DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a machine and a method for producing photographic books.

More specifically, this invention relates to a machine and method for producing photographic books by coupling between a printed product and a corresponding support, which may be the back of another printed product or paper-based supports or of another type of material of the sheet-like type, that is, in the form of sheets.

This invention relates, therefore, to a machine for producing photographic books, also known as photo albums, wherein the coupling and gluing of the layers which make up the pages of the book may be performed directly between two rear surfaces facing each other of two photographic products. The method described below is, as for the machine, included in the inventive concept of this invention.

In order to render the description of the machine and the method for producing photographic books more thorough, it should be noted that the term "printed products" or, more generally, "sheet-like products" refers to a traditional photographic print or a print on a specific sheet-like support, whilst the term "sheet-like support" made of paper-based material or another type of material refers to a sheet of paperboard or paper on which the photograph is glued which has a rigidity such as to reduce any creasing or bending of the photograph once coupled.

Generally, the machine for producing photographic books comprises a feeding unit for housing a plurality of paper-based supports and a feeding unit for a plurality of printed products leading to a coupling unit, according to a predetermined sequence. The gluing and pressing of the printed product with the respective paper-based support makes it possible to obtain the pages of the photo album. In general, the pages coupled by the machine for the production of photographic books must subsequently be treated with a final binding which comprises, for example, also the insertion of a rigid cover on the front and/or on the back.

The machine for producing photographic books comprises, in addition to what has already been stated above, a gluing unit interposed between the feed unit and the coupling unit in such a way as to at least partly spread a surface of the printed product with an adhesive substance.

After the step for gluing the sheet-like product (in terms of depositing an adhesive substance on the rear side of the sheet-like product), it is introduced by gravity along a substantially vertical direction in an operating area of the coupling unit between a pressing plate and a counter-plate. Once at least one sheet-like product already pre-glued has been introduced, the machine introduces a paper-based support and then carries out the actual coupling, moving the photograph towards the paper- based support and/or the pack of cards and/or photographs already coupled previously. The coupling is performed by moving the pressing plate towards the counter-plate up to the stroke end. Any packs of cards and/or photographs already coupled are held in position by stop elements simultaneously allowing the free movement at least of the pressing plate towards the counter-plate.

The coupling between the sheet-like product and the paper-based support occurs by pressing and almost simultaneous removal of any excess adhesive substance.

Generally, the adhesive substance used is a vinyl type glue which is applied on the photograph and/or on the paper-based support before the coupling step. This type of glue generally sets slowly, in this way allowing an operator to manually correct any incorrect positions between the sheetlike product and the paper-based support already coupled.

It is known that the machine and the process adopted for producing photographic books are subject to certain drawbacks, including the management of the introduction of the sheet-like product in the operating zone. In effect, the moment the sheet-like product accesses the operating area between the first plate and the second plate it may unintentionally and unpredictably adhere to a part of the machine itself or to the paper- based support which faces it, causing its incorrect arrangement during pressing and, therefore, also the jamming of the machine.

Also, once the sheet-like products have been coupled to the respective paper-based support it is necessary to maintain the coupling pressure using a press or other similar means for at least a night and/or a day of production in a controlled atmosphere.

These aspects considerably penalise the production speed (in terms of, for example, pages coupled/hour), which is sometimes not entirely satisfactory and does not allow the reduction of production costs whilst maintaining a good level of the quality of the product made.

Another critical aspect for the production of photographic books is the type of adhesive substance. In effect, vinyl adhesive contains a high percentage of water amongst its main components and cannot be used to glue all types of sheet-like supports and products to each other (also due to the excessive presence of water in its composition). An excessive quantity or water also results in a aetormation οτ tne printed sneet-HKe product which could bend and twist, also creating possible problems of quality of the photographic book.

Generally speaking, in order to compensate for this drawback a paper- based support is interposed between one sheet-like product and the one present on the opposite side, making gluing possible between one photograph and the one present on the opposite side and the relatively fast drying of the excess water present in the vinyl adhesive used for the gluing. However, the adoption of a paper-based support between one sheet-like product and the one on the opposite side results in an additional production cost, additional equipment for preparing the sheets of the correct size in the feed compartment of the machine and even longer production times.

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to provide a machine for producing photographic books which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a machine which is effective in the coupling and free from possible jamming of the sheet-like product in the machine.

The aim of this invention is also to provide a machine and a method for producing photographic books which allows a greater production speed and at the same time considerably reduces the production costs and increases the quality of the end product. This advantage is substantially achieved by directly coupling a sheet-like product (a first photograph) to another sheet-like product (a second photograph) without the need for an intermediate paper-based support paper, which, as is known, is used in the prior art production.

The technical purpose indicated is substantially achieved by a machine and a method for producing photographic books comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of a machine and a method for producing photographic books as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of the machine for producing photographic books according to an embodiment of this invention;

- Figure 1 A is a schematic view of a detail of the machine of Figure 1.

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of an operating condition of use of the machine of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic view of a different operating condition of use of the machine of Figure 1 ; - Figure 4 is a schematic detailed view of the machine of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 5 is a schematic view of the production machine according to a different embodiment of this invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a machine for producing photographic books in the preferred embodiment according to this invention.

The sheet-like products (that is, the photographs) have been denoted in the accompanying drawings with the numeral 100, whilst the sheet-like supports (that is, the cards) are denoted with the numeral 200.

The machine 1 for producing photographic books comprises a load- bearing frame-like structure (not shown in the accompanying drawings) which is able to support the weight of the structural and functional elements and withstand the forces in action during the production process steps.

The machine 1 comprises at least one unit 2 for feeding sheet-like products 100 and at least one gluing unit 3 designed to apply an adhesive substance on a at least one gluing side 100a of the sheet-like products 100. Preferably, the gluing side 100a of the sheet-like product 100 is opposite the side with the graphical design 100b which may then be seen ^{" "} by ^" the ^" persOn ^" whO le ^" afs ^" thr once bound.

In detail, the gluing unit 3 comprises a plurality of heads (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings) for dispensing the adhesive substance such that they can be managed independently from each other. In this way, by means, for example, of a programmable system of the PLC - Programmable Logic Control - type (not illustrated in the drawings), the heads for dispensing the adhesive substance may be activated/deactivated, for example, according to the dimensions (height and/or width) of the sheet-like product 00 or as a function of the quantity which it is necessary to dispense based on the predetermined production speed set on the machine 1. Preferably, the adhesive substance used in the machine 1 is a material of the "hot-melt" type, that is to say, a thermoplastic material which has chemical-physical properties different from the traditional vinyl glue.

Advantageously, the use of the hot-melt material avoids the addition of large quantities of water which may bend and adversely affect the result of the coupling of the sheet-like products 100 (which might also be cellulose- based). The use of the hot melt adhesive also allows an advantageous saving of material and a reduction in waste in terms of residue and/or escape of the hot melt substance from the dispensing heads.

The production machine 1 also comprises a unit 4 for coupling the sheetlike products 100 designed at least to couple and press together the sheet-like products 100 previously pre-glued by the gluing unit 3.

The coupling unit 4 specifically comprises a first plate 5 and a second plate 6 respectively facing each other and defining between them an operating area 7.

In accordance with the terminology known in the prior art, the first plate 5 is known as the pressing plate whilst the second plate 6 is known as the counter-plate. Further details in order to better describe the features and operation of the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are provided below. For example, the operating area 7 could be defined as an imaginary area with a parallelepiped shape between the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 inside of which a pre-glued sheet-like product 100 is inserted and coupled, as described above and illustrated in Figure 1. In the operating area 7 there may also be a semiworked element 101 resulting from the previous steps of coupling and pressing a plurality of sheet-like products 100 with each other, placing alternately the gluing side 100a of one sheetlike product 100 alongside the gluing side 100a of another sheet-like product 100.

The tern semiworked element 101 means a plurality of pre-glued sheet-like products 100 already coupled and pressed together for making the photographic book. The machine 1 also comprises means 8 for guiding the sheet-like productl OO which, coming from the feed unit 2, is inserted in the operating zone 7 of the coupling unit 4 according to a method and a path controlled by the above-mentioned guide means 8.

The coupling unit 4 of the machine 1 also comprises means 9 for locking the semiworked element 101 once positioned inside the operating area 7. Preferably, in an operating configuration of use of the machine 1 , the locking means 9 act in conjunction with the guide means 8.

The locking means 9 and their operation are described in more detail below.

With reference to the coupling 4, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 collaborate with a translational movement between them along a direction of translation "X". The translational movement occurs by keeping the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 facing each other; moreover, the translational movement is decisive for allowing the pressing and final gluing of the sheet-like products 100.

Preferably, the first plate 5 is actuated by a system of a hydraulic or pneumatic type, schematically illustrated, where possible, in the accompanying drawings.

Preferably, the second plate 6 is movable manually by an operator.

Preferably, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are facing and parallel to each other and in order to perform the pressing of the sheet-like product 100 they move at least to the end of their stroke along the direction of translation "X".

The second plate 6 has a respective axis "A" whilst the first plate 5 has a respective axis "B". Preferably, the second plate 6 has the relative axis "A" at the axis "B" of the first plate 5 with reference to the direction of translation "X", as illustrated in Figure 2.

In short, the relative translational movement between the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 is performed using a supporting base 10 along which the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 slide. Preferably, the supporting base 10 is positioned below the above-mentioned operating zone 7; in fact, it defines the relative lower perimeter.

The supporting base 10 has grooves or guides in such a way as to rigidly support both the first and the second plate 5 and 6 simultaneously allowing the sliding along them. The first plate 5 and the second plate 6 comprise respective portions, preferably lower, which are able to receive and interact along the above-mentioned grooves of the supporting base 10 in such a way as to be slidable along them, but simultaneously be fixed in the predetermined position in which they lie.

Preferably, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are positioned perpendicularly to the supporting base 10, in particular perpendicular to the direction of translation "X".

Preferably, the supporting base 10 extends along the direction of translation "X" for a length at least equal to the length of the stroke for the first 5 and the second plate 6 in an operating condition of use of the machine 1. Preferably, the length of the translation stroke of the first plate 5 relative to the second plate 6 corresponds to a multiple of the maximum thickness of the semiworked element 101 achievable with the machine 1. The thickness value may also be set in the programmable system, of the PLC type, of the machine for configuring the other operational parameters of the machine, such as, for example, the speed of the feed unit 2, the dispensing pressure of the adhesive substance by the gluing unit 3, and so on.

Advantageously, the guide means 8 are such that during the access of a sheet-like product 100 in the operating area 7, the sheet-like product 100 is induced to move in contact along a supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5.

At the supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5, the second plate 6 also has a contact surface 6a, opposite the supporting surface 5a.

Preferably, the supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5 is convex in shape, that is, it has a radial shape relative to the axis "B" of the first plate 5 and in the direction of the second plate 6.

Preferably, at least the first plate 5 has the supporting surface 5a heated, in such a way as to keep the adhesive substance (hot melt glue) applied on the sheet-like product 100 to be coupled in an optimum viscous state, preventing the hardening from being too fast and influencing the coupling of the sheet-like product 100.

Preferably, the sheet-like product 100 translates in contact with the heated supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5 with the respective side with the graphical design 100b, opposite the gluing side 100a. Preferably, the sheet-like product 100 translates along the axis of the supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5, therefore substantially along the axis of the machine 1.

The sheet-like product 100 is guided by the guide means 8 from the outlet of the feed means 2 until the moment it is coupled, keeping its axis coinciding with the axis "B" of the first plate 5.

Advantageously, the precise control of the path and the position of the sheet-like product 100 makes it possible to avoid any possibility of jamming due to an incorrect position of the sheet-like product 100 during feeding of the machine 1.

In other words, the guide means 8 are capable of making the sheet-like product 100 adhere to the supporting surface 5a in such a way that it can slide and position itself in the operating area 7 in an ordered and precise manner and not in a random and unpredictable manner, as occurs in the traditional machines.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the supporting base 10 is positioned in an inclined position relative to a horizontal supporting surface "W" of the machine 1 , as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2. In general, the reference "W" indicates a horizontal reference relative to which at least the supporting base 10 is oriented with an inclined position. Consequently, the supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5 is inclined in such a way that it defines an angle "a" with a vertical direction, with vertex in the respective lower position, preferably between approximately 10 and 30 degrees.

In other words, the supporting base 10 of the machine 1 is inclined in such a way that the first plate 5, perpendicular to it, is also in an inclined position relative to a vertical direction. More specifically, the first plate 5 is in a lower position than the second plate 6. An example of this arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the guide means 8 are defined by the first plate 5 and by the second plate 6 inclined relative to the vertical direction and by the supporting base 10 positioned inclined relative to the horizontal supporting surface "W".

Advantageously, with reference to the diagram shown in Figure 1A, the weight force "P" of the sheet-like product 100 sent by the feed unit towards the operating area 7 is such as to have, as soon as it comes into contact with the supporting surface 5a, two vector components of which one is parallel to the supporting surface 5a, labelled "F" and the other is perpendicular to the supporting surface 5a, labelled "N".

The perpendicular component "N" of the weight force "P" is such as to bring the sheet-like product 100 to a temporary continuous contact of the sheet-like product 100 on the supporting surface 5a, from the moment it is released by tne teed unit up to tne step o† coupling witn a respective sheet-like product of the semiworked element 101 already set up in the operating area 7 and retained by the locking means.

With reference to the locking means 9, they comprise a plurality of rods 9a preferably positioned perpendicularly to the supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5, that is, parallel to the direction of translation "X". Preferably, the plurality of rods 9a is not movable, but constrained to the base of the machine 1 or in any case movable and/or removable only for reasons of maintenance when the machine 1 is not operating.

Preferably, the rods 9a are arranged in two series, one for each lateral end of the first plate 5, as illustrated in Figure 4.

Preferably, the rods 9a are equipped at respective ends with a snap-on elastic element (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings) which can be activated by the sliding of the first plate 5, and of the pre-glued sheetlike product 100, towards the second plate 6 in an operating configuration for coupling the pre-glued sheet-like product 100 to the respective sheet- like product of the semiworked element 101.

Preferably, the elastic snap-on element present at the end of each rod 9a allows the passage of the sheet-like product 100 beyond that position along the rod 9a, but does not allow the sheet-like product 100 to withdraw towards the first plate.

Advantageously, since the second plate 6 is in an upper position relative to the first plate 5, the rods 9a are designed to retain the semiworked element 101 until contact with the sheet-like product 100 positioned in the operating area 7 and ready for coupling with the above-mentioned semiworked element 101 preventing sliding towards the loading area of the new pre-glued sheet-like product 100.

As mentioned above, the first plate 5 and the second plate 6 are movable relative to the rods 9a, which are fixed in an operating condition of use of the machine 1.

Preferably, to allow the relative movement at least between the first plate 5 and the locking means 9, the first plate 5 has a plurality of through slits 5b positioned at the rods 9a so that they can pass through the first plate 5 during, for example, the coupling step.

Preferably, the slits 5b are positioned horizontally and are divided into two sets side by side each for every lateral end of the first plate 5 and symmetrical relative to the axis "B" of the first plate 5.

Preferably, the second plate 6 has respective slits 6b at the slits 5b of the first plate 5.

The series of slits 5b and 6b of the first plate 5 and of the second plate 6 are equal to the number of rods 9a and extend for a length at least equal to the difference in width between a narrower sheet-like product 100 and a wider sheet-like product 100 which the machine 1 can handle during the production process.

Advantageously, the two arrays of slits 5b allow the rods 9a to slip in/out through at least the first plate 5 during its sliding towards and away from the second plate 6.

Advantageously, the two arrays of slits 6b allow the rods 9a to slip in/out through the second plate 6 so as to have the contact surface 6a at the ends of the rods 9a or even beyond along the body of the rods 9a, when the second plate 6 is adjusted and positioned at the start of the production process.

Preferably, the first plate 5 is divided into two half plates 5c symmetrical relative to the axis "B" and movable relative to each other using a hinge connection 5d at the vertical axis "B" of the plate 5.

This structural solution of the first plate 5 allows a relative movement substantially of rotation along the axis "B" of a half plate 5c relative to the other half plate 5c.

Preferably, the first plate 5 has a vertical upright 11 along the axis "B", interposed between the half plates 5c, on which are fixed the hinges (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings) which allow the rotational movement of the half plates 5c.

Advantageously, each half-plate 5c-is-such-as to-impart a pressure ^" to ^_ the pre-glued sheet-like product 100 with a continuous movement directed from the axis "B" towards the lateral edges 101a of the semiworked element 101.

The coupling with a pressure characterised by the above-mentioned movement from the inside towards the outside of the sheet-like product 100 allows, simultaneously, coupling the pre-glued semiworked element 100 to the semiworked element 101 and pressing it to eliminate excess adhesive substance which is pushed towards the lateral edges 101a of the semiworked element 101.

Preferably, the half plates 5c are activated during the production process by the drive means 12, schematically illustrated in Figure 3, which illustrates a step of coupling the sheet-like product 100 in which a half plate 5c is rotated relative to the other half plate 5c for pushing excess hot melt glue towards the lateral edge 101a.

Preferably, any elastic elements, not illustrated, allow the return of the half 5 plates 5c to a symmetrical and aligned position relative to the axis "B", or in a different solution the drive means 12 are reversible, therefore able to restore the symmetrical position of the supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5 (as illustrated for example in Figure 2).

In a variant of the machine 1 , in accordance with the inventive concept of 10 this invention, the machine 1 comprises an additional feed unit 13 (as illustrated in Figure 5), similar to the feed unit 2, designed to house sheetlike supports 200 having a thickness and/or rigidity greater than the sheetlike product 100. The sheet-like supports 200 may be necessary when the photographic book to be made must have a predetermined rigidity of the 15 page, greater than that which can be obtained without paper-based sheetlike supports 200.

The inventive concept of this invention comprises a method for producing photographic books using the machine 1 described above, comprising:

- preparing a plurality of sheet-like products 100 to be coupled;

z u - ^" adjusting ^{" "} and ^~ f ixing ^" a relative ^" position between a ^{" "} second ^" plate ^{" "} 6 , also called the counter-plate, and a first plate 5, also called the presser;

- dispensing a quantity of adhesive substance on at least one gluing side 100a of each sheet-like product 100;

- feeding a coupling unit 4 with the pre-glued sheet-like products 100 by 25 inserting at least a pre-glued sheet-like product 100 in an operating zone 7 translating in contact along a supporting surface 5a of the first plate 5;

- translating the first plate 5 towards the second plate 6 by a translational movement along a direction "X" wherein the supporting surface 5a is facing towards the second plate 6;

30 - pressing the sheet-like product 100 with a semiworked element 101 using a uniform pressure exerted by the first plate 5 towards the second plate 6, preferably the first plate 5 exerting a uniform pressure with a continuous movement directed from an axis "B" of the first plate 5 towards lateral edges 101a of the semiworked element 101 ;

- restoring the first plate 5 in the relative initial position to feed a coupling unit 4 with at least one further pre-glued sheet-like product 00;

- repeating the sequence as described above starting from the dispensing of an adhesive substance.

This invention achieves the preset aims and, more specifically, in accordance with the inventive concept of this invention, the machine and the method for producing photographic books allow a pre-glued sheet-like product to be coupled with a respective sheet-like product in a short time relative to the prior art and to reduce the production costs avoiding the use of sheet-like support of a paper-based type.

In accordance with the inventive concept of this invention, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the machine 1 may comprise guide means 8 of a pneumatic type, which are able to apply a slight negative pressure on the supporting surface of the first plate 5 in such a way as to retain the sheet-like product 100 with a predetermined resistance during its translation and positioning but such as to allow it to slide along the supporting surface 5a.

In a different embodiment, fully covered in the inventive concept of this invention and not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the guide means 8 may comprise a system operating with electrostatic charges which allow the creation of a force of attraction on the sheet-like product 00 from the side with the graphical design 100b towards the supporting surface 5a charged electrically.

It is understood that other embodiments of the machine 1 not described here in detail and illustrated, but which allow the above-mentioned problem to be resolved, that is to say, checking the trajectory of the sheet- like product 100, are fully covered within the inventive concept of this invention.