Abstract:
A procedure for the covering of editorial items foresees at least the following steps: the positioning of an editorial object ( 10 ) to be covered, on a thermoplastic film ( 11 ), fitted with folds ( 12, 13, 31, 32 ) on its sides, so that the editorial object ( 10 ), open on the folded film indicated, has the sides ( 14, 15 ) of its cover tucked within the folds ( 12, 13, 31, 32 ); to bring the editorial object ( 10 ) in contact with the head weld ( 30 ) of the film so that it is in a suitable position for the cutting of the excess film and for the welds required to trim the sides of the editorial object ( 10 ), where the cutting and trimming operations are carried out through the use of a lever ( 17, 22, 24 ), fitted with hot resistances ( 18, 23, 25 ). The invention comprise also a device ( 110 ) for the covering of editorial objects.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a procedure for the covering of editorial items such as, for example, books, folders, post cards, greetings cards, magazines, calendars, small posters, photographs, photo-engravings etc. 
     Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device to cover editorial items. 
     There are well known procedures and methods used to cover books, or other editorial items, using covers of the largest dimensions of the editorial items in question and which are cut down to size around each one. 
     These kinds of systems, however, create an excessive waste of material. 
     Another method of covering involves the use of covers, complete with an adhesive strip or a double sided adhesive strip, which block such covers on the book cover or on the editorial object. 
     The disadvantage of these covers is that they are easily removable. 
     Some covers also exist which are just folded or closed, with additional elements: a bookmark or a protection for the corners of the pages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Another objective of the present invention is that of carrying out a procedure for the covering of editorial items which allows for such items to be covered with a made-to-measure cover, in just a few seconds and at a very low cost. 
     Another objective of the invention is that of carrying out a procedure for the covering of editorial items which can be done on well known standard corner welding machines. 
     These and other objectives are achieved by a procedure for the covering of editorial items, comprising the positioning of an editorial object ( 10 ) to be covered on a thermoplastic film ( 11 ) fitted with folds ( 12 ,  13 ,  31 ,  32 ) on its sides, so that said editorial object ( 10 ), open on the folded film, has the sides ( 14 ,  15 ) of its cover tucked within said folds ( 12 , 13 ,  31 ,  32 ), bringing said editorial object ( 10 ) in contact with a head weld ( 30 ) of the film so that it is in a suitable position for the cutting and trimming of excess film and for welding of said sides of said editorial object ( 10 ), wherein said cutting and trimming operations are carried out through the use of a lever ( 17 ,  22 ,  24 ) fitted with hot resistances ( 18 ,  23 ,  25 ). 
     Furthermore, the objective of this invention is that of providing a device for the covering of editorial items which allows for the covering of editorial items with an ideal preciseness, in particular minimizing waste and allowing for the covering of the widest range of articles. 
     Further features of the invention are defined in the other claims attached to the present patent application. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following description and drawings attached, provided purely as an explicative and not a limitative example, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the first procedure step of covering of editorial items, according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2-7 are schematic views of the subsequent steps of the procedure of covering of editorial items, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a book with an additional cover, according to a variant of the procedure of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the procedure of the invention, in the event that, a well known corner welding machine is used; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a further variant of the procedure of the invention, applied automatically, 
     FIG. 11 is a partial section view of the device used for the covering of editorial items, according to this finding, in a first operative position; 
     FIG. 12 is a detail, shown in detail, belonging to the device for the covering of editorial items, according to this finding; 
     FIGS. 13-16 are perspective views of the device for the covering of editorial items, according to the present finding, during subsequent steps of covering of one of these items; 
     FIG. 17 is the tensioning system, through the use of springs, of the welding protection sleeve in teflon which can be easily repositioned; 
     FIG. 18 illustrates the fact that, when not in use, the flap can be raised in order to reduce encumbrance; 
     FIG. 19 illustrates an example of covering with identical reels for standard foldable cards, even complete with an envelope, all of which, if necessary, automatically with just one welding; 
     FIG. 20 illustrates an example of covering with a single fold reel with unequal sides for an envelope-type package, all of which, if necessary, automatic with just one welding; 
     FIG. 21 illustrates a completely closed cover made from a single fold film with equal sides and welded on two sides; 
     FIG. 22 illustrates the rapid replacement system of the reels with a snap safety block; 
     FIG. 23 illustrates an extractable shelf for items that are larger than the work top, which can be fixed through the use of a brake; 
     FIG. 24 illustrates a straight sliding edge related to the device of the finding; 
     FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate the presence of rebound rollers of dandy rolls on the reel holder; and 
     FIG. 27 illustrates the presence of supplementary feet belonging to the device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1-10, the procedure of the present invention includes the covering of a book, or another editorial object, indicated in its whole with the reference numeral  10 , carried out using a reel  21  of thermoplastic film  11 , already bent with mechanical systems and in the dimensions required. 
     In particular, the sheet of thermoplastic film  11  has a fixed fold  12  which is narrower than the fold  13 , which will subsequently be cut down. 
     As can be seen from FIG. 1, the book  10  to be covered, with numerous pages  16 , is placed open on the folded film  11 , in such a way that it has one side  14  of the cover tucked inside the smaller fold  12 , which is fixed for all of the reels  21 . 
     Subsequently, the book  10 , which is always open, is placed on the thermoplastic film  11 , in such a way that both sides  14  and  15  of the cover are tucked into the folds of the film  11 , and in particular, in such a way that fold  15  of the cover is tucked inside the larger fold  13  of the thermoplastic film  11 . 
     Furthermore book  10  is open and positioned with its pages  16  at the narrower fold  12 ; the result of these procedures can be seen in FIG.  2 . 
     For greater convenience, such insertion of book  10  is carried out away from the top weld  30  of the film  11 . 
     The book  10  is then placed next to the top weld  30  of the film  11 , as indicated in FIG. 3, and subsequently pushed into an ideal position for a longitudinal cut and welding which is carried out using a lever  17 , with a hot resistance  18 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 14, the film  11  is cut, using the lever  17 , and at the same time the welding is carried out, through the use of a hot resistance  18 , of the folds of the film itself in order to block the long side of the book  10  perfectly, opposite the top weld  30  of the film  11 . 
     Subsequently the book  10  is closed on the wide fold  13  of the film  11  and is turned in order to be positioned to carry out a trimming operation, always carried out using lever  17  which cuts the film  11  in correspondence of the excessive portion  13  of the film  11  and which at the same time, welds the folds, using the hot resistance  18 ; these operations can be seen in FIGS. 5-7. 
     In this way, a book  10  which is perfectly contained within its protection is carried out using the covering procedure described, which is difficult to remove, unless the cover is intentionally damaged. 
     A variant of the procedure described is that further flaps  19  and  20  of thermoplastic film  11  are added to the book  10  on at least one of the two internal sides of the cover  14  and  15 , using at least one additional weld. 
     The procedure of the invention can even be applied using well known standard corner welding machines, carrying out two welds and trimmings with just one operation, for identical books and/or of identical dimensions. 
     In this case, schematically represented in FIG. 9, a sheet of thermoplastic film  11 , already folded and complete with folds  12  and  13 , is supplied by a reel  21 . 
     A book  10  is placed onto the sheet of thermoplastic film  11  with the extremities  14  and  15  inserted, as previously described, within the folds  12  and  13  of the film  11 . 
     The lever  22 , fitted with a hot resistance  23 , and the lever  24 , fitted with a hot resistance  25 , carry out, respectively, the operations of cutting and trimming of the long side of the book  10  and trimming of the side of the book  10  inserted within the wider fold  13 , as well as the cutting of the wider fold  13  itself. 
     We must point out that, using a suitable film, in particular a heat-shrinking film, the procedure described can be carried out on welding machines in order to create greater adhesion of the cover of the book  10 . 
     The procedure of the invention can also be automated, tucking the open book, in the direction indicated by arrow F in FIG. 10, when the folds  31  and  32  of the film  11 , flat, are forming and are not yet folded. 
     In this case it is preferable that the folds  31  and  32  are of the same width. 
     Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for the covering of editorial items. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 11-27, the device of the invention is globally indicated with the reference numeral  110 . 
     The device of the invention allows for the covering of an editorial object  111 , (in FIG. 11 a book  111 ), which is carried out using a reel of thermoplastic film which is already folded using mechanical systems and in the dimensions required. 
     The thermoplastic film can be folded once with identical sides or with different sides. 
     In particular, the device  110  presents a work top  113 , upon which a sheet cut from a reel of thermoplastic film  114  is placed, fitted with folds  115 ,  116  on its sides, in order to hold the book  111  to be covered. 
     In particular, the sheet from the reel of thermoplastic film  114  presents a fixed fold  115  which is narrower than the fold  116 , which will subsequently be trimmed. 
     The device  110  includes, furthermore, numerous rollers  117 ,  118  and  119  (which can be more than three if necessary) for different dimensions of film to be used in the covering of editorial items of different dimensions. 
     The device  110  also has a clutched lever  120 , which in an off position stops at the point required by the operator, fitted with a hot resistance  121 , which is hinged in  125 , used to cut and at the same time weld the thermoplastic film  114 . 
     On the side opposite that of the hinge  125  the device  110  includes a straight fixed edge  124 , in order to position better the book  111  to be covered. 
     On the side opposite that where the rollers  117 ,  118  and  119  are provide, a straight element  126  is to be found, which slides along the fixed straight edge  124 . 
     The lever  120 , fitted with a hot resistance  121 , has a blade  127 , with a special trapezoidal section shape. 
     The shape of the blade  127  allows for remarkable work precision and can be placed in line with the book  111  to be covered, as can be seen in FIG.  11 . 
     The functioning of the device  110  for the covering of editorial items is briefly illustrated hereinbelow, with reference to the second type of editorial items, in particular a post card  128 , in order to illustrate the versatility of the device  110 . 
     The post card  128  to be covered is positioned open, on the work top  113 , above the folded film  114 , in such a way that it has one side tucked within the smaller fold  115  of the thermoplastic film  114 , which is fixed for all reels  112  of the same kind. 
     Subsequently the post card  128 , always to be found open, is placed on the thermoplastic film  114 , in such a way that both sides of its flat development are tucked within the folds of film  114 . 
     The post card  128  is then laid to rest on the head weld  123  of the film  114 , and is subsequently pushed into an ideal position for cutting and a longitudinal weld of the opposite side, which comes about using lever  120 , fitted with a hot resistance  121 . 
     The film  114  is then cut, using the lever  120 , hinged into  125 , and at the same time the welding is carried out, using the hot resistance  121 , of the folds of the same film to block perfectly the post card  128  on its long side, opposite the side of the head weld of the film  114 . 
     Subsequently, the post card  128  is closed along the wide fold of the film  114  and is turned in order to be positioned and carry out the trimming operation, always carried out using the lever  120  which cuts the film  114  according to its excessive portion and at the same time, using the hot resistance  121 , it welds the folds. 
     All of these operations can be facilitated and made more precise with the help of a fixed straight edge  124  and the straight sliding element  126 , substantially perpendicular. 
     We must point out that, even in this case, the shape of the blade  127 , with a trapezoidal section and belonging to the lever  120 , fitted with a hot resistance  121 , provides remarkable precision, and can be lined up against the post card  128  to be covered, as illustrated in FIG.  16 . 
     In this way, we have a post card  128  which is perfectly contained within its protection made using the method described. 
     Having to cover editorial items of different sizes a different reel can be used from a different roller  117 ,  118  and  119 , or others and this demonstrates further still the remarkable versatility of the device  110 . 
     Furthermore, we must point out that the device  110  represents a tensioning system through the springs  130  of the welding protection sleeve in teflon which can be easily repositioned. 
     Furthermore, when not in use the flap can be raised to reduce encumbrance of the device  110 . In the case of covering with identical reels  136 , with identical sides  134  and  135 , for standard foldable cards, welding can also be carried out automatically, in order to create a foldable card  133 , complete with an envelope  132  and a cover  131 . 
     In the case of a cover with a single fold reel  140  with different sides for an envelope-type package, welding can be carried out automatically in order to create a printed object  139 , with a cover  138  and a removable wing  137 . 
     An entirely closed cover  150  can also be made, from a single fold film  141  with identical sides and welded on two sides. 
     A rapid replacement system of the reels with a snap safety block, using elements  142  and  143 , is also provided for. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates an extractable shelf  144  which allows for items that are larger than the work top  113 , which can be fixed through the use of a brake  145 . 
     The straight sliding edge of element  126 , related to the device of this finding, can also be mounted onto the profile of the extractable shelf in order to facilitate alignment during welding. 
     As can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, a rebound roller of dandy roll is mounted onto the reel holder, indicated respectively with  150  and  152 , with the objective of removing the film for the welding area and therefore facilitating subsequent operations and helping the detachment of the welding. 
     The supports  151  and  153  of the rebound rollers  150  and  152  must be folded towards the support  159  of the reel holder, reducing encumbrance when the machine is not in use. 
     Through the use of additional feet  154 , the reel holder can also work in a jolting manner, allowing for the machine to be used even on relatively small surfaces. 
     From the description provided above the features are clear of the procedure and device for the covering of editorial items, which are the subject of the present invention, just as the advantages are. 
     In particular, they are represented by: 
     reduced material waste 
     a remarkable accuracy in work and consequent high quality of the article covered; 
     the possibility of obtaining a cover which is permanent and not easily removable for greater protection of the book 
     a rapid and easy covering procedure, at extremely contained prices; 
     the possibility of covering books of various dimensions using the same reel 
     the possibility of using machines that are already available on the market and to automate the procedure itself. 
     Finally, it is clear that numerous variants can be made to the procedure and device for the covering of editorial items, which are the subject of the present invention, without leaving behind the principles of novelty based within this inventive idea. 
     In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, the forms and the dimensions of the details illustrated may be any at all according to the requirements and they may be replaced with others that are technically equivalent.