FR2576843A1 - METHODS FOR MANUALLY WRITING CARDS AND PREPARING CARDS FOR WRITING THE SAME, AND DEVICES FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHODS - Google Patents

Abstract

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE, WRITING MANUALLY, PREFERREDLY ON A DESKTOP, USING A WRITING INSTRUMENT WITH A THERMAL WRITING POINT, ON A TRANSFER FILM 25 APPEARING THROUGH A WINDOW OF AN ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE CARD 16, FILM 25 AND MEANS 22, 24 NOW REMOVABLE THE FILM ON THE MAP.

Description

Methods for manual card writing and card preparation

  for this writing, and devices for the implementation of

these processes.

  The present invention relates to methods for the manual writing of cards, in particular of cards intended to accompany the

  gifts, as well as for the preparation of such cards.

  The invention also relates to devices for the implementation of these methods, namely the card assemblies, the writing instruments and the desks allowing the writing of these

cards with these instruments.

  The idea of personalizing gifts or flowers with cards has been known for a long time, but there is currently a growing trend towards personalization, which translates into a desire to see the name, signature and / or writing of a person appearing on a card, associated with a service or a transaction

  commercial such as the purchase followed by the sending of a gift.

  The traditional business cards that are often used, or the cards made available to customers by merchants or service providers can, in practice, only receive texts written manually using a writing instrument usual such as a stylograph, ballpoint pen or the like, so that the cards thus used have an ordinary appearance and do not have the appearance of a

written elaborate.

  In addition, it may be interesting for traders or service providers to associate their name, brand with other à la carte advertising which then has a printed part but this, contrasting with the written text, confirms the printing

  unfinished and artificial by this very juxtaposition.

  The invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks and to provide a method allowing a buyer, for example a gift buyer, to write himself a personalized card but having all the appearance of an elaborate product giving an impression finish, aesthetics and durability that emphasizes and

  really personalize the gift or service offered.

  Another objective of the invention is to develop a method and to provide devices which make it possible to produce these cards in an extremely convenient and simple manner, requiring nothing other from the user than manual writing. a text and / or a

  signature, and this at an economic cost price.

  Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such methods and devices for their implementation which make it possible to associate with the individual writing appearing on the card a printed part comprising an advertising element, and this in a way such

  may spontaneous text and advertising harmonize and strengthen you.

  Yet another objective of the invention is to provide devices allowing the implementation of these methods which occupy very little space and can be easily installed in traders and shopkeepers, and thus provide them with an additional commercial advantage, both by attracting customers who are attracted by the possibility of sending personalized gifts and advertising to recipients, and harmoniously associated

  to the buyer's personalized text.

  Yet another objective of the invention is to develop a method which uses the technique known per se of transfer

thermal.

  It will be recalled that the thermal transfer technique as it is known, consists of superimposing on a support material, which can for example be a cardboard, a transfer film as sold for example under the brand LUXOR by the company KURZ France , the transfer of the film to the support being obtained by application of a

  pressure at a high temperature called transfer temperature.

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  The devices using this process scroll, in front of a matrix heated to the desired transfer temperature, a support strip on which a film strip is superimposed, the assembly progressing automatically under the matrix which is applied regularly to the assembly so as to transfer, as a function of the relief of the matrix, the corresponding parts of the film on the support. These devices which make it possible to obtain high rates are of course extremely bulky, heavy, expensive, and delicate to adjust, and this technique therefore did not seem able to be used in the context of writing personalized messages.

before the present invention.

  The subject of the invention is therefore a method for the manual writing of cards, in particular cards accompanying gifts, characterized in that individual card sets are prepared comprising a support, for example a semi-rigid support, a simple or complex thermal transfer film, and means for detachably holding the film on one face of said support, and that text is manually written using a thermal writing instrument comprising a body having the form of a stylograph and a point heated to a regulated transfer temperature, intended to be applied against said film, after which the coated support is separated from

  its text and forming the card with the film and its means of support.

  Preferably, while the card assembly is being prepared, one or more inscriptions such as text, drawing, frame, line are printed on the card in one or more locations separated from

  the location for manual writing.

  Advantageously, one can use, for writing, a desk having an inclined face on which the card assembly is applied for writing, this face having means for

  immobilize or hold the card assembly during writing.

  The cards used can, of course, be of various shapes and dimensions and the surface which receives the writing by thermal transfer can have any color, any aspect of grain.

  plain, smooth or mat, without any limitation.

  Cards can be used to accompany gifts, but of course they can be used in other

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  systems, for example for restaurant or show reservations, for making loyalty cards with merchants etc. A process for preparing the cards thus capable of receiving a text by manual writing by thermal transfer using such a writing instrument, can advantageously be characterized in that: a continuous support strip is produced in which will be cut out the individual supports, a continuous strip of an auxiliary material such as for example cardboard is produced, having a width greater than twice the width of the continuous strip, windows are cut from one of the halves of this auxiliary strip not cards which will be materialized in the continuous support strip, a ribbon of transfer film is fixed on this half, the said support strip is superimposed on the transfer film ribbon and the auxiliary strip is folded so as to cover the two faces of said support strip by assembling the initially free edges of the auxiliary strip, and the assembly obtained is cut into individual card assemblies. Of course, as a variant, the support strip can be trapped between a first strip arranged on one side, having the windows at the above-mentioned pitch and coated with transfer film tape, the other side of the continuous support strip then receiving another auxiliary strip which, projecting like the first, on either side of the continuous support strip, is fixed against the strip provided with the windows so as to maintain, after cutting, the card in good position opposite the transfer film appearing in the window. As has been said, the support can receive inscriptions beforehand and preferably inscriptions by thermal transfer preferably using films of the same kind as those intended for manual writing. In this case, the shape and the size of the windows are advantageously chosen so as to delimit

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  exactly the part of the map accessible to the end user for

manual writing.

  The subject of the invention is also the sets of individual cards capable of receiving a text written manually by thermal transfer using a writing instrument, and in particular the sets obtained by the aforementioned method, these sets comprising a support. preferably, depending on the dimensions and shape of the final card, a transfer film covering at least part of one face of this support and means for detachably holding the film on said face of the support, these means preferably being made by a case of auxiliary material

  having a window for manual writing.

  The invention also relates to a manual thermal writing instrument capable of being used for writing by thermal transfer on such a card assembly and characterized in that it comprises a body having the form of a stylograph and a tip heated to a regulated transfer temperature and intended to be

  applied to the transfer film of the card assembly.

  Preferably, said point comprises a ball in the manner of a ballpoint pen, said ball being heated by means of a resistor situated in the body of the writing instrument, the point being of

  preferably covered with a pen-shaped pen cover.

  In a preferred embodiment, the body of the writing instrument comprises, at the location where it will be grasped by the user's fingers, two neighboring conductive surfaces, preferably in the form of two parallel annular surfaces, and intended to be connected together by the fingers of the user of

  so as to control the heating of the writing tip.

  Preferably, the regulation is carried out using a thermistor located in the body of the writing instrument and sensitive to the heat of the resistor which heats the tip, said thermistor being connected to means for regulating the power supply of

  the resistance intended to heat the writing tip.

  The writing instrument is thus associated with an electrical supply and regulation circuit, preferably located outside the body of the pen and connected to the latter by any means.

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  suitable, for example a cord, said circuit having a temperature control comparator sensitive to the thermistor for authorizing or interrupting the sending of current in the heating resistor of the writing tip as a function of the temperature detected, the output of this comparator being connected by a logic circuit comprising a "nand" gate which also receives a signal coming from the detection of the gripping of the pen by the user thanks to said two adjacent conductive surfaces so as not to allow the supply of the instrument of write in current only when the temperature is lower than the minimum setting temperature and when

  simultaneously the writing instrument is grasped by a user.

  Preferably, provision is made for writing on the card assembly, a desk of preferably reduced size capable of being placed for example on a table and having an inclined face provided with means for holding or immobilizing the assembly. Map

during writing.

  These means may for example include a recess in the form of a right angle formed in the inclined surface of the desk so that the card rests in the right angle thus formed by its own

  gravity and occupies the desired position.

  This desk, which can advantageously be formed from a base covered with a box, can preferably contain the power supply and regulation circuit of the writing instrument, connected to the latter by a cord, this desk then being able to advantageously present a notch receiving the writing instrument when the latter

is at rest.

  The desk can also include various elements such as for example notches or recesses- intended to contain a

  reserve of cards and envelopes.

  Advantageously, the desk can also contain a drawer, for example a swivel drawer, containing a booklet on which a large number of formulas have been previously written.

  to be used by unimaginative people.

  Other advantages and characteristics of the invention

  will appear on reading the following description, made as

  non-limiting example and referring to the attached drawing in which:

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  Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of a

  lectern with a writing instrument according to the invention.

  FIG. 2 represents a view of a card having received a

  manual writing according to the invention.

  Figure 3 shows a perspective view with

  partial tearing of a set of cards according to the invention.

  FIG. 4 schematically represents the three bands intended to be associated in a process for the preparation of such a

together according to Figure 1.

  Figure 5 shows a view of a writing instrument

according to the invention.

  Figure 6 shows a diagram of power and

  electrical regulation of this writing instrument.

  We first refer to Figure 1.

  The device shown is intended to serve as a desk that can be placed at a merchant's to allow a buyer to write on the card as he pleases. It comprises a lower base 1 covered by a housing 2, the face 3 of which is inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of the order of 30 degrees. This face has a recess 4 located below the level of the face 3 and forming two lines of recess 5.6 which meet at right angles, each of the lines being inclined relative to the horizontal generatrices of the face 3. These lines 5, 6 allow to immobilize, in the hollow thus formed by the angle, a set of cards on which the user can write. To this end, a writing instrument 7 is provided, the details of which will be described later. This instrument 7 is connected to a supply and regulation circuit located inside the housing by a flexible cord 8. On one of its lateral faces, the shoemaker can receive a pivoting drawer 9 on which can for example be placed a notebook 10 likely to contain a plurality of usual formulas

  for unimaginative people.

  At the upper part 11 of the shoemaker 2, there are three notches 12, 13, 14 which can contain card sets and envelopes. The housing also has a notch 15 for the

  writing instrument housing 7.

  The desk can preferably be made of material

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molded injected plastic.

  Referring to Figure 2 we see a card according to the invention, consisting of a cardboard of the Chromolux type at 250 g and whose upper surface, glossy, is black. This card 16 has a frame 17 and a part 18 provided with an advertising inscription and forming the lower edge of the card. The frame and the advertising inscription are made in advance by a thermal transfer from a suitable film, preferably golden in color. Zone 19 inside the frame is intended to receive a

  hand written user registration.

  Referring to Figure 3, we see a set of cards according to the inventiorn. This card assembly, in which the transverse dimensions appearing the thickness of the constituents are exaggerated for the sake of clarity, comprises, from the bottom up, a first section of cardboard 21 having four rounded corners. This cardboard section 21 continues, without a solution of continuity, thanks to a fold 22 forming a long side, by an upper section 23 folded over the first, and provided, as we see, with a large rectangular window, the edge 24 of the pan 23 is applied after a new folding against the other pan 21, the panels 21 and 23 being secured to one another, preferably by gluing or pressing a tongue of the

edge 24 in a slot in pan 21.

  The card 16 rests on the pan 21 and is therefore somehow trapped in the case formed by the two sides 21 and 23 when the latter are placed in the folded and glued position

shown in figure 3.

  A golden transfer film 25, of the type sold under the name LUXOR by KURZ France substantially covers the card 16 by completely sealing the window made in the pan 23, this film 25 being also made integral, by bonding or any other means, by its longitudinal edges, i.e. the most

  large, from the underside or inner side of the upper panel 23.

  To write a card, the user takes such a card assembly 20, and places it as shown in FIG. 1 in the recess. He then has to grasp the writing instrument 7 and, applying the writing tip of this instrument on the face

  apparent from film 25, writing its text.

  To manufacture the individual card assemblies 20 in large series, one starts, as seen in FIG. 4, from a continuous strip of cardboard 26 having the same width as the final individual cards 16 which are obtained by cutting. We see on strip 26 the fictitious trace, in broken lines, of the divisions which will debit strip 26 into individual cards. This strip is brought to pass in a transfer printing machine of a conventional type which applies, by thermal transfer, the frame 17 and the

  advertising inscriptions 18 and this at the required step.

  Furthermore, a strip of auxiliary material 27 is used, for example a fairly flexible cardboard, the width of which is greater than twice the width of the strip 26. It is cut from the strip 27, and more precisely from one of its halves, a succession of rectangular windows 28 with the pitch of the cards which will be cut out from the strip 26, the dimensions of the windows being, as has been said, chosen so as to leave visible only the part of the film 25

  covering the area 19 of the card authorized for manual writing.

  Simultaneously, a grooving is performed in the middle of the strip 27 represented by the broken line 29 and intended to facilitate the folding of

band 27.

  A band 30 of transfer film such as for example the LUXOR metal band is then applied to the part of the strip 27 comprising the windows 28. This film 30 is held in position, for example by gluing at its two longitudinal edges on the

  and on the other side of the longitudinal edges of the windows 28.

  The strip 26, suitably indexed with respect to the strip 27, is then placed over the strip 30 which already covers the

windows 28.

  Finally, the part of the strip 27, not provided with windows, is folded around the fold line 29 so as to cover the assembly. In this movement, the two longitudinal edges of the strip 27 overlap and they are joined, for example using an adhesive which may advantageously already have been put in place.

  initially on each of the edges 24 of the strip 27.

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  It then only remains to ensure a cutting of the whole, preferably by making rounding at the four corners

as shown in the drawing.

  Of course, the manufacture of the individual sets of cards 20 may be subject to variants. Thus, for example, the strip 27 could be replaced by two narrower strips, one carrying the windows and the other extending continuously, the two strips being arranged, sandwiched, on either side of the strip 26, their edges, which project on either side of the strip 26, being connected

  between them by suitable means, bonding or other.

  As a variant, it is also possible to provide card assemblies 20 produced in a different manner, the essential being that these assemblies have, in addition to the card 16, a film of transfer material 25 and means, preferably made of paper, cardboard or plastic material, to temporarily hold the film 25 superimposed on

card 16.

  We now refer to Figures 5 and 6.

  The writing instrument 7 has the form of a usual writing instrument such as a stylograph, ballpoint pen, etc. It comprises an outer body 31 at the end of which a cord 8 containing four conductors exits. At the front part of the body 31 and more exactly at the location where the user grasps the instrument, there are arranged two conductive metal rings 32, 33 whose role will appear below. The body 31 ends with a writing tip 34, with a metal tube carrying at its end a metal ball 35 of the type of ballpoint pen balls. An ornamental cache

  36, having the shape of a feather covers the writing head 34.

  The writing head 34 is associated with a heating resistor 37 and a thermistor 38. The resistor 37 heats the head 34 and the thermistor 38 is sensitive to this head temperature

  of writing and its resistance varies according to this temperature.

  The electrical assembly constituted by the resistor 37 wound - for example around the writing head tube 34, the thermistor 38 also close to the tube to detect the temperature, the two conductive rings 32 and 33, as well as the four conductors which lead to cord 8, is embedded in an epoxy resin tip il- 2576843

  forming the front part 39 of the body 31.

  Referring to Figure 6 more particularly, we see an electrical diagram showing, inside the dashed line frame 7 which represents the pen, the two rings 32 and 33, the resistor 37 and the thermistor 38. A first conductor 40 terminates, via a switch 41 actuated by a relay 53, at the + terminal of a 12 V low-voltage rectified supply contained in the console box. The food contained in this shoemaker will not be described in more detail. It can usually include a

  120 V / 9 V transformer, followed by a standard rectifier bridge.

  The other junction of the resistor 37 is connected to the thermistor 38 which is itself connected, by a second conductor-54, to the input, -, of a comparator 42 usually connected to the power supply + 12 V. The junction of the resistor 37 and thermistor 38 is also connected to the second input, +, of the comparator 42 by a conductor 43 and this by means of a usual voltage divider assembly 44 with adjustable resistance allowing define the threshold

comparator 42.

  The output 45 of comparator 42 is addressed to a first

entry of a door "no and" 46.

  Finally, a switch constituted by the rings 32, 33 and also connected to the junction of the resistor 37 and thermistor 38, terminates by a conductor 47. At a detection circuit 48 based on amplification means driving the base of a transistor 49 , so as to determine a constant electrical signal when the switch 32, 33 is closed by the fingers of the user, and this even if the intensity passing through the switch 32, 33 is low and extremely variable. The transistor 4119 is connected to the second input of the gate 46 by a conductor 50. The output 51 of the gate 46 controls a transistor

  power 52 capable of actuating relay 53.

  It is therefore understood that, as long as the user has not applied his fingers to the rings 32, 33, the switch made up of these two rings is open, and the input 50 of the door 46 is not active, gate 46 is not validated. The transistor 52 is not conductive and the relay 53 maintains the switch 41 in the open position. When, through the user's fingers, the current flows from the ring

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  32 to the ring 33, which validates the gate 46, and making the transistor 52 conductive, it causes the actuation of the relay and the closing of the switch 41. At this moment, the resistor 37 is energized and starts to heat , the current passing through the thermistor 38 being variable with the temperature. When the temperature reaches the maximum permitted value displayed on the comparator 42, the comparator output blocks the door 46 and the relay 53 opens. Thus we obtain a regulation of the temperature of the writing tip, as long as

  the user holds the writing instrument at the level of the rings 32, 33.

  When it releases the instrument, the relay 53 opens a switch 41 and

  no current is sent to the resistor.

  Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is understood that it is in no way limited thereto and that it can be made various modifications of form or

  material without moving away from its frame or its spirit.

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Claims (15)

  1) Process for the manual writing of cards, in particular of cards accompanying gifts, characterized in that individual card assemblies (20) are prepared comprising a support (16), a thermal transfer film (25), and means (22, 24) for detachably holding the film on one face of said support, and for writing text manually using a thermal writing instrument (7) comprising a body (31) having the form of a stylographer and a writing tip (34) heated to a regulated transfer temperature and intended to be applied against said film, after which the support (16) coated with its text and forming the   card with the film (25) and its holding means (22, 24).   2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, during the preparation of the individual card assembly (20) is printed on the support of the inscriptions (17,18) such as text, drawing, frame, line, in one or locations separated by   location (19) for manual writing.   3) Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized   in that one uses, for writing, a desk (1, 2) having an inclined face (3) with means (4, 5, 6) for immobilizing   the individual card assembly (20) during writing.   4) Process for preparing card sets   individual comprising a support (16), a film of trans-   thermal fert (25), and means (22, 24) for removably holding the film on one face of said support, and capable of receiving a text written manually by thermal transfer using an instrument thermal writing (7) comprising a body (31) in the form of a stylograph and a writing tip (34) heated & a regulated transfer temperature intended to be applied against said film, said support (16) coated with sound text and forming the card then being separated from the film (25) and its holding means (22, 24), characterized in that, - a continuous support strip is produced from which will be cut the individual supports intended to form the cards, - a continuous strip of an auxiliary material is made having a width greater than that of said continuous support strip, - a window is cut from this second strip in the step of the cards which will be materialized in the support, - one fixes on the strip thus cut a ribbon of transfer film (30), - said transfer strip (30) thus fixed, said support strip (26) is superimposed - another strip of transfer film is applied to the remaining free side of the support strip (26) auxiliary material and the edges of auxiliary material which protrude from the support strip are assembled, - and the assembly obtained is cut into individual assemblies (20) of card.   ) Method according to claim 4, characterized in that a continuous strip of auxiliary material (27) is produced having a width greater than twice the width of the continuous support strip (26), cut from one of the halves of this strip of auxiliary material (27) of the windows (28) in the step of the cards and a grooving or folding line (29) is produced substantially in the middle of said strip (27), so as to produce a half of cut strip of windows and half a strip intended to be folded over the face of   the support strip (26) remained free.   6) Method according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized   in that the support strip (26) receives inscriptions such as   text, drawing, frame, line, by thermal transfer.   7) Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the shape of the windows (28) corresponds to the surface (19) left free by   prior registrations for manual writing.   8) Method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,   characterized in that the transfer film (25) is bonded to the strip   auxiliary (27) along the longitudinal edges of the windows (28).   ) Method according to any one of claims 5 to 9,   characterized in that, when cutting, rounding is cut   at the four corners of the card assembly (20).   11) Set of individual cards, characterized in   that it includes a card support (16). a film of trans-   thermal insulation (25) and means (22, 24) for detachably holding the film (25) on one face of said card support (16), said assembly being capable of receiving,   by manual writing, a text by using an instru-   thermal writing ment (7) comprising a body (31) -   having the shape of a stylograph and a writing tip (34) heated & a regulated transfer temperature and intended to be applied against said film, said support (16) coated with its text and forming the card then being separated from with the film (25) and the holding means (22, 24). 12) An assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that said means (22, 24) constitute a case folded around the support with a window (28) and a transfer film (25) appearing in the window.   13) Assembly according to one of claims 11 and 12,   characterized in that said support has previously received inscriptions such as text, drawing, frame, line in one or more locations (17, 18) spaced from a location (19) provided for manual writing.   14) An assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the window (28) corresponds to an area (19) left free for writing manual.   ) Manual thermal writing instrument suscep-   tible of being used for manual writing of a text   by thermal transfer on a card assembly (20) comprising   taking a support (16), a thermal transfer film   (25) and means (22, 24) for detachably holding   ble, the film on one side of said support, said support (16) coated with its text and forming the card then being separated from the film (25) and the means. holding (22, 24), characterized in that it comprises a body (31) having the shape of a stylograph and a writing tip (34,) heated to a regulated transfer temperature and   intended to be applied to the transfer film.   16) instrument according to claim 15, characterized in that   that the heated writing tip comprises a heated ball (35).   17) Instrument according to one of claims 15 and 16,   characterized in that the writing tip (34, 35) is covered with a pen-shaped feather cover (36).   18) Instrument according to one of claims 15 to 17,   characterized in that the body (31) comprises ,. at the level of the zone for gripping by the fingers of the user, two neighboring conductive surfaces (32, 33) intended to be connected by the fingers of the user to control the heating of the writing tip (34,).   19) Instrument according to any one of claims 15 to   18, characterized in that it includes in the body (31) a heating resistor for the writing tip (34, 35) and a thermistor connected to means for regulating (42, 46, 52) the supply electric resistance (37).   ) Thermal writing instrument according to claim 19, characterized in that the thermistor is connected to a comparator on which is displayed a value corresponding to the maximum temperature, the output of the comparator terminating at a non-door and (46) which also terminates to a circuit capable of being closed by two neighboring conductive surfaces (32, 33) placed on the body (31) of the instrument so as to be able to be connected by the fingers of the user, said door controlling an actuation means and   interrupting (41) the heating of the resistor (37).   2.1> Desk for manual card writing from individual card sets according to any one of   claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it has   an inclined face (3) provided with holding and immobilisation means   mobilization (4, 5, 6) of an individual card assembly (20). 22) Panel according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises in said inclined face (3) a recess (4) determined by two recess lines (5, 6) forming a right angle and inclined relative to the horizontal geometric generatrices of said front (31.   23) Music stand according to one of claims 21 and 22,   characterized in that it contains the means for supplying and regulating a thermal writing instrument according to any one   claims 15 to 20, said writing instrument being connected to the   desk by a cord of conductors (8). 24) Panel according to claim 23, characterized in that it comprises notches (12, 13, 14) for receiving individual card assemblies (20) and / or envelopes for the cards, and a notch (15) forming a resting place for the writing instrument (7).   ) Desk according to any one of claims 21 to 211,   characterized in that it comprises, on a lateral part, a drawer   retractable (9) can present a book of formulas.