Abstract:
Provided is a press-fitting die including two removable templates each having two opposing surfaces (front and back) with molds provided thereon, respectively. A first pattern is impressed with the templates pivoted into contact with each other under user-applied pressure in a front-to-front manner with respect to the templates. Likewise, after turning each of the removable templates over, a second pattern is impressed with the templates pivoted into contact with each other under user-applied pressure in a back-to-back manner with respect to the templates. Hence, two different patterns are impressed using a single press-fitting die, thereby reducing the number of press-fitting dies required to emboss a number of patterns, thus reducing costs incurred in impressing patterns.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to press-fitting dies, and, more particularly, to a press-fitting die capable of reducing costs of creating patterns. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Press-fitting dies used in making handicrafts are configured to impress specific patterns or letters on a thin material, such as paper, film, foam, foil, soft magnetic sheets, photos, leather, fabric, and so on, or to impress embossed patterns or letters on thin finished products, such as a cards, a photo albums, or packages. 
         [0005]    In general, templates for use with press-fitting die are fabricated and operated by the steps of: injecting plastics so as to form two plastic templates (complementary in height) with patterns corresponding in shape to each other; affixing the two plastic templates to two hinged and yet foldable plastic boards, respectively; and folding the plastic boards under user-applied pressure so as to impress patterns on the material being embossed. 
         [0006]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are top and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a conventional press-fitting die, the press-fitting die comprises: a first frame  10   a  having a first recess  100   a , a second frame  10   b  having a second recess  100   b , a first template  11   a , and a second template  11   b . The bottom side  101   a  of the first recess  100   a  functions as a first press-fitting surface. Likewise, the bottom side  101   b  of the second recess  100   b  functions as a second press-fitting surface. The first template  11   a  is affixed to the first press-fitting surface  101   a , and the first template  11   a  has a first patterned mold  110   a  provided thereon. Similarly, the second template  11   b  is affixed to the second press-fitting surface  101   b , and the second template  11   b  has a second patterned mold  110   b  provided thereon. 
         [0007]    To operate the conventional press-fitting die, a user has to put a piece of material between the first template  11   a  and the second template  11   b  and press the first frame  10   a  and the second frame  10   b  against each other so as for the first patterned mold  110   a  and the second patterned mold  110   b  to be pressed against the piece of material therebetween concurrently in order to emboss patterns on the piece of material. 
         [0008]    With the first and second templates  11   a ,  11   b  being affixed to the first and second press-fitting surfaces  101   a ,  101   b , respectively, it is not readily possible to separate the templates from the frames. As a result, the conventional press-fitting die can impress only one type of embossed pattern on a piece of material. From a user&#39;s perspective, additional patterns may not be embossed without using an additional press-fitting die. Hence, if the user desires to impress a number of patterns, the user will need the same number of press-fitting dies as the number of desired patterns. For example, if the user wants to impress 10 different patterns, the user will need 10 different press-fitting dies, which incurs considerable costs and therefore is less feasible from a commercial point of view. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a press-fitting die for reducing the costs of impressing patterns so as to overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the aforesaid drawback of the prior art, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a press-fitting die that is capable of reducing the number of press-fitting die assemblies required for embossing multiple patterns, thus reducing the costs of creating patterns. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a press-fitting die, comprising: a first template having two opposing surfaces with first and second molds provided thereon, respectively; and a second template separably coupled to the first template and having two opposing surfaces with third and fourth molds provided thereon, respectively, the third mold being configured to be pressed against the first mold and the fourth mold being configured to be pressed against the second mold. 
         [0012]    The first template and the second template are coupled together in a hinged manner so as for the first template and the second template to pivot towards each other. 
         [0013]    The templates of the press-fitting die are plastic boards or metallic boards. In other embodiments, the templates can be made of any materials as appropriate. 
         [0014]    The press-fitting die further comprises a first frame with a first press-fitting surface and a second frame with a second press-fitting surface. The first template is removably disposed on the first press-fitting surface of the first frame. Likewise, the second template is removably disposed on the second press-fitting surface of the second frame. 
         [0015]    The first press-fitting surface and the second press-fitting surface are configured to face each other. The first frame and the second frame are coupled together by means of a hinge so as for the first and second frames to pivot towards each other. 
         [0016]    The templates are disposed on the press-fitting surfaces of the frames, respectively. The frames each have a recess. The bottom sides of the recesses are defined by the press-fitting surfaces, respectively. 
         [0017]    In addition to the basic function of being removable, the press-fitting die further comprises a suction portion whereby the templates are attached to the press-fitting surfaces by suction, respectively, or an engagement portion whereby the templates engage with the press-fitting surfaces, respectively. 
         [0018]    As indicated above, the present invention provides removable templates whereby a user impresses two different embossed patterns using one and only one press-fitting die. Unlike the prior art that discloses “one pattern, one press-fitting die,” the present invention discloses “two patterns, but only one press-fitting die,” thus effectively reducing the amount of equipment involved and costs incurred in impressing patterns. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a conventional press-fitting die; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the conventional press-fitting die prior to pressing; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of a first embodiment of a press-fitting die according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional, exploded view of the first embodiment of the press-fitting die prior to pressing according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of a second embodiment of the press-fitting die according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the press-fitting die prior to pressing according to the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the press-fitting die according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The following descriptions of specific embodiments are provided to illustrate and disclose ways of implementing the present invention and are not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Persons skilled in the art can readily understand the advantages and functions of the present invention by reference to the disclosure contained in the specification. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which are top and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a press-fitting die according to the present invention, the press-fitting die comprises a first frame  20   a , a second frame  20   b , a first template  21   a , and a second template  21   b.    
         [0028]    The first frame  20   a  has a first recess  200   a , and the bottom side of the first recess  200   a  functions as a first press-fitting surface  201   a . Likewise, the second frame  20   b  has a second recess  200   b , and the bottom side of the second recess  200   b  functions as a second press-fitting surface  201   b.    
         [0029]    The second press-fitting surface  201   b  corresponds in position to the first press-fitting surface  201   a  so as for a user to align the first press-fitting surface  201   a  with the second press-fitting surface  201   b . Preferably, the second frame  20   b  is coupled to the first frame  20   a  by means of a pivotal structure  25 , such as a hinge, to allow the first frame  20   a  and the second frame  20   b  to separably pivot towards each other and thereby allow the first press-fitting surface  201   a  and the second press-fitting surface  201   b  to come into contact with each other under user-applied pressure. The pivotal structure  25  comes in different forms, the exact form not being an essential technical feature of the present invention; hence, the pivotal structure  25  is not described in detail herein. 
         [0030]    The first template  21   a  is removably positioned on the first press-fitting surface  201   a  of the first frame  20   a . The two opposite surfaces of the first template  21   a  have first and second molds  210   a ,  211   a  provided thereon, respectively. The first template  21   a  is a plastic board, or it is a metallic board preferably made of stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, the first template  21   a  can be made of other materials. 
         [0031]    The second template  21   b  is removably positioned on the second press-fitting surface  201   b  of the second frame  20   b . The two opposite surfaces of the second template  21   b  have third and fourth molds  210   b ,  211   b  provided thereon, respectively. The third mold  210   b  is pressed against the first mold  210   a  so as for a first embossed pattern to be formed. The fourth mold  211   b  is pressed against the second mold  211   a  so as for a second embossed pattern to be formed. The second template  21   b  is a plastic board, or it is a metallic board preferably made of stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, the second template  21   b  can be made of other materials. 
         [0032]    Where the templates are selectively made of plastics, patterns on the molds are fabricated by injection molding. Injection molding technology is well-documented and therefore is not described herein. Where the templates are selectively made of a metal, patterns on the molds are fabricated by etching. Etching technology is also well-documented, and thus only one type of etching is concisely described herein, with no intention of limiting the scope of the present invention thereto. 
         [0033]    First, a metallic substrate is coated with printing ink so as for the printing ink thus coated to function as a corrosion-resistant photoresist layer. Then, a negative that bears patterns or letters is processed by exposure and development to allow a patterned etching area to be defined on the corrosion-resistant photoresist layer and a portion of the metallic substrate to be exposed from the patterned etching area. Afterward, the patterned etching area is etched so as for the exposed portion of the metallic substrate to be removed by etching to thereby finalize the pattern formed on the mold, wherein the pattern thus finalized is defined by the unexposed portion of the metallic substrate. Lastly, the corrosion-resistant photoresist layer is removed from the metallic substrate so as to finalize fabrication of the template. 
         [0034]    In the first embodiment, the press-fitting die further comprises an engagement portion. The engagement portion further comprises one or more engaging holes  22   a  provided in the first template  21   a  and one or more posts  23   a  provided on the first press-fitting surface  201   a  and corresponding in position to the engaging holes  22   a . With each post  23   a  being inserted into a corresponding engaging hole  22   a , the first template  21   a  is engaged with and fixed in position on the first press-fitting surface  201   a . Both the one or more engaging holes  22   a  and the one or more corresponding posts  23   a  serve a positioning function instead of a permanent coupling function, and thus the first template  21   a  is fixed in position, rather than permanently coupled, to the first press-fitting surface  201   a  and yet is removable therefrom. 
         [0035]    Likewise, one or more engaging holes  22   b  are provided in the second template  21   b , and one or more corresponding posts  23   b  are provided on the second press-fitting surface  201   b . With the one or more posts  23   b  being inserted into the one or more engaging holes  22   b , the second template  21   b  is engaged with and fixed in position to the second press-fitting surface  201   b  and yet is removable therefrom. 
         [0036]    As such, the templates are selectively engaged with the frames, respectively, by inserting the posts  23   a ,  23   b  into the engaging holes  22   a ,  22   b . The templates can be made of any material as appropriate, though preferably a plastic. The frames are selectively made of the same material as the templates. 
         [0037]    To impress a first embossed pattern using a press-fitting die of the present invention (as shown in  FIG. 2A ), the user has to: position the first template  21   a  on the first frame  20   a  with the first mold  210   a  facing outward; position the second template  21   b  on the second frame  20   b  with the third mold  210   b  facing outward; pivot the first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b  toward each other; dispose a pre-pressing object, such as a piece of paper, between the first template  21   a  and the second template  21   b ; align the first mold  210   a  with the third mold  210   b ; and press first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b  against the piece of paper sandwiched therebetween so as to impress the first embossed pattern on the piece of paper. 
         [0038]    Similarly, to impress a second embossed pattern (as shown in  FIG. 3A ), the user has to: remove the first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  from the first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b , respectively; turn over and position the first template  21   a  on the first frame  20   a  with the second mold  211   a  facing outward; turn over and position the second template  21   b  on the second frame  20   b  with the fourth mold  211   b  facing outward; pivot the first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b  toward each other; dispose a pre-pressing object, such as a piece of paper, between the first template  21   a  and the second template  21   b ; align the second mold  211   a  with the fourth mold  211   b ; and press first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b  against the piece of paper sandwiched therebetween so as to impress the second embossed pattern on the piece of paper. 
         [0039]    The present invention provides removable templates whereby a user impresses two different embossed patterns using a single press-fitting die. Unlike the prior art that teaches “one pattern, one press-fitting die,” the present invention demonstrates high industrial applicability and is effective in cutting costs incurred in impressing patterns. For example, to impress 10 different patterns, a user needs 10 different press-fitting dies according to the prior art, but only five according to the present invention. Potentially, the present invention reduces the equipment involved and costs incurred in impressing patterns by up to half as otherwise required. 
         [0040]    The present invention has high industrial applicability, because the present invention basically matches the prior art in durability and cost of materials and yet impresses two different patterns, that is, one more pattern than the prior art does. To do so, the present invention discloses forming two molds on two opposing surfaces of each of the templates, respectively, that is, one more mold than the prior art does, by performing a patterning process on the two opposing surfaces of the template, whether the patterning process involves performing injection molding or etching. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , top and cross-sectional views, respectively, are shown of a second embodiment of the press-fitting die according to the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the way of positioning the templates on the frames. The difference is described below. 
         [0042]    The press-fitting die further comprises an attraction portion, such as a suction cup or a magnet, capable of attracting and configured to attach the templates to the press-fitting surfaces, respectively, by attractive force. In the second embodiment, the attraction portion is preferably a magnet. 
         [0043]    A periphery  24   a  of the first template  21   a  is attached to the first press-fitting surface  201   a  by suction or magnetic attraction. A periphery  24   b  of the second template  21   b  is likewise attached to the second press-fitting surface  201   b  by suction or magnetic attraction. The templates can be made of any material as appropriate, though preferably metal. The frames are made of a magnetic material. Alternatively, magnets of positive and negative poles are positioned on the peripheries  24   a ,  24   b  of the first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  and the first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b , respectively, so as for the first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  to be attracted to the first and second frames  20   a ,  20   b , respectively. In the second embodiment, the second and fourth molds  211   a ,  211   b  face outward. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view is shown of a third embodiment of the press-fitting die according to the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, in the third embodiment, no frame is required. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first template  21   a  and the second template  21   b  are separably coupled together. Preferably, the first template  21   a  and the second template  21   b  are coupled together in a bidirectional pivotal manner by means of a pivoting structure  25 ′ to thereby allow the first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  to pivot toward each other in a front-to-front manner (that is, with the first and third molds  210   a ,  210   b  facing each other (not visible in the drawing)) and in a back-to-back manner (that is, with the second and fourth molds  211   a ,  211   b  facing each other). The pivoting structure  25 ′ is a hinge configured for bidirectional rotation. Elements configured for bidirectional rotation come in different forms, and in that the form is not an essential technical feature of the present invention, the pivoting structure  25 ′ is not described herein. 
         [0046]    To impress the first embossed pattern using the press-fitting die of the present invention, the user has to: pivot the first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  toward each other in a front-to-front manner (that is, with the first mold  210   a  and the third mold  210   b  facing each other); dispose a pre-pressing object, such as a piece of paper, between the first mold  210   a  with the third mold  210   b ; align the first mold  210   a  with the third mold  210   b ; and press first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  against the piece of paper sandwiched therebetween so as to impress the first embossed pattern on the piece of paper. 
         [0047]    To impress the second embossed pattern, the user has to: pivot the first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  toward each other in a back-to-back manner (that is, with the second mold  211   a  and the fourth mold  211   b  facing each other); dispose a pre-pressing object, such as a piece of paper, between the second mold  211   a  with the fourth mold  211   b ; align the second mold  211   a  with the fourth mold  211   b ; and press first and second templates  21   a ,  21   b  against the piece of paper sandwiched therebetween so as to impress the second embossed pattern on the piece of paper. 
         [0048]    In conclusion, a press-fitting die of the present invention is provided with removable templates whereby a user impresses two different embossed patterns using one and only one press-fitting die to thereby cut costs incurred in impressing patterns and promote industrial applicability of the press-fitting die, as the present invention entails performing the same process as the prior art does and yet the press-fitting die of the present invention impresses one more pattern than a conventional press-fitting die does. Also, the templates of the press-fitting die of the present invention are applicable to pattern printing. 
         [0049]    The foregoing descriptions of the detailed embodiments are provided to illustrate and disclose the features and functions of the present invention and are not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the present invention. As such, it should be understood by those in the art that many modifications and variations can be made according to the spirit and principles in the disclosure of the present invention and still fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.