PROCEDURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PRINTED PRE-PACKED PACKAGES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT.

Description

D. TITLE proposed class |six / cl / sd) 1 IIII group / subgroup l II 1 / LIII ! PROCEDURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PREPASTED AND RELATED dAnonLinb / ione 5lw<1ii' by appiHleiìeii? I cop II iR (prov) LI I chapter LIIIIII (prilli) L EQUIPMENT ADVANCE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC: If 1 1 NO l 1 IF OATA INSTANCE 1. ι Ι / ί ι 1 / 1 1 E Nr PROTOCOL L 1 1 l 1 1 1 E DESIGNATED INVENTORIES i) LOZ name and name Lgnome 13) name 2) 1 1 4) 1 F PRIORITY nation u 01 ^anizzazicme type of piioiitat number of applications) from» of deposit HI «gain S / R SCIOGLIMENTO RESERVE Date N Protocol υ 1 ISRAELE 1 D. INV. 1 1107990 ι Li 6\i Li 21 / 119931 Ri ( ι 1 / L. ι 1 / L ι l / l ι ι ι ι ι ι 1 2) L 1 L 1 1 1 1.1 l / L 1 l / l 1 ι 1 ι 1 L / L. ι 1 / L. ι 1 / L ι ι ι ι .ι ι 1 G MICROORGANIS CULTURE COLLECTION SKILL CENTER, denotrinarione I H. SPECIAL ANNOTATIONS < none ​ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION Oor 1) N es 11' L,pmv 1 n pag AO1 Om: ?) LI [prov 1 n.tav 061 Dot 31 01 , b / ' Dot 4) 0 L. mS 1 Dm: S) 0 L 4 Dm 6) 0 IL rie I Due 71 0: summary with detailed drawing, descriptions and annotations (1 copy required)...... drawing {mandatory if cited I desininone, 1 copy ...................... Icon of assignment. Ρ&ΛΛ Xì&lXX XX................................. designa / iont imnloie................................ ............. priority documents with Italian translation ................... authorization or deed of transfer .... full name of the ncliirdprtfe Bj alleslHti of voittmiimta. total; one hundred and sixty-five lire nquem IA a 9) nia'che da brilln per alisslalo di bievetln di tire I=— COMPLETED II I 6l / ll 2l / l 993 I SIGNATURE OF THE APPLICANT (l| I continue to be NO DET PRESENT ATEO IS REQUIRED AUT ENTIC COPY IF / ND iS I UFEICIO PHD VINCI ALE INEr, COMM ARI. DI L VE UBALE OF DEPOSIT NUMt RO OF APPLICATION the year) milimmenUi I ninety-three I. the joint ! sed ic i RM93A 0008.30 SCIOGUMiNW RESERVE Given N ' PlQlQCOtlo L. ι 1 / L i 1 / L. 1 l / l 1 1 1 1 1 1 l / l 1 1 / L ι 1 / L ι ι ι ι ι L. ι 1 / L ι 1 / L 1 1 / L L ι l / l ι 1 / L. 1 l / l IIII 1 ] mandatory1mandato} Ollberto Tonon , I, tfd mese di di cembr e itti· Iicluednirteii; exppiai'ldii:ati>[i) trafilarli, a) presemelo to me sdllosrritto the predilla doiPurtila, pprtp^ita of ri 100 lots· PiD'imtiri for the concession of the breaetln sripiaiiprotrilii It DEPOSITANTE RM95 A 000830 SUMMARY INVENTION WITH DRAWINGS APPLICATION NO. PATENT NO. SIB 90283 18182 PROSPECTUS A PRINCIPAL, DESCRIPTION AND REV. REG.A DATE OF DEP. 1 6 Die. 1993 DATE RELIED D. TITLE PROCEDURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PRINTED PRE-PACKED PACKAGES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT SUMMARY A method for manufacturing printed prepackaged products comprising the steps of: print multiple pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate in a side-by-side laminated format; separate the continuous substrate into sheets of coupled pre-packaged sheets as they move along a first axis of movement; separate and fold the individual pre-packaged items; after separation and folding, move the individual folded pre-packaged items along a second axis of movement generally perpendicular to the first axis of movement; and seal the individual folded pre-packaged items as they are moved along the second axis ί axis of movement. The equipment for carrying out the method is also described. FIG. 1 RM93 A 000830 SIB 90283 18182 DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled: PROCEDURE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PRE-PACKED PACKAGES PRINTED MATERIALS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT from the Israeli company BE'ERI PRINTERS based in DN NEGEV (ISRAEL) DESCRIPTION FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus and processes for the production of printed mailers. TECHNICAL BASIS OF THE INVENTION A wide variety of printed prepackaged products are known in the prior art and in the patent literature. The following patents are exemplary of the prior art: French patents 223,314; 893,657; 922,257; 955,114; British patents 6078 of 1911; 15215 of 1900; 11831 of 1901; 164,150 of 1920; published British patent applications 2016372; 2099371; Czechoslovakian patent 76578 from 1917; Swiss patents 233314; 238155 and 551290; German patent 114644; patent description on public display German Patent No. DE 3038687; U.S. Patents 1,794,223; 1,803,704; 1,946,751; 2,138,250; 2,270,455; 3,124,300; 3,126,148; 3,255,952; 3,718,277; 3,406,894; 3,726,061; 3,726,471; 3,884,745; 3,908,892; 3,995,808; 3,998,138; 3,995,808; 4,033,807; 4,063,398; 4,418,865; 4,428,526; 4,551,188 and Israeli patents 68928 and 75792 of the present applicants / assignees. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to providing improved apparatus and techniques for the manufacture of printed prepackaged products. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for the manufacture of printed prepackaged products comprising the steps of: printing a plurality of pre-packaged items on a continuous substrate in a side-by-side laminated format; ' separating the continuous substrate into sheets of laminated pre-packaged items as they move along a first axis of motion; separate and fold the individual pre-packaged items; following separation and folding, move the individual folded pre-packaged items along a second axis of movement generally perpendicular to the first axis of movement; and seal the individual folded pre-packaged items as they are moved along the second axis of movement. Preferably, after separation and folding and before the movement phase, one of the pre-packaged items is temporarily braked, while the other is moved along the second movement axis. Also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products comprising the steps of: print a multiplicity of pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate; after printing, cut the pre-packaged products with a die to define at least one sealing wing; separate and fold the pre-packaged items; after separation and folding, seal the pre-packaged items by rotating at least one sealing wing. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing pre-packaged products comprising the steps of: print a multiplicity of pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate; separate the multiplicity of pre-packaged items from each other; fold the pre-packaged items; following separation and folding, seal the pre-packaged products by rotating at least one sealing wing, characterised by the fact that the * sealing phase is performed more quickly than the folding phase and the folding phase is performed more quickly than the separation phase. According to a preferred embodiment, during the sealing phase, the pre-packaged product is at least partially raised to allow the wing to rotate. Still according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, during the sealing movement, the pre-packaged product is engaged by straps from above and below. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for the manufacture of printed pre-packaged products comprising: an apparatus for printing a plurality of pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate in a side-by-side laminated format; an apparatus for separating the continuous substrate into sheets of coupled pre-packaged sheets as these move along a first axis of travel; a device for separating sheets into individual pre-packaged items; a device for folding single pre-packaged packages; an apparatus operative after separation and folding to move the individual folded prepackaged products along a second axis of travel generally perpendicular to the first axis of travel; and an apparatus for sealing the individual folded prepackaged products as they are moved along the second axis of travel. Preferably, the moving apparatus includes apparatus operative after the separation and folding before the moving to temporarily brake one of the pair of pre-packaged items while the other is moved along the second moving axis. Also provided according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products comprising: a device for die-cutting printed pre-packaged products to define at least one sealing wing; an apparatus for separating and folding pre-packaged products; and an apparatus for sealing the pre-packaged products by rotating at least one sealing wing. Additionally, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products is provided, comprising: an apparatus for printing a plurality of pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate; an apparatus for separating multiple pre-packaged products from one another; a device for folding pre-packaged goods; a device for sealing pre-packaged products by rotating at least one sealing wing; characterized by the fact that the sealing phase is performed more quickly than the folding phase and the folding phase is performed more quickly than the separating phase. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing apparatus comprises apparatus for at least partially lifting the prepackaged product to allow rotation of the wing. Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a moving apparatus operable in association with the sealing apparatus and comprising upper and lower straps for engaging the prepackaged product from above and below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully appreciated and understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A and 2B are respective simplified side and top view illustrations of a first part of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 2C is a detailed illustration of part of the apparatus shown in Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 2D is a side view of a folded pre-bagged product produced at an intermediate stage of operation of the apparatus of Figures 2A and 2B; Figures 3A and 3B are simplified side and top view illustrations, respectively, of a second portion of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a simplified illustration of a control system useful in the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A FORM OF FAVORITE CREATION Refer now to Figure 1, which is a simplified block diagram illustration of an apparatus for manufacturing printed prepackaged products according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of Figure 1 comprises an apparatus 10 for printing a plurality of prepackaged products on a continuous substrate, preferably in a laterally arranged format. Alternatively, more than two prepackaged products may be provided in a laterally arranged format, or a single strip of prepackaged products. Apparatus 10 may be entirely conventional and may include high-speed color sheet-fed printing equipment as well as customized printing equipment such as high-speed laser or inkjet printing equipment that provides digital-style printing. Apparatus 10 may be located remotely from the rest of the apparatus of Figure 1. The printed material produced by apparatus 10, typically in the form of a continuous web 11 of substrate, such as printed paper to define a plurality of pre-packaged products arranged in a coupled format side by side, is fed to die cutting apparatus 12, which is operative to define at least one sealing wing as well as the desired perforations. Downstream of the die cutting apparatus 12, the continuous strip moves along a first axis of movement, indicated by the reference number 14 towards the sheet cutting apparatus 16, which typically comprises a sheet cutter for transversely dividing the strip 11 into sheets 20 each carrying a pair of pre-packaged items on it and for cutting the margins of these, so as to define trimmed sheets each containing a pair of pre-packaged items. Downstream of the sheet-cutting apparatus 16 along axis 14, the sheets pass into a gluing station 22 where glue is applied at predetermined locations to each prepackaged item. Downstream of the gluing station 2, the sheets enter a folding machine 24 and a longitudinal cutting assembly 24, which first folds the sheets and then separates them along an axis parallel to the first axis of travel into two individual folded prepackaged items 28. The prepackaged items 28 move along axis 14 along a conveyor 30 engaged with a conveyor 32, which extends along a second axis of travel in a direction designated by reference numeral 34, and which is typically perpendicular to axis 14. It is a particular feature of the present invention that as a result of the 90° displacement in the direction of travel, * no rotation of the pre-packaged products is necessary between the folding step and the sealing steps that follow. It is also a particular feature of the present invention that a braking device 36 is provided to temporarily restrain the movement of one of the two coupled pre-packaged items along the axis 34, so as to increase the spacing between them. The individual pre-packaged items move along a second axis of travel in the direction 34 toward a two-stage sealing assembly 38, the structure and operation of which will be described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. After sealing, the individual pre-packaged items may be stacked and shipped. Refer now to Figures 2A and 2B, which are simplified side and top views, respectively, of a first portion of the apparatus of Figure 1, as well as Figures 2C and 2D. As can be seen in Figures 2A and 2B, a plurality of prepackaged products printed on a continuous substrate with any known printing process, in a side-by-side laminated format, are arranged in a stack 50, which is typically fan-folded as shown. The continuous printed substrate, designated by reference numeral 52, typically a paper strip, is fed to die cutting apparatus 12 (Figure 1), which is operative to define at least one sealing wing 54 on each prepackaged product. Die cutting apparatus 12 is typically a free-running machine. Downstream of the die-cutting apparatus 12, the die-cut continuous strip, now identified by the reference numeral 56, is engaged by a paper conveyor 58, which transports the strip 46 in a direction 57 along a first axis 59 of travel through the die-cutting apparatus 12 from the stack 50 and which is controlled by a central control unit 60. The strip 56 is processed by a pair of edge-cutting devices 62, which remove perforated edges from the strip 56, and by a transverse sheet cutter 64, which divides the strip 56 into a plurality of successive sheets 65, each containing a pair of interconnected printed prepackages 70. Downstream of the cutter 64, the sheets 65 are supported and moved in the direction 57 on a set of conveyor rollers 72 and are observed by a photoelectric sensor 74 which senses the leading edge of each sheet 65. In response to an output from the photoelectric sensor 74 and a speed sensor 75, a sizing control unit 76 actuates a sizing dispenser 78 to apply glue from a glue reservoir 80 to locations on each prepackaged product. These locations typically include portions of the longitudinal edges of the prepackaged product and are determined by the sizing control unit 76. Using inputs from sensors 74 and 75, the sizing control unit 76 is operative to precisely control the application of glue regardless of the speed of travel of the sheets 65 on the conveyor rollers 72. Downstream of dispenser 78, sheets 65 enter a paper folder 82, which folds the sheets 65 into joined and folded paired prepackaged items 84 (Figure 2D). Downstream of paper folder 82, the joined and folded prepackaged items 84 are processed by a folded prepackaged item cutter 86 which cuts each folded sheet along an axis parallel to axis 59 to produce a pair of folded and separated prepackaged items 88. The prepackaged items 88 move along axis 59 along a conveyor 90 via a braking mechanism 92, which temporarily brakes one of the pair of prepackaged items 88 so that the individual prepackaged items follow each other along conveyor 90. A typical braking mechanism is shown in FIG. 2C. Conveyor 90 brings the folded individual prepackaged items 88 into engagement with a conveyor 93, which extends along a second axis of travel designated by reference numeral 94, and which is preferably perpendicular to axis 59. It is a particular feature of the present invention that, as a result of the 90° movement in the directions of travel, no rotation of the pre-packaged items is necessary between the folding step and the sealing steps that follow. A stop element 97 prevents the pre-packaged items 88 from continuing along the axis 59 and forces the pre-packaged items 88 to continue their movement in a 90° rotation along the axis 94. The individual pre-packaged packages move along axis 94 toward the two-stage sealing assembly 38, the structure and operation of which will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, it can be seen that each folded prepackaged item 88 is transported through a sealing assembly 38 by means of first and second transport belts 100 and 102 underlying each folded prepackaged item. A third transport belt 104, extending along the combined extensions of belts 100 and 102, engages each folded prepackaged item from above. Initially, the folded prepackaged item 88 is oriented with a primary wing portion 106 and a secondary wing portion 108, cut from the primary wing portion 106 by the die cutter 12 (FIGS. 2A and 2B), both facing upward, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 3A in reference to the numeral 107. Initially, an air blower 109 blows air onto the primary wing portion 106 to cause it to lift slightly upward so that, as a result of continued movement of the prepackaged product 88 in the direction 34, the tip of a first guide member 110 can enter between the primary wing portion 106 and the surface 112 of the underlying prepackaged product. Simultaneously, a second guide member 113 holds the secondary wing portion 108 against lifting. Continued movement of the prepack 84 in the direction 34 into engagement with the first guide member 110 so that the primary wing portion 106 is partially or completely folded back, as shown by reference numeral 114. The secondary wing portion 108 is restrained from lift-off by a third guide member 116 and the prepack surface 112, and the remainder of the prepack is restrained against the belt 100 by a fourth guide member 118. The photoelectric sensor 120 and a speed sensor 122 sense the position and velocity of the prepack and provide outputs to a glue dispensing control unit 124, which actuates a glue dispenser 126 to apply glue to predetermined locations on the surface 112, including the upward-facing surface 127 in the secondary wing portion 108 and typically also on the surface 112. Photoelectric sensor 120 is positioned such that if the main wing portion 106 fails to fold for any reason, the main wing portion 106 will not pass under sensor 120 and will not be dispensed with glue. This prevents unnecessary waste of improperly glued pre-bagged products. Continued movement of the pre-packaged product 88 in the direction 34 downstream of the glue dispenser 126 brings the pre-packaged product into operative engagement with a second air blower 128 which causes the secondary wing portion 108 to rise slightly so that during continued movement of the pre-packaged product 88 in the direction 34, a fifth guide member 130 comes to be positioned between the secondary wing portion 108 and the surface 112. Continued movement of the pre-packaged element 88 in the direction 34 with the guide element 130 in said engagement therewith, causes the secondary wing portion 108 to be folded back typically under a 90° angle, as indicated by the reference numeral 132, while a sixth guide element 134 is provided beneath the primary wing portion 106. * Continued movement of the pre-packaged part 88 into engagement with the sixth guide member 134 causes the primary wing portion 106 to be folded back onto the sealing engagement surface 112 adjacent thereto. During this folding, the secondary wing portion 108 is held against a similar folding by engagement with a seventh guide member 130 disposed above it. As the prepackaged product 88 continues to move into engagement with the guide member, an eighth guide member 138 engages the prepackaged product 88 from below at a location between belts 100 and 102, designated by reference numeral 139, thereby slightly lifting the guide member from belt 102. At the same time, engagement of the secondary wing portion 108 with the guide member 106 causes the secondary wing portion to be further folded into snug engagement with the surface 137 of the pre-wrapped envelope 88 that faces the belt 102. It will be understood that the overall bending motion of the secondary wing part 108 is approximately 360° and that this last part of this * movement is made possible by lifting the pre-packaged element 88. The guide element 129 helps to keep the pre-packaged product in line during this movement. Further movement of the prepackaged product in direction 34 brings the prepackaged product into engagement with a pressure sealer 140 which forcefully presses the secondary wing portion 108 against the surface 137 for a uniform and complete seal thereon. Rollers 145 further press against the surface 137, thereby completing the sealing and manufacturing process. Conveyor belts 102 and 104 carry the completed prepackaged product into engagement with a pair of rollers 106 which direct the prepackaged product to storage or stacking equipment. Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates a control system useful in the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The control system preferably comprises a central control unit 200, such as a microcontroller, which receives inputs from photoelectric sensors 210, which are strategically placed to monitor the process and typically include photoelectric sensors 120, and from speed sensors 122, and which provide control outputs to conveyors 100 and 102, paper folders 82, conveyor 90, sheet cutter 64, edge cutters 62, and die cutter 12. Photoelectric sensors 210 and speed sensor 122 provide information to the central control unit 200 regarding the advancement of the sheets and pre-packaged items. This information indicates the amount of time actually elapsed during each phase of the process and is compared by the central control unit 200 with predetermined values for each phase. A preset difference between the actual elapsed time and the preset values indicates a jam and causes the central control unit 200 to stop operation of the equipment. It is a particular feature of the present invention that the control system causes subsequent functions to occur more quickly than previous functions, so as to avoid jamming in many cases. * For example, referring to Figure 4, the speed IV of the conveyors 100 and 102 is greater than the speed III of the paper folds 82 and conveyor 90 so as to increase the spacing between adjacent prepacks. In considering the apparatus and method described above, it should be understood that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the die-cutting device 12 may be eliminated, thereby eliminating the need for a secondary flap portion. In this case, the pre-packaged product is folded and glued together without the use of secondary flaps. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly illustrated and described above. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims that follow. OUberto Tonon tl*ca Register n. 83) RM°3 A 00083(1

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of manufacturing printed prepackaged products comprising the steps of: printing a plurality of prepackaged products on a continuous substrate in a side-by-side laminated format; separating the continuous substrate into sheets of laminated prepackaged products as they move along a first axis of motion; separating and folding the individual prepackaged products; following separation and folding, moving the individual folded prepackaged products along a second axis of motion generally perpendicular to the first axis of motion; and sealing the individual folded prepackaged products as they are moved along the second axis of motion.

2. A method according to claim 1 and wherein after separation and folding and before the moving phase, one of the pre-packaged items is temporarily braked, while the other is moved along the second movement axis.

3. A method for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products comprising the steps of: printing a plurality of pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate; following printing, cutting the pre-packaged products with a die to define at least one sealing wing; separating and folding the pre-packaged products; following separation and folding, sealing the pre-packaged products by rotating the at least one sealing wing.

4. A method for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products * comprising the steps of: printing a plurality of pre-packaged products on a continuous substrate; separating the plurality of pre-packaged products from one another; folding the pre-packaged products; following separation and folding, sealing the pre-packaged products by rotating the at least one sealing wing, characterised in that the sealing step is performed more quickly than the folding step and the folding step is performed more quickly than the separating step.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein during the sealing step, the pre-packaged product is at least partially lifted to allow rotation of the wing.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims and wherein during the moving and sealing, the pre-packaged product is engaged by straps from above and below.

7. Apparatus for the manufacture of printed prepackaged products comprising: apparatus for printing a plurality of prepackaged products on a continuous substrate in a side-by-side laminated format; apparatus for separating the continuous substrate into sheets of laminated prepackaged products as they move along a first axis of travel; apparatus for separating the sheets into individual prepackaged products; apparatus for folding the individual prepackaged products; apparatus operative after separation and folding to move the individual folded prepackaged products along a second axis of travel generally perpendicular to the first axis of travel; and apparatus for sealing the individual folded prepackaged products as they are moved along the second axis of travel.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, and wherein the moving apparatus comprises apparatus operative after separation and folding and before moving to temporarily brake one of the pair of pre-packaged items while the other is moved along the second axis of movement.

9. Apparatus for manufacturing printed prepackaged products comprising: die-cutting printed prepackaged products to define at least one sealing wing; apparatus for separating and folding the prepackaged products; and apparatus for sealing the prepackaged products by rotating the at least one sealing wing.

10. Apparatus for manufacturing printed pre-packaged products comprising: an apparatus for folding the pre-packaged products; an apparatus for sealing the pre-packaged products by rotating at least one sealing wing; characterised in that the sealing step is performed more quickly than the folding step and the folding step is performed more quickly than the separating step.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, and wherein the sealing apparatus comprises apparatus for at least partially lifting the pre-packaged product to allow rotation of the wing.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 11, and further comprising a moving apparatus operative in association with the sealing apparatus and comprising upper and lower straps for engaging the prepackaged product from above and below.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 12 substantially as illustrated in any of the drawings.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 12 substantially as previously described.

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, substantially as illustrated in any of the drawings.

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, substantially as previously described. pp BE'ERI PRINTERS «ι ο RM95A 000830 pp .BE'ERI PRINTERS lo lonon OUter, (hcr. Albo n. 63) ti RM * A π no 8 SOS RMS5 A 000830 ÓJ tn RM°3A 00085$ ppBI'EM PKliOUJS RM-S A 000630 ^84