Punching Sheet for Punching Tags or Labels, and Process for Manufacturing Same

Abstract

Disclosed is a punching sheet for punching tags or labels, comprising a main sheet (2), on the top face of which at least one punching line (4) is provided, and in at least some areas of a bottom face (3) of which at least one damping element (14) is arranged. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing a punching sheet.

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A punching sheet for punching tags or labels, the punching sheet comprising: a base sheet comprising a top face and a bottom face opposite the top face; at least one punching line arranged on the top face; at least one damping element arranged on the bottom face at least in sections of the bottom face.

13. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element, viewed in a plan view of the punching sheet, is arranged below the at least one punching line.

14. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element is areally embodied, at least over sections.

15. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element is embodied as a single-layer back face coating or a multi-layer back face coating.

16. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element is compressible.

17. The punching sheet according to claim 16, wherein the at least one damping element is elastically deformable.

18. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element is embodied at least partially of plastic material.

19. The punching sheet according to claim 18, wherein the plastic material is PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

20. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element is embodied at least partially of a natural material.

21. The punching sheet according to claim 20, wherein the natural material is rubber.

22. The punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the at least one damping element comprises a thickness between 4 micrometers and 200 micrometers.

23. A method for producing a punching sheet according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises: applying the at least one damping element prior to sharpening of the at least one punching line; and subsequently, sharpening the at least one punching line.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, in the step of applying, the at least one damping element is applied to a punching sheet blank, the method further comprising exposing the punching sheet blank subsequent to the step of applying the at least one damping element.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein, in the step of applying, the at least one damping element is applied by a spray-on method.

Description

[0024] Further advantages and details of the invention can be taken from the following figure description. It is shown, schematically illustrated, in:

[0025] FIG. 1 a device according to the prior art;

[0026] FIG. 2 a further example of the prior art;

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 further prior art;

[0028] FIG. 5 an article according to the invention.

[0029] Individual technical features of the embodiments described in the following can also be combined, in combination with the afore described embodiments as well as the features of the independent claims and possible further claims, to subject matter according to the invention. If meaningful, elements that are functionally acting the same are provided with identical reference characters.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the prior art, a punching sheet 1 comprises a base sheet 2 that in FIG. 1 is oriented with its top face facing downwardly. In FIG. 1, a bottom or back face 3 is illustrated facing up. At the top face, a punching line 4 is arranged. The latter punches a two-layer tag material 6 which is arranged on a carrier material 7. Visible is the compression of the carrier material 7 in which a bottom edge 8 of the punching line remains substantially intact.

[0031] A further punching process according to the prior art is disclosed in FIG. 2. Here, a punching sheet 1 of in principle identical configuration punches a material web for producing in-mould labels. They are constructed of a multi-layer in-mould label material 10 wherein here a lower web 9 is illustrated thicker in relation to the further layers of the in-mould label material 10. This material 10 is to be punched through with exception of the layer 9. The last film layer 9 is meant to rupture due to the punching pressure which is illustrated by the zigzag line 11 in the enlarged illustration A of FIG. 2. It is attempted to avoid punching through in order to prevent the punching edge from impacting on a counterpart punching cylinder 12 and to thereby increase the service life of the punching sheet.

[0032] In FIGS. 3 and 4, two further scenarios of the prior art are illustrated. Both are disadvantageous. The punching sheet 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises cutting edges 8, some of which have a different spacing from the base sheet 2. The cutting or punching lines 4 have a different height. These differences result in particular from tolerances during engraving of the punching lines 4.

[0033] While the two outer punching edges 8, in FIG. 3 to the left and to the right, punch all the way through to a counterpart punching cylinder 12 and in this context remain however free of any damage, the two central punching edges 4 are more flat and incompletely punch the material 13 to be punched. In the case that due to these tolerances the spacing between magnet or punching cylinder and counterpart punching cylinder 12 are reduced, the outer punching lines become greatly blunt because they impact too strongly on the counterpart punching cylinder 12. The material to be punched is squeezed and no longer punched. The punching result is unsatisfactory, as in case of FIG. 3.

[0034] According to the invention, it is provided that an elastically deformable damping material 14 in the form of a back face layer or coating of the base sheet 2 is provided (FIG. 5). The two taller outer punching edges 8 impact earlier on the counter part punching cylinder 12 than the punching lines at the center which are less tall (in FIG. 5, the two central punching lines 4). However, the layer which is arranged on the bottom face of the base sheet 2 is now compressed so that the punching edges 8 of the two central punching lines 4, where the region of the damping element 14 provided at the back face is not compressed or only less strongly compressed, can punch also. The module of elasticity of the back face coating is adjusted such that the punching edges 8 punch the material 13 to be punched but, upon impacting on the punching cylinder 12, the damping element 14 is compressed prior to the the outer punching edges 8 becoming damaged. The punching sheet 1 can thus be employed for a long period of time.