Metal strip, method for producing a metal strip, and method for producing a decorative, sealing or edge-protection band

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal strip as an insert for decorative, sealing or edge-protection bands, in particular for motor vehicles, having multiple through-openings which follow one another, in particular periodically, in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip and extend in the transverse direction of the metal strip, the metal strip having a predetermined breaking line extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip.

Description

[0001] METAL STRIP AND METHOD FOR PRODUCEING A METAL STRIP AND METHOD FOR PRODUCEING A DECORATIVE, SEALING OR

[0002] EDGE PROTECTION STRIPS

[0003] The present invention relates to a metal strip as an insert for decorative, sealing or edge protection strips, in particular for motor vehicles, with a plurality of through openings extending in the transverse direction of the metal strip, in particular periodically, in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip.

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing such a metal strip and a method for producing a decorative, sealing or edge protection strip.

[0005] Metal strips of this type are used particularly in the automotive sector as inserts for sealing strips to seal engine compartment, trunk, and door openings. These continuously manufactured metal strips are coated with rubber and / or plastic and have openings. These openings allow the sealing material to penetrate the metal strips, particularly in the case of non-adherent coatings, thus anchoring the rubber or plastic material to the metal strip. Furthermore, the openings allow the metal strip to be made flexible as desired. On the other hand, the metal strip must possess a certain tensile strength, as the coating with plastic or rubber material is applied by extrusion, a process that generates considerable forces in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip.

[0006] The aforementioned metal strips can be bent into a mostly U-shaped clamping profile before or after being coated with plastic or rubber material. This profile is then clamped onto the sealing flanges of the opening. To conform to the contours of the opening, the clamping profile must typically be flexible in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Furthermore, in certain applications, the clamping profile should be compressible in the longitudinal direction, as the openings to be sealed can have significant circumferential tolerances, and cutting the sealing strip to length on-site would be extremely time-consuming. Sealing strips with a compressible clamping profile can be manufactured continuously to the maximum possible length and then compressed to the actual length during installation. Therefore, gluing or vulcanizing these sealing strips does not need to be done on-site, making installation by robots a viable option.Another requirement of a clamping profile is to exert the greatest possible clamping force.

[0007] To manufacture the aforementioned metal strips, strips of raw material are cut and stretched or punched to create the necessary openings. The finished metal strips are then wound into a predetermined packaging unit. Afterward, the metal strips are unwound and fed into an extrusion unit, where they are coated with rubber or plastic. Often, the unwound metal strip is reshaped before being fed into the extrusion unit, particularly by bending it into a U-profile. Following the extrusion process, the finished strips are rewound into a predetermined packaging unit.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of improving the extrusion process. In particular, the utilization rate of the extrusion equipment is to be improved, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, consistent quality of the manufactured sealing, decorative, or edge protection strips is to be ensured. This objective is achieved in a metal strip of the type mentioned above by providing the metal strip with a predetermined breaking line extending longitudinally along its length.

[0009] The problem is also solved by a method for producing a metal strip according to claim 30 and by a method for producing a sealing, decorative or edge protection strip according to claim 35.

[0010] By incorporating a predetermined breaking line running lengthwise along the metal strip, the strip can be divided into two sections, each with identical material properties. These two sections can then be fed parallel to an extrusion unit, optionally after forming, particularly bending into a U-profile, and coated with rubber or plastic. This offers the advantage of better utilizing the extrusion unit's capacity. In other words, two strips can be coated with rubber or plastic simultaneously, with the resulting strips exhibiting identical material properties. This would not be guaranteed when extruding two separately manufactured metal strips simultaneously due to variations in the raw material.

[0011] Simultaneously extruding two metal strips reduces the energy required to produce a sealing, decorative, or edge protection strip. This also reduces CO2 emissions.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the metal strip has two or more predetermined breaking lines. This allows three or more partial strips to be produced, which can then be simultaneously coated with rubber or plastic in an extrusion unit. This allows the extrusion unit to be utilized even more efficiently, thus further reducing the energy consumption per unit length of the produced strip.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined breaking lines are arranged evenly distributed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the metal strip; with only one predetermined breaking line, they are located in the center of the strip. According to another embodiment of the invention, however, the predetermined breaking lines can also be arranged unevenly distributed; with only one predetermined breaking line, for example, they are off-center. This makes it possible to produce two or more strip sections of different widths.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the through-openings of the metal strip according to the invention are produced by cutting and widening or by punching. This allows through-openings of suitable size and shape to be produced cost-effectively.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spacing of successive through-holes in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip is identical on both sides of the predetermined breaking line. This has proven advantageous for the manufacture of the strips. The spacing of successive through-holes can be, for example, approximately 1 mm to approximately 9 mm. Spacings of approximately 2 mm to approximately 6 mm are particularly preferred.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the opening widths of the through-holes in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip are identical on both sides of the predetermined breaking line. This has also proven advantageous for the production of the metal strips according to the invention. The opening width can, for example, be approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 6 mm. Particularly preferably, the opening width is approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm. In a further embodiment of the invention, the predetermined breaking line is created by correspondingly reducing the material thickness of the metal strip at the relevant location. The material thickness at the predetermined breaking line can preferably be approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably approximately 0.1 mm.

[0017] The shape of the predetermined breaking line in the cross-section of the metal strip can be a triangle, in particular an equilateral triangle, a semicircle, a square, or a trapezoid. A freeform shape is also possible.

[0018] The predetermined breaking point can be created either by a reduction in material thickness on one side or by a reduction in material thickness on both sides of the metal strip. If the material thickness is reduced on both sides of the metal strip, an offset in the transverse direction of the metal strip can be provided between the reductions on both sides. This offset can be, for example, approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm, and in particular approximately 0.05 mm to 0.08 mm. An offset of approximately 0.15 mm is particularly preferred.

[0019] The angle of an equilateral triangle can range from approximately 15° to approximately 150°.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined breaking line is created by introducing recesses in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip. Such a predetermined breaking line can advantageously be produced by punching. In principle, the predetermined breaking lines can be produced by laser ablation, cutting, in particular laser cutting, or embossing.

[0021] For predetermined breaking lines created by cutouts, a width of approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm across the metal strip has proven advantageous. A width of approximately 0.2 mm across the metal strip is particularly preferred.

[0022] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the distance between two successive cutouts in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip is approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm. A distance of approximately 0.4 mm is preferred.

[0023] The metal strip according to the invention can, for example, be made of steel, aluminum, or stainless steel. The surface of the metal strip can be untreated (i.e., bare), galvanized, or coated.

[0024] The inventive method for producing a metal strip of the aforementioned type comprises the following steps: providing a flat metal strip; introducing a plurality of through-holes extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the metal strip, in particular periodically, successively in the direction of the metal strip, by cutting, in particular rotary cutting, and rolling and / or by punching; and creating a predetermined breaking line extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip. The predetermined breaking line can be created before or after the through-holes are introduced. It is also possible to create more than one predetermined breaking line in the metal strip.

[0025] The predetermined breaking line or lines can be created before or after the openings are made. Creating the predetermined breaking line or lines before the openings are made is particularly advantageous when the openings are created by cutting and stretching. However, it is also possible to create the predetermined breaking line or lines after the openings are made, especially when the openings are made by punching or when the predetermined breaking line or lines are created by laser ablation or punching.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined breaking lines can be produced by a flat roller and an opposing embossing roller, or by two opposing embossing rollers, wherein the two opposing embossing rollers can also be arranged offset from each other in the transverse direction of the metal strip. It is also possible to arrange several pairs of rollers one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip to produce the predetermined breaking lines.

[0027] According to the invention, the pattern of the through-openings on both sides of the predetermined breaking line(s) can be identical. It is also possible to design the patterns of the through-openings on both sides of the predetermined breaking line(s) differently. This allows different strips to be produced simultaneously and made available for a subsequent coating process.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the metal strip, viewed in the transverse direction, has one or more areas extending in the longitudinal direction without through-openings. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the invention, several rows of through-openings can be provided across the width of the metal strip, wherein the through-openings of adjacent rows, viewed in the transverse direction of the metal strip, may overlap or be spaced apart, with the space between them also being zero.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, through-openings can be provided that open into one edge of the metal strip. Through-openings can also open into both edges of the metal strip. Likewise, according to a further embodiment of the invention, through-openings can be present in the metal strip that do not open into either edge of the metal strip.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the invention, through-openings can be provided which, viewed in the transverse direction of the metal strip, extend across a predetermined breaking line, i.e., are present on both sides of the predetermined breaking line. This allows the production of partial strips that have through-openings which terminate at an edge of the partial strip.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the metal strip can also have one or more rolling marks extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip.

[0032] The inventive method for producing a decorative or sealing strip or an edge protection strip with a metal strip of the type described above as an insert and a covering of an extrudable material, in particular plastic or rubber, enclosing the metal strip, comprises the steps of producing a metal strip in the manner described above, cutting the metal strip before extrusion, in particular immediately before extrusion, at the predetermined breaking line(s), forming, in particular bending, the partial strips produced by cutting, in particular into a U-profile, feeding the two or more profiles, in particular simultaneously, to an extrusion device, and covering the two or more profiles in the extrusion device with the extrudable material to produce the desired decorative or sealing strips or the desired edge protection strips.

[0033] This process allows for the production of decorative, sealing, or edge protection strips with reduced energy consumption. This also reduces CO2 emissions. At the same time, it ensures that the produced strips have identical properties, since the metal strips used as inserts are made from the same raw material.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the metal strip according to the invention are shown in the drawings and are described below. They show, in schematic representation,

[0035] Figs. 1 to 9 show a top view of a section of a metal strip according to the invention before and after cutting at the respective predetermined breaking line or lines.

[0036] Figs. 10 to 12 show a cross-section through a metal strip according to the invention in the area of ​​a predetermined breaking line,

[0037] Figs. 13 and 14 show a top view of a section of further metal strips according to the invention before and after cutting at the predetermined breaking line, and

[0038] Figs. 15 and 16 show a top view of a section of a metal strip according to the invention in the area of ​​a predetermined breaking line.

[0039] Fig. 1a shows a metal strip 1 according to the invention, which is made, for example, of aluminum or steel. The metal strip is provided with a plurality of through-openings 2, extending transversely to the longitudinal extent I of the metal strip 1 and arranged periodically in succession along the longitudinal extent I of the metal strip 1. The through-openings 2 extend in the transverse direction II of the metal strip 1 and are arranged in three adjacent rows 3i, 32 and 33. The through-openings 2 of the two outer rows 3i and 33 each open into one of the two edges 4, 5 of the metal strip 1, while the through-openings 2 of the middle row 32 do not open into either of the two edges 4, 5 of the metal strip 1.Between the through-openings 2 of the two outer rows 3i and 3a on the one hand and the through-openings of the middle row 32 on the other hand there is a region 6 running in the longitudinal direction I of the metal strip, in which there are no through-openings.

[0040] A predetermined breaking line III is provided in the middle of the metal strip 1, which also extends in the longitudinal direction I of the metal strip. The metal strip 1 is identical on both sides of the predetermined breaking line III, i.e., symmetrical to the predetermined breaking line III. The predetermined breaking line III is formed here by a reduction in the material thickness of the metal strip 1. One possible embodiment of the predetermined breaking line III is shown in Figures 10 to 12.

[0041] The metal strip 1 can be easily cut, for example, broken, along the predetermined breaking line III. Cutting the metal strip 1 along the predetermined breaking line III produces two partial strips 1a and 1b, as shown in Fig. 1b. As can be seen, the two partial strips 1a and 1b are identical. This results from the fact that the metal strip 1 in Fig. 1a, as mentioned above, is symmetrical with respect to the predetermined breaking line III.

[0042] The two strips 1a and 1b each have two rows of through-openings 2: a first row 3i, whose through-openings 2 open into the left edge 4 of the left strip 1a in Fig. 1b; a row 321, whose through-openings 2 open into the new edge 7 of the left strip 1a; and a row 3a, whose through-openings 2 open into the right edge 5 of the strip 1b; and a row 322, whose through-openings 2 open into the new left edge 8 of the strip 1b. Furthermore, both strips 1a and 1b have a region 6 between the respective rows of through-openings 2 in which no through-openings are present. The two strips 1a and 1b can be used as inserts for decorative, sealing, or edge protection strips. For this purpose, they are each bent into a U-profile, for example, and then coated with plastic or rubber in an extrusion device.The two partial strips 1a and 1b can be fed to the extrusion unit simultaneously. They have identical properties because they originate from the same metal strip 1.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows another metal strip 1 with a predetermined breaking line III. In Fig. 2a, the metal strip 1 is shown before being cut along the predetermined breaking line III, while Fig. 2b shows the partial strips 1a and 1b resulting from the cutting along the predetermined breaking line III.

[0044] The metal strip of Fig. 2 again has three rows 3i, 32, and 3a of through-openings 2, as well as two areas 6 without through-openings. The difference from the metal strip 1 of Fig. 1 is essentially that the through-openings 2 of the middle row 32 in the metal strip 1 of Fig. 2 are much shorter than in the metal strip 1 of Fig. 1. Furthermore, the two areas 6 without through-openings in the metal strip 1 of Fig. 2 are significantly wider than in the metal strip 1 of Fig. 1. The two partial strips 1a and 1b of Fig. 2 can be bent into a profile in the same way and coated with plastic or rubber in an extrusion device to produce a sealing, decorative, or edge protection strip.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a metal strip according to the invention. The metal strip 1 of Fig. 3 has five rows 3i to 3s of through-openings 2, wherein the through-openings 2 of the two outer rows 3i and 3s open into the left edge 4 and the right edge 5 of the metal strip 1, respectively. The through-openings of the middle rows 32 to 34, on the other hand, do not open into either of the two edges 4, 5 of the metal strip 1. The metal strip of Fig. 3 also has a predetermined breaking line III arranged in the middle, by which the metal strip 1 can be divided into two metal strips 1a and 1b. These are shown in Fig. 3b. Here, too, the two partial strips 3a and 3b are identical to each other, since the metal strip 1 in Fig. 3a is identical to the left and right of the predetermined breaking line III. The partial strips 1 a and 1 b of Fig. 3b can again be used in the same way as previously described for the metal strips of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows another metal strip 1 according to the invention. This metal strip has two predetermined breaking lines 11h and 32. Furthermore, the metal strip 1 has seven rows 3i to 3e of through-openings 2. The through-openings 2 of the two outer rows 3i and 3e each open into one of the two edges 4, 5 of the metal strip 1, while the through-openings 2 of the remaining rows 32 to 3e do not open into either of the two edges 4, 5.

[0047] The through-openings 2 of the two rows 3a and 3s are each mirror-symmetrical to one of the two predetermined breaking lines 11h and 132. After cutting the metal strip 1 of Fig. 4a along the two predetermined breaking lines 11h and 132, three symmetrical partial strips 1a, 1b, and 1c are produced, as shown in Fig. 4b. These partial strips 1a, 1b, and 1c can also be further processed and used in the same way as described above.

[0048] Another metal strip 1 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 5. This metal strip 1 has a different configuration on both sides of the predetermined breaking line III. On the left side of the predetermined breaking line III in Fig. 5, the metal strip 1 has nine rows 3i to 3g of through-openings 2, while on the right side of the predetermined breaking line III in Fig. 5, there are only three rows 30, 3n, and 312 of through-openings 12. The through-openings 2 of rows 3g and 30 merge into one another, as can be seen in Fig. 5, thus forming a common through-opening 2. The metal strip 1 of Fig. 5 can be cut along the predetermined breaking line III and further processed and used in the same way as described for the metal strips 1 of the preceding figures.

[0049] Another metal strip 1 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 6. This strip also has a different configuration on both sides of the predetermined breaking line III. On the left side of the predetermined breaking line III in Fig. 6, the metal strip 1 has five rows 3i to 3s of through-openings 2, while on the right side in Fig. 6 there are only two rows 3e and 3? of through-openings 2. The through-openings 2 of row 3s and row 3e merge into one another and each together form a through-opening 2. On the left side of the predetermined breaking line III in Fig. 6, the metal strip 1 also has two rolling marks 9. These two rolling marks 9 are located between the first row 3i and the second row 32 and between the fourth row 34 and the fifth row 3s of through openings 2. On the right side of the predetermined breaking line III in Fig. 6 there is an area 6 in which there are no through openings in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip 1.This area 6 is located between the row 3e and the row 3? of through openings 2. The metal strip 1 of Fig. 6 can again be further processed and used in the same way as the metal strips described above.

[0050] Another metal strip according to the invention is shown in Fig. 7. Here, too, the metal strip is configured differently to the left and right of the predetermined breaking line III. In Fig. 7, to the left of the predetermined breaking line III, the metal strip 1 has three rows 3i, 32, and 3a of through openings 2, while to the right of the predetermined breaking line III, there are four rows 34 to 31 of through openings 2. The two partial strips 1a and 1b resulting from cutting along the predetermined breaking line III can again be further processed and used in the same way as the strips described above. Another metal strip according to the invention is shown in Fig. 8. This strip is also configured asymmetrically with respect to the predetermined breaking line III. To the left of the predetermined breaking line III in Fig. 8, the metal strip has three rows 3i to 3a, and to the right of the predetermined breaking line III, it has two rows 34 and 3s of through openings 2. In addition, the metal strip 1 in Fig. 8 has...8. To the right of the predetermined breaking line III, a section 6 is created in which there are no through-openings. This section 6 is located between row 34 and row 3s of through-openings 2. After cutting along the predetermined breaking line III, the two resulting partial strips can be further processed and used in the same way as the strips described previously.

[0051] Another metal strip according to the invention is shown in Fig. 9. This strip is also asymmetrically designed with respect to the predetermined breaking line III. To the left of the predetermined breaking line III, there are three rows 3i to 3a of through-openings 2, while to the right of the predetermined breaking line III, there are two rows 34 and 3s of through-openings 2. To the right of the predetermined breaking line III, there is also a region 6 in which no through-openings are provided. This region is located between the two rows 34 and 3s of through-openings 2. To the left of the predetermined breaking line III, the metal strip in Fig. 9 also has two rolling marks 9, which are located between the first row 3i and the second row 3a and between the second row 3a and the third row 3a of through-openings 2, respectively. The two rolling marks 9 are free of through-openings or other incisions.After cutting along the predetermined breaking line III, the two resulting partial strips can again be further processed and used in the manner described above.

[0052] Fig. 10 shows a cross-section through a section of a metal strip 1 with a predetermined breaking line III. As can be seen, the predetermined breaking line III consists of a reduction in the material thickness of the metal strip 1. The predetermined breaking line III has a triangular cross-section. The opening angle of the triangle can be approximately 15° to approximately 150°. The opening width w of the predetermined breaking line III can be from approximately 0.2 mm to approximately 1.5 mm. An opening width w of approximately 0.3 mm to approximately 0.8 mm is particularly suitable. The remaining material thickness d can be from approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.5 mm.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1 1, the predetermined breaking line III can also have the shape of a triangle in cross-section on both sides of the metal strip 1, whereby the opening angle of the triangle can be in the same area, as can the opening width w, as described for Fig. 10.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 12, the triangles forming the cross-section of the predetermined breaking line III can also be offset from each other. The offset v can range from approximately 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0055] Fig. 13 shows another metal strip 1 according to the invention with a predetermined breaking line III. The metal strip 1 has five rows 3i to 3s of through-openings 2, the through-openings 2 of the middle row 3a extending across the predetermined breaking line III. In addition, the metal strip 1 has a rolling groove 9 between each pair of adjacent rows 3i to 3s of through-openings 2, in which there are no through-openings or other incisions.

[0056] After cutting along the predetermined breaking line III, the metal strip 1 shown in Fig. 13a is divided into two partial strips 1a and 1b, as shown in Fig. 13b. The two partial strips 1a and 1b are identical to each other, since the metal strip 1 of Fig. 13a is symmetrical with respect to the predetermined breaking line III. These two partial strips 1a and 1b can also be further processed and used in the same way as the metal strips described above. Fig. 14 shows another embodiment of a metal strip 1 according to the invention with five rows 3i to 3s of through-openings 2 and four rolling marks 9 between each pair of adjacent rows 3i to 3s of through-openings 2. This strip, shown in Fig. 14a, can also be divided into two partial strips 1a and 1b by cutting along the predetermined breaking line III, as shown in Fig. 14b. The difference to the metal strip 1 of Fig. 13 lies in the different shape of the predetermined breaking line III as shown below in relation to the Fig.15 and 16 are described.

[0057] In the two embodiments of metal strips 1 according to Figures 13 and 14, the predetermined breaking line III is created by punching out material. For this purpose, the webs 10 between each pair of successive through-openings 2 of the middle row 3a in the longitudinal direction 1 of the metal strip 1 are punched out. In the embodiment of Figure 13, the punching is carried out such that a recess 11 is created in each web 10, which opens into an adjacent through-opening 2, with the recesses 11 all opening in the same direction. In the embodiment of Figure 14, the webs 10 are punched out such that two recesses 11 are created, each opening into an adjacent through-opening 2. The punching is symmetrical with respect to the respective bridge 10, so that the two recesses 1 1 have the same size, but point in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal extent I of the metal band 1.

[0058] The width A of the recess 11 can range from approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm. A width A of approximately 0.2 mm is particularly preferred. The width B of the remaining web 12 can range from approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm. A width of approximately 0.4 mm is particularly preferred. (List of reference symbols)

[0059] 1 Metal I band

[0060] 2. Through opening

[0061] 3 rows of through openings

[0062] 4 edge of 1

[0063] 5 edge of 1 6 area

[0064] 7 edge of 1 a

[0065] 8 edge of 1 b

[0066] 9 rolling track

[0067] 10 Bridge

[0068] 1 1 Recess

[0069] 12 remaining bridge

[0070] I Longitudinal extent of 1

[0071] II. Transverse extension of 1

[0072] III Break line ex angle

[0073] A width of 11

[0074] B Width of 12 d residual material thickness w Opening width

Claims

Claims 1. Metal strip (1 ) as an insert for decorative, sealing or edge protection strips, in particular for motor vehicles, with a plurality of longitudinally (I) and in particular periodically successive through openings (2) extending in the transverse direction (II) of the metal strip (1 ), characterized in that the metal strip (1 ) has a predetermined breaking line (III) extending in the longitudinal direction (I) of the metal strip (1 ).

2. Metal strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal strip (1) has two or more predetermined breaking lines (III).

3. Metal strip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined breaking lines (III) are arranged uniformly distributed in the transverse direction (II) of the metal strip (1 ).

4. Metal strip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined breaking lines (III) are arranged unevenly distributed when viewed in the transverse direction (II) of the metal strip (1 ).

5. Metal band according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-openings (2) are formed by cutting and widening or by punching.

6. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between successive through-openings (2) in the longitudinal direction (I) of the metal strip is identical.

7. Metal strip according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance between successive through-openings (2) is approximately 1 mm to approx. 9 mm, preferably approx. 2 mm to approx. 6 mm.

8. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening width (w) of the through openings (2) in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip (1) is identical to each other.

9. Metal strip according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening width (w) of the through-holes (2) is approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 6 mm, preferably approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm.

10. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip (1 ) is identical on both sides of the predetermined breaking line (III) or the predetermined breaking lines (III). 1 1. Metal band according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the metal band (1 ) is formed differently on both sides of the predetermined breaking line (III) or the predetermined breaking lines (III).

12. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, viewed in the transverse direction (II) of the metal strip (1 ), one or more areas (6) are present which extend continuously in the longitudinal direction (I) of the metal strip (1 ) and in which there are no through openings or other incisions.

13. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip (1 ) has several rows (3) of through openings (2), viewed over the width of the metal strip (1 ).

14. Metal strip according to claim 13, characterized in that the through-openings (2) of adjacent rows (3) overlap with each other or have a distance from each other, wherein the distance can also be zero.

15. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip has through openings (2) which open into an edge (4, 5) of the metal strip, wherein through openings (2) open into both edges (4, 5) in particular.

16. Metal band according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip (1) has through openings that do not open into either of the two edges (4, 5) of the metal strip (1).

17. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip has through openings (2) which overlap a predetermined breaking line (III).

18. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip has one or more rolling marks (9).

19. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material thickness (d) of the metal strip (1 ) along the predetermined breaking line (III) is reduced to approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.5 mm, in particular to approximately 0.1 mm.

20. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line (III) has a cross-section in the form of a triangle, in particular an equilateral triangle, a semicircle, a square, a trapezoid or a freeform shape.

21. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line (III) is formed by a reduction in the material thickness of the metal strip (1 ) from one side of the metal strip (1 ) or from both sides of the metal strip (1 ).

22. Metal strip according to claim 21, characterized in that the reduction of the material thickness of the metal strip (1) on both sides has an offset (v) to each other.

23. Metal strip according to claim 22, characterized in that the offset (v) is from approx. 0.05 mm to approx. 1.5 mm, in particular approx. 0.15 mm.

24. Metal strip according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line (III) is formed by recesses (11 ) which extend in the longitudinal direction (I) of the metal strip (1 ).

25. Metal band according to claim 24, characterized in that the width (A) of the recesses (11) is between approx. 0.05 mm and approx. 1.5 mm, in particular approx. 0.2 mm.

26. Metal band according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that a web (12) is formed by the recesses (11) which has a width B of approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm, in particular approximately 0.4 mm.

27. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line (III) is formed by punching, laser cutting or embossing.

28. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal strip (1) is made of steel, stainless steel or aluminium.

29. Metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the metal strip (1) is coated, electroplated or bare.

30. Method for producing a metal strip (1 ) as an insert for decorative, sealing or edge protection strips, in particular for motor vehicles, with a plurality of longitudinally (I) and periodically successive through-openings (2) extending in the transverse direction (II) of the metal strip (1 ), in particular of a metal strip according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps Providing a flat metal strip (1 ) Introducing a plurality of through-holes (2) into the metal strip (1) by cutting, in particular rotary cutting, and rolling and / or punching, Creating a predetermined breaking line (III) extending in the longitudinal direction (I) of the metal strip (1).

31. Method according to claim 30, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line (III) is created before or after the introduction of the through-openings (2).

32. Method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the predetermined breaking line (III) is produced by cutting, embossing, punching or laser ablation.

33. Method according to one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that a flat roller and an embossing roller or two opposing embossing rollers are used to generate the predetermined breaking line (III), wherein the two embossing rollers can also be arranged offset from each other.

34. Method according to one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that several pairs of rollers are arranged one behind the other.

35. Method for producing a decorative, sealing or edge protection strip with a metal strip (1 ) and a covering enclosing the metal strip (1 ) made of an extrudable material, in particular plastic or rubber, comprising the steps Manufacturing a metal strip (1) according to any one of claims 30 to 34, Cutting the metal strip (1 ) before extrusion, in particular immediately before extrusion, at the predetermined breaking line(s) (III), Forming, in particular bending, the partial strips (1 a, 1 b, 1 c) produced by cutting, in particular into a U-profile, Feeding the two or more profiles, especially simultaneously, to an extrusion device, - wrapping the two or more profiles in the extrusion device with the extrudable material to produce the desired decorative, sealing or edge protection strips.

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