Rotating scoring head with curvilinear nib

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6682468
  • Patent Number
    6,682,468
  • Date Filed
    Monday, November 26, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 27, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A scoring head configured for rotating about an axis of rotation and impressing score lines into corrugated board. The scoring head includes an inner wheel portion extending axially along an axis of rotation, extending radially about the axis of rotation, and defining first and second radial edges. The scoring head also includes a scoring edge portion located at an axially outer edge of the inner wheel portion and faired into the first and second radial edges of the inner wheel portion. The scoring edge portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a substantially axial tier located between two substantially radial sides. The scoring edge portion also includes a curvilinear nipple shaped nib faired into the radial sides of the axial tier and faired into the first and second radial edges of the inner wheel portion. The nib may also include a base portion faired into the first and second radial edges and a bottle nose-shaped portion faired into the base. The nib may include a plurality of arcuate segments defining the nipple shaped curvilinear nib portion of the scoring head.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




This invention relates generally to the corrugated board industry and, more particularly, relates to a corrugated board scoring head having a scoring edge having a curvilinear nib profile.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




For many decades, scoring heads have been used to impress score lines into corrugated board to facilitate folding the board into desired configurations, such as boxes. Proper score lines should be “crisp” in that the board immediately adjacent to the score line is not bent or rolled toward the score line. In addition, the scoring head should not tear, crack or cut the top liner of the board. A board with a “rolled” score line or torn, cracked or cut liner is weaker than a board with a crisp score line, and may be considered defective for many applications.




Despite many years of industry experience, conventional scoring heads still produce an unacceptable number of defective “rolled” score lines and torn, cracked or cut liners. These problems can be accentuated when the same scoring head is used to score corrugated board of varying thickness, such as single-wall, double-wall and triple-wall board. For example, a scoring head that effectively creates crisp score line in double-wall board may produce rolled score lines in single-wall board. Conversely, a scoring head that effectively creates create crisp score lines in single-wall board may tear, crack or cut the top liner when used on double-wall board. In general, a single scoring head that effectively creates crisp score lines in single-wall, double-wall and triple-wall board is not presently available. For this reason, the scoring heads often must be changed in response to changes in board thickness. Of course, changing the scoring heads, which slows production, is inconvenient and costly.




Therefore, there is a continuing need in the corrugated board industry for a scoring head that consistently creates crisp score lines in corrugated board of varying thickness, such as single-wall, double-wall and triple-wall board.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention meets the needs described above in a scoring edge having a curvilinear nib profile. The scoring head may be symmetrical about a central axis. The curvilinear nib profile of the scoring head allows the head to consistently create crisp score lines in corrugated board of varying thickness, such as single-wall, double-wall and triple-wall board. That is, the curvilinear nib scoring head profile effectively avoids tearing, cracking or cutting the top liner, or creating rolled score lines, when used on corrugated board of varying thickness. Therefore, the same scoring head can be used to score single-wall, double-wall and triple-wall board.




Generally described, the invention includes a scoring head configured for impressing score lines into corrugated board. The scoring head includes an inner wheel portion and a scoring edge portion located at an outer edge of the inner wheel portion. The scoring edge, which is faired into the inner wheel portion, defines a curvilinear nib that is generally nipple shaped.




More specifically, the nipple shaped nib may include a base portion faired into the inner wheel portion. The nib may also include a bottle nose-shaped portion faired into the base portion. In addition, the scoring edge portion may include a central protuberance faired into the bottle nose-shaped portion of the nib.




Stated somewhat more specifically, the scoring head includes an inner wheel portion and a scoring edge portion located at an outer edge of the inner wheel portion and faired into the inner wheel portion. The scoring edge portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a substantially axial tier located between two substantially radial sides. The scoring edge portion also includes a curvilinear nipple shaped nib faired into the radial sides of the axial tier and faired into the inner wheel portion.




Further defined, the nib may include a first arcuate segment extending about a first radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction, and the radial side of the central protuberance may be faired into the first arcuate segment. The nib may include a second arcuate segment extending about a second radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially outward direction, and the first arcuate segment is faired into the second arcuate segment. The nib may include a third arcuate segment extending about a third radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction, and the second arcuate segment may be faired into the third arcuate segment. The nib may include a fourth arcuate segment extending about a fourth radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction, and the fourth arcuate segment is faired into the third arcuate segment and faired into the inner wheel portion.




In various embodiments, the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation, the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation, the first and fourth radii of rotation are smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation. Alternatively, the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation, and the fourth radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation. Or the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation, and the fourth radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the second radius of rotation.




The specific configuration of a preferred embodiment of the scoring head will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended drawings and claims. Many other variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims at the end of this specification.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a front view of a scoring head and anvil for impressing score lines into corrugated board.





FIG. 2

is a side view of a scoring head and anvil for impressing score lines into corrugated board.





FIG. 3

is a top view of a scoring head and anvil for impressing score lines into corrugated board.





FIG. 4

is a front view of a scoring head for impressing score lines into corrugated board.





FIG. 5

is a front cross sectional view of a scoring edge scoring head having a curvilinear nib profile for impressing score lines into corrugated board.





FIG. 6

is a front cross sectional view of a preferred scoring head having a curvilinear nib profile showing the height of the scoring head.





FIG. 7

is a front cross sectional view of a preferred scoring head having a curvilinear nib profile showing radial dimensions defining the scoring profile.





FIGS. 8A-F

are front cross section views of alternative configurations for a scoring head having a curvilinear nib profile.





FIG. 9

is a front cross section view of a preferred configuration for a scoring head having a curvilinear nib profile showing certain dimensions.





FIG. 10

is a front cross section half view of the preferred configuration for a scoring head shown in

FIG. 9

showing additional dimensions.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS




Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several figures,

FIG. 1

is a front view of a scoring head


10


and anvil


12


for impressing score lines into corrugated board.

FIG. 2

is a corresponding side view, and

FIG. 3

is a corresponding top view. The scoring head


10


includes a scoring edge


14


for impressing a score line


20


into corrugated board


18


passing through a nip


16


between the scoring head


10


and anvil


12


.

FIG. 4

is a front view of the scoring head


10


, which includes a scoring edge


14


located between a first radial edge


22


and a second radial edge


24


. The scoring head


10


rotates about an axis of rotation


26


, and is typically symmetrical about a radial axis of symmetry


28


. Although the general features and operation of the scoring head


10


described above are well known in the art, the curvilinear nib profile of the scoring edge


14


represents a significant improvement in scoring head technology.





FIGS. 5-7

are front cross sectional views of the scoring head


10


and edge


14


illustrating the inventive curvilinear nib profile and associated dimensions of a preferred embodiment. Although the preferred scoring edge profile is symmetrical about the radial axis of symmetry


28


, non-symmetrical multi-tiered scoring edge profiles are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Fort example, the number, size, corner types and/or angles of the arcuate segments may be varied somewhat to produce a non-symmetrical multi-tiered scoring edge profile within the scope of the present invention. Nevertheless, the specific scoring edge profile shown in

FIGS. 5-7

is the presently preferred configuration.




The scoring edge


14


includes a central tier


30


that is typically symmetrical about the radial axis of symmetry


28


. The central tier


30


includes a substantially axial surface. As used in this description, an “axial surface” means a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the radial axis of symmetry


28


, and includes a strictly flat perpendicular surface as well as slightly arcuate and slightly beveled surfaces that are substantially axial in nature. The central tier


30


extends from the radial axis of symmetry


28


to first and second “flanks” or substantially radial sides. As used in this description, a “flank” is a structure that includes a substantially radial surface (i.e., parallel to the radial axis of symmetry


28


), and includes a strictly flat radial surface as well as slightly arcuate and slightly beveled surfaces that are substantially radial in nature. It should also be understood that the “tier” and “flank” structures may each include one or more corners or transition areas, so that the description of the tier “extending to” the flank includes a structure in which a rounded corner or other type of transition area bridges the junction from the substantially axial surface to the substantially radial surface.




In a preferred embodiment, the scoring head


10


includes an inner wheel portion


15


extending axially about an axis of symmetry


28


, extending radially about an axis of rotation


26


, and defining first and second radial edges


22


,


24


. The scoring head


10


also includes a scoring edge portion


14


located at an axially outward edge of the inner wheel portion


15


and faired into the first and second radial edges


22


,


24


of the inner wheel portion. The scoring edge portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a substantially axial tier


30


located between two substantially radial sides. The scoring edge portion also includes a curvilinear nipple shaped nib faired into the radial sides of the axial tier


30


and faired into the first and second radial edges


22


,


24


of the inner wheel portion. The nib may also include a base portion


66


faired into the first and second radial edges


22


,


24


and bottle nose-shaped portion


64


faired into the base.




Stated somewhat more specifically, the nib may include a first arcuate segment


32


extending about a first radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction, and the radial side of the central protuberance


30


may be faired into the first arcuate segment. The nib may include a second arcuate segment


34


extending about a second radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially outward direction, and the first arcuate segment


32


may be faired into the second arcuate segment


34


. The nib may include a third arcuate segment


36


extending about a third radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction, and the second arcuate segment


34


may be faired into the third arcuate segment


36


. The nib may include a fourth arcuate segment


38


extending about a fourth radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction, and the fourth arcuate segment


38


may be faired into the third arcuate segment


36


and faired into the first and second radial edges


22


,


24


of the inner wheel portion.




In various embodiments, the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation, the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation, the first and fourth radii of rotation are smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation. Alternatively, the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation, and the fourth radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation. Or the first radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation, and the fourth radius of rotation may be smaller in magnitude than the second radius of rotation.




In a preferred embodiment, the first radius or rotation is less than 0.031 inches, the second radius or rotation is approximately 0.285 inches, the third radius or rotation is approximately 0.280 inches, and the fourth radius or rotation is approximately 0.031 inches. The height of the scoring head


10


may be approximately, 10.885 inches, and its width may be 0.875 inches. In addition, the height of the inner wheel portion may be 8.000 inches, which leaves the height of the nib at 1.44 inches around the axially outer perimeter of the inner wheel portion


15


. The width of the central protuberance


30


may be approximately 0.43 inches, and its height may be approximately 0.040 inches. The scoring head may be made of any suitably hard material, such as steel or aluminum. In addition, the inner wheel portion


15


may be steel or another suitable material, and the scoring edge


14


may be constructed from another material, such as stainless steel, hardened steel, ceramic, diamond, or another suitable material. In addition, the substantially axial tier may be faired into the substantially radial sides of the central protuberance


30


at a pair of corners, each defined as an arc of approximately 90 degrees about a radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction having a magnitude of 0.15 inches.





FIGS. 8A-F

are front cross sectional views showing alternative curvilinear nib scoring edge profiles


14




a-h


. Any arcuate segment, fairing, tier and flank may be varied somewhat, in a symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration, to create a slightly different curvilinear nib in accordance with the present invention. Many other alternatives and alterations within the scope and spirit of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art.




In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that present invention provides a greatly improved scoring head with a curvilinear nipple shaped nib for creating crisp score lines in corrugated board of varying thickness. It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and that numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A rotating scoring head for impressing score lines in corrugated board, comprising:an inner wheel portion; a scoring edge portion located at an outer edge of the inner wheel portion; and wherein the scoring edge portion when viewed in cross-section defines a curvilinear nib comprising a first arcuate segment extending about a first radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction faired into a second arcuate segment extending about a second radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction.
  • 2. The rotating scoring head of claim 1 further comprising a third arcuate segment extending about a third radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction faired into the second arcuate surface and faired into the inner wheel portion.
  • 3. The rotating scoring head of claim 1 wherein:the scoring edge portion further comprises a central protuberance faired into the first arcuate segment of the nib.
  • 4. rotating scoring head for impressing score lines in corrugated board, comprising:an inner wheel portion; a scoring edge portion located at an outer edge of the inner wheel portion; wherein the scoring edge portion when viewed in cross-section comprises: a substantially axial tier located between two substantially radial sides; and a curvilinear nib faired into the radial sides of the axial tier and faired into the inner wheel portion, the curvilinear nib comprising a first arcuate segment extending about a first radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction faired into a second arcuate segment extending about a second radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction faired into a third arcuate segment extending about a third radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction.
  • 5. The rotating scoring head of claim 4 wherein the nib further comprises:a fourth arcuate segment extending about a fourth radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction; and wherein the fourth arcuate segment is faired into the first arcuate segment and faired into a radial side of the axial tier.
  • 6. The rotating scoring head of claim 5 wherein:the first radius of rotation is larger in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation.
  • 7. The rotating scoring head of claim 5 wherein:the first radius of rotation is larger in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation.
  • 8. The rotating scoring head of claim 5 wherein:the third and fourth radii of rotation are smaller in magnitude than the second and first radii of rotation.
  • 9. The rotating scoring head of claim 5 wherein:the first radius of rotation is larger in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation; and the fourth radius of rotation is smaller in magnitude than the second and third radii of rotation.
  • 10. The rotating scoring head of claim 5 wherein:the first radius of rotation is larger in magnitude than the fourth radius of rotation; and the fourth radius of rotation is smaller in magnitude than the second radius of rotation.
  • 11. A rotating scoring head for impressing score lines in corrugated board comprising:first and second radial edges; a base portion faired into the first and second radial edges; and a bottle nose-shaped portion faired into the base portion and defining a first arcuate segment extending about a first radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction faired into a second arcuate segment extending about a second radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction; and wherein the base portion defines a third arcuate segment extending about a third radius of rotation pointed in an axially outward and radially outward direction.
  • 12. The rotating scoring head of claim 11, further comprising a substantially axial tier located between substantially radial sides and a fourth arcuate segment extending about a fourth radius of rotation pointed in an axially inward and radially inward direction faired into the first arcuate segment and faired into a radial side of the axial tier.
Parent Case Info

This application claims benefit to Provisional Application 60/338,022 filed Nov. 7, 2001.

US Referenced Citations (9)
Number Name Date Kind
3314339 Guffy et al. Apr 1967 A
3318206 Kuehn et al. May 1967 A
3917254 Watrous Nov 1975 A
4289492 Simpson Sep 1981 A
4725261 Millard et al. Feb 1988 A
5393295 Knecht Feb 1995 A
5509885 Brunlid Apr 1996 A
5823935 Puhl Oct 1998 A
5873807 Lauderbaugh et al. Feb 1999 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
2-277620 Apr 1989 JP
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/338022 Nov 2001 US