EP1228896B1 - Method of producing a filing appliance and appliance produced thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

The file consists of a cover and a number of separators, each with two sides (8a, 8b, 8c; 9a, 9b, 9c) and a spine, all made from a thermally weldable material, assembled on a supporting surface (22) and welded together along the spine after assembly. The cover and separator are made with holes (20) that are aligned with studs (23) projecting from the support prior to welding so that they are all aligned correctly.

Description

The invention relates to a method of producing a product for classifying and / or protecting at least one document, such as a sorter or the like, and a product obtained by this method. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.

The invention relates to products comprising a plurality of sheets of material such as polypropylene, assembled to each other.

A first known method of assembling these sheets is the mechanical assembly, in particular by means of rivets. For this purpose, the leaflets comprise holes, generally two holes per sheet, intended to receive said rivets.

A second known method of assembly is to weld the sheets together, for example by ultrasound, along a line. This method is particularly well suited to polypropylene and similar materials (see eg EP-A-0 509 197).

Prior to their welding, the sheets are superimposed and placed on a support. The positioning of the sheets relative to each other can be provided by shims preventing the displacement of said sheets relative to the support and their relative sliding.

However, this second method of assembly does not allow precise positioning of sheets having different shapes or dimensions. As a result, in this case, the leaflets can be misaligned with respect to each other before assembly, which leads to a final product of poor quality and unsightly.

The object of the invention is to solve these problems.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of producing a product for classifying and / or protecting at least one document, such as a sorter or the like, said product comprising a plurality of sheets of heat-sealable material, assembled together, in which the sheets are placed on a substantially plane support by superimposing them, before assembling said sheets by welding.

According to the invention, prior to these two steps, at least two cutouts are produced on each of the sheets, the cutouts being arranged on each of the sheets so as to be in correspondence with each other when the sheets are placed one on the other. others in the desired position, and engaging said cutouts in protruding lugs of the support.

Thus, the sheets are precisely positioned relative to each other when they are superimposed on the support before welding, and we obtain a perfectly assembled and aesthetic product.

The cutouts are not used here to secure the sheets, as is the case in the method of joining by riveting, but to position them with respect to each other accurately, before assembly by welding.

According to a first variant embodiment, the cutouts are holes located at a distance from the edges of the leaflets.

According to a second variant embodiment, the cutouts are notches opening on at least one edge of the sheets.

According to other features, the sheets are welded along a line substantially coincident with a line joining two cutouts of a sheet.

Prior to the positioning of the sheets on the support, is made on each of the sheets at least one weakening line for facilitating the folding of said sheets.

According to one possible embodiment, each of the sheets has two lines of weakening substantially parallel to each other, so that each sheet comprises two parts connected by a back, the cuts being for example made between the two lines of weakening of each sheet. .

On each of the sheets, weakening lines are produced, all the closer to one another, so that the said sheet is intended to be located, after folding, towards the interior of the classification and / or protection product. so that the thickness of folded sheets and superimposed does not interfere with the maintenance of said product in the closed position.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a product for the classification and / or protection of at least one document, such as a sorter or the like, comprising a plurality of sheets of heat-sealable material, assembled together, performed by a method as described above, and comprising at least two cutouts free of any mechanical assembly or welding means.

Each leaflet comprises two parts connected to a back by lines of weakening substantially parallel to each other, each of said parts being able to be moved between a closed position and an open position, said sheets being welded to each other along a line situated on their backs and substantially parallel to the weakening lines.

The cutouts are arranged on the back of each of the sheets, in the vicinity of or on the weld line.

According to a first variant embodiment, the cutouts are holes located at a distance from the edges of the sheets, each hole being located towards one end of the weld line; according to a second embodiment, the cutouts are notches opening on opposite edges of a sheet.

Finally, according to a third aspect, the invention relates to a device for implementing the above method. The device comprises a substantially planar support on which sheets are intended to be superimposed for their assembly by welding. The support has lugs projecting from said support, the lugs being intended to cooperate with cutouts made in the leaflets.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation de trois feuillets découpés lors d'une première étape du procédé selon l'invention, et destinés à être assemblés par soudage les uns aux autres ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation en perspective d'une deuxième étape du procédé, au cours de laquelle les trois feuillets précédents sont superposés sur un support ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation en perspective d'une troisième étape du procédé, au cours de laquelle les feuillets sont soudés les uns aux autres ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en élévation d'un trieur selon l'invention, en position ouverte, selon une première variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en élévation d'un trieur selon l'invention, en position ouverte, selon une deuxième variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de côté d'un trieur en position fermée, selon une direction D2.

The other features of the invention result from the following description of embodiments, description made with reference to the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 is an elevational view of three sheets cut in a first step of the method according to the invention, and intended to be assembled by welding to each other;
• Figure 2 is a perspective representation of a second process step, in which the three preceding sheets are superimposed on a support;
• Figure 3 is a perspective representation of a third process step, in which the leaflets are welded to each other;
• Figure 4 is an elevational view of a sorter according to the invention, in the open position, according to a first embodiment;
• Figure 5 is an elevational view of a sorter according to the invention, in the open position, according to a second embodiment;
• Figure 6 is a side view of a sorter in the closed position, in a direction D2.

First described a sorter 1 made by the method according to the invention.

The sorter 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, comprises a plurality of sheets 2 superimposed and assembled together along a weld line 3. In the example illustrated in the figures, the sorter 1 comprises three leaflets 2a, 2b, 2c. Of course, the sorter 1 may comprise more or fewer than three sheets 2.

The sheets 2a, 2b, 2c are made of a heat-sealable material, such as polypropylene. They have substantially the shape of a rectangle whose corners are rounded.

Throughout the description, the terms "width", "left", "right" will be used with reference to the direction D1, substantially parallel to the long side of the sheet, while the terms "height", "upper", "lower" will be used with reference to the direction D2, substantially parallel to the small side of the sheet.

• une première médiane 4, s'étendant selon la direction D1, sensiblement à mi-hauteur du dit feuillet 2 ;
• une deuxième médiane 5, s'étendant selon la direction D2, sensiblement à mi-largeur du dit feuillet 2.

We also define two medians of a given sheet 2:

• a first median 4, extending in the direction D1, substantially halfway up the said sheet 2;
• a second median 5, extending in the direction D2, substantially mid-width of said sheet 2.

Each sheet 2 comprises two weakening lines 6, 7, such as fold lines or localized thinning lines, extending in the direction D2 over the entire height of the sheet 2, on both sides and equidistant from the second median 5 of said leaflet.

It is specified that the weld line 3 and the weakening lines 6, 7 may have a certain width.

Each sheet 2 is thus divided in its width into two parts 8, 9, respectively left and right, each of generally rectangular shape, of substantially the same width, connected by a back 10, located substantially in the middle of said sheet 2. The median, in the direction D2, the back 10 of a sheet 2 is substantially merged with the second median 5 of said sheet 2.

Each of the two parts 8, 9 of the sheet 2 can be moved, by rotation about the corresponding line of weakness 6, 7, between a position closed, where said portion 8, 9 is substantially perpendicular to the back 10, and an open position, wherein said portion 8, 9 is substantially parallel to the back 10.

Each of the three sheets 2a, 2b, 2c is now described with reference to FIG.

The first sheet 2a is intended to form the cover of the sorter 1, and has dimensions slightly greater than those of the other sheets 2b, 2c

One of the parts of the first sheet 2a, for example the right part 9a, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may comprise flaps 11 as well as orifices 12 intended to receive an elastic connection (not shown), as it is known from the prior art.

The second sheet 2b is intended to be placed directly on the first sheet 2a. The left part 8b of the second sheet 2b comprises, towards its left edge, a notch 13 extending from the lower edge of said sheet 2b on substantially three quarters of the height of said sheet 2b, so that a first tab 14 is formed towards the upper left edge of the sheet 2b.

The third sheet 2c is intended to be placed directly on the second sheet 2b, and to be located the most inside the sorter 1.

The left portion 8c of the third sheet 2c comprises, towards its left edge, a notch 15 extending from the lower edge of said sheet 2c over substantially half the height of said sheet 2c, so that a second tab 16 is formed on the left side 8c of the sheet 2c.

The right portion 9c of the third sheet 2c comprises, towards its right edge, a notch 17 extending from the lower edge of said sheet 2c on substantially one quarter of the height of said sheet 2c, so that a third tab 18 is formed on the right part 9c of the sheet 2c.

The lower right zone of the right portion 9b of the second sheet 2b is intended to form a fourth tab 19 as will be seen later.

As will be described in more detail, the three sheets 2a, 2b, 2c are intended to be superimposed in this order, then assembled along a weld line 3 at their backs 10.

Such a sorter 1 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the open position, and in Figure 6, in the closed position, in side view in the direction D2.

• la partie gauche 8b du deuxième feuillet 2b, présentant le premier onglet 14 s'étendant depuis le bord supérieur du feuillet 2b sur un quart de la hauteur du dit feuillet 2b ;
• la partie gauche 8c du troisième feuillet 2c, présentant le deuxième onglet 16 s'étendant depuis le bord supérieur du feuillet 2c sur la moitié de la hauteur du dit feuillet 2c ;
• la partie droite 9c du troisième feuillet 2c, présentant le troisième onglet 18 s'étendant depuis le bord supérieur du feuillet 2c sur les trois quarts de la hauteur du dit feuillet 2c ;
• la partie droite 9b du deuxième feuillet 2b, présentant le quatrième onglet 19 s'étendant depuis le bord supérieur du feuillet 2b sur les toute la hauteur du dit feuillet 2b.

When the sorter 1 is closed, starting from the left part 8a of the first sheet 2a forming a cover, and going towards the right part 9a of said first sheet 2a, one successively encounters:

• the left part 8b of the second sheet 2b, having the first tab 14 extending from the upper edge of the sheet 2b over a quarter of the height of said sheet 2b;
• the left part 8c of the third sheet 2c, having the second tab 16 extending from the upper edge of the sheet 2c on half the height of said sheet 2c;
• the right portion 9c of the third sheet 2c, having the third tab 18 extending from the upper edge of the sheet 2c over three quarters of the height of said sheet 2c;
• the right part 9b of the second sheet 2b, having the fourth tab 19 extending from the upper edge of the sheet 2b over the entire height of said sheet 2b.

It is therefore understood that, depending on the number of sheets 2 contained in the sorter 1, the height and the position of the indentations of each of the sheets 2 must be adapted so that, once the sorter 1 is assembled, there is a perfect succession of the tabs. .

For aesthetic and practical reasons, it is generally desired that the left 8a and right 9a portions of the first sheet 2a are substantially parallel when the sorter 1 is in the closed position, and that the sorter 1 does not tend to open spontaneously, but remains in closed position. It is also most often desired that the left and right edges of the various sheets 2 - with the possible exception of the first cover sheet 2a - are substantially aligned, and not offset with respect to each other.

As a result, the width of the back 10 of a sheet 2 is all the greater as the said sheet 2 is located towards the outside of the sorter 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6.

Thus, the distance d between the weakening lines 6, 7 of the first sheet 2a, intended to form the covering of the sorter 1 is greater than the distance between the weakening lines 6, 7 of the second sheet 2b, itself even greater than the distance d "between the weakening lines 6, 7 of the third sheet 2c, intended to be located the most inside the sorter 1.

The width of the left 8 and straight 9 parts of the various sheets 2 - with the possible exception of the first cover sheet 2a - being moreover substantially equal regardless of the sheet 2 considered, the dimensions of the sheets 2 to be assembled are therefore different. .

However, in order to obtain an aesthetic sorter 1, symmetrically assembled, it is desired that the first medians 4 of the different sheets 2 are superimposed, as well as the second medians 5 of the different sheets 2.

The positioning of the sheets 2 with respect to each other using wedges is then no longer possible.

We now describe the method of producing the sorter 1 proposed by the invention, which allows precise positioning of the sheets 2 relative to each other despite the difference between their dimensions. In a first step, illustrated in Figure 1, the sheets 2a, 2b, 2c are cut in a sheet of polypropylene for example.

Simultaneously, or consecutively, at the cutting of the contours of said sheets 2, cuts are made - at least two - on each of said sheets 2, said cutouts for precisely positioning the sheets 2 with respect to a support and some by compared to others.

According to a first variant, illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the cutouts are holes 20, made for example with a punch. Each sheet 2a, 2b, 2c thus comprises two holes 20.

The holes 20 are preferably made on the back 10 of each of the sheets 2, substantially on the second median 5 of the sheet 2, and are located one towards the upper edge and the other towards the lower edge of said sheet 2, but at a distance from said edges.

However, on a given sheet 2, the holes 20 may be arranged at any point on the surface of said sheet 2.

The holes 20 are located on each of the sheets 2 so that, when the sheets 2 are superimposed in the desired manner, that is to say when the first medians 4 of the different sheets 2 are superimposed, as the second medians 5 of the different sheets 2, the holes 20 of different sheets 2 are in correspondence with each other.

According to a second variant, illustrated in FIG. 5, the cutouts are notches 21 located on the back 10 of each of the sheets 2, substantially on the second median 5 of the sheet 2, and opening one on the upper edge of the sheet 2 and the other on the lower edge of said leaflet 2.

Of course, the notches 21 may be located anywhere on the surface of a given sheet 2, the notches 21 of different sheets before however, be placed in correspondence with each other when the sheets 2 are superimposed in the desired position.

In addition, a given sheet 2 may comprise on the one hand a hole 20 and on the other hand a notch 21.

During a second step of the method of producing a sorter 1, shown in Figure 2, the sheets 2 are placed on a fixed support 22, substantially flat and horizontal, and superimposed on each other in the desired position.

For this purpose, the support 22 comprises two lugs 23 protruding substantially perpendicularly from said support 22, and spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between the two holes 20, or the two notches 21, of the leaflets 2.

The sheets 2 are positioned one after the other on the support 22, the holes 20, or notches 21, of a sheet 2 being each engaged in a pin 23. The first leaf 2a is disposed first, in contact with the support 22, then successively arranges the second sheet 2b and finally the third sheet 2c. The sheets 2a, 2b, 2c are placed in a direction such that, after folding of all three sheets 2a, 2b, 2c along the lines of weakness 6, 7, the tabs 14, 16, 18, 19 are follow from the first to the fourth, as previously described, so that we obtain a sorter 1 having regular spacers.

The cooperation of the lugs 23 and the holes 20 or notches 21 makes it possible to ensure precise positioning of the sheets 2a, 2b, 2c relative to each other, and to prevent their relative sliding, which makes it possible to obtain an assembled sorter 1 in a regular and aesthetic way.

It is understood that the number of pins 23 and their position depend on the number of cuts and their position. If two lugs 23 are sufficient to precisely position the sheets 2, it can however provide more lugs 23 (and associated cuts).

Once the superimposed leaflets 2 are assembled by welding, during a third step of the process, illustrated in FIG.

A welding machine 24 is moved vertically downwards towards the sheets 2 to be assembled.

This produces a weld line 3 or substantially aligned welding points 25. The weld line 3 is made at the back 10 of the sheets 2, and is preferably substantially coincidental with the second median 5 of the backs 10 of the sheets 2, so that the sorter 1 obtained is symmetrical. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the weld line 3 thus passes through the holes 20 or notches 21 of the sheets 2.

In the case where the cutouts are holes 20, the weld line 3 can be located between said holes 20 or extend to the edges of the sheets 2.

However, the weld line 3 can be shifted with respect to the line joining the cuts, without this affecting the quality of the sorter 1 obtained.

It is recalled that the holes 20 - or notches 21 - are not used to secure the sheets 2 between them, but to position them relative to each other. Thus, the holes 20 or notches 21 are free of any mechanical assembly means, such as rivets, and free of welding, even after the sorter 1 has been made.

Claims (14)

1. A method of making a product (1) such as a sorter (1) or the like designed for filing and/or protecting at least one document, said product comprising a plurality of sheets (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) made of a heat-sealable material and assembled together, said method consisting in:

   - placing the sheets (2) on a support (22) by superposing them on one another; and

   - assembling said sheets (2) together by sealing;

   
   said method being characterized in that, prior to these two steps, said method further consists in providing at least two cutouts in each of the sheets (2), the cutouts being disposed on each of the sheets (2) so as to be in register with one another when the sheets (2) are placed on one another in the desired position, and in that said cutouts are engaged on studs (23) projecting from the support (22), so that the sheets (2) are positioned with precision relative to one another when they are superposed on the support (22) before they are assembled together.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutouts are holes (20) situated remote from the edges of the sheets (2).
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutouts are notches (21) opening out in at least one edge of each of the sheets (2).
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sheets (2) are sealed together along a line (3) that substantially coincides with a line joining up two cutouts in a sheet.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, prior to positioning the sheets (2) on the support, each of the sheets (2) is provided with at least one score line (6, 7) serving to make it easier to fold said sheets (2).
6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the sheets (2) is provided with two score lines (6, 7) that are substantially mutually parallel, so that each sheet (2) is made up of a two portions (8, 9) interconnected by a back (10).
7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the cutouts are provided between the score lines (6, 7) of each sheet (2).
8. A method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that each of the sheets (2) is provided with score lines (6, 7) that are closer together the further towards the inside of the filing and/or protection product (1) that said sheet (2) is to be situated, so that the thickness of the folded and superposed sheets (2) is not a hindrance to keeping said product (1) in the closed position.
9. A product such as a sorter (1) or the like designed for filing and/or protecting at least one document, said product comprising a plurality of sheets (2) made of heat-sealable material and assembled together, and made by implementing a method of according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is provided with at least two cutouts exempt from any sealing or mechanical assembly means.
10. A product according to claim 9, characterized in that each sheet (2) comprises two portions (8, 9) interconnected at a back (10) via score lines (6, 7) that are substantially mutually parallel, it being possible for each of said portions (8, 9) to be moved between a closed position and an open position, said sheets (2) being sealed to one another along lines (3) situated along their backs (10) and substantially parallel to the score lines (6, 7).
11. A product according to claim 10, characterized in that the cutouts are disposed on the back (10) of each of the sheets (2), in the vicinity of or on the sealing line (3).
12. A product according to claim 11, characterized in that the cutouts are holes (20) situated remote from the edges of the sheets (2), each hole (20) being situated towards a respective end of the sealing line (3).
13. A product according to claim 11, characterized in that the cutouts are notches (21) opening out in opposite edges of a sheet (2).
14. Apparatus for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a substantially plane support (22) on which the sheets (2) are superposed for the purpose of assembling them together by sealing, said apparatus being characterized in that the support (22) is provided with studs (23) projecting from said support (22), said slugs (23) being designed to co-operate with the cutouts (20, 21) provided in the sheets (2).

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