GB2081681A - Tab inserters - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic tab inserter, in which tabs cut by a knife from a continuous strip fed past the knife by a motor are inserted at predetermined intervals between sheets of a stack or turns of roll of paper or other material, is provided with a print-out device which is located at or adjacent to the point of delivery of the tabs and is operated remotely to apply to each tab, either before or after being severed from the strip, a coded representation of the required information. The printer may be of the semi-conductor, thermally operated type.

Description

SPECIFICATION Tab inserters This invention relates to automatic devices, hereinafter referred to as tab inserters, in which tabs cut by a knife from a continuous strip of material fed past the knife by a motor are inserted at predetermined intervals between the sheets or turns of a stack or roll of paper or other material during the course of its formation.

In certain circumstances it may be of advantage to make different tabs impart different information relevant to their points of insertion in a stack or roll and with this in mind, it has been proposed to employ tabs of different colours to denote, for example, different numbers of sheets or turns between consecutive tabs.

Although it is sufficient for many purposes, to use different coloured tabs which are easily distinguishable from a distance, there are times when more detailed information is required from the tabs.

In order to satisfy this requirement it is now proposed, according to the present invention, to provide the inserter with a print-out device which is located at or adjacent the point of delivery of the tabs and is operated from a distance to apply to each tab, immediately before or after being severed from the strip, a coded representation of the information it is required to impart.

Having regard to the limited area available at the point of delivery of the tabs, the print-out device must be made as small as possible and preferably comprises semi-conductors of the kind used for print-out in calculating machines, which become heated in response to the receipt of electronic signals and print the required coded symbols or messages onto a suitable form of heatsensitive paper which is used for forming the tabs.

The invention can be applied to existing forms of tab inserter without necessitating substantial modifications.

For example, in high-speed web-fed applications of the kind described in Application No. 8025251, using a pivoted insertion device which is operable to press each tab severed by the knife against the surface of the die and positively insert it in the required place, the semi-conductors can be mounted in the die for operation when the device presses each tab against it. When such a device is not employed for inserting the tabs an arrangement of anvil and moving plate may be employed solely for the purpose of printing.

In relatively low-speed sheet-fed applications of the kind described in Patent Specification No.

111 5645, where positive insertion is not required, the semi-conductors can be mounted in the cutter die and each tab run out in two stages between which the motor is stopped and the semiconductors energised to print-out the required code on the tab before the latter is completely run out and severed. When the first three-quarters of the tab is run out in the first stage the tip of the tab wiil have automatically entered the pile being formed before printing is effected but since the sheets, even when comparatively heavy, are still supported by a layer of air the few milliseconds taken up by the printing will not prejudice the proper insertion of the tab even though some sheets may have settled on top of it.

The present invention may be employed in place of or in addition to the use of coloured tabs.

1. A tab inserter, as hereinbefore defined, provided with a print-out device which is located at or adjacent to the point of delivery of the tabs and is operable from a distance to apply to each tab, immediately before or after being severed from the strip, a coded representation of the information it is required to impart.

2. A tab inserter according to Claim 1, wherein said strip is made of heat-sensitive paper and said print-out device includes semi-conductors which are heated in response to electronic signals transmitted thereto.

3. A tab inserter according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said print-out device is mounted in a die cooperating with said knife and a pivoted device is operable to press each tab severed by the knife against the die before inserting it in the required place in a roll being wound from a high-speed web.

4. A tab inserter according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said print-out device is mounted in one element of an anvil and moving plate assembly operable to momentarily close on each tab immediately before it is severed by the knife.

5. A tab inserter according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said print-out device is mounted in a cutter die cooperating with said knife and means are provided for simultaneously and momentarily interrupting the operation of said motor and operating said print-out device before each tab is completely run out and severed.

6. A tab inserter substantially as hereinbefore described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tab inserters This invention relates to automatic devices, hereinafter referred to as tab inserters, in which tabs cut by a knife from a continuous strip of material fed past the knife by a motor are inserted at predetermined intervals between the sheets or turns of a stack or roll of paper or other material during the course of its formation. In certain circumstances it may be of advantage to make different tabs impart different information relevant to their points of insertion in a stack or roll and with this in mind, it has been proposed to employ tabs of different colours to denote, for example, different numbers of sheets or turns between consecutive tabs. Although it is sufficient for many purposes, to use different coloured tabs which are easily distinguishable from a distance, there are times when more detailed information is required from the tabs. In order to satisfy this requirement it is now proposed, according to the present invention, to provide the inserter with a print-out device which is located at or adjacent the point of delivery of the tabs and is operated from a distance to apply to each tab, immediately before or after being severed from the strip, a coded representation of the information it is required to impart. Having regard to the limited area available at the point of delivery of the tabs, the print-out device must be made as small as possible and preferably comprises semi-conductors of the kind used for print-out in calculating machines, which become heated in response to the receipt of electronic signals and print the required coded symbols or messages onto a suitable form of heatsensitive paper which is used for forming the tabs. The invention can be applied to existing forms of tab inserter without necessitating substantial modifications. For example, in high-speed web-fed applications of the kind described in Application No. 8025251, using a pivoted insertion device which is operable to press each tab severed by the knife against the surface of the die and positively insert it in the required place, the semi-conductors can be mounted in the die for operation when the device presses each tab against it. When such a device is not employed for inserting the tabs an arrangement of anvil and moving plate may be employed solely for the purpose of printing. In relatively low-speed sheet-fed applications of the kind described in Patent Specification No. 111 5645, where positive insertion is not required, the semi-conductors can be mounted in the cutter die and each tab run out in two stages between which the motor is stopped and the semiconductors energised to print-out the required code on the tab before the latter is completely run out and severed. When the first three-quarters of the tab is run out in the first stage the tip of the tab wiil have automatically entered the pile being formed before printing is effected but since the sheets, even when comparatively heavy, are still supported by a layer of air the few milliseconds taken up by the printing will not prejudice the proper insertion of the tab even though some sheets may have settled on top of it. The present invention may be employed in place of or in addition to the use of coloured tabs. CLAIMS

1. A tab inserter, as hereinbefore defined, provided with a print-out device which is located at or adjacent to the point of delivery of the tabs and is operable from a distance to apply to each tab, immediately before or after being severed from the strip, a coded representation of the information it is required to impart.

2. A tab inserter according to Claim 1, wherein said strip is made of heat-sensitive paper and said print-out device includes semi-conductors which are heated in response to electronic signals transmitted thereto.

3. A tab inserter according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said print-out device is mounted in a die cooperating with said knife and a pivoted device is operable to press each tab severed by the knife against the die before inserting it in the required place in a roll being wound from a high-speed web.

4. A tab inserter according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said print-out device is mounted in one element of an anvil and moving plate assembly operable to momentarily close on each tab immediately before it is severed by the knife.

5. A tab inserter according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said print-out device is mounted in a cutter die cooperating with said knife and means are provided for simultaneously and momentarily interrupting the operation of said motor and operating said print-out device before each tab is completely run out and severed.

6. A tab inserter substantially as hereinbefore described.