DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of measurement of paper dimensions. The present invention particular relates to measuring and counting flutes of corrugated fiberboards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Corrugated fiberboard is the most widely used secondary packaging material. Corrugated fiberboard is made by gluing a flat sheet of paper to a corrugated (fluting) sheet of paper. The waves are known as fluting, and each individu¬al wave is a flute. Corrugated fiberboards are usually made of kraft paper. The differences in corrugated boards are based on ‘flute’ size. Flute size refers to the number of flutes per 30 cm.
[0003] A liner, a flute medium, and an adhesive are the three basic components of corrugated board. Liner or facing material is generally made up of kraft paper. Liner acts as a support body to the corrugated board. The fluting medium is one-ply sheet produced from recycled and/or virgin fiber.
[0004] As shown in TABLE 1 below, A (Broad), B (Narrow) and C (Medium) are three different flute sizes or flute profiles.
[0005] A flute imparts high compression strength and acts as a cushion pads et cetera.
If the corrugated fiberboard is lined to one side, the boards called as single face board. Double wall fluted boards (two fluted medium plies and three liner plies) are used for heavier or more bulky products. Whereas, triple-wall (three fluted medium plies and four liner plies) are used for heavy-duty applications.

TABLE 1
Flute profile Flutes/30 cm Height(mm) No of flutes Pitch range(mm)

A 32-38 4.2- 4.6 32 9.37
33 9.09
34 8.82
35 8.57
36 8.33
37 8.10
38 7.89

B 50-56 2.2- 2.8 49 6.12
50 6.00
51 5.88
52 5.76
53 5.66
54 5.55
55 5.45
56 5.35

C 36-43 3.5- 3.7 36 8.33
37 8.10
38 7.89
39 7.69
40 7.5
41 7.31
42 7.14
43 6.97

[0006] The flute size is the number of flutes per 30 cm. The practice of measuring the number of flutes is a more reliable method of identifying flute size than measuring board thickness, which may vary due to manufacturing conditions.
At present the flute identification test is conducted as per the Indian Standard 2771-1 (IS 2771-1) prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. As per this flute identification test a 30 cm area is marked over the box made from 3 ply, 5 ply, 7 ply of paper and the number of flutes is counted. The height of corrugations, exclusive of liner is measured. The number of flutes per 30 cm, height of corrugations, values are matched with Indian standard specifications, and the profile of the flute is determined.
[0007] However, the above-mentioned requires more time and efforts. Additional instruments, such as, for example a measuring scale and a Vernier caliper, are required. Further, the method requires frequent writing of data and manual calculation which increases the chances error.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for innovation that provides immediate results and minimizes chances of error at the same time. What is needed is a tool that determines the height and the number of flutes for instant identification of the fluted board. What is further needed is a tool that can perform the task of measuring, determining and identifying the flute board characteristics and specifications anywhere, without any need for any additional set-up.
[0009] What is proposed a new tool for analysis of corrugations in the corrugated box as an improvement in the existing process. The new tool is proposed to replace the present method of identification of flutes which is cumbersome. There is a lack of tool measure the flute specification and the present invention proposed to fulfill this particular need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A measurement tool for fluted board [100] is disclosed. The tool has solid base [102]. The solid base has front panel [104] that has measurement markings [106] and a narrow attachment panel [108]. A plurality of measuring spikes [110] are implanted on the narrow attachment panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front of a measurement tool for fluted boards in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the measurement tool for fluted boards in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of single wall fluted board;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of s double wall fluted board;
FIG. 5 is a view of a fluted board exemplifying a single flute;
FIG. 6 illustrates a flute size of a fluted board; and
FIGS.7-10 illustrate steps involved in measuring specifications of the flute board in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a measurement tool for fluted board [100] having a plurality of measuring spikes that are facilitated to be inserted into corrugated flutes to measure fluted board specifications is described in detail.
The measurement tool for fluted boards [100] has a solid base [102]. The solid base has front panel 104 that has a measurement scale [106] and a narrow attachment panel [108]. A plurality of measuring spikes [110] are implanted on the narrow attachment panel [108].
[0013] The solid base [102] is flat piece of hard material with a row of spikes [110] that are placed at a perpendicular angle to the base [102]. The solid base [102] acts as a rigid support to the tool and helps hold the arrangement in place. The distance or pitch [112] between the teeth varies according to the profile of the flute to be checked. A measuring scale [114] is attached beneath the plurality of spikes [110] to assist in distance measurement.
[0014] The measurement tool for fluted board [100] is handy and can be easily carried from one place to another. The marking at the tip of the spikes [116] is provided to determine the height of the flute. The diameter of the spikes [116] is fixed according to the height of the flute [130].
[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, the single wall fluted board [118] is lined to one side [120] and is called as single face board. Referring to FIG. 4, the double wall fluted board [122] has two fluted medium plies [124] and three liner plies [126]. Referring to FIGS 5 and 6, fluting [128] is explained. The waves are known as fluting [128] and each individual wave is a flute [130]. The flute size or flute profile is defined by the width of the flute [132] and height of the flute [134].
[0016] Size ‘A’ flute or flute profile ‘A’ is generally used where high compression strength is required. Flute profile ‘A’ is the largest with 32-38 flutes [130] per 30 cm. The height [134] of the ‘A’ flute is 4.2 to 4.6 mm. The pitch of the ‘A’ flute ranges from 7.89 mm to 9.37 mm.
[0017] ‘B’ flute or flute profile ‘B’ is used where good puncture resistance and compression strength is required. ‘B’ flute is also preferred for high speed, automatic packing lines and for pads, dividers, partitions and other forms of inner packing. The number of flutes [130] for ‘B’ flute ranges from 50-56 flutes per 30 cm. The height [134] of the ‘B’ flute ranges from 2.2 to 2.8 mm. Pitch distance ranges from 5.35 mm to 6.12 mm.
[0018] ‘C’ flute or flute profile ‘C’ is the intermediate flute between ‘A’ and ‘B’, and used where good stacking strength is required. ‘C’ flute is thinner than ‘A’ flute and thicker than ‘B’ flute. ‘C’ flute is by far the mostly used flute size. The number of flutes [130] for ‘C’ flute ranges from 36-43 flutes per 30 cm. The height [134] ranges from 3.5 to 3.7 mm. Pitch distance for ‘C’ flute is 6.93 mm to 8.33 mm.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 9-12, the method to measure specifications of a fluted board in accordance with the present invention is explained. The measurement tool for fluted boards [100] is set according to the different pitch ranges for the flutes (Table 1). The plurality of spikes [110] of the tool [100] are inserted one-by-one inside the inside the corrugated flutes [130] of a corrugated board [136]. When each individual spike [110] of the tool [100] gets inserted properly inside the corrugations of the flute [130]. the flute is identified as per the pitch range and height.
[0020] In a single instrument (A, B or C flute identification tool) the spike range is between 17-20 which is fixed according to the pitch range set, to identify the flute type. The tolerance for individual spike [110] of the tool [100] is up to 30 %, i.e., above 70-75% of the spikes [110] should be inserted/fitted properly inside the corrugation of the flute [130]. Three sets of Individual measurement tools [100] are made with variation in pitch range and height for flutes [130] A, B, C flute for their identification.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A measurement tool [100] for fluted board comprising:
a solid base [102];
characterized in that, the solid base has front panel [104] and a narrow attachment panel [108] that has a measurement scale [106], wherein the narrow attachment panel [108] has a plurality of measuring spikes [110] are implanted on the panel [108]; and
wherein each individual spike [110] of the plurality of the measuring spikes [110] is advantageously facilitated inside the corrugations of the flute [130] to identify the pitch range and height.
2. The measurement tool [100] of claim 1, wherein the distance between the spikes [110] is adjusted and fixed as per the pitch range and height of corrugations of the flute [130].
3. A method for using the measurement tool [100] of claim 1, comprising the steps of:
1) selecting the measurement tool [100] according to pitch range of flutes;
2) inserting the plurality of spikes [110] of the tool [100] one-by-one inside the corrugated flutes [130] of the corrugated board [136], characterized by, inserting each individual spike [110] of the tool [100] inside the corrugations of the flute [130]; and
3) identifying the flute as per the pitch range and height.