| 摘要 |
A tear-resistant flexible hinge structure is placed between a pair of substantially rigid panels so as to permit the panels to be hinged one with respect to the other, where the flexible hinge is formed from a plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. The hinge structure is formed under heat and pressure so as to comprise at least three parallel rows of alternating flat and raised portions, in staggered relationship. This causes a structure whereby any rip or tear which starts in the formed flexible hinge cannot continue because it will encounter a discontinuity in the configuration and thickness of the material, which precludes further propagation of the rip or tear. Typically, after the hinge structure has been formed, it is configured in a semi-circular cross section, re-heated and cooled, so as to set and have a memory in its closed configuration as opposed to the originally pre-formed flat, open configuration.
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