tool base according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an imprint process tool cover plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an imprint process tool in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts an imprint process tool in a partially closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an imprint process tool in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a plurality of base hinge sections according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a portion of a lid hinge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 depicts a partially assembled base and lid hinge mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 depicts a portion of a hinge assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 depicts a base and cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts an imprint process tool with an insert according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, 5-6, an imprint process tool base 102 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The base 102 includes a first hinge and a second hinge, shown generally at 106, 108. It should be noted that the first hinge 106 is hereinafter referred to as the "top" hinge, and the second hinge 108 is hereinafter referred to as the "side" hinge. However, the use of the terms "top" and "side" only refer to the relative positions of the first base hinge 106 and the second base hinge 108 and the orientation of the imprint process tool 100 in the figures. The use of such spatial terms is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The base 102 also includes a top surface 114 and may include one or more grid lines 116 that are oriented relatively horizontally and vertically. The base 102 may also include one or more straightedges 118. The top surface 114 is typically the surface on which the article to be imprinted is to be placed. Common embossed articles include, but are not limited to, paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, plastic, metal, and glass.

In the presently illustrated embodiment, the top hinge 106 and the side hinge 108 include a plurality of hinge segments 124 to form a top hinge wall 122 and a side hinge wall 120 against which an embossing material or insert 134 (fig. 11) may abut. As mentioned above, the

hinge walls

120, 122 in this embodiment are comprised of a series of hinge sections 124 separated by receptacles 125. As discussed further below, the receptacle 125 may be a space between the hinge sections 124 that corresponds to the protrusion 140 on the cover plate 104. The receptacle 125 shown in the illustrated embodiment has rounded edges that allow the protrusion 140 to more easily rotate when opening and closing the cover 104 in operation. However, in other embodiments, non-radiused receptacles 125 may also be advantageous.

Although this illustration depicts seven hinge sections 124 with corresponding receptacles 125, it should be noted that in some embodiments, it may be desirable to have fewer and larger hinge sections 124 and correspondingly fewer receptacles 125. In other embodiments, one or both of the

hinges

106, 108 may be a single piece without the hinge section 124. In such embodiments, the receptacle 125 may be limited to the end of the

respective wall

120, 122, or in other embodiments, the receptacle 125 may not be present at all. However, the receptacles 125 are advantageous in that they provide low friction stability to the base and lid hinge assemblies.

As best shown in fig. 6, in some embodiments, each hinge section 124 may include first and second slightly angled walls 128, the walls 128 defining the channel 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 128 includes a slight bend 127 that forms an edge that can engage the hinge strap 142 in the cavity 130, as discussed further below. The bends 127 are advantageous because they help prevent the cover plate 104 from disengaging when the product is used and allow the cover plate 104 to be easily removed when needed. It should be noted, however, that the term "curved" is not intended to be limited to a gradual rounded slope of the top edge of the wall 128, but may include a steeper slope or angular change of direction to form the engagement edge needed to hold the cover plate 104 in place during use. The illustrated embodiment may also include corner pieces 132 between the side hinges 108 and the top hinge 106. Referring now to fig. 2 and 7, a cover plate 104 for an imprint process tool 100 is shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cover 104 includes a hinge, shown generally at 110, and a main cover section, shown generally at 136. The cover plate 104 may include one or more grid lines 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the grid lines 138 are displayed in opposite horizontal and vertical orientations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 110 includes sections of hinge strap 142 with spaces 144 thereunder spaced at regular intervals by the projections 140. It should be noted, however, that as with the base hinge sections 124, the hinge strands 142 need not be spaced at regular intervals, but may vary in length, number, and spacing to correspond with the hinge sections 124 of the base 102.

As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 140 has rounded corners to correspond with the receptacle 125 in the base 102. The rounded protrusion 140 allows the hinge to be stabilized and the cover 104 to be opened and closed more smoothly when in use, but this is not required. In this embodiment, the protrusion 140 further includes a small neck 146 such that the edge of the cover plate 104, the neck 146, and the hinge strip 142 define a space 144. It should be noted, however, that in other embodiments, it may be desirable to exclude the neck 146, in which case the protrusion 140 is directly on the edge of the cover plate 104.

As shown in fig. 7, the cross-section of the hinge strip 142 may be substantially rectangular, with a substantially flat surface. This allows for easy insertion into the channel 126 and removal from the channel 126. Notably, the hinge straps 142 having unequal cross-sectional aspect ratios allow for easy insertion and removal thereof. In particular, in the presently illustrated embodiment, when the cover plate 104 is at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90 °) relative to the base 102, the hinge strands 142 are narrower than the channels 126 and can easily pass through them. However, once the cover plate 104 is rotated in either direction, the wider side of the hinge strip 142 will face the channel 126 and cannot pass through. Thus, in use, the cover plate 104 is largely stable and non-removable. Referring to fig. 3-4, 8-10, the attachment of the cover plate 104 to the base 102 and the cover plate/base assembly is depicted. As best shown in fig. 8-10, the user may align the hinge section 124 with the hinge strip 142 and align the receptacle 125 with the protrusion 140. When the cover 104 is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees (90 °) relative to the base 102, the hinge chain 142 will be oriented such that the width of the hinge chain 142 is less than the width of the channel 126. Thus, the cover plate 104 may be directed downward until the hinge strap 142 is in the cavity 130. The protrusion 140 is also substantially located in the receptacle 125. When the cover 104 is rotated in the opening or closing direction, the relative direction of the hinge strip 142 and the channel 126 changes, so that the width of the hinge strip 142 becomes wider than the channel 126, effectively locking the cover 104 and preventing it from sliding off when in use. To remove the cover plate 104, the reverse process is essentially performed, i.e., the user orients the cover plate 104 at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90 °) relative to the base 102 and gently pulls upward. Because the width of the hinge strip 142 is less than the width of the channel 126 in this orientation, the cover plate 104 is easily dislodged.

It should be noted that the term hinge chain 142 is not intended to be limited to a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Assuming unequal cross-sectional aspect ratios exist such that the width of the hinge strands 142 is less than the width of the channels 126 in one orientation but greater than the width of the channels 126 when the cover plate 104 is rotated, such shapes are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, in addition to a rectangular cross-sectional shape, the hinge strip 142 may have an oval, diamond, rounded diamond, and many polygonal cross-sectional shapes and combinations thereof.

It should be noted that the attachment and removal of the cover 104 is the same whether the cover 104 is secured to the base top hinge 106 or the base side hinge 108. However, the hinge mechanisms of the top and side portions of the base need not be identical. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to have longer hinge sections 124 on the top hinge mechanism, as previously discussed herein, and shorter hinge sections 124 on the side hinge mechanisms. Any combination of the embodiments discussed above is considered to be within the scope of the present invention, as long as the elements of the lid hinge are properly aligned in both configurations.

To illustrate some of the features of the present invention in its various embodiments, the following methods of operation are provided. It is not intended, however, to cover all embodiments of the invention, nor to limit the scope of the claims to any particular embodiment.

In operation, a user will typically lift the cover plate 104 of the process stamp tool 100 and place a stamp on the top surface 114 of the base 102. Various types of stamps can be used in conjunction with the stamp tool 100 of the present invention, including but not limited to those used for photopolymer, red rubber and foam. The stamp requires some form of adhesive on its back surface (i.e., the surface opposite the surface resting on the base). Thus, when the cover plate 104 is closed, it presses down on the stamp, and the stamp adheres thereto. This allows for precise placement of the stamp, but in other cases, the user may apply the stamp to cover plate 104 by hand only. In some embodiments, a thinner type of stamp will be used. In such embodiments, a spacer, such as a pad or insert 134 (fig. 11), may be included to fill the additional space between the top surface 114 of the base 102 and the underside of the cover plate 104. In fig. 11, the insert 134 is shown covering the entire surface of the base 102. In other embodiments, the insert 134 may be smaller or larger relative to the base 102. The insert 134 may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, foam, rubber, plastic, wood, cloth, or a combination thereof. It should also be noted that shimming is often not required even for thinner stamps, as the cover plate 104 need not rest on the top and side hinges 106, 108 in operation.

With or without the insert 134, the user may secure the item to be imprinted to the top surface 114 of the base 102. In one embodiment, the base 102 comprises a ferromagnetic substance that allows a user to secure an imprinted item thereto using one or more magnets. In other embodiments, the article to be imprinted may be secured by a variety of other known mechanisms, including but not limited to clips and weak adhesives, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the base 102 itself may be magnetized and ferromagnetic material may be placed on the item to be imprinted to secure it in place. In any event, it is preferred that the article to be imprinted be secured to the top surface 114 of the base 102 by some mechanism during operation.

The grid lines 116 on the base 102 and the grid lines 138 on the cover plate 104 allow for precise placement of the article to be stamped and the stamp itself. Thus, the embossing tool 100 allows for precision and repeatability.

Once the article to be stamped is secured, ink may be applied to the stamp adhered to cover plate 104. The ink may be applied in various known ways. For example, the user may simply rub the inkpad onto the stamp by hand, or it may be applied by a brush or cloth. Once the stamp is inked, the user may close the cover plate 104 along the axis of rotation indicated at 112 in FIG. 4. The inked stamp will then be brought into contact with the surface to be stamped and the ink applied precisely where needed. The cover plate 104 is then lifted, and the article that has been imprinted can then be removed and replaced with another article to be imprinted, or it can be repositioned and imprinted again-allowing for a variety of patterns.

Notably, having a cover plate 104 that can be easily removed from one base hinge (e.g., base top hinge 106) and coupled with another base hinge (e.g., base side hinge 108) allows for greater flexibility in the types of patterns and designs that can be formed. Having only two

base walls

120, 122 also allows for stamping of items larger than the base 102.

Variants

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 102 and cover 104 are substantially square in shape. However, in other embodiments, the base 102 and cover 104 may be other rectangular shapes. In other embodiments, different polygonal bases and lids with hinges on their edges can be utilized to form many different design configurations. However, a rectangular shape is advantageous as it allows for a wide variety in the size and shape of the article to be imprinted.

The embossing tool 100 may be made of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastic, acrylic, rubber, glass, wood, metal, and combinations thereof.

In other embodiments, the relative positioning of the hinge segments 124 and hinge strips 142/protrusions 140 may be reversed, i.e., the cover 104 may have one or more hinge segments 124 on one edge, while the base 102 may include hinge strips 142 and protrusions 140 along its top and side edges.

Numerous other modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An embossing tool comprising:

a) a base having:

i) a first base hinge; and

ii) a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge; and wherein the first base hinge and the second base hinge further comprise one or more hinge sections having a first wall and a second wall; wherein the first wall and the second wall define a cavity accessible through a passage between the first wall and the second wall; and

b) a cover removably attached to the base, wherein the cover comprises:

i) one or more hinge strands corresponding to the one or more hinge sections, and wherein the one or more hinge strands have unequal length to width ratios.

2. The embossing tool of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinge sections are separated by one or more receptacles.

3. The embossing tool of claim 2, wherein the one or more hinge strands are separated by one or more protrusions corresponding to the one or more receptacles.

4. The embossing tool of claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall are biased toward each other.

5. The embossing tool of claim 2, wherein the first wall and the second wall are biased toward each other.

6. The embossing tool of claim 3, wherein the first wall and the second wall are biased toward each other.

7. The embossing tool of any of claims 1-6, wherein the one or more hinge strands are rectangular in cross-section.

8. The embossing tool of any of claims 1-6, wherein the one or more hinge strands are oval in cross-section.

9. The embossing tool of any of claims 1-6, wherein the one or more hinge strands are diamond shaped in cross-section.

10. An embossing tool as claimed in claim 3 or claim 6, wherein the one or more protrusions have rounded corners.

11. An embossing tool according to any of claims 2-3 or 5-6, wherein the one or more receptacles have rounded corners.

12. A method of imprinting an article, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an imprint tool comprising:

i) a base having a top surface, a first base hinge, and a second base hinge substantially perpendicular to the first base hinge, and wherein the first base hinge and the second base hinge further comprise one or more hinge sections; and

ii) a cover removably attached to the base, wherein the cover has a bottom surface relative to the base and includes one or more hinge strands corresponding to the one or more hinge sections, and wherein the one or more hinge strands have unequal length to width ratios;

b) placing the cover in an open position relative to the base;

c) adhering a stamp to the bottom surface of the cover plate;

d) placing an item on the top surface of the base;

e) applying a quantity of ink to the stamp;

f) placing the cover plate in a closed position relative to the base, thereby bringing the stamp into contact with the article to imprint the article with a quantity of ink.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hinge section has a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall and the second wall define a cavity accessible through a passage between the first wall and the second wall.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first wall and the second wall are biased toward each other.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the stamp is a photopolymer stamp.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the stamp is a red rubber stamp.