Patent US3997052A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3997052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for fabrication of communicative buttons and buttons made thereby
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-12-02
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Granted: 1976-12-14
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Expires: 1994-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for fabrication of a relatively low cost display or communicative novelty button in which a consumable restrictor sheet is placed over a vacuum draw type female mold cavity. The restrictor sheet may be of cardboard and be apertured with a diameter smaller than the mold cavity diameter. A thermoplastic sheet material is then placed over the restrictor sheet, heated to reach a formable state and vacuum drawn through the restricted aperture and down so that the sheet comes into contact with and generally conforms to the desired shape defined by the mold cavity. The plastic sheet material may then be trimmed near the edge of the restrictor sheet to leave a button shell mounted on a restrictor sheet which may then be used for purposes of display. The restrictor sheet also enables fabrication with an inwardly facing peripheral groove that may be used to secure a pin fastener. An alternate form of fastener in which a portion of the remaining plastic sheet is used is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert W. Eddy
- 👤 Roger W. Lyngklip
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:40
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/12; A; A44; A44B; A44B1/00; A44B1/04; A44B1/06; A44B7/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/36; Y10T24/3649; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49805; Y10T29/49806; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of constructing molded decorative buttons removably secured to a consumable sheet, using a mold with a plurality of female cavities therein, each having a substantially planar surface surrounding said cavity edge, a rigid restrictor sheet having a plurality of apertures therein, each being smaller than that defined by an edge of an associated cavity, and a sheet of thermoplastic material, comprising the steps of: a. placing said restrictor sheet with a first side thereof in contact with the mold surface with the apertures thereof centrally positioned over said cavities; b. placing said sheet of thermoplastic material in contact over the other side of said restrictor sheet with portions thereof completely covering said apertures; c. heating said thermoplastic material to a moldable state; d. developing a pressure differential above and below said thermoplastic material over said apertures to cause said material to be forced through said apertures into said cavities and into contact with the walls of said cavities and portions of said restrictor sheet, whereby shells having peripheral inwardly facing grooves adjacent the first side of said restrictor sheet are formed in said cavities; e. removing said restrictor sheet and molded material from said cavities; and f. trimming unmolded plastic material on the other side of said restrictor sheet from between said shells to form said buttons removably secured to said consumable sheet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of constructing molded decorative buttons removably secured to a consumable sheet, using a mold with a plurality of female cavities therein, each having a substantially planar surface surrounding said cavity edge, a rigid restrictor sheet having a plurality of apertures therein, each being smaller than that defined by an edge of an associated cavity, and a sheet of thermoplastic material, comprising the steps of: a. placing said restrictor sheet with a first side thereof in contact with the mold surface with the apertures thereof centrally positioned over said cavities; b. placing said sheet of thermoplastic material in contact over the other side of said restrictor sheet with portions thereof completely covering said apertures; c. heating said thermoplastic material to a moldable state; d. developing a pressure differential above and below said thermoplastic material over said apertures to cause said material to be forced through said apertures into said cavities and into contact with the walls of said cavities and portions of said restrictor sheet, whereby shells having peripheral inwardly facing grooves adjacent the first side of said restrictor sheet are formed in said cavities; e. removing said restrictor sheet and molded material from said cavities; and f. trimming unmolded plastic material on the other side of said restrictor sheet from between said shells to form said buttons removably secured to said consumable sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of inserting within said inwardly facing peripheral grooves resilient wire pins each having an arcuate peripheral mounting portion connected to a diametrical shank portion having a sharpened end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said restrictive apertures has a notch therein so that in molding, an escapement notch is provided for entry of said sharpened end into said peripheral groove of the associated shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of trimming unmolded plastic sheet material includes the substep of cutting from said material at least one cross member fastener having arcuate ends and a length exceeding the diameter of one of said inwardly facing peripheral grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 further including the substep of making a perforated cut between said shell and said fastener to effect detachable securing therebetween, whereby a one piece button shell-fastener assembly is attained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cavities have substantially cylindrical rim walls adjacent said edge and flat inwardly directed shoulders contiguous to said rim walls to aid in definition of said groove and to provide structural strength for said shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said restrictor sheet apertures are substantially circular in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said apertures have a diameter approximately three-sixteenths inch less than that of the rim walls, said restrictor sheet is fabricated of cardboard approximately 0.018 thick and said thermoplastic material is polystyrene approximately 0.020 thick before the molding step is performed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said restrictor sheet apertures has a notch therein to allow formation of an escapement notch defined in said shell to permit entry and release of a pin fastener shank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product of the process as set forth in claim 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product of the process as set forth in claim 2.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product of the process as set forth in claim 3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product of the process as set forth in claim 4.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The product of the process as set forth in claim 5.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-14 | 1980-06-14 | 1980-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-14 | 1984-06-14 | 1984-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-14 | 1988-06-14 | 1988-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |