U.S. patent application number 11/729404 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for device and a method for attaching a label on a folder cover.
Invention is credited to Jan Sabelstrom.
Application Number | 20070227988 11/729404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38557267 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070227988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sabelstrom; Jan |
October 4, 2007 |
Device and a method for attaching a label on a folder cover
Abstract
The present invention relates to a device for attaching a label
on a folder cover. According to the invention, the device comprises
a fixture having a support surface (6) for the folder cover. The
support surface (6) has first alignment means (2, 7, 8) for the
alignment of a label and second alignment means (3, 4, 5) for the
alignment of a folder cover on which the label is intended to be
attached. The invention also relates to a method for attaching a
label on a folder cover, a fixture in accordance with the invention
being used.
Inventors: |
Sabelstrom; Jan; (Huddinge,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM, LLP
1185 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
38557267 |
Appl. No.: |
11/729404 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65C 9/262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/055 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/14 20060101
A47F007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2006 |
SE |
0600719-9 |
Claims
1. A device for attaching a label (E) on a folder cover (M), which
device comprises a fixture having a support surface (6) for the
folder cover (M), characterized in that the support surface (6) has
at least one countersink (2, 7, 8) for the alignment of a label (E)
intended to be laid in the fixture and second alignment means (3,
4, 5) for the alignment of a folder cover (H) on which the label
(E) is intended to be attached, which second alignment means (3, 4,
5) is arranged in such a way that upon the alignment, the folder
cover is displaceable in and is aligned in two directions
perpendicular to each other in the plane of the support
surface.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixture
is a plate (1), on one side of which said support surface (6) is
situated.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
countersink (2) has a depth of 0.1-10 mm.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second
alignment means (3, 4, 5) is projecting upward from the support
surface.
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second
alignment means (3, 4, 5) comprises a first border (3) running in a
first one of said directions and a second border (4) running in the
second one of said directions.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the alignment
means (3, 4, 5) comprises a third border (5) arranged in line with
said second border (4).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that each border
(3, 4, 5) has a length that is 1-20% of the longest dimension of
the support surface, and that the distance between the outer ends
of the second (4) and third (5) border is 50-100% of the longest
dimension of the support surface.
8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first
alignment means (2) comprises means (2a) for the provision of a
plurality of alignment alternatives.
9. A method for attaching a label on a predetermined place on a
folder cover, the label being placed in a fixture having a support
surface for the folder cover, characterized in that the label is
aligned into a predetermined position determined by a countersink
in the support surface and with the attaching surface facing away
from the fixture, whereupon the folder cover is placed on top of
the label in the fixture and is aligned into a predetermined
position by means of a second alignment means, the alignment being
carried out in two directions perpendicular to each other in the
plane of the support surface, in which directions the second
alignment means allows displacement of the folder cover.
10. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the method
is exercised while using a fixture according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device
for attaching a label on a folder cover.
[0002] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for
attaching a label on a predetermined place on a folder cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Folders, brochures, books, magazines etc are usually
produced in large editions and in an industrially automatic way
where the respective cover gets its appearance by the fact that
text and pictures are printed thereon. This type of products is
outside the scope of the application area of the present
invention.
[0004] It also happens that folders and the like are produced in
small series for special purposes and by a low degree of
automation. The present invention is particularly aimed at and
intended for this type of folder production.
[0005] In these cases, the folder production is characterized by a
relatively large element of manual handling. The production of this
type of folders is normally carried out in connection with
activities that have another aim and direction than production of
printed matter. In these cases, the folders may relate to
presentation of an annual report, project presentation, quotation
documents, company presentation, account of an investigation, etc.
There are many situations where the number of copies is small but
where there still is a desire and need for a tidy and
representative layout.
[0006] The production technique of folders suitable in these
situations is adapted to afford manufacturing economy in spite of a
very limited edition. This involves, among other things, that
standardized components are formed to be adaptable to, and be used
in, different situations.
[0007] A piece of printed matter of the kind in question typically
comprises a bundle of sheets containing what is to be presented and
a surrounding folder cover in which the sheets are attached. For
reasons that should be clear from what has been described above,
said folder covers can normally not be provided with printing. In
order to enable an economic handling, the folder covers are
entirely anonymous to be useable for different contents in the
folder.
[0008] However, the need remains to give also the folder cover an
attractive and informative outside. A way to do this is to attach a
label on the front side thereof, which contains the text and/or
pictures by means of which it is desired to present the contents of
the particular series of folders. As this is made manually, in that
connection there is the risk that the label ends up at an angle or
on another place than what was intended. In view of the size of the
series concerned in these situations, simultaneously there is no
room for mechanization for attaching the label with the purpose of
avoiding the shortcomings involved in the manual handling.
[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a possibility of ensuring, by very simple means, a correct
placement of a label on a folder cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In the first aspect of the invention, the object proposed
has been achieved by the fact that a device for attaching a label
on a folder cover comprises the special features that the device
comprises a fixture having a support surface for the folder cover,
which support surface has first alignment means for the alignment
of a label intended to be laid in the fixture and second alignment
means for the alignment of a folder cover on which the label is
intended to be attached.
[0011] Such a fixture can be formed very simple and then become
economically defensible in a marked manual handling. The fixture
can be used for labels having different imprints and accordingly be
utilized for series of folders of different types and contents. The
fixture ensures a correct position of the label on the folder cover
thanks to alignment means for the label as well as for the folder
cover.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the fixture, it is
formed as a plate, on one side of which said support surface is
situated.
[0013] This embodiment represents the simplest and thereby the most
inexpensive realization of the fixture.
[0014] According to an additional preferred embodiment, the first
alignment means comprises at least one countersink in the support
surface.
[0015] A countersink in the support surface is a very simple and
simultaneously reliable design of the alignment means for the
label. The countersink may suitably correspond to the contour of
the label so that it guides in all directions. Alternatively, it is
feasible that the countersink only comprises the area next to one
of the corners of the label or next to some of or all the
corners.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the countersink has a
depth of 0.1-10 mm.
[0017] It is desirable that the countersink is relatively shallow,
since this makes the fixture simpler. A shallow countersink
facilitates the subsequent attachment that initially takes place by
the folder cover being pressed against the glued back side of the
label. The larger the countersink, the more the folder cover has to
bend when it is pressed down against the label, and this may
unnecessarily make the handling more difficult, particularly in the
case of folder covers that are thick and stiff. However, it has to
be sufficiently deep so as to align the label in a distinct way.
Too shallow a countersink entails that the label runs the risk of
being laid wrong or being displaced from the position thereof when
the folder cover is laid on top.
[0018] The given interval is an interval that entails that the
above-mentioned facets are taken into consideration. The most
suitable area should be approx. 0.5-2 mm deep.
[0019] According to an additional preferred embodiment, the second
alignment means is projecting upward from the support surface and
arranged to provide alignment of the folder cover in two directions
perpendicular to each other in the plane of the support
surface.
[0020] This entails the greatest possible simplicity and
operatability of the alignment means for the folder cover.
[0021] According to an additional preferred embodiment, the second
alignment means comprises a first border running in a first of said
directions and a second border running in the second one of said
directions.
[0022] A design using borders of this type allows the greatest
possible exactness by very simple means.
[0023] According to an additional preferred embodiment, the second
alignment means comprises a third border arranged in line with said
second border.
[0024] By having two borders for one of the alignment directions,
the accuracy of the turning direction can be improved in a simple
way.
[0025] According to an additional preferred embodiment, each border
has a length that is 1-20% of the longest dimension of the support
surface, and the distance between the outer ends of the second and
third border is 50-100% of the longest dimension of the support
surface.
[0026] When three borders are used, each border may be made very
short with maintained securing of the angle position. Therefore,
the given interval limits of the border length is satisfactory and
entails a small material consumption. For the two borders lying in
the same line, it is advantageous if they are so distant from each
other as possible, since this affords improved precision in the
turning direction. The given interval of the distance between the
borders meets this facet in a well-balanced way.
[0027] According to an additional preferred embodiment, the first
alignment means comprises means for the provision of a plurality of
alignment alternatives.
[0028] This gives flexibility so that the fixture can be used for
labels of different sizes and formats and for attaching the label
on different areas on the folder cover.
[0029] According to the second aspect of the invention, the object
proposed has been achieved by a method for attaching a label on a
predetermined place on a folder cover comprising the particular
steps of placing the label in a fixture having first and second
alignment means, the label being aligned into a predetermined
position by means of the first alignment means and having the
attaching surface facing away from the fixture, whereupon the
folder cover is placed on top of the label in the fixture and is
aligned into a predetermined position by means of the second
alignment means.
[0030] By means of the invented method, a label can be attached on
a folder cover in a very simple way and with a high accuracy as
regards the placement of the label on the sheet.
[0031] According to advantageous embodiments of the invented
method, it is applied while utilizing the invented fixture or
preferred embodiments of the same.
[0032] Thereby, advantages of the corresponding type that have been
given above regarding the invented fixture and preferred
embodiments of the same are gained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixture according to the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a first step of
the method according to the invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second step of
the method according to the invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a third step of
the method according to the invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth step of
the method according to the invention.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment example
according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF ADVANTAGEOUS EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a fixture according to a first embodiment
example of the invention. The fixture is arranged on a rectangular
plate 1, the topside of which is a support surface 6 for the folder
cover on which a label is to be attached. The fixture is provided
with first alignment means 2, 7, 8 for a label intended to be
attached on the folder cover. The alignment means is a rectangular
depression 2 having side edges 7, 8.
[0040] Furthermore, there is second alignment means 3, 4, 5 in the
form of a first border 3, a second border 4, and a third border
5.
[0041] The borders 3, 4, 5 are intended for the alignment of the
folder cover on which the label is to be attached.
[0042] The procedure for attaching a label on the folder cover is
seen in FIGS. 2-5.
[0043] In FIG. 2, it is illustrated how a label E is placed in the
depression 2 so that two of the edges of the label abut against the
side edges 7, 8 of the depression. In the example shown, the label
E has a size and contour that corresponds to the size and contour
of the depression, and will accordingly fill out the same entirely.
Naturally, the fixture may be used for labels of smaller size in
respect of length and/or width and in doing so be aligned against
one of the corners of the depression.
[0044] The label E that is placed in the depression is suitably
provided with glue on the back, i.e., the side that is turned
upward when the label E is placed in the depression 2.
[0045] Next attachment step is illustrated in FIG. 3, where the
label E is laid in place and a folder cover M is placed on top of
the label E. The folder cover is aligned against the borders 3, 4
and 5, and will then get a predetermined position in relation to
the label E.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows the folder cover M in the correct position in
the fixture. By an light pressure on the topside of the folder
cover H, the label is attached to the folder cover H.
[0047] Next, the folder cover H with the label E adhered is taken
out from the fixture, and if required, the label E may by hand, as
is shown in FIG. 5, be pressed to attach properly to the folder
cover M.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment example where
the alignment means is arranged to be capable of placing a label of
another size and in another position than a first alternative. In
the depression 2, a second depression 2a is recessed, adapted to
receive a label of another format and in another position than what
is determined by the depression 2.
[0049] Correspondingly, a plurality of depressions may be arranged
for the provision of further options as for the size and placement
of the label.
[0050] An alternative possibility of adaptation to other label
sizes and positions is that there is a number of ruler-shaped gauge
blocks as equipment for the fixture, and by means of which
adaptation to alternative sizes and positions of a label is
attained.
* * * * *