GB2480269A

GB2480269A - Apparatus for attaching zips to edges of posters.

Info

Publication number: GB2480269A
Application number: GB1007830A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-11
Filing date: 2010-05-11
Publication date: 2011-11-16
Also published as: GB201007830D0

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for aiding the attachment of a self adhesive flexible poster joining strip, band or zip 3, to each end of a poster. The joining strip, band or zip enables two or more posters to be attached to each other. The apparatus pushes the joining strip through a clamping rail 20. When the joining strip is attached to the poster, the poster with attached strip is removed by lifting the clamping rail. The joining strip is provided with an adhesive layer 26 for attachment to the poster and a protective layer 25. The protective layer is removed as the joining strip is fed onto the clamping rail.

Description

It is usually necessary to join two or more posters together in an scrolling advertising display. In order to join the posters together, a flexible plastic band 3, sometimes called a zip, with an adhesive layer, is used. Without this machine, the zips have to be cut to the required length by hand and then manually stuck to the back of the poster after peeling off the protective backing strip 25 exposing the adhesive layer 26. The protective strip can then be discarded. This procedure can be a time consuming task, which involves having to turn the poster onto the opposite face and then back again after the zip is applied. From Fig 1 and 2, in order to join the posters together, a flexible plastic band 3 with an adhesive layer 26 called a zip is used. the adhesive layer 26 has a protective layer 25 covering it, while on the take-off drum 1. There are two different plastic zips used in this machine. One for the top of the poster and a different one for the bottom, the zips are fixed together by an interlocking push fit to form the joint between two posters which can be detached again and then re-attached numerous times without damage to the poster or zip. This machine enables the zip 3 to be loaded onto the rail 21 through the zip clamping rail 20. The poster 16, with the advertising side faced upwards, is fixed onto the exposed adhesive layer of the zip by hand.

From Fig 1, the top or bottom zip 3, whichever end is being done first, is pulled off the zip take-off drum I by hand and fed through the guide rollers 4, then fed between the friction roller 5 and pressure roller 6, then under the cutting blade 12. The hand wheel 14 or handle is turned anti-clockwise to push the zip through the zip clamping rail 20 from right to left. The protective layer 25 can then be peeled off the zip by hand and fed back over the pressure roller 6.

and around the take up spool 9. A spring clip on the spool 9 is used to hold the strip onto the spool. The take up spool drive belt 10 is driven by a cog on the friction wheel shaft which turns the take up spool 9. The take up spool incorporates a slip clutch 24. This is required due to the changing diameter of the take up spool as the protective layer number of turns on it increases. 2.

The spool needs to slip as it is turning, otherwise the spool will pull on the protective layer quicker that it is being released from the zip and the tension would build up to an unacceptable level. The rail is ready to be fully loaded with zip. This is achieved by turning the hand wheel 14. anti clockwise several times until the zip moves tight to left and reaches the far left of the zip clamping rail 20. As the zip 11 is in the clamping rail 20 the adhesive layer is exposed and facing up, the poster 16 can then be pulled towards the zip in the direction of the arrow A. in Fig. 2 and by holding the left and right edges of the poster1 pushed down onto the adhesive strip 26. A finger or thumb is run along the length of the zip to ensure the poster is stuck along its complete length. The zip cutting blade 12. is then used to cut the zip at the right edge of the poster.

To cut the zip at the correct place the poster tight edge is brought to the edge of the blade by turning the hand wheel 14. clockwise. The cutting blade 12. is pushed down using the handle 15 against the spring action 8 to cut the zip at the correct point and then the handle is let go to allow the cutting blade to return to the normal up position This cutting mechanism can be operated by hand or by a solenoid or pneumatic actuator.

The zip clamping rail 20. is lifted (direction of arrow B Fig 2.) against the two spring actions 7. by hand, enough to allow the poster and attached zip to be pulled away from the rail. The poster can be put to one side to allow another zip to be loaded for the next poster. When all the posters are zipped, the strip on the take up spool 9. can be unwound or removed and discarded. All the posters are swiveled around 180 degrees to enable a zip to be attached to the other end of all the posters.

Claims

S S 3.Claims 1. A machine to aid a user attach a poster to a plastic band or zip without having to turn the posters over.
2. A height adjustable machine as described in claim I that can be retrofitted to existing tables or platforms.
3. A machine as described in claims I and 2 that can be used for all sizes of posters 4 A machine as described in previous claims could be fitted at both ends of a poster table, in order to attach a band or zip at both ends of the poster.5. A machine as described in previous claims where the zip or band is pushed through the zip clamping rail by means of a motor or by a manually operated wheel and handle.6. A machine as described in previous claims, uses a take up spool with a slip clutch to wind on the adhesive protective strip, whilst the zip or band moves right to left through the zip clamping rail.7. A machine as described in previous claims enables the zip or band to be pushed through the clamping rail and clamped securely by the clamping rail.8. A machine as described in previous claims enables the zip or band and attached poster to be moved away from the clamping rail after the zip or band has been attached to the poster by lifting the spring loaded clamping rail either by hand or using an electrical or pneumatic powered actuator.9. A machine as described in previous claims uses a slip clutch mechanism within the protective strip spool and shaft to enable correct take up speed relative to the speed of the zip or band moving from right to left.10. A machine as described in previous claims which cuts the zip or band at the correct position either by hand operation or by a user operated powered actuator.