WO1993010002A1

WO1993010002A1 - Machine for automatically inserting a cover cardboard and a booklet into a box-like case

Info

Publication number: WO1993010002A1
Application number: PCT/IT1992/000146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo Zaniboni
Original assignee: Gima S.P.A.
Priority date: 1991-11-20
Filing date: 1992-11-20
Publication date: 1993-05-27
Also published as: ITBO910435A0; ITBO910435A1; IT1253894B

Abstract

In a machine for automatically inserting a cover cardboard (2) and a booklet (3) into a box-like case (1), a cardboard partially inserting station (12) is provided with folding means (31) adapted to fold a longitudinal flap (2a) of the cardboard (2), according to the angle profile of a receiving seat (9) created in the container (1), and with pushing means (21) adapted to partially insert the cardboard (2) in the seat (9) through a side opening of the case (1). Downstream of the cardboard partially inserting station (12) there is a station (45) for inserting a booklet (3) in the case. The booklet inserting station is provided with pushing means (82) adapted to insert a leading edge of a booklet (3) into the seat (9). The booklet is curved so as to reduce the transverse dimension and is positioned on top of the cover cardboard that is partially inserted in the case. The booklet inserting station is also provided with means (93) for gripping the cardboard (2) while sliding means (49, 50) are designed to work in operation relationship with the pushing means (82) and with the gripping means (93), so as to complete the insertion of the cardboard (2) and booklet (3) into the seat (9).

Description

2

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MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIC-ALLY INSERTING A COVER CARDBOARD AND A BOOKLET INTO A BOX-LIKE CASE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention lies in the technical field concerned with the packaging of music cassettes, or cartridges, and the like, in hard material cases.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known that magnetic tape is used for re¬ cording and then playing back of music.

The development of the digital system for recording and playing back music, has recently allowed the advantages obtained thereby to be applied to the production of magnetic tapes, so as to obtain a better sound reproduction and a more reliable working. Machines like the one of the present invention, are preferably fed with cases each of which has a box¬ like shape with a side opening for the insertion of the cassette.

Inside the case there are two counter-facing fins, which are adjacent to respective longitudinal sides.

The two fins delimit the seat for the cassette and act as guides for the insertion of the cassette.

Inside the case there is also a second seat that extends for the whole width of the front end of the case and along one longitudinal side thereof, thus forming a L-like profile.

The front end and the longitudinal side are - 2 -

made of transparent material.

This second seat is designed to house a cover cardboard and a booklet that has comment phrases about the cassette printed on itself. The cover cardboard is positioned adjacent to the transparent front wall so that it is visible from outside.

Furthermore, the cardboard has a longitudinal flap that is folded so as to remain adjacent to the transparent side when the cardboard is inserted in the case.

As a consequence of what has been stated above, it is clear that the cover cardboard and the booklet must be inserted into the case.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine that automatically performs the insertion of the cover cardboard and booklet in a special seat created in a box-like case, particularly for digital cassette, like the one described above. A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine that is built in accordance with a simple technical feature, that offers a safe working and that is reliable, with a versatile possibility of use.

The above objects are achieved by a machine for automatically inserting a cover cardboard and a booklet in a box-like case, with the case featuring a

L-shaped housing seat for the cardboard and booklet, and a side opening. 2

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The machine comprises a feeding line along which the cases are advanced in step in a row up to a station for partially inserting a cardboard therein.

The partially inserting station is equipped with means for folding a longitudinal flap of the cardboard so that it matches the housing seat, and with translator means designed to partially insert the cardboard into the seat through the opening.

At a further station a booklet is inserted into the case; the booklet inserting station is also located along the feeding line downstream of the cardboard partially inserting station, and is equipped with translator means designed to insert a leading edge of a booklet into the seat, on top of the cardboard.

The booklet is slightly curved so as to reduce its transverse dimension.

The booklet inserting station is also equipped with gripping means designed to grip the cardboard partially inserted into said case, and with sliding means designed to actuate the translator means in operating relation, so that the complete insertion of the cardboard and booklet into the seat is ac¬ complished.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features of the invention are set forth in the following, having particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the machine that is the subject of the present invention; 002

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- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a box-like case and of a cardboarad to be inserted therein;

- Figs 3a, 3b and 3c show a cross-section view of the case and of various embodiments of the cardboard respectively;

- Figs 4a and 4b show, according to the same perspective view, subsequent phases of the insertion of the cardboard into the case;

- Figs 5a and 5b show subsequent phases of the insertion of a curved cardboard into the case;

- Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of particular P of fig. 5a;

- Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a booklet set for being inserted into the case; - Figs 8, 9, 10, and 11 show, in longitudinal cross-section, the case during subsequent phases of the insertion of the cardboard and booklet;

- Fig. 12 shows a cross-section of the cardboard partially inserting station, taken along the line XII-XII of fig. 1;

- Figs. 13 and 14 show cross-section views of the cardboard inserting station of fig. 1 taken along the section line XV-XV in subsequent operating phases;

- Fig. 18 is a cross-section view of the cardboard inserting station of fig. 16, taken along the section line XVIII-XVIII;

- Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-section view of a booklet inserting station;

- Figs. 20 and 25 show horizontal cross-section view of the booklet inserting station during subsequent operating phases;

- Figs. 21, 24, and 26 show cross-section views ₂

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of the station of fig. 20, during subsequent operating phases;

Figs. 22 and 23 show cross-section views of the booklet inserting station of Fig. 21, taken along the section line XVII-XVII and along the section line XXIII-XXIII respectively;

Fig. 27 shows a cross-section view of the booklet inserting station of Fig. 22, taken along the section line XXVII-XXVII; - Fig. 28 is a cross-section view of the case of fig. 9 taken along the section line XXVIII-XXVIII.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures quoted above, numeral 1 indicates a case for a digital cassette (not shown) .

A cover cardboard 2 and a booklet 3 are to be inserted into the case 1. The case is shaped like a flat box and has a side opening 4 made at the transversal end.

The case has also a wide window 5 made in a front wall la.

Inside the case there are two fins 6, 7 extending adjacent to the longitudinal sides lb and lc of the case, these fins are positioned one opposite the other so as to delimit a housing 8 for the cassette.

Particularly, the fin 6 protrudes horizontally like a ledge from a longitudinal side lb of the case, while the other fin 7 is square shaped and turned towards the first fin 6. The fin 7 protrudes 002

downwardly from the front wall thus extending parallel to the longitudinal side lc.

Therefore, beside the housing for the cassette, inside the case there is also a seat 9 delimited, for its whole longitudinal extension, by the rear wall Id and the longitudinal side lc, which are made of a transparent material. The seat 9 has an L-shaped profile.

This seat 9 is designed to house the cover cardboard 2 and the booklet 3.

The cover cardboard 2 is obviously to be put in contact with the entire surface of the transparent rear wall Id, so that it can be seen from outside. A longitudinal flap 2a of the cardboard 2 is folded upwardly along a folding line 10 made in the cardboard, so that it goes to contact the entire inner surface of the transparent longitudinal side lc of the case, when the cardboard is inserted therein.

In another case the longitudinal flap can be folded also without providing the foldind line 10 in the cardboard.

It is also possible to insert a cardboard with a section 2b folded onto it like a book.

In any case, with or without the folding line, the flap 2a is not covered by the section 2b when it is folded (in Fig. 3c the section 2b has Joeen shown in a slightly raised position, for clarity sake) .

The subject machine is equipped with a feeding line 11 along which the cases 1 are made to advance in step (in the direction K); the cases on the feeding line 11 ore equispaced.

Advantageously, the feeding line 11 can be equipped with suitable carrier means for the cases 1 being transported, e.g. a drawer type holder.

At a certain point of the feeding line 11 there is located a cardboard partially inserting station that has been globally indicated with the numeral 12.

The cardboards 2 are fed one by one to the station 12, in suitable time relation with the advancement of the cases 1.

This operation is performed by a pusher means 13 that reciprocates at the end of a line 14 supplying the cardboard 2.

Singled cardboards 2 advance in a row along the supplying line 14 (in the direction H) until they stop against a shoulder 15 that is positioned in front of the end of the line 14.

As it can be seen in detail in Figs. 12 and 15, the cardboard partially inserting station 12 includes a raising means 16 that is moved vertically by a jack 17 between a raised position and a lowered position. The lowered position is set at the level of a plane 18 for the connection with the cardboard supplying line 14.

The plane 18 has a grooved guide 18a into which there is slidingly inserted a ledge 13a of the pusher 13.

The cardboards 2 are pushed by the pusher 13 until they stop against a further shoulder 19.

The raising means 16 is supported by elastic dampers 20 designed to make the jack 17 to work in an elastic manner.

Preferably the raising means 16 has the upper surface slightly curved in the direction transverse to 002

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the cardboard insertion direction.

A translator means 21 is designed to cooperate with the raising means 16, and is movable horizontally along a direction that is transverse to the feeding line 11.

The lower surface of the translating means 21 is preferably curved, so as to match the upper surface of the raising means 16.

The translator means is also equipped, in its lower part, with a band 22 that protrudes laterally from the lower surface, from the side that faces the shoulder 19.

The edge of the band 22 is in alignment with the cardboard flap folding line 10, when the band is in an operating phase.

A connecting plane 23 has the upper surface curved like the raising means 16 (see Fig. 18), and is situated between the feeding line 11 and the raising means. It must be noted that when the raising means 16 is at its raised position, it is also in alignment with the connection plane 23, and at a level slightly higher than the bottom of the case 1, i.e. of the rear wall Id thereof. Over the feeding line 11, in correspondence with the station 12, there is a centering means 24 that is made to move vertically by a related jack 25.

The centering means 24 is shaped like a fork and is equipped with counterfacing flanges 24a, 24b that are adapted to engage a case 1.

The flange 24b, nearer to the pusher 13, is journaled to the body of the centering means so that _ΛftΛ, 0002

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it can pivot about an axis parallel to the movement direction of the translating means 21, and is connected to elastic means that keep the flange fully lowered. The centering means 24 is also equipped with a pair of ridges 26,27 extending from the surface of the centering means that faces the translator 21.

The two ridges are thus located over the connection plane 23 and are adapted to act as lateral guides for the cardboard 2 being inserted.

The ridge 26, nearer to the shoulder 19, has a longitudinal groove 28, that is facing downwardly and that has the task of guiding the flap 2a of the cardboard while it is being inserted into the case. The other ridge 27 has a lower surface curved like a corresponding section of the lower surface of the translator 21.

The raiser 16 and the translator 21 have each a series of holes 29, 30 which lead to the counterfacing curved surfaces and which are connected to a vacuum source.

The raiser 16 has a folding means 31 for folding the flap 2a of the cardboard.

The folding means 31 constists of a swinging arm 32 that is arranged vertically and can swing about an axis parallel to the direction along which the car¬ dboards 2 are moved for insertion.

The arm 32 is pivoted, by means of a pin 33, to a support 34 that can be moved vertically by a supplementary jack 35 that is in turn guided by a rod 37.

The supplementary jack 35 is fixed to a lower , „„„, PCT/IT92/00146 10002

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plate 36 while the rod 37, fixed to the support 34, runs slidingly through a hole made in the support. The top part of the arm 32 forms an operating section 32a that is properly shaped, while the bottom 5 part of the arm rotatably supports a roller 38 that engages a fixed cam 39 made at the lower part of the shoulder 19.

A spring 40 is held by the support 34 and acts on the arm 32, so that the top part of the arm goes in abutment against the raiser 16.

The operating section 32a of the arm has also a series of holes 41 which are connected to a vacuum source (Fig. 14).

Over the feeding line 11, in correspondence with the station 12, there is also a movable blocking member 43, designed to pass through a slot 44 made in the translating means 21, for the reason that will be better explained in the following.

Downstream of the cardboard 2 partially inserting station 12, according to the advancement direction K of the feeding line 11, there is located a station for inserting the booklets 3 into the cases 1. The station is generally indicated with the numeral 45. A pusher means 46 is made to reciprocate at the end of a booklet supply line 47, so as ro feed the booklets 3 to the station 45 one by one in time relation with the advancement of the cases 1.

The booklets advance in a row along the supply line 47 (direction A) until they stop against a shoulder 48 situated in front of the same line 47. As it can be seen in detail in Figs. 19 to 27, 02

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the booklet 3 inserting station includes a first slide 49 and a second slide 50 that can move along a couple of guiding stems 51.

The stems 51 are horizontal and transverse in respect of the feeding line 11, and are fitted to the frame 52 that forms a bridge over the feeding line 11.

The first slide 49 is made to reciprocate by a jack 53 fastened to the frame 52, while the second slide 50 is made to reciprocate via a link mechanism 54, in operating relation with the first slide 49. The link mechanism, lying in a horizontal plane, forms something like an articulated parallelogram (see Fig. 20).

More particularly, this link mechanism includes a pair of levers 55,56 hinged onto respective hinge pins 57, 58 fitted to the frame 52.

The levers are linked to each other by means of a tie rod.

The lever 55 is connected to the second slide 50 through a connecting rod 60.

The lever 56 is square shaped and has a roller 65 that is designed to run against a cam 62 formed on a side of the first slide 49.

A spring 63 is hooked to the frame 52 and to the lever 56, so that the lever 56 is caused to elastically push with the roller 61 on the cam 62. The station 42 includes a raising means 65 supported by a cradle 66 that is made to move vertically by a rocker 67 having its pivot 68 perpendicular to the vertical plane in which the sliding directions of the slides 49 and 50 lie. The raiser 65 can be moved between a raised 002

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position (Fig. 21) and a lowered position (Fig. 19) beneath the support plane for the booklets 3 fed by the pusher 46.

This support plane is defined by a couple of bars 69 positioned downstream of a connecting plane 70 leading to the booklet supply line 47.

The rocker 67 is equipped with a roller 71 that in an operating phase engages a cam 72 made at the end of the stem of a jack 73 that is journaled to the fixed frame.

The cam 72 is also supported by a holding roller 74 rotatably fitted to the frame.

A vertical rod 75 is connected to the rocker 65 and to a second rocker 76 whose pivot 77 is fitted to a bracket 78 that protrudes from the frame 52.

An end of this second rocker 76 supports a roller 79 while a spring 80, hooked to the frame 52, pull downward the other end of the second rocker. In an operating phase, the roller 79 runs along a cam 81, that is shaped like a wedge and is fixed to the first slide 49.

A further translator means 82 is moved by the first slide 49 so that it can cooperate with the raiser means 65. The translator 82 is connected to the first slide 49 by means of a cradle 83 that is slidingly fitted to the slide 49 and that has a roller 84, positioned over the slide 49, adapted to engage a cam 85 fastened to the frame 52. The raiser 65 and the translator 82 have counterfacing surfaces which are curved, in a way that they match each other.

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Furthermore, the raiser 65 and the translator 82 have respective series of holes 86, 87 made in the counterfacing curved surfaces and connected to a vacuum source (see Fig. 23). Over the feeding line 11, in correspondence with the station 45, there is located a further centering means 88 that is moved vertically by a related jack 89 fastened to the frame 52.

The centering means 88 has counterfacing flanges 88a adapted to engage a case 1, the same way as for the centering means 24 of the station 12. (see Fig. 22).

The centering menas 88 is also equipped with a couple of front guide elements 90,91 fixed to the part of it adjacent to the translator 82.

The front guide elements 90, 91 are shaped in such a way that they act as guides for the booklet 3 being inserted into the housing seat 9, situated beneath the fins 6 and 7 of the case 1. The guide elements 90, 91 extend downwardly toward a plate 92 for connecting the feeding line 11 and the raiser means 65.

A tailpiece 90a is fixed to the front guide element 90 that is nearer to the pusher 46. The tailpiece 90a, along with the front guide element 90, is designed to facilitate the insertion of the booklet 3 into the case 1, (Fig. 27) with particular refeence to a horizontal plane, parallel to the booklet, and to a vertical plane parallel to the axis of the booklet.

Over the feeding line 11, in correspondence with the station 45, there is also located a suction 002

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head 93 that is movable vertically.

The suction head 93, as it will be better explained hereinafter, is designed to grip the cardboard 2 that is partially inserted in the case 1, and is held by means of a cradle 94 that is slidingly guided vertically by the second slide 50.

The cradle 94 is operated by a jack 95 mounted on the slide 50 with its axis oriented vertically. A roller 96 is rotatably mounted on the top of the cradle 94 and is designed to run along the profile of a cam 97 on the first slide 49 and extending towards the second slide 50.

When the machine works, firstly the flap 2a of the cardboard 2 is folded at the station 12, so as to form a L profile like the angle profile of the housing seat 9 made in the case 1.

The cardboard 2 is then partially inserted into the seat 9 through the side opening 4 of the case 1 that is resting at the station 12. This case 1 is blocked because of the lowering of the centering means 24.

This operation will be now described in detail. After the pusher 13 has moved to the position 13a thus transferring the cardboard 2 to a position over the raiser 16, the raiser 16 is made to raise so as to elastically clamp this cardboard against the lower surface of the translator 21. (see Fig. 13). Preferably, the cardboard is slightly curved before inserting it into the case 1, as it can be seen in Fig. 5a.

This curving becomes necessary, in particular, to make the cardboard to pass over the tooth 98, that 02

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in some cases is formed in adjacency of the edge of the transparent wall Id of the case 1, as it can be seen in Fig. 6 wherein the particular P is shown in elnarged view. The slight curving of the cardboard 2 facilitates always the insertion into the seat 9 of the case, since it reduces the overall transversal dimension of the cardboard.

Obviously, this curving, that is caused by the curved surfaces of the raiser 16 and of the translator 21 matching to each other, is not permanent, and the cardboard regains its flat profile once it has been iserted into the seat 9.

Subsequently, the supplementary jack 35 of the folding means 31 is operated so as to move upwardly the arm 32 that folds the cardboard flap 2a by means of the operating section 32a (see Fig. 14).

The flap 2a is folded around the band 22 supported by the translator 21. During this movement of the arm 32, the roller

38 strikes the stationary cam 39 and the arm 32 slightly moves away from the side of the raiser 16. In all the above mentioned phases, the cardboard 2 is held by the suction action applied through the holes 29 and 41 of the raiser 16 and arm 32 respectively, so that undesired movements of the cardboard in respect of the corrected position are avoided.

The partial insertion of the cardboard 2 into the seat 9 of the case 1 is performed by subsequently operating the translator 21, whose holes 30 are subjected to a suction in time relation with the 002

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suction release in the holes 29 of the raiser 16, so that the cardboard results to be gripped by the translator 21.

A slight lowering of the raiser 16, provoked in a known manner, prevents the cardboard from being "sticked" to the same raiser.

While being transferred, the cardboard 2 is guided by the underlying raiser 16 and by the connection plane 23. The folded flap 2a is instead guided by the arm 32 and by the suction action thereof.

This suction action is obviously overcome by the stronger moving action performed by the translator 21. It must be noted that at the case opening the cardboard is guided by the ridges 26, 27, and particularly the folded flap 2a is guided by the groove 28 featured in the ridge 26.

The translator 21 goes inside the case 1 through the side opening 4, thus bringing the cardboard 2 into the seat 9 (see Fig. 18).

At the end of the partial insertion of the cardboard 2 into the case 1, the movable blocking member 43 is made to lower and pass through the slot 43 of the translator 21, so that the cardboard results to be clamped (see Fig. 16).

This clamping allows the translator 21 to go back, while the cardboard 2 is kept inside the case 1. Then, the blocking member 43 is moved back to the release raised position (see Fig. 17).

The case 1, after the cardboard 2 has been partially inserted therein, is moved along the line 11 02

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to the subsequent station 45 where, first, the partial insertion of a booklet 3 is performed. Also the booklet 3 is inserted into the seat 9, on the top of the cardboard 2. During this partial insertion also the booklet

3 is curved transversally to the insertion direction and it is inserted preferably with its rib 12 facing the cardboard folded flap 2a (see Fig. 7).

It must be noted that the cardboard 2, partially inserted into the case 1, acts as a guide for the booklet being inserted into the seat 9. While being at the station 45, the case 1 is blocked by the centering means 88 that is lowered (see

Fig. 22). The booklet 3 that is to be inserted, is transferred by the pusher 46, while resting on the couple of the guide bars 69, to a position over the raiser 65.

Then the raiser 65 is made to raise by the rocker 67 actuated by the jack 76 equipped with the cam 72.

In fact, the roller 71 runs along the cam 72 until it enters the recess made therein, thus causing the cradle 66 of the raiser 65 to raise (see Fig. 21). The booklet 3 is clamped between the raiser 65 and the lower surface of the translator 82 born by the first slide 49 (see Fig. 23).

Moreover, the booklet 3 is curved by the two counterfacing surfaces of the raiser 65 and translator 82, which are curved and matching each other, and is kept by the suction action applied through the holes

86 of the raiser 65. PCI7IT92/00146 002

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It must be noted that the rocker 67, while swinging, makes the further rocker 76 to swing, by means of the control rod 75.

The holes 87 of the translator 82 are subjected to the action of vacuum in time relation with the suction release of the raiser 65 holes 86, so that the booklet 3 results to be gripped by the translator 82.

The raiser 65 is made to lower slightly, as a consequence of the roller 71 enganging the related cam 72 at the end of the return stroke of the jack 73 stem, so that the "sticking" of the booklet to the raiser 65 is avoided.

Then the first slide 49 is made to advance by the jack 53, and moves the translatore 82. While the slide 49 is moving, the wedge cam 81 strikes the roller 79 of the rocker 76 thus provoking this latter to swing.

This swinging action is transmitted to the rocker 67 so that the raiser 65 is a little lowered (see Fig. 24) .

When the translator 82 is made to advance by the slide 49, it is also moved downwardly because of the side shifting of the cradle 83, whose roller 84 runs on the stationary cam 85. Therefore, the insertion of the booklet 3 is performed by a combined movement resulting from the advancement of the booklet toward the guide surface formed by the cardboard 2, as it has been illustrated with dashed lines 3a and 3b in Fig. 8. The booklet 3 is engaged, while being inserted, by the front elements 90, 91 and by the tailpiece 90a of the centering means 88. 02

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The elements 90, 91 and the tailpiece 90a guide the booklet 3 into the housing seat 9, beneath the fin 6 and 7 of the case 1.

During this booklet 3 introduction phase, the cardboard 2, partially inserted into the case 1, is kept blocked by the suction head 93, that is lowered by vertically moving the related cradle 94 born by the second slide 50 and moved by the jack 95.

After tha leading edge of the booklet 3 has been inserted in the seat 9 (see Fig. 9), the cardboard 2 is made again to advance along with the booklet 3 (see Fig. 10).

The advancement of the first slide 49 provokes the roller 61 of the link mechanism 54 to strike the cam 62 that is fastened to the side of the same slide 49 (see Fig. 25) .

As a consequence, the link mechanism 54 modify its shape and provokes, by means of the rod 60, the second slide to move up to the stop position 54a, wherein the sensor 64 is sensitized.

The second slide 50 drags the cardboard 2 by means of the suction head 93.

It must be noted that in this phase the cardboard 2 still acts as a guide for the booklet 3 being inserted.

It must also be pointed out that the portion of booklet outside of the case 1 is kept curved during the insertion phase (see also Fig. 28).

When the partial insertion of the cardboard 2 is accomplished, the suction head 93 is raised by the cam 97 born by the first slide 49.

In fact, this cam 79 strikes the roller 96 of 02

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the cradle 94 that is therefore caused to move upwardly (see Fig. 26).

The advancement of the cardboard 2 and booklet 3 ends upon completition of their insertion in the housing seat 9 (see Fig. 11).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The subject machine is directed to the technical field concerned with the packaging of music cassettes, or cartridges, and the like, in hard material cases.

The machine described herein allows to perform automatically the insertion of a cover cardboard and a text booklet in a related housing seat of a box-like case, particularly in a case for digital cassette. In all the insertion phases performed by the machine, both the cardboard and the booklet are positively guided while being inserted in the seat, so that the risk of jamming is avoided, particularly for the corners.

Claims

02- 21 -CLAIMS

1. Machine for automatically inserting a cover cardboard (2) and a booklet (3) in a box-like case (1), said case (1) featuring a L-shaped housing seat (9 ) for said cardboard (2) and booklet (3) , and a side opening (4), said machine being characterized in that it comprises; a feeding line (11) along which cases (1) are made to move in step; a station (12) for partially inserting a cardboard (2) in a case (1), said cardboard partially inserting station (12) being located along said feeding line (11) and equipped with folding means (31), for folding a longitudinal flap (2a) of said cardboard (2) so that it matches said housing seat (9), and with translator means (21) designed to partially insert said cardboard (2) into said seat (9) through said opening (4 ) ; a further station (45) for inserting a booklet

(3) into said case (1), said booklet inserting station (45) being located along said feeding line (11) downstream of said cardboard partially inserting station (12), and being equipped with translator means (82) designed to insert a leading edge of a booklet (3) into said seat (9) on top of said cardboard (2), said booklet (3) being slightly curved so as to reduce its transverse dimension, said booklet inserting station being also equipped with gripping means (93) designed to grip said cardboard (2) partially inserted into said case (1), and with sliding means (49,50) designed to actuate said translator means (93) in 02

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operating relation, so that the complete insertion of said cardboard (2) and booklet (3) into said seat (9) is accomplished.

2. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said cardboard partially inserting station (12) includes raising means (16) movable vertically between a lowered position, located at level of a cardboard supply line (14), and a raised position in which said raising means (16) abut against said translator means (21) so as to clamp said cardobard (2) between counterfacing surfaces of said raising means (16) and translator means (21).

3. Machine as in claim 2, characterized in that said counterfacing surfaces of said raising means (16) and translatormeans (21) are slightly curved transversally to the cardboard inserting direction, so that the cardboard (2) results to be curved accordingly, to facilitate the insertion thereof int said seat (9) of the case (1).

4. Machine as in claim 2, characterized in that said raising means (16) and translator means (21) have respective series of holes (29,30) leading to said counterfacing surfaces said holes (29,30) being subjected to the action of vacuum and released from said action of vacuum in operating relation, so as to keep said cardboard (2) in the raising phase and in the partial insertion phase respectively.

5. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said cardboard partially inserting station (12) includes centering means (24) located over said feeding line (11) and movable vertically, these centering means comprising a fork (24a,24b), designed to engage said case (1) when said centering means are lowered, and a pair of ridges (26,27) extending from the portion of said centering means facing said translator means (21), these ridges (26,27) being adapted to act as side guides for the cardboard (2) being inserted.

6. Machine as in claim 5, characterized in that a ridge (26) of said cetering means features a longitudinal groove (28), facing downward, adapted to guide said cardboard flap (2a) during the insertion of said cardboard (2) in said case (1) .

7. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said folding means include an arm (32) pivoted to support means (34) that are moved vertically by raising means (16) designed to raise said cardboard (2), said arm (32) being able to swing about a longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of the insertion of said cardboard (2) as a consequence of the action of cam means (39).

8. Machine as in claim 7, characterized in that the top of said arm (32) features an operating section (32a) provided with a series of holes (41) connected to a vacuum source so as to keep said flap (2a) of said cardboard (2) .

9. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said cardboard partially inserting station (12) includes a movable blocking member (43) designed to pass through a slot (44) in said translator means (21), and to block said cardboard (2), that is partially inserted in said case (1), while the translator means moves back out of the case.

10. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in 02

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that said translator means (82) are moved by a first slide (49) in a direction transverse to the feeding direction of said cases (1) along said feeding line

(11), and are slidingly guided in vertical direction by the same first slide (49), so that the insertion of said booklet into said seat (9) is accomplished by means of a combined movement resulting from an advancement towards said opening (4) and from a lowering toward a guide surface made by the same cardboard (2).

11. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said booklet inserting station (45) includes raising means (65) movable vertically between a lowered position, located beneath a booklet (3) supporting plane, and a raised position in which they abut against said translator means (82), so that said booklet (3) being inserted is clamped between the counterfacing surfaces of the same raising means (65) and translator means (82).

12. Machine as in claim 11, characterized in that said counterfacing surfaces of said raising means (65) and translatormeans (82) are slightly curved in a way that they match each other, and have respective series of holes (29,30) subjected to the action of vacuum and released from said action of vacuum in operating relation, so as to keep said booklet (3) in the raising phase and in the insertion phase respectively.

13. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said booklet inserting station (45) includes centering means (88) located over said feeding line (11) and movable vertically, these centering means comprising a fork (88a,88b) designed to engage said case (1) when said centering means are lowered, and a pair of front guide elements (90,91) extending from a portion of said centering means (88) facing said translator means (82), said front guide elements being adapted to guide said booklet (3) while being inserted into said seat (9) .

14. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said booklet inserting station (45) includes a first slide (49) that is made to reciprocate by actuating means (53) in a horizontal direction transverse to said case feeding line (11), and a second slide (50) that is moved by a link mechanism in operating relation with said first slide (49) and with said gripping means (93), said link mechanism being operated by cam means fixed to said first slide (49) .

15. Machine as in claim 14, characterized in that said grippingmeans (93) are moved by said second slide (50) in a direction transverse to the feeding direction of said cases (1) along said feeding line

• (11), and are slidingly guided in vertical direction by the same second slide (50), so as to block, when they are lowered, said cardboard (2) already inserted into said seat (9) of said case (1).