GB2345024A - Pressure sealing apparatus, machine and method - Google Patents
Pressure sealing apparatus, machine and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2345024A GB2345024A GB9919844A GB9919844A GB2345024A GB 2345024 A GB2345024 A GB 2345024A GB 9919844 A GB9919844 A GB 9919844A GB 9919844 A GB9919844 A GB 9919844A GB 2345024 A GB2345024 A GB 2345024A
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- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pressure
- document
- sealing apparatus
- sealing
- rollers
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
- B43M—BUREAU ACCESSORIES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B43M5/00—Devices for closing envelopes
- B43M5/04—Devices for closing envelopes automatic
- B43M5/047—Devices for closing envelopes automatic using pressure-sensitive adhesive
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- Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
Abstract
A pressure sealing apparatus 36 for a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a sealing path for a document, at least two pressure points located along the sealing path for sealing the document, each pressure point being provided by a pair of radially-aligned pressure rollers 2,6 and 6,4 which are adapted to apply pressure to the document and which share a common pressure roller 6, the sealing path passing between each pair of pressure rollers, and at least one means 18 for guiding the document along the sealing path between two pressure points. The apparatus may further comprises three driving rollers which cooperate with pressure roller 2 for transporting the document, and channels 14,16 having abutment members for folding the document. The apparatus may be coupled with a printer 34 to form an integrated machine 32.
Description
PRESSURE SEALING APPARATS A MACHINE AND METHODS
The present invention relates to a pressure sealing apparatus and a machine. The machine comprises a pressure sealing apparatus and a printer. Methods are also provided.
A pressure sealing apparatus is used for sealing a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive so that it is ready for mailing, thereby eliminating the need for a separate envelope.
In a conventional pressure sealing apparatus a document having bands of pressure-sensitive adhesive along its edges is fed from a storage hopper and guided by rollers to a folding box for folding the document along predetermined fold lines. It is then fed through high pressure rollers to activate the bands of pressure-sensitive adhesive to seal the document into the folded position for distribution. Such forms are used for a variety of purposes such as pay-slips, library reminders and subscriptions.
A document sealing machine having sensing means for detecting the presence of overlapping documents is disclosed in EP 0675811 B1.
A sectional side view of this prior art document sealing machine is shown diagrammatically in accompanying figure A.
The reference numbers in figure A refer to features described in EP 0675811 B1.
With reference to figure A, a document to be sealed is transported by feed table 1 and rollers 2,5 and 6 into foldbox 3. The adjustable backstops 7 and 10 in the folding channels in the foldbox cause the document to fold along its predetermined foldlines. The edges of the document are precoated with pressure-sensitive adhesive. The document is fed between two pairs of rollers 13 and 14. The very high pressure applied to the document by these rollers activates the adhesive and seals the document ready for mailing.
To seal effectively the edges of a document coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, these edges conventionally require at least two applications of high pressure. This has been found to be more effective than applying pressure once at a relatively slow speed. Hence the prior art machine shown in figure A has two pairs of pressure rollers.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved pressure sealing apparatus.
The present invention seeks to provide a machine comprising a pressure sealing apparatus and a printer.
According to the present invention, there is provided a pressure sealing apparatus for a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the apparatus comprising a sealing path for a document, at least two pressure points located along the sealing path for sealing the document, each pressure point being provided by a pair of radially-aligned pressure rollers which are adapted to apply pressure to the document, the sealing path passing between each pair of pressure rollers, and at least one means for guiding the document along the sealing path between two pressure points; wherein the apparatus comprises a common pressure roller which is common to the pairs of radially-aligned pressure rollers and which is adapted to rotate in a direction which is opposite to that of the other pressure rollers; and wherein the apparatus is not adapted to fold the document whilst it is being transported along the sealing path.
The force applied by the pressure rollers is generally very high and is typically 100 kg per 25 mm (200 pounds per linear inch).
The document is transported along the sealing path, generally around the periphery of the common pressure roller.
In one embodiment, the diameter of the common pressure roller is smaller than the diameter of the other pressure rollers.
In another embodiment, the diameter of the common pressure roller is substantially equal to the diameter of the other pressure rollers.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has two pressure points which are provided by a first pressure roller, a second pressure roller and the common pressure roller: the first pressure roller is adjacent to the common pressure roller and the second pressure roller is adjacent to the common pressure roller. Adjacent rollers may touch or there may be a very small gap between adjacent rollers, which gap is typically in the range of from 0.00 to 0.05 mm (0.000 to 0.002 inch).
The three pressure rollers may be radially aligned, the common pressure roller being located intermediate the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller.
Alternatively, the three pressure rollers may be arranged such that they are located at the vertices of a triangle.
A triple arrangement of pressure rollers in accordance with this invention has many advantages over the prior art, as explained below.
In one embodiment, the first pressure roller is fixedlymounted and the second pressure roller and the common pressure roller are resiliently-mounted. The second pressure roller and the common pressure roller may be resiliently-mounted on a common radially-oriented axis. In another embodiment, the first and second pressure rollers are fixedly-mounted and the common pressure roller is resiliently-mounted.
The-pressure rollers may be geared together to ensure that there is no slippage thereof at the pressure points.
In one embodiment, the means for guiding the document along the sealing path between two pressure points is adapted to reverse the direction of travel of the document. This means is preferably located downstream of the first pressure point and upstream of the second pressure point.
The means for guiding the document may comprise an abutment member, which may be mounted in a channel for receiving the document.
This abutment member may be biased against the initial transport direction of the document, as disclosed for an envelope closer in WO 96/26075, to assist in reversing the direction of travel of the document.
Preferably, the abutment member is adjustable to accommodate different sizes of documents.
The apparatus may further comprise means for feeding the document to the pressure rollers along a feed path. This means is located upstream of the first pressure point and may comprise at least one driving roller.
In a preferred embodiment, the or each driving roller is radially-aligned with one of the pressure rollers; the driving roller is adapted to rotate in a direction which is opposite to the direction of rotation of this pressure roller; the feed path passes between the driving roller and this pressure roller. Preferably, the pressure roller is not the common pressure roller. The driving roller may be smaller in diameter than the pressure roller. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of driving rollers, all radially-aligned with the same pressure roller; these driving rollers cooperate with this pressure roller to guide the document towards the first pressure point.
The apparatus may further comprise at least one means for folding the document, which means is located upstream of the sealing path. The means for folding the document may comprise an abutment member, which may be mounted in a channel or folding plate for receiving the document.
Preferably, the abutment member is adjustable to accommodate different sizes of documents and fold lengths; it may be slidably mounted in the channel.
The means for folding the document may comprise at least one driving roller. This roller may pinch a buckled document to create a foldline. Preferably, the means for folding the document comprises two abutment members, each located in a channel, and three driving rollers.
The driving rollers are preferably resiliently-mounted.
They may be biased towards the nearest pressure roller to transport the document effectively between each driving roller and the nearest pressure roller.
The driving rollers may be made of rubber or plastic.
The pressure rollers may be made of metal such as steel.
The common pressure roller may be provided with a friction-causing surface at intervals along its outer surface which is adapted to make contact with a document. For example, small areas spaced along the outer surface of the common pressure roller have an abrasive or rubberised surface: in one embodiment, the surface of this pressure roller comprises small grooves containing rubber 0-rings. This friction-causing surface may assist in guiding a document between two pressure points. Since the primary purpose of the common pressure roller is to apply pressure to a document, the majority of the outer surface of this pressure roller is not provided with such a friction-causing surface.
An advantage of the present invention is that it may provide a pressure sealing apparatus which utilises only three pressure rollers to apply pressure twice to a document, in contrast to the four pressure rollers conventionally used in the prior art. This results in a saving of material and a reduction in weight, size and cost, particularly since pressure rollers are traditionally made of steel. Moreover, in the present invention, one of the pressure rollers may be significantly smaller in diameter than the other two pressure rollers, thereby again saving material and reducing weight, size and cost. The apparatus of the present invention can therefore be relatively compact, lightweight and inexpensive, whilst having the effectiveness of the prior art machines.
Also, the present invention may provide a pressure sealing apparatus having means for folding and transporting the document: this means may comprise only three driving rollers and one pressure roller in comparison to the five driving rollers disclosed in EP 0675811 B1, for example.
The pressure sealing apparatus may also comprise means for collating documents and/or means for nesting further material with the document (s), said means being located upstream of the sealing path.
The pressure sealing apparatus may be arranged to accept documents from a printer.
The pressure sealing apparatus may include one or more input stations with associated conveyor means arranged to convey material from the input station (s) to the sealing path.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a pressure sealing apparatus comprising an input station for receiving a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive from a printer, means for feeding the document from the input station along a feed path to a sealing path and at least two pressure points located along the sealing path for sealing the document.
The pressure sealing apparatus may further comprise means for collating documents and/or means for nesting further material with the document (s) and/or means for folding the document (s), said means being located along the feed path.
In one embodiment, each pressure point is provided by a pair of radially-aligned pressure rollers which are adapted to apply pressure to the document, the sealing path passing between each pair of pressure rollers, and at least one means for guiding the document along the sealing path between two pressure points; wherein the apparatus comprises a common pressure roller which is common to the pairs of radiallyaligned pressure rollers and which is adapted to rotate in a direction which is opposite to that of the other pressure rollers; and wherein the apparatus is not adapted to fold the document whilst it is being transported along the sealing path.
Preferably, the pressure sealing apparatus is arranged to receive a document at the input station from an output station of a printer.
Optionally, the pressure sealing apparatus includes one or more further input stations with associated conveyor means arranged to convey material from the further input station (s) to the feed path.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a machine comprising the pressure sealing apparatus and a printer, the pressure sealing apparatus being arranged to accept documents from the printer. In one embodiment, the feed path of the pressure sealing apparatus is arranged to receive documents from an output station of the printer.
The machine may comprise means for detecting uncoupling of the printer and the pressure sealing apparatus, the means preferably issuing a warning signal and/or inhibiting printing.
The machine may comprise a controller for receiving data comprising control commands, for example from a computer or a computer network, and using the control commands to operate the machine. The controller is preferably arranged to extract the control commands from the print data destined for the printer.
An advantage of the machine is that it may prepare documents of a confidential nature, for example, documents from hospitals giving test results or documents from employers giving salary details. These documents may be prepared in a single machine, such that the document is not seen between being printed and sealed. The arrangement of the pressure sealing apparatus means that the machine may be sufficiently compact for office use. Moreover, it may use a standard printer, such that the machine may be sufficiently economic to purchase for small runs of confidential documents.
A method of operating the machine may comprise inserting control commands into the print data destined for the printer, and extracting the control commands at the printer in order to control the machine.
The print data relating to a letter usually includes address information. Data concerning the position of the address may also be included in the print data. The controller may thus be arranged to extract the address information, using the position data, for printing on a surface of the document that will be externally visible when the document is sealed.
A method for extracting address information from print data relating to a document may comprise compiling a list of coordinates relating to blocks of text, and determining from the coordinates and the size of each block which text relates to the address.
Preferably the print data includes data concerning the position of the address, to facilitate the determination of which text relates to the address.
The print data may also include data concerning indicia to be printed on an external surface of the document, such as postage marks.
The present invention also provides a method for pressure sealing a document, optionally with printing, collating, nesting and/or folding steps.
The invention is further described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
figure la is a sectional side view of a pressure sealing arrangement showing a document located in a first folding channel;
figure lb is a sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing arrangement showing the document located in a second folding channel;
figure lc is a sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing arrangement showing the document located in a reversing channel;
figure ld is a sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing arrangement showing the document passing through a second pressure point;
figure 2 is a sectional side view of a machine comprising a printer and a pressure sealing apparatus;
figure 3a is sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 showing an unfolded document;
figure 3b is sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 showing a once-folded document;
figure 3c is sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 showing a twice-folded document;
figure 4a is sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 showing the folded document passing through a first pressure point;
figure 4b is sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 showing the folded document located in a reversing channel; and
figure 4c is sectional side view of part of the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 showing the folded document passing through a second pressure point.
In figures 3 and 4, gaps between adjacent rollers are exaggerated for clarity.
Referring to figure la, a pressure sealing arrangement has a first pressure roller 2, a second pressure roller 4, a common pressure roller 6, a first driving roller 8, a second driving roller 10, a third driving roller 12, a first folding channel 14, a second folding channel 16 and a reversing channel 18. The same reference numerals are used to identify these features in figures 2 to 4.
Each channel has a backstop which is adjustable to accommodate documents of different sizes, such as the 11 and 14 inch (28 and 61 cm) long documents used in the USA and the
A4 and 12 inch (30.5 cm) long documents used in the UK. The document accommodation space in the first folding channel is approximately twice as long as the document accommodation space in-the second folding channel, since the document has already been folded once by the time it enters the second folding channel, as explained further below.
The driving rollers are made of rubber. The pressure rollers are made of steel and are heavy duty. Common pressure roller 6 has areas on its outer surface which are grooved.
These grooves contain O-rings to provide friction when a document to be transported between pressure points comes into contact therewith. The majority of the outer surface of this pressure roller is not so grooved.
The driving rollers are resiliently-biased towards the first pressure roller 2.
In the embodiment shown in figure 1, first pressure roller 2 is fixedly-mounted, whereas second pressure roller 4 and common pressure roller 6 are spring-mounted on a common radially-oriented axis and are resiliently-biased towards first pressure roller 2. Common pressure roller 6 is mounted on idlers.
In the embodiment shown in figure 2, the first and second pressure rollers are fixedly-mounted, whereas the common pressure roller is spring-mounted. Referring to figure 2, common pressure roller 6 is mounted on a bracket 28, which bracket is pivotally mounted and is resiliently-biased towards the other pressure rollers using spring arrangement 30. This configuration applies a high level of pressure to a document travelling along the sealing path whilst being sufficiently adjustable to accommodate documents of different thicknesses.
Referring to figures 1, 3 and 4, document 20 has two predetermined foldlines so that it is readily foldable twice to form a Z-shape. The document is precoated with strips of pressure-sensitive adhesive, such that, when sealed, one outer face of the folded document bears the addressee's details and the inner faces of the folded document bear the text of the communication. Suitable blank pressure-seal forms are available from Moore UK Ltd.
Non-folded document 20 is fed between first pressure roller 2 and first driving roller 8. The document is fed by these rollers into first folding channel 14 until the leading edge of the document reaches an adjustable backstop 22. The backstop 22 is arranged to stop the document once the first and the second foldlines have passed between rollers 2 and 8.
Rollers 2 and 8 continue to feed the document. As a result the document is forced to buckle at the first foldline.
The document buckles in a generally L-shaped configuration and the outer edge of the first foldline is displaced towards second driving roller 10, as shown in figures la and 3a.
Consequently, the document is fed between rollers 2 and 10.
The outer edge of the first foldline is now the leading edge of the document. This leading edge is driven into the second folding channel 16 until it contacts an adjustable backstop 24. The backstop 24 is arranged to stop the document once the second foldline has passed between rollers 2 and 10.
Rollers 2 and 10 continue to feed the document. As a result the document is forced to buckle at the second foldline, as shown in figures lb and 3b. The outer edge of the second foldline is displaced towards third driving roller 12. Consequently, the document, now twice folded in a Z- shaped configuration, is fed between rollers 2 and 12 and is displaced towards common pressure roller 6, as shown in figure 3c. Additional guidance means are optionally used to direct the document towards the common pressure roller; these means may or may not be rollers.
The-folded document is fed between pressure rollers 2 and 6 which define a first pressure point, as shown in figure 4a.
The gap between rollers 2 and 6 is 0.025 mm (0.001 inch). The force applied at this point is 100 kg per 25 mm (200 lbs per linear inch). This pressure activates the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated on the document.
The document is fed by rollers 2 and 6 into reversing channel 18, until the leading edge of the document reaches an adjustable backstop 26, as shown in figures lc and 4b. The backstop 26 is arranged to stop the document once it has passed between rollers 2 and 6.
The edge of the document abutting the adjustable back stop becomes the trailing edge as the new leading edge of the document is displaced under gravity and by the frictioncausing surface of the common pressure roller towards pressure roller 4. The direction of the document is reversed as the leading edge of the document is fed between pressure rollers 4 and 6, as shown in figures ld and 4c. A second pressure point is defined between these two rollers. The gap between rollers 4 and 6 is 0.025 mm (0.001 inch), and the force applied at this point is 100 kg per 25 mm (200 lbs per linear inch). Again, the pressure-sensitive adhesive on the document is activated, thereby forming an effective seal.
The arrangement of channel 18 between the two pressure points helps to prevent creasing of the document, since it prevents the document from being located at each pressure point simultaneously.
The resulting folded and sealed document exits the pressure sealing arrangement for manual collection or for feeding to stacking, sorting or franking apparatus.
Adjustable backstop 26 of reversing channel 18 is the free end of a leaf spring which is mounted in the channel.
The leaf spring is mounted such that the distance between the the free end of the spring and the common pressure roller is less than that length of the document which needs to enter the reversing channel. The leaf spring is biased towards the common pressure roller but is movable against this bias by the leading edge of the document. The bias of the leaf spring applies a force to the document in contact therewith towards the common pressure roller, thereby assisting in transporting the document towards the second pressure point.
In each folding channel, the adjustable backstop is solid and is slidably mounted in the channel for movement along the length of the channel. It is therefore adjustable for different fold lengths.
Referring to figure 2, a machine 32 comprises a printer 34 and a pressure sealing apparatus 36 having an input station 38 and an output station (not shown). The pressure sealing apparatus is contained within an outer housing. Input station 38 is arranged to be aligned with a first output station 40 of the printer. The printer also has a second output station 42 for manual removal of printed matter. It also has two hoppers 44 and a tray 46 for inputting documents to be printed.
The printer may be a standard stand-alone printer which is temporarily coupled to the pressure sealing apparatus for the purpose of the present invention. In one embodiment, the printer is a laser printer from the company Kyocera who is based in Kyoto, Japan. In another embodiment, the printer is permanently integrated into the machine.
The pressure sealing apparatus includes a sensor 48 for detecting documents received by its input station and a sensor 50 for detecting documents exiting the arrangement of pressure sealing rollers. Other sensors may be present as required.
The machine has a means for detecting separation of the printer and the pressure sealing apparatus, which means preferably issues an audible or visible warning signal and inhibits printing.
In operation, a document from one of the hoppers or from the tray is printed by the printer and fed from output station 40 of the printer to input station 38 of the pressure sealing apparatus.
The document is fed between rollers 2 and 8 and passes along the feed path and sealing path, thereby becoming folded and pressure-sealed as described above and as shown in figures 3 and 4.
It will be seen that the invention may be carried out in a number of ways.
For example, the arrangement may be adapted for folding the document twice in a C-shaped configuration.
In another arrangement, no second folding channel is provided so the document is only folded once to form a Vshape.
Alternatively, to fold a document only once using the arrangement shown in figures 1,2 and 3, the adjustable backstop 24 of second folding channel 16 is adjustable to shut this channel.
Similarly, if the document is not to be folded, both folding channels are shut.
In a further arrangement, the common pressure roller may define a third pressure point with a further pressure roller.
A further reversing channel may be provided.
In the arrangement shown in figure 1, the common pressure roller is-smaller in diameter than the first and second pressure rollers, which have substantially the same diameter.
In the apparatus shown in figures 2 and 4, the first, second and common pressure rollers have substantially the same diameter.
In another embodiment, the common pressure roller may be larger in diameter than the adjacent pressure rollers to accommodate a plurality of these pressure rollers and possibly one or more driving rollers.
The machine of figure 2 may not have the pressure sealing arrangement of figures 1 to 4, but an alternative arrangement of rollers and channels to pressure-seal and optionally fold a document. For example, the machine may have a configuration of five driving rollers and two folding channels located upstream of the sealing path to fold the document; such an arrangement is utilised in the machine of figure A.
Also, the pressure sealing apparatus of figure 2 may further comprise means for collating documents and/or means for nesting further material with the document (s).
In one example (not shown), a guide means is provided at input station 38 of the pressure sealing apparatus to divert incoming documents to a collating station. When the desired number of documents has been collated, the collated stack of documents is fed between rollers 2 and 8, such that it progresses through the folding and sealing steps. One or more of the collated documents is precoated with a pressuresensitive adhesive, such that the documents are sealed together. The collating station may be arranged such that it can be accessed externally, then, a collated stack of documents may be removed (eg. for checking or signing) or additional material may be placed there by hand.
In-another example (not shown), a nesting means is provided within the pressure sealing apparatus. The nesting means comprises a station for inputting material to be enclosed within the sealed document: this station is externally accessible. Rollers may be provided to convey the enclosure material to a location where it is to be nested with the document to be sealed. The document may or may not be folded at this stage. If it is not folded, the enclosure material may be nested and folded therewith.
In one embodiment, the collating station acts as the input station for the nesting means. Within the machine, the enclosure material may be folded and inserted into a document to be sealed.
In use the machine is controlled by control data inserted into print data which is sent to the printer in a print file from a personal computer or from a network of personal computers. The control data corresponds with instructions entered by a user.
In accordance with this invention, a controller receives the print data and extracts the control data. The control data is sent to the pressure sealing apparatus and the remaining print data is sent to the printer.
User options for instructing the machine may include: selection of a hopper or tray from which to take a document; whether or not to print a document (it may be pre-printed or it may be desirous to leave it blank); selection of a printer output station (eg. station 42 or station 40) ; whether or not to select enclosure, material; whether or not to collate documents; whether or not to make no, one, two or three fold (s) to a document; and whether or not to seal a document.
Preferably the printer prints confidential text on one side of a document to be sealed internally and prints address text, extracted from the print data, on the other side of the document for external viewing. Alternatively, the confidential text may be printed on one document and the address text may be printed on another document, which documents are collated, optionally folded, and sealed together such that the confidential text is sealed internally.
The machine is preferably mechanically integrated such that it can securely prepare confidential documents, since the printing, folding and sealing operations are carried out within an integrated machine. When confidential documents are being prepared, the collating station (if present) is preferably not externally accessible.
Means for detecting uncoupling of the printer and the pressure sealing apparatus preferably inhibits the printing operation, such that no confidential material is inadvertently disclosed.
The printer may be instructed to print indicia such as names, logos, slogans, postal franking indicia, postal permit marks, postal service indicators, return addresses etc. on to the document such that these indicia are visible on an external panel of the sealed document. This information can be included in the print file.
Thus the machine is able to prepare a confidential document directly from a print file for a document sent to the machine by the user of a personal computer.
Claims (35)
- CLAIMS 1. A pressure sealing apparatus for a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the apparatus comprising a sealing path for a document, at least two pressure points located along the sealing path for sealing the document, each pressure point being provided by a pair of radially-aligned pressure rollers which are adapted to apply pressure to the document, the sealing path passing between each pair of pressure rollers, and at least one means for guiding the document along the sealing path between two pressure points; wherein the apparatus comprises a common pressure roller which is common to the pairs of radially-aligned pressure rollers and which is adapted to rotate in a direction which is opposite to that of the other pressure rollers; and wherein the apparatus is not adapted to fold the document whilst it is being transported along the sealing path.
- 2. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having two pressure points provided by a first pressure roller, a second pressure roller and the common pressure roller.
- 3. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the diameter of the common pressure roller is substantially the same as the diameter of the other pressure rollers.
- 4. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the common pressure roller is resilientlymounted.
- 5. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and second pressure rollers are fixedlymounted.
- 6. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for guiding the document along the sealing path between two pressure points is adapted to reverse the direction of travel of the document.
- 7. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for guiding the document comprises an abutment member.
- 8. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the abutment member is mounted in a channel for receiving the document.
- 9. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a feed path for a document located upstream of the sealing path, wherein means for feeding the document to the pressure rollers is located along the feed path.
- 10. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the means for feeding the document comprises at least one driving roller.
- 11. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the or each driving roller is radially-aligned with one of the pressure rollers and is adapted to rotate in a direction which is opposite to that of the pressure roller, the feed path passing between the driving roller and the pressure roller.
- 12. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pressure roller is not the common pressure roller.
- 13. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the driving roller is smaller in diameter than the pressure roller.
- 14. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 comprising a plurality of driving rollers all radially-aligned with the same pressure roller.
- 15. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one means for folding the document, which means is located upstream of the sealing path.
- 16. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for folding the document comprises an abutment member.
- 17. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the abutment member is mounted in a channel for receiving the document.
- 18. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 15 to 17, wherein the means for folding the document comprises at least one driving roller.
- 19. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means for folding the document comprises two abutment members, each located in a channel, and three driving rollers.
- 20. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for collating documents and/or means for nesting further material with the document (s), said means being located upstream of the sealing path.
- 21. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim being arranged to accept documents from a printer.
- 22. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including one or more input stations with associated conveyor means arranged to convey material from the input station (s) to the sealing path.
- 23. A pressure sealing apparatus comprising an input station for receiving a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive from a printer, means for feeding the document from the input station along a feed path to a sealing path and at least two pressure points located along the sealing path for sealing the document.
- 24. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 23, further comprising means for collating documents and/or means for nesting further material with the document (s) and/or means for folding the document (s), said means being located along the feed path.
- 25. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or 24, being arranged to receive a document at the input station from an output station of a printer.
- 26. A pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, including one or more further input stations with associated conveyor means arranged to convey material from the further input station (s) to the feed path.
- 27. A pressure sealing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying figures 1 to 4.
- 28. A machine comprising a pressure sealing apparatus according to any preceding claim and a printer, the pressure sealing apparatus being arranged to accept documents from the printer.
- 29. A machine comprising a pressure sealing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 27 and a printer, wherein the feed path of the pressure sealing apparatus is arranged to receive documents from an output station of the printer.
- 30. A machine as claimed in claim 28 or 29 comprising means for detecting uncoupling of the printer and the pressure sealing apparatus.
- 31. A method for pressure sealing a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive using a pressure sealing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27.
- 32. A method for printing and pressure sealing a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive using a machine as claimed-in any one of claims 28 to 30.
- 33. A method for pressure sealing a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying figures 1 to 4.
- 34. A method for printing and pressure sealing a document precoated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying figures 1 to 4.
- 35. A machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying figures 1 to 4.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0221709A GB2378413B (en) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-08-20 | Apparatus and methods for pressure sealing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9828608.1A GB9828608D0 (en) | 1998-12-23 | 1998-12-23 | Pressure sealing apparatus & method |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9919844D0 GB9919844D0 (en) | 1999-10-27 |
| GB2345024A true GB2345024A (en) | 2000-06-28 |
| GB2345024B GB2345024B (en) | 2003-01-08 |
Family
ID=10845012
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9828608.1A Ceased GB9828608D0 (en) | 1998-12-23 | 1998-12-23 | Pressure sealing apparatus & method |
| GB9919844A Expired - Lifetime GB2345024B (en) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-08-20 | Apparatus, and methods for pressure sealing |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9828608.1A Ceased GB9828608D0 (en) | 1998-12-23 | 1998-12-23 | Pressure sealing apparatus & method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9828608D0 (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3641883A (en) * | 1970-05-06 | 1972-02-15 | Smithe Machine Co Inc F L | Method and apparatus for folding a closure flap of an envelope |
| EP0571281A1 (en) * | 1992-05-21 | 1993-11-24 | DANEL-FERRY, société anonyme | Pressure sealing apparatus for business forms |
| US5265731A (en) * | 1991-11-08 | 1993-11-30 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Job separator |
| WO1994014624A1 (en) * | 1992-12-21 | 1994-07-07 | Printed Forms Equipment Limited | Sealing machine and method |
| US5540806A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1996-07-30 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Tabletop pressure sealer |
| WO1998021881A1 (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-05-22 | Moore U.S.A., Inc. | Confidential facsimile system with pressure sealed security envelope |
-
1998
- 1998-12-23 GB GBGB9828608.1A patent/GB9828608D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1999
- 1999-08-20 GB GB9919844A patent/GB2345024B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3641883A (en) * | 1970-05-06 | 1972-02-15 | Smithe Machine Co Inc F L | Method and apparatus for folding a closure flap of an envelope |
| US5540806A (en) * | 1990-10-31 | 1996-07-30 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Tabletop pressure sealer |
| US5265731A (en) * | 1991-11-08 | 1993-11-30 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Job separator |
| EP0571281A1 (en) * | 1992-05-21 | 1993-11-24 | DANEL-FERRY, société anonyme | Pressure sealing apparatus for business forms |
| WO1994014624A1 (en) * | 1992-12-21 | 1994-07-07 | Printed Forms Equipment Limited | Sealing machine and method |
| WO1998021881A1 (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-05-22 | Moore U.S.A., Inc. | Confidential facsimile system with pressure sealed security envelope |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9919844D0 (en) | 1999-10-27 |
| GB2345024B (en) | 2003-01-08 |
| GB9828608D0 (en) | 1999-02-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE20 | Patent expired after termination of 20 years |
Expiry date: 20190819 |