AU2248699A

AU2248699A - A method and apparatus for cutting material webs comprising images located thereon

Info

Publication number: AU2248699A
Application number: AU22486/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Franz Obertegger
Original assignee: Durst Phototechnik AG
Current assignee: Durst Phototechnik AG
Priority date: 1998-03-31
Filing date: 1999-03-29
Publication date: 1999-10-14
Also published as: EP0947880A1; EP0947880B1; ES2206807T3; ITBZ980013A1; ATE249636T1; DE59809569D1; JPH11327116A; IT1303482B1; CA2266751A1

Abstract

The method involves automatic reading of data previously applied to the material strip (3) with respect to the images (30-32) on the strip, setting at least one cutting device to cut the material strip according to the data read in and cutting the material strip using the cutting device which has been set up. The data (33-35) is applied to the strip near the images when the images are applied. They can be in the form of electronically readable bar codes that can be printed or stuck onto the strip. Independent claims are also included for a cutting device and for material strip.

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Durst Phototechnik AG ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: A method and apparatus for cutting material webs comprising images located thereon The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the of performing it known to me/us:best method IP Austrah-a Document- received on 2 Y MAP 19,99 Batch No: Technical field The invention relates to a method of automatically cutting material webs on which individual images are present. The invention also relates to a cutting unit for cutting such material webs and comprising at least one cutting means movable by means of a motor.

Printed and/or exposed paper webs of varying width should be particularly subsumed under material webs comprising images S located thereon. Such paper webs frequently comprise images randomly distributed in terms of both the web's width and length. The images were previously printed onto the roll material or, if the paper web is photographic paper, exposed.

In very general terms, however, any cuttable materials can be processed using the method according to the invention. In this way, for example, a plastic film in the form of a roll can also be cut using this method.

Images in the sense of the present application do not just comprise true-to-life images or text, but define any spatially restricted representations of text, art, drawings or graphics.

Prior art A cutting unit comprising a plurality of cutting blades which are movable by means of a motor has been used until now to cut out the images randomly distributed in terms of width and height on such a material web. The roll material or material web is transported by transport rollers which are controllably driven inside the cutting unit. In the case of stationary transport rollers, a cutting blade which can move perpendicular to the paper web's direction of transport is used to execute a cut that runs perpendicular to the paper web. During the process of conveying the paper web, a plurality of independent cutting blades which can in turn move in a perpendicular direction to the paper web's direction of transport can be used to make cuts, by means of the transport rollers, parallel to the paper web's direction of transport or parallel to the paper web's alignment.

Such a cutting unit makes it possible to cut out a plurality of images exposed or printed on the paper web, or to cut out groups of images. In this cutting unit, however, the adjustment of the cutting blades must be entered by means of an input keyboard or a display for each image or group of images.

Representation of the invention The technical problem upon which the invention is based is to provide a method and apparatus for cutting material webs comprising images located thereon; such a method and apparatus can be used to cut out the individual images or groups of images more efficiently.

S This technical problem is solved by a method comprising the S" features of claim 1 and by a cutting unit comprising the features of claim 16.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that data previously applied to the material web and relating to the images or groups of images present on the material web are machine-read, the machine-read data are then used as a basis for adjusting at least one cutting means for cutting the material web in accordance with the read-out data, and finally the material web is cut using the adjusted cutting means.

A cutting unit according to the invention comprises at least one cutting means movable by means of a motor. There is also a data reader for reading the data present on the material web and relating to the images present on the material web. A controller is also provided which evaluates the data read by the data reader, converting them into control commands for the motor-driven cutting means and correspondingly adjusting the cutting means.

In an embodiment comprising a cutting means which cannot move parallel to the material web's direction of extension, a means of further transporting the material web is also advantageously controlled by the controller. This means that various cuts can be performed alongside and across the material web.

The invention is based on the idea that the data already present when the images are applied to the material web and relating to these images or groups of images should also be applied onto the material web in a machine-readable manner so that the data about the images or groups of images can be read S out by the cutting unit which is downstream of e.g. the exposure unit and so that the images or groups of images can S be correspondingly automatically processed. This considerably simplifies cutting out the images or groups of images. The invention makes it possible for the first time to cut the varyingly sized images that are randomly arranged across the width of the material web before or after possible lamination.

The machine-readable data advantageously comprise information on the number, size and position of the images relative to a reference point, such as the longitudinal edge of the web.

When the images are applied, the image data are advantageously applied to the material web in the vicinity of the images.

This means that the image data can be simultaneously applied to the material web together with e.g. the exposure or imprinting process of the images, thus making any separate devices unnecessary for the purpose of applying the image data. It is also possible, however, to apply the data separately from the application process of the images. This renders it unnecessary to make any major changes to the exposure unit.

Of course, it is also particularly beneficial if, looking in the material web's direction of transport, the image data are applied in front of the individual images or groups of images to which they are to be assigned. This makes it possible to adjust the cutting means in accordance with the read-out data in a cutting unit of the type according to the invention before the individual images or groups of images arrive beneath the cutting means. But of course, it is not absolutely necessary for the image data or data records to be present in direct vicinity of the groups of images, it would only be necessary for them to be read and assigned by the data reader in front of the images, looking in the material web's direction of transport.

By applying an individual data record that relates to the image data, namely image height, width, position etc., onto the material web for each image, an individual adjustment of the cutting means is possible for each image, and each image on the material web can therefore also be accurately cut out.

Yet if several images are applied side by side in the material web width, it is advantageous for a single data record to be applied for such a group of images. This is because only the maximum height of an image of such a group of images should then be indicated as the reference height, thus allowing the entire group of images to be cut out. This subsequently enables a corresponding cutting means to move across the material web.

To compensate for possible influences during transportation of the material web or to equalize temperature fluctuations which cause the material web to lengthen or shorten, it is 6 material web itself or to measure its ambient temperature and to correct accordingly the control commands generated on the basis of the read-out data for the cutting means if the measured temperature goes below or exceeds a predetermined reference temperature by a certain amount. This makes it possible to take account of the material web's expansion caused by e.g. the increase in temperature during cutting using a cutting means.

Brief description of the drawings To explain the invention further and to understand it better, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described and explained in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.

S..

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view, from diagonally above, of a cutting unit according to the invention in a partially cut-away representation, Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the arrangement of longitudinal and horizontal blades according to Fig. i, and Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a paper web comprising exposed images thereon, associated bar codes and a plurality of bar code readers.

Description of the invention's preferred embodiment The essential structure of a cutting unit according to the invention can be identified from the views according to Figs.

1 and 2. As roll material, a paper web 3 comprising images 31, 32 located thereon (as will be later explained by means of Fig. 3 in even more detail) is wound on a coil 1. Deflection rollers 2 for the paper web 3 are located above the coil i.

At the sides of the paper web, paper web guides 16 are disposed above the deflection rollers 2; they are particularly designed to slide in order to be able to perform a corresponding adaptation to the width of the paper web. In the upper region of the cutting unit there is a plurality of transport rollers 4, each disposed in pairs side by side. The paper web 3 is guided through between the transport rollers 4 and is conveyed further by driving the transport rollers 4.

There is at least one bar code reader 25 directly after the transport rollers 4. Three bar code readers 25 are disposed above the paper web 3 in the schematic depiction of Fig. 3, but it is also possible to provide for example just one fixed or one movable bar code reader A blade guide 11 which extends across the width of the paper web 3 is arranged thereafter. A horizontal carriage 13 can be moved by means of a motor on this guide 11. A horizontal cutting blade 12 with which the paper web 3 can be cut perpendicular to its direction of transport is located on this carriage 13. In a preferred embodiment, this horizontal S- cutting blade is designed as a simple blade and particularly as a rotating blade.

A guide 14 for a plurality of longitudinal cutting blades 5 is downstream of this longitudinal cutting blade arrangement 11, 12, 13. The guide 14 in turn extends across the entire paper S" web width in order to be able to move the blades 5 thereon in a motor-driven manner. The longitudinal cutting blades 5 each comprise two twin cutting blades so as to perform two adjacent cuts along the paper web 3. They can be positioned by a servomotor 9 (stepper motor). For this purpose, there is a toothed rack 15 with which respective gears (not visible here) of the drive motors 8 engage. A drive spindle 10 is also provided for the longitudinal cutting blades and ejection rollers 6 are provided at the individual longitudinal cutting blades Downstream thereof, a paper tray 20 is provided on the housing. The entire housing of the cutting unit is designed here as an upright unit and comprises supports 21, 22 for mounting.

The basic operating mode of this cutting unit will now be described. In this regard, particular reference will be made to Fig. 3. When exposing the paper images 30, 31, 32 onto the paper web, respective bar codes 33, 34, 35 are simultaneously exposed or printed next to the individual images 30, 31, 32.

If a roll of paper web prepared in this manner is inserted into a cutting unit of the type described above, this paper web 3 is brought up to the cutting means 5, 12 with the aid of the transport rollers 4. Before the individual images reach the area of the cutting means 5, 12, the data relating to the individual images 30, 31, 32 are electronically read out by bar code readers 25, selected by a controller (which is not depicted here) and the individual blades 5, 12 are correspondingly positioned. This makes it possible to take account of different widths and lengths of image and to cut out the individual images. These are then removed by the ejection rollers 6.

In the case of a group of images, as shown for example in Fig. 3, there may also be provision of just one bar code 36 which contains the information of the group of images 30, 31, 32. A horizontal cut corresponding to the first and final image start or end is then made, causing the entire group of images to be cut out.

If just one bar code reader 25 is to be used, the bar code 36 should always be placed at the same spot at a distance from the edge of the paper web 3. But of course, it is also possible to arrange the bar code reader 25 to be movable.

Finally, it should also be emphasized that it is of course possible to provide just one bar code in which the data for a plurality of images are nevertheless included so that each image can then be cut out on its own via the controller and the individual cutting means 5, 12.

Summerizing, the apparatus according to the invention comprises an automated method and machine for cutting a web of photographic paper containing multiple images arrayed longitudinally and transversely so as separate the individual images from the web, with all edges of the prints accurately trimmed.

A roll of photographic paper 1 is disposed in the lower portion of the machine, from which the web 3 of photographic paper is trained around guide rollers 2. The web is transported upwardly toward the bed of the machine, and passes under transport rolls 4 onto the bed.

o* The web lies on the bed with the images on the top of the web.

A plurality of images lie transversely across the web, that is, at right angles to the direction of travel of the web, to form a rank of images. At the leading edge or laterally of each rank is a bar code, preferably printed on the web at the same time as the images are developed, containing information S as to the width and length of each of the images in that rank or of groups of said images, and the disposition of the rank on the web. The web is advanced by the transport rolls to a position beneath a bar code reader 25, and the information from the reader is fed to a computer (not illustrated) which controls the sequence of operations to be performed on the rank of images.

Downstream from the bar code reader (that is, in the direction of travel of the web) is provided a transverse carriage 13 on which is mounted a knife comprising a rotating circular cutter blade or a scalpel type blade which does not rotate. Under the control of the computer, the web is transported to the desired point under the blade and the web is trimmed transversely to remove the bar code and to effect the first transverse cut on the rank of images.

Thereupon, the web ist transported further to a point where the trailing edge of the rank of images is beneath the transverse cutter. A second transverse cut is made at this point, web transport being halted while the second transverse cut is made.

Both before and after the second transverse cut is made, the partially cut web encounters a plurality of longitudinal rotating circular cutter blades. The longitudinal cutter blades are mounted on a guide 14 extending across the width of the web, and each can be positioned by a stepping motor 9 at a position dictated by the computer. Each longitudinal cutter blade is preferably a dual blade, so that a strip of the web is removed from between each of the images in the rank of images. Transport of the partially severed prints continues until the longitudinal cuts are complete. The individual prints are received in a tray 20 from which they are manually removed. By this time, a second rank of images has been advanced beneath the bar code reader, and the sequence is repeated.

9e SThroughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein upon application of said images, said image data are applied to said material web in the vicinity of said images.
9. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein one data record is respectively applied for each image. 4. A method according to claim i, wherein one data record is respectively applied for one group of images. 9999 A method according to claim i, wherein at the end of an .image, a machine-readable image limit marker is applied to said material web. S" 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the position of S"9 said cutting means for cutting at the end of an image is compared with said image limit marker, this position having been adjusted by means of said previously read-out image data, and upon determination of a difference between the adjusted position of said cutting means and said image limit marker, the adjustment of said cutting means is readjusted. 7. A method according to claim i, wherein said image data are printed onto a printable paper web. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said image data are exposed onto a exposable paper web. 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said image data are printed onto said material web in the form of bar codes that can be read out electronically. A method according to claim i, wherein said image data are exposed onto said material web in the form of bar codes that can be read out electronically.
11. A method according to claim 1, wherein for lack of image data on said material web an audible error warning occurs.
12. A method according to claim i, wherein for lack of image data on said material web an visual error warning occurs.
13. A method according to claim i, wherein upon identification of a read error an audible error warning occurs. a. .a S14. A method according to claim 1, wherein upon identification of a read error an visual error warning occurs.
15. A method according to claim i, wherein the temperature of said material web or its ambient temperature is measured and the control commands generated on the basis of the read-out data for said cutting means are correspondingly corrected if the measured temperature goes below or exceeds a reference temperature by a certain amount.
16. A cutting unit for cutting material webs having images present thereon, comprising at least one cutting means movable by means of a motor, data reading means for 13 reading data present on said material web and relating to said images present on said material web, and a controller which evaluates said image data read by said data reading means, converting them into control commands for said motor-driven cutting means and correspondingly adjusting said cutting means.
17. A cutting unit according to claim 16, wherein horizontal cutting means is provided for cuts perpendicular to the direction of extension of said material web and one or more longitudinal cutting means are provided for cuts parallel to said material web.
18. A cutting unit according to claim 16, wherein said longitudinal cutting means can move independently of one another perpendicular to said material web.
19. A cutting unit according to claim 16, wherein the image data on said material web are applied as a bar code and said data reading means is a bar code reader. A cutting unit according to claim 16, wherein said data reading means also identifies an image limit marker as such on said material web.
21. A cutting unit according to claim 16, wherein transport means for said material web is provided, said transport means being used to guide said material web past said positioned cutting means.
22. A cutting unit according to claim 16, wherein temperature measurement means for measuring the temperature of the material web or its ambient temperature is provided.
23. A material web comprising images exposed thereon and machine-readable bar codes applied thereon and relating to said images.
24. A material web comprising images printed thereon and machine-readable bar codes applied thereon and relating to said images. A material web according to claim 23, wherein said material web consists of paper or plastic film.
26. A material web according to claim 23, wherein said material web consists of exposed photographic paper.
27. A cutting unit for cutting material webs having images present thereon, comprising at least one cutting means movable by means of a motor, data reading means for *--reading data present in form of bar codes on said material web and relating to said images present on said material web, and a controller which evaluates said image data read by said data reading means, converting them into control commands for said motor-driven cutting means and correspondingly adjusting said cutting means. Se° 0*0 oo S. *0 0O 0 6 5000 S. 0 0 OS 0 0 S 0@
28. A method for cutting a web substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.
29. A cutting unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples. A web substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.
31. The steps, features, compositions and compounds disclosed herein or referred to or indicated in the specification and/or claims of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. DATED this TWENTY NINTH day of MARCH 1999 Durst Phototechnik AG by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) O 05 05 0 @5 0 0 0* 00