APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING A BENDING CREASE IN CORRUGATED PAPERBOARD
An apparatus for forming a bending crease in corrugated paperboard includes a circumferential portion of a wheel. The circumferential portion has a width and a peripheral surface positioned to compressively rollably receive a corrugated paperboard between the surface of the wheel and a support surface. The circumferential portion includes a protrusion extending radially outward from the circumferential portion greater than 0.070 inch. The protrusion extends radially outward from a base to a tip opposite the peripheral surface, the tip having a width less than the width of the base. The protrusion is configured to form a crease in the corrugated paperboard, the crease having sufficient depth and a width less than or equal to the width of the base, thereby resulting in a bend line formed in the corrugated paperboard that is substantially coincident with the formed crease.
1 . An apparatus for forming a bending crease in corrugated paperboard comprising:
a circumferential portion of a wheel, the circumferential portion having a width and a peripheral surface positioned to compressively rollably receive a corrugated paperboard between the surface of the wheel and a support surface, the circumferential portion including a protrusion extending radially outward from the circumferential portion greater than 0.070 inch, the protrusion extending radially outward from a base to a tip opposite the peripheral surface, the tip having a width less than the width of the base;
wherein the protrusion is configured to form a crease in the corrugated paperboard, the crease having sufficient depth and a width less than or equal to the width of the base, thereby resulting in a bend line formed in the corrugated paperboard that is substantially coincident with the formed crease.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a profile of the tip includes a curve.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the curve includes a radius.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential portion is composed of a metal.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein at least the tip is heat treated.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the radius is about 0.05 inch.
7 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion includes a taper between the base and the tip.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the width of the base of the protrusion is substantially equal to or less than the width of the circumferential portion.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential portion comprises two circumferential segments.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the two circumferential segments include mating features formed therein.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the mating features form a dovetail joint.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the two circumferential segments are substantially identical to each other.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential portion and the wheel are of unitary construction.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tip is configured to form a perforated crease.
15 . A system for forming a bending crease in corrugated paperboard comprising:
a wheel having a circumferential portion, the circumferential portion having a width and a peripheral surface positioned to compressively rollably receive a corrugated paperboard between the surface of the wheel and a support surface, the circumferential portion including a protrusion extending radially outward from the circumferential portion greater than 0.070 inch, at least a portion of the tip the protrusion having a width less than the width of the circumferential portion;
wherein the protrusion is configured to form a crease in the segment of corrugated paperboard, the crease having sufficient depth and a width less than the width of the circumferential portion, thereby resulting in a bend line formed in the segment of corrugated paperboard that is substantially coincident with the formed crease.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of a profile of the tip includes a curve.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the protrusion includes a taper between the base and the tip.
18 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the tip is configured to form a perforated crease.
19 . A method for forming a bending crease in corrugated paperboard comprising:
providing a wheel having a circumferential portion, the circumferential portion having a width and a peripheral surface positioned to compressively rollably receive a corrugated paperboard between the surface of the wheel and a support surface, the circumferential portion including a protrusion extending radially outward from the circumferential portion greater than 0.070 inch, at least a portion of the tip the protrusion having a width less than the width of the circumferential portion, the protrusion is configured to form a crease in the segment of corrugated paperboard, the crease having sufficient depth and a width less than the width of the circumferential portion, thereby resulting in a bend line formed in the segment of corrugated paperboard that is substantially coincident with the formed crease; and
directing the corrugated paperboard between the protrusion and the support surface to form the crease.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein directing the corrugated paperboard includes directing the corrugated paperboard between the protrusion and the support surface to form a perforated crease.