EP0673870A1 - Method and installation for manufacturing printed documents and the packing in which said document is to be used - Google Patents

Abstract

In the first stage (1) a band of paper wound on a roller is printed and then placed on a supply reel (2). The supply reel feeds the printed band to the third stage (3) where it is cut and folded. The sheets are then pass to a packaging machine (4) which also receives packaging from another stage (5) and a product from stage 6. The packaged product with its printed notice is finally closed or placed in a container (7). In the third stage the procedure for producing the printed notices from the paper band consists of cutting the band in the longitudinal direction. At the cut the paper is separated to form two bands of smaller transverse dimensions located side by side in the same plane. These two bands are superposed.

Description

The invention relates to a method and an installation for producing, from at least one strip of printed paper, documents printed with one or more sheets assembled, such as instructions intended to be folded and arranged with an object in a package. or container.

The invention is more particularly intended for the pharmaceutical industry in order to produce leaflets relating to medicinal products.

We know that these notices are made up of sheets of paper that are generally rectangular. These sheets are folded lengthwise, generally according to a folding known as an accordion or rolled fold, to define a rectangular strip whose largest dimension corresponds to the width of the original sheet. The strip is in turn folded to be housed in a container, generally made of cardboard, itself assembled by folding and gluing and in which is placed a tube or a shell packaging plate containing medicaments, generally in the form of tablets.

Such notices are subject to various and contradictory constraints.

First, a leaflet, especially in the pharmaceutical field, must have an optimal dimension. Beyond this dimension, it becomes difficult to fold it small enough for it to enter a packaging box. On the other hand, if the surface of the record is too small, it is not possible to write all mandatory information and information intended to inform the consumer.

Furthermore, the surface and dimensions of the leaflet must be compatible with the packaging intended to contain the medicinal product. For a given packaging volume, and for a given packaging form, only a given surface and size can be suitable.

In addition, for reasons of economy, it is necessary to limit as much as possible the number of folding operations that the manual must undergo, while ensuring that it can be introduced into the packaging.

It is known that such notices are produced in a known manner, from strips of paper placed on reels which undergo a preliminary printing operation. The strip is then unwound and cut transversely to define sheets of paper, which are then subjected to successive folds. These operations are carried out by a machine generally called a "folder-cutter". The folded leaflet is sent to a cartoner which ensures the packaging of the medication or the container thereof, by folding the packaging and introducing the object and the folded leaflet and closing the packaging.

The documents EP-274 872 are known; GB-1,546,798; US-2,868,539 and WO-93 09,049.

By definition, the surface of the record is limited by its length and its width.

The width of the leaflet, that is to say the width of the paper strip, cannot be increased without limitation, otherwise the folded leaflet would have a larger dimension than the packaging. By way of example, in the case of a packaging of the parallelepiped type, the notice is introduced into the packaging so that the dimension corresponding to the width of the original strip of paper is less than the total length of the two longitudinal sides and the bottom of the package, said leaflet being folded to form a sort of U. The length of the leaflet is also limited by the constraints linked to the bending machines. In fact, the increase in length of the leaflets leads to a reduction in the operational speed of the bending machines. Thus, any increase in the length of the instructions affects the performance of these machines, which is incompatible with usual economic imperatives.

The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above and to produce relatively large notices without major modification of the usual folder-cutters, which results in multiplying by two, three or more, the useful surface of the notices, without significantly affecting the total cost of producing them.

• on réalise au moins une prédécoupe dans le sens longitudinal de ladite bande de papier ;
• on crée, par séparation au niveau de ladite prédécoupe, au moins deux bandes de plus petites dimensions transversalement, disposées côte à côte et sensiblement dans le même plan ; et
• on superpose l'une sur l'autre les bandes de plus petites dimensions ainsi formées.

To this end, an object of the invention is a method for producing, from at least one strip of paper, printed documents, such as instructions, intended to be folded and arranged with an object in a packaging or container. , and characterized in that:

• at least one precut is made in the longitudinal direction of said strip of paper;
• creating, by separation at the level of said precut, at least two strips of smaller dimensions transversely, arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane; and
• the strips of smaller dimensions thus formed are superimposed on each other.

Advantageously, the strips of smaller dimensions are superimposed using turning bars or folding cones.

It is thus possible to produce three or more strips of smaller dimensions.

Pre-cutting can be done before or after printing.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, making it possible to form large notices, the strips of smaller dimensions are assembled on one of their longitudinal edges.

Another object of the invention is an installation for implementing the method and comprising means for carrying out a precut in the longitudinal direction of the paper strip, means for creating by separation at the precut, at least two strips of smaller dimensions transversely, arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane, and means for superimposing one on the other the strips of smaller dimensions thus formed.

The installation may include turning bars or folding cones, two, three or more.

The installation may also include means for assembling on one of their longitudinal edges, to one another, the strips of smaller dimensions.

• dans une première phase, on superpose au moins deux sous-bandes assemblées entre elles sur l'un de leurs bords longitudinaux et provenant de la bande de papier imprimé initial ;
• dans une deuxième phase, on rebobine ensemble les deux sous-bandes ainsi superposées et assemblées ;
• et, dans une troisième phase, à partir de la bobine constituée par les deux sous-bandes ainsi superposées et assemblées on assure une découpe transversale et un pliage des sous-bandes.

According to a variant, an object of the invention is a method such as successively:

• in a first phase, at least two sub-bands assembled together on one of their longitudinal edges and coming from the band of initial printed paper are superimposed;
• in a second phase, the two sub-bands thus superimposed and assembled are rewound together;
• and, in a third phase, from the coil formed by the two sub-bands thus superimposed and assembled, a transverse cutting and folding of the sub-bands is ensured.

The process is completed by an initial step in which the paper web is printed and by a final step in which the printed document is folded and placed in a container with an appropriate object.

The invention also relates to an installation allowing the implementation of the method.

• un premier poste ou ensemble de moyens aptes à réaliser, à partir d'au moins une bande de papier imprimé, au moins deux sous-bandes superposées et assemblées entre elles sur l'un de leurs bords longitudinaux ;
• un deuxième poste ou ensemble de moyens de rebobinage des sous-bandes ainsi superposées et assemblées;
• et un troisième poste ou ensemble de moyens de découpe transversale et de pliage des sous-bandes.

This installation includes:

• a first station or set of means capable of producing, from at least one strip of printed paper, at least two sub-bands superimposed and assembled together on one of their longitudinal edges;
• a second station or set of rewinding means for the sub-bands thus superimposed and assembled;
• and a third station or set of means for transversely cutting and folding the sub-bands.

As with the process, the installation also includes a station for printing the strip and means for cartoning printed and folded documents and an object in a container.

Yet another object of the invention is a printed document, such as a notice, produced using a method and / or an installation as above. The invention further relates to a package in which are arranged a consumer product and a document.

• la figure 1 montre un synoptique des opérations destinées à la réalisation d'une notice et sa mise en place dans un emballage avec un produit ;
• la figure 2 montre une coupe schématique d'un emballage contenant un produit et la notice correspondante ;
• la figure 3 montre une vue schématique en perspective de l'ensemble de réalisation de l'invention pour la réalisation d'une notice et le pliage de cette dernière ;
• la figure 4 montre une vue en perspective du dispositif ou installation de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 montre une vue en détail du dispositif de retournement de l'invention ;
• les figures 6A, 6B, 6C et 6D montrent une notice aux différentes étapes successives de son pliage ; et
• la figure 7 montre de façon schématique les étapes d'un procédé conforme à l'invention.

The invention will be clearly understood in the light of the following description relating to exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the operations intended for producing a notice and placing it in a package with a product;
• Figure 2 shows a schematic section of a package containing a product and the corresponding instructions;
• Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the assembly of the invention for the production of a leaflet and folding thereof;
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the device or installation of the invention;
• FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the turning device of the invention;
• FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show a notice at the different successive stages of its folding; and
• Figure 7 schematically shows the steps of a method according to the invention.

The block diagram of FIG. 1 comprises several functional blocks, each corresponding to a particular stage in a process aimed at producing a notice, folding it and placing it with an object in a packaging or container.

The first step (block 1) consists of printing on a strip of paper rolled up on a roll, information in the form of block letters, logo, drawings, pictograms or any other information, general or particular, relating to the product.

In the application of the invention to the manufacture of drug leaflets, such leaflets may include compulsory information, of a general nature on the use of a medicament, and particular information on the medicament in question, such as its definition, dosage, composition and effects, along with information relating to the company manufacturing the same medicine.

Although the invention is not limited to this embodiment and to this application, it will, for reasons of convenience, be described below in this particular application.

Once the paper strip has been printed, it is placed on a supply reel represented by block 2.

The power supply coil feeds a functional block 3 allowing the manual to be produced, cut and folded. The latter is brought to a machine called cartoner (block 4), itself receiving on the one hand the packaging or the container of the product (block 5) and the product itself (block 6). The cartoner is known in itself and ensures the shaping of the packaging, the introduction of the product into the latter, the final folding of the instructions and the introduction of the instructions into the packaging alongside the product. , and finally the closure of the packaging or container, bearing the general reference 7 in FIG. 1.

The printing (block 1), reel feed (block 2) and cartoning (block 4) operations, as well as the packaging itself (block 5) and the product itself (block 6) are known in themselves.

The functional block 3 comprises several steps according to the invention, namely the longitudinal cutting of the strip of paper coming from the reel supply 2, the superposition of the two strips of smaller width thus created, then an assembly operation on the '' one of the longitudinal edges (optional operation), followed by a transverse cutting of the paper strip to make a succession of strips of smaller width and given length, and finally the final folding of the instructions, this one being intended to be placed in the packaging 5 by the cartoner 4.

The longitudinal cutting and stacking operation has the reference 8, the assembly on one of the longitudinal edges is referenced 9, the cutting transverse refers to block 10, while the folding of the manual thus produced bears the functional reference 11.

Figure 2 shows a schematic section of a known type of packaging, such as packaging 7 of Figure 1, made of folded cardboard and assembled by gluing for example. The packaging 7 is for example of parallelepiped shape and is called to contain a product such as a tube 6 containing medicinal tablets. The tube 6 has a cover 12 and is cylindrical in shape. The packaging 7 comprises a bottom 13 folded down and glued to one of the walls at 14, and an opening 15 capable of being closed by lateral flaps (of which only the flap 16 is visible) and a front flap 17, so known per se.

Inside the packaging 7 is arranged not only the tube 6 but also a notice 18 consisting of a strip of paper folded on itself, generally in accordion, to form a longitudinal strip again folded in the general shape of U as shown in cross section in Figure 2.

The operations for producing the manual will be described in detail below, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, where the elements similar or having the same function as those of FIGS. 1 or 2 have the same references.

The supply coil 2, of a type known in itself, is mounted on a frame 19 (Figure 4). The paper strip has a width for example of 280 millimeters, for a rolled length of approximately 4,000 meters. The coil 2 supplies a work station allowing the longitudinal cutting of the strip into two strips of smaller width, called sub-strip. Thus, the strip of paper wound on the reel 2, bearing the general reference 20 is cut in the middle substantially to form two sub-strips 20A and 20B of the same width. The separation line between the strips 20A and 20B is referenced 21 and is located substantially in the middle of the main strip 20.

The work station 8, ensuring the longitudinal cutting, comprises a frame 22 comprising an introduction roller 23 on which the paper strip scrolls. On the frame 22 are arranged two turning bars 24 and 25 parallel to each other. 'other and arranged at 450 relative to the direction of travel of the main strip 20 at the exit of the reel 2.

The two turning bars are arranged downstream of the introduction roller 23, about 30 centimeters from the latter. More specifically, the first turning bar 24 allows the first sub-band 20B to be turned over, while the second turning bar 25 ensures the turning of the second sub-band 20A. The turning takes place at 90 °. Thus, at the output of the two turning bars 24 and 25, the two sub-bands 20A and 20B are arranged one on the other and have a running direction orthogonal to the running direction of the main strip 20.

The longitudinal cutting of the main strip 20, at the center line 21, is carried out by the partial winding on the turning bars of each sub-strip 20A and 20B, which creates a transverse force of separation of the sub-strips one from the other at the level of a central longitudinal precut 26 originally provided on the paper strip 20. The precut 26 is symbolized by a dotted line in FIGS. 3 and 5.

The superimposed sub-bands 20A and 20B are conveyed by a call assembly comprising two rollers 27 and 28 between which the two superimposed sub-bands 20A and 20B pass. The latter are brought to a transverse cutting station 10, known in itself and consisting for example of a roller 29 carrying an axial knife 30. The diameter of the roller 29, the speed of rotation of the latter, the speed scrolling sub-bands 20A and 20B, are calculated so that the knife 30 cuts transversely the two sub-bands 20A and 20B to define a section or segment 31 of two sub-bands of given length.

The strip sections 31, 32 shown in FIG. 3 are conveyed to a folding device 11, known in itself and at the end of which the folded leaflet is conveyed by a transport device 33 to a cartoner 4 known in itself. same and not shown in detail in the figures. The cartoner, as described above, ensures the final folding of the instructions, the positioning of the latter in the packaging 7 as well as the product 6.

It is understood that the method and the device or installation of this example of the invention make it possible to produce a manual of larger area, without additional manipulation or substantial modification of the known folder-cutters and cartoner. Indeed, the two sub-bands 20A and 20B, once cut into segments at the outlet of the cutting station 10, have the shape of two superimposed segments or sections of strip 31. The notice thus includes two strip segments of the same surface, which doubles its total surface.

This presents a considerable advantage for the users who can thus, starting from sub-bands of maximum width (for example 200 millimeters), to carry out notices of total doubled width. It is also possible to provide not a longitudinal precut 26, but two precuts (not shown) so as to produce three sub-bands from the main band 20, using three inversion bars parallel at 45 °. The three sub-bands thus formed are superimposed in the same manner as described above.

It is advantageous, but optional, to provide a station for securing the sub-bands, on one of the longitudinal edges of the latter. The joining can be carried out by gluing, stapling, or any other known means. The joining station, symbolized by the functional block 9 in Figures 1 and 3, is not described further in detail, being known in itself. Thus, at the output of the call device 27, 28, the two superimposed sub-bands are assembled and secured on one of their longitudinal edges, to form two sheets, then subjected to transverse cutting (station 10).

FIGS. 6A to 6D show the different folding steps, known in themselves, of the notices made up of sections such as the section 31 of FIG. 3. The folding is carried out by the station 11, known in itself (figure 3).

The notice 31 consists of two sheets 31A and 31B assembled by one of their longitudinal edges at 40 in the manner described above. This notice undergoes a first transverse folding in the middle along a line 41, the two halves being folded down substantially towards one another. The two half-sides thus produced on either side of the separation line 41, each in turn undergoing two folds along lines 42 and 43 respectively on the one hand, and 44 and 45 on the other hand, to form a kind of accordion shown in Figure 6B. The notice is then folded, still in accordion, to form a tongue 46, having a longitudinal direction, arrow I, and a transverse direction, arrow t, (FIG. 6C).

There is shown in Figure 6D the final folding step of the manual in the longitudinal direction I, to form a sort of U, having two parallel lateral branches 47 and 48, and a transverse base 49 in the direction t. The interior of the U defines a volume 50 inside which is capable of accommodating the product 6 such as a tube containing medicinal tablets (FIG. 2).

According to the example of FIG. 7, the aim is to produce printed documents 51 with several sheets 52a, 52b assembled.

These documents 51 are for example notices intended to be folded and placed with an object 53 in a container 54 such as a cardboard box or case.

For this purpose, one starts from a strip of printed paper rolled up to form a roll 56. As a variant, the process also includes a step in which the paper strip is printed and then wound up to form the roll 56.

The printing 57 on the strip 55 is carried out in such a way that after the various phases of the process, the text and the indications appearing on the printed documents 51 follow one another.

In a first phase, two sub-bands 55a, 55b are superimposed assembled together on one of their common longitudinal edges 58. These two sub-bands 55a, 55b come from the band 55.

The invention is also applicable to the case where there are three or more sub-bands.

Then, in a second phase, the two sub-bands 55a, 55b thus superimposed and assembled are rewound together to form a coil 59. This coil can be handled, stored, transported as such.

In a third phase, starting from the coil 59 constituted by the sub-bands 55a, 55b thus superimposed assembled, a transverse cutting and a folding are ensured, which allows the documents 51 to be produced.

The first phase of implementation can be the subject of several variant embodiments.

Successively, one or more cuts or one or more longitudinal folds of the strip are made, then the sub-strips thus obtained are superimposed while rigidly joining them together on their common longitudinal edges 58.

This assembly is carried out by gluing or equivalent.

This assembly is carried out in such a way that the different sub-bands 55a, 55b are prevented from disassembling and that the lateral displacement of one sub-band with respect to another is prevented.

As has been said, the documents once folded can be cartoned with an object 53 in a container 54.

• un premier poste ou ensemble de moyens et aptes à réaliser à partir d'au-moins une bande de papier 5 imprimé au moins deux sous-bandes 55a, 55b superposées et assemblées entre elles sur l'un de leurs bords longitudinaux 58 ;
• un deuxième poste ou ensemble de moyens permet de rembobiner les sous-bandes 55a, 55b ainsi superposées et assemblées ;
• enfin, un troisième poste ou ensemble de moyens assure la découpe transversale et le pliage des sous-bandes 55a, 55b.

An installation for implementing the process which has just been described comprises several stations or set of successive means:

• a first station or set of means and able to produce from at least one strip of printed paper 5 at least two sub-strips 55a, 55b superimposed and assembled together on one of their longitudinal edges 58;
• a second station or set of means makes it possible to rewind the sub-bands 55a, 55b thus superimposed and assembled;
• finally, a third station or set of means ensures the transverse cutting and folding of the sub-bands 55a, 55b.

An installation as just described can also include a fourth station or set of means for cardboarding 51 printed documents and an object 53 in a container 54 The installation may also include, upstream, a station for printing the paper strip.

As for the first station or set of means, it preferably comprises bonding means for assembling between them sub-bands 55a, 55b on their common longitudinal edges 58.

In the case where the two sub-bands 5a, 5b are superimposed and assembled by cutting and then bonding, it is possible to start from a band 55 comprising one or more longitudinal cuts. The corresponding machine station can have two, three or more turning bars.

Thanks to the rewinding of the two superimposed and assembled sub-bands, it is possible to use conventional folding machines even though these include several passing rollers.

In fact, the disassembly of the sub-bands and their relative displacement are avoided.

Claims (16)

Method for producing, from at least one strip of paper, printed documents, such as notices, intended to be folded and arranged with an object in a container or packaging, characterized in that: - At least one precut is made in the longitudinal direction of said strip of paper; - Is created, by separation at said precut, at least two strips of smaller dimensions transversely (called sub-bands), arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane; and - The sub-bands thus formed are superimposed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the two sub-bands are superimposed by means of turning bars or folding cones. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that three or more sub-bands are created. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sub-bands are assembled on one of their longitudinal edges. Method of producing from at least one strip of printed paper, printed documents (51) with several sheets (52a, 52b) assembled, such as the instructions, intended to be folded and arranged with an object (53) in a container (54), in which, successively: - In a first phase, at least two sub-bands (55a, 55b) are superimposed assembled together on one of their longitudinal edges (58) and coming from the band (55); - In a second phase, the sub-bands (55a, 55b) thus superimposed, rewound together, assembled; and in a third phase, starting from the coil (59) constituted by the sub-bands (55a, 55b) thus superimposed assembled, a transverse cutting and a folding of the sub-bands (55a, 55b) are ensured. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that in the first phase, successively, one or more cuts or one or more longitudinal folds of the strip (55) are made, the sub-strips (55a, 55b) thus obtained are superimposed while rigidly joining them together on one of their longitudinal edges (58) by gluing or the like. Installation for producing, from at least one strip of paper, printed documents, such as instructions, intended to be folded and placed with an object in a packaging or container, characterized in that it comprises: - Means for making a precut in the longitudinal direction of said strip of paper; - Means for creating, by separation at the precut at least two strips of smaller dimensions transversely arranged side by side and substantially in the same plane (called sub-bands); and means for superimposing the sub-bands thus formed. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least two turning bars. Installation according to one of claims 7 or 8 characterized in that it comprises means for assembling the sub-bands on one of their longitudinal edges. Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that the assembly is carried out by gluing. Installation for implementing the method according to any one of claims 5 and 6 characterized in that it comprises: - A first station or set of means capable of producing, from at least one strip of printed paper (55), at least two sub-strips (55a, 55b) superimposed and assembled together on one of their edges longitudinal (58); - A second station or set of means for rewinding the sub-bands (55a, 55b) thus superimposed and assembled; - A third station or set of means for transverse cutting and folding of the sub-bands (55a, 55b). Installation according to claim 11 characterized in that it comprises a fourth station or set of means for cartoning printed documents (51) and an object (53) in a container (54). Installation according to claim 11 characterized in that it comprises, upstream, a printing station (52) of the paper strip (55). Installation according to claim 11 characterized in that the first station or set of means comprises bonding means. Document produced by the implementation of a process and / or by an installation according to one of the preceding claims. Packaging or container in which is placed a consumer product and a document according to the revenciation 15.

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