WO2007149038A1

WO2007149038A1 - A packaging unit, a machine and a method of handling sheets in a machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007149038A1
Application number: PCT/SE2007/050421
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran TOLF
Original assignee: Bindomatic Ab
Priority date: 2006-06-19
Filing date: 2007-06-14
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: SE0601344L; SE532403C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging unit which includes a bundie of a plurality of sheets (2) and a cassette (1 ) containing said bundle. The cassette is intended for connection to a machine for dispensing sheets (2) from the bundle one at a time for treatment in the machine. According to the invention, the cassette (1 ) is provided with an identification eiement (10) which includes an identification characteristic that is unique precisely for said cassette (1). The identification eiement (10) can be read mechanically. The invention also relates to a machine for co-action with the cassette (1). The machine includes reading means, detecting means, counting means and memory means, such that the machine is able to record and store the number of sheets (2) that have been dispensed from a given specific cassette (1). The invention also relates to a method pertaining to such a packaging unit and such a machine.

Description

A PACKAGING UNIT, A MACHINE AND A METHOD OF HANDLING SHEETS IN A MACHINE

Field of invention

According to a first aspect the present invention relates to a packaging unit which includes a bundle of sheets and a bundle of co-related cassettes which are intended for connection to a machine for dispensing sheets piecewise from the bundle for treatment in the machine.

From another aspect the invention relates to a machine for treating sheets dispensed from a cassette.

From a third aspect the invention relates to a method of treating sheets in a machine, wherein the sheets are dispensed piecewise from a cassette that embraces a bundle of sheets which are connected to the cassette.

Background of the invention

There are various occasions when paper sheets are treated in a machine, these sheets being dispensed piecewise from a cassette and into the processing unit of the machine. These occasions may concern a machine that produces folders, a copying machine or a printer. Treatment of this kind normally involves short series of varying magnitudes.

In the following text the background of the invention is presented with reference to the production of folders by way of an example, although the same considerations may, in principle, also apply to other similar kinds of sheet treatment in a machine. The production of folders together with copying and printing of the folders often take place in an environment in which the production of folders does not constitute the actual activity. For instance, the foiders may be intended for presentation of an annual report, a project presentation, documents relating to tenders or offers, company presentation, company reports, etc. The series are typically short and vary in size, where the need for folder production occurs at irregular intervals. Office machines that are able to produce small series of folders readily and neatly have long been known in the art. Such a machine is typically provided with a magazine for bundles of paper sheets which are intended to constitute the folder contents, and a magazine for folder blanks. When the machine is activated, a folder is produced by bringing a bundle of paper sheets together with a folder which is caused to encase the sheet bundle. The sheet bundle is then glued firmly in the folder, e.g. by heating glue applied to the folder therewith activating the glue.

This type of folder production is well known in the art and should not therefore require closer description. Folder production can be carried out in slightly different ways and with differing degrees of sophistication.

When a series of folders is to be produced, there will conveniently be a sufficient number of sheets for the folder blanks in the cassette.

In many cases the machine is constantly loaded with a connected cassette, often with two separate cassettes. When a series of folders has been produced, the cassette remains in the machine wherewith a cassette which is only partially filled is ready for the next series of folders to be produced.

It may also be that the cassette is removed from the machine subsequent to having produced a series of folders. When a new series shall be produced, the cassette is again connected to the machine. The number of sheets available for the folders is also unclear at this time.

In many cases it is possible that folder production is initiated from a remote position by sending to the binding machine via a computer in one workroom printing instructions for the folder content and, at the same time, initiating binding of a desired number of folders. In the absence of information concerning the number of sheets remaining in the cassette for the folder blanks, there is a risk that the number of sheets available will be insufficient. The operation is initiated, but not completely carried out. This can be disadvantageous, particularly if there is some delay in obtaining the folders, therewith necessitating a restart of the process for the remaining part of the series. In other cases the person who takes charge of the produced folders may be someone other than the person who initiated production of the folders. This person may be unaware of the intended size of the series and thus is also unaware of whether the series is complete or not.

This results, of course, in drawbacks, operation disturbances and poor efficiency.

Corresponding problems can occur in the other treatment steps exemplified above, and in other connections of different kinds.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the problem described above.

Description of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention this object is achieved by providing a packaging unit of the kind concerned by virtue of providing the cassette with the special feature of an identification element that includes an identification characteristic which is unique precisely for this cassette, wherein the identification element can be read mechanically by the machine.

Because the cassette can be identified uniquely in this way, it is possible for a machine equipped for said purpose to read the identity of the cassette, count the number of sheets dispensed and store the information. When the machine is loaded with such a cassette and folder production in a series of given magnitude has been initiated, the machine is able to disclose immediately whether or not the number of sheets remaining in the cassette is sufficient to cover the magnitude of the series initiated. Necessary measures can then be taken immediately. The inventive cassette therewith readily overcomes the problems that occur when the number of sheets remaining in a cassette is unknown.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invented packaging unit each sheet constitutes a folder blank which is intended to be placed by the machine around a bundle of papers to form a file. It will be evident from the background description given in the introduction that the production of folders is an important field of application for the invention and that the benefits afforded by the invention are particularly valuable.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention each sheet includes at least two parallel fold lines for forming the spine of a folder. This facilitates production of the folders.

According to another preferred embodiment the glue is activated by heating the glue between the fold lines.

In respect of folder production it is highly typical to fasten the folder contents with the aid of this type of glue applied to that part of the folder which will form the inner surface of the spine of the folder. The present invention is therefore particularly important in respect of folder binding with the aid of this technique, which makes this embodiment particularly valuable.

According to another preferred embodiment, the identification element is comprised of a chip disposed on the cassette. The use of a chip enables the cassette to be given readily a characteristic feature that can be read mechanically in a simple and reliable fashion.

According to another preferred embodiment, the chip is a read only chip.

Such a chip is beneficial from the aspect of cost and also ensures that the original information can not be modified in an undesirable manner.

According to another preferred embodiment, the chip allows information to be both read and written. Although such a chip is slightly more expensive and carries with it a certain amount of risk for undesired information manipulation, this embodiment affords benefits of another kind which can be highly significant in some applications. This arrangement enables the information gathered by the machine concerning the number of the sheets remaining in the cassette to be transferred to the cassette chip. This information can therewith be delivered directly from the cassette the next time it is inserted into the machine or when it is possibly inserted into a corresponding machine. In this case it may be unnecessary to save information in a memory in the machine. This can simplify the machine software and lower its cost.

According to another preferred embodiment, the unique identifying characteristic includes a first component that is common to a plurality of cassettes and a second component which is unique for the individual cassette concerned.

This is beneficial by virtue of the fact that the characteristic feature not only includes the unique identification information but also includes group related information, for instance information disclosing the size and the type of sheets concerned and the supplier. This assists in ensuring that the correct cassette with the correct type of sheets is connected to the machine. The machine is therewith able to read also this information and to check that the sheets correspond to the operation to be carried out.

According to another preferred embodiment the sheet is of a kind that can be read with RFID-technology.

This enables the chip to be read simply, positively and inexpensively.

The present invention also relates to a series of packaging units where the unique identification characteristic has a first component that is common to all cassettes in the series and a second component that is unique for the individual cassette concerned.

From another aspect the aforesaid object is achieved with a machine for treating sheets dispensed from a cassette in accordance with the first aspect of the invention but with the inclusion of a reader that functions to read the unique identifying characteristic of the cassette, means for detecting when a sheet is dispensed from the cassette, means for counting the number of sheets dispensed from the cassette to the machine, and memory means adapted to store information concerning the number of sheets dispensed from a cassette identified by virtue of a given identifying characteristic. A machine of this kind enables corresponding benefits to be achieved as those given above with respect to the inventive packaging unit.

According to one preferred embodiment the invented machine inciude means for presenting the stored information.

This enables information disclosing how many sheets remain in the cassette to be obtained quickiy and simply. The presentation means may be a display on the machine itself or in the form of a signal sent to the computer of a user.

According to another preferred embodiment the machine includes signalling means adapted to send a signal to the cassette identifying means, this signal being intended to represent the stored information for writing said information into the cassette identifying means. This enables information concerning the number of sheets that remain to be coordinated with the cassette itself, thereby providing the same benefits as those described above.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the reader in the machine is an RFID- reader.

According to another preferred embodiment, the machine is adapted to treat folder blanks to form folders.

The benefits afforded by these embodiments are of a similar kind as those given above for certain embodiments of the inventive packaging units.

According to a third aspect of the invention the aforesaid object is achieved by means of a method relating to the treatment of sheets in a machine where the sheets are dispensed piece by piece from a cassette that encloses a bundle of several sheets and which is connected to the machine, wherein the method includes the speciai steps of providing the cassette connected to the machine with a cassette identifying means that includes a unique characteristic whieh identifies preciseiy the cassette concerned, wherein the identification means is mechanically readable, wherein the machine reads said characteristics, wherein the machine counts the number of sheets dispensed, and wherein the machine stores information relating to the number of sheets that have been dispensed from precisely this cassette.

According to preferred embodiments of the inventive method, the method is carried out while using a packaging unit according to the invention or one of the preferred embodiments of said unit, and while also using a machine according to the present invention or while using one or more of the preferred embodiments thereof. The inventive method and its preferred embodiments afford benefits of a kind corresponding to those related to the inventive packaging unit and the inventive machine and their preferred embodiments, these benefits having been mentioned above.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following detailed description of beneficial exemplifying embodiments thereof, and also with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging unit according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elementary diagram of a machine according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of a folder blank.

Description_, of beneficial embodiments

The invention is described with reference to an application example where the sheets are comprised of folder blanks for the production of folders. Machines for the production of folders are described for instance in WO91/04159, WO91/04160, WO94/26535 and WO97/27067. The folder blanks are delivered from a cassette connected to the machine. The cassette will typically contain 40 such blanks. These blanks are normally folded already in the cassette such as to form the front side and rear side and the spine of the foider, although the blanks may, in principle, have the form of plain sheets which are folded in the machine.

The packaging unit iϋustrated in figure 1 includes a cassette 1 and a bundle of sheets 2 enclosed in the cassette. The cassette 1 is only shown partially, so that the bundle of sheets can be seen.

Piaced on the outer surface of the cassette 1 is a chip 10 that contains RF!D- readable information. The chip will suitably contain information relating to the name of the supplier, in the form of an ASCII-code and/or an EAN-code or UPC-code respectively, and information concerning the product number. This information is the same for a large number of cassettes in a series, in addition, the chip 10 also includes a serial number which is unique for each cassette. For instance, the product number may include five digits and the series number may include 10 digits

Figure 2 is an elementary diagram of a machine 3 adapted for binding folders and for co-action with the cassette 2. The machine has a magazine for receiving two different cassettes 1a, 1b. The machine also includes a magazine for receiving paper bundles that are intended to be bound to form folders with the folders formed by the sheets 2 received from one of the cassettes 1a, 1b. A paper bundle is moved into a folder blank in a first binding unit 5 and the folder is produced in a second unit 6 for delivery to a finished foider outfeed magazine 7.

Located adjacent each cassette 1a, 1b is an RFSD-reader 8a, 8b which is adapted to read the information on the chip 10 of respective cassettes 1a, 1b. Aiso provided adjacent each cassette is a detector 9a, 9b which functions to detect when a sheet is dispensed from the cassette in question.

A microprocessor 11 in the machine is adapted to receive information of the RFSD- readers 8a, 8b and from the detectors 9a, 9b and to process and store this information. Output signals from the microprocessor iead to a display 12 on the machine and/or to an output signal line 13.

When a series of folders shaii be bound and the machine is started, which may be initiated remotely from a computer coupled to the machine, the microprocessor 11 and the RFSD-readers 8a, 8b are activated. The RFID-readers inform the microprocessor 11 of the identity of respective cassettes, by reading the information on the chips 10 on said cassettes. Stored in the memory of the microprocessor is information concerning the number of sheets 2 that have earlier been dispensed from the cassette with the identity read-off. This information is presented on the display 12 and/or sent to the customer's computer via the signal line 13. This enables it to be ascertained whether or not a sufficient number of sheets remain in one or the other of said cassettes or in both cassettes together in respect of the magnitude of the series to be produced.

if the number of sheets 2 available is insufficient or if information is Sacking, the machine may be set so that no folder production will be initiated, wherewith the existing cassettes can be replaced with full cassettes. Alternatively, folder production can be initiated with the custom aware of the fact that fresh cassettes must be later inserted in order to complete the series.

i, each detector 9a, 9b registers each sheet 2 that is dispensed from the cassette 1 concerned. This information is transferred to a counter in the microprocessor 11 and stored therein. When the series is terminated the microprocessor will contain information as to how many sheets remain in the cassette 1 , this information being stored and then utilized the next time the cassette shall be used for folder production.

Sn the described example there is stored in the microprocessor 11 of the machine information as to the number of sheets remaining. Alternatively, the machine may be equipped so as to supplement the RFID-readers with the function of writing information into the cassette chip 10, which is then, of course, aiso adapted for writing of information relating to the number of sheets 2 that have been dispensed from the cassette 2 concerned and the number of which has been transferred to the chip 10 from the counter in the microprocessor 11 of the machine. If this function is present, the microprocessor can be designed so as not to require the storage of this information in a memory.

Both alternatives can be combined, such that information concerning the number of sheets 2 dispensed is stored in both the microprocessor 11 of the machine and in the chip 10 on the cassette 2.

The bundle of sheets in the cassette 1 may be of a kind exemplified in figure 3. Each sheet 2 in the bundle is folded along two fold lines 15, 16 to form a folder blank that has a front side 17, a rear side 18 and a spine 19. Provided on the inner surface of the spine 19 is a layer of glue 20 that can be heat activated.

Claims

1. A packaging unit that includes a bundle of several sheets (2) and a cassette (1) containing said bundle, wherein the cassette (1) is intended for connection to a machine (3) for dispensing sheets (2) from the bundle one sheet at a time for treatment in the machine (1), characterized in that the cassette (1) is provided with an identifying element (10) that includes an identification characteristic which is unique precisely for that cassette and which can be read mechanically.

2. A packaging unit according to claim 1 , characterized in that each sheet (2) constitutes a folder blank which is caused to encase a bundle of paper in the form of a folder

3. A packaging unit according to claim 2, characterized in that each sheet includes at least two parallel fold lines (15, 16) such as to define a folder spine (19).

4. A packaging unit according to claim 3, characterized by heat activatable glue (20) provided between the fold lines (15, 16).

5. A packaging unit according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the identification element (10) is comprised of a chip (10) provided on the cassette.

6. A packaging unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the chip (10) is of a read only kind.

7. A packaging unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the chip (10) is of a read and write kind.

8. A packaging unit according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the unique identification character include a first component which is common to a plurality of cassettes (2) and a second component which is unique for said individual cassette (1).

9. A packaging unit according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that the chip (10) is a chip that can be read by RFID-techno!ogy.

10. A series of packaging units according to claim 8, characterized in that the unique identification characteristic of each packaging unit includes said first component and said second component.

11. A machine (3) for treating sheets (2) that are intended to be dispensed from a cassette (1) of the kind according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the machine (3) includes reading means (8a, 8b) adapted to read the unique identification characteristic of the cassette (1); detecting means (9a, 9b) adapted to detect when a sheet (2) is dispensed from the cassette (1); counting means adapted to count the number of sheets (2) dispensed from the cassette (2) to the machine, and memory means adapted to store information concerning the number of sheets (2) dispensed from a cassette with a given unique

12. A machine according to claim 11 , characterized in that the machine (3) also includes means (13, 14) for presenting said stored information.

13. A machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the machine (3) inciudes signailing means adapted to transfer a signal to the cassette identification element (10) of said cassette (1), said signal being arranged to represent said stored information for writing this information into the identification element (1G) of the cassette ( 1 ) .

14. A machine according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that the reading means (8a, 8b) of the machine is an RFSD-reader.

15. A machine according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that the machine (3) is adapted to form folders from folder blanks.

16. A method of treating sheets in a machine, wherein the sheets are dispensed one at a time from a cassette that encases a bundle of several sheets and which is connected to the machine, characterized by providing the cassette connected to the machine with an identification element which includes an identification characteristic which is unique for preciseiy said cassette, wherein the identification element can be read mechanically; wherein the machine reads said characteristic; and wherein the machine counts the number of sheets dispensed; and wherein there is stored information relating to the number of sheets that have been dispensed from precisely said cassette.

A method according to claim 16, characterized by carrying out said method while using a packaging unit according to any one of claims 1-9 and a machine according to any one of claims 11-15.