Creasing Tool with Deformable Crown for Cardboard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing creasing tools for rigid materials like cardboard are complex and costly, requiring separate equipment for continuous and segmented creases, leading to inefficiencies and unsatisfactory quality, especially with thicker materials.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a rigid disk and an elastically deformable crown that can switch between making continuous and segmented creases by varying the working pressure, eliminating the need for separate disks and punches, and allowing for wider crease impressions and improved folding conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate processing stations are provided for continuous and segmented creases, then both types of creases can be made, but the device complexity increases and productivity decreases due to long equipping times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single processing station with a multifunctional tool that can perform both continuous creasing and segmented creasing operations. The tool includes a disk with multiple cutting segments that can be selectively positioned, allowing one station to replace multiple dedicated stations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tool configuration changeable during operation. The cutting segments on the disk can be selectively brought into operative position against the creasing crown, allowing the tool to dynamically switch between making continuous creases (all segments retracted) and segmented creases (selected segments positioned), eliminating the need for fixed separate processing stations
2Adaptability or versatility
If punching is used to make segmented creases, then through notches can be created, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates with thicker sheets due to blind notches, flashes, and curls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the creasing crown as an intermediary element between the cutting segments and the sheet material. The crown, made of elastically deformable material, mediates the cutting action by deforming under pressure to allow clean penetration through thick materials, preventing the formation of blind notches, flashes, and curls that occur with direct punching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of the creasing crown material. The crown deforms elastically under the second working pressure to accommodate thick sheets, allowing the cutting segments to penetrate cleanly through the material thickness, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision across varying sheet thicknesses
3Productivity
If the same tool is used for both continuous and segmented creases, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cutting function into multiple discrete cutting segments on the disk. Each segment can be independently positioned or retracted, allowing the tool to switch between continuous creasing (all segments retracted) and segmented creasing (selected segments positioned), thereby enabling multiple functions without requiring entirely separate tools
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the cutting segments within the structure of the disk, which itself is integrated with the creasing crown. The cutting segments can be nested within recesses in the disk or positioned on its surface, allowing compact integration of multiple cutting functions within a single tool structure, minimizing overall device complexity while enabling high productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective production of both continuous and segmented creases with improved quality and reduced equipping times, ensuring precise folding even with thick materials by using the same tool for both types of creases.
Implementation Method 1
the crown is shaped, with respect to the cutting segment, so as to be able to deform elastically in a substantially radial direction toward the inside of the disk, when it undergoes a second working pressure greater than said first pressure
Implementation Method 2
The crown has a level of hardness such that, at a first working pressure, it resists deformation and makes a blind crease on the thickness of the sheet or strip
Implementation Method 3
at least a disk made of a rigid material, for example metal, provided around the circumference with at least a cutting segment able to make one or more notches on the thickness of the sheet or strip
Data Source
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AI summary
Tool (10) to make at least a crease on a sheet or a strip (11) made of at least relatively rigid material. The tool (10) is able to be selectively moved in relation to the sheet or strip (11), in order to define at least a first operative position in which it is able to perform a continuous or blind crease (11a), and a second operative position in which it is able to execute a through or segmented crease (11b), or is able to execute a true and proper cut.