METHOD OF NON-ABRASIVE MECHANICAL RELIEF OF A CELLULOSE SHEET AND APPARATUS
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate a method and apparatus of non-abrasive mechanical relief of a cellulose sheet to allow for uniform radius bending. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mechanically relieved sheet comprises a sheet comprising a cellulosic material and having a first surface, and at least a notched section on the first surface of the sheet comprising a plurality of indentations, wherein the first surface of the sheet is substantially free of visible cracks, wrinkles and abrasions.
1 . A mechanically relieved sheet comprising:
a sheet comprising a cellulosic material having a first surface;
at least a notched section on the first surface of the sheet comprising a plurality of indentations;
wherein the first surface of the sheet is substantially free of visible cracks, wrinkles and abrasions.
2 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sheet is curved in accordance with a predetermined radius.
3 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indentations are spaced apart at between about 0.001 inches and about 6 inches.
4 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of indentations are spaced apart at between about 0.01 inches and about 2 inches.
5 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of indentations are spaced apart at between about 0.1 inches and about 0.5 inches.
6 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indentations are formed in parallel across the first surface of the sheet.
7 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indentations comprise substantially linear notches.
8 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 1 , wherein the depth of the plurality of indentations is between about 0.0001 inches and about 1 inch.
9 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 8 , wherein the depth of the plurality of scored sections is between about 0.001 inches to about 0.1 inches.
10 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 1 , wherein the width between the plurality of indentations is between about 0.001 inches and about 1 inch.
11 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 10 , wherein the width between the plurality of indentations is between about 0.01 inches and about 0.1 inches.
12 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim, further comprising a layer of adhesive disposed on the cellulose sheet.
13 . A mechanically relieved sheet comprising:
a sheet comprising a cellulosic material having a first surface;
at least a notched section on the first surface of the sheet comprising a plurality of indentations; and
a layer of adhesive disposed on the cellulose sheet;
wherein at least a portion of the sheet is curved in accordance with a predetermined radius.
14 . The mechanically relieved sheet of claim 13 , wherein the first surface of the sheet is substantially free of visible cracks, wrinkles and abrasions.
15 . A method of non-abrasively relieving a cellulosic sheet comprising:
providing a cellulosic sheet; and
scoring the cellulosic sheet in a die assembly comprising at least a first die with a plurality of substantially uniform indentations.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the die assembly applies a uniform pressure and force over the sheet material.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
applying an adhesive layer to the mechanically relieved surface of the sheet material.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein upon removal from the die assembly, the cellulosic sheet is substantially debris-free.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the cellulosic sheet remains substantially free of visible cracks, wrinkles, and abrasions.
20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
forming at least a curved section of the sheet in accordance with a predetermined radius.