AU612490B2

AU612490B2 - Improved means and method for producing covers, folders and the like

Info

Publication number: AU612490B2
Application number: AU36082/89A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Norman Bruce Madsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-06-07
Filing date: 1989-06-07
Publication date: 1991-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-07
Also published as: AU3608289A

Description

Form COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952-62 6 1 4 9 0 COMPLETE SPECIFICATIO

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: 0f C iqorit,: o U RelTted Art: 0 0000o Class Int. Class 0 0 0 0 Name of Applicant: o G o 00 Adaress of Applicant: 0 00 o oo 049 Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Address for Service: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT NORMAN BRUCE MADSEN 9 Maturin Road, Glenelg, State of South Australia, Commonwealth of Australia NORMAN BRUCE MADSEN Care of R.K. MADDERN ASSOCIATES, 345 King William Street, Adelaide, State of South Australia, Commonwealth of Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "IMPROVED MEANS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING COVERS, FOLDERS AND THE LIKE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

A001552 07/06/s9 -1- :7 U 1989 ct i FO 521J ZM 51, FB 0707.0 IM 4/02 i This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for producing covers, folders and the like of the type comprising a flexible panel, normally of cardboard, having a pair of score or crease lines defining a central spine flanked by front and rear panel portions, the spine having located therein an adhesive or binding strip for bonding sheets or pages inserted in the folder or cover to the inside of the spine. The invention specifically relates to the scoring of covers/folders, but can also be applied to printing and embossing of same.

It is well known to produce bookcovers, folders and the 00 0 0 0 o like of the aforementioned kind and in this regard reference is 0 00 0 o made to Australian Patent Specification Nos. 538680 and 550597 0000 both in the name of Bind-O-Matic AB which disclose a method 0000 0o0Sc. characterised in that the adhesive or binder strip is adhered 0000 to the spine of the folder or cover during the same work S 4 operation as the score or crease lines which define the spine are formed, whereby the binder strip can be exactly orientated between the score or crease lines thus formed. Whilst the method and apparatus described in the aforesaid Patent specifications are considered generally satisfactory, a drawback with such apparatus is the need to individually position (and subsequently individually remove) each cardboard blank on (or from) the base of the apparatus and the need 'Lo make appropriate adjustments to the aligning means on the base should the blanks vary in size.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for scoring cover/folder i

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blanks which overcomes the aforementioned problems and which enables cardboard blanks to be scored quickly and simply.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus which enables blanks of varying sizes and/or thickness to be handled without the need to carry out any adjustments thereto.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved scoring apparatus for scoring blanks for producing covers, folders and the like, which is of extremely simple design, inexpensive, and which allows the scoring o0 0 Scovers/folders.

o0 ooo In its broadest form, the present invention provides an 0 0 00 improved method of scoring a cardboard blank from which the S5' cover/folder is formed comprising the steps of feeding the 00 00 00 0 o blank vertically (or nearly so) into a press space formed oo0 between a fixed press plate and a movable press plate which is 00 0 0 00 0 movable horizontally towards and away from the fixed press plate, aligning the blank to a pre-determined approximately vertical position relative to scoring means carried on said movable press plate, closing the press plates together to thereby press the blank and the scoring means against each other to in turn form the score or crease lines in the blank, opening or separating the press plates after the completion of the scoring operation and finally allowing the scored blank to fall under its own weight from the press space.

Preferably, the blanks are allowed to fall under their own weight into the press space between the press plates of the press and are guided so as to orientate themselves in a 3 i vertical plane ready for the scoring operation. With this invention therefore, an operator is not required to manually align the blanks prior to the scoring operation nor physically remove the blanks from the press after the scoring operation, which is in contradistinction to prior art methods.

Preferably, there is provided an elongate slot above the press space to receive and guide the blanks thereinto. In another preferred arrangement, the blanks, after being scored, are guided by a curved track into a collection carton or box and hence can be packed automatically without manual handling.

In another aspect of this invention, improved apparatus 00 0 0 O0 for scoring a blank for producing a book cover/folder having at 0 0 0 0 o 2 least one pair of crease lines defining a spine, comprises o*oo 0 o00oo press means including a fixed vertically orientated press plate 00 S and a movable press plate movable horizontally towards and away 0 00 00 00 uo oo o o o from the fixed press plate, the press plates defining a press 0 0 0 0 space therebetween, said :Lovable press plate being provided 0 0 00 oooo Swith scoring means comprising vertically spaced scoring knives 00 Oprojecting horizontally, said fixed press plate co-operating with blank alignment and support means movable between extended in-use and retracted out-of-use positions for supporting, when in its in-use position, the lower edge of a blank when fed into the press space and aligning the blank relative to the scoring knives, said alignment and support means, when in its out-ofuse retracted position being arranged to allow the blank to fall freely downwards from the press space, and blank inlet means located above the press space for receiving and guiding the blanks edge-on into the press space, the arrangement being such that during operation of the apparatus, blanks are located L i_ individually in the press space between the press plates in a vertical (or approximately vertical) disposition and momentarily supported by said alignment and support means during which time the blank is pressed against the scoring knives to form the score or crease lines therein, and thereafter allowed to fall from the press space under its own weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet delivery means comprises an elongate slot formed in a pivotal cover member hinged with respect to the fixed press plate and arranged to enclose the fixed press plate when in its normal in-use 0 0 0 0 0 S0 position.

0 0 0 0 o. Preferably, the blank alignment and support means 0000 0 000o comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed elongate pins movable between an extended in-use position wherein the pins 0000 00 00 o 0 0 project inwardly into the press space, and a retracted out-of- 0 0 use position wherein the pins are withdrawn from the press ooo 0 0 0 0o space. Preferably, the pins carry flat support members which 0 00 0 0 .0 0 provide a flat face against which the edge of the blank engages so as to prevent marking or indentation of the blank edge.

Preferably, there is provided electrical control means for controlling the operation of the blank support pins and also the closing movement of the movable press plate. The control means is in accord with well known art and relies on downward movement of the blank through the press space interrupting an horizontal photo-electric beam falling onto an electrical "eye" sensor. When the light beam is interrupted with the support pins in their extended position supporting a cardboard blank across its bottom edge, the movable press plate is actuated and moves to its closed position for a timed period to effect the scoring operation, whereafter the movable press plate is retracted followed in turn by the withdrawal of the support pins to allow the blank to drop from the press. After a small time delay, the support pins reset themselves in their extended position, ready to receive the next blank.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the press comprises a pneumatic pressurised ram which has the movable press plate carried on its piston end, the movable press plate being guided for horizontal rectilinear movement at one side thereof by roller means, and at its other side by bearing guide means.

In yet another preferred embodiment of this invention, the 0 o scoring means comprises a plurality of vertically spaced 0000 scoring knives removably fastened to a knife carrier which is o15% secured to the movable plate or platen, and the fixed press 00 0 0000 plate comprises a channel shaped housing in which is mounted an 0 impression pad, preferably of elastomeric material, against 000 o which the blank is pressed during the scoring operation.

I The impression pad may be heated by electrical heating :20'.1 means so that the blank, when pressed against the pad, is itself heated, this being done to give better scoring of the blank.

In order to more fully explain the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereunder in some further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the scoring apparatus according to the invention; L ii Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly sectioned, of the scoring blade holder and the impression plate carried on the fixed press plate, shown in Fig. 2 In this embodiment, apparatus 10 for scoring a cardboard blank comprises a rectangular shaped support frame 11 supported at its corners by depending legs 12, a pressure cylinder 13 carried on the support frame 11 centrally thereof, the pressure cylinder 13 comprising an horizontally extending reciprocating 0 piston rod 15 which carries at its outer end a press head 0 oo 0 0 o0 o assembly 16 itself comprising a transversely extending elongate movable press plate or platen 17 which is movable horizontally oo towards and away from a fixed press plate 18 which extends 0 a T5. across the support frame 11 and is fixed with respect thereto.

00 00 00 oo o 0 The movable press head assembly 16 is guided for horizontal 0 movement at one side thereof by means of a pair of vertically o 0 00 o000 spaced rollers 20 which engage along opposite surfaces of a Sguide track 21 carried on the support frame 11 and at its other ~o side by an horizontally extending bearing guide 22, the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the pressure cylinder 13.

a; o.t The movable press plate 17 is provided on its inner face with an inwardly opening channel-shaped scoring blade holder 23 which supports a plurality of horizontally extending scoring blades/knives 25 which have scoring edges projecting forwardly of the holder 23. The blades 25 are separated by spacers 26 and are located and arranged in accord with the number of score or crease lines required to be formed in the blank 27 and also the width of the spine required. A clamping screw 29 removably 1clamps the scoring knives 25 and spacers 26 together in the blade holder 23.

The fixed press plate 18 comprises a similar channel or Cshaped housing 30 in which is located an impression pad 31 which, in this embodiment, comprises a rectangular section rubber pad having a planar vertical face against which the blank 27 is pressed during the scoring operation.

Located above the press plates, is a transversely narrow elongate blank feed-in slot 34 formed in a hinged angle cover or guard member 35 which is arranged to overlie the fixed press plate 18 and the press space, the slot 34 being dimensioned to 0 0 0 0 O0 0 receive blanks of varying thickness and length (or width). In 0 o 0 a use, blanks 27 are individually inserted edge-on into the slot 00-0 34 and allowed to fall under their own weight into the press b °o space in a vertical or near vertical disposition (edge-on), o 0 An upstanding guide plate 36 extends along one of the 00 0 o0 11 1 margins of the slot 34 to assist the feeding of the blanks o o o thereinto.

0I The hinged cover 35 is able to be swung about its hinge point 37 to an out-of-use open position to permit ready access to the press plates 17, 18 and press space should any adjustments and/or maintenance work need be carried out. In addition, the cover 35 when closed, serves as a safety guard to prevent injury to the operator when the apparatus is operating.

In order to support the blank 27 between the press plates 17, 18 and also to align same relative to the scoring knives/ blades 25, there is provided a plurality of axially movable spaced apart, parallel locating pins 39, in this embodiment, i, two, which are arranged to move between an extended in-use position wherein they project axially inwards of the inner face of the impression plate 31 on the fixed press plate 18, and a retracted out-of-use position wherein the pins are withdrawn from the press space to thereby allow the blank 27 having been scored to fall freely (under its own weight) from the press space. In this embodiment, the pins 39 are located beneath the fixed press plate 18, their movement being controlled by an air cylinder 40, each pin 39 being coupled to the piston rod 41 of the cylinder 40. The pins 39 are guided for horizontal reciprocating movement by member 43 carried on an angle bracket 0 0 0 0 00 44 fixed to the cylinder 40. An adjustable bracket 42 0 0 0 0 o 0 adjustably mounted to a plate 51 enables the level of the o 0 0 00 0 bracket 44 and in turn the member 43 to be adjusted.

1 Preferably, the pins 39 have welded at their free ends a o0'n0 00 (0 O 'o rectangular flat plate 45 which provides a flat abutment face 0 0 for the blank lower edge to rest against. This avoids any 00a0 0 00 O0 possible damage to the blank edge when it impinges against the pins.

To ensure the blank 27 is properly orientated within the press space, a rectangular section guide funnel 46 is provided G, which guides the lower end of the blank as it travels 0 4 9 downwardly to rest against the plates 45. The funnel assembly comprises a rear wall 48, side walls 49, and a front wall all of plate or sheet metal, the walls together defining a guidance channel into which the blank falls when it passes through the press space, The walls 48, 49 are carried by the movable platen 17 and move therewith, whilst the sloping wall is secured to the depending plate 51 fixed to the press -c;i 1 plate 18. The funnel 46 terminates at its lower end in a narrow transverse opening 52 across which the pins 39 project when in their extended position. A curved deflector 55 guides the scored blanks into a packing box (not shown).

In this embodiment, the closing movement of the press is controlled by electrical control means, whilst the opening movement of the press is controlled by known pneumatic control means. The electrical control means is housed in a control box 53 and is in accord with known art and does not form part of this invention. The blank 27, on passing into the press space, interrupts a light beam, which causes the press to close. The movable press plate 17 is pressed against the blank 27 for a Stimed period whereafter the press is opened and the locating oooo pins 39 moved to their retracted position. Preferably, there is a slight time delay between the commencement of the press open cycle and the retraction of the pins 39.

It is a feature of this invention that a blank will align 4 t itself automatically as it falls under gravity into the press space to be supported by the locating pins, and that the blank will freely fall from the press upon the withdrawal of the locating pins. There is thus minimal handling of the blanks by the press operator during the scoring operation which contrasts directly with the known prior art methods.

In some instances, depending on the nature of the material being used, the blanks may "stick" to the impression pad after the scoring operation, and it may be necessary to employ an ejection cylinder mounted below the press space to apply a separating force to the blank so as to separate it from the pad 31.

ii It should of course be appreciated that the scoring knives can be located on either or both of the press plates rather than having same carried by the movable press plate only.

It should also be realised that the method and apparatus of this invention may be used to perform scoring as well as printing or embossing operations on the blanks, all of which operations may be carried out at vertically aligned work stations, with the blanks being gravity fed from one station to the next.

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Claims

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blanks are o o delivered edge-on into the press space through an elongate slot Co o positioned vertically above the press space. 4 43. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the blanks after being scored, fall freely under their own weight and are guided by deflector means into a collection carton or box. 4, A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the movable press plate is actuated by a pneumatic pressurised ram and remains in a closed position for a timed period to effect the scoring operation, whereafter the movable press plate is retracted and the blank is free to drop under its own weight from the press space. i. -L1111~- 1 I ~c Apparatus for scoring a blank for producing a book cover/folder having at least one pair of crease lines defining a spine, said apparatus comprising: press means including a fixed vertically disposed press plate and a movable press plate movable horizontally towards and away from Lhe fixed press plate, the press plates defining a press space therebetween, said movable press plate being provided with scoring means comprising vertically spaced scoring knives projecting horizontally, o movable blank alignment and support means movable be- een in-use and retracted out-of-use positions, and arranged when in its in-use position to support the lower edge of a blank when 0 fed into the press space and align the blank relative to the scoring knives, or when in its retracted out-of-use position, o o to permit the blank to drop from the press space, and blank receiving means located above the press space for receiving and guiding the blanks edge-on into the press space, 2i. arranged so that blanks may be fed individually into the press space between the press plates in a vertical (or approximately vertical) disposition and supported by said alignment and support means whereupon the blank is pressed against the scoring knives to form the score or crease lines therein, and thereafter, upon said alignment and support means being moved to its said retracted position, allowed to fall from the press space under its own weight.
6. Scoring apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said blank ali lnment and support means comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed elongate pins movable between an extended 13 Fr01552 O-7/O^.W vi FO J 2M l in-use position wherein the pins project inwardly into the press space, and a retracted out-of-use position wherein the pins are withdrawn from the press space.
7. Scoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said pins are provided with a flat blank edge engaging surface at or near their outer ends.
8. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein said blank inlet means comprises an elongate slot dimensioned to receive blanks of varying thickness and length.
9. Scoring apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said elongate slot is formed in a pivoted cover or guard member hinged with respect to the fixed press plate and being hinged for pivotal movement between a closed position where it overlies the fixed press plate and the press space and a I retracted open position wherein the fixed press plate and the press space are exposed to the operator. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein vertically spaced scoring knives are removably fastened to a knife support frame secured to said movable plate.
11. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to wherein said fixed press plate comprises an elastomeric impression pad mounted on its inner face, and against which the blank is pressed during the scoring operation.
12. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein said press means includes a pneumatic ram comprising an axially reciprocating piston rod, said movable press plate being carried on the distal end of said piston rod, the movable i r1 1 press plate being guided for horizontal rectilinear movement by respective guide means operatively associated with the sides thereof.
13. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 12 further comprising blank guide means located below the press space and arranged to guide the leading end of the blank in the direction of the alignment and support means and to orientate the blank in its said vertical or near vertical disposition when fed into the press space.
14. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 6 13 further comprising deflector means mounted below said blank a alignment and support means for deflecting the blanks, after ao having been scored, along a predetermined downwardly directed oaa 0 path. o a a a 15. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 00 00 aa 14 further comprising electrical control means for controlling 0 a a the closing movement of the press means, and pneumatic control az means for controlling the opening movement of the press means.
16. Scoring apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to O 15 wherein the movement of the blank alignment and support pins is controlled by air cylinder means. a 17. Scoring apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Dated this 7th day of June, 1989. NORMAN BRUCE MADSEN, By his Patent Attorneys, R.K. MADDERN OCIATES