Patent ID: 6503437
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A method for embossing paint roller covers, comprising the steps of:a. providing at least one paint roller cover having a nap engaged about a cylindrical base; b. providing a paint roller cover embossing apparatus adapted to receive the at least one paint roller cover, the embossing apparatus comprising: i) a base; ii) a die transfer plate engaged to the base; iii) a shuttle moveably engaged to the base; iv) a rotatable member rotatably engaged to the shuttle, the rotatable member having a portion receiving a paint roller cover, a distal end portion and an axis, the rotatable member and a paint roller cover received on the rotatable member moving relative to the die transfer plate in a direction transverse to the axis of the rotatable member when the shuttle moves relative to the base, the paint roller cover rolling over the die transfer plate to impress a design of the die transfer plate into the paint roller cover; v) a removable and adjustable axial stop disposed axially inwardly from the distal end portion of the rotatable member to stop axial feeding of the paint roller cover onto the rotatable member from the distal end portion in order to properly position the paint roller cover on the rotatable member with respect to the die transfer plate; and vi) an ejector that provides for the removal of the paint roller cover from the rotatable member, the ejector including an ejector element that at least partially annularly confronts the rotatable member, with the ejector element being cooperable with the axial stop and axially slideable along the rotatable member to the distal end portion to move the paint roller cover off the rotatable member; c. placing the at least one paint roller cover onto the at least one rotatable member of the embossing apparatus and positioning the paint roller cover adjacent the axial stop; d. drawing the at least one paint roller cover on the at least one rotatable member across the die transfer plate by movement of the shuttle relative to the base, such that the at least one paint roller cover rolls over the die transfer plate; e. impressing a design into the nap of the at least one paint roller cover by contact of the at least one paint roller cover with the die transfer plate as the at least one paint roller cover rolls over the die transfer plate; and f. removing the at least one embossed paint roller cover from the at least one rotatable member by axially sliding of the ejector element along the rotatable member toward the distal end portion.