MXPA99006705A - Method and apparatus for compacting and winding flat stock - Google Patents

Abstract

Un método para compactar un billete (10d) desde un estado plano hasta un estado plegado y enrollado para colocar el billete (10d) en una cavidad de un cierre asociado incluye proporcionar un billete (10d) en un estado substancialmente plano y plegar el billete (10d) en una primera dirección (52) para proporcionar una serie de pliegues substancialmente similares (P). El billete plegado (10d) se compacta para establecer los pliegues (P) en el mismo y se enrolla al menos parcialmente en una configuración en general circular. El billete enrollado se coloca dentro de la cavidad (14) del cierre asociado. Un aparato para compactar y enrollar el billete (10d) y colocar el billete (10d) en la cavidad (14) de cierre incluye una estación de plegado para plegar el billete (10d) en una configuración predeterminada y una estación de compactación para compactar el billete plegado (10d) en un estado compactado. El aparato incluye además una estación de enrollamiento que tiene un miembro de enrollamiento adaptado para acoplar el billete compactado (10d) y enrollar el billete en una orientación en general circular. Se adapta una región de descarga para mover el billete enrollado desde la estación de enrollamiento y para colocar el billete (10d) en la cavidad del cierre (14).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING AND "ROLLING FLAT MATERIAL This invention relates to a method and apparatus for compacting and rolling flat material such as money and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for folding and winding flat material in a rolled-up configuration and placing the rolled material in an associated container closure. Advertising campaigns have been used by soft drink bottlers for many years. A type of advertising campaign provides the buyer with an "instant win" in the form of cash, that is, current money, or a refundable coupon for money, prizes or a cash discount. • In these instant profit advertising campaigns, it is highly desirable to place the money or coupon inside the refreshment container. However, caution should be exercised when placing the instant win game piece in the soda container. First, if the container is also going to retain a quantity of refreshment, the game piece can isolate Ref. 30784 soda to prevent contamination of the same. In addition, if the advertising campaign is designed such that only random containers contain game pieces, the containers containing prizes can not be distinguished outside the containers that do not contain prizes. In addition, containers, whether containing prize or not containing prize must be resistant to theft to discourage or prevent counterfeiting with the containers to illegitimately obtain the game pieces. A known type of soft drink container includes a typical soft drink that may have a retention compartment of prize award placed inside the pot. While this container provides the buyer with an "instant gain" game piece, they necessarily occupy a large portion of the volume of the container that would otherwise have the soda. Furthermore, in this instant gain container, if the container is to retain both the soft drink and the game piece, the game piece must be completely isolated from the drink, to retain the integrity of the beverage. In addition, well-known prize containers can be distinguished from others, containers that do not contain prize or differences in weight, balance and the like. These containers also require special or additional manufacturing and work techniques, thus adding considerable cost to the bottling process. Other methods for providing instant gain pieces include inserts in the closure cap of the container. These inserts are exemplified by printed closure liners that can be removed from the closure after the container is opened. However, it will be recognized that it is more desirable to place the money, such as one to five dollar bills, in containers to provide the buyer with instant cash gains. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for compacting and winding a promotional game piece, such as money, coupons and the like and placing the rolled-up game piece in the soda container closure. Preferably, this method and apparatus provide a game piece that is isolated from the soda, and minimally, if not all, adversely impacts the container volume to retain the soda. This method and apparatus ideally provides a game piece that can be placed in a container without being able to distinguish the container from the containers that do not contain a prize. A method for compacting a bill from a flat state to a compacted, generally round, ie rolled, configuration for placing the bill in a cavity of an associated enclosure includes providing a bill in a substantially flat state and folding the bill into a banknote. first direction to provide a series of substantially similar folds. Preferably, the bill is folded so that the bill includes a first and last folds that are substantially the same size and that are oriented in a similar manner. The folded bill is compacted to adjust the folds in it. The folded compacted banknote is at least partially wound in, for example, a generally circular configuration, and is placed within a cavity of a closure cap. In a preferred method, the bill is folded when directing the bill between them. gear teeth, interengaged to an associated pair of gears. The bill can be compacted by collapsing the pleats by aspiration of the folded bill. The compacting step may further include compressing the folded billet with an associated compression plate and compression rod. The bill can be wound by a tightening means adapted to receive the compacted bill, and further adapted to rotate the tightening means relative to the compacted bill, to wind the bill in a predetermined configuration. In a preferred method, the bill is rolled in a generally S-shaped configuration and placed within the closure cavity. An apparatus for compacting and winding the bill and placing the bill rolled in the closure cavity includes a folding station for folding the bill in a predetermined configuration and a compressing station for compressing the folded bill in a compacted state. The compression station facilitates the establishment of the folds in the ticket. The apparatus includes a winding station having a winding member adapted to engage the folded and compacted banknote and additionally adapted to wind the banknote in a generally circular orientation. The rolled bill is moved to a discharge region that is adapted to place the rolled bill in the associated closure cavity. The apparatus may include a pair of interengaged gears having engaging teeth therein for folding the bill. . One embodiment of the apparatus, the compaction station includes a vacuum chamber having a vacuum distributor in communication for flow therewith. The chamber is configured to remove a vacuum therein, and is adapted to receive the folded bill and to compact the bill by aspiration thereof. In one embodiment, the vacuum chamber defines a throat of flow area, of variable cross section that is adjustable in proportion to the height of the bill as it is compacted. The compression station may comprise a compaction station having a compression plate and a squeeze rod - the bill folded therebetween to establish the folds. In a preferred embodiment, the winding station includes means for winding the bill into a predetermined, generally round configuration. The bill can be tightened between a pair of pins adapted to hold the bill while the pins are rotated relative to the bill to effect the rolled up configuration. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of an apparatus for compacting and winding flat material embodying the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of the upper part of the apparatus for compacting and winding a flat material of Figure 1, as seen from line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a graphic illustration of a dollar bill, for example, illustrating from right to left, the various steps of the bill during the compaction method; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compacting and winding apparatus of Figure 1, showing in general, the folding, in compacting and winding of the bill of Figure 3, in a manner corresponding to Figure 3; Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the winding station of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the bill in a compacted state, placed therein; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing a partial, cross-sectional view of the winding station of the apparatus of Figure 1, with the bill in a coiled state and inserted into the cavity of the closure lid associated While the present invention is susceptible to mode in various forms, the presently preferred embodiments will be described in the drawings and the present invention will be described with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an example of the invention and is not proposed for limit the invention to the specific modalities illustrated.

Figure 3d illustrates a lOd dollar bill which has been compacted and rolled up in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that the ticket 10 is an example of any flat material, such as paper, plastic coated paper, and the like, which can be used as a promotional game piece, and that all of this flat material is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. . The bill 10a is inserted in a flat state, as illustrated in Figure 3a. The banknote 10a is folded in a first direction to provide a series of substantially similar folds P or corrugations, as shown in Figure 3b. In a preferred method, the bill 10b has a first and last folds Pf Pi that are of a similar size and are oriented in the same direction. In the banknote 10b, folded, illustrated, the first and last folds Pf, Pi are oriented downward, and each of the first and last folds, Pf has a length of about 3/4 of the full length of fold. The bill 10b is then compacted in the direction of the pleats P. The resulting compacted bill 10c is illustrated in Figure 3c. In a common method, compaction is carried out "on aspirating and compressing the folded billet 10b.The compaction step illustrated does not include the step of compressing the billet with, for example, a compression plate.The compression step establishes the plies P on the bill 10c, as illustrated in Figure 3c In a compressed state, the bill 10c has a stick-like shape The compacted bill 10c is then rolled up.

Preferably, the bill 10c is completely rolled in an IOd configuration, generally in the form of an S, as shown in Figure 3d. this can be achieved by providing a tightening means for tightening the bill 10c at approximately the center thereof between the ends and rotating the tightening means relative to the bill 10c. It is to be understood that the bill 10c can be tightened at or near one end thereof and rolled up to provide, for example, a spiral configuration, and that these configurations are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the rolled bill 10 may then be placed within a cavity 14 of an associated closure cap 16. As discussed later, the rolled bank lOd can be placed in a closing cavity 14 when displacing the tightening means in a direction generally axial to the axis of rotation thereof. The folded, compacted and rolled bill 10 is placed in the closure cap cavity 14, then can be placed in or inside a soda container. This configuration allows placing the game piece inside the container, while isolating the same piece of the soda to prevent contamination thereof. Advantageously, this arrangement minimally, if not all, adversely impacts the volume of the container reserved to contain the refreshment. One embodiment of an apparatus 20 for compacting and winding the bill 10 is illustrated in Figures 1-2 and 4-6. The apparatus 20 includes a frame 22 for supporting the various stations needed to compact and wind the bill 10. The apparatus 20 includes a feeding station 24, a folding station 29, a compaction section 28, a winding station 30 and a region or discharge station 32. In a common mode, compaction station 28 includes a vacuum or suction station 34 and a compression station 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the bill 10 is indexed from a station to the station. next on a rotating plate 38 that carries the ticket 10 through the various stations. The turntable 38 includes guide plates 40, 42, upper and lower, generally horizontal. The guide plates 40, 42 are positioned to securely retain and guide the bill 10 between the stations. The plates 40, 42 secure the bill 10 thereto by the use of a vacuum which is withdrawn through a vacuum distributor 44. The plates 40, 42 also include a vacuum channel 46 formed therein to facilitate the guidance of the ticket 10 through the various stations. The vacuum channel 46 is in communication for flow with the vacuum distributor 44. The banknote 10, or other flat material, is fed to the apparatus 20 at a supply station 24. The supply station 24 is driven in a manner set in an index for feeding ticket 10 to predetermined times and intervals. The feed station 24 includes a feed belt 48 having timing projections 50 therein to feed the bill 10 to provide a desired, folded configuration. The bill 10 is fed into a folding station 26 in which the bill 10 is folded in a first direction as illustrated by the arrow 52, to provide a series of substantially similar pleats P. The folding station 26 includes a pair of gears 54, 56 having teeth 54a-n, 56a-n, engaging, interengaged. As bill 10 is directed in gears 54, 56, bill 10 is folded-in a predetermined configuration. Preferably, the bill is fed into the gears 54, 56 to effect the folding such that the bill has a first and last folds Pf, Pi that are of substantially equal size and similar orientation. In a current mode that is configured for normal US money, the folded bill 10b includes approximately 17 folds, with each of the first and last fold Pf, Pl r which is about 3/4 of the length of the full folds. , and each one that is oriented downwards in relation to the apparatus 20.

The folded billet 10b is then compacted or reduced in a compaction station 28, to effect the configuration illustrated in Figure 10c. In a corresponding embodiment, the compaction station 28 includes a vacuum or suction station 34 and a compression station 36. In the vacuum station 34, the length of the fold 10b is reduced. In the compression station 36, the folds P are established in the bill 10, further reducing the length thereof. The vacuum station 34 includes a vacuum chamber 58 having upper and lower chamber walls 58a, b. The chamber 58 is in communication for flow with the vacuum distributor 44. The vacuum chamber 58 defines a throat 62 which is essentially the cross-sectional area through which the vacuum is removed through the chamber 58. As the folded billet 10b is introduced into the chamber 58, a vacuum is created therein and the folded billet 10b is withdrawn from the end 64 which is in communication with the dispenser 44. As the bill 10 is withdrawn to the chamber 58 and is reduced in length in the first direction 52, ie compacted, the compacted height hc of the bill, that is, the absolute height of the bill 10 with respect to the folds P, is increased over the height of the folded bill 10b. This results from the angles decreased between the folds P. In order to adjust the increased height hc to the bill, the vacuum chamber 58 includes an articulation plate 66 of the upper part thereof which allows to vary at the height of the throat 62 of the vacuum chamber. This arrangement allows the height ht of the throat 62 of the vacuum chamber to be increased to adjust the increased height to hc of the compacted bill. The variable height ht of the throat maximizes the vacuum effect on the bill 10b by minimizing the area in the throat 62 around which the vacuum can be removed without acting on the bill 10. The variable height ht of the throat also allows the bill 10b passes through the vacuum chamber 58 without undue resistance, because the throat 62 which is too small for the height increases hc delta resulting from the compaction. The bill 10 can then be indexed to the compression station 36 in which the bill 10 is compressed to establish the folds P. The compressed bill 10c is illustrated in Figure 3d. The compression station 36 includes a compression plate 68 against which the banknote 10 is compressed, and a rod 70 which is used to compress the banknote 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the compression rod 70 is driven by the vacuum that is use to operate the other portions and stations of the apparatus 20. Of course, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the various stations of the apparatus 20 can be operated by any number of the drive system, including but not limited to of electrical, electromechanical and pneumatic drives. The compacted bill 10c is then wound into a configuration that facilitates the placement of the cavity 14 of the closure. Example of this configuration is the lOd configuration in general in the form of S illustrated in Figure 3d. Other relatively round configurations, such as a spiral configuration can also be used to prepare the bill 10 for placement in the closure cavity 14. The apparatus 20 further includes a winding station 30 after the compaction station 28 for configuring the bill 10 for placement in the closing cavity 14. The winding station 30 includes a means for tightening the bill, such as the exemplary pin plate 72, and a pair of dependent pins 74a, b, and a means for rotating the tightening means relative to the bill 10, such as the winding handle 76. The winding handle 76 is operably connected to the dowel plate 72 by a shaft 78. The compressed note 10c is placed in the winding station 30 between the dowels 74a, b. In the illustrated embodiment, the pins 74a, b, are positioned adjacent to and on either side of the bill 10c, approximately equidistant between the ends thereof. The pins 74a, b are then rotated in relation to the bill 10c winding the bill, making the configuration lOd in general in the form of S, illustrated in Figure 3d. The rolled bill 10 is then placed in the cavity 14 of the associated closure 16, as illustrated in Figure 6. The closure 16 is placed in a receiver 80 located below the winding slot 30. The plate constitutes a plunger, which can move axially relative to the rotation ee of the plate 72, and is deflected by a spring 82, away from the receiver 80. Once the bill 10 is rolled, the handle 76 is pushed downwards. , towards the closing lid 16, against the deflection, which in turn pushes the bill 10 to the closing cavity 14. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the present apparatus 20 can be configured, as illustrated, in an arrangement similar to a turntable. In an alternative manner, the apparatus can be configured in another way, such as in a linear motion arrangement and the like. It will also be recognized that the functions of the various stations can be combined or separated, and that the stations and their operation can be partially or completely automated to make a more efficient and / or faster operation. These other configurations and automation are proposed to be within the scope of the present invention. From the foregoing, it will be noted that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the new concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that they are not proposed in limitation with respect to the specific modalities illustrated, or this should be inferred. The description is proposed to be covered by the appended claims, all modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (18)

1. A method for compacting and winding a banknote, characterized in that it comprises: providing banknote in a substantially flat state; folding a bill in a first direction to provide a series of substantially similar folds; compact the folded bill to establish the folds in it; at least partially winding the compacted and folded bill; and placing the rolled bill inside a cavity-d of an associated closure.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding step includes directing the bill between the interengaged meshing teeth of an associated pair of gears.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compaction step includes collapsing the folds by suction of the folded billet.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the compaction step includes compressing the folded billet with an associated compression plate.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the winding step includes providing a tightening means for receiving the compacted note, and for turning the tightening means relative to the compacted note, for winding the note.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the winding step includes winding the bill in a generally S-shaped configuration.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the winding step includes winding the bill in a generally S-shaped configuration.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the positioning step includes relatively displacing the tightening means axially of an axis about which it rotates.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding step bends the bill in a predetermined manner having a -first fold and a last "fold, and the first and last folds that are of a substantially equal size and that they orient in a similar way.

10. An apparatus for compacting and winding a bill to place a bill in a cavity of an associated lock, characterized in that it comprises: a support frame; a folding station, mounted on the support frame, for folding the bill in a predetermined configuration; a compacting station, mounted on the support frame, for compacting the folded billet in a compacted state; a winding station mounted to the support frame having a winding member adapted to engage the compacted note and to wind the note in a generally circular orientation; and a discharge region adapted to move the rolled bill from the winding station, and to place the rolled bill in the associated lock cavity.

11. The apparatus for compacting and winding a ticket according to claim 10, characterized in that the folding station includes a pair of gears having meshing teeth therein, the gears that are placed one with respect to the other to interconnect the teeth of gear.

12. The compaction and winding apparatus of a bill according to claim 10, characterized in that the compaction station includes a vacuum station having a vacuum chamber, the chamber being in communication for flow with a vacuum distributor and which is configured to remove a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber that is adapted to receive the folded billet and to compact the folded billet by aspirating the billet into the chamber.

13. The apparatus for compacting and winding a ticket according to claim 12, characterized in that the vacuum chamber defines a throat having a predetermined cross-sectional flow area, and wherein the throat includes a means for varying the flow area of the throat. the same .

14. The apparatus for compacting and winding a bill according to claim 13, characterized in that the variation means includes an articulation plate.

15. The apparatus for compacting and winding a ticket according to claim 10, characterized in that the compaction station includes a compaction station having a compression plate and a compression rod configured to coact with the other to compress the folded billet between these to establish the folds.

16. The apparatus for compacting and winding a banknote in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the winding station includes a means for tightening the banknote and winding the banknote in a predetermined, generally round, configuration.

17. The apparatus for compacting and winding a bill according to claim 16, characterized in that the tightening means includes a pair of pins adapted to tighten the compacted bill, the intermediate ends thereof and further adapted to rotate about an axis with respect to to the compacted banknote to carry out a rolled configuration, generally in the form of an S.

18. The apparatus for compacting and winding a banknote according to claim 17, characterized in that at least a part of the winding station is adapted to move axially of the axis of rotation to -place the rolled bill into an associated closure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method for compacting a bill (lOd) from a flat state to a folded and rolled state to place the bill (lOd) in a cavity of an associated lock includes providing a bill (lOd) in a substantially flat state and folding the bill ( lOd) in a first direction (52) to provide a series of substantially similar folds (P). The folded bill (lOd) is compacted to establish the folds (P) therein and is at least partially wound in a generally circular configuration. The rolled bill is placed inside the cavity (14) of the associated closure. An apparatus for compacting and winding the banknote (lOd) and placing the bank (lOd) in the closing cavity (14) includes a folding station for folding the banknote (lOd) into a predetermined configuration and a compaction station for compact the folded billet (lOd) in a compacted state. The apparatus further includes a winding station having a winding member adapted to couple the compacted note (10d) and wind the note in a generally circular orientation. A discharge region is adapted to move the rolled bill from the winding station and to place the bill (10d) in the lock cavity (14).