US5486928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for manufactuing a stamp to emboss wire cloths in order to make watermarks and equipment to implement this method
Assignee: ArjoWiggins SAS
•
Filing: 1991-03-12
•
Granted: 1996-01-23
•
Expires: 2011-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A new process for making an embossing punch comprises the steps of: (a) the values of an image are put into numeric form; and, (b) the punch is automatically and directly engraved. The numeric image is converted into continuous control values for a path of an engraving tool over a continuous surface and the level curves of said surface are plotted to provide the continuous engraving path. One possible application is embossing fabrics for the manufacture of watermarked paper.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Doublet
- 👤 Claude Passebecq
- 👤 Etienne Bigot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/21; B; B44; B44B; B44B3/00; B44B3/009; B44B5/00; B44B5/02; B44B5/026; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/42; G05B19/4202; G05B19/4205; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for manufacturing an embossing stamp used to emboss wire cloths in the manufacture of watermarked paper, wherein values of an image are sensed and digitized, said values including positions of image dots and gray levels of these dots, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of associating a continuous three-dimensional surface with the digital image values and plotting elevation contour lines of this continuous surface, processing the elevation contour lines and deriving continuous control values for a path of an engraving tool, said path being continuous, and engraving the stamp in an automated manner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for manufacturing an embossing stamp used to emboss wire cloths in the manufacture of watermarked paper, wherein values of an image are sensed and digitized, said values including positions of image dots and gray levels of these dots, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of associating a continuous three-dimensional surface with the digital image values and plotting elevation contour lines of this continuous surface, processing the elevation contour lines and deriving continuous control values for a path of an engraving tool, said path being continuous, and engraving the stamp in an automated manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein from the derived continuous control values, an image is reconstituted which is composed of dots evincing variable gray levels, in that this image is interpreted and in that a modified image and corresponding values of the modified image are thus derived.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the modified image is printed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein contrasts and genuine or false colors are digitized, made anamorphic and are interpreted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the digitizing stage and the engraving stage take place at different and well spaced time intervals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital image values are memory-stored.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the values of the elevation contour lines are memory-stored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the values of an already extant image are sensed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an imaginary image is created.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image values are three-dimensional.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engraving path is made to correspond to the digital image values.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the values of the pixel digital images are transformed into a grid of dots defined by x,y coordinates and altitude z, the dots being associated with the gray levels of the pixels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a continuous and smoothed surface is associated to the grid of dots (x, y, z).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contour curve is obtained by smoothing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hues of the image (x, y, z) are modified by compression, expansion or by setting thresholds in view to exaggerate contrast.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method defined in claim 1, wherein parts are made one with another of a selected quantity by rolling a ball of a selected diameter to achieve a new surface from an original one.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein contours of the initial image are caricatured.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
84 words
Manufacturing equipment comprising means for sensing and digitizing image values which comprise positions of image dots and gray levels of the image dots, wherein the improvement comprises: means for associating a continuous three-dimensional surface to the digital image values, means for plotting elevation contour lines of this continuous surface, means for treating the elevation contour lines to derive continuous control values for a path of an engraving tool, said path being continuous, and means for directly engraving an embossing stamp in an automated manner.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
Manufacturing equipment comprising means for sensing and digitizing image values which comprise positions of image dots and gray levels of the image dots, wherein the improvement comprises: means for associating a continuous three-dimensional surface to the digital image values, means for plotting elevation contour lines of this continuous surface, means for treating the elevation contour lines to derive continuous control values for a path of an engraving tool, said path being continuous, and means for directly engraving an embossing stamp in an automated manner.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 18, which includes image display means and where called for image printing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 18, which includes means for modifying size and color of the image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 18, which includes an image-creation station and an engraving station that can operate independently of each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4178598A
Cited
US4385360A
Cited
US4575805A
Cited
US4972323A
Cited
US4970600A
Cited
US5088864A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-22 | 1999-07-24 | 2000-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | 2004-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-22 | 2007-07-24 | 2008-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |