US 5,180,461 A · Apparatus to apply reinforcements on filing guides or inserts, and method

Abstract

To apply a reinforcing element (9) only at the position of an index tab (7) on stock material, in which the position of the index tab, for example alphabetically, shifts from stock material to stock material, the stock material (2) is passed through a groove (27, 27a . . . 27f) extending axially along a cylinder or drum (22), the reinforcements being derived upon cutting a ribbon (15) which is folded longitudinally, and inserted into a groove (27e) of the cylinder while the reinforcement at the opposite side of the cylinder is being applied on the stock material, slid into the groove by a transport system. For application, heated tines press, from the top and bottom, against the reinforcement, by passing through circumferential grooves (69) of the drum or cylinder (22). A movable stop system (17) longitudinally positions the stock material (2) for staggered application of the reinforcements.

Claims52

Dependent claims

Apparatus to apply reinforcement elements (9) on index tabs (7) of file guides (1) having

a transport means (12) for moving file guide stock material (2) along a predetermined transport path;
a reinforcing ribbon (15) and a supply means (54) for supplying the reinforcing ribbon about an edge of the file guide stock material (2);
means (13) for joining a portion of the reinforcing ribbon (15) about an edge of the file guide stock (2), said joining means being located along said predetermined transport path,
comprising, in accordance with the invention,
gripper means (22) rotatable about an axis (23), said gripper means including
a rotatable base body formed with at least one axially extending groove (27) in the circumference of the base body, said at least one groove defining two opposite edge portions (33, 34) adjacent the circumference of the base body and extending parallel to said axis (23);
controlled moving means (32) coupled to said gripper means (22) for moving the gripper means between
a receiving position in which said at least one groove (27) of the gripper means (22) is operatively associated with the reinforcing ribbon (15) to receive the reinforcing ribbon in said groove, and
a delivery position in which said at least one groove (27) of the gripper means (22) is in the transport path of the stock material (2);
and
an application means (16) for applying the ribbon in the groove (27) of the gripper means (22) on and over the edge of the file guide stock material (2).

8 more elements

Apparatus to apply reinforcement elements (9) on index tabs (7) of file guides (1) having

a transport means (12) for moving file guide stock material (2) along a predetermined transport path;
means (13) for joining the reinforcement element about an edge of the file guide stock material (2), said joining means being located along said predetermined transport path,
comprising, in accordance with the present invention,
means (17) for positioning said stock material relative to said joining means (13) at selected positions corresponding to staggered positions of index tabs (7) on succeeding file guides (1), including
movable stop means (17) located in said transport path of the stock material for stopping the stock material when the tab (7) reaches the vicinity of said joining means, and including
abutment means (82) movable between an interfering position in said transport path and a release or non-interfering position;
and
controlled positioning means (88', 88, 89) coupled to said abutment means for positioning the abutment means in a direction parallel to said transport path to determine the specific position of the stock material with respect to the joining means to permit individual application of the reinforcing elements (9) severed from a reinforcing ribbon (15) to index tabs (7) at respective selectively different positions on said stock material (2);
and
wherein said transport means (12) includes a movable friction transport device (21) for transporting the stock material in said predetermined path (2).

7 more elements

A method of applying reinforcing elements (9) on index tabs (7) of file guides (1) comprising the steps of

guiding stock material (2) which will form said file guides along a predetermined transport path;
providing a reinforcing ribbon (15) having a width sufficient to fold the reinforcing ribbon about an edge of the stock material (2);
longitudinally folding the ribbon;
inserting the ribbon into a groove (27, 27a . . . 27f) of a rotatable gripper means (22);
severing the folded ribbon adjacent the rotatable gripper means, to form said insert (9) severed from the folded ribbon, and positioning said insert (9) in said groove;
rotating the gripper means to place the groove in alignment with said transport path;
feeding said stock material in said transport path and, with an edge thereof, into said groove with the reinforcing element positioned therein;
stopping feeding movement at a predetermined position corresponding to the position of the index tab;
and
adhering the reinforcing element about the edge of said stock material at the position of the index tab.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus to apply reinforcements on filing guides or inserts, and method

Life of this patent

Apparatus to apply reinforcements on filing guides or inserts, and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52