Method of forming a score in a strip of laminate.

Abstract: A method for forming a score in a strip of laminate, for example cardboard, which laminate comprises a number of pressed-together layers (9), which are glued together, after which the score (8) is formed in said strip of laminate. The application of glue between the various layers (9) makes the strip of laminate being formed relatively soft. Then the score (8) is pressed into the relatively soft strip of laminate, whereby the thickness of the score (8) will be less than that of the strip of laminate. Following that curing of the laminate takes place.

Description: The invention relates to a method for forming a score in a strip of laminate, for example cardboard, which laminate comprises a number of pressed-together layers, wherein said layers are glued together, after which the score is formed in said strip of laminate. The invention also relates to a hinged angle section provided by such a method. With a similar method known from German utility model 9216121.9, a number of layers of cardboard are glued together, with no glue being applied at the location of the score to be formed. Then the score is pressed into the strip of cardboard. After the score has been formed, the layers of cardboard are spaced closer together on either side of the score than at the location of the score. As a result of this the thickness of the cardboard strip on either side of the strip is smaller than at the location of the score. One drawback of such a method is the fact that the selective leaving out of glue is relatively laborious, whilst furthermore the intended improved hinge effect is not achieved in practice. As an alternative it is proposed in the utility model to detach the layers from each other near the score by means of an upsetting operation. Such a method is relatively laborious and requires an extreme process control in order to be able to effect the correct degree of upsetting. Also with this method the hinged angle section that is obtained appears not to be very satisfactory in practice, however. The object of the invention is to provide a method wherein a score can be formed in a strip of laminate in a simple and reliable manner. This objective is accomplished with the method according to claim 1. The laminate being formed is softened as a result of the application of glue to the various layers and the heating that may take place, if desired. The material properties of the laminate in this soft condition appear to be ideal for forming a score, so that after subsequent curing of the glue a score is obtained which readily allows bending without this causing the various layers of the laminate to break or tear. By forming the score in the laminate when it is relative soft, the physical properties of the laminate are utilized optimally. Since furthermore the layers are pressed closer together at the location of the score than on either side thereof, bending of the strip of laminate is further simplified. One embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the strip of laminate is folded into an angle section before the score is formed, whereby the strip of laminate is divided into two parts extending transversely to each other, after which a recess is formed in the first part, and the score is formed in the second part, in a direction transversely to the first part. In this way a hinged angle section is obtained which allows repeated hinging without the layers of the laminate breaking or tearing thereby. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a hinged angle section according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail of the of the hinged angle section illustrated in Figure 1; Figures 3A, 3B are a plan view and a side view respectively, in the direction indicated by arrows III-III, of the angle section shown in Figure 1, wherein said section has been folded at right angles; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the folded angle section of Figure 3A. Corresponding parts are indicated by the same numerals in the figures. Figure 1 shows a hinged angle section 1 according to the invention, which comprises two parts 2, 3 extending transversely to each other, whereby first part 2 is provided with a recess 6 which is bounded by edges 4, 5. Edges 4, 5 include an angle of 45° with second part 3. At the transition between edges 4, 5 and second part 3, second part 3 is provided with a recess 7 (see Figure 3B). Recess 6 divides first part 2 into two portions 2', 2''. Second part 3 is provided with a score 8 centrally between portions 2', 2'', which score divides second part into a portion 3', which is contiguous to portion 2', and a portion 3'', which is contiguous to portion 2''. As can be seen in Figure 2, angle section 1 is made of a laminate 10 built up of cardboard layers 9, whereby thickness D1 at the location of portions 3', 3'' is greater than thickness D2 at the location of the score 8 formed in second portion 3. As can furthermore be seen in Figure 2, edges 4, 5 of portions 2', 2'' are provided with rounded corners 11 near score 8. Now the forming of hinged angle section 1 and the movement of hinged angle section 1 will be discussed in more detail. A number of rolls of for example cardboard layers is placed into a machine, after which said rolls of cardboard layers are unwound and the layers are fed to a glueing station. Then glue is applied to said cardboard layers and the cardboard layers are heated, which results in the cardboard layers becoming soft. The various cardboard layers are now moved together and pressed into an angle section, thereby forming parts 2, 3. Now recesses 6, 11 are formed in the angle sections, which are still soft, and score 8 is pressed into second part 3. The soft layers 9 are pressed so tightly together at the location of score 8 that, after the glue has cured, the thickness D2 of score 8 is smaller than the thickness D1 of the portions 3', 3'' present on either side of score 8. After the glue has completely cured, the angle section 1 may be formed. To this end portions 2'', 3'' are pivoted in a direction indicated by arrow P1 with respect to portions 2', 3', until edges 4, 5 butt against each other (see Figure 3A). The cardboard angle section thus formed may be used as a protecting piece during transport of products having vulnerable edges, such as tables and cupboards. The angle section thus formed may also function to strengthen corners of boxes. In addition to being used for forming hinged angle sections, the method according to the invention may also be used for forming a score in a cardboard sheet.

Claims: A method for forming a score (8) in a strip of laminate (10), for example cardboard, which laminate comprises a number of pressed-together layers, wherein said layers are glued together such that the application of glue between the various layers makes the strip of laminate being formed relatively soft, after which the score (8) is pressed into the relatively soft strip of laminate (10), whereby the thickness of the score (8) will be less than that of the strip of laminate (10), after which curing of the laminate (10) takes place. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip of laminate is folded into an angle section before the score (8) is formed, whereby the strip of laminate (10) is divided into two parts (2,3) extending transversely to each other, after which a recess (6) is formed in the first part (2), and the score (8) is formed in the second part (3), in a direction transversely to the first part (2).

Inventors: HEERTJES JOHANNES, HEERTJES, JOHANNES
Applicants: SCANILEC BV, SCANILEC B.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B31F1
IPC codes: B31F1