The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 26, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 22, 2000
Ronald R. Smith, Kansas City, MO (US);
Scott A. Schimke, Lansing, KS (US);
Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, Kansas City, MO (US);
Abstract
A flexible counter for an embossing system provides resilient support under a sheet which opposes pressure from a contoured die forming an embossment in the sheet. The flexible counter includes a resilient mat and a fixed bolster which supports the mat. The bolster has peripheral walls which extend around sides of the mat so that an upper portion of the mat protrudes above the peripheral walls. In addition, the bolster includes a resilient bumper that bounds an upper portion of the mat. An upper edge of the bumper is about flush with an upper surface of the mat. The walls have a peripheral channel in which the bumper is disposed. The bumper is formed of a resilient material having higher rigidity than the mat, thereby controlling the flow and stretching behavior of the upper surface of the mat as compressed during an embossing operation.