FOLDING APPARATUS

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for use in wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate comprises: a body (40); a support (41) for an item (24) with a laminate adjacent (26) a face the item and a flap (56, 57) of laminate extending beyond an edge of the face; and a folding member (46, 48) mounted on the body and being pivotable around an axis (61), the member defining a surface for engaging the flap of laminate. The support (41) positions the item (24) such that the edge (62, 63) of the face lies on the pivot axis (61), whereby pivoting of the folding member (46, 48) folds the laminate flap around the pivot axis and around the edge.

Description: FOLDING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a folding apparatus and to a folding method, and in particular to apparatus for use in wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate, and to a method of wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Enclosures formed from tamper respondent laminates are utilised to secure items against unauthorised access. Examples of such enclosures and laminates are described in GB-A-2220513, GB-A-2245738 , GB-A-2256956 , GB-A-2258075 , GB- A-2256958, GB-A-2256957 , GB-A-2270785 , GB-A-2275914 and GB- A-2292709. The laminates are generally initially provided in the form of planar sheets which are then folded to define an enclosure to contain an item to be protected, such as a device having a memory containing sensitive information. The laminates often include fragile lines of conductive material which form part of a detection circuit; if an unauthorised attempt is made to open the enclosure the lines are broken and the resulting change in the electrical characteristics of the circuit is detected. On detection of the attempt to gain entry to the enclosure an alarm may be activated and the memory of the enclosed device erased. Accordingly, the laminate must be folded with great care if the lines are not to be damaged during the folding operation. Further, the laminate may be self- adhesive and to form a secure enclosure it is important that the laminate is adhered to the item, or an inner enclosure, over the outer surface of the item without the creation of creases and air bubbles. It may be possible to fold the laminate around the item without the use of tools or apparatus. However, this would require considerable manual skill and dexterity, and would be time consuming. Numerous proposals have been made for automated wrapping machines. GB-A-2 , 138 , 382 (Molins pic (United Kingdom) ) describes a method and apparatus for packing batches of cigarettes . The apparatus includes U- shaped foil wrappers where folding flaps fold over two sides of a foil wrapper. The axes of rotation of the folding flaps are spaced from the fold axes of the foil, such that there will be relative sliding movement between the folding flaps and the foil, and it is unlikely that the foil will follow the profile of the corners of the cigarette bundle precisely, that it is likely that air gaps will occur between the bundle and the foil wrapper. Similar comments apply to the wrapping and folding apparatus as described in GB-A-654,748 (Leigh) and US-A- 4,744,197 (Manville Corp). It is among the objectives of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for folding tamper respondent laminates which avoids the difficulties mentioned above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate, the apparatus comprising: a body; a support for an item having a tamper respondent laminate adjacent at least one face thereof and a flap of laminate extending beyond an edge of the face; and a folding member mounted on the body and being pivotable around an axis, the member defining a surface for engaging the flap of laminate, the support positioning the item such that the edge of the face lies on said pivot axis, whereby pivoting of the folding member folds the laminate flap around the pivot axis and around the edge. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate, the method comprising the steps: placing a face of an item against an inner face of a tamper respondent laminate such that a flap of laminate extends beyond an edge of the face; supporting the item and laminate such that said edge lies on the pivot axis of a folding member having a surface for engaging an outer face of the laminate flap; and pivoting the folding member to fold the flap around the pivot axis and around the edge . The present invention ensures that the laminate is folded precisely around the edge, minimising the possibility of damaging the laminate by, for example, relative movement between the laminate and the surface of the folding member. An adhesive coating may be provided between the laminate and the item. Most conveniently, the coating is applied to the laminate. The adhesive may be provided only at selected locations or may extend over the entire area of the laminate . Preferably, a plurality of folding members are provided, for use in folding flaps of laminate around different edges of an item on the support. In some cases a first folding member may provide mounting for a second folding member, to facilitate folding a flap around first and second edges of an item; the first folding member is pivoted to fold the flap around the first edge and, once pivoted, locates the second folding member to align the pivot axis of the second folding member with the second edge . The folding member may be manually actuated or may be powered, for example by hydraulic or pneumatic means. The item may be initially located relative to the laminate by an appropriate guidance system, which may include a sliding or pivoting locating member for locating the item relative to a fixed datum member. Preferably the folding member is retractable from a position adjacent the support, to facilitate location of the item on the support . The apparatus may comprise one or more support members and one or more folding members to achieve the complete wrapping of an item. In a preferred embodiment, in which a cuboid or wedge-shaped item is to be wrapped in a laminate, two support members may be provided, each support member being provided in combination with four folding members . Preferably, the laminate is initially substantially planar . Preferably also, the support includes means for applying a moving pressure force to the item, to facilitate elimination of air bubbles between the laminate and the face of the item. In a preferred embodiment, said means is in form of an inflatable element in the support which, as it is filled with fluid, creates a force moving outwards from the centre of the support. In other embodiments, a member may move across the support below a flexible or resilient surface member. In a preferred wrapping operation the item is placed on the laminate and the laminate then folded to encircle the side faces and upper face of the item. The laminate is then folded to enclose the end faces of the item. In a most preferred wrapping operation, a lower face of the item is place on the laminate, the position of the item and laminate being determined by an appropriate support, typically a surface on which the laminate rests. Side flaps of laminate are then folded around opposite side faces of the item using a first pair of folding members. A second pair of folding members may be mounted on said first pair and are used to fold the side flaps onto an upper face of the item. The item and laminate are then moved to a second support . One folding member of a third pair of folding members is used to fold a flap, formed by the laminate extending beyond the edge of the upper face of the item, onto the end face of the item. A fourth pair of folding members are then used to fold flaps, formed by the laminate extending beyond the edges of the side faces of the item, onto the end face of the item. Finally, the other folding member of the third pair of folding members is used to fold a flap, formed by the laminate extending beyond the edge of the lower face of the item, onto the end face. Prior to using the first folding member of the third pair, pusher members may be utilised to push the flaps formed by the laminate extending beyond the edges of the side faces of the item inwardly of the edges, such that portions of each flap are folded over the edge of the upper face of the item on operation of the first folding member of the first pair. The orientation of the item may then be reversed, and the height of the support adjusted to accommodate the thickness of laminate on the enclosed end of the item, to allow the other end of the item to be enclosed. When folding the laminate to enclose the end faces of the item, the item and laminate are preferably located within a locating recess or nest defined by the body and which encircles the item, with folding members located around the nest. To facilitate location of the item and laminate in the nest, the faces of the nest may be defined by relatively movable portions of the body. One portion of the body may be fixed to define a reference surface. The terms upper, lower, side and end have been used herein to facilitate understanding of the invention. However, those of skill in the art will recognise that the terms are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but merely to illustrate the sequence of steps involved in the folding operation. Of course the folding operation of the invention may be carried out on items of various shapes and configurations, in any convenient orientation and the folding steps may first cover an "end" of the item rather than an "upper", "lower" or "side" face of the item. These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of first folding apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a support surface and folding anvils of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the support surface and folding anvils of Figure 3 ; Figures 5 and 6 are end views of the support surface and folding anvils of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a plan view of a second folding apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invent ion ; Figure 8 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 7 ; Figure 9 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 7 ; Figure 10 is an enlarged front view of a folding anvil of the apparatus of Figure 7; Figure 11 is an end view of the folding anvil of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a plan view of a further folding anvil of the apparatus of Figure 7 ; Figure 13 is an end view of the folding anvil of Figure 14 ; and Figure 14 is a sectional view of Figure 10; Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings illustrate a first folding apparatus 20 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, and Figures 7 to 14 of the drawings illustrate a second folding apparatus 22 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to be used in conjunction with the first apparatus 20. The illustrated apparatus 20, 22 is used to facilitate wrapping of a cuboid item 24 with a self- adhesive initially planar tamper respondent laminate 26, as will be described. The first apparatus 20 is used to wrap the laminate 26 around the lower, side and upper faces 28, 30, 32, 34 of the item, and the second apparatus is then used in the folding of the laminate 26 over the end faces 36, 38 of the item, such that the folded laminate encloses the item completely. Reference is now made in particular to Figure 1 of the drawings, which is a plan view of the first apparatus 20. The item 24 and the laminate 26 are initially handled manually, and the apparatus 20 is mounted at a convenient height in the centre of a table 40. The apparatus 20 includes a support member 41 which defines a support surface 42 on which the laminate 26 and item 24 are placed, with the laminate 26 between the support surface 42 and the item lower face 28. The laminate 26 and the item 24 are initially placed on the surface 42 by an operator, with the final positioning being achieved by a pneumatically actuated locating member 44 which advances to engage an end face of the item and presses the opposite end face into contact with a fixed datum or reference surface 45. Folding members or anvils 46, 48, 50, 52, which are initially spaced from the support surface 42, are then advanced to positions adjacent the sides of the surface 42 (as shown in Figure 1) by respective pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangements 54 provided beneath the table, and one of which is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings (it should be noted that Figure 2 illustrates the anvils 46, 50 after the completion of a folding operation) . Reference is now made also to Figures 3 to 6 of the drawings, which illustrate the support member 41 and folding anvils 46, 48, 50, 52 in greater detail (it should be noted that Figures 3 and 4 only show different halves of each of the folding anvils) . The laminate 26 is shown in chain-dotted outline, in unfolded form, in Figure 3, and Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate stages in the wrapping of the laminate 26 around the item 24. It will be seen from Figure 3 that the unfolded laminate extends beyond the edges of the lower face of the item 24 to define side flaps 56, 57. The folding anvils 46, 48, 50, 52 are utilised to fold the flaps 56, 57 around the side faces 30, 32 and the upper face 34, as described below. The first pair of folding anvils 46, 48 extend along the sides of the surface 42 and define laminate engaging surfaces 58, 59 which initially lie in the same plane as the surface. The anvils 46, 48 are mounted to the support member 41 via pivot pins 60 which are located beyond the ends of the surfaces 58, 59 such that the pivot axes 61 may lie along the edges 62, 63 where the item lower face 28 meets the side faces 30, 32. Each one of the second pair of folding anvils 50, 52 is mounted on a respective one of the first pair of folding anvils 46, 48 and is connected thereto by pivot pins 64. The anvils 50, 52 define respective laminate engaging surfaces 66, 67 and the pivot pins 64 are located beyond the ends of the surfaces 66, 67 such that the pivot axes 65 may lie along the edges 68, 69 where the item side faces 30, 32 meet the upper face 34. In use, the laminate 26 and item 24 are placed on this support surface 42 and the locating member 44 activated to move the item into engagement with the reference surface 45. The folding anvils are then moved from their retracted positions to lie adjacent the support member by activation of the respective piston and cylinder arrangements 54. The folding anvil 46 is then pivoted through 90°, to the position as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In doing so, the anvil surface 58 folds the side flap 56 around the edge 62 and into contact with the side face 30. The first folding anvil 50 of the second pair is then pivoted through 90°, the anvil surface 66 folding the remainder of the laminate flap 56 around the item edge 68 to bring the flap 56 into contact with the item upper face 34, as illustrated in Figure 6. As the laminate 26 as self-adhesive, it remains engaged with the faces of the item 24 when the folding anvils 46, 50 are pivoted back the initial position, in which the anvil surfaces 58, 66 lie in the same plane as the support surface 42. This process is repeated for the folding anvils 48, 52, to adhere the other side flap 57 to the side face 32 and the upper face 34, on which the flap 57 overlaps the flap 56. The lower, side and upper faces 28, 30, 32, 34 of the item are now covered with the laminate 26, with only the end faces 36, 38 remaining exposed; as may be seen in Figure 4 of the drawings, short flaps 70 of laminate 26 extend beyond the end faces 36, 38. The partially enclosed item 24 is then moved to the second folding apparatus 22, as illustrated in Figures 7 through 14 of the drawings, and reference is first made to Figures 7, 8 and 9. Like the first folding apparatus 20, the second folding apparatus 22 is part manually operated and therefore includes a table 80 which allows operations to be carried out a convenient height . The centre of the table 80 defines a rectangular aperture 82 to receive the item. The walls of the aperture 82 include a fixed datum or reference surface and a surface formed by a retractable locating member 84, which is pneumatically actuated. A lower support surface 86 for the item is defined by a support member 88, the height of which is adjustable by means of a pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangement 90. Mounted on the table 80 are two pairs of folding anvils which, following on from the description of the first folding apparatus 20, will be referred to as the third and fourth pairs of folding anvils. As with the first apparatus 20, the folding anvils of the second apparatus 22 are retractable and are mounted on pneumatically actuated piston and cylinder arrangements 96 on the surface of the table 80; Figure 7 illustrates the folding anvils in the retracted configuration. Reference will now be made to Figures 10 and 11, which illustrate a first folding anvil 92 of the third pair in greater detail. The folding anvil 92 includes a base 98 and a pivoting portion 100 mounted to the base 98 via pivot pins 102. An insert 104 is fixed to the pivoting portion 100 and defines a folding surface 106. The pivoting portion 100 is generally U-shaped in plan view (see Figure 10) and the legs of the "U" provide mounting for pneumatically actuated pusher members 108, 109. An operator handle 110 is mounted to the portion 100, to facilitate pivoting. The second folding anvil 94 of the third pair, as illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14 of the drawings, is of similar construction to the folding anvil 92, but does not include pusher members . The folding anvils 112, 114 forming the fourth pair each include a pivoting member 116 defining a surface 118, and each also includes a pusher member 120. In use, the partially wrapped item 24 is taken from the first folding apparatus 20 and placed in the aperture 82 in the table 80 of the second folding apparatus 22. The locating member 84, which is initially retracted, is then extended to locate the item 24 securely in the aperture 82. The height of the support surface 86 is adjusted such that the edges of the item between the end face 36 and the lower, side and upper faces 28, 30, 32, 34 lie in the same plane as the pivot axes of the folding anvils 92, 94, 112, 114. Once the item 24 has been located in the aperture 82, the first folding anvil 92 is extended such that the surface 106 contacts the laminate flap 70. The pivoting portion 100 is then rotated through 90° to fold the flap 70 around the adjacent edge and bring the flap 70 into contact with the item end face 36. The pusher members 108, 109 are then extended, to ensure that the flaps of laminate extending beyond the edges of the item side faces 30, 32 do not "bulge" outwardly and thus affect the operation of the folding anvils 112, 114, which are utilised after the folding anvil 92 has been retracted. Operation of the folding anvils 112, 114 folds the laminate flaps extending upwardly of the side faces 30, 32 onto the item end face 36. The folding anvils 112, 114 are then withdrawn and the second folding anvil 94 of the third pair is advanced and utilised to fold the remaining flap, extending beyond the edge of the upper face 34, onto the item end face 36. Once the end face 36 has been enclosed, as described above, the locating member 84 is retracted, such that the operator may remove the item 24 from the aperture 82. The item 24 is then rotated through 180° such that the end face 36 is directed downwardly and the item replaced in the aperture 82, with the height of the support surface 86 being adjusted to accommodate the thicknesses of laminate 26 which are now present between the end face 36 and the support surface 86, to locate the upper end face 38 level with the first axes of the anvils 92, 94, 112, 114. The folding anvils 92, 112, 114, 94 are then utilised as described above to enclose the end face 38; the item 24 is now fully enclosed with the folded laminate 26, and the nature of the folding operation is such that it is unlikely that the laminate 26 will have been damaged. It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above-described embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient and easily operable apparatus 20, 22 which may be used to carry out what would otherwise be a delicate manual operation requiring considerable dexterity and skill. It will also be apparent to those of skill in the art that the above-described embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention, and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for use in wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate, the apparatus comprising: a body; a support for an item with a laminate adjacent at least one face thereof and a flap of laminate extending beyond an edge of the face; and a folding member mounted on the body and being pivotable around an axis, the member defining a surface for engaging the flap of laminate, the support positioning the item such that the edge of the face lies on said pivot axis, whereby pivoting of the folding member folds the laminate flap around the pivot axis and around the edge. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of supports. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of folding members . 4. The apparatus of claim 1, for use in wrapping a cuboid item, wherein the apparatus comprises two support members, each support member being provided in combination with four folding members . 5. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes folding members for folding a planar laminate to encircle side faces of an item, a first pair of folding members being provided to fold side flaps of laminate around opposite side faces of the item, and folding members of a second pair mounted on the respective members of said first pair being provided to fold the side flaps onto an upper face of the item. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus includes folding members for folding a laminate to enclose end faces of an item, a third pair of folding members being provided to fold flaps, formed by laminate extending beyond edges of upper and lower faces of the item, onto the end face of the item, and a fourth pair of folding members being provided to fold flaps, formed by laminate extending beyond edges of side faces of the item, onto the end face of the item. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein pusher members are provided to push flaps formed by laminate extending beyond edges of faces of the item inwardly of the edges. 8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the support height is adjustable relative to the folding member . 9. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the body defines a locating nest for encircling and locating an item, folding members being provided around the nest . 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein faces of the nest are defined by relatively movable portions of the body. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein one of said portions of the body is fixed to define a reference surface . 12. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the folding member is manually operatable. 13. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein means is provided for actuating the folding member. 1 . The apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the folding member is retractable relative to the support. 15. A method of wrapping an item in a tamper respondent laminate, the method comprising the steps: placing a face of an item against an inner face of a tamper respondent laminate such that a flap of laminate extends beyond an edge of the face; supporting the item and laminate such that said edge of the item lies on the pivot axis of a folding member having a surface for engaging an outer face of the laminate f lap ; and pivoting the folding member to fold the flap around the pivot axis and around the edge. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein an adhesive coating is provided between the laminate and the item. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the adhesive coating is applied to the laminate. 18. The method of claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the laminate is initially substantially planar. 19. The method of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein (a) the item is placed on the laminate and the laminate folded to encircle a side face of the item and then (b) the laminate is folded to enclose an end face of the item. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein, in step (a) : a lower face of the item is placed on the laminate; then side flaps of laminate are folded around opposite side faces of the item using a first pair of folding members; and the side flaps are folded onto an upper face of the item using a second pair of folding members . 21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein, in step (b) : a flap, formed by the laminate extending beyond an edge of the upper face of the item, is folded onto an end face of the item using one folding member of a third pair of folding members; flaps, formed by laminate extending beyond edges of the side faces of the item, are folded onto the end face of the item using a fourth pair of folding members; and a flap, formed by the laminate extending beyond an edge of the lower face of the item, is folded onto the end face of the item using the other folding member of the third pair of folding members. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein, prior to using the first folding member of the third pair, the flaps formed by the laminate extending beyond the edges of the side faces of the item are pushed inwardly of the edges, such that portions of each flap are folded over the edge of the upper face of the item on operation of the first folding member of the third pair. 23. The method of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein following enclosing one end face of the item, the orientation of the item on the support is reversed, the height of the support relative to the support members being adjusted to accommodate the thickness of laminate on the enclosed end of the item, and the other end of the item is enclosed. 24. Apparatus for use in wrapping an item in a flexible sheet, the apparatus comprising: a body; a support for an item with a flexible sheet adjacent at least one face thereof and a flap of the sheet extending beyond an edge of the face ; and a folding member mounted on the body and being pivotable around an axis, the member defining a surface for engaging the flap of sheet, the support positioning the item such that the edge of the face lies on said pivot axis, whereby pivoting of the folding member folds the flap of sheet around the pivot axis and around the edge. 25. A method of wrapping an item in a flexible sheet, the method comprising the steps : placing a face of an item against an inner face of a sheet such that a flap of the sheet extends beyond an edge of the face; supporting the item and sheet such that said edge of the item lies on the pivot axis of a folding member having a surface for engaging an outer face of the flap; and pivoting the folding member to fold the flap around the pivot axis and around the edge. 26. Apparatus for use in wrapping an item in a flexible sheet, the apparatus comprising: a body; a support for an item with a planar flexible sheet adjacent at least one face thereof and a flap of the sheet extending beyond an edge of the face; and a folding member partially mounted on the body for folding the sheet to encircle a side face of the item, and a second folding member pivotally mounted on the first folding member for further folding the side flap onto an upper face of the item. 27. A method of wrapping an item in a flexible sheet, the method comprising the steps : placing a face of an item against an inner face of a sheet such that a flap of the sheet extends beyond an edge of the face; pivoting a first folding member having a surface for engaging an outer face of the flap to fold the flap to encircle a side face of the item; and pivoting a second folding member mounted on the first folding member to further fold the flap to enclose an end face of the item.

Inventors: BAYNE ROBERT, BAYNE, ROBERT
Applicants: BAYNE ROBERT, GORE W L & ASS UK, BAYNE, ROBERT, W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES (UK) LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65B49
IPC codes: B65B11, B65B49