GB2252525A

GB2252525A - Perforating and securing together sheets

Info

Publication number: GB2252525A
Application number: GB9102473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Peter Budden
Original assignee: Eaton Hall Design Workshops Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Hall Design Workshops Ltd
Priority date: 1991-02-05
Filing date: 1991-02-05
Publication date: 1992-08-12
Also published as: GB9102473D0

Abstract

Apparatus for forming a perforation in a sheet (not shown) of paper-like material comprises a die 2 and, opposed to the die, a reciprocable tongue-forming device 3, a reciprocable slit forming device 4 having a through bore 5, and a reciprocable resiliently mounted rotatable pusher device 6, the devices 3, 4, 6 being so mounted for reciprocable movement with respect to the die 2 from a rest position to a perforation forming end position that towards the end of a perforation forming stroke the pusher device 6 acts to push a formed tongue through the bore 5 so that the tongue is threaded through the slit to form a perforation and remains attached to the sheet when the devices retract to the rest position. A plurality of sheets may be secured together by the apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR FORMING A PERFORATION The invention relates to apparatus for forming a perforation in a sheet of paper-like material, and particularly relates to such apparatus which can secure a plurality of webs of such material together when forming a perforation.

It will be understood that the term paper-likeEmaterial used in

this specification relates to paper, cellophaneA plastic or similar material which is flexible and which can be cut, usually using a hand implement.

It is often necessary to form a hole in a sheet of paper-like material or to secure a plurality of such sheets together. In the past, holes have been formed by physically punching out a disc from the sheet, which leads to environmental problems of disposal, is wasteful of paper and can be dangerous as the discs are of such a size that they can easily enter the eye of a user of a punch apparatus, causing damage or even blindness. Moreover, sheets have hitherto been secured together using metal staples, which again is wasteful of resources, expensive, environmentaly hazardous when staples are lost, and time-consuming in that stapling apparatus has to be recharged with staples when empty.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for forming a perforation in a sheet of paper-like material, comprising die means and, opposed to the die means, a reciprocable tongue forming device, a reciprocable slit forming device having a through bore, and a reciprocable resiliently mounted rotatable pusher device, the devices being so mounted for reciprocable movement with respect to the die means from a rest position to a perforation forming end position that towards the end of a perforation forming stroke the pusher device acts to push a formed tongue through the bore so that the tongue is threaded through the slit to form a perforation and remains attached to the sheet when the devices retract to the rest position.

The tongue forming device may comprise a channel shape in plan.

This provides a suitable tongue shaped perforation.

The pusher device may comprise a hook-shaped device being pivotally mounted within the limbs of the channel shaped tongue forming device. This provides a relatively neat construction.

The pusher device may comprise a resilient means whereby it is movable up to and out of the bore. This provides for automatic operation.

The resilient means may comprise a plastic extension of the pusher device, and a free end of the extension may be received in the apparatus. This provides for a positive operation.

The pusher device may be planar and integrally made from plastic and may be mounted in the apparatus on an axle which passes through the tongue forming device and the pusher device.

The resilient means may comprise a spring means on each side of the pusher means, and there may be a boss to which the spring means is secured. This provides an alternative construction.

The spring means may comprise coil springs. These provide a positive action.

The hook-shaped device may have an enlarged free end which in use may engage the tongue in the sheet material at substantially 900.

This provides for non-slip of the tongue of material during pushing.

The enlarged free end may comprise a relatively wide part of the hook shaped device.

The free end of the slit forming device may have a substantially V-shape.

The V-shape may be defined by a central V-notch in the body of the slit forming device. This provides for a symmetrical slit.

The tongue forming device may be mounted so that a forward (in use) edge thereof engages the sheet-like material first.

The through bore in the slit forming device may be of substantially square configuration.

A boundary surface of the slot adjacent the die means may be rounded. This provides for non-tearing of the tongue at its base during pushing through the bore.

The said devices may be mounted in a holder which may be slidably mounted in a body part of the apparatus, and there may be means to depress the holder so that the devices may move from the rest position to the perforation forming position.

The means to depress the holder may comprise a pivotable member.

The pivotable member may bear on a bearing surface of the holder via a roller device. This provides for relatively smooth operation of the apparatus.

The body part may comprise two mating shells on which the pivotable member may be mounted by bosses which may be on the shell parts.

The tongue and slit forming devices may be mounted in the apparatus by tangs. This provides for a non-dislodgable mounting.

The apparatus may be adapted to secure together a plurality of webs of paper-like material. This provides for "stapleless" stapling of the webs.

The operator may include two spaced apart sets of die means and said devices, for forming speced perforations in paper-like material.

The tongue forming device may have a substantially key-hole configuration in plan.

The slit forming device may have a main body part and lateral wings inclined to the main body part.

The tongue and slit forming devices may each have a ceramic cutting area.

Apparatus for forming a perforation in a sheet of paper-like material is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Fig 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of Fig 1, taken in the direction of the arrow 'A' in that Fig; Fig 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figs 1 and 2; Fig 4 is an exploded isometric view of the apparatus of Figs 1 to 3; Figs 5 to 7 show longitudinal sectional elevations of the apparatus of Figs 1 to 4, in three different operational positions, Fig 5 being a rest position, Fig 6 an intermediate position and Fig 7 a perforation forming end position.

Fig 8 shows an isometric exploded view of part of an alternative embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; and Fig 9 shows an isometric exploded view of a further, interior, part of the alternative embodiment of Fig 8.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are shown by like numbers, there is shown apparatus 1 for forming a perforation in a sheet (not shown) of paper-like material, comprising die means 2 and, opposed to the die means, a reciprocable tongue-forming device 3, a reciprocable slit forming device 4 having a through bore 5, and a reciprocable resiliently mounted rotatable pusher device 6, the devices 3,4,6 being so mounted for reciprocable movement with respect to the die means 2 from a rest position (Fig 5) to a perforation forming end position (Fig 7) that towards the end of a perforation forming stroke the pusher device 6 acts to push a formed tongue through the bore 5 so that the tongue is threaded through the slit to form a perforation and remains attached to the sheet when the devices retract to the rest position.

The apparatus 1 comprises a base plate or platen 7 mounting a body part 8 which has a hollow base 9 over which is supported the die means 2, in the form of a metal plate which has a through aperture 10 having an elongate shape, one end 11 of which is tapered with a curved end which corresponds to and is vertically (as viewed) aligned with the tongue forming device 3, which is of substantially channel shape in plan, in the embodiment being of V-shape, the device 3 having an outside dimension such that it can just pass into and through the part 11 of the aperture 10 in the die means 2.

The aperture 10 also has lateral extensions or notches 12 which are of sufficient width and are located to be vertically in use below the slit forming device 4 so that the device 4 can pass through the notches 12, which also act as a guide for the device 4 during reciprocation.

The slit forming device 4 has a lower, as viewed, profiled surface of V-shape formed by a symmetrical notch therein. The bore 5 is of square configuration, the lower boundary surface having an upwardly smooth or rounded surface.

The pusher device 6 is an integral plastic hook shaped device having an extension 14 which is resilient and which bears on part of the apparatus in use. The free end 15 of the hook is enlarged to provide a greater bearing surface on the formed tongue of paper-like material. The hook 6 also defines an internal cam surface 16.

The pusher device 6 is mounted within the limbs of the tongue forming device 3 on an axle 17 which passes through the device 6 and the limbs of the device 3. The three devices 3, 4 and 6 are mounted in a holder or tool head 18 which is slidably and reciprocably received in a well or seating 19 in the part 8 of the apparatus 1. The base 20 of the well 19 is closed by a horizontal (as viewed) wall which has two through apertures aligned with the devices 3 and 4 and which are separated by a bar or cam follower 21. Also in the well 19, is a biassing means such as a spring 22 which normally biasses the holder 18 and hence the devices 3, 4 and 6 to the rest position of Fig 5.

Pivotably mounted on the part 8 of the apparatus is an operating member 23 which is pivoted on upstanding cam or lugs 24 by a pivot pin 23. The operating member 23 is a cantilever member which has means such as a curved boss or roller 25 bearing on the holder 18.

Referring now to Figs 8 and 9, the apparatus 100 shown is similar to that of Figs 1 to 7, the main differences being that the upper (as viewed) body is in two longitudinally split parts 101,102 which snap together securely. There are slots 103, 104 for the die means 2 and a stripper plate and external bosses 105 by which the operating member 23 is pivoted to the body. The holder or tool head 106 has a slot 107 for resilient means in the form of the spring 22 and the hook-shaped means 6 has a boss 108, received into a slot of the holder 106, in which it pivots and resilient means such as a coil spring 110 by which it is resiliently mounted, again between the limbs of the tongue forming device 3, which has barbs 11 as has the slit forming device 4, whereby the two devices 3 and 4 are securely mounted in the holder 106, which is shown split in Fig 9.

Both embodiments 1, 100 define a mouth 112 in which an edge or cornerr of a sheet or sheets of material is or are inserted. The wall 20 of the well 19 defines on its lower as viewed surface a right-angle notch 113, Fig 8 for guiding and receiving-accurately a corner of a sheet, or a plurality of superposed sheets, of paper like material.

Operation of both embodiments is identical and will be described with reference to Figs 5 to 7.

In use to perforate a sheet of paper like material, or to securely connect a plurality of such sheets together without removal of material from the sheet, the material is inserted fully in the mouth 112 with the operating member 23 upright, in the rest position (Fig 5), with bearing means 25 bearing on an upper (as viewed) surface of the holder 18. On pressing of the operating member 23 downwards in the direction of arrow 'X', Fig 6, the bearing means 25 'rolls' along the holder 18, and such movement is accommodated by the holder 18 moving down. This action results in the device 3, with its closed end entering the sheet(s) first as it is canted, and the device 4, respectively forming a tongue and slit in the sheet(s). The slit is spaced from the base of the tongue by the width of the cam follower 21.

On further depression (Fig 7), the cam surface 16 first engages the upper surface of the cam follower 21 so that on continued depression cam device 6 is forced to pivot, against the action of the (captive) resilient means 14, so as not to jam. In doing se the free end 15 of the hook-like means engages the upper surface of the sheet(s) and pushes them through the bore 5, which is now below the level of the die means 2 (Fig 7).

If now the operating member 23 is closed, it is moved back to the rest position from the perforation forming end position of Fig 7 by the spring 22 acting on the holder 18 and this also raises the devices 3, 4, 6, the device 6 pivoting back to its Figs 6 and 5 position to clear the cam follower 21 under the action of the resilient means 14 As the slit forming device 4 retracts it gently engages the tongue(s) as they project through the bore 5 and pulls them up through the slit so that they are threaded therethrough and are securely held therein. On final return to the rest position of Fig 5, the perforated and "stapled" sheet(s) can be withdrawn from the mouth 112.

In another embodiment, not shown, there can be two or more spaced sets of die means 2 and devices 3, 4 and 6 to provide double or plural hole punches.

In every embodiment, the devices 3 and 4 may be carbide tipped to provide a clean action and to guard against bluntness.

The device 3 acts as a shear rather than a cutting device.

Moreover, the end 15 of the device 6 is enlarged in all embodiments so as to address the tongues at 90 and push them positively through the bore.

Also, the device 4 may have inclined lateral wings to provide for ease of insertion of the tongue(s) without a tending to tear the material.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming a perforation in a sheet of paper-like material, comprising die means and, opposed to the die means, a reciprocable tongue forming device, a reciprocable slit forming device having a through bore, and a reciprocable resiliently mounted rotatable pusher device, the devices being so mounted for reciprocable movement with respect to the die means from a rest position to a perforation forming end position that towards the end of a perforation forming stroke the pusher device acts to push a formed tongue through the bore so that the tongue is threaded through the slit to form a perforation and remain attached to the sheet when the devices retract to the rest position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, the tongue forming device comprising a channel shape in plan.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, the pusher device comprising a hook-shaped device pivotably mounted within the limbs of the channel shaped tongue forming device.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the pusher device comprising a resilient means whereby it is moveable into and out of the bore.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, the resilient means comprising a plastic extension of the pusher device, a free end of the extension being received in the apparatus.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, the pusher device being planar and integrally made from plastic and being mounted in the apparatus on an axle which passes through the tongue forming device and the pusher device.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, the resilient means comprising a spring means on each side of the pusher means, and there being a boss to which the spring means are secured.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, the spring means comprising coil springs.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 8, the hook-shaped device having an enlarged free end which in use engages the tongue in the sheet material at substantially 900.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, the enlarged free end comprising a relatively wide part of the hook shaped device.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the free end of the slit forming device having a substantially V-shape.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, the V-shape being defined by a central V-notch in the body of the slit forming device.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the tongue forming device being mounted so that a forward (in use) edge thereof engages the sheet-like material first.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the through bore in the slit forming device being of substantially square configuration.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, a boundary surface of the slot adjacent the die means being rounded.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the said devices being mounted in a holder which is slidably mounted in a body part of the apparatus, there being means to depress the holder so that the devices move from the rest position to the perforation forming position.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, the means to depress the holder comprising a pivotable member.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, the pivotable member bearing on a bearing surface of the holder via a roller device.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, the body part comprising two mating shells on which the pivotable member is mounted by bosses.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, the bosses being on the shell parts.

21. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, the tongue and slit forming devices being mounted in the apparatus by tangs.

22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, adapted to secure together a plurality of webs of paper-like material.

23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including two spaced apart sets of die means and said devices, for forming spaced perforations in paper-like material.

24. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the tongue forming device having a substantially key-hole configuration in plan.

25. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the slit forming device having a main body part and lateral wings inclined to the main body part.

26. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the tongue and slit forming devices each having a ceramic cutting area.

27. Apparatus for forming a perforation in a sheet of paper-like material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.