| DE19607708C1 | 1997-09-18 | |||
| CA1120760A | 1982-03-30 |
| CLAIMS 1. Automatic gluing apparatus of documents with remoist glue, characterized by the fact that at the AR's (15) feeder exit there are two guides (09) that route the AR (08) to a mobile, L-shaped stop (10), where a spring is applied (14) in order to provide the mobile stop (10) with a force opposite to the movement, that will make the AR (08) to fold the flap at the perforated line, creating a sort of pocket where the envelope (07) will fit. 2. Automatic gluing apparatus of documents with remoist glue, characterized by the fact that the mostening bed (20) is composed by an open box with a device for feeding water to the base and filled inside with a synthetic material with water absorption capability. The water feeding to the moistening bed (20) is carried out by the tank (24) with flexible pipe (23) and controlled by an electrovalve for water volume control (22), so that the liquid does not overflow the bed (20) and ensures a controlled moistening of the envelope (07) . 3. Automatic gluing apparatus of documents with remoist glue according with claim 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the mobile grill (06) , with the help of a photocell (12) which commands the electromagnet (21), allows the physical contact with the moistening bed so that the envelope (07) remains moist 1 to 2 cm, after which, at the end of this action, the mobile grill (06) elevates about 3 mm, interrupting the contact with the moistening bed (20) with the envelope (07) and simultaneously allows that the document moves via the ramp until it falls into the flap of the AR (08) in the convergence zone (17) . 4. Automatic gluing apparatus of documents with remoist glue according with claim 1, characterized by the fact that it guaranties that the AR (08) is immobilized at the convergence point (17) being fit between the static wheel - fitting auxiliary (16) and the fitting ramp (19) and makes it possible for the AR (08) to maintain an ideal shape and positions for fitting with the envelope (07) . 5. Automatic gluing apparatus of documents with remoist glue according with claim 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that it allows that the two documents (07 and 08) fit properly and that, afterwards, are routed in the same convergence chute (13) under pressure of a tightening system with wheels (18) and springs (14), to allow the movement of objects already connected, during enough time so that the envelope (07), previously moist, dissolves the AR's (08) glue and thus be united and remain duly glued (25) . |
AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR GLUING DOCUMENTS WITH REMOIST GLUE Background of the Invention
This invention refers to a device which allows the automatic gluing of two documents fed into a converging chute by two separate feeders, with video control to ensure the comparison and matching between two personalized documents .
This device was especially developed for gluing two paper documents, namely Envelopes/ Acknowledgment of receipts, although this device could be used for gluing other documents, even if these said documents have different formats. Effectively, what differentiates this device is that one document contains remoist glue, so that it is applied and glued to the other, or vice versa.
State of the Art
Basically, gluing two documents is not at all difficult, however, the technical characteristics of one of these documents (acknowledgement of receipt - AR) makes its execution a considerably more difficult process, as it contains a gummed flap, with about 1 or 2 cm. This flap is where the other document must be glued and fitted without going over the perforated line, which demarcates the glued area, so that it does not interfere later with the opening of said document, so that the legal Mail procedures can be executed.
In the process of sending mail, through the CTT - Correios de Portugal, via Correio Registado with Aviso de Recep ao ( (Registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt (AR) ) , it is inherent the gluing of the last in the envelope which is to be sent, being mandatory the comparison and matching of both documents so that the same registry numbers are printed in each document. Once this type of Mail product is used massively by all corporate entities and the current process, which is used by the majority of the mail entities, is still manually executed, this makes the process more time consuming, costly and fragile due to potential comparison mistakes and matching processes.
Summary of the Invention
LOKEMARK developed a device which allows the mechanical gluing of these documents, according to CTT regulations (and others which fit into the same device - with or without comparison and matching) revolutionizing the existing concept and allowing a greater productive profitability, and exponentially reduced cost, and the warranty of 100% error free operation.
Basically, the gluing of two documents is not at all difficult, however, the technical characteristics of one of these makes the process much more difficult to execute, mechanically. This is due to the fact that it contains a flap with about 1 or 2 cm, this area is where the other document needs to be glued and fitted without going over the perforated line, which demarcates the glued area, so that does not interfere later with the opening movement.
This device allows the automatic gluing of two documents (07 and 08), fed into a convergence chute (13) via two separate feeders (01 and 15) , making them just one piece (25), which is approved by CTT regulations and other mail distributors .
Description of the Drawings
The present invention is now described in detail, without limitation and as an example, by its preferred embodiment, represented in the following drawings, in which:
Fig.l - is a representation of a cross-section vie of the apparatus with the following components: Envelope feeding
(I) , envelope detection photocell (02), Conveyor belt (03), Traction wheels (4), Rotating drum (05), Mobile grill (06), Envelope (07), AR - acknowledgment of receipt - (08), Routing guides (09), Dynamic stop (10), Routing guides
(II) , Mobile grill photocell (12), Convergence chute (13), Springs (14), AR feeder (15), Auxiliary static wheel for fitting (16), Convergence area (17), Tightening system with wheels (18), Fitting ramp (19), Moistening bed (20), Electromagnet of the mobile grill (21), Electrovalve for water volume control (22), Flexible tube for water transportation (23), Water tank (24), Final Product (25)
Fig.2 - is a representation of a cross-section view of the apparatus with the following components: Rotating drum (05), AR- acknowledgment of receipt - (08), Routing guides (09), Dynamic stop (10)
Fig.3 - is a representation of a cross-section view of the apparatus with the following components: Rotating drum (05), AR- acknowledgment of receipt - (08), Routing guides (09) , Dynamic stop (10)
Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
The first feeder (01), taking into consideration the Registered Mail envelopes, feeds DL envelopes (110x223 mm - approximately), C5 (114x229 mm - approximately) or C4 (229x324 mm - approximately), the said chute (13) which transports, via the conveyor (03) and two heels (04) reinforced with springs (14), this document to the convergence area (17), the exit point of this feeder (01) contains a photocell (02) for the detection of said document in order to avoid its transportation in duplicate, suspending the machine cycle, the same happens in case there is no detection of the envelope (07) . Simultaneously, it sends a signal for the corresponding AR (08) .
The second feeder (15), and continuing with the same technical example, feeds said chute (13) with the AR (08) (110x230 mm - approximately) until it reaches the convergence point (17), where it meets with the envelope (07).
At the AR's feeder exit (15) there are two metal routing guides (09) - although they can be made of another type of material such as pvc, fiber, acrylic, etc... - and as the name states, they route the AR (08) up to a stop (10 - 1st claim), which will make the AR (08) bend the flap at the perforated line, thus creating a sort of pocket where the envelope (07) will match. The rest of the AR's (08) movement, up to the convergence point (17), is done by a rotating drum (05) which, using the traction, allows that this document to maintain itself in a steady movement, always with the help of routing guides (11) until it fits between the static wheel - fitting auxiliary (16) and the fitting ramp (19), keeping like this awaiting for the arrival of the envelope (07); this mechanism allows for a perfect match between two parts (07 and 08) . In turn, during the envelope's movement (07) and immediately before the convergence point (17), there are 2 pieces which are also part of this invention: a moistening bed (20) and a mobile grill (06) . The mobile grill (06), with the help of a photocell (12) which commands the electromagnet (21), allows the moistening 1 to 2 cm from the envelope (07), after which, in the end of this cycle, the mobile grill (06) elevates about 3 mm interrupting the contact with the moistening bed (20-2nd claim) with the envelope (07) and allows simultaneously that said document moves via the ramp until it falls into the flap of the AR (08) in the convergence zone (17) .
Once they are together, both documents (07 and 08) are routed in the same convergence chute (13) under pressure from, the tightening system with wheels (18), to allow the movement of objects which are already glued, during enough time so that the envelope (07), which is previously moist, dissolves the AR's (08) glue and thus be united and remain duly glued.
Finally, in the last stage of the process, a video recording of the codes and/or registration number of both documents is executed, in order to confirm the comparison and matching of said numbers.