SE1450057A1 - Method and apparatus for packaging sheet signature bundle paper or plastic film in a single stream - Google Patents

Abstract

24 ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for Wrapping of signature bundles in paper or plastic in a single stream A group of consecutive bundles (10) of signatures is transported in a single stream ona conveyor (1) along the single path (1 ”) passing at least one packaging station (5, 6,5/6) configured for packaging bundles (10) selectively in paper (20) or plastic film (7).There is provided an input list With digital data With information about of the bundles(10) in the group of consecutive bundles are to be packaged only With paper and Whichbundles in the group of consecutive bundles to be packaged only With plastic film. lnaccordance With the input list, there is switched between packaging bundles only in paper or only in plastic film by the at least one packaging station (5,6). (FIG. 1)

Description

1 Method and apparatus for packaging signature bundles in paper or plastic film in a single stream Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing packaged bun-dles of signatures on a conveyor. Especially, the present invention relates to a convey-or comprising only a single path with at least one packaging station for selectivelypackaging the bundles with either or all of two or more different materials, especially paper or plastic film, for example customized signature bundles.

Background of the Invention ln preparation processes for distribution of signatures, for example advertising materi-al, magazines, newspapers with inserts, typically, the signatures are collated into bun-dles and wrapped in plastic film or, alternatively, in paper and, optionally, providedwith a specific recipient address. The bundles may be individualised in dependence onthe receiver and sorted according to demographic and/or geographic information. Forexample this sorting is done in order to satisfy the demands of geographical destina-tion or even directed towards particular individual recipients, the latter including crite-ria as to interest, occupation and/or income. A prior art publication describing this is US6050057 by Buhrs-Zaandam.

The sorting and final packaging onto a pallet for further distribution may additionallybe made in agreement with the correct postal distribution route in order to minimize efforts for the final delivery stage.

In order to provide fast and competitive delivery of such signature bundles, high-speedmachines have been developed that can process between 10,000 and 30,000 bundlesper hour. At this high speed, the process of collation and wrapping has to be per-formed very smoothly and with high precision in order not to disturb the flow of bun-dles through the machine. ln order to assure such smooth operation, often, only onetype of wrapping is used for a transport conveyer. This is explained in European patent application EPl68l250 by CMC which with respect to earlier prior art refers to a 2 Wrapping machine With either paper, namely EP0480882 by CMC, or only plasticfilm, as in PCT/IB2004/00325l published as WO2005/035367 by CMC. Also theabove mentioned patent US605 0057 by Buhrs-Zaandam only refers to paper Wrappingor plastic film Wrapping but does not disclose the possibility to select paper or plastic film for providing selectively Wrapped bundles.

HoWever, as part of the requirements for individually customized collating and pack-aging, also the Wrapping material may have to be tailored to the specific recipient. Forthis reason, prior art also contemplates signature collating machines Where the bundlesselectively can be packaged in plastic film or paper or not Wrapped at all. In order toaccomplish high speed processing, streams of bundles are divided into sub-streams forWrapping or for not Wrapping, before the sub-streams are again merged for furtherprocessing. Examples of such disclosures are patents US50256l0 by Quad/Tech, asWell as US6269609 and US64l5582 by Quad/Graphics. The patent US5706632 byBuhrs-Zaandam describes the option of having three sub-streams, one for paper, onefor film, and one for no Wrapping. The clear tendency is to divide main streams intosub-streams and merging these again, Where the sub-streams are dedicated to Wrapping or no Wrapping or even With several sub-streams for different types of Wrapping.

A different technical solution is found in US7325375 by Quad/Graphics, Where differ-ent types of packages are provided into Which the bundles are pushed, Where the pack-aging and the products can be tailored to the recipient. HoWever, this method of push-ing products into packages is not suitable for high speed packaging and not practicalfor signature bundles of various sizes. For the latter, Wrapping is more suitable. In thisprior art document, Wrapping itself is only mentioned as conventional Wrapping With either paper or plastic film.

Providing information on the package of a printed product is disclosed in US8l208llWhere ablation printing in several steps is disclosed. A final Wrapper can be used forWrapping the bundle of signatures in poly Wrap and/or paper Wrapping. It is not eX-plained Whether the signature bundles can be Wrapped by a combination of film andpaper or Whether the Wrapping can be done selectively by paper or film; also, no ex- amples are given of how this can be accomplished, especially at high speed, and it is not disclosed whether the paper or plastic wrapping is performed in dependence of a customizing process.

T hus, the prior art seems not to advice a high-speed method for customized wrapping in film or paper tailored to the recipient, unless multiple sub-streams are provided.

Object of the Invention It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide an improvement in the art. It isa further objective of the invention to provide an apparatus and method for customizedpackaging, for example wrapping, of signature bundles in either or all of two or moredifferent wrapping materials, especially plastic film or paper tailored to the recipient without multiple sub-streams. Especially, the focus is on high-speed processing, Description of the InventionThis objective is achieved with a method and apparatus for providing packaged bun-dles of signatures, for example advertising material, magazines, or newspapers with inserts, on a conveyor as described in the following.

The apparatus comprises a conveyor with a first location and a second location andonly a single path of the conveyor between the first location and the second location,the second location being downstream of the first location with respect to a movementdirection of the conveyor. Further, there is provided at least one packaging station, forexample one packaging station or two or three or more packaging stations, betweenthe first location and the second location. A group of consecutive bundles is transport-ed in a single stream on the conveyor along the single path from the first location tothe second location, such that each bundle arriving at the second location has also passed the first location and passed the at least one packaging station.

The at least one packaging station is configured for packaging bundles selectively in afirst packaging material, for example paper, or a second packaging material that isdifferent from the first packaging material, for example plastic film. There is provided an input list with digital data with information about which of the bundles in the group 4 are to be packaged only With the first packaging material, for example paper, in orderto provide a first subgroup Where all bundles in the first subgroup are packaged Withthe first packaging material, for example paper, and Which bundles in the group are tobe packaged only With the second packaging material, for example plastic film, in or-der to provide a second subgroup Where all bundles in the second subgroup are pack-aged With the second packaging material, for example plastic film. In accordance Withthe input list, the method comprises packaging bundles only in the first packaging ma-terial, for example paper, especially paper foil, or only in the second packaging mate- rial, for example plastic film, by the at least one packaging station.

For example, the apparatus comprises a control unit With digital data resembling aninput list determining Which bundles in the group to be packaged only With a firstpackaging material, for example paper, and Which bundles in the group to be packagedonly With a second packaging material, for example plastic film. The control unit isfunctionally connected to the at least one packaging station for packaging bundles onlyin the first packaging material, for example paper, or only in the second packagingmaterial, for example plastic film, by the at least one packaging station in accordanceWith the input list. Thereby, the group of consecutive bundles are provided at the sec-ond location such that some selected bundles of the group are only packaged in thefirst packaging material, for example paper, and some other selected are only pack-aged in the second packaging material, for example plastic film. In other Words, a firstsubgroup of the group of consecutive bundles is packaged only in the first packagingmaterial, for example paper, and a second subgroup of the group of consecutive bun-dles is packaged only in the second packaging material, for example plastic film, bythe at least one packaging station in accordance With the input list; thus, the group of consecutive bundles include the first and second subgroup at the second location.

In the following, for sake of illustration, the first and second packaging materials arementioned to be paper and plastic film, respectively, but it is to be understood that thepaper and plastic film can be substituted by other mutually different packaging materi- als, for example metal foil and/or textiles, if desired. 5 Advantageously, such a machine is capable of delivering bundles at the second loca-tion altemately in paper and plastic foil, although such regular configuration of a sin-gle stream of bundles would normally not occur. Typically, there are a number of bun-dles in the single stream, for example less than 10 or less than 5 bundles, that arewrapped in paper, followed by a number of bundles, for example less than 10 or lessthan 5 bundles, that are wrapped in plastic foil, which in turn is followed by anothernumber of bundles, for example less than l0 or less than 5 bundles, that are wrappedin paper. The number of subsequent bundles that are wrapped alike is typically irregu- lar and depends on the specific delivery data from input list.

As an example, the method comprises transporting in the single stream on the convey-or a first, a second, and a third bundle, wherein the second bundle immediately followsthe first bundle, and the third bundle follows the second bundle with at most 10 otherbundles between the second and the third bundle, wherein the first and the third bun-dle are packaged only in paper and therefore are part of the first subgroup, and whereinthe second bundle is packaged only in plastic film and is part of the second subgroup.Likewise, the vice versa situation is an example, where the first and third are packaged in plastic film and the second bundle in paper.

In some embodiments, the method comprises selectively activating and deactivatingthe at least one packaging station for also providing unpackaged bundles as a thirdsubgroup in the group of consecutive bundles at the second location; the third sub-group with the unpackaged bundles is provided at the second location in addition tothe first subgroup, in which the bundles are packaged only in paper by the at least onepackaging station, and the second subgroup, in which the bundles are packaged only in plastic film by the at least one packaging station.

Altematively, the bundles arriving at the second location are only bundles packaged inpaper by the at least one packaging station and bundles packaged in plastic film by theat least one packaging station; thus, each bundle is packaged by the at least one pack-aging station, and none of the bundles are not packaged. Thus, the third subgroup does not exist in this embodiment. 6 In some embodiments, the at least one packaging station comprises a first packagingstation and a second packaging station, provided one after the other in the single con-veyor path between the first location and the second location. The first packaging sta-tion is providing only paper, and the second packaging station is providing only plasticfilm, or vice versa. In such case, the group of consecutive bundles is transported as asingle stream on the conveyor along the single conveyor path and past the first and thesecond packaging station. According to the input list, the first and second packagingstation are activated and deactivated, respectively, for example by the control unit,thereby switching between packaging the bundles selectively in only one of the first and second packaging station.

For example, the first packaging station is a paper wrapper and the second packaging station is a plastic film wrapper, or vice versa.

As a further option, the apparatus can be configured to wrap a bundle in paper as wellas plastic foil. For example, it is possible to wrap the bundle first with paper and thenthe same bundle with plastic foil in addition to the paper wrap. This would provide afourth subgroup at the second location in addition to the first and second subgroup, and optionally in addition to the third subgroup of unpackaged bundles.

It should be pointed out that the tenn “a first and a second packaging station” does notlimit the invention to only two packaging stations. It is to be understood as “at leastone first and at least one second packaging station”; further packaging stations can beprovided of the same type as the first packaging station and/or of the same type as the second packaging station, or even of a third, different type.

Altematively, or in addition, the at least one packaging station comprises a singlewrapper that can switch between paper and plastic film wrapping. For example, a spe-cific packaging station of the at least one packaging station has means for wrappingwith paper as well as means for wrapping with plastic film for being capable of selec-tively switching between paper and plastic film wrapping in the specific packaging station. 7 As a further alternative or addition, a plurality of such wrappers are provided, eachwrapper being configured for switching between paper wrapping and plastic film wrapping.

As an even further alternative, the at least one packaging station provides paper enve-lopes or plastic film envelops into which the bundles are fed selectively. These envel-ops may be of different size in order to match the size of the bundles, for example in-dividually customized bundles. If the envelops are made of plastic film, this film maybe shrinkable and exposed to heat in order to shrink fit the plastic foil to the bundle.Typically, however, a wrapper is used for paper packaging and a wrapper for foil packaging.

In some embodiments, the paper packaging station is (or stations are) configured notto entirely cover the bundle with a paper cover, but rather provide a partial wrap as afolder around one edge of the bundle. Optionally, the paper is provided as a papersheet and the method comprises folding the sheet around en edge of the bundle with afirst part of the sheet being provided on the upper side of the bundle and another partof the sheet on the lower side of the bundle. For example, the sheet is folded with ap-proximately one half on the upper side of the bundle and approximately one half on the lower side of the bundle.

Thus, it is to be understood that the term of wrapping a paper sheet “around” a bundledoes not necessarily imply folding the sheet entirely around the bundle. The term also implies a partial wrapping, which is around one or more edges but not entirely around the bundle.

The film packaging station is (or stations are) typically configured to entirely wrap thebundle with a film around it. For example, the film is wrapped around the bundle,welded or glued into a sealed enclosure and, potentially, also exposed to heating for crimping of the film into a tight, sealed enclosure around the bundle.

T ypically, a number of such bundles, for example between 5 and 50 or between 10 and 30 are assembled in a stacker with a band around the assembled stack. For example, 8 such a stack could have a height of between 10 and 30 cm for convenient distribution.The assembled stack would typically contain some of the bundles packaged in paper(first subgroup) in addition to some bundles packaged in plastic film (second sub-group). Optionally, the assembled stack could in addition contain bundles that arepackaged in paper as well as plastic (fourth subgroup) and/or additional bundles with-out packaging of paper or plastic at all (third subgroup).

The data of the input list is advantageously stored in a digital database. Optionally, theinput list in the database contains information about the recipient, for example ad-dress, main interest, and special wishes, such as preferred type of packaging material.The data of the input list may contain digital, coded information as to whether to in- clude or to avoid a certain signature for the customized bundles in the stream.

For example the method and apparatus of the invention is used for transporting thebundles at a conveyor speed of at least 10,000 or at least 15,000 or at least 20,000bundles per hour along the single path and through the packaging process. This re-quires a smooth and quick functioning of the packaging stations, because the time forpackaging, for example wrapping, is typically less than a second, because 2-4 bundles pass a packaging station per second.

In case that multiple packaging stations for paper are provided, for example 2, 3, 4, 5,or more paper packaging stations, the paper packaging stations can, optionally, be usedmutually intermittently such that consecutive bundles are packaged by different paperpackaging stations. This reduces the requirements for packaging speed of each singlepaper packaging station. Likewise, in case that multiple packaging stations for plasticare provided, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, or more plastic film packaging stations, the plasticfilm packaging stations can, optionally, be used mutually intermittently such that con- secutive bundles are packaged by different plastic film packaging stations.

For example, there is provided a plurality of paper or plastic film packaging stationsone after the other and which are operated at periods being a multiple of the periodbetween arrival times of bundles. As an example, the most downstream packaging station starts packing while the preceding packaging station is waiting for packaging 9 the next bundle. The plurality of packaging stations may be combined With accelera-tion and/ or deceleration conveyor sections in order to have enough time for packaging,on the one hand, and for safeguarding a smooth continuation of the stream of pack- aged bundles.

Optionally, the group of multiple paper packaging stations are all identical, or some ofthe paper packaging stations in the group are identical. Optionally, the group of multi-ple plastic film packaging stations are all identical, or some of the plastic film packag- ing stations in this group are identical.

The height of a bundle is typically between 5 and 45 mm, for example With a maxi-mum height of 50 mm. the Weight of a bundle depends on the number and dimensionsof the signatures. Typically, the Weight is restricted to 3 kg or 2 kg, although normally,the Weight rarely exceeds 1 kg. In some practical embodiments, the method comprisesproviding a selection of bundles in the single stream of bundles, Wherein the selected bundles have a height of more than 25 mm; for example between 25 mm and 50 mm.

In some embodiments, the input list is provided With identification data and individualcharacteristics of a plurality of recipients of the bundles. Accordingly, the apparatus isprogrammed for selectively packaging the bundles in the first or second packaging material in dependence on the individual characteristics.

Optionally, a printer is providing identification data of recipients on the bundles. In apractical embodiment, the control unit is functionally connected to the printer for con- trolling selective printing of identification data of recipients on the bundles.

Optionally, the input list comprises a sequence of identification data sorted in geo-graphic distribution order, resembling a delivery sequence for the group of consecutivebundles. Accordingly, the apparatus is programmed for providing the group of consec- utive bundles at the second location in agreement With the delivery sequence.

Optionally, the apparatus comprises a stacker configured for collecting the group of consecutive bundles in agreement With the delivery sequence and With some bundles only packaged in paper and some bundles only packaged in plastic film, correspondingto the first and second subgroup, respectively. Optionally, the stacker also receivesbundles from the third and fourth subgroup, such that a stack can contain bundles fromall four subgroups. For example, the bundles are finally packaged from the stackeronto a pallet for further distribution. Advantageously, the bundles are provided at thestacker and/ or on the pallet sorted and in agreement with the correct postal distribution route in order to minimize efforts for the final delivery stage.

In order to collate signatures in bundles, optionally, a plurality of signature dispensersare provided upstream of the first location. Signatures are selected from the pluralityof signature dispensers and collated into bundles. The selection of signatures for thebundles is dependent on the identification data and individual characteristics in theinput list. For example, the control unit comprises a computer program with a pro-cessing step for determining individualized selection of signatures from the dispensersin accordance with the input list. Thereby, different, individualized bundles are pro-vided in the group of consecutive bundles, the selection of signatures for the bundlesbeing dependent on the identification data and individual characteristics in the input list.

Description of the DrawingFIG. l shows a principle of a finishing conveyor; FIG. 2 shows a finishing conveyor line with stations for paper covers and film wrap- ping; FIG. 3 shows the plastic film wrapper in greater detail; FIG. 4 illustrates a paper wrapper in greater detail; FIG. 5 shows a suction cup of the paper wrapper in greater detail; FIG. 6 is s principal sketch of an optional bundle with paper wrap; FIG. 7 is a principle sketch of an apparatus with a single packaging station; FIG. 8 is a detailed drawing of the apparatus with a single packaging station in a) side view and b) perspective sectional view; FIG. 9 is an enlarged section of the packaging apparatus during paper wrapping. 11 Detailed Description of the Invention FIG. 1 shows a principle of an apparatus for providing packaged signature bundles 10,for example containing newspapers, j oumals, advertisements, or combinations thereof.The apparatus comprises a conveyor 1 with a single conveyor path 1” for continuoustransport of signature bundles 10 in a single stream on the conveyor 1 along the singleconveyor path 1”. A plurality of signature dispensers 4 are provided in the upstreampart of the single conveyor path 1”. In the single conveyor path 1”, between a first loca-tion 21 and a second location 22, a first packaging station 5, for example a paperwrapper, and a second packaging station 6, for example a plastic film wrapper, areprovided one after the other. The first packaging station 5 provides a first packagingmaterial, and the second packaging station 6 provides a second packaging material.For example, the first packaging material is paper and the second is plastic film, or vice versa.

Altematively, as illustrated in FIG. 7, there may be provided a single packaging station6/5 capable of selectively providing different types of packaging material. The differ-ence between two stations 5, 6 with each either paper or plastic film wrapping and thesingle packaging station 5/6 capable of both paper and plastic wrapping is that thelocation where paper and plastic film is provided is the same location, namely in thespace between a first set of a lower belt 2 and an upper belt 3 and an immediately con- secutive set of a lower belt 2” and an upper belt 3”.

With reference to FIG. 1, a control unit 16 is provided with digital data resembling aninput list determining which bundles 10 to be provided with the first or the secondpackaging material. The control unit 16 is functionally connected to the first 5 andsecond 6 packaging station in order to provide instructions to the first 5 and second 6packaging station for selective wrapping of a bundle 10. Optionally, the control 16unit may be programmed to select for each bundle one of the following: - only the first package material, - only the second package material, - both the first package material and the second packaging material, or - none of them. 12 Corresponding instructions are submitted for respectively activating or deactivating the first and second packaging stations 5, 6, as the bundles 10 pass by.

At the end of the single conveyor path 1”, there is provided a stacker 11 for collectingthe bundles as a preparation step for delivery of the packaged bundles to the recipients.

A stack is typically assembled and a stabilizing band is arranged around the stack.

In some embodiments, the input list in the control unit 16 comprises identificationdata and individual characteristics of a plurality of recipients of the bundles 10. In thiscase, the bundles 10 are packaged in the first or second packaging material in depend-ence on the individual characteristics. A printing unit 17, for example an ink j et print-er, provides identification data of recipients on the bundles. For example, the input listcomprises a sequence of identification data sorted in geographic distribution orderresembling a delivery sequence for the bundles 10. Once the bundles 10 arrive at thestacker 11, they are already in agreement with the delivery sequence ready for packing on a pallet and transport to the geographical area where the bundles are distributed.

FIG. 2 shows a practical example of a finishing conveyor 1 with a lower belt 2 andupper belts 3 between which bundles of signatures are to be transported. The transportdirection 26 is from right to left. Signatures are collated from a plurality of signaturedispensers 4, of which three are shown, although, there are typically more than three.As shown, the single conveyor path also extends upstream to a number of dispensers 4 for providing bundles of signatures.

During the collation, addition of a signature from a certain dispenser 4 to a bundle 10of signatures is determined by data from a database in order to provide customizedbundles. The database contains information about the recipient, for example address,main interest, and special wishes, such as type of packaging material. The data maycontain coded information to include or to avoid a certain signature for the customized bundles in the stream.

The conveyor line is further equipped with two paper wrappers 5, and one film wrap- per 6. Depending on the information from the database, a customized bundle 10 is 13 wrapped in paper, or a bundle 10 is wrapped in plastic film. Although, the system al-lows both paper wrapping and subsequent plastic film wrapping of the same bundle,this is not desired in most situations. The paper wrappers 5 and the film wrapper 6 areprovided as part of a single conveyor path that is transporting signature bundles aftercollation. The number of paper wrappers 5 can be more than the illustrated two paperwrappers for covering the bundles with papers. The number of plastic film wrappers 6 for providing plastic film around the bundle can also more than one.

Typically, a bundle 10 is either wrapped in paper or plastic film, although, in an alter-native embodiment, it is also possible to let bundles in the stream pass through thepackaging stations 5, 6 without paper packaging or film wrapping. Such bundleswould arrive at the stacker and be stacked together with paper wrapped bundles and plastic foil wrapped bundles.

The paper wrappers 5 are typically configured not to entirely cover the bundle with apaper cover, but rather provide a partial wrap as a folder around one edge of the bun-dle. The film wrapper 6 is configures to entirely wrap the bundle with a film around it.For example, the film is wrapped around the bundle 10, welded or glued into a sealedenclosure and, potentially, also exposed to heating for crimping of the film into a tight, sealed enclosure around the bundle.

The speed of the transportation of the signatures is advantageously at least 10,000bundles in an hour, for example at least 15,000, at least 20,000, or even at least 25,000bundles per hour. This is a high speed and very demanding with respect to technologyfor smooth running of the bundles through the system. The switch between paperpackaging, for example paper wrapping, and plastic film packaging, for example plas-tic film wrapping, must be precise and quick, and the paper packaging and the film packaging must be both quick enough for not causing a delay of the stream of bundles.

For this reason, the paper packaging stations can, optionally, be used mutually inter-mittently such that consecutive bundles are packaged by different paper packaging stations. In order to assure enough time for wrapping and secure a high speed stream, 14 accelerating and/or decelerating conveyor sections may be provided in combination with the packaging stations.

FIG. 3 illustrates the film wrapper 6 in more detail. A role 7 of plastic film 12 is trans-ported over an assembly 8 of rollers (rollers not shown) to a region 9 where the bun-dles pass between an upper belt conveyer 13 and a lower belt conveyer 14. The filmextends across this region between the upper 13 and lower 14 belt conveyers. Thus,when the bundles pass through the region 9, they will be enclosed with film that is cutby a cutter 15 and subsequently welded, for example ultrasonic welded, or glued into asealed enclosure. Guide belts 28 safeguard a proper transport of the plastic film 12.Optionally, after wrapping, the plastic film 12 is exposed to crimping in a subsequent heating station (not shown).

If a bundle 10 is not to be wrapped in film, the region 9 is not containing film 12, andthe bundles can pass freely without film wrapping. In this case, the supply of film from the role is stopped after cutting with cutter 15.

FIG. 4 shows a paper wrapper 5 in greater detail. The paper wrapper 5 comprises aplatform 18 on which a pile 19 of sheets 20 of paper for wrapping are provided. Inorder to wrap a bundle in paper, a sheet 20 is withdrawn from beneath the pile 19 by anumber of suction arms 23 and then transported vertically downwards by rollers 24such that the sheet has approximately equal parts above and below the level at whichthe bundles are transported. Typically, a bundle is between 5 and 50 mm high, and thevertical length of the vertical sheet is typically between 20 and 60 cm, depending onthe height of the bundle and the size of the signatures 25. For example, the papersheets are A4 or A3 size. When the sheet 20 is in vertical orientation, a bundle is ad-vanced to hit the sheet 20, and during further advancing the bundle, the sheet 20 isfolded with approximately one half on the upper side of the bundle 10 and approxi-mately one half on the lower side of the bundle 10. This is illustrated in Fig 6, where the height of the bundle 10 of signatures 25 is exaggerated for sake of illustration.

FIG. 5 illustrates the suction ann 23 in greater detail, where a suction cup 27 is pro-vided on the end of the suction arm in order to pull a sheet 20 from the lower side of the pile 19.

When wrapping in plastic foil, the entire bundle is typically covered and the plasticfilm is welded or glued at the edges in order to seal the plastic film into a closed bag.The principle of the wrapper for plastic foil, as illustrated in FIG. 3 can be constructedsimilar to the paper wrapper, however, with the difference of not having such kind of suction arms 23 and a roll 7 instead of the pile 19 of paper sheets 20.

FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus with a single packaging station 5/6 that has means 5”, 6”for wrapping in a first material, for example paper, and a second material, for exampleplastic film. The packaging station 5/6 is a combination of the first packaging station 5 and the second packaging station 6 into a single packaging station 5/6.

The packaging station 5/6 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8, where FIG. Sa is a sideview and FIG. 8b an enlarged a perspective section of the apparatus of FIG. Sa. Thesingle packaging station 5/6 is capable of selectively providing paper sheets 20 orplastic film for wrapping around signature bundles 10 that are transported betweenlower belts 2 and upper belts 3 between which bundles of signatures are to be trans-ported. Signatures are collated from a plurality of signature dispensers 4, of whichthree are shown, although, there are typically more than three. Rollers 24, similar tothe rollers 24 as illustrated in FIG. 4 are used to transport signature bundles 10 from apile and in between the lower belts 2 and upper belts 3 for further transport to the sin-gle wrapping station, wherein the control unit 16, see FIG. 7, communicates with thepackaging station 5/6 on whether to use paper sheets 20 or plastic film 12 or even a combination thereof FIG. 8b illustrates that the paper sheet 20 that is wrapped around the bundle 10 is notwrapped entirely around the bundle 10 but only partially around the bundle 10 by be- ing bent around one edge only. 16 FIG. 9 illustrates the removal of a single sheet 20 of paper from the pile 19 by the ac-tion of the roller 24. The sheet 20 is being drawn in the space between the first set ofbelts 2,3 and the second set of belts 2”, 3” in order to meet the bundle 10 that is trans-ported into this space from the first set of belts 2,3 before continuing in the second set of belts 2”, 3”. The partially WithdraWn sheet 20 is also illustrated in FIG. 4.

Claims (24)

1. A method for providing packaged bundles of signatures on a conveyor (1); whereinthe conveyor (1) comprises a first location (21) and a second location (22) and only asingle path (1 ”) of the conveyor (1) between the first location (21) and the second loca-tion (22), the second location (22) being downstream of the first location (21) withrespect to a movement direction of the conveyor (1), and at least one packaging station(5, 6) between the first location (21) and the second location (22); wherein the methodcomprises transporting a group of consecutive bundles (10) in a single stream on theconveyor (1) with a conveyor speed along the single path (1”) from the first location(21) to the second location (22) such that each bundle (10) arriving at the second loca-tion (22) has also passed the first location (21) and passed the at least one packagingstation (5, 6); characterised in that the at least one packaging station (5,6, 5/6) isconfigured for packaging bundles (10) selectively in paper sheets (20) or plastic film(12); wherein the at least one packaging station comprises a first packaging station (5) and asecond packaging station (6), provided one after the other in the single conveyor pathbetween the first location and the second location; wherein the first packaging (5) sta-tion is providing only paper (20), and the second packaging station (6) is providingonly plastic film (12), or vice versa; or wherein the at least one packaging station (5/6)comprises a specific packaging station (5/6) having means (5”) for wrapping with pa-per sheets (20) as well as means (6”) for wrapping with plastic film (12) for being ca-pable of selectively switching between paper and plastic film wrapping in the specificpackaging station; wherein the method comprises providing an input list with digital data indicative for whichbundles (10) in the group of consecutive bundles to be packaged only with paper (20)and which bundles in the group of consecutive bundles to be packaged only with plas-tic film (12); packaging a first subgroup of the group of consecutive bundles (10) onlyin paper and a second subgroup of the group of consecutive bundles only in plasticfilm by the at least one packaging station (5, 6, 5/6) in accordance with the input listand providing the group of consecutive bundles (10) including the first and second subgroup at the second location (22). 18

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises selectively activat-ing and deactivating the at least one packaging station (5, 6, 5/6) for also providing athird subgroup of unpackaged bundles as part of the group of consecutive bundles (10) at the second location (22) in addition to first and second subgroup.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bundles (10) arriving at the second lo- cation (22) are only bundles from the first and second subgroups.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one packagingstation (5,6) comprises a first packaging station (5) and a second packaging station (6),provided one after the other in the single conveyor path between the first location andthe second location; wherein the first packaging (5) station is providing only paper(20), and the second packaging station (6) is providing only plastic film (12), or viceversa; wherein the method comprises transporting the group of consecutive bundles(10) on the conveyor (1) along the single conveyor path (1 ”) and past the first (5) andthe second (6) packaging station; according to the input list activating and deactivatingthe first (5) and second (6) packaging station, respectively, and thereby switching be-tween packaging the bundles (10) selectively at only one of the first (5) and second (6) packaging station.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the first packaging station (5) is a paper wrapper and the second packaging station (6) is a plastic film wrapper, or vice versa.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein a specific packaging station (5/6) of the atleast one packaging station has means (5”, 6”) for wrapping with paper sheets (20) aswell as means for wrapping with plastic film (12) for being capable of selectivelyswitching between paper and plastic film wrapping in the specific packaging station (s/e).

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises trans-porting the group of consecutive bundles (10) past the at least one packaging station (5, 6) with a conveyor speed of at least 10,000 bundles per hour along the single path 19 (1 ”) and packaging the group of consecutive bundles at a speed of at least 10,000 bun-dles per hour by the at least one packaging station (5, 6).

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises trans-porting in the single stream on the conveyor (1) a first, a second, and a third bundle,wherein the second bundle immediately follows the first bundle, and the third bundlefollows the second bundle with at most 10 other bundles between the second and thethird bundle, wherein the first and the third bundle are packaged only in paper (20) andtherefore are part of the first subgroup, and wherein the second bundle is packaged only in plastic film (12) and is part of the second subgroup, or vice versa.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the paper is provided as a pa-per sheet and the method comprises folding the paper sheet around en edge of thebundle (10) with a first part of the paper sheet being provided on the upper side of thebundle (10) and another part of the paper sheet (20) on the lower side of the bundle (10).

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method comprisesproviding the input list with identification data and individual characteristics of a plu-rality of recipients of the bundles (10), the individual characteristics containing infor-mation whether a bundle for a specific recipients should be packaged the first (20) orsecond (12) packaging material; selectively packaging the bundles in in paper sheet(20) or plastic film (12) in dependence on the individual characteristics and providing identification data of recipients on the bundles.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the input list comprises a sequence ofidentification data sorted in geographic distribution order resembling a delivery se-quence for the group of consecutive bundles (10) , and wherein the method comprisesproviding the group of consecutive bundles (10) at the second location (22) in agree- ment with the delivery sequence.

12. A method according to claims 11, wherein the method comprises collecting the group of consecutive bundles (10) at a stacker (11) in agreement with the delivery se- quence with some bundles only packaged in paper (20) and some bundles only pack- aged in plastic film (12).

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a plurality of signature dispensers(4) are provided upstream of the first location (21), and the method comprises select-ing signatures from the plurality of signature dispensers (4) for providing different,individualized bundles (10) of signatures (25) in the group of consecutive bundles, theselection of signatures for the bundles being dependent on the identification data and individual characteristics in the input list.

14. An apparatus for providing packaged bundles of signatures on a conveyor (1);wherein the conveyor (1) comprises a first location (21) and a second location (22) andonly a single path (1 ”) of the conveyor (1) between the first location (21) and the sec-ond location (22), the second location being downstream of the first location with re-spect to a movement direction (26) of the conveyor (1), and at least one packagingstation (5, 6) between the first location (21) and the second location (22); wherein theapparatus is configured for transporting a group of consecutive bundles (10) in a singlestream on the conveyor (1) along the single path (1 ”) from the first location (21) to thesecond location (22) such that each bundle (10) arriving at the second location (22)has also passed the first location (21) and passed the at least one packaging station (5,6); characterised in that the apparatus comprises a control unit (16) with digital dataresembling an input list determining which bundles (10) in the group of consecutivebundles to be packaged only with paper (20) and which bundles in the group of con-secutive bundles to be packaged only with plastic film (12); the control unit (16) beingfunctionally connected to the at least one packaging station (5, 6, 5/6) for packagingbundles (10) only in paper (20) or only in plastic film (12) by the at least one packag-ing station (5, 6, 5/6) in accordance with the input list and for thereby providing thegroup of consecutive bundles (10) at the second location (22) where some bundles ofthe group are packaged only in paper (20) and some only in plastic film (12); wherein the at least one packaging station comprises a first packaging station (5) and asecond packaging station (6), provided one after the other in the single conveyor pathbetween the first location and the second location; wherein the first packaging (5) sta- tion is providing only paper (20), and the second packaging station (6) is providing 21 only plastic film (12), or Vice versa; or wherein the at least one packaging station (5/6)comprises means (5”) for wrapping with paper sheets (20) as well as means (6”) forwrapping with plastic film (12) for being capable of selectively switching between paper and plastic film wrapping in the specific packaging station.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one packaging station (5,6) comprises a first packaging station (5) and a second packaging station (6), providedone after the other in the single conveyor path (1 ”) between the first location (21) andthe second location (22); wherein the first packaging station (5) is configured forproviding only paper (20), and the second packaging station (6) is providing only plas-tic film (12), or vice versa; wherein the control unit (16) is configured for activatingand deactivating the first (5) and second (6) packaging station according to the inputlist for thereby switching between packaging the bundles (10) selectively in only oneof the first and second packaging station (5, 6).

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the first packaging station (5) is apaper (20) wrapper and the second packaging station (6) is a plastic film (12) wrapper, or vice versa.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one packaging stationcomprises a specific packaging station (5/6) having means (5”) for wrapping with pa-per sheets (20) as well as means (6”) for wrapping with plastic film (12) for being ca-pable of selectively switching between paper and plastic film wrapping in the specific packaging station.

18. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 14-17, wherein the conveyer (1) isconfigured for comprises transporting the group of consecutive bundles (10) with aconveyor speed of at least 10,000 bundles per hour along the single path and config-ured for packaging at least 10,000 packaged bundles per hour.

19. An apparatus according to anyone of the claims 14-18, wherein the input list com-prises identification data and individual characteristics of a plurality of recipients of the bundles, the individual characteristics containing information whether a bundle for 22 a specific recipients should be packaged in paper (20) or plastic film (12); and Whereinthe apparatus is programmed for selectively packaging the bundles in paper (20) orplastic film (12) by the at least one packaging station (5, 6, 5/6) in dependence on the individual characteristics.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 When dependent on claim 15 or 16, Whereinthe apparatus is configured for either selectively packaging the bundles (10) only byfirst packaging station (5) or only by the second packaging station (6) according to the input list.

21. An apparatus according to anyone of the claims 14-20, Wherein the apparatuscomprises a printer (17); Wherein the control unit (16) is functionally connected to theprinter (17) for controlling selective printing of identification data of recipients on the bundles (10).

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, Wherein the input list comprises a sequence ofidentification data sorted in geographic distribution order resembling a delivery se-quence for the bundles (10) and the apparatus is programmed for providing the group of consecutive bundles at the second location in agreement With the delivery sequence.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, Wherein the apparatus comprises stacker andthe apparatus is configured for collecting the group of consecutive bundles (10) inagreement With the delivery sequence and With some bundles only packaged in paper (20) and some bundles only packaged in plastic film (12).

24. An apparatus according to anyone of the claims 21-23, Wherein a plurality of sig-nature dispensers (4) are provided upstream of the first location (21) for selecting sig-natures from the plurality of signature dispensers and collating the signatures (25) intobundles (10); Wherein the control unit (16) comprises a computer program With a pro-cessing step for determining individualized selection of signatures (25) from the dis-pensers (4) in accordance With the input list for providing different, individualized bundles (10) in the group of consecutive bundles, the selection of signatures (25) for 23 the bundles (10) being dependent on the identification data and individual Characteris- tics in the input list.