Patent · US Active

Method of designing fold lines in sheet material

US7643967B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
54References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2007
Grant dateJan 5, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 3, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB21D5/00
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of designing fold lines in sheet material includes the steps defining the desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, and populating the fold line with a fold geometry including a series of cut zones that define a series of connected zones configured and positioned relative to the fold line whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones. Alternatively, the method may include the steps storing a plurality of cut zone configurations and connected zone configurations having differing dimensions and/or shapes, defining a desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, selecting a preferred cut zone and/or a preferred connected zone which have a desired shape and scale, locating a preferred fold geometry along the fold line, the preferred fold geometry including the selected cut zone and the selected connected zone, and relocating, rescaling and/or reshaping the preferred fold geometry to displace, add and/or subtract at least one of the connected zones, whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.