WO1993010003A1

WO1993010003A1 - Method for automatically inserting a cover cardboard and a booklet into a box-like case

Info

Publication number: WO1993010003A1
Application number: PCT/IT1992/000147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo Zaniboni
Original assignee: Gima SpA
Current assignee: Gima SpA
Priority date: 1991-11-20
Filing date: 1992-11-20
Publication date: 1993-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1994-05-20
Also published as: ITBO910434A0; IT1253893B; ITBO910434A1

Abstract

A cover cardboard (2) and a booklet (3) are to be inserted into a box-like case (1). A longitudinal flap (2a) of the cardboard (2), is folded according to the angle profile of a holding seat (9) created in the case (1). Then the cardboard (2) is partially inserted into the seat (9) through a side opening (4) of the case (1), while the cardboard acts as a guide for the leading edge of the booklet (3) that is being inserted into the seat (9). The booklet is slightly curved so as to reduce its transverse dimension and is moved longitudinally. Finally the cardboard (2) and the booklet (3) are made to move in synchrony until the insertion of them into the seat (9) is completed.

Description

METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY INSERTING A COVER CARDBOARD AND A BOOKLET INTO A BOX-LIKE CASE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention lies in the technical field concerned with the packaging of music cassettes, or cartridges, and the like, in hard material cases.

BACKGORϋND ART

It is known that magnetic tape is used for recording and then playing back of music.

The development of the digital system for recording and playing back music, has recently allowed to apply the advantages achieved thereby to the production of magnetic tapes, thus obtaining a better sound reproduction and a more reliable working.

In particular, digital cassettes produced in compact form are known also as "digital compact cassette". Such digital cassettes are packed in box¬ like cases, designed to prevent the magnetic tape from being damaged.

The preferred type of case that can be packaged with the present method, consists of a flattened box¬ like case having a side opening for inserting the cassette; inside the case there are a couple of opposing wings, made ajacent to the longitudinal sides, which delimit the housing for the cassette and also act as guides for the cassette when it is inserted.

Inside the case there is also a second housing seat that extends for the whole width of the front end of the case and along one longitudinal side thereof, thus forming a L-like profile.

The front end and the longitudinal side are made of transparent material.

This second seat is designed for housing a cover cardboard, that has printed on it comment phrases about the cassette.

The cover cardboard is arranged adjacent to the transparent front wall so that it is visible from outside. Furthermore, the cardboard has a longitudinal flap that is folded so as to remain adjacent to the transparent side when the cardboard is inserted in the case. As a consequence of what has been stated above, it is clear that the cover cardboard and the booklet must be inserted into the case, but this operation is rather difficult, due to the limited dimensions of this seat.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a method that allows the cardboard and the booklet to be inserted in the related seat without anydifficulty.

This method is particularly directed to digital cassettes, of the type referred to above.

This object is obtained by a method for inserting a cover cardboard and a booklet in a box¬ like case, performed in accordance with the present inventio . The case features a L-shaped housing seat for the cardboard and booklet, and a side opening.

The method includes firstly the folding of a longitudinal flap of the cardboard, that is turned upward according to the angle profile of the housing seat.

Then the cardboard is partially inserted in the seat through the side opening of the case, and a leading edge of the booklet in introduced in the seat, on top of the cardboard, while the booklet is kept curved in a slightly rounded form, so as to reduce its transversal dimension.

After the partial insertion of the booklet, the cardboard and the booklet are advanced in synchrony inside the seat, up to complete insertion therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention are pointed out in the following, with a particular reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 shows a prospective view of a box-like case and a cardboard to be inserted therein;

- Fig. 2 shows a cross section view of the case shown in Fig.l;

Figs. 3 and 4 show, in the same prospective view, subsequent inserting phases of the cardboard in the case, in accordance with the subject method;

Figs. 5 and 6 show two phases of the method in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 5a shows an enlarged view of particular P of Figure 5 ;

- Fig. 7 shows a prospective view of a booklet ready for being inserted into said case;

- Figs. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d show, in a longitudinal section view, subsequent inserting phases of the booklet;

- Fig. 9 shows a view of Fig. 8b, taken along the section line IX-IX.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the above mentioned figures, numeral 1 generally indicates a case for a digital cassette, not shown. A cover cardboard 2 and a booklet 3 are to be inserted in the case along with the cassette.

The case is shaped like a flat box and has a side opening 4 made at the transversal end.

The case has also a wide window 5 made in a front wall la.

Inside the case there are two counterfacing wings 6, 7 extending adjacent to the longitudinal sides lb and lc of the case, so as to delimit a housing 8 for the cassette. Particularly, the wing 6 protrudes horizontally from a longitudinal side lb of the case, while the other wing 7 is square shaped and protrudes downwardly thus extending parallel to the longitudinal side lc, so that it results turned towards the first wing 6. Therefore inside the case there is also a seat

9 delimited, for its whole longitudinal extension, by the rear wall Id and the longitudinal side lc; in 3 rtι n« ^υυι

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other words, the seat has an L-shaped profile.

This seat 9 is designed to house the cover cardboard 2 and the booklet 3.

The rear wall Id and the longitudinal side lc are made of a transparent material.

The cover cardboard 2 is obviously to be put in contact with the entire surface of the transparent rear wall Id, so that it can be seen from outside. A longitudinal flap 2a of the cardboard 2 is folded upwardly along a folding line 10 made in the cardboard, so that the longitudinal flap 2a goes to contact the entire inner surface of the transparent longitudinal side lc of the case when the cardboard is inserted therein. In another case the longitudinal flap can be folded also without providing the foldind line in the cardboard.

It is also possible to insert a cardboard with a section 2b folded onto it like a book. In any case, with or without the folding line, the flap 2a is not covered by the section 2b when it is folded (in Fig. 3c the section 2b has been shown in a slightly raised position, for the clarity sake) . The subject method includesat first the folding of the longitudinal flap 2a of the cardboard 2, according to the angle L-profile of the housing seat 9 made in the case 1. (fig. 3)

The cardboard 2 is then partially inserted inside the seat 9 through the side opening 4 of the case 1. (fig. 4) .

According to a particular embodiment of the present method, the cardboard 2 is slightly curved - --_.-_.-_.4_, PCT/IT92/00147 10003

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before inserting in the case 1. (fig. 5)

This curving becomes necessary, in particular, to make the cardboard to pass over the tooth 11, that in some cases is formed in adjacency of the edge of 5 the transparent wall Id of the case 1, as it can be seen in Fig. 5a wherein the particular P is shown in elnarged view.

In any case, the slight curving of the cardboard 2 facilitates always the insertion into the seat 9 of the case, since it reduces the overall transversal dimension of the cardboard (Fig.6).

Obviously, this curving, is not permanent, and the cardboard regains its flat profile once it has been iserted into the seat 9. After the partial insertion of the cardboard 2, the insertion of a leading edge of a booklet 3 in the seat 9 is carried out, on top of the same cardboard 2.

In this phase the booklet 3, in its turn, is curved in a slightly rounded form, according to the insertion direction, while the rib 12 preferably faces the flap 2a of the cardboard 2 (fig. 7) .

It is to be pointed out that the cardboard 2, already partially inserted in the case 1, acts as a guide for the booklet 3 being inserted in the seat 9. More particularly, this introduction phase of the booklet 3 is carried out by a combined movement resulting from an advancement toward the opening 4 and a lowering toward the surface of the guide formed by the cardboard 2, as indicated schematically with dashed lines 3a and 3b in fig. 8a.

After the leading edge of the booklet 3 has been inserted in the seat 9 (fig. 8b), the cardboard 2 3

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is advanced again in synchrony with the advancement of the booklet 3 (fig. 8c).

During this phase, therefore, the cardboard 2 continues to act as a guide for the introduction of the booklet 3.

It is to be noted that, outside the container 1, the booklet 3 remains curved during the insertion phase (see also Fig. 9).

The advancement of the cardboard 2 and booklet 3 ends upon completition of the insertion inside the seat 9. (fig. 8d)

Therefore, the present method allows to insert the cover cardboard and text booklet in the special housing of a box-like case, in particular for digital cassettes, without any difficulty.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The subject method is directed to the technical field concerned with the packaging of music cassettes, or cartridges, and the like, in hard material cases.

The method described herein allows to perform automatically the insertion of a cover cardboard and a text booklet in a related housing seat of a box-like case, particularly in a case for digital cassette. In all the insertion phases performed in accordance with the method, both the cardboard and the booklet are positively guided while being inserted in the seat, so that the risk of jamming is avoided, particularly for the corners.

Claims

003

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1) Method for inserting a cover cardboard (2) and a booklet (3) in a box-like case (1), said case (1) featuring a L-shaped housing seat (9) for said cardboard (2) and booklet (3), and a side opening (4), said method being characterized in that it includes the following phases: folding a longitudinal flap (2a) of said cardboard (2), according to an angle profile of said housing seat (9); partial insertion of said cardboard (2) in said seat (9) through said side opening (4) of said case (1); introduction of a leading edge of said booklet (3) in said seat (9), on top of said cardboard (2), said booklet (3) being curved in a slightly rounded form so as to reduce its transversal dimension; advancement in synchrony of said cardboard (2) and booklet (3) inside said seat (9), up to complete insertion therein.

2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said cardboard (2) is curved in a slightly rounded form for the insertion in said seat (9) of the case (1), so as to reduce its transversal dimension.

3) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said insertion of said leading edge of said booklet (3) in said seat (9) is carried out by a combined movement resulting from an advancement toward said opening (4) and from a lowering toward the guide 3

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surface formed by said cardboard (2) .

4) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of said booklet (3) located outside of said case (1) , is kept curved during said insertion phase.