1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a folding system of a cutting blade used in forming a folding line on a sheet matter so that the sheet matter, such as paper or plastic, etc., may be made into a predetermined shape, and more particularly to a folding system of the cutting blade being used so that cutting and folding functions associated with the cutting blade can be performed in one process.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the cutting blade is attached to a pattern for use in pressing a folding or a cutting line on plate matters such as paper, canvas, leather, plastic, etc. The plate matters with such pressed lines can be used in a folded shape like a box. Accordingly, in order to assemble and process the plate matter into a predetermined box shape with the cutting blade, it is necessary that the cutting blade is folded in a shape suitable to forming the processing line in the box shape.
In the conventional art, however, a folded member used as a cutting blade is constructed by a rotary body that converts only a straight line movement into an orthogonal direction against the folded member on an end part of the folded member, or performs only a revolving movement centered about one point. Therefore, a disadvantage along with the use of the prior art cutting blade assemblies is that the folded angle of a processed member is limited to a single range of motion. Also, since two discrete functions are required, namely after a cutting work in separated places, then moving it into a folding device individually, and then the folding work is performed, or after the folding work, then moving it into a cutting device one by one, and then the cutting work is performed, additional time and labor are required, and the overall efficiency of the process decreases.
Therefore, to address the above problem, embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus, method, and system for folding a cutting blade to improve work efficiency and productivity by continuously performing all work elements needed in the cutting and folding works of the cutting blade provided in a sheet matter molding.
In one embodiment, the metallic ribbon stock folding apparatus comprises: a transferring unit to transfer ribbon stock through a passage formed by a guide, the passage defining a longitudinal axis; a rotary assembly having first and second rotary bodies spaced to receive ribbon stock therebetween; at least one retractable elongate member, the elongate member mounted for movement between a retracted position where the elongate member is disengaged from at least one of the rotary bodies and an extended position where the elongate member engages both the first and second rotary bodies; and the rotary assembly configured for arcuate motion centered about the longitudinal axis from a first position on a first side of the longitudinal axis toward at least one second position on a second side opposite the first side relative to the longitudinal axis to fold a first portion of the ribbon stock by engaging the ribbon stock against the guide with the elongate member, and from a third position on the second side of the longitudinal axis toward a fourth position on the first side of the longitudinal axis to fold a second portion of the ribbon stock.
In another embodiment, the method of folding metallic ribbon stock comprises: transferring ribbon stock through a passage formed by a guide, the passage defining a longitudinal axis; providing at least one retractable elongate member; providing at least one rotary assembly having first and second rotary bodies spaced to receive ribbon stock therebetween; moving the elongate member between a retracted position where the elongate member is disengaged from at least one of the rotary bodies to an extended position to engage both first and second rotary bodies with the elongate member; and rotating the rotary assembly in an arcuate motion centered about the longitudinal axis from a first position on a first side of the longitudinal axis toward at least one second position on a second side opposite the first side relative to the longitudinal axis to fold a first portion of the ribbon stock by engaging the ribbon stock against the guide with the elongate member, and from a third position on the second side of the longitudinal axis toward a fourth position on the first side of the longitudinal axis to fold a second portion of the ribbon stock.
In another embodiment, a system of folding metallic ribbon stock comprises; a supply of ribbon stock; a frame; a guide mounted in the frame, the guide having a passage therein, the passage defining a longitudinal axis; a transferring unit for controlled transfer of the ribbon stock through the passage in the guide; a cutter for cutting the ribbon stock at a predetermined location; at least one rotary assembly having first and second rotary bodies spaced to receive ribbon stock therebetween; at least one retractable elongate member, the elongate member mounted for movement between a retracted position where the elongate member is disengaged from at least one of the rotary bodies, and an extended position where the elongate member engages both the first and second rotary bodies; and the rotary assembly configured for arcuate motion centered about the longitudinal axis to move the elongate member integrally with both first and second rotary bodies from a first position on a first side of the longitudinal axis toward at least one second position on a second side opposite the first side relative to the longitudinal axis to fold a first portion of the ribbon stock by engaging the ribbon stock against the guide with the elongate member, and from a third position on the second side of the longitudinal axis toward a fourth position on the first side of the longitudinal axis to fold a second portion of the ribbon stock.
The preferred embodiments are described with reference to the drawings wherein:
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The annular support portions 315a and 315b are provided to fixedly attach the folding body 313 to supporting frames 301a and 301b. As described later in
The guide holes 323a and 323b are provided to insertably receive a folding member 330 to facilitate movement thereof, and are configured and dimensioned corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the folding member 330. Although an example of the guide holes 323a and 323b is shown in the figures wherein each guide hole has a folding member set therein, it is preferable that only one folding member is set at a given time during operation. Referring now to
Although two folding members 330 are shown in the drawings, for exemplary purposes, only one can be set.
Referring now to
The steel wire spring 350 elastically supports the cutting blade 500 as it passes through the guiding entrance 311, and moves the cutting blade 500 within a predetermined channel, thereby heightening a precision of the folding work. Also, by setting a magnetic substance instead of the steel wire spring 350, the same effect as the steel wire spring can be achieved.
Though
An operation embodiment of the folding system and an effect according to the present invention with the construction as above-mentioned are re-explained in detail referring to
The cutting blade 500 wound in a roll shape is transferred to the folding unit 300, which performs the folding work, by the transferring unit 10, having a transfer roller, through the cutting molding unit 100 and the guide nozzle 201. At this time, the cutting molding unit 100 performs a cutting work for cutting the cutting blade 500, passing through the cutting molding unit 100, in the length necessary for the sheet matter molding. Herewith, the cutting tip 503 is kept and maintained on the cutting blade 500 without detachment from the cutting portion 501 of the cutting blade 500. This is to prevent damage to blade unit 505 which may be caused by a collision during a transfer of the cutting blade 500 through the guide nozzle 201. The cutting molding unit 100 is applied from Korean Patent No. 80607 issued to the present applicant, and, therefore, the detailed operating description thereof is omitted.
Even if the cutting tip 503, formed on the cutting blade 500, is detached from the cutting molding unit 100, the cutting tip 503 passes through the guide nozzle 201 continuously and thereby there is no cause for its detachment. As shown in
The cutting blade 500 passing through the guiding entrance 311 contacts with the steel wire spring 350 as shown in
If only one cylinder 421 out of the second driving unit 420 falls in the operation, the second driving unit 420 remains situated in a position as shown in
Since the servo motor M stops the operation when the cutting blade 500 completes the folding, an immoderate rotation force of the rotary bodies 320a and 320b connected with the folding member 330 is not required. When the folding work of the cutting blade 500 is completed, the folding member 330 returns to an original position by an operation of the cylinder 421 of the second driving unit 420 as shown in
As afore-mentioned, according to the present invention, all works necessary for the cutting and the folding of the cutting blade in the shape corresponding to the sheet material molding are performed in succession by one process with a unified construction, thereby resulting in an improvement of the cutting and folding works of the cutting blade and a productivity increase.
While only certain embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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95-16975 | Jun 1995 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/445,467 filed on May 27, 2003 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/575,095 filed on May 19, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,574, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/247,408 filed on Feb. 10, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,940, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/049,391 filed on Mar. 27, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,919, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08,668,379 filed on Jun. 21, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,750, which claims priority benefit to Korean Application No. 1995-16975, filed 22 Jun. 1995.
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62-181835 | Aug 1987 | JP |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070068212 A1 | Mar 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10445467 | May 2003 | US |
Child | 11558316 | US | |
Parent | 09575095 | May 2000 | US |
Child | 10445467 | US | |
Parent | 09247408 | Feb 1999 | US |
Child | 09575095 | US | |
Parent | 09049391 | Mar 1998 | US |
Child | 09247408 | US | |
Parent | 08668379 | Jun 1996 | US |
Child | 09049391 | US |