GB2316032A

GB2316032A - Cutting device with indenting pad

Info

Publication number: GB2316032A
Application number: GB9616796A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Brower
Original assignee: Danisco Pack Ltd
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Priority date: 1996-08-09
Filing date: 1996-08-09
Publication date: 1998-02-18
Also published as: GB9616796D0

Abstract

A cutting device, for creating indented marks 218 in a packing material 210 such as cardboard, comprises a blade 4 mounted on a board 14 and a resilient plastic pad 6 mounted adjacent the blade. The blade has a blade tip 12 and takes the form of a U-shape having an elongate portion 8 and two tail portions 10. The pad 6 protrudes above the blade tip 12. The blade tip may be formed with a serrated edge. Movement of the device into a corrugated cardboard-like material creates a cut while the pad pushes down adjacent material to form an indentation. The indentation may take the form of lettering, a design, a logo or product information on an item of packaging.

Description

CUTTING TOOL, CUTTING DEVICE, SHEET MATERIAL AND METHOD OF CUTTING A SHEET MATERIAL Field of the Invention The present invention relates to cutting tools, cutting devices, sheet materials and methods for cutting sheet materials, especially (but not limited to) cardboard materials.

Background to the Invention Cardboard is a popular packing material and it is desirable, especially in relation to consumer products, for any packaging to bear a design. A design could be lettering, a pattern, a logo, product information etc.

Usually, such designs are applied by printing directly on the packaging material or onto a paper or plastic sheet and securing those to the exterior of the packaging material using an adhesive. Thus a separate manufacturing step is required. This adds to the complexity of the packaging operation and, increases the cost. Furthermore, if a label is used especially if the label is not adequately secured to the packaging, there is a risk of it being torn therefrom or otherwise degraded during manufacture or use.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to overcome or obviate disadvantages encountered in relation to the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a cutting tool comprising a blade and means for indenting an area adjacent the blade during a cutting action.

Suitably, the blade comprises a serrated tip.

Suitably, the indenting means comprises a resilient deformable material. Suitably the resilient deformable material comprises a plastics pad, which preferably is a foamed material.

Suitably, the deformably resilient material is adjacent to the blade.

Suitably, the indenting means is adjacent to and in contact with the blade.

Suit ably, the blade and indenting means are configured so that the cut material includes an inclined portion adjacent the cut line.

Suitably, the blade comprises a primary blade and at least one tail section at an angle thereto. Normally the at least one tail section extends adjacent the intended area to be indented. Normally there is a tail section at either end of the primary blade.

Alternatively, if there is no tail at an end, the resilient deformable material may terminate short of the end of the blade to minimise pressure at the end of the cut. Normally, there will be a substantial distance between the end of the resilient deformable material and the end of the blade.

Suitably, the cutting tool is for a sheet material, which may be cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard.

Suitably, there is provided a second blade spaced from the first blade by the resilient deformable material.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a cutting device comprising a base member and a plurality of cutting tools mounted thereon, in which the cutting tools are according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Suitably, the blade is positioned to cut only part way through the sheet material.

Suitably, the base member comprises a planar sheet.

Suitably, the cutting device comprises the device used to cut out the shape of a sheet material usually for packaging.

According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a method for cutting a sheet material, which method comprises the steps of providing a cutting tool according to the first or second aspects respectively of the present invention and using the tool or device to produce one or more cuts in the sheet of material with adjacent indentations.

Suitably, the sheet material is a cardboard sheet, preferably a corrugated cardboard sheet.

According to the present invention in a fourth aspect, there is provided a sheet material bearing a cut area, which cut area comprises at least one cut line and an adjacent indented area.

Suitably, the cut area comprises a design. Suitably, the design is in "shadow" form. Typically, the design comprises at least one alphanumeric.

Suitably, the cut does not entirely penetrate the sheet material. Suitably, the cut area is substantially indented whereby there is a slot. Suitably, the sheet includes a tab adapted to be inserted in the slot. This can provide a neat and convenient arrangement for securing folded panels, particularly of corrugated cardboard.

Suitably, the indented area is inclined relative to the face of the sheet material. Normally this will mean that there is a step at the cut line to the indented area.

Suitably, the at least one cut line includes a further cut at an angle thereto at at least one end, which further cut is towards the inclined area.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a cutting tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the tool shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the tool shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a letter "A produced in cardboard using cutting tools of the type shown in Figures 1-3 Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a cutting tool according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic, partly cross sectional illustration of a cutting tool according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figures 7A and 7B are schematic cross-sectional illustrations of a corrugated cardboard sheet before (7A) and after (7B) the tool shown in Figure 6 has been applied.

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective illustration of a cardboard arrangement with a hidden tab using the tool shown in Figure 6.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a cutting tool 2 comprising a serrated metal blade 4 and a foam plastics pad 6.

The blade 4 comprises a primary elongate section 8 and secondary "tails" 10 at either end thereof. The tails 10 extend at an angle of about 900 to the primary section 8. The blade 4 therefore forms an extended "U"-shape within which sits the foam pad 6 slightly proud of the blade tip 12. The foam pad 6 is tight against the edge of the blade 4. The blade 4 and pad 6 are mounted on a board 14 which is used as a base to support them and to enable convenient control of the cutting action. Typically there will be a plurality of blade/pad combinations on the board 14 which normally will be the cutting device used to cut out the corrugated cardboard packaging.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a corrugated cardboard sheet 16 in which is formed the design of a letter "A" using a plurality of cutting tools similar to the tool 2 described above and shown in Figures 1 and 2. To form the letter "A" three cuts are required denoted 18, 20 and 22. Cut 18 is a short straight section. Cut 20 comprises a long section 24 and a shorter section 26 at approximately 650 thereto.

Cut 22 comprises a long section 28 and two shorter sections 30, 32. Section 30 forms an angle of approximately 1150 to section 28. Section 32 forms an angle of approximately 1150 to section 30.

At either end of each of the cuts 18-22 are tail cuts 19, 21, 23 respectively. It is noted that the tail cuts 19, 21, 23 are at a variety of angles to the primary cuts 18, 20, 22. The tail cuts 19, 21, 23 are formed at an angle to assist in the impression to be created, in this case that of the letter "A" and can be at a variety of angles as desired.

Adjacent each of the cuts 18, 20, 22 are indented areas 34, 36, 38 respectively and are shown as shaded areas. It will be appreciated that in this way the letter "A" is formed in the style of "shadow writing" in which the indented areas represent areas that would be in shadow were the letter "A" to be present in reality standing proud of the cardboard front face and illuminated from the top left quadrant. In effect, the viewer's brain fills in the missing areas in the design because of the shadow effect to perceive the letter "A".

The indented areas 34, 36, 38 are inclined relative to the surface of the cardboard sheet 16. That is, they slope downwardly from the surface of the cardboard sheet 16 to the respective cut 18, 20, 22 so that there is a step between the edge of 34, 36, 38. It is the combination of the step, giving the impression of an edge, and the indented area that forms the "shadows" effect.

Using corrugated cardboard the step reveals the thickness of the sheet.

The tail cuts 19, 21, 23 perform an important function in that they act to prevent the ends of the cuts 18, 20, 22 from tearing as the indented area is pressed out. Without the tail cuts 19, 21, 23 the ends of the main cuts 18, 20, 22 could rip or tear creating unsightly areas which could weaken the packaging and may tear more.

The cuts and indented areas are formed by the cutting tools. The principle of use of the tools in each case is the same, so only the formation of cut 18 is described now.

The corrugated cardboard 16 is secured in place and the board 14 carrying the tool 2 moved towards the cardboard 16 so that the blade 4 penetrates the cardboard 16. As the blade 4 penetrates the cardboard 16, the foam pad 6 is compressed by its contact with the cardboard adjacent the cut line 18. That area of cardboard 16 therefore has a force exerted against it and is depressed, ie indented to form indented area 34.

Thus it is possible to produce a wide variety of designs, including alphanumeric and graphic representations, in "shadow" form using the technique and apparatus described herein. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art the configuration(s) of blade(s) required to produce a wide variety of designs.

These designs do not weaken the cardboard significantly, and provide a convenient and effective way of applying designs to packaging, in particular.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a second embodiment of a cutting tool according to the present invention. This second embodiment is suitable for applications in which tails on the ends of a primary blade are not desired. This may be the case, for instance, where the graphical restrictions are such that a tail cut will have a detrimental effect on the appearance of the design.

In the second embodiment there is provided a cutting tool 100 with a serrated metal blade 102 that is substantially straight and without "tails". Adjacent the blade 102 is a resilient deformable foam plastics material pad 104. The pad 104 abuts the blade 102 along most of the latter's length, but stops short of either end by a substantial margin. The blade 102 and foam pad 104 are mounted on a support board 106.

In use, the blade 102 creates a straight cut, but without the end cuts caused by the tails of the cutting tool according to the first embodiment. Were the cutting tool of the first embodiment to be used simply without the tails, the force of the foam pad adjacent the ends of the blade would tear the cardboard in all likelihood.

However, using the cutting tool 100 according to this second embodiment the pressure of the pad 104 is spaced from the ends of the blade 102, thus allowing the cardboard (not shown) to slope downwardly to where the pad 104 exerts its pressure, ie the force of the pad 104 is substantially spaced from the end of the blade 102. As a substantially reduced pressure is exerted on the end of the cut, a tear is far less likely.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings that follow, there is shown a cutting tool 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The cutting tool 200 comprises a first serrated metal blade 202 spaced from a second serrated metal blade 204 by a resilient deformable foam plastics pad 206. The tool 200 is mounted on a board 208. The blades 202, 204 are substantially similar and in a spaced, parallel relationship. The pad 206 stops short of the tips of the blades 202, 204.

In use, the cutting tool 200 is designed to produce a blind slot into which a tab can project to produce a neat fold.

Referring to Figures 7A and 7B of the drawings that follow, there is shown a corrugated cardboard sheet 210 before (Figure 7A) and after (Figure 7B) the application of cutting tool 200 thereto.

In Figure 7A the sheet 210 is seen to comprise a first (upper) liner 212, a second (lower) liner 214 and corrugations 216 therebetween.

In Figure 7B, after the application of the cutting tool 200, the first liner 212 is cut by blades 202, 204 and the corrugations 216 therebetween compressed by pad 206 to form a blind slot 218 with the second liner 212 still intact.

As shown in Figure 8, this can be used for a neat fold by providing the slot 218 in a first panel 220 at a hinge line 222 with a second panel 224. The second panel 224 is hingedly connected to a third panel 226 which at an edge distant from the hinged connection carries a tab 228 shaped and positioned so that as third panel 226 is folded towards second panel 224 to lie in a face to face relationship therewith, tab 228 fits into slot 218 to secure the two panels in position without any part projecting through first panel 222. In this way an "invisible" closure is formed when viewed from the exterior.

The invention can equally be applied to double, triple or further multiple walled board.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A cutting tool comprising a blade and means for indenting an area adjacent the blade during a cutting action.

2. A cutting tool according to Claim 1, in which the blade comprises a serrated tip.

3. A cutting tool according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the indenting means comprises a resilient deformable material.

4. A cutting tool according to Claim 3, in which the resilient deformable material comprises a plastics pad.

5. A cutting tool according to Claim 4, in which the plastics pad is a foamed material.

6. A cutting tool according to any one of Claims 3-5, in which the deformably resilient material is adjacent to the blade.

7. A cutting tool according to any preceding Claim, in which the indenting means is adjacent to and in contact with the blade.

8. A cutting tool according to any preceding Claim, in which the blade and indenting means are configured so that the cut material includes an inclined portion adjacent the cut line.

9. A cutting tool according to any preceding Claim, in which the blade comprises a primary blade and at least one tail section at an angle thereto.

10. A cutting tool according to Claim 9, in which the at least one tail section extends adjacent the intended area to be indented.

11. A cutting tool according to Claim 9 or 10, in which there is a tail section at either end of the primary blade.

12. A cutting tool according to any of Claims 1-8, in which there is no tail at an end and the resilient deformable material terminates short of the end of the blade.

13. A cutting tool according to Claim 12, in which there is a substantial distance between the end of the resilient deformable material and the end of the blade.

14. A cutting tool according to any preceding Claim, in which the cutting tool is for a sheet material, which may be cardboard.

15. A cutting tool according to any preceding Claim, in which there is provided a second blade spaced from the first blade by the resilient deformable material.

16. A cutting device comprising a base member and a plurality of cutting tools mounted thereon, in which the cutting tools are according to any one of Claims 1-15.

17. A cutting device according to Claim 16, in which the blade is positioned to cut only part way through the sheet material.

18. A cutting device according to Claim 16 or 17, in which the base member comprises a planar sheet.

19. A cutting device according to any one of Claims 1618, in which the cutting device comprises the device used to cut out the shape of a sheet material.

20. A method for cutting a sheet material, which method comprises the steps of providing a cutting tool according to any one of Claims 1-15 or cutting device according to any one of Claims 16-19 and using the tool or device to produce one or more cuts in the sheet of material with adjacent indentations.

21. A method for cutting a sheet material according to Claim 20, in which the sheet material is a cardboard sheet.

22. A sheet material bearing a cut area, which cut area comprises at least one cut line and an adjacent indented area.

23. A sheet material according to Claim 22, in which the cut area comprises a design.

24. A sheet material according to Claim 23, in which the design is in "shadow" form.

25. A sheet material according to Claim 23 or 24, in which the design comprises at least one alphanumeric.

26. A sheet material according to any one of Claims 2225, in which the cut does not entirely penetrate the sheet material.

27. A sheet material according to any one of Claims 2226, in which the cut area is substantially indented whereby there is a slot.

28. A sheet material according to Claim 27, in which the sheet includes a tab adapted to be inserted in the slot.

29. A sheet material according to any one of Claims 2228, in which the indented area is inclined relative to the face of the sheet material.

30. A sheet material according to any one of Claims 2229, in which the at least one cut line includes a further cut at an angle thereto at at least one end, which further cut is towards the inclined area.

31. A cutting tool substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-3 or 5 or 6 of the drawings that follow.

32. A cutting device substantially as described herein.

33. A sheet material substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 4 or 7A and 7B of the drawings that follow.