HINGE AND HINGE-PRODUCING APPARATUS AND APPERTAINING METHOD FOR A CORNER EDGE OF A RECTANGULAR TUBE

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating a hinge on a corner edge of a rectangular tube as well as a tube so produced is provided in which a roller having a line defining a diameter of the roller at approximately 45° from a line defining a planar surface of the rectangular tube, a pivot axis of the roller being oriented to permit the roller to roll longitudinally down a length of the tube. The roller comprises a v-shaped indent disposed radially around its outer periphery and a groove located at an apex of the v-shaped indent. Pressure is applied by the roller against the tube in a radial direction of the roller, thereby contacting a corner edge of the tube with the groove to stress tube material at the corner edge. A relative movement is induced between the roller and the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube, thereby creating a hinged corner edge of the tube.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the following Figures.

FIG. 1A is an isometric pictorial illustration of a spiral-wound rectangular tube having a corner edge hinge according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is an end-view showing a tube in a collapsing configuration;

FIG. 1C is a pictorial illustration of an embodiment of the hinge;

FIG. 1D is an end-view pictorial illustration of a collapsed stack of tubes;

FIG. 2A is an end view of the tube as the corners are being shaped by rollers;

FIG. 2B is an exploded side view of the tube and rollers shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a collapsed tube having an integrated end support portion;

FIG. 3B is an isometric view of an uncollapsed tube with the end support portion unfastened; and

FIG. 3C is an isometric view of an uncollapsed tube with the end support portion fastened.

Claims

1. A method for creating a hinge on a corner edge of a rectangular tube, comprising: orienting a line defining a diameter of a roller at approximately 45° from a line defining a planar surface of the rectangular tube, a pivot axis of the roller being oriented to permit the roller to roll longitudinally down a length of the tube;wherein the roller comprises a v-shaped indent disposed radially around its outer periphery and a groove located at an apex of the v-shaped indent;applying pressure by the roller against the tube in a radial direction of the roller, thereby contacting a corner edge of the tube with the groove to stress tube material at the corner edge; andproviding relative movement between the roller and the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube, thereby creating a hinged corner edge of the tube.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing an inner support inside the tube against which an inner portion of the tube is braced when applying the pressure, thereby preventing the tube from being crushed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the groove shape has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the groove is concave with respect to the v-shaped indent.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the groove is convex with respect to the v-shaped indent.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: moistening the corner edges of the tube prior to the applying of pressure.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the moistening comprises applying water.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the moistening comprises applying a non-water chemical treatment.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: heating the corner edges of the tube prior to the applying of pressure.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: cutting the corner edges of the tube while applying pressure with a cutter located in the groove area.

11. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: cutting the corner edges of the tube while applying pressure with a cutter located on the inner support.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: perforating the corner edges of the tube while applying pressure with a perforator located in the groove area.

13. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: perforating the corner edges of the tube while applying pressure with a perforator located on the inner support.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying of pressure occurs prior to a setting of materials used to create the tube.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, during the providing of relative movement: flattening the tubes after the hinged corner edge of the tube has been produced.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the flattening is performed by a two-roller system.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the flattening is performed by a narrowing chute.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: removing portions from at least one end of the tube in order to form a locking support mechanism formed from the tube itself.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein removing portions comprises: forming a tab in two adjacent sides of the tube; andforming an end flap in remaining sides of the tube and forming slots within each of the end flaps that are adapted to accept the tabs when the end flap is folded in a manner that supports the tube in an open configuration.

20. A method for creating a hinge on a corner edge of a rectangular tube comprising: providing relative movement between a tube corner edge stressing apparatus and the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube, thereby creating a hinged corner edge of the tube;wherein the stressing apparatus performs an operation selected from the group consisting of: abrading, scoring, cutting, punching, drilling, or yielding, the yielding defined as a stretching of the corners from forming or folding.

21. A rectangular tube having a hinge on its corner that is produced by a method comprising: orienting a line defining a diameter of a roller at approximately 45° from a line defining a planar surface of the rectangular tube, a pivot axis of the roller being oriented to permit the roller to roll longitudinally down a length of the tube;wherein the roller comprises a v-shaped indent disposed radially around its outer periphery and a groove located at an apex of the v-shaped indent;applying pressure by the roller against the tube in a radial direction of the roller, thereby contacting a corner edge of the tube with the groove to stress tube material at the corner edge; andproviding relative movement between the roller and the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube, thereby creating a hinged corner edge of the tube.

22. A rectangular tube hinge producing apparatus, comprising: a roller that is oriented according to a line defining a diameter of a roller at approximately 45° from a line defining a planar surface of the rectangular tube, a pivot axis of the roller being oriented to permit the roller to roll longitudinally length of the tube;the roller comprising v-shaped indent disposed radially around its outer periphery and a groove located at an apex of the v-shaped indent;a pressure mechanism for applying pressure by the roller against the tube in a radial direction of the roller, thereby contacting a corner edge of the tube with the groove to stress tube material at the corner edge; anda movement mechanism for providing relative movement between the roller and the tube in a longitudinal direction of the tube.