U.S. patent application number 12/351530 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for envelope processing evaluation guide.
This patent application is currently assigned to VistaPrint Technologies Limited. Invention is credited to Jay T. Moody.
Application Number | 20090114706 12/351530 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38895436 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090114706 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moody; Jay T. |
May 7, 2009 |
ENVELOPE PROCESSING EVALUATION GUIDE
Abstract
In a method and system for facilitating evaluation of the
production accuracy of an envelope machine for producing folded
envelopes from sheets of envelope stock, a guide of the same size
as the envelope stock has indicia printed thereon corresponding to
the locations of desired envelope folding operations. By processing
a guide with the machine to form an envelope, the deviation of the
actual folding location from the desired folding location can be
evaluated by reference to the indicia and corrective machine
adjustments can be made. Additional indicia printed on the guide
facilitate further evaluation, such as accurate cutting of the
envelope stock.
Inventors: |
Moody; Jay T.; (Wayland,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VISTA PRINT USA, INC.;ATTN: PATENT COUNSEL
95 HAYDEN AVENUE
LEXINGTON
MA
02421
US
|
Assignee: |
VistaPrint Technologies
Limited
|
Family ID: |
38895436 |
Appl. No.: |
12/351530 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11481108 |
Jul 5, 2006 |
|
|
|
12351530 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31B 70/006 20170801;
B31B 70/26 20170801; B31B 2160/102 20170801; B31B 2160/10 20170801;
B31B 50/006 20170801; Y10S 493/917 20130101; B31B 2150/00 20170801;
B31B 70/00 20170801 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/75 |
International
Class: |
B65D 27/00 20060101
B65D027/00 |
Claims
1. An evaluation guide sheet for evaluating at least the processing
accuracy of an envelope machine capable of producing folded
envelopes from sheets of envelope stock, the evaluation guide sheet
comprising: a sheet of envelope stock having a first envelope flap
area and first printed indicia corresponding to the first envelope
flap area, the first printed indicia comprising a first desired
fold line indicia printed along an exact location of a desired fold
line and one or more first positioning indicia associated with the
first desired fold line indicia and printed parallel to and
adjacent to the first desired fold line indicia, the first desired
fold line indicia indicating the exact location at which the first
envelope flap area should be folded to form a first envelope
flap.
2. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet of
envelope stock comprises a seal flap having first indicia printed
thereon and a bottom flap having second indicia printed thereon,
the first and second indicia being positioned such that the first
and second indicia overlap and align with one another when the seal
flap is accurately folded over the bottom flap.
3. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 1, the sheet of envelope
stock further having one or more line groups printed thereon, the
one or more line groups indicating the desired location at which
the sheet of envelope stock should be cut.
4. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 1, wherein the first desired
fold line indicia comprises a first line and the one or more first
positioning indicia comprises one or more additional lines
positioned adjacent to, and in parallel with, the first line.
5. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 4, wherein the one or more
additional lines are visually different than the first line.
6. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 1, the sheet of envelope
stock having a second envelope flap area and second printed indicia
corresponding to the second envelope flap area, the second printed
indicia comprising a second desired fold line indicia printed along
an exact location of a desired second fold line and one or more
second positioning indicia associated with the second desired fold
line indicia and printed parallel to and adjacent to the second
desired fold line indicia, the second desired fold line indicia
indicating the exact location at which the second envelope flap
area should be folded to form a second envelope flap.
7. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 6, wherein the first desired
fold line indicia comprises a first line and the one or more first
positioning indicia comprises one or more additional lines
positioned adjacent to, and in parallel with, the first line, and
the second desired fold line indicia comprises a second line and
the one or more second positioning indicia comprises one or more
additional lines positioned adjacent to, and in parallel with, the
second line.
8. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 7, wherein the one or more
first additional lines are visually different than the first line,
and the one or more second additional lines are visually different
than the second line.
9. The evaluation guide sheet of claim 7, wherein the first line is
non-parallel to the second line.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of prior application Ser.
No. 11/481,108 filed on Jul. 5, 2006, which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the creation of folded
envelopes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Systems capable of accepting stacks of cut sheets of paper,
or other suitable envelope stock, and performing cutting, gluing,
and folding operations are commercially available from various
vendors, for example Winkler+Dunnebier AG. Many commercially
available envelope machines are not limited to manufacturing a
single size of envelope) but are designed to be flexible and
adjustable to allow a single machine to be adjusted to create
multiple different sizes of folded envelopes.
[0004] While these commercial systems are highly sophisticated and
reliable, the transitioning of a machine from one envelope size to
another typically requires several minutes of adjustments and "fine
tuning" before the machine is performing the cutting and folding
operations at an acceptable quality level. Similarly, after
undergoing repair or maintenance procedures, the envelope machine
may require adjustment before it is able to achieve the desired
level of envelope production accuracy. To verify that the machine
is producing envelopes properly, a number of test envelopes are
typically processed and visually inspected by the machine operator.
During this set up period, the machine is not being productive and
is generating wasted envelope stock.
[0005] Envelopes with photographs, images, graphics, designs,
and/or text printed on the front and back are in widespread use by
individuals, professionals, organizations, and businesses. The
envelope stock is printed on one side of an unfolded piece of paper
or other material and then appropriately trimmed, folded, and glued
as required to form the finished folded envelope. Envelopes with
image content that is intended to stop exactly at a fold line and
envelopes with image content on the back that is printed partially
on the seal flap and partially on the bottom flap are not very
forgiving of folding errors. Relatively minor folding problems that
might be largely unnoticed on plain envelopes, are significantly
more detectable in these types of envelopes, therefore, to ensure
customer satisfaction with the finished envelope product, the
machine operator may need to spend extra time and effort in getting
the machine adjusted. Time spent in adjusting the machine increases
the cost of doing business for the enveloper manufacturer. It is,
therefore, highly desirable that envelope machines be adjusted to
the proper folding performance as quickly and easily as
possible.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need for a system and method capable
of giving a quick and easily readable visual indication of the
performance and accuracy of an envelope machine.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention is directed at satisfying the need for
guides and processes that increase the ability of an operator to
identify, evaluate, and correct envelope machine processing
errors.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a processing
evaluation guide has indicia indicating the desired location at
which an envelope machine should perform at least folding
operations. When the guide is processed into a folded envelope, the
indicia provide visual cues regarding envelope machine processing
accuracy.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, after an
envelope machine has been adjusted to prepare for producing
envelopes, an evaluation guide having indicia indicating the
desired location of desired fold locations is processing into an
envelope and visually examined to compare the actual envelope fold
locations with the desired locations. If the envelope is not
satisfactory, the machine is adjusted as appropriate.
[0010] It is an advantage of the invention that the rapid
identification and correction of envelope processing errors is
facilitated.
[0011] It is another advantage of the invention that the time
required to set up an envelope machine for production of envelopes
is reduced.
[0012] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be better understood with reference to the
accompanying drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the outside of an envelope prior to
undergoing trimming, folding, and gluing.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the outside of an envelope after
printing, but before undergoing trimming, folding and gluing.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates the back of the folded envelope of FIG.
2.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustrative envelope processing evaluation
sheet.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of multiple processing
evaluation sheets.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a representative method employing evaluation
sheets.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts sheet 100 prior to being processed into a
finished envelope by trimming, gluing and folding. The envelope
design and proportions depicted in FIG. 1 are merely representative
for purposes of discussion. It will be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art that envelopes can be of various sizes,
shapes, and materials and that the systems and methods disclosed
herein are not limited to any particular envelope size, shape,
material or trimming details. It will be further understood that
envelopes are generally ordered in volume. In fulfilling an order
for a requested quantity of custom envelopes, the appropriate
number of sheets with the customer's desired images and other
information are printed and fed into the envelope machine for
processing into folded envelopes.
[0020] In processing sheet 100 into a finished envelope, the areas
identified as 101-104 of sheet 100 are cut away and discarded. The
removal of areas 101-104 creates side flaps 105 and 106, bottom
flap 107 and seal flap 108. During processing of sheet 100 by the
envelope machine, side flaps 105 and 106 will be folded along the
lines indicated by dashed lines 109 and 110, bottom flap 107 will
be folded along the line indicated by dashed line 111, and seal
flap 108 will be folded along the line indicated by dashed line
112. Adhesive is applied to firmly attach back flap 107 to side
flaps 105 and 106. For the typical envelope for business and
consumer use, an appropriate adhesive is applied to the appropriate
side of seal flap 108 to allow the user of the envelope to seal the
envelope after the user's materials have been placed inside.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts sheet 200 which has been printed with images
and other information and trimmed to remove the areas identified in
FIG. 1 as 101-104. In this example, the area of sheet 200 that will
be the front of the folded envelope has been printed with return
address information 201 and image 202. Image 202 extends across the
envelope front from the bottom fold line 111 to the top fold line
112. The area of sheet 200 that will become the seal flap has been
printed with image 203. The area of sheet 200 that will become the
bottom flap has been printed with image 204. Because some images,
such as image 202, may be printed up to the intended fold line, it
can be appreciated that the aesthetic appeal and perceived quality
of envelopes printed in this fashion depends on the sheet being
folded precisely.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates the back of a properly produced folded
envelope produced from sheet 200. No part of image 202 is visible
on the back of the envelope and images 203 and 204 are properly
aligned.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an illustrative example of a processing
evaluation guide 400 for facilitating rapid identification and
correction of folding and cutting issues. As discussed below, guide
400 is printed with indicia that enable the machine operator to
quickly evaluate machine performance and accuracy. In the
embodiment discussed herein, the indicia are a number of groups of
parallel lines. Line group 401 is printed at the seal flap fold
area, line groups 402 and 404 are printed at the side flap fold
areas and line group 403 is printed at the bottom flap fold area.
In each line group 401-404, the exact location of the desired fold
line is indicated by a dotted line. In each of these line groups,
on each side of the desired fold line, two additional lines are
printed. Each line in a line group is separated from the adjacent
lines in the line group by a relatively small distance, for example
1 millimeter. It will be understood that line groups with a
different number of lines and with different spacing distances
could be employed. To further facilitate quick readability, the
lines in a line group could be printed in multiple different
colors.
[0024] As another visual cue of processing accuracy, additional
indicia could be printed on both the seal flap and at a
corresponding position on the bottom flap such that, if the
evaluation envelope has been properly processed, the indicia will
align. In FIG. 4, line groups 405 and 406 are depicted for this
purpose. If the evaluation envelope has been accurately processed,
line group 405 will overlap and align with line group 406. It will
be understood that multiple lines are not essential and other
markings could be employed as these indicia.
[0025] An evaluation guide sheet is prepared to correspond to each
envelope design with line groups positioned according to the
required folding and other processing for that envelope. In this
example, evaluation sheet 400 corresponds to the size of the
envelope depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. Line groups 401-404 are printed
such that the dotted lines correspond to the desired envelope fold
lines. When the envelope machine operator is preparing to begin
processing envelopes in a situation where the accuracy of the
folding process may be in doubt, such as after an envelope size
change or after machine repair or maintenance, the operator can
process one or more of the evaluation sheet sheets into folded
envelopes and easily detect if the envelope was folded properly by
visually examining whether the folds correspond to the dotted fold
lines. Because evaluation sheet 400 is sized exactly like the
corresponding envelope, it can be processed into a similar folded
envelope. Any twisting, offset or other improper alignment will be
readily apparent and the parallel lines having known spacing
provide visual feedback on the degree of correction that is
required to correct the problem. The evaluation sheet provides
clear and consistent visual cues to assist the machine operator in
fine tuning the envelope machine more quickly than if the operator
were required to make machine adjustments based on plain paper
stock or the customer's printed stock, which might not have
suitable visual cues.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, an illustrative method for employing
evaluation guide sheets is depicted. At step 601, the initial
envelope machine set up is performed. At step 602, one or more
evaluation sheets 400 corresponding to the size of the envelopes to
be produced are fed into the envelope machine and processing into
evaluation envelopes. At step 603, the machine operator evaluates
the locations of the actual folds in the evaluation envelope
produced from the evaluation sheet relative to the desired fold
locations as indicated by the lines in line groups 401-404. At step
604, if the folds made by the envelope machine are positioned
satisfactorily to meet the envelope manufacturer's quality control
requirements, the operator initiates commercial envelope production
at step 606. However, if the folds are determined to be
unsatisfactory at step 604, the operator will make one or more
adjustment to the machine at step 605 to correct the particular
problems indicated by the evaluation envelope.
[0027] Steps 602-605 are repeated as necessary until the evaluation
envelope is satisfactory to the machine operator. While perfect
processing is desirable, achieving it may not be possible or
practical in all situations. The envelope manufacturer may,
therefore, establish the criteria to be applied by the operator for
determining an acceptable degree of processing accuracy and slight
deviations in actual envelopes from the desired locations indicated
on the guide sheet may be deemed commercially acceptable.
[0028] In the depicted embodiment, line groups 402 and 404 continue
beyond the fold locations such that they extend over substantially
the entire height of evaluation sheet 400. As discussed above, in
processing the envelope stock, the machine will cut away the areas
indicated in FIG. 1 as 101-104. Providing line groups in the areas
of these cuts provides visual cues to assist the operator in
determining if improper cutting is occurring.
[0029] In the disclosed embodiment, additional line groups are
printed on evaluation sheet 400 for other quality verification
functions. If the printing of the envelope stock occurred on a
separate printing system, the stock may have undergone other
cutting operations to trim away any excess paper. An evaluation
sheet 400 having line groups 407-412 located around the sides as
shown in FIG. 4 could be processed through the cutting system to
provide visual cues of any improper cutting. For example, the
envelope printer might gang multiple envelopes for simultaneously
printing on large sheets of paper. In this situation, the large
sheets would need to be cut to separate the individual print jobs.
For example, referring to FIG. 5, a printer might choose gang eight
envelope print jobs together for simultaneous printing on
relatively large sheets of paper such as sheet 500, After printing
the desired quantity of sheets 500, the stack of printed sheets
must be cut to separate the sheets into stacks of individual
envelope stock, such as 100 shown in FIG. 1. To check cutting
accuracy, a sheet 500 preprinted with eight evaluation sheet sheets
400 in the same eight positions as the eight envelopes could be
positioned on the top of the printed envelope sheets 500 prior to
cutting. After cutting, operator examination of the line groups
407-412 of the evaluation sheet 400 on top of each stack of printed
envelope stock would provide a visual indication of any cutting
errors.
[0030] Yet other line groups could also be employed. For example,
in many cases, the bottom flap of envelopes is not cut to be
perfectly square, but is cut such that the bottom flap has a
trapezoidal shape. Line groups 413 and 414 are printed along the
line where the bottom flap is to be cut and allow quick
verification that the bottom flap cutting is being performed
properly. As yet another example, if the envelope is to be cut such
that the seal flap has rounded corners instead of square corners, a
group of appropriately curved lines, not shown, could be printed
near the seal flap corners indicating this intended cut
location.
[0031] While the use of evaluation guide sheets to facilitate the
set up and adjustment of the envelope machine has been discussed,
it will be appreciated that the guide sheets could also employed
during production to check on machine performance. At regular or
irregular intervals, as desired by the envelope manufacturer, a
guide sheet could be introduced into the normal production flow.
The resulting envelope could then be examined by a machine operator
to verify that the machine is continuing to perform accurately. To
facilitate operator recognition of the guide sheet, the sheet could
have a distinctive color or bear distinctive markings or indicia
such that it can be readily distinguished from regular production
envelopes.
[0032] While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been
discussed, the described embodiment is to be considered as
illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the invention is
as indicated in the following claims and all equivalent methods and
systems.
* * * * *