Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2076639
DEVICE FOR CODING, LABELLING AND FOR THE NON-PERMANENT
POSITIONING OF DATA STORAGE CARDS ON CARRIER S~EETS
The purpose of the invention is the creation of a device for
the positioning, and non-permanent affixing of flat consumer
articles, in particular, data storage cards, upon carrier
sheets, in particular letter paper, with which the data
storage cards are moved in an automatic process from a
dispensing device to the carrier sheet and affixed by simple
means in the correct position on this carrier sheet; this kind
of device should have a simple construction, be capable of
operating without breaking down and be capable of a high
output.
This object is addressed by the invention through the
distinguishing features of patent claim 1, whereby the
configuration features contained in subsidiary claims 2 to lg
describe advantageous and ef~ective alternative embodiments of
the object of the invention.
The device in accordance with the invention, while having a
simple construction and being capable of operating without
breaking down, enables the automatic movement of the data
storage cards from a dispenser to a carrier sheet and permits,
in the region of the carrier sheet, the card to be placed
precisely in position upon the carrier sheet.
2076~39
In a magazine, which accommodates a stac~ of cards and serves as
tha dispensing device, the stamped or printed cards are separated
by alternatingly operating means (claws and cams) and transferred
via transfer means to a reading station arranged adjacently
downstream that captures the data on the card and then transfers
such card to a controlled feed device, from which point the cards
are transferred to an affixing station in which is arranged a
process path for the carrier sheet and which possesses a
depressor with a guide for the data storage cards and a plurality
of vertically-moving shaping stamps for stamping the securing
tabs out of the carrier sheet so that the data storage card can
be held on top of the carrier sheet.
The data storage cards are fed at an angle to the direction in
which the carrier sheet moves and are placed in proper sequence
on the immobilized carrier sheet.
This process enables the device to have a high output capacity.
It is, furthermore, possible to use as a dispenser a roller upon
which material is rolled and which operates in conjunction with
the device. The data storage cards can be produced from this
band, to which end the band is printed with the data for each
card, following which the cards are separated from the band and
then transferred through the reading station and feed device to
the affixing station.
2076639
A particularly effective embodiment of the device ensures that an
individual data storage card can be affixed to a carrier sheet
that is imprinted with the very same contents of the data storage
card, which, after being captured in the data capture station,
are fed to the carrier sheet-printing station and then printed by
means of the latter.
This error-free matching of the cards to the letter paper is most
particularly important if the data storage cards contain
important personal data, credit information, entitlements, etc.,
and the carrier sheets are printed with individual mailing
addresses. This assurance can be made because the number of the
printed carrier sheets, which extend as a so-called endless band
of forms from the printer up to the entry position of the data
cards, which extend, one following directly after the other, from
the exit of the reading station, through the feed device, up to
the insertion position. The addressed sheets, with the cards
affixed there o, are then folded in a convention manner, placed
in window envelopes or folded and sealed up and then transferred
to shipment.
A simple method of matching a data storage card with its
respective carrier sheet without mismatches, independently of the
position of the data card, is provided by an advantageous
configuration in which the separation, reading, feed, and
inser~ion devices are connected together on a single base which,
207~39
relative to the device for conveying the carrier-sheet-endless
form band, can be locked in a number of positions, in at least
one, preferably two, conveying directions.
.
This device is designed particularly for use with data storage
cards and letter paper to which the latter are non-permanently
attached. This device and its process can however, be used to
apply and non-permanently affix the most widely varying types of
flat consumer articles to the carrier layer, whereby this carrier
layer together with the consumer article constitutes a display
and sales package, thus enabling the device according to the
invention to be used in a greater variety of applications.
The invention, furthermore, permits the creation of a simply and
compactly-constructed device (machine) operating with a high
production capacity by means of which data storage cards can be
separated from a pile, electronically coded, read by a monitoring
apparatus and printed and then gathered together into a pile of
cards, each of which is stacked in the correct order, and the
error-containin~ cards automatically discarded. The proposed
device, furthermore, permits the issuer to code and personalize
the plastic cards while eliminating waiting time and sources of
error.
This object is addressed in the invention by means of the
distinguishing features of patent claim 20, whereby subsidiary
2076639
claims 21 to 28 describe configuration features of
advantageous alternative embodiments of the object of the
invention.
The coding and writing device has.a simple and compact
construct~on and permits the automatic feed, coding, printing,
piling and discarding of error-containing data storage cards.
The plastic cards, not being stamped, can be slid one by one
from a simple separation magazine comprising a box, a conveyor
belt with catches and a separation slot and then transferred
to the coding station.
At the coding station, coding and reading of the data takes
place. Following successful coding, the card is transferred
to the printing station which, using the high-resolution
thermal sublimation process, prints the plastic cards at high
speed.
The printed plastic cards are then transferred to the stacking
magazine in which they are automatically stacked, one on top
of the other, in the appropriate se~uence.
If errors are flagged at the coding station, the printing
station will not operate and the error-containing plastic card
will be transferred out through the stacking magazine to be
discarded through an exit aperture.
2076639
Being a compact machine, this device affords the issuer an
economical means of processing the card himself and thus
preventing long waiting periods and a host of other
inconveniences.
The essential advantage of the device resides in the direct
coding and personalization of plastic cards, the benefit to
the card holder being the ability to receive the card,
containing all of the necessary data, without having to wait.
Shown in the drawings is a variation of one embodiment example
of the invention which is next described in greater detail.
Shown are:
Fig. 1 a schematic frontal view of a device for applying
flat consumer articles to carrier sheets, having a
magazine, after which is arranged in the process
direction an article reading station, article feed
with control and affixing station,
Fig. 2 a schematic top view of the same device,
Fig. 3 a partially cut away frontal view of the magazine
with conveyor belt, claws and control cams,
Fig. 4 a partially cut away top view of the magazine,
Fig. 5
and 6 schematic lateral views of the magazine showing two
positions of the claws,
Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through the affixing station
with support path for the carrier sheets, depressor
2076639
and form stamp,
ig. 8 a top view of a carrier sheet with a data storage
card fixed in position by means of securing tabs,
ig. 9 a transverse section through the carrier sheet with
securing tabs and data storage card,
ig. 10 a top view of the arrangement of the securing tabs
in the carrier sheet with the data storage card
rep~esented by broken lines,
ig. 11 a schematic frontal view differing from Fig. 1 with
a roll of band material that can be processed into
data storage cards,
ig. 12 a schematic top view of the entire device,
ig. 13 a perspective view of a coding and printing machine
for data storage cards with a coding station
arranged inside a casing, behind which is a printing
station and a separating magazine as well as a
stacking magazine,
ig. 14 a transverse section through the same machine,
ig. 15 a frontal view of a further embodiment of the card
stacker used in conjunction with the magazine,
ig. 16 a lateral view of the card stacker in accordance
with Fig. 15, shown ready to accept a card to be
stacked,
ig. 17 a schematic representation of the entire device with
its individual machines and stations.
The device for non-permanently positioning and affixing flat
2076633
consumer articles, in particular data storage cards (plastic
cards) (1) on carrier sheets (2) in particular letter paper,
features, in accordanca with Fig. 1 and 2, arranged serially
in process direction "A", a magazine (3) and card reading
station (4), a card feed (5) with a control and an affixing
station (6), in which the data storage cards (l) axe placed
and secured in position on carrier sheet (2), în particular,
letter paper.
The affixing station (6) in accordance with Figs. 1, 2 and 7,
possesses a flat support path (7), for the cyclically-moveable
carrier sheet (2). This carrier sheet (2) is provided with at
least one placement field (11) that is bordered by a plurality
of securing tabs (10) which, being formed from the carrier
sheet (2) by means of stamping cuts (8), overlap, when in the
stamped out position, at least two card edges (9).
In Figs. 8 to 10, carrier sheet (2) is shown in the form of a
sheet of letter paper displaying an address field (12~, a text
field (13) and the data storage card placement field (11). In
this example, placement field (11) has five stamped-out
securing tabs (10) which, in their most basic configuration,
overlap the three eard edges (9) (14) of rectangular data
storage card (1) and secure such card in position.
Provided on both opposing longitudinal sides of placement
field ~ll) and thus of data storage card (1) are two securing
2076639
tabs (10) which are spaced one after another in the insertion
direction "A" of data storage card (1), arranged on the
transverse side (14), which is the rear side in relation to
feed direction "A", is a holding tab (10) that serves at the
same time as the limit to which data storage card (1) can be
inserted.
The securing tabs (10) which sit along opposing sides (9) of
the placement field and thus along the longitudinal sides of
the cards, run in a funnel-shaped pattern toward each other
in insertion direction l'A'I and thus form funnel-shaped
insertion edges (15), each of which constitutes a stopping
point (clamping point) (15) occupying longitudinal card edge
(9). The basic shape of securing tabs (10) is a segment, the
chord of each of which forms insertion edge (15).
The funnel-shaped arrangement of the securing tabs (10) and
their insertion edges (15) permits the data storage card (1)
to be slid into and secured in position at an angle to the
longitudinal direction of carrier sheet (2) and the stopping
points (15) of the securing tabs (10) which flap over card
(1), press against the longitudinal edges (9) of card (1) in
such a way as to immobilize the latter and the chord of the
transversally-lying securing tab (10) forms the edge (14)
constituting the insertion limit of card (1).
It is preferred that the carrier sheets (2) be embodied as
2~76~39
separable endless form sheets and as Fig. 2 shows, this
endless form sheet has rows of holes (16) on the longitudinal
edges to enable the paper to be moved. A tractor and at least
one row of holes (16) are used to define a marking point (not
shown) for halting the paper in the process direction as each
data storage card (1) is being inserted.
The stamp cut (8) for each securing tab (10) forms the arc of
securing tab (10) and the chord (15) of each securing tab (10)
constitutes together with carrier sheet (2), which is
connected thereto, a bending edge enabling each securing tab
(10) to be punched as a semi-circular piece from the carrier
sheet and sit on top of the data storage card (1) by which
means card (1) is held securely in place between carrier sheet
(2) and securing tabs (10).
The affixing station (6) features above the support path (7) a
depressor (17) with a guide (19) for the data storage card (1)
which can be moved vertically and which, during insertion of
the data storage card (1), acts upon the immobilized carrier
sheet (2).
This depressor (17) possesses, in accordance with the number
of securing tabs (10), recesses (18) into which the securing
tabs (10), which can be stamped out of the sheet of paper, can
be pressed.
~076639
Arranged beneath the support path are a plurality of shaping
stamps (20) which, being raisable through the support path
(7), press the securing tabs (lO) out of carrier sheet (2)
into the depressor-recesses (18) and hold the securing tabs
(10) open while the data storage card (1) is being slid onto
placement field (ll).
Arranged before depressor (17) in feed direction "A" and above
support path (7) is a guide (21) via which the individual data
storage cards (l) are transferred cyclically toward depressor
(17) and transversely relative to the direction "B" in which
carrier sheet (2) is moving.
Shaping stamps (20) are secured beneath support path (7) and
comprise pressure means cylinders whose piston rods (20a) can
be displaced as pressure elements through apertures (22) of
support path (7) to act upon securing tabs (10).
Provided in all are five shaping stamps (20) which,
corresponding to securing tabs (lO), are arranged beneath
support path (7) whereby two are located on either side in
~eed direction "A" and one situated transversely relative to
feed direction "A". All five shaping stamps (20) are
connected via pressure means lines (23) to a pressure means
distributor (24).
It is preferable that the shaping stamps (20) be made from
207663~
compressed air cylinders.
Depressor (17) is shaped like a plate and is connected to a
flap (28) via standing guides (25) and a pressure means
cylinder (26), preferably a compressed air cylinder, which is
also connected via a pressure means line (27) to pressure
means distributor (24), in such a way as to be able to move up
and down. Flap (28), which is borne on horizontal pin (29) of
frame (30) of affixing station (6) in such a way as to be able
to swing upwardly, permits depressor (17) to flip up together
with its guide (21) in the event the cards should become
stuck.
Card guide (21) works in conjunction with a control device
(31) embodied as a photoelectric sensor employed to recognize
the position of each data storage card (1) being moved up to
depressor (17).
Stamped or printed data storage cards (1) are stac~ed one on
top of the other inside magazine (3) whereby magazine (3) is
constructed in the form of a box and comprises four standir.g
angular guide profiles (32) which hold the stack of data
storage cards at their four corners so as to be able to guide
them, whereby the profiles end at a distance above the plane
(33~ in which the separated cards (1) are transferred.
The ejection plane is formed by an endlessly-circulating
2~7S63~
motor-driven conveyor belt (33) with catches (33a) that
circulates in the direction "A" in which the cards advance.
Arranged between the magazine guide profiles (32) on both
sides of conveyor belt (33), so as.to be able to pivot
individually about a horizontal axis, are pivotable claws
(35), both of which when in the closed position, pivot toward
each other and in the release position pivot away from each
other and are borne together with their pivoting axes (34) on
device frame (36).
Both claws (35) interact with both opposing longitudinal edges
of data storage card (1).
Both claws (35) are connected together via tension springs
(37), which fit into securing points (38) of claws (35), and
are pivoted toward each other and held together by means of
these tension springs (37).
Exerting frictional force upon each claw (35) is a pivoting
cam (39) which moves the claws (35) against the force of the
spring.
Arranged beneath the stack of cards are a plurality of bearing
cams (40) for the stack of cards or, rather, for an individual
card (1), whPreby when claws (35) rotate into their open
position, when pivoting cam (39) acts with its cam part (39a)
- 2076639
14
on claws (35), the stack of cards is released from claws (35)
and is borne upon the upwardly rotated cam parts (40a) of
bearing cams (40) and when the claws (35) are closed by means
of the rotation of the pivoting cams t39) and simultaneous
rotation of the bearing cams (40), the lowest card (1) is
caused to drop onto bearing cams (40) and the second card (1)
from the bottom and thus the entire stack of cards is clamped
between the closed claws (35).
Fig. 5 shows claws ~35) rotated outwardly into their release
position, in which the cam parts (39a) of pivoting cam (39)
rotate to the outside and the cam parts (40) of bearing cams
(40) are rotated upwàrdly and bear the stack of cards. In
this manner, the stack of cards is shifted slightly upwards.
Fig. 6 shows the closed position of claws (35) in which claws
(35) are, by means of tension springs (37), swung toward each
other about axis (34), when pivoting cams (39) with their cam
parts (39a) rotate toward the inside, which enables claws (35)
to engage the second card (1) from the bottom and thus also
the stack of cards lying above the second card.
At the same time, the bearing cams (40) together with their
cam parts (40a) pivot downwardly, causing the lowest card (1)
to lies at a certain distance beneath the second card (1) and
thus be separated from the pile.
2076639
In this position, card (l) also sits on top of conveyor belt
(32).
Claws (35) possess frictional, such as dentate clamping
surfaces (35a) and below these clamping surfaces (35) is a
punched-out recess t41) embodied as a groove that permits,
when the claws (35) pivot toward each other and the lowest
card drops down, such lowest card (1) to be released and
separated from the rest of the pile.
Punched out recess (41) permits, when the claws (35) turn
toward each other, and when the bearing cams (40) together
with their cam parts (40a) turn simultaneously downward, the
lowest card (1) to be free of claws (35).
This cyclical separation of cards (1) can be used for stamped
cards and thus for cards that fit into each other as well as
for printed data storage cards (1).
The data storage card (1) that has been separated from the
pile is then transferred by means of conveyor belt (33) in
feed direction "A" from beneath magazine (3) to the card
reading station (4).
Borne in a pillow block (42) of the frame of the device (36)
are two shafts (44) that can be rotated by means of a gear (43).
20~663g
16
~orne so as to be unable to twist on each shaft are two
beariny cams (40) and one pivoting cam (39), which implies
that the three cams (39, 40) rotate together on one shaft.
Shafts (44) are synchronously turned by means of gear (43) and
run parallel to each other on either side of conveyor belt
(33).
Both bearing cams (40) are arranged in both longitudinal end
regions of both shafts (44) and pivoting cam (39) extends
approximately up to half-way along the longitudinal length of
shafts (44) and act upon the centre of claws (35).
Cam parts (39a) of bearing cams (39) are set at an angle upon
shaft (44) relative to the cam parts (40a) of bearing cams
(40) and are preferably rotated through a so angle.
Conveyor belt (33) is also borne in pillow blocX (42) so as to
be able to circulate continuously.
Recognizable in Figs. 3 and 4 is the manner in which cams (39,
40) and conveyor belt (33) are borne as well as the
arrangement of the claws.
The data storage cards (1), which have been separated out, are
transferred by means of conveyor belt (33) from beneath magazine
~3) toward the downstream-arranged card reading station (4) and
2~76639
17
the data storage cards (l), which follow each other in unbroken
series in feed direction "A", are displaced individually by the
forward movement of conveyor belt (33) in the direction of feed
"A". In card reading station (4) the data contained in the card
(1) is captured and for the purpose of printing the carrier sheet
(2) transmitted to a printer used to print carrier sheet (2),
whereby in this manner each card (l) is correctly matched with
the carrier sheet (2) bearing the same data.
The cards (1) then advance from card reading station (4) into the
feed (5) which controls the movement of depressors (17) by means
of its control system.
By means of the photoelectric sensor (31) of card guide (21), the
positioning of cards (1) is determined which enables
determination of whether or not a card (1) is ready for insertion
or whether there is not yet a card (1) available.
Each card (1) is then slid into a placement field (11) of carrier
sheet (2), whereby the carrier sheet (2) is stopped during this
insertion step. The movement of card (1) and of carrier sheet
(2) relative to each other follow a preset sequence.
During card insertion, depressor (17) is lowered by means of its
pressure means cylinder (26) and exerts pressure upon carrier
sheet (2~. Stamps (20) are simultaneously lifted up and therefore
2076639
18
pull the securing tabs (lo) upwards from out of carrier shaet (2)
into the open position, which permits card (1) to slide into
field (11), up to the end stop formed by transverse tab (10).
The guide (19) inside depressor tl7) simultaneously ensures the
precise insertion of card tl).
Once card tl) has been slid into position, the shaping stamps
t20) are depressed, thus allowing securing tabs (10) to fall onto
card tl) and fix card tl) securely upon carrier sheet (2).
At this point, depressor (17) is raised up, thus releasing
carrier sheet t2) together with the card affixed thereto.
Carrier sheet t2) is advanced further through one cycle along
process direction 'IBl', which lies at an angle to feed direction
"A", until the next placement field (11) lies in feed direction
"A".
Shown in Fig. 11 is a variation of the device vis à vis the
device shown in Fig. 1, whereby the former operates with the aid
of a roll of material t45) used for producing the data cards.
The data storage cards tl) are unwound from a roll (46) of rolled
card material t45) and transferred over a guide roller t47) to a
printing station (48) in which the data for each card tl) is
printed upon the band of material t45).
2~76639
19
The printed card band ( 45) then runs in feed direction "A" to a
downstream-located cutting station (41), in which the individual
cards are severed from band (45).
Next, all of the individual cards (l), as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,
are transferred to the card reading and feed station with control
(4, 5) and then transferred via the card guide ~21) into the
affixing station (6) in which the same process steps as described
above take place.
In the overall device shown schematically in Fig.l2, magazine (3)
together with its separator (33, 39, 40, 35), reading station
(4), feed (5), and affixing station (6) together with card guide
(21), are connected together by means of support frame (30, 36)
into a modular unit which is borne or. guides (73, 74) so as to be
displaceable in a stepwise manner or continuously in and/or at an
angle to movement direction "B" of carrier sheets (2), which
enables the placement of data storage card (1) upon carrier sheet
(2) to be changed according to need. For example, displaceable
modular unit (3, 4, 5 and 6) is secured on guides (73, 74) in the
position selected through locking means (7S). Carrier sheets
(2), which are embodied as an endless band of forms, can be
separated therefrom. The printing station bears the number (70)
and a tract~r, which moves endless form band (72), is designated
by (71).
2~76639
The number of printed carrier sheets (2~, which extend upon
endless form band (72) between printing station (70) and the
affixing position inside affixing station (6), corresponds to the
number of read data storage cards (l) which lie in unbroken
serial procession downstream of reading station (4) through feed
(5) and card feed (21), up to the affixing position inside
affixing station (6).
Due to a lack of space, the same number of data storage cards (1)
and carrier sheets (2) are not shown in Fig. 12, ~ut rather fewer
carrier sheets (2) are shown. When a data storage card (l)
cannot be read by reading station (4), then the corresponding
carrier sheet (2) is not printed by printer (70).
Guides (5, 21) prevent any manipulation by means of removal or
exchange or addition of data storage cards between reading
station (4) and affixing station (6). In addition, the entire
device possesses a housing (76) which completely envelops all of
the moving parts so that the data storage cards are protected
from being touched from magazine (3) up to the station in which
the sheets are placed in envelopes (77), which can also be
located inside this housing (76). By this means, manipulation
and errors are avoided.
The machine (the device) for coding and printing of data storage
cards, in particular plastic cards (1) in accordance with Figs.
207~639
13 and 14, features, serially disposed inside a housing ~2) in
the process direction "C" of plastic cards (1), a coding station
(80) and a printing station (81).
Coding station (80) is embodied as a magnetic strip write/read
station in which the plastic cards (1) are magnetically coded and
then electronically read. The printing station (81) is em~odied
as a thermal printer which uses the high-resolution thermal
sublimation process (thermal transfer process) and permits a high
printing speed of up to 1000 cards per hour.
Arranged on the outside of housing (82) before coding station
(80) in process direction "C" is a feed magazine (83) that
dispenses separate cards and downstream of the printing station
(81) is a stacXing magazine (84) that accepts the printed plastic
cards (1).
Each box-shaped magazine (83, 84) is borne upon a lower magazine
part (85, 86) which is attached to housing (82) or integrated
with housing (82).
Arranged inside magazine lower part (85) is an endlessly -
circulating, drive-actuated (88) conveyor belt (87) used to
separate the cards. This conveyor belt (87) possesses at least
one catch (89) whose height is less than the thickness of the
plastic card (1). The separation magazine (83) furthermore
2076639
possesses a separation slot (9o) corresponding to the thickness
of the plastic card (1) which permits the cards (1), which are
stacked one on top of the other inside magazine (83), to be
pulled individually by the catch (89) from beneath the pile of
cards, e~ected through separation slot (90) and moved through a
further slot (91) in the housing (82) of coding station (80).
The plastic cards (1) advance along a horizontal card path (92)
from magazine (83) through housing (82) up to magazine (8~).
Arranged for the conveyance of cards through housing (82) are
motor-driven conveyor belts and/or conveyor rollers (94) for
coding station (80) and downstream-located printing station (86)
and provided in stacking magazine (84) is another endlessly-
circulating conveyor belt (95) that is borne in the lower portion
of the magazine (86) and driven by a drive (96).
Arranged in the transfer region separating housing (82) and
stacking magazine (84) is a pressure roller (g7) that keeps the
plastic cards (1) on top of the card path (92).
Stacking magazine (84) possesses in its rear box wall (84) as
viewed along process direction "C" an aperture (98) which is
shaped as a slot in order to permit the ejection of cards.
207~639
Housing (82) is provided in the longitudinal direction with a
sepaxating wall (99) that forms inside housing ~82) a recording
compartment (100) which, being thus separated from coding station
(80) and printing station (81), the electronic controls are
housed houses the electronic controls.
Housing (82) also possesses an upwardly-flippable lid (101)
which, in the upwardly-swung position shown in Fig. 13, permits
ready access to coding station (80) and printing station (81).
The four modular units, namely magazine (83), coding station
(80), printing station (81) and magazine (84), are arranged on
top of base plate (102) in such a way as to be interchangeable.
The drive (88) for separation magazine (83), the drives for
coding station t80) and printing station (81) and the drive (96)
for magazine (84) are all individually controlled by means of
separate photoelectric sensors located along the card path.
Arranged between separation magazine (83) and coding station (80)
is a photoelectric sensor (103) for the transfer of cards.
Arranged in the lower part of the magazine (86) of stacking
magazine (84) is a card stacker (104) which stacks the printed
and ready-to-use plastic cards (1) one on top of the other in
magazine (84).
2~7~639
Card stacker (104) corresponds in its construction and function
to that in magazine (3) shown in Figs. 3 to 6 and also operates
with conveyor belt (33), cams (39, 40) and claws (35), whereby
however, in this case, the individual incoming cards (1) are
stacked one on top of the other.
Because the cards in separation magazine (83) are not stamped,
they can be pulled by means of the conveyor belt (87) with its
catch (8~) and ejected through separating slot (90) from beneath
the pile of cards to be then advanced to the downstream-located
coding station (80).
In this coding station (80), each separated plastic card (1) is
simultaneously coded with up to three lines and then
electronically read.
Following coding, plastic card (1) is transferred to printing
station (81) and printed in accordance with the data that has
been captured.
During this printing process, relevant information, i.e. type,
photograph and/or bar code is applied, using the thermal transfer
process, whereafter the printed plastic card is transferred into
the card stac~er (104) of magazine (84).
When plastic card (1) reaches its end position lying on top of
2a76639
conveyor belt (33), claws (35) of stacker (104) open and bearing
cams (40) lift up the arriving card and thus also any cards
already in the pile.
Next, claws (35) close again and grasp with their bearing
elements (35a) underneath the lowest card (1), whereby the
bearing-and pivoting cams (39, 40) turn toward the inside or,
rather, downwardly.
This stacking step takes place after each card has been brought
into the magazine so that the printed plastic cards can be
stac~ed in the proper order inside the stacking magazine (84).
If at coding station (80), plastic card (1) has not been
successfully, inasmuch as card (1) contains errors, then card (1)
is caused to advance directly through printing station (81)
without the printing station (81) coming into operation. The
card containing the error (1) then runs beneath the pile of
cards, which sit in magazine (84) ready for further processing,
and are ejected from exit aperture (98), which is positioned on
the far end of magazine (84).
In this case, the stack of cards is borne by claws (35), which
have swung toward each other, and the card containing the error
(1) is permitted to run through the punched out recesses (41)
between the claws (35) and underneath the pile of cards, whereby
they are transported out by means of conveyor belt (95).
` 207~3~ `
26
A further configuration of card stacker (104) shown in Figs 15
and 16 for magazine (3) or (84), features beneath the magazine
box (32) a drive (105) such as a motor with belt drive (105a) for
the conveyor belts (33) that circulate endlessly along a
horizontal plane in order to convey the cards beneath box (32)
and a second drive (106), such as a motor with gears (106a) to
power the stacking rollers (107).
Two stacking rollers (107) sit on a drive shaft (108), which is
driven by means of gear (106a) and each stacking roller (107) has
a stacking notch (109) located on its jacket, such notch being
embodied as an angular recess or as a spiral smoothing.
Situated above conveyor belt (33) is a pressure shaft (110)
situated in the region in which the incoming individual cards (1)
enter. A photoelectric sensor (111) signals the arrival of a
card (1) and switches on the gear motor (105, 105a) for the
transfer of the card. Once the card has reached its position
beneath box (32), the motor is switched off again.
A recorder (112) registers the card (1) lying beneath box (32)
and switches on the drive (106) for the stacking rollers (107).
The stacking rollers (107) lie with their stacking notches (109)
in the rotated position shown in Fig. 16, so that card (1) is
permitted to move unhindered between both stacking rollers (107).
At this point, both stacking rollers (107) are rotated in the
` 2~7~39
direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 16, so that the stacking
notches (lO9) with their stacking edge (lO9) engage card (l) from
below and, as they rotate, raise the cards upwards. When
stacking rollers (107) are rotated further in the same direction,
the stacking notches (lO9) move from beneath card (1) and card
(l) is then borne by the full circumference of the rollers. The
rollers (107) turn further into the position shown in Fig. 16, so
that the stacking notches (lO9) face each other again and point
downwardly. The pile of cards thus produced is borne upon the
entire circumference of the stacking rollers (107) and sits at a
distance above the newly arriving card (l). This card stacker
(104) is also designed for separating out the cards, whereby
furthermore the stack of cards are engaged by claws (35) which
keep them in their raised position. The lowest card of the pac~
always falls into the stacking notches (109) and the notches
(109) release card (1) downwardly onto conveyor belt (33) against
the rotational direction in which the stacking function occurs.
Fig. 17 shows the arrangement of equipment inside a double device
whereby processed inside a stamper (113) are two cards (1) with
different information and coding which can then be transferred to
the appropriate respective carrier sheet (2) (letter).
Working in conjunction with stamper (113) for one of the cards
(A) is a feeder (114), a reading station (115) and a card
transfer mechanism (116) and for the other card (B) a reading
.
207~639
station (123), a magazine (117) with ejector (118) for error-
containing cards and a card-conveying mechanism (119). In paper
transport direction "D", which runs transversely relative to card
transfer direction "A", a printer (120) is located upstream of
both card conveyors (116 and ll9) and a cutting station (121) as
well as a folding station (122) are situated downstream of card
conveyors (116 and 119).
