US3200025A - Embossing process - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 10, 1965 w. s. EDMONDSON EMBOSSING PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1962 INVENTOR. 'W'ILL/AM S.E'ouo-0sa- BY I JM WWW? A T TORNE Y5 Aug. 10, .1965 w. s. EDMONDSON EMBOSSING PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 12 1962 .A T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,200,025 Ell/BOSSING PRGCESS William S. Edmondson, 4100 Abbott Ave. 5., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Apr. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 187,105 1 Claim. (Cl. 156-209) My invention relates generally to the art of embossing and more particularly to the art of embossing flexible sheet material.

Still more specifically my invention relates to embossing metal foil-covered sheets of paper stock and the like and has for its primary object the provision of a method whereby an appearance of antiquity may be imparted to such embossed sheets.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a method of the type immediately above described in which the embossed product is highly effective and the method of producing same relatively inexpensive to practice.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a method of the type above set forth which requires a minimum of skill and instruction.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the invention, and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts or elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of an embossing die of the type utilizable in the practice of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing the components which make up the impression sheet of my invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the embossing die with my impression sheet overlying same and about to receive pressure from a cooperating press;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken through a portion of the die impression sheet and the press of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in plan of the end product of my invention; and

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary detail of the lower right hand corner of FIG. 5.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates generally a conventional embossing die utilizable in the practice of my invention. Embossing die 1 is preferably cast from any suitable metal, the design thereof being created by a network of upstanding ribs 2 and intervening flat surfaces 3.

In the formation of an impression sheet 4 for use in cooperation with the embossing die 1, in the practicing of my invention, I adhere a relatively thin flexible sheet of metal foil 5, such as copper foil, to a relatively rigid backing sheet 6 which may well be formed from paper stock. The coating of adhesive, identified by the numeral 7, may be of any given form, and insofar as this invention is concerned, both liquid and paste-like adhesives are treated as being liquid and fluid in nature. In any event while the adhesive coating 7 is still in a semiplastic condition, so as to permit of relative, though limited, movement of one ply 5, 6 with respect to the other, I place the impression sheet 4 (a composite of elements 5, 6 and 7) in overlying relationship to the 3,200,025 Patented Aug. 10, 1965 'ice embossing die 1, with the metallic ply 5 in direct engagement with the design of the embossing die I sought to be reproduced.

With the embossing die 1 and impression sheet 4 in the relationship immediately above described, I force the impression sheet 4 against the die 1 by means of a compressible pad or press, identified in its entirety by the numeral 8. Preferably and as shown, the pad 8 comprises a relatively rigid backing member 9 and a facing plate 10 formed from suitable material such as rubber. As shown particularly in FIG. 6, and due apparently solely to the fact that the adhesive layer 7 is still in a semi-plastic state, a stretching of the metallic foil ply 5 results immediately adjacent the channels 11 formed by the design-forming ribs 2. This stretching, due to the extreme pressures, manifests itself in a plurality of Wrinkles or rugae 12 immediately adjacent said channels 11 whereas the areas of the metal foil ply 5 which are spaced from said channels 11 remain perfectly smooth. This is highly desirable in creating an appearance of antiquity, particularly where highlighting, by the application and wiping off of pigments from the surface of the impression sheet 4, is practiced.

Obviously, as the adhesive coating 7 dries, the design including the Wrinkles or rugae 12 are permanently preserved.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while I have shown and described a preferred embodiment, I wish it to be specifically understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

The process of embossing flexible sheet material to create the impression of antiquity, said process consisting of the steps of (a) providing an embossing die having design-forming ribs with flat surfaces between said ribs,

(b) forming an impression sheet by applying fluid adhesive between a ply of relatively thin metal foil and a ply of paper backing materialwhich permits sliding movement between the plies and (c) finally forcing said impression sheet with the layer of metal foil in direct engagement with said embossing die by applying pressure by a generally flat compressible pad element having a working face at least as great as that of said die and while said adhesive is in a semi-plastic state.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,983,520 12/34 Charch et al 161-223 2,027,296 1/36 Stuart et al 161-113 2,043,809 6/36 Papp 161-116 2,205,466 6/40 Caprio et a1 156-219 2,354,005 7/44 Flowers 113-44 2,422,883 6/ 47 Bruderlin 113-44 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,095,580 12/54 France.

EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

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