FR2587525A1 - PACKAGING COMPRISING A DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO A PRODUCT, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING SUCH PACKAGING - Google Patents

Abstract

THE PRODUCT OR ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING 1 IS SOLIDARIZED TO A DOCUMENT 2 IN THE FORM OF A SHEET BY THE INTERMEDIATE OF A FLEXIBLE BONDING TAPE 3 CARRIED OUT BY A TRANSPARENT UNIFACE ADHESIVE TAPE BOUNDING THE PACKAGING 1 AND EXTENDING THE PART AND OF ' ANOTHER OF THE PACKAGING, THEN BONDING ON ITSELF ACCORDING TO AN INTERMEDIATE ZONE FORMING FLEXIBLE BAND 3, ITS TWO ENDS THEN BONDING RESPECTIVELY ON THE TWO OPPOSED SIDES OF THE DOCUMENT 2.

Description

PACKAGING COMPRISING A DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO A PRODUCT, PROCESS AND

  DEVICE FOR PRODUCING SUCH PACKAGING.

  The present invention relates to a new packaging for the transport, handling and / or presentation of a product, the packaging comprising a document and means for attaching the

document to product.

  The invention applies in particular to the packaging of exposed photographic films or films, for their transport and handling between the user or the photography retailer.

  and the development laboratory.

  According to the methods and devices known in the photography profession, the impressed photographic film leaves the camera being already packaged in an original packaging such as a cartridge, or a charger, or any other protective packaging. The user must send the film to a photographic development laboratory, either directly or through a retailer. The transfer is usually carried out by inserting the original packaging in a paper or plastic pouch, on which the retailer or the user enters their contact details. The laboratory develops the film, carries indications on the pocket such as the price, inserts the photographs in the pocket, and returns the whole to the retailer or

to the user.

  We see that such a transfer requires several handwriting operations, which put off retailers and users

  and possibly produce queues.

  Upon receipt of the photographic work, the laboratory must sort according to categories, such as the length of the films, the brand, the format, the nature of the emulsion, the work options, etc. There are easily between two hundred and four hundred categories. The

  sorting reliability requires seeing the registrations brought directly-

  ment on the original packaging by the manufacturer, which requires manipulations to remove the packaging from the pouch, to locate the respective references while trying to avoid reversals and

errors.

  It appears that the known packaging is not suitable

possible automation.

  The object of the present invention is in particular to avoid the drawbacks of known methods and devices, by proposing a new type of packaging, in particular for photographic work, which is suitable for possible automation, avoiding long and tedious manual operations, reducing the risks. error at

  sorting, and presenting a particularly low cost.

  The invention also aims to implement a method and a device for producing such packaging, a device simple enough to be produced at low cost and to be installed at retailers. The device is also particularly simple and quick to use, which can be left available to users. According to another object of the invention, the packaging thus produced has a particular shape which allows easy and space-saving stacking for transport in simple boxes, the various packages being arranged automatically in relation to the others in positions which avoid entanglement and loss of space. The packaging according to the invention allows direct reading

  original film packaging.

  To achieve these and other objects, the condition-

  ment includes the raw product or in its original packaging, which is attached to a sheet-shaped document by means of at least one flexible connecting strip ensuring the relative orientation of the packaging and of the document . In particular, the packaging may comprise only a single flexible strip arranged in a substantially

  symmetrical along the mean longitudinal axis of the document assembly-

  original package. The document is preferably rectangular in shape.

  is conformed to receive and support information

  written. In the description and in the claims, the word

  "sheet" is used to designate all types of simple or compound, flexible or rigid documents, for example in single thickness or in

  bundle or bag, paper or other material.

  The realization of such packaging can be done by encircling the original packaging using a single-sided adhesive tape

  transparent, the adhesive tape sticking out on either side of the packaging

  lage, then being glued on itself according to an intermediate zone forming j; .t 2587525 the flexible connecting strip, and its two ends then sticking

  respectively on the two opposite sides of the document.

  The device for producing this packaging comprises means for maintaining a predetermined length of adhesive tape in tension and for supporting it on either side of its central zone, drive means for moving the packaging and the document in direction of the central area of adhesive tape, by its adhesive side, guide means for guiding the packaging and the document during their progress towards the central area of adhesive tape, and pressure rollers arranged on either side of the path defined by the guide means for applying the adhesive tape on the part

  on both sides of the packaging and the document and ensure bonding.

  Other objects, features and advantages of this

  The invention will emerge from the following description of embodiments.

  tion particular, made in connection with the accompanying figures, among which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a package according to the invention;

  - Figure 2 shows a packaging assembly according to the invention-

  tion inserted in a transport case; - Figure 3 shows a side view on a larger scale of a package according to the invention; - Figure 4 shows the general diagram of a device for carrying out the packaging in side view; - Figure 5 shows the detail of the holding means of the adhesive tape, in side view; - Figure 6 shows a top view of the means for holding the adhesive tape; - Figures 7 to 11 illustrate the operation of the device according to the invention; and - Figure 12 is a partial front view of Figure 11 in section

along the IV-IV axis.

  Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the constitution of a condition-

  ment according to the invention in its adaptation to photographic work.

  The exposed film is contained in its original packaging 1.

  The original packaging is attached to a document 2 in the form of a sheet by means of a flexible connecting strip 3. The flexible strip 3 is arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner along

  the mean longitudinal axis I-I of the document set 2-original packaging

  gine 1. Document 2 is rectangular in shape, and is shaped to receive and support written information. It may for example be a sheet of paper, or a pocket intended to subsequently receive the prints. The connecting strip 3 is produced, according to

  the invention, by means of a single-faced adhesive tape which surrounds the packaging

  lage of origin 1, protruding on either side of the packaging, sticks on itself according to an intermediate zone forming the flexible strip 3 of connection, its two ends then sticking respectively on the

  two opposite sides 4 and 5 of document 2.

  As shown in Figure 2, such packaging tends to nest on top of each other and stack without tangle, the presence of documents 2 connected by connecting strips 3 tending to ensure a constant orientation of the packaging of 1, which considerably reduces the volume required for

  transport, and facilitates subsequent sorting.

  For the realization of such a packaging, the following operations are used: a / unwinding a predetermined length of adhesive tape at the outlet of a tank, keeping it in tension, and supporting its two parts located on either side from its central area, b / move the original packaging perpendicular to the central area of the tape along its adhesive side, so that the tape gradually surrounds the packaging by sticking on both sides, c / move simultaneously the document 2 following the packaging in the direction of the central zone of the ribbon while maintaining a predetermined spacing between the packaging 1 and the document 2, the spacing defining the length of the connecting strip 3, d / press gradually the two parts of tape facing each other to ensure their bonding on the sides of the packaging, then one against the other in the intermediate zone, then on the sides of document 2,

  e / cut the tape leaving the tank and complete the bonding.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the general constitution of a device for producing the packaging. The mode of

  illustrated embodiment is suitable for use at a retailer.

  The device comprises means for extracting and maintaining in

258 7,525

  tensioning a predetermined length of adhesive tape at the outlet of a reservoir 6, and for supporting it on either side of its central zone 7. The means for extracting and maintaining tension on the adhesive tape comprise a extractor roller 8 and a roller reserve 9. The extractor roller 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet from a reservoir 6 of adhesive tape, such as a coil, and is stressed by motor means, not shown in the figure, capable of

  drive it in rotation around a first transverse axis II.

  The reserve roller 9 is stressed by the same motor means, capable of driving it in rotation about a second axis

transverse III.

  The first and second transverse axes are disposed respectively on either side of a path 10 defined by guide means comprising a fixed guide 11, disposed on the side of the adhesive tape reservoir 6, and a movable guide 12. L entrance 32 of the path 10 is flared and shaped to receive the different forms of product or packaging 1 that we want to condition, and to center them in relation to the path 10. The path 10 is intended to allow the passage of the 'original packaging 1, the movable guide 12 retracting during this passage under the action of the thrust exerted against it by the packaging 1. The guide means 11 and 12 make it possible to guide the packaging 1 and the document 2 during their progress towards the central zone 7 of adhesive tape 13, zone situated between the extractor rollers 8 and

reserve 9.

  The device also comprises two pressure rollers 14 and arranged on either side of the path 10 defined by the guide means and downstream of the extractor rollers 8 and reserve 9, for applying the adhesive tape on either side of the packaging and document and ensure bonding. The axis of the pressure roller 14 is

  integral with the movable guide 12, to follow the shape of the packaging 1.

  The axis of the pressure roller 15 is integral with the fixed guide 11. A knife 16 cuts the adhesive tape at the end of operation. A store 17 receives

  the packaging after their completion.

  The device further comprises drive means for moving the packaging and the document in the direction of the central zone of adhesive tape. During the passage of packaging 1, the extractor rollers

2S87525

  8 and reserve 9 deviate from each other to allow passage; for this, at least one of the transverse axes II and III is carried by a mobile support ensuring a relative displacement of the axes with respect to each other in the direction of a separation or a bringing together, means recall tending to bring the rollers closer

one of the other.

  The entrainment means comprise a pusher carriage 18 shaped to push the original packaging 1 into the path 10, on either side of the part of the packaging intended to be surrounded by adhesive tape, the pusher carriage 18 being movable between a waiting position in which it frees the path 10 and the area of the extractor rollers 8 and reserve 9, and an ejection position in which the packaging 1 has finished crossing the path, the useful length of adhesive tape is fully glued, and the packaging escapes from the guide means 11 and 12 to go towards the store 17. The pusher carriage 18 includes hooking means 19, for example pins, for hanging and carrying the document 2, the pins engaging for example in holes made in the document. Thus the pusher carriage 18 maintains a constant and predetermined spacing between the

document 2 and packaging 1.

  Before entering the path 10, the document 2 is previously stored in a reserve 20, from which it is extracted to pass over a writing desk 21 on which the user can insert

document information.

  Lea Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the detail of the extractor rollers 8 and reserve 9. The extractor and reserve rollers are provided with peripheral grooves or grooves such as the groove 22, allowing their nesting in the rest position of the movable support, such as the represent Figures 5 and 6. The extractor and reserve rollers can be driven by motor means, or disengaged and

  left free to rotate, depending on the operating phase.

  According to one embodiment, the motor means comprise an operating lever 33, diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4, actuable by the user, and driving all of the mobile members by means of mechanical connection means of known type. These connections can in particular be ensured by cams, levers and racks. The training of the mobile organs is carried out according to the methods which are explained below in relation to

  Figures 7 to 12 illustrating an operating cycle.

  In the embodiment shown, the reserve roller 9 is mounted on a movable support 23, which can be moved by translation as shown by the double arrow 24 between a rest position shown in Figure 7 and a spaced position shown in Figure 10 , freeing passage 10 for packaging and document. The mobile support 23 is biased towards the extractor roller 8 by return means 25 such as a spring, and slides on slides 26. The mobile support also carries the mobile guide

12, and the pressure roller 14.

  The extractor roller 8 and the reservoir or the coil 6 are mounted on a tilting support 27 which can oscillate around an axis of

transverse rotation 28.

  In the rest position shown in Figure 7, the extractor roller 8 crosses the path 10 to nest with the reserve roller 9. The adhesive tape 13 has its end portion 29 bonded to the periphery of the extractor roller 8 A package 1 is pending at entry 32 on path 10. Document 2 is presented

on the writing desk 21.

  During a preparation phase, illustrated in FIG. 8, the operating lever 33 is actuated in a first direction, which causes the rotation of the extractor rollers 8 and reserve 9 in the same direction, represented by the arrows 30 and 31, and at the same peripheral speed. The adhesive tape 13 stuck on the extractor roller 8 unwinds from the reel 6 by traction. Its free end 29, due to the interpenetration of the rollers 8 and 9, then sticks to the reserve roller 9. The amplitude of the movement is chosen so that the end 29 of the adhesive tape surrounds the reserve roller 9 according to a sufficient value to define a reserve of tape that can

  surround the original packaging 1 and stick to document 2.

  The amplitude of this movement can be made adjustable by appropriate means. The central zone 7 of the adhesive tape 13 is substantially perpendicular to the path 10, the adhesive face being oriented towards the

upstream part of the path.

  By actuating the lever 33 in the other direction, the tilting support 27 is first of all tilted, as shown

2587525-

  FIG. 9, in the direction of withdrawal of the extractor roller 8 from the

  path 10. Path 10 is free for penetration of packaging 1.

  The extractor rollers 8 and reserve 9 are disengaged, remaining free to rotate under the action of the stresses of the adhesive tape 13. The pusher carriage 18 pushes against the packaging 1 in the direction of the path 10, causing the mobile guide to move apart. 12 and the mobile support 23. Simultaneously, the pusher carriage 18 drives the document 2 after it, as shown in FIG. 10. The packaging 1 abuts against the central zone 7 of the adhesive tape 13, and continues its progression by driving the ribbon 13 between the pressure rollers 14 and

  15. The adhesive tape 13 is placed on either side of the packaging 1.

  The adhesive tape 13 unwinds gradually from the reserve roll 9 and

  the coil 6 as shown by arrows 34 and 35 respectively.

  Adhesive tape on the reserve rollers 9 and extractor 8

  maintains sufficient tension in the central part of the tape.

  After passing the packaging 1, the pressure rollers 14 and 15 cause the two parts of tape to stick together, as shown in FIG. 11, to make the connecting strip 3, then apply the two parts of tape on either side of document 2. A little before the end of the operating lever stroke, the knife 16 is actuated to cut the adhesive tape 13. Preferably, the knife 16 is placed between the extractor roller 8 and the pressure roller 15, so that, at the point of cutting, the adhesive tape 13 is peeled off from the extractor roller 8, and so that the end of the tape 13 coming from the spool 6 remains stuck to the roller

extractor 8 for the next cycle.

  Furthermore, at the end of the lever travel, the mobile support 23 and the mobile guide 12 are slightly separated from the fixed guide 11 by the action of the lever to release the document 2 and promote the ejection of the packaging. As shown in Figure 12, in which the device is in the position of Figure 11, the fixed guide 11 comprises two ramps 110 and 111 whose spacing is sufficient to allow the passage of the adhesive tape 13; the movable guide 12 comprises a central ramp, leaving the sides free to allow the passage of packages of complex shape; the pusher carriage 18 comprises two lateral pushers 180 and 181 connected by a low cross member 182, defining a central space allowing free passage for the ribbon

adhesive 13.

  Preferably, the device is designed to present a vertical passageway 10 from top to bottom, so that the ejection can be carried out by simple gravity, the packaging falling into the magazine 17. At the end of the cycle, the carriage pusher 18 goes up, and the

  oscillating support 27 returns to the rest position.

  The lever 33 can be replaced by any other motor means

  equivalent, for example a motor, a jack.

  Documents 2 can consist of a continuous strip,

  provided with transverse dotted precut delimiting the documents

  individual elements in relation to each other. At the level of

  the writing desk, a slide equipped with teeth ensures the advance of the documents.

  A locking system for the following document makes it possible to tension the strip at the level of the dotted precut and to organize the separation of the

  previous document brought in by the pusher cart.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various

  variants and generalizations contained in the field of claims

the following.

Claims (7)

  1 - Packaging comprising a sheet-shaped document attached to a product or to its original packaging, characterized in that the product or its original packaging (1) is attached to the document (2) in sheet form by l 'intermediate at least one flexible connecting strip (3) ensuring the relative orientation of the packaging and the document. 2 Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single flexible strip (3) arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner along the mean longitudinal axis (I-I) of   the entire document (2) - original packaging (1).   3 - Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that the document (2) is rectangular in shape and is   shaped to receive and support information.   4 - Process for producing packaging according to   any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it   comprises a phase during which a transparent single-sided adhesive tape (13) surrounds the original packaging (1) projecting on either side of the packaging, then sticks to itself in an intermediate zone forming the flexible connecting strip (3), its two ends then bonding respectively on the two opposite faces (4, 5) of document (2).   - Method according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises the following operations: a / unwinding a predetermined length of adhesive tape (13) at the outlet of a reservoir (6), keeping it in tension and supporting it by hand and other from its central area (7), b / move the original packaging (1) against the central area (7) of the   tape according to its adhesive side, so that the progressive belt tape   vement the packaging by sticking on both sides, c / simultaneously move the document (2) following the packaging (1) to the central area (7) of the ribbon maintaining a constant spacing between the packaging and the document to define the length of the connecting strip (3), d / gradually press the two parts of tape towards each other to ensure their bonding on the sides of the packaging (1) then one against the other in the intermediate zone, then on the faces of the document (2),   e / cut the tape leaving the tank (6) and complete the bonding.   6 - Device for producing packaging according to   one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises:   - means (8, 9) for maintaining in tension a predetermined length of adhesive tape at the outlet of a reservoir (6) and for supporting it on either side of its central zone (7), - means for drive (18) actuated by motor means to move the packaging and the document towards the central zone (7) of adhesive tape (13), - guide means (11, 12) for guiding the packaging and the document during their progress towards the central zone of adhesive tape, - pressure rollers (14, 15) arranged on either side of the path (10) defined by the guide means (11, 12) for applying the tape adhesive (13) on both sides of the packaging and of the document and ensure collage.   7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for keeping the adhesive tape in tension comprise an extractor roller (8) and a reserve roller (9) such that: - the extractor roller (8) is disposed at the outlet of 'a reservoir (6) of adhesive tape, biased by motor means driving it in rotation about a first transverse axis (II), - the reserve roller (9) is biased by the motor means rotating in rotation around a second transverse axis (III), - the first (II) and the second (III) transverse axis are arranged   respectively on either side of the path (10) defined by the means -   guide (11, 12), the extractor and reserve rollers delimiting the central zone (7) of the adhesive tape (13), - at least one (III) of the two transverse axes is carried by a mobile support (23) ensuring a relative displacement of the axes (II-III), one with respect to the other in the direction of separation or approximation, between a rest position towards which the movable support (23) is brought back by return means (25), and a separated position freeing the passage for the packaging (1) and the document (2), - the extractor rollers (8) and reserve (9) are provided with grooves or grooves (22) allowing their nesting in the rest position of the 2587525:   device, - the motor means ensure, during a preparation phase, the driving of the driving rollers (8) and reserve (9) at the same peripheral speed and the same direction and, during a bonding phase , the release of the rollers which turn alora freely on their axis.   8 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the drive means comprise a pusher carriage (18) shaped to push the original packaging (1) along the guide means (11, 12), the carriage pusher (18) being movable between a waiting position in which it frees the area of the extractor and reserve rollers and an ejection position in which the packaging escapes from the guide means after completion of the packaging, the pusher carriage (18) being secured to attachment means (19) for holding the document (2) and pulling it after the packaging (1) while maintaining a   constant and predetermined distance between the document and the packaging.   9 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide means (11, 12) comprise a fixed guide (11) and a movable guide (12) defining a path (10) of variable section adapting to the shape packaging during its passage, the movable guide (12) being urged towards the fixed guide (11) by return means (25).   - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises: - a knife (16) disposed between the extractor roller (8) and the reserve roller (9), for cutting the adhesive tape, - a support for entry (21), substantially horizontal, defining a writing desk between a document store (20) and the path (10), - an operating lever, actuable by the user, and driving all of the movable members through mechanical connection means in the following ways: by actuating the lever in a first direction, during   of a preparatory phase, the extra rollers are rotated   tor (8) and reserve (9), so that the end (29) of the ribbon (13) previously glued to the extractor roller (8) is stuck on the reserve roller (9) and the ribbon unwinds from the reel until sufficient reserve is achieved on the two rollers, by actuating the lever in the second direction, the extractor and reserve rollers are disengaged and become free to rotate, the pusher carriage (18) is driven in translation along the guides (11, 12) and, a little before the end of the lever travel, the knife (16) is actuated and the movable guide (12) is slightly moved away from the fixed guide   (11) to release the document (2) and promote ejection.