GB2192203A

GB2192203A - Improvements in and relating to sheet material

Info

Publication number: GB2192203A
Application number: GB08615974A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walter A J Joyce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-01
Filing date: 1986-07-01
Publication date: 1988-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-01
Also published as: IT1212019B; DE3721417C2; DE3721417A1; IT8748126A0; ZA874701B; GB2192203B; GB8615974D0

Description

1 GB 2 192 203A 1 SPECIFICATION shape suitable for use as a separator

between the layers of sweets in a box.

Improvements in and relating to sheet ma- According to a second aspect of the inven terial tion there is provided a method of stiffening 70 sheet material comprising using a machine tool TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION to form a series of corrugations in at least

This invention relates to sheets of materials one portion of the sheet, the machine tool such as cardboard, plastics material and having co-operating teeth which form the cor metals such as steel, aluminium, brass and rugations, there being an interference fit on copper. In this specification the term---sheet-75 the flanks of the co- operating teeth such that is used to connote not only generally rectan- the corrugated portion of the sheet has sub gular pieces of material but d'.iso pieces of ma- stantially the same planar dimensions as that terial of regular or irregular shape. portion of the sheet before the corrugations Sheet materials are widely used in the pack- were formed.

aging of commodities of many kinds, for 80 The machine tool may be a press tool pro example, the---neckstiffeners- used in the vided with the co-operating teeth or may collars of men's shirts, the stiffeners used in comprise a pair of driven rollers provided with the front of women's blouses, the inverted the co-operating teeth.

truncated cones used to protect pot plants in The peaks and troughs of the co-operating florists shops, and the separators used be- 85 teeth may comprise angled flanks which form tween the layers of chocolates in a box. The an interference fit, the tips of the teeth and sheet materials used for the above-mentioned the bottoms of the troughs being radiused.

and many other purposes are required to have The peaks and troughs of the co-operating an inherent degree of stiffness and hitherto teeth may also comprise intersecting radiuses this has necessitated using relatively thick 90 which form an interference fit on the flanks of sheet materials which tend to be expensive. the teeth.

An object of this invention is to provide The machine tool may be arranged to form sheet material which is thinner than that used a plurality of corrugated portions separated for the same purpose hitherto but which has from each other by an uncorrugated portion.

the required stiffness. 95 The sheet material may be an elongate strip and the machine tool may be arranged to DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION form the corrugations transversely of the

According to one aspect of the present in- Jength of the strip.

vention there is provided sheet material having The machine tool may be arranged to form at least one portion formed with corrugations 100 the sheet material into a plurality of discrete, to provide a required stiffness, the corrugated shaped pieces each having at least one corru portion having substantially the same planar gated portion.

dimensions as the material before the corruga- The sheet material may be a suitable plas tions were formed. tics material and is preferably a high density The material may be an elongate strip and 105PX.C.

the corrugations extend transversely of the The sheet material may also be cardboard length of the strip. The corrugations may be or a ductile metal.

formed in portions at each end of the strip or Embodiments of the invention in both its the whole of the strip may be formed with aspects will now be described, by way of corrugations. The material may have a thick- 110 example, with reference to the accompanying ness of substantially 0.2 of a millimetre before drawings.

the corrugations are formed.

The distance between two adjacent peaks BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS of the corrugations may be substantially 2.7 Figure 1 is a fragmentary schematic side millimetres and the vertical distance between a 115 elevation of the operative parts of a press tool peak and an adjacent trough of the corruga- for carrying out the invention; tions may be 0.6 of a millimetre. - Figure 2 is a fragmentary schematic side The peaks and troughs of the corrugations elevation of the operative parts of another may have flanks defining acute angles with press tool for carrying out the invention; radiused tips or the peaks and troughs'may 120 Figure 3 is a fragmentary schematic end ele be wholly radiused. vation of a pair of driven rollers for carrying The sheet material may have a planary out the invention; shape suitable for use as a neck stiffener for Figure 4 is a fragmentary schematic end ele a shirt or the sheet material may be. wrapped vation of another pair of driven rollers for car to form a hollow cylinder or a hollow inverted 125 rying out the invention; truncated cone suitable for use as a protector Figure 5 is a plan view of a neck stiffener for a pot plant, the corrugations extending for a shirt. in accordance with the invention; longitudinally"of the hollow cylinder or from Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hollow top to bottom of the inverted truncated cone. inverted truncated cone in accordance with the The sheet material may also have a planary 130 invention suitable for use as a protector for a 2 GB2192203A 2 pot plant; ing teeth 14. The flanks 16 of the teeth 14 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a hollow are angled to form an interference fit while the cylinder in accordance with the invention; and tips 17 of the teeth 14 and the bottoms of Figure 8 is a perspective view of a separa- the troughs between them are radiused. The tor in accordance with the invention for use 70 travel 19 of the top roller 12 towards the between the layers of chocolates in a box. bottom roller 13 is arranged to be adjustable.

In use of the driven rollers 11 the top roller BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE IN- 12 is raised clear of the bottom roller 13 and VENTION sheet material 10 is inserted into the resulting Referring in the first instance to Figure 1, 75 gap between the co- operating teeth 14. The the press tool 1 comprises a top form 2 and top roller 12 is.then moved downwards to a bottom form 3 both of which are provided wards the bottom roller 13 and the driven with co-operating teeth 4. The flanks 6 of the rollers 11 rotated in the directions of the ar teeth 4 are angled and form an interference fit rows 20 so that the interference fit between while the tips 7 of the teeth 4 and the bot- 8G the flanks 16 of the teeth 14 holds the adja toms of the troughs between them are radi- cent portion of the material 10 and allows the used. The travel 9 of the top form 2 towards radiused tips 17 of the teeth 14 to compress the bottom form 3 is arranged to be adjust- and stretch the material 10 thereby thinning able. the material 10. In this way the sheet material In use of the press tool 1 in the method in 85 10 is formed with corrugations which stiffen accordance with the second aspect of the in- the material and yet the material has the same vention the top form 2 is raised clear of the planar dimensions as it had before the corru bottom form 3 and sheet material 10 is ingations were formed.

serted into the resulting gap between _the co- - The driven rollers 11 shown in Figure 4 are operating teeth 4. The top form 2 is then 90 similar to those shown in Figure 3 but instead moved downwards towards the bottom form of having angled flanks the teeth 14 comprise 3 so that the interference fit between the intersecting radiuses which form an interfer flanks 6 of the teeth 4 holds the adjacent ence fit on the flanks 16. As before the inter portion of the material 10 and allows the radi- ference fit between the flanks 16 holds the used tips 7 of the teeth 4 to compress and 95 adjacent portion of the sheet material 10 and stretch the material 10 thereby thinning the allows the radiused tips 17 of the teeth 14 material 10. In this way the sheet material 10 compress and stretch the material thereby is formed with corrugations which stiffen the thinning the material 10 to form the corruga material and yet the sheet material has the tions. The corrugations stiffen the material 10 same planar dimensions as it had before the 100 and yet the material has the same planar di corrugations were formed. mensions as it had before the corrugations The press tool 1 shown in Figure 2 is simi- were formed.

lar to that shown in Figure 1 But instead of Preferably the sheet material 10 is in the having angled flanks the teeth 4 comprise in- form of an elongate strip which is fed into the tersecting radiuses which form an interference 105 driven rollers 11 automatically. The driven rol fit on the flanks 6. As befo re the interference lers 11 may be arranged to impart a planary fit between the flanks 6 of the teeth 4 holds shape to the sheet material 10 at the same the adjacent portion of the sheet material 10 time as the corrugations are formed. When and allows the radiused tips 7 of the teeth 4 the sheet material 10 is in the form of an to compress and stretch the material thereby 110 elongate strip the corrugations preferably ex thinning the material 10 to form corrugations. tend transversely of the length of the strip.

Again the corrugations stiffen the material 10 The sheet material 10 may be a suitable plas and yet the material has the same planar di- tics material such as a high density P.V.C. or mensions as it had before the corrugations may be cardboard or a ductile metal such as were formed. 115 steel, aluminium or brass.

The sheet material 10 may be inserted into The neck stiffener 21 shown in Figure 5 the press tools 1 in discrete pieces or the comprises an elongate strip 22 of a sheet sheet material 10 may be in the form of an material having end portions 23 provided with elongate strip which is fed into the press corrugations 24 formed by the method de- tools 1 automatically. In either case the top 120 scribed above. The corrugations 24 extend _and bottom forms of the press tool 1 may be transversely of the length of the strip 22, the arranged to impart a planary shape to the two corrugated end portions 23 being sepa sheet material at the same time as it forms rated by an uncorrugated portion 25 provided the corrugations. When the sheet material 10 with a median slot 27 arranged to fit over the is the form of an elongate strip the corruga- 125 top button on a man's shirt. The corrugations tions preferably extend transversely of the stiffen the end portions 23 which are arranged length of the strip. to fit under the collar of the shirt to hold the The driven rollers 11 shown in Figure 3 collar in a neat, smooth condition when en comprise a top roller 12 and a bottom roller closed in a transparent package.

13 both of which are provided with co-operat- 130 Typically the material of the strip 22 has a 3 GB2192203A 3 thick - ness of substantially 0.2 of a millimetre length of the strip.

Claims

before the corrugations 24 are formed. The 3. Sheet material as claimed in

Claim 1, distance between two adjacent peaks or wherein the material is an elongate strip and troughs of the corrugations 24 is substantially the corrugations are formed in portions at 2.7 millimetres while the vertical distance be- 70 each end of the strip and extend transversely tween a peak and a trough of the corrugations of the length of the strip.

24 is substantially 0.6 of a millimetre. The 4. Sheet material as claimed in Claim 1, end portions 23 of the neck stiffener 21 ex- wherein the whole of the sheet is formed with tend at an angle of substantially fifteen dethe corrugations.

grees to the uncorrugated portion 25 which 75 5. Sheet material as claimed in any preced may contain a logo. trade mark or advertising ing claim, wherein the material has a thickness matter (not shown). An important advantage of substantially 0.2 of a millimetre before the of a neck stiffener 21 in accordance with the corrugations are formed.

invention is that the sheet material used may 6. Sheet material as claimed in any preced- be half the thickness of that used hitherto to 80 ing claim, wherein the distance between two provide comparable stiffness thus reducing the adjacent peaks or troughs of the corrugations manufacturing cost. is substantially 2.7 millimetres.

The protector 31 for a pot plant shown in 7. Sheet material as claimed in any preced Figure 6 comprises a sheet of material 32 ing claim, wherein the vertical distance be formed with corrugations 33 by the method of 85 tween a peak and a trough of the corrugations the invention and wrapped around to form a is substantially 0.6 of a millimetre.

hollow, inverted truncated cone. The ends 35 8. Sheet material as claimed in any preced of the sheet material are secured to the main ing claim, wherein the peaks and the troughs portion of the sheet 32 by an adhesive or of the corrugations have flanks defining acute other suitable means. The corrugations 33 90 angles with radiused tips.

which extend from the top to the bottom of 9. Sheet material as claimed in any one of the truncated cone provide stiffness and rigi- Claims 1 to 7, wherein the peaks and troughs dity in a vertical direction to protect a pot of the corrugations are wholly radiused.

plant which the cone would surround in use. 10. Sheet material as claimed in any preced- The hollow cylinder 40 shown in Figure 7 95 ing claim, having a planary shape suitable for comprise a sheet of material 41 formed with use as a neck stiffener for a shirt.

corrugations 42 by the method of the inven- 11. Sheet material as claimed in any one of tion and wrapped around in the manner illus- Claims 1 to 9, wherein the sheet is wrapped trated. The ends 43 of the sheet 41 are seto form a hollow cylinder or a hollow inverted, cured together as at position 44 by an adhe- 100 truncated cone suitable for use as a protector sive or other suitable means. The corrugations for a pot plant, the corrugations extending 42 which extend longitudinally of the hollow longitudinally of the hollow cylinder or from cylinder 40 provide stiffness and rigidity in a top to bottom of the inverted truncated cone.

vertical direction. The hollow cylinder 40 may 12. Sheet material as claimed in any one of also act as a protector for a pot plant which it 105 Claims 1 to 9, having a planary shape suitable would surround in use. for use as a separator between layers of Turning finally to Figure 8, the separator 50 sweets in a box.

comprises a sheet of material 51 formed with 13. A method of stiffening sheet material corrugations 52 by the method of the inven- comprising using a machine tool to form a tion. The separator is substantially rectangular 110 series of corrugations in at least one portion in shape with the corrugations 52 extending of the sheet, the machine tool having co-oper parallel to the two longer sides. In use the ating teeth which form the corrugations, there separator 50 is inserted between the layers of being an interference fit on the flanks of the chocolates in a box, the corrugations providing co-operating teeth such that the corrugated stiffness and rigidity which act to prevent the 115 portion of the sheet has substantially the chocolates being squashed. While the separa- same planar dimensions as that portion of the tor 50 shown is rectangular in shape,it could sheet before the corrugations were formed.

be circular, oval, heart-shaped or any other 14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, shape depending on the shape of the box in wherein the machine tool comprises a press which-it is to be inserted. 120 tool provided with co-operating teeth.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 13, CLAIMS wherein the machine tool comprises a pair of 1. Sheet material having at least one portion driven rollers provided with co-operating teeth.

formed with corrugations to provide a required 16. A method as claimed in any on of stiffness, the corrugated portion having sub- 125 Claims 13 to 15, wherein the peaks and stantiaily the same planar dimensions as the troughs of, the co-operating teeth comprise material before the corrugations were formed. angled flanks which form an- interference fit, 2. Sheet material as claimed in Claim 1, the tips of the teeth and the bottoms of the wherein the material is an elongate strip and troughs being radiused.

the corrugations extend transversely of the 130 17. A method as claimed in any one of 4. GB2192203A 4 Claims 13 to 15, wherein the peaks and troughs of the co-operating teeth comprise intersecting radiuses which form an interference fit on the flanks of the teeth.

18. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 17, wherein the machine tool is arranged to form a plurality of corrugated portions separated from each other by an uncorrugated portion.

19. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 18, wherein the sheet material is an elongate strip and the machine tool is arranged to form the corrugations transversely of the length of the strip.

20. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 19, wherein the machine tool is arranged to form the sheet material into a plu- - rality of discrete shaped pieces each having at least one corrugated portion.

21. A method as claimed in any one of _Claims 13 to 20, wherein t - he sheet material is a suitable plastics material.

22. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 21, wherein the sheet material is a high density PM.C.

23. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 20, wherein the sheet material is cardboard.

24. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 20, wherein the sheet material is a ductile metal.

25. A method of stiffening sheet material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

26. Sheet material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd, Dd 8991685, 1988. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.