NL2004050C2

NL2004050C2 - Die for embossing and cutting.

Info

Publication number: NL2004050C2
Application number: NL2004050A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Lai Chu Tsai
Original assignee: Lai Chu Tsai
Priority date: 2009-08-06
Filing date: 2010-01-05
Publication date: 2011-08-30
Also published as: GB2472476A; GB201000234D0; FR2948897B3; DE202010000852U1; FR2948897A3; NL2004050A

Description

DIE FOR EMBOSSING AND CUTTING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dies for embossing and cutting, and 5 more particularly, to a die for embossing and cutting of enhanced industrial applicability.

2. Description of Related Art

Dies for embossing and cutting used in the handicraft industries mainly involve imprinting certain patterns or characters on sheet materials, such as 10 paper, films, foam, leather and cloth, or imprinting embossing patterns or characters on surfaces of sheet materials, which are generally used for producing cards, photo albums or packaging materials.

A conventional method for fabricating a die for embossing and cutting involves injection molding a plastic material to form two plastic templates 15 with patterns corresponding to each other (with corresponding concave and convex portions). By folding the plastic templates relative to each other, a three-dimensional embossing pattern can be imprinted on a piece of paper.

FIGS. 1A and IB are schematic views of a conventional die for embossing and cutting. Referring to FIGS. lAand IB, the die for embossing 20 and cutting comprises a first template 11a having a first pattern 110a and a second template lib connected with the first template 11a through a connecting portion 11c and having a second pattern 110b. During the use, the first and second templates 11a, 1 lb are folded relative to each other such that the first pattern 110a and the second pattern 110b can be aligned with 25 each other and pressed together, thereby imprinting a three-dimensional embossing pattern on a piece of paper (not shown) disposed between the two templates.

However, such a die for embossing and cutting can imprint only one kind of patterns. If the user needs another kind of patterns, another die for 30 embossing and cutting must be provided. Therefore, in order to obtain various kinds of patterns, a corresponding number of dies for embossing and cutting are required. For example, in order to imprint ten different patterns, ten dies for embossing and cutting are required, which results in high production costs and does not bring about any commercial benefits.

35 Therefore, it is imperative to provide a die for embossing and cutting 2 to overcome the above-described drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a die for embossing and cutting so as to decrease the number of 5 templates required or increase the number of patterns produced, thereby improving industrial applicability of the die for embossing and cutting.

In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a die for embossing and cutting according to claim 1 or 3.

10 Therein, the second template is connected with the first template through a two-sided bending means such that the first and second templates can be folded over on both sides.

The first and second templates are made of a plastic material.

The die for embossing and cutting may further comprise a first frame 15 and a second frame foldably connected with the first frame, wherein the first and second templates are detachably disposed on the first and second frames, respectively.

The first and second frames have a first pressing surface and a second pressing surface for disposing the first and second templates, respectively. 20 The first frame is further provided with a first groove and the bottom of the first groove is defined as the first pressing surface. The second frame is further provided with a second groove and the bottom of the second groove is defined as the second pressing surface.

The die for embossing and cutting can further comprise an attaching 25 means or an engaging means whereby the templates can be attached to or engaged with the frames.

The cutting module is an etching carbon steel knife or is knife-shaped, and is detachably disposed on the pattern.

In an embodiment of the dies for embossing and cutting, the first 30 template and the second template are integrally formed as a unitary structure.

Therefore, the design of the templates of the present invention allows two different three-dimensional embossing patterns to be produced through a single die for embossing and cutting, and further a cutting function can be 35 included in the die for embossing and cutting, thereby reducing the production cost and improving industrial applicability of a die for 3 embossing and cutting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of an unfolded conventional die for embossing and cutting; 5 FIG. IB is a sectional view of templates of the conventional die for embossing and cutting before pressing; FIG. 2A is a top view of an unfolded die for embossing and cutting according to a first example; FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the die for embossing and cutting before 10 templates are pressed against each other according to the first example; FIG. 3A is a top view of an unfolded die for embossing and cutting according to a second example; FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the die for embossing and cutting before templates are pressed against each other according to the second example; 15 FIGs. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an unfolded die for embossing and cutting according to a third example, respectively; FIG. 5A is a top view of an unfolded die for embossing and cutting according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 20 FIG. 5B is a sectional view of a die for embossing and cutting before templates thereof are pressed against each other according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5C is a perspective view of an unfolded die for embossing and cutting according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 25 FIG. 6A is a top view of an unfolded die for embossing and cutting according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the die for embossing and cutting before pressing according to the second embodiment of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 30 The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate the disclosure of the present invention, these and other advantages and effects can be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the disclosure of this specification.

FIGA. 2A and 2B show a die for embossing and cutting according to a 35 first example. The die for embossing and cutting comprises: a first frame 20a, a second frame 20b, a first template 21a and a second template 21b.

4

The first frame 20a has a first groove 200a. A first pressing surface 201a is defined on the bottom of the first frame 20a.

The second frame 20b has a second groove 200b. A second pressing surface 201b is defined on the bottom of the second frame 20b. The second 5 pressing surface 201b correspond to the first pressing surface 201a such that the first pressing surface 201a covers the second pressing surface 201b. Preferably, the second frame 20b is connected to the first frame 20a through a bending structure 25, such as a hinge, such that the first frame 20a can be smoothly folded to the second frame 20b so as to make the first pressing 10 surface 201a cover the second pressing surface 201b. The prior art discloses a wide variety of bending structures which are not essential technical features and thus are not described in detail herein.

The first template 21a is detachably disposed on the first pressing surface 201a of the first frame 20a. The first template 21a has a first pattern 15 210a and a second pattern 211a formed on the two opposite surfaces thereof, respectively. The first template 21a can be, but is not limited to, a plastic template, or a metal template preferably made of stainless steel.

The second template 21b is detachably disposed on the second pressing surface 201b of the second frame 20b. The second template 21b has a third 20 pattern 210b and a fourth pattern 21 lb formed on the two opposite surfaces thereof, respectively, wherein the third pattern 210b can be correspondingly pressed against the first pattern 210a so as to produce a first three-dimensional embossing pattern, and the fourth pattern 211b can be correspondingly pressed against the second pattern 211a so as to produce a 25 second three-dimensional embossing pattern. The second template 21b can be, but is not limited to, a plastic template, or a metal template preferably made of stainless steel.

Where the templates are made of a plastic material, the patterns of the templates can be formed by injection molding, which is known in the art 30 and thus detailed description thereof is omitted herein. Where the templates are made of a metal, the patterns of the templates can be formed by etching. There are various etching methods in the art, and one of which is described as follows.

First, a metal substrate is coated with ink so as to form a corrosion 35 resistant photoresist layer; then, the corrosion resistant photoresist layer is patterned by exposure and development employing a mask with a pattern or 5 characters, thereby forming a plurality of open areas to expose portions of the metal substrate; subsequently, the metal exposed from the open areas of the corrosion resistant photoresist layer is etched away such that the remaining material constitutes the desired pattern; and finally, the corrosion 5 resistant photoresist layer is removed from the metal substrate. Thus, the fabrication of a template is completed.

In the first example, the die for embossing and cutting further comprises an engaging structure which comprises an engaging hole 22a provided on the first template 21a, and an engaging column 23a disposed on 10 the first pressing surface 201a and corresponding in position to the engaging hole 22a. By engaging the engaging hole 22a with the engaging column 23a, the first template 21a can be positioned on the first pressing surface 201a. It should be noted that the engaging hole 22a and the engaging column 23a work together for the purpose of positioning rather 15 than coupling. Hence, the first template 21a is not coupled to the first pressing surface 201a and thus is detachable from the first pressing surface 201a.

Further, an engaging hole 22b is provided on the second template 21b, and an engaging column 23b is disposed on the second pressing surface 20 201b and corresponding in position to the engaging hole 22b such that when the engaging hole 22b is engaged with the engaging column 23b, the second template 21b can be detachably positioned on the second pressing surface 201b.

It should be noted that the above-described engaging structure does not 25 limit the material forming the templates. Preferably, the templates are made of a plastic material. In addition, the material forming the frames can be selected according to the material forming the templates.

To imprint a first three-dimensional embossing pattern (referring to FIG. 2A) on a pre-pressed object, such as a piece of paper (not shown), the 30 first template 21a is disposed on the first frame 20a with the first pattern 210a facing outwards, the second template 21b is disposed on the second frame 20b with the third pattern 210b facing outwards, the piece of paper is disposed between the first and second templates 21a, 21b, and the first pattern 210a and the third pattern 210b are aligned with each other and 35 pressed together, thereby imprinting the first three-dimensional embossing pattern on the piece of paper.

6

To form a second three-dimensional embossing pattern (referring to FIG. 3A), the first and second templates 21a, 21b are detached from the first and second frames 20a, 20b and turned over so as for the second and fourth patterns 211a, 211b to face outwards, Then, the second pattern 211a and the 5 fourth pattern 211b are aligned with each other and pressed to the piece of paper at the same time, thereby imprinting the second three-dimensional embossing pattern on the piece of paper.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a die for embossing and cutting according to a second example. The die for embossing and cutting of the second example 10 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The second example is distinguished from the first example by the positioning means of the templates on the frames in the second example. The distinguishing technical features of the positioning means of the templates on the frames in the second example are detailed as follows.

15 As shown in the drawings, the edge 24a of the first template 21a is attached to the first pressing surface 201a, and the edge 24b of the second template 21b is attached to the second pressing surface 201b. Preferably, the templates are made of a metal and the frames are made of a magnetic material, but they are not limited thereto. Alternatively, magnets of 20 opposite polarity are provided on the edges 24a, 24b of the templates and the frames, respectively, such that the templates and the frames attract each other. In the second embodiment, the second and fourth patterns 211a, 211b face outwards for imprinting a pattern.

The templates can be attached to the frames through a magnetic type 25 means or a sucker-type means, but it is not limited to thereto.

Referring to 4A and 4B, there are shown a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a die for embossing and cutting according to a third example, respectively. Unlike the first and second examples, the third example dispenses with the frames. Distinguishing technical features of the 30 die for embossing and cutting in the third example are described as follows.

The second template 21b is detachably connected with the first template 21a through a two-sided bending structure 25’ such that the first template 21a can be folded to the second template 21b from either side, thereby selectively pressing together the first and third patterns or the 35 second and fourth patterns of the first and second templates 21a, 21b. The bending structure 25’ can be a two-sided rotatable hinge. There are a wide 7 variety of two-sided rotatable elements which are not essential technical features and thus are not described herein in detail.

The first pattern 210a and the third pattern 210b can be aligned with each other and pressed together to the piece of paper so as to imprint the 5 first three-dimensional embossing pattern on the piece of paper. To imprint the second three-dimensional embossing pattern on the piece of paper, the user only needs to fold the first and second templates 21a, 21b together in an opposite direction so as to align the second pattern 211a with the fourth pattern 211b and press them against the piece of paper disposed 10 therebetween.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show a die for embossing and cutting according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the structures of FIGS. 5A and 5B have frames while the structure of FIG. 5C dispenses with the frames. Different from the first to third examples, the die for embossing and 15 cutting of the present first embodiment of the invention further comprises a cutting module 212 whose distinguishing technical features are detailed as follows.

The cutting module 212 is constituted by a cutting knife 212a and a cutting surface 212b. The cutting module 212 is disposed on at least one 20 pair of the first and third patterns 210a, 210b and the second and fourth patterns 211a, 211b. In the present embodiment, the cutting module 212 is disposed on the first pattern 210a and the third pattern 211a for cutting or punching a hole of a heart shape (as shown in FIG. 5C) or other desired shape. The cutting knife 212a can be detachably disposed on the pattern. 25 For example, the cutting knife 212a can be adhered to or embedded in the pattern. Further, the cutting knife 212a is an etching carbon steel knife or is knife-shaped for facilitating the cutting operation.

The first and second templates 21a, 21b are made of a plastic material so as to facilitate the production of desired patterns, thereby enabling mass 30 production thereof. The carbon steel knife 212a is disposed on the pattern to be cut so as to save time and reduce material costs.

The die for embossing and cutting of the present embodiment allows a cutting operation to be performed through the cutting module 212 while imprinting a pattern on a piece of paper, thereby imprinting a 35 three-dimensional embossing pattern on the piece of paper with a hole of a desired shape.

8

Through the cutting module 212, an cutting operation can be performed while the pressing operation is performed so as to dispense with the conventional cutting step that is performed after the pattern is imprinted, thereby improving industrial applicability of the die for embossing and 5 cutting.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of a die for embossing and cutting according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the second embodiment, the first template 21a and the second template 21b are 10 integrally formed as a unitary structure.

The second template 21b is connected with the first template 21a through a connecting portion 21c such that the first template 21a can be folded to the second template through the connecting portion 21c.

Although each of the templates has two patterns formed on two 15 opposite surfaces thereof, the patterning process can be performed on the two surfaces at the same time regardless of the forming method. As a result, the present invention decreases the production time required and the productions costs. In other words, in the case where the present invention has the same allowed production time and material costs as in the prior art, 20 the present invention can produce two combinations of patterns for the user instead on one combination of patterns as in the prior art, thereby improving industrial applicability of the die for embossing and cutting.

Furthermore, the templates can provide patterns for printing instead of pressing the patterns on a piece of paper, for example.

25 Therefore, the design of the templates of the present invention allows two different three-dimensional embossing patterns to be produced through a single die for embossing and cutting, and further a cutting function can be imparted to the die for embossing and cutting, thereby reducing the production costs and improving industrial applicability of the die for 30 embossing and cutting.

The above-described descriptions of the detailed embodiments are intended to illustrate the preferred implementation according to the present invention, and it is not to limit the scope of the present invention, Accordingly, all modifications and variations completed by those with 35 ordinary skill in the art should fall within the scope of present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A mold for embossing and cutting, comprising: a first template with two opposite surfaces, wherein a pattern is provided on at least one of the opposite surfaces, the first template being made of a plastic material; a second template releasably connected to the first template with a pattern provided on at least one of two opposite surfaces of the second template 10 and corresponding to the pattern of the first template, the second template being made of a plastic material; and a cutting module disposed on at least one of the patterns of the first and second templates for cutting or punching an opening of a desired shape, wherein the cutting module is an etching knife of carbon steel or knife-shaped.

The mold of claim 1, wherein the cutting module is releasably mounted on the cartridge.

3. A mold for embossing and cutting, comprising: a first template with two opposite surfaces, wherein a pattern is provided on at least one of the opposite surfaces, wherein the first template is made of a plastic material; a second template connected to the first template and provided with a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the first template on at least one of two opposite surfaces of the second template, the first template and the second template being integrally formed as a unit structure and wherein the second template is made of a plastic material; and a cutting module disposed on at least one of the patterns of the first and second templates for cutting or punching an opening of a desired shape, wherein the cutting module is an etching knife of carbon steel or knife-shaped. 30