EP1221071A1

EP1221071A1 - Automatic machine for inserting sheet-like articles into sleeves as well as sleeve for said machine and method for manufacture thereof

Info

Publication number: EP1221071A1
Application number: EP00960925A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabrizio Storti
Original assignee: Siral Srl
Current assignee: Siral Srl
Priority date: 1999-09-28
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2002-07-10
Also published as: WO2001023960A1; AU7307700A

Abstract

A sleeve-filling machine for substantially flat sheet-like articles comprises a support frame (2) supporting a strip (N) of adjacent sleeves (B) having one side open (27), means (8) for discontinuous feeding the strip (N) in a first direction (V1) substantially parallel to the open side of the sleeves, a store (4) for storing the articles (F) to be inserted into sleeves, a transfer station (10) for inserting and removing the articles into respective sleeves (B) in a second direction (V2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The transfer station (10) comprises a roller-type driving device (11, 12, 13, 14, 14') interacting tangentially with at least one flat surface of the articles (F). The sleeve is manufactured starting from a film-like strip (36) of flexible material and folding thereof in its middle part (38) and in a longitudinal direction over the whole unrolling length so as to form two flaps (28, 29).

Description

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR INSERTING SHEET-LIKE ARTICLES INTO SLEEVES AS WELL AS SLEEVE FOR SAID MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a machine for automatically inserting photographs, postcards, membership cards and other sheet-like objects into respective sleeves.

Machines of this type are commonly used in photographic laboratories, photography shops and workshops, as well as by collectors, in order to insert photos, magnetic cards, postcards, picture cards and similar objects.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a sleeve with a single fold intended to be used with this machine, as well as the method for manufacture thereof.

Background art

European patent application EP-A-832,759 discloses a machine of the abovementioned type which comprises a store for containing the photographs supplied directly from a machine for developing negatives, and a mechanism for removing the photos one at a time and combining them in mutually facing positions. Then, the pairs of photos are inserted into a sleeve which has two pockets by means of a special thructer. The machine also comprises a device for feeding the sleeves which are provided in the form of a continuous strip wound up so as to form a roll.

The machine of the abovementioned type has certain known drawbacks which limit its versatility and operating speed. For example, the use of the thruster to insert the photos inside the sleeves reduces the sleeve-filling speed of the machine since the return stroke of this component, following its outward stroke during the insertion of pairs of photos, constitutes idle time which cannot be eliminated.

Moreover, the sleeve-filling mechanism operates in such a way that the first sleeve in the strip is not used, but must be cut and separated since empty.

A further disadvantage consists in the fact that the form of the sleeves which can be used in this machine does not allow easy extraction of the photos once the sleeves have been mounted on the fastening rings inside a folder, since the sleeve opening is situated on the side where the holes for the fastening rings are also formed.

Another drawback encountered during operation of the said machine consists in the possibility of damaging the photos due to the fact that the thruster exerts its pressing action on the edge of the said photo and therefore the latter may bend as it is being slid inside the sleeve owing to its resistance to the feeding movement.

International patent application WO-A-92/1 5044 discloses a sleeve-filling machine which comprises a system for feeding the photos in the form of a conveyor belt on which the photos are arranged; the photos must initially undergo a separating operation in order to form two packs of photos, i.e. a first pack of photos in an odd sequence and a second pack of photos in an even sequence. The two packs are then arranged in two stores formed on the said conveyor belt. A suitable driving device removes one photo at a time from each pack and forms the pairs which are inserted into a middle store and then inserted into respective sleeves forming part of a continuous strip wound up in the form of a roll. A major disadvantage of this known machine consists in its considerable constructional complexity due to the presence of a conveyor belt and the rotating middle store. Moreover, the photo feeding system does not operate continuously, but in an alternating manner, resulting in idle time which reduces the efficiency of the machine as a whole.

At present, in accordance with the known art, a "single-fold" sleeve is known, said sleeve being made from a film-like strip of transparent material folded so as to form two flaps of different height constituting the walls of the said sleeve after the strip has been cut at predefined distances. One of the edges of the sleeve, which has an essentially rectangular shape, is formed by folding the strip onto itself. The two edges perpendicular to the first edge are welded and the fourth edge, which is parallel to the first edge, remains open so as to allow insertion of the photograph or the object to be protected.

Since the two walls have different heights, a strip consisting of a single piece of film projecting on the pocket side of the sleeve is formed. One or more holes which are used to bind several sleeves together inside folders or albums are formed in this strip.

Such a sleeve, as well as the associated machine for cutting the sleeves and automatically filling the sleeves with photographs, is described in international patent application WO-A-92/1 5044.

The sleeve of the abovementioned type, however, is not devoid of certain known drawbacks, the first of which consists in its limited efficiency, due to the fact that it cannot be easily extracted once it has been attached inside a folder. In fact, the fastening holes are formed in the region of the open edge, which is therefore obstructed by the fastening rings after binding. Another drawback of the known sleeve consists in the structural weakness of the projecting strip in which the fastening holes are formed, said strip being formed in a portion where the film consists of a single layer. This is the cause of frequent breakages, even more so since, whenever a photograph is extracted or replaced, the sleeve must be removed from the fastening rings. Alternatively, the region around the holes must be reinforced, resulting in the need for costly and laborious operations.

Summary of the invention

A main object of the present invention is that of overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks of the machines according to the present state of the art by providing a machine with a simple and reliable structure and low manufacturing cost.

A particular object is that of providing a sleeve-filling machine which allows rapid and automated insertion of the photographs into suitably shaped sleeves using a process of the continuous type so as to reduce substantially the idle time.

A further object is that of providing a sleeve-filling machine which is able to handle different formats of photographs, eliminating at the same time the risk of damaging and folding the photos due to the presence of thrusters.

A further object of the present invention is to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks relating to sleeves of the known type by providing a sleeve for the automatic machine having a form which is simple, low-cost and easy to manufacture.

A particular object is that of providing a sleeve which allows rapid insertion of the photographs by means of the automatic sleeve-filling machine according to the invention.

Yet another object is that of providing a sleeve which has a high structural strength of the fastening points in order to ensure more secure fastening.

A first aspect of the invention envisages a sleeve-filling machine which, in accordance with Claim 1 , comprises a support frame which supports a strip forming a succession of adjacent sleeves with one side open, feeding means for discontinuous feeding of said strip in a first direction substantially parallel to the open side of the sleeves, a store for storing the articles to be inserted into sleeves, a transfer station for removing the articles and for inserting them into respective sleeves in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, characterized in that the transfer station comprises a roller-type driving device interacting tangentially with at least one flat surface of the articles to inserted into sleeves.

As a result of this arrangement, the sleeve-filling machine has a simple and reliable structure, operates continuously, drastically reducing the typical idle time of the machines according to the prior art and allows the articles to be inserted safely, without the risk of damaging or folding them during insertion.

A second aspect of the invention envisages a single-fold sleeve which, in accordance with Claim 1 9, comprises an element which has an essentially rectangular shape with a pair of transverse edges and a pair of longitudinal edges, said element being formed by a strip of sheet-like flexible material which is folded onto itself in its middle part so as to define a pair of flat mutually facing walls joined together along the transverse folding edge, said walls being joined along the two longitudinal edges by means of a pair of continuous seams, the second transverse edge being open so as to define an opening for introducing the photos, characterized in that it envisages a third longitudinal seam which joins together said flat facing walls in a substantially parallel and intermediate position with respect to the first two seams, so as to divide the sleeve into two separate pockets.

As a result of this arrangement, the sleeve has two pockets, the larger one of which is suitable for receiving photographs and other similar objects, while the narrower pocket has a reinforced zone suitable for being provided with binding holes.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly with reference to the detailed description of several preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a sleeve-filling machine and a sleeve according to the invention, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying plates of drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the sleeve which can be used with the sleeve-filling machine according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a roll of sleeves of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 with a few photographs inserted in the appropriate pockets;

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the sleeve according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a roll for forming sleeves of the type shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the finished roll according to Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows a general perspective view of a first example of embodiment of the sleeve-filling machine according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the machine according to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the machine according to Fig. 6; Fig. 9 shows a side view, with some parts removed, so as to illustrate more clearly other parts of a second example of embodiment of a sleeve-filling machine according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred example of embodiment(s)

With reference to the said figures, a machine according to the invention, denoted in its entirety by the reference number 1 , may be used for inserting automatically sheet-like articles F, such as photographs or cards of various sizes, into respective protective sleeves B.

Fig. 1 shows a single sleeve B obtained from a film of polypropylene or other flexible material, which is folded onto itself and closed along the lateral edges by means of suitable continuous seams generally consisting of welds, so as to form at least one pocket T with an approximately rectangular shape. Preferably, the film of plastic material forming the sleeve is of the continuous type so that the finished sleeves will also be obtained in the form of a continuous strip N wound around a shaft so as to form a reel or roll R, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, and may be subsequently separated or folded in concertina fashion, as required.

The sleeve-filling machine 1 is essentially formed by a support frame 2 which supports a store containing the articles F to be inserted into sleeves, having at least one wall 4 which can be adjusted by means of an operating screw 5 so that it may be adapted to the maximum width of the articles F, and a roll R formed by a strip N of sleeves B mounted rotatably on side brackets 6.

The strip N is unwound and rested, with one of its flat sides, on the upper surface of the frame 2 and is guided along the closed edge 26 of the sleeves

B by means of a rigid rule 7, the position of which may be adapted to the width of the sleeve. The strip is made to advance in a first direction V1 , parallel to the open side 27 of the sleeves, by means of suitable feeding means essentially consisting of a roller 8 coupled to a first electric motor 9 by means of suitable belts and pulleys. Thus, the strip N, and therefore the associated sleeves B, will be made to advance in a discontinuous manner, in steps with a predetermined interval, equal to the maximum width of each individual sleeve.

Advantageously, the roller 8 may be covered with a uniform layer of rubber or soft plastic so as to favour the grip on the said belt.

Moreover, the roller 8 may be provided with a blade, for example arranged along one of its generatrices and not visible in the drawings, in order to separate each sleeve from the next sleeve at the end of the sleeve-filling operation.

The support frame 2 also has, mounted on it, a transfer station, denoted overall by 10, for removing one article F at a time from the store 3 and inserting it into the pocket T of a respective sleeve B when the latter is at a standstill during its step-by-step advancing movement.

In particular, the transfer station 10 essentially consists of a roller-type driving device intended to interact by means of tangential contact with at least one flat surface of an article at a time, so as to cause it to advance in a second direction V2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Thus, the articles F will not be pushed along their rear edge, but will be driven by means of contact on one of their flat sides and will be inserted fully into the respective sleeves without the danger of the edges being damaged or flattened. The roller device may comprise a plurality of rollers with axes substantially parallel to the open edges 27 of the sleeve B. The first roller 1 1 at the proximal end, which has a relatively large diameter, is arranged above the store 3 containing the articles F to be inserted into sleeves and has the function of separating the articles F in the stack, removing one article at a time.

Downstream of this first roller 1 1 , in accordance with a first example of embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, 7 and 8, a pair of intermediate rollers 1 2, 13, which have a smaller diameter than that of the roller 1 1 and are arranged on top of each other so as to act on both sides of each article F, is provided.

Downstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 1 2, 1 3, a roller 14 at the distal end, which has a diameter smaller than that of the preceding rollers and is located in the vicinity of the open edges 27 of the sleeves B, is provided.

The intermediate roller 1 2, as well as the other rollers, are connected to a second electric motor 15 by means of a suitable belt and pulley drive.

Advantageously, the rollers 1 1 , 12, 13, 14 may be provided on their outer cylindrical surface with friction means for favouring gripping of said articles.

In particular, these friction means may consist of one or more resilient rings 1 6, 1 7 located in axially staggered positions along the axial extension of a respective roller. The rings 1 6 are located on the proximal roller 1 1 , while the rings 1 7 connect the intermediate roller 1 2 to the distal roller 14.

Alternatively, the friction means may consist of a layer of resiliently yielding material deposited uniformly on the outer surface of each roller. Moreover, suitable guiding means may be provided in order to ensure efficient feeding of the articles F in the feeding direction V2. These guiding means may consist, for example, of two adjustable side brackets 1 8, 19 which are positioned transversely with respect to the movable rollers 12, 14 and the distance of which may be adjusted according to the width of the articles F.

In order to favour insertion of the articles F into the sleeves B, means for separating the flaps L', L" of the open edges 27 of the said sleeves may be provided, said means consisting, for example, of two blades 20, 21 .

The machine will be controlled by an electronic control unit 22 to which there is connected a sensor 23 located on the rule 7 for detecting the bar code M of each sleeve and the motors 9, 1 5 for performing co-ordinated operation thereof so as to insert one object at a time fully into a respective sleeve B when the latter is positioned along the path of the transfer device 10.

The control unit 22 may be of the processor type and may be suitably programmed so as to wind up the strip N in a direction V3 opposite to the direction V1 so as to allow the first sleeve in the next sleeve-filling cycle to be used again.

For this purpose, in order to ensure that the strip N of sleeves B is completely extended over the upper surface of the support frame 2, the roll R may be acted on by a suitable tensioning device consisting of a compensator or jockey roll, which is within the technical competence of any person skilled in the art and not shown in the drawings.

The second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7 differs from the preceding embodiment in that it envisages, downstream of the first roller 1 1 , a calibrated passage 100 having an inlet opening 101 with dimensions slightly greater than the thickness of the article to be inserted into sleeves and an outlet opening 102 formed in the vicinity of a pair of opposing rollers 14, 14' at the distal end which have a diameter smaller than that of the first roller 1 1 and are located in the vicinity of the open edge 27 of the sleeves B.

Advantageously, the sleeves B will be guided towards the inlet opening 101 of the calibrated passage 100 by an inclined surface 103. In greater detail, in accordance with the example shown in Fig. 9, they will be conveyed towards the opening 101 by a substantially vertical guide element 104 against which the photograph F comes into abutment, pushed by the first roller 1 1 .

In accordance with a further constructional feature of this second example of embodiment, the abovementioned pair of opposing rollers 14, 1 4' at the distal end may comprise an idle upper roller 14' resiliently supported by a flat spring 105 fixed to the support frame 2 by means of screws 106.

In this way optimum pressure on the photograph F passing between the two rollers 14, 14' will be ensured.

With reference to Fig. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, said figures show a sleeve B which can be used with the machine 1 described below, said sleeve B consisting of an element or pocket T which has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, with a length G and width Q, having two longitudinal edges 24, 25 and two transverse edges 26, 27.

The element or pocket T is formed by a pair of flat superimposed sheets or walls 28, 29 made of a base material consisting of a film of flexible material, which is preferably synthetic and transparent, for example PLP which can be hot-welded and has a good transparency and tear strength. Along the longitudinal edges 24, 26, the two walls 28, 29 are joined together by means of welding, bonding or other equivalent means, forming the two continuous seams 30, 31 . The transverse edge 26, which forms the bottom of the sleeve, is formed by the edge obtained by folding the strip of base material.

The other transverse edge 27, opposite to the folding edge 26, is left open so as to define an opening for insertion of the articles F.

According to the invention, the sleeve B is provided with a third longitudinal seam 32, which is also obtained by means of welding, bonding or other equivalent techniques, being arranged substantially parallel to the two edges 24, 25 and located in a position such that the distances from the two longitudinal edges 25, 26 are different. In this way, two secondary pockets 33, 34 of different widths, respectively Z, W, are obtained.

The wider secondary pocket 34 is intended to contain the photographs or objects to be protected F and its dimensions are therefore determined according to the dimensions of these objects, while the narrower pocket 33 may contain information or identification data which is applied or printed thereon.

The secondary pocket 33 which has a smaller width Z defines a strip which is sufficiently wide to allow the formation of one or more holes 35 which are substantially aligned with each other hand and which are used for insertion of fastening rings which allow binding of the sleeves so as to form albums, catalogues or books.

Since this strip consists of two superimposed walls, the holes 35 will have a greater tractional resistance than in the case of the known sleeves where the holes are formed in the zones consisting of a single layer of film.

Advantageously, along a section H of the length of the sleeve edge and on the open edge side, the seams 30, 31 and 32 are interrupted. In this way, the end portions of the walls 28, 29 remain separate, forming two flaps L', L" which may be separated. This makes it easier to insert automatically the photos using the machine described above for this purpose.

Advantageously, the sleeve B may be provided with a identification symbol or marking consisting of an area M printed in the vicinity of one of the edges of the sleeve. This area has the function of allowing optical recognition for the machine which produces the said sleeve.

A method for manufacturing the sleeve B according to the invention is described below.

A strip 36 of thin and flexible film, preferably PLP which can be hot-welded and which has a good transparency and tear strength, is wound onto a roll or reel 37 having a width 2G twice that of the sleeve B to be made.

The strip 36 is initially unwound in a feeding direction X and folded along its centre line 38, the two flaps 28, 29 being brought opposite and into contact with each other. In this way a folded section 39 with a dual layer of film is formed.

Seams 30, 31 , 32, which are welded or bonded and have a length equal to the width of the strip or a length less than and up to a distance H from the open edge 27 so as to allow the walls 28, 29 to form two open flaps L' and L", are formed at predetermined distances along the strip. In this way a succession of sleeves 33, 34 are formed. Instead of providing separate seams 30, 31 , it is possible to provide a single seam 40 of greater width which will then be suitably separated. Thus the seams 31 , 32 will be at a distance W which is greater than that N between the seams 30, 32 so that the secondary pocket 34 will have dimensions greater than those of the secondary pocket 33. The size of the larger pocket 34 is chosen according to the dimensions of the object F to be inserted into the finished sleeve.

The size of the narrower pocket 33 is sufficient to house a plurality of holes 35 which will be formed at a later stage.

The strip will then be wound up onto a roll or a reel R intended for sale or to be used in an automatic sleeve-filling machine of the type described above.

Alternatively, the finished roll R may be directly introduced into an automatic sleeve-filling machine for for photos and other similar objects, located downstream of the machine for manufacturing the sleeves.

Advantageously, devices for winding up the series of sleeves in a suitable manner, for example in concertina fashion for delivery to the customer, may also be provided.

Such a method will guarantee maximum flexibility for photographic laboratories with regard to delivery of the developed photos to the customer, whatever the format desired by the latter.

Claims

1 . A sleeve-filling machine for substantially flat sheet-like articles comprising a support frame (2) which supports a strip (N) formed by a succession of adjacent sleeves (B) having one side open (27), feeding means (8) for discontinuous feeding of said strip (N) in a first direction (V1 ) substantially parallel to the open side of the sleeves, a store (4) for storing the articles (F) to be inserted into sleeves, a transfer station (10) for removing the articles and for inserting them into respective sleeves (B) in a second direction (V2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein said transfer station (10) comprises a roller-type driving device (1 1 , 1 2, 13, 14, 14') interacting tangentially with at least one flat surface of the articles (F) to be inserted into sleeves.

2. Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said driving device comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers (1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 14') having axes of rotation susbtantially parallel to said first feeding direction (V1 ).

3. Machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that said transfer device comprises a proximal roller (1 1 ) with a relatively large diameter, located above said store (4) so as to interact tangentially with the stacked articles (F).

4. Machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that said roller device also comprises a pair of intermediate rollers (1 2, 1 3) facing each other and located on opposite sides with respect to the plane of travel of the articles.

5. Machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that it envisages a distal roller (14) with a relatively small diameter, located in the vicinity of the open side (27) of the sleeves (B).

6. Machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that said roller device (1 1 , 1 4, 14') also comprises a calibrated passage (1 00) provided with an inlet opening (101 ) able to receive in a guided manner said articles (F) from said proximal roller (1 1 ) and an outlet opening (102) intended to direct said articles (F) towards a respective sleeve (B).

7. Machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that it envisages a pair of distal counter-rotating rollers (14, 1 4') with a relatively small diameter, located in the vicinity of the open side (27) of the sleeves (B).

8. Machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that at least one of said rollers (1 1 , 1 2, 1 3, 14, 14') ia provided on its outer cylindrical surface with friction means for favouring gripping of said articles.

9. Machine according to Claim 8, characterized in that said friction means consist of one or more resilient rings (1 6, 1 7) in axially staggered positions along the axial extension of a respective roller.

1 0. Machine according to Claim 8, characterized in that said friction means consist of a layer of elastically yielding material.

1 1 . Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said transfer station comprises guiding means (1 8, 1 9) for guiding the articles to be inserted into sleeves in said second insertion direction.

12. Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said feeding means comprise at least one driving roller (8) acting on said strip (N) by means of friction.

13. Machine according to Claim 12, characterized in that it envisages first motor means (9) acting on said driving roller (8) so as to favour the step- by-step feeding movement of said strip in steps with an interval equal to the maximum width of each sleeve.

1 4. Machine according to Claim 1 3, characterized in that it envisages second motor means (1 5) which are independent of the first means and act on said rollers (1 1 , 1 2, 1 3, 14) so as to favour the transfer of the articles to be inserted into sleeves during stoppage of said first motor means.

1 5. Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it envisages means for separating each sleeve from the preceding sleeves after insertion of each article (F).

1 6. Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it envisages sensor means (23) for detecting the position of the sleeves to be filled and for controlling operation of said first and second motor means.

1 7. Machine according to Claim 1 6, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (22) connected to said sensor means and to said first and said second motor means.

1 8. Machine according to Claim 1 7, characterized in that said control unit (22) is programmed so as to perform a reversal in the movement of the strip of sleeves in a direction (V3) opposite to the first direction of feeding

(V1 ) after completion of the operation for insertion of the articles into the sleeves.

1 9. Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises compensator means for keeping the strip of adjacent sleeves tensioned.

20. Machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said store (3) has adjusting means (4, 5) for adapting its width to that of the articles to be inserted into sleeves.

21 . A single-fold sleeve for photos and similar flat objects, adapted for use with a sleeve-filling machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, said sleeve comprising a flat element which has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of transverse edges (26, 27) and a pair of longitudinal edges (24, 25), said element being formed by a strip of sheet-like flexible material (39) which is folded onto itself in its middle part so as to define a pair of mutually facing walls (28, 29) joined together along the transverse folding edge (26), said walls (28, 29) being joined along the two longitudinal edges (24, 25) by means of a pair of continuous seams (30, 31 ), the second transverse edge (27) being open so as to define an opening for introducing the photos, wherein a third longitudinal seam (32) which joins together said facing flat walls (28, 29) in a substantially parallel and intermediate position with respect to the first two seams (30 31 ), so as to divide the sleeve into two separate pockets (33, 34).

22. Sleeve according to Claim 21 , characterized in that the distances between each of the lateral seams (30, 31 ) and the third intermediate seam (32) are different so that said pockets (33, 34) have varying widths.

23. Sleeve according to Claim 22, characterized in that the partial pocket of smaller width (33) is provided with one or more holes (35) for inserting one or more fastening devices or rings intended to bind together several sleeves.

24. Sleeve according to Claim 21 , characterized in that said seams (30, 31 , 32) extend substantially over the entire length (G) of the sleeve comprised between said transverse edges (26, 27).

25. Sleeve according to Claim 21 , characterized in that said seams (30, 31 , 32) extend over a section (G-H), leaving free a portion of predetermined length (H) in the vicinity of the open edge (27) of the sleeve (B).

26. Sleeve according to Claim 21 , characterized in that it envisages, in the region of one of the two pockets (33, 34), an identification element (M) which can be detected by a sleeve-filling machine for automatic positioning of the photo inside the sleeve.

27. Sleeve according to Claims 21 to 26, characterized in that it has, in the region of the smaller-size pocket (33), information and/or symbols printed on top of or inside the said pocket.

28. Sleeve according to any one of Claims 21 to 27, characterized in that it is joined in succession to other sleeves so as to form a substantially continuous strip (39) of sleeves.

29. Method for manufacturing a sleeve according to one or more of Claims 21 to 28, comprising the following steps: a) unwinding a film-like strip (36) of flexible material from a reel or roll (37) in a predetermined direction of feeding (X); b) folding over said strip (36) in its middle part (38) and in a longitudinal direction over the whole unrolling length so as to form two flaps (28, 29); c) superimposing the two flaps (28, 29) so as to form two facing walls; d) joining together the facing walls at predetermined distances by means of seams (30, 31 , 32, 40) which are substantially transverse with respect to the direction of feeding (X), so as to form a plurality of pockets (33, 34) with predetermined dimensions; e) forming one or more holes (35) in some of said pockets (33); f) winding up or folding up the finished roll (R); wherein the strip (36) is cut every three transverse seams (30, 31 , 32) so as to form sleeves with two separate adjacent pockets (33, 34) and wherein the distances between the transverse seams (30, 31 , 32, 40) are selected so that said pockets (33, 34) are of different width.

30. Method according to Claim 29, characterized in that the seams (30, 31 , 32, 40) are formed by means of bonding or hot-welding.