Patent Publication Number: US-11648794-B2

Title: Bending system, engrave system and value document manufacturing device

Description:
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/891,958, titled “Bending System, Engrave System and Value Document Manufacturing Device,” filed Jun. 3, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,104,176, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 19179439.5, titled “Bending System, Engrave System and Value Document Manufacturing Device,” filed Jun. 11, 2019, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to manufacturing of value documents, like passports and other value documents, and more specifically to a bending system, an engraving system and a value document manufacturing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recently, there are high efforts on tampering value documents, like passports and other value documents. Therefore, there is a growing demand for safer value documents, i.e. value documents which are tamper-proof. However, it is challenging to manufacture such tamper-proof passports and other value documents. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a bending system, an engraving system and a value document manufacturing device suitable for manufacturing such tamper-proof passports and other value documents. 
     SUMMARY 
     This object is accomplished by a bending system, an engraving unit and a value document manufacturing device according to the present disclosure. 
     More specifically, a bending system for separating a page from a cover of a value document is provided. The page is connected to a spine of the cover. The spine separates the cover in a first cover portion and a second cover portion. An angle γ is formed between the first cover portion and the second cover portion. The bending system comprises a bending unit connected to a motor. The motor is configured to operate the bending unit such that the bending unit bends the value document to a first state where γ is larger than 180° and then backwards to a second state where γ is at least 180° to separate the page from the cover of the value document. 
     The value document may be a passport or any other value document. The page may be a first page, such as a data page, and a second page following the first page and being connected to the spine may be, for example, a visa page. The motor may be an electric motor. The bending unit may have a two-piece design, i.e. the bending unit may comprise a first and a second plate pivotably connected to each other. In example embodiments, in the first state, γ is larger than 180° and smaller than 270°, and in further example embodiments, γ is larger than 220° and smaller than 250°. In example embodiments, in the second state, γ is 180°. The angle α is defined between a front side of the first page and a front side of the second page. The spine of the value document may be formed in the middle of the cover such that the two cover portions have substantially a same size or length. A backside of the first page and/or a backside of the second page may be in contact with an inside of the cover when the value document is in a closed state. The value document may also be referred to as a book or booklet. 
     The motor may be configured to move the bending unit away from the value document after the value document reaches the second state. The bending unit may be moved vertically upwards to separate from the value document. 
     The bending system may be configured to move a separating device between the (first) page and the cover after or when the value document reaches the second state, i.e. when the first page and the cover are separated from each other. The separating device may be a wedge or a plate. For moving and/or activation of the movement of the separating device, the bending system may comprise solenoids. 
     The bending system may comprise a separation sensor. The separation sensor may be configured to determine if the value document is in the second state. The separation sensor may be configured to output a signal to the separating device, more specifically to a controller provided for the separating device, such that moving and/or activation of the movement of the separating device is caused when the value document is in the second state, i.e. when the (first) page and the cover are separated from each other. 
     The bending system may comprise a lever pivotably connecting the bending unit to the motor. The lever may be provided for transmitting a force from the motor to the bending unit to operate the bending unit. The lever may be fixed to an output shaft of the motor and pivotably connected to the bending unit. 
     The bending system may comprise at least one position sensor, which in at least one example embodiment includes two position sensors, configured to sense, i.e. determine, a position of the motor and/or the bending unit. The at least one position sensor may be configured to output a signal to the separating device, more specifically to a controller provided for the separating device, such that moving and/or activation of the movement of the separating device is caused when the value document is in the second state, i.e. when the (first) page and the cover are separated from each other, determined based on a position of the motor and/or the bending unit. 
     The bending unit may comprise at least one ceramic element provided for contacting the (first) page (and/or the second page) during separation thereof from the cover. The ceramic element may be a ball or a wheel wherein at least a surface thereof comprises ceramic or is preferably made from ceramic. The at least one ceramic element may be rotatably supported at the bending unit. The ceramic element may be part of a ceramic ball strip. A ceramic ball strip may comprise a plurality of ceramic elements, e.g. three or four ceramic elements, arranged in a row. The least one ceramic element is provided for avoiding scratches in a surface layer of the pages of the value document during bending of the value document. 
     The bending system may further comprise a pivoting plate for positioning of the cover during separating the (first) page from the cover. The pivoting plate may be pivotably supported at a frame of the bending system. The bending system may further comprise a guidance plate for clamping the cover (and/or the second page) of the value document at least in the second state. The guidance plate may be activated by a solenoid. The activation of the guidance plate may be based on an output of the at least one position sensor and/or the separation sensor. 
     Furthermore, an engraving system comprising a support plate and an engraving unit is provided. The engraving unit is configured to engrave both a front side and a backside of at least one page of a value document. The value document may have the same configuration as the value document described above. The engraving unit comprises a page flip mechanism, a carrier and an engraver. The page flip mechanism is provided for turning the at least one page from the front side to the backside thereof and vice versa. The carrier is provided for supporting the value document. The engraver, which in an example embodiment is a laser engraver, is configured to engrave the at least one page of the value document. The page flip mechanism and the carrier are arranged to be moveable with respect to, i.e. relative to, the support plate. That is, both, the carrier and the page flip mechanism, can be moved relative to the support plate. The support plate may comprise rails or tracks for movement of the page flip mechanism and the carrier. The carrier is arranged to be moveable with respect to, i.e. relative to, the page flip mechanism. Therefore, it is possible, that a position of the engraver for engraving both the front side and the backside of the at least one page remains unchanged. Engraving may comprise providing a lenticular screen on the at least one page. A position of the support plate and a position of the engraver may be fixed in space. For movement of the flip mechanism and the carrier relative to each other and relative to the support plate, one or more motors may be provided. The engraving system may further comprise a camera for aligning data to be engraved on the at least one page. 
     The carrier may further comprise a shaft. The shaft may be a spindle. The carrier may be arranged to be moveable along the shaft with respect to, i.e. relative to, the page flip mechanism. 
     The engraving unit may comprise at least one separating device, which in at least one example embodiment includes two separating devices, for separating a cover and the at least one page of the value document. That is, the at least one separating device ensures separation of the at least one page of the value document from the rest of the value document during laser engraving thereof. 
     Furthermore, a value document manufacturing device comprising the above described bending system and the above described engraving system is provided. In the manufacturing device, the bending system may be provided before the engraving system with respect to manufacturing steps of the value document. The value document manufacturing device may further comprise an input stacker. The input stacker may be an automated input stacker. The input stacker may be configured to be openable by an operator such that the operator can open the value document at a predetermined position and place the opened value document in the stacker. The stacker can be configured to hold up to 30 value documents. The system may be equipped with an inkjet printer, e.g. a full colour inkjet engine, configured to print data on a first page. A camera may be provided at the laser engraver for reading a position of pre-printed headers to align the data. After printing, UV light may be provided by a UV-light emission unit for drying ink output by the printer. A value document identification unit may be provided configured to identify the value document by reading a barcode with a camera from an outside of the cover of the value document. Alternatively or additionally, the value document identification unit may be configured to identify the value document by reading information from a chip provided on or at the value document. The value document manufacturing device can be equipped with at least one encoding unit for contactless chip encoding. The encoding unit may use an open interface allowing a value document manufacturer to use his own encoding software. The encoding unit may be configured to check functionality of the chip before programming thereof. Value documents with defective chips may be returned or output unprocessed. The value document manufacturing device may further comprise at least one camera configured to check applied visual data and features and/or a chip reader configured to check electronic data to determine whether the information is applied correctly to the value document. Rejects may be sent to a reject bin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate generally, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    depicts schematically a passport in an intermediate state. 
         FIG.  2    depicts schematically a bending system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3   a    depicts schematically a first step of turning a page of the passport shown in  FIG.  1    with the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3   b    depicts schematically a second step of turning the page of the passport shown in  FIG.  1    with the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3   c    depicts schematically a third step of turning the page of the passport shown in  FIG.  1    with the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3   d    depicts schematically a fourth step of turning the page of the passport shown in  FIG.  1    with the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3   e    depicts schematically a fifth step of turning the page of the passport shown in  FIG.  1    with the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  3   f    depicts schematically a sixth step of turning the page of the passport shown in  FIG.  1    with the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4   a    depicts schematically a laser engraving unit according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4   b    depicts schematically the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4   a    and the passport of  FIG.  1    arriving from the bending system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5   a    depicts schematically a first step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
         FIG.  5   b    depicts schematically a second step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
         FIG.  5   c    depicts schematically a third step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
         FIG.  5   d    depicts schematically a first part of a fourth step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
         FIG.  5   e    depicts schematically a second part of the fourth step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
         FIG.  5   f    depicts schematically a fifth step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
         FIG.  5   g    depicts schematically a sixth step of laser engraving with the laser engraving unit of  FIG.  4     a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG.  1   , a value document, in this embodiment a passport  1 , is shown schematically in an intermediate state for explaining a setup thereof. 
     The passport  1  comprises a cover  11  and two pages  12 ,  13  connected to a spine  15  of the cover  11 . The spine  15  is provided in the middle of the cover  11  and separates the cover  11  in two portions, i.e. a first portion  14  and a second portion  16 . In the intermediate state as shown in  FIG.  1   , the cover  11  is open. That is, an angle γ formed between the first and the second portions  14 ,  16  of the cover  11  is 180°. The cover  11  comprises an inside  111  and an outside  112 . The first page  12  comprises a frontside  121  and a backside  122 . The second page  13  comprises a frontside  131  and a backside  132 . In the intermediate state, an angle α between the frontside  121  of the first page  12  and frontside  131  of the second page  13  is between 0° and 180°, i.e. 0°&lt;α&lt;180°. Furthermore, an angle ε is formed between the first page  12  and the cover  11 . More specifically, the angle ε is formed between the first page  12  and the first portion  14  of the cover  11 . 
     In a closed state of the cover  11 , the frontside  121  of the first page  12  and the frontside  131  of the second page  13  are in contact with each other, i.e. α, γ and ε are substantially 0°. In the closed state of the cover  11 , the backside  122  of the first page  12  and the backside  132  of the second page  13  are in contact with the inside  111  of the cover  11 . More specifically, in the closed state, the backside  122  of the first page  12  is in contact with a first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  and the backside  132  of the second page  13  is in contact with a second portion  114  of the inside  111  of the cover  11 . The first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  corresponds to the first portion  14  of the cover  11 . The second portion  114  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  corresponds to the second portion  16  of the cover  11 . The spine  15  is formed in the middle of the cover  11  such that the resulting two cover portions  14 ,  16  have substantially a same size and/or length. 
     In  FIG.  2   , a bending system  2  is shown together with the passport  1  of  FIG.  1    in a perspective view. The bending system  2  is configured to bend the passport  1  such that the first page  12  of the passport  1  separates from the first portion  14  of the cover  11 , i.e. from the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  of the passport  1 . The bending system  2  is further configured to insert a separating device  28  between the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  and the first page  12 , after bending the passport  1 . 
     More specifically, the bending system  2  comprises a motor  21 , a bending unit  22 , a lever  23 , two position sensors  24   a ,  24   b , a separation sensor  25 , a frame  26 , a pivoting plate  27 , the separating device  28 , and a guidance plate  29 . 
     The motor  21  is configured to move the bending unit  22  via the lever  23 . The lever  23  is pivotably connected to the bending unit  22  and is connected to an output shaft of the motor  21 . 
     The bending unit  22  is configured to bend the passport  1  by being moved from the motor  21  via the lever  23  and comprises two plates  221 ,  222 , wherein each plate  221 ,  222  comprises a ceramic ball strip  223 ,  224 , respectively. The ceramic ball strips  223 ,  224  are provided for contacting the pages  12 ,  13  of the passport  1  during separation of the first page  12  from the cover  11 . The ceramic ball strips  223 ,  224  are provided at one end of the first plate  221  and of the second plate  222 , respectively. The ceramic ball strips  223 ,  244  include at least two ceramic elements, e.g. a ball and/or a wheel comprising at least on its outer surface a ceramic layer, wherein the at least two ceramic elements are preferably arranged in a row. 
     The position sensors  24   a ,  24   b  are configured to sense a position of the motor  21  and/or the bending unit  22 . In an example embodiment, the position sensors  24   a ,  24   b  are additionally or alternatively configured to sense a position of the lever  23 . The position sensors  24   a ,  24   b  are configured to output information corresponding to the sensed position(s) to a control unit configured to control operation of the bending system  2  based on the received information from the position sensors  24   a ,  24   b.    
     The separation sensor  25  is configured to detect if the separation is completed, i.e. if the separating device  28  is inserted between the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  and the first page  12  after separation thereof. The separation sensor  25  is also configured to output information corresponding to the separation to the above described control unit configured to control operation of the bending system  2  based on the received information from the separation sensor  25 . In the present embodiment, the separating device  28  is a wedge. The frame  26  comprises solenoids for movement of the separation device  28 . The pivoting plate  27  is provided for positioning of the cover  11  of the passport  1 . 
     In the following, separation of the cover  11  and the first page  12  of the passport  1  shown in  FIG.  1    by operation of the bending system  2  shown in  FIG.  2    is explained in detail with respect to  FIGS.  3   a    to  3   f.    
     As can be gathered from  FIG.  3   a   , in operation of the bending system  2 , the passport  1  is transported in a first step underneath the bending unit  22  in a V-shape. That is, the cover  11  of the passport  1  is opened to an angle larger than 0° and smaller than 180°. More specifically, the angles α and γ are substantially the same since the angle ε is substantially zero, and the angles α and γ are larger than 0° and smaller than 180°. The bending unit  22  is in an initial state located between the first and the second pages  12 ,  13  wherein the first and the second plates  221 ,  222  of the bending unit  22  are also in a V-shape. More specifically, the angle α between the frontside  121  of the first page  12  and the frontside  131  of the second page  13  is larger than 0° and smaller than 180°. An angle β between the first and the second plates  221 ,  222  of the bending unit  22  is substantially the same as the angle α such that the first plate  221  is arranged substantially near or in parallel to the first page  12  and the second plate  222  is arranged substantially near or in parallel to the second page  13 . The backsides  122 ,  132  of the first and the second pages  12 ,  13  are in contact with the first portion  113  and the second portion  114  of the inside  111  of the cover  11 , respectively. 
     As can be gathered from  FIG.  3   b    and especially from the arrows shown therein, in a second step, when the passport  1  is underneath the bending unit  22 , the bending unit  22  is activated by the motor  21  (see  FIG.  2   ) via the lever  23  such that ceramic ball strips  223  and  224  come into contact with the front sides  121 ,  131  of the first and the second pages  12 ,  13  of the passport  1 , respectively. Then, the passport  1  is bent to a state in which the angle α between the frontside  121  of the first page  12  and the frontside  131  of the second page  12 ,  13  is larger than 180°. More specifically, also here, the angles α and γ are substantially the same since the angle δ is substantially zero, and the angles α and γ are both larger than 180°. The backsides  122 ,  133  of the first and the second pages  12 ,  13  are still in contact with the first portion  113  and the second portion  114  of the inside  111  of the cover  11 , respectively. More specifically, the first ceramic ball strip  223  is in contact with the frontside  121  of the first page  12  to press the backside  112  of the cover  11  onto the pivoting plate  27 . The second ceramic ball strip  224  is in contact with the front side  131  of the second page  13  and pushes the second page  13  together with the second portion  114  of the cover  11  downwards such that the angles α and γ exceed 180°. 
     Afterwards, as can be gathered from  FIG.  3   c   , in a third step, the bending unit  22  is operated by the motor  21  (see  FIG.  2   ) via the lever  23  such that it bends the cover  11  of the passport  1  back until the cover  11  is in the open state, i.e. the bending unit  22  stops when the cover  11  is completely flat (horizontal). In the open state, the angles α and γ are substantially 180°. The angle δ is still 0°. Then, as indicated by the arrow shown in  FIG.  3   c   , the guidance plate  29  on a front of the bending system  2  is activated by a solenoid to clamp the cover  11 , wherein the first page  12  and/or the second page  13  is/are not clamped because it/they is/are a bit shorter than the cover  11 . The ceramic ball strips  223 ,  224  are still in contact with the front side  121 ,  131  of the first and second pages  12 ,  13 , respectively. 
     Then, in a fourth step, the bending unit  22 , e.g. the first and the second ceramic ball strips  223 ,  224  of the first and the second plates  222 ,  224 , is operated by the motor  21  (see  FIG.  2   ) via the lever  23  to move away from the cover  11 , as can be gathered from  FIG.  3   d    and especially from the arrows shown therein. Since the cover  11  is still clamped by the guidance plate  29  at least the first page  12  will now separate from the cover  11 . More specifically, since the cover  11  is still clamped but the first ceramic ball strips  223  of the bending unit  22  are no longer in contact with the frontside  121  of the first page  12 , the first page  12  can separate from the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11 . In the resulting separated state, the angle α is smaller than 180°. The angle δ is larger than 0°. The angle γ is still 180°. A sum of the angles α and ε is (substantially) the angle γ. Preferably, the guidance plate  29  is configured to clamp the second page  13  together with the cover  11 . 
     Afterwards, as shown in  FIG.  3   e   , during a fifth step, the separating device  28  is inserted between the backside  122  of the first page  12  and the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11  to secure a separated position between the first page  12  and the cover  11 . The guidance plate  29  still clamps the cover  11 , and in some example embodiments also the second page  13 . Here, the separating device  28  is a wedge having an angle smaller than the angle δ to be insertable between the cover  11  and the first page  12 . 
     Afterwards, as shown in  FIG.  3   f    and especially by the arrows shown therein, when the separating device  28  is inserted between the backside  122  of the first page  12  and the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11 , the bending unit  22  moves down during a sixth step. Therefore, the first and the second ceramic ball strips  223 ,  224  come again in contact with the frontsides  121 ,  131  of the first and the second pages  12 ,  13 , respectively. 
     The passport  1  is now ready for transport towards a laser engraving unit  4 . 
     The laser engraving unit  4  will now be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS.  4   a  and  4   b   .  FIG.  4   a    depicts schematically a laser engraving system  5  comprising a support plate  50  and the laser engraving unit  4 . Also,  FIG.  4   b    depicts schematically the laser engraving unit  4  but also the passport  1  arriving from the bending system  2 . 
     The laser engraving unit  4  comprises a page flip mechanism  41 , a carrier  42 , and two separating devices  43   a  and  43   b , as well as a laser engraver  44  (see  FIGS.  5   c  and  5   f   ). The page flip mechanism  41 , the carrier  42 , and the two separating devices  43   a  and  43   b  hold the passport  1  during operation of the laser engraving unit  4  and therefore form a passport holding device  41 ,  42 ,  43   a ,  43   b . The laser engraver  44  is configured to (laser) engrave at least one page  12 ,  13  of the passport  1 . The carrier  42  comprises a shaft  421 . The carrier  42  is moveable along the shaft  421  relative to the page flip mechanism  41  during operation of the engraving unit  4 . That is, during operation of the engraving unit  4 , a position of the carrier  42  relative to the flip mechanism  41  changes. 
     Furthermore, the carrier  42  is supported on the support plate  50  such that it is moveable with respect to, i.e. relative to, the support plate  50 . A position of the support plate  50  and of the laser engraver  44  is fixed in space. Thus, during operation of the engraving unit  4 , the page flip mechanism  41 , the carrier  42 , and the two separating devices  43   a  and  43   b  are moved together with the passport  1  relative to a position of the laser engraver  44  and the support plate  50  such that the front  121  and the backside  122  of the first page  12  of the passport  1  can be laser engraved without changing the position of the laser engraver  44 . 
     Thus, a position of the laser engraver  44  remains the same wherein the rest  41 ,  42 ,  43  of the engraving unit  4  is moved on the support plate  50  during laser engraving of the frontside  121  and the backside  122  of the first page  12  of the passport  1 . The first separating device  43   a  is provided for being inserted between the first page  12  and the cover  11  of the passport  1 , and the second separating device  43   b  is provided for being inserted between the first page  12  and the second page  13  of the passport  1  during operation of the engraving unit  4 . 
     The operation of the laser engraving unit  4  will now be explained in detail, inter alia, with reference to  FIGS.  5   a   - 5   g.    
     In a first step, shown in  FIG.  5   a   , the passport  1  is arrived from the bending system  2  at the engraving unit  4 , wherein the first page  12  is separated from the cover  11 . When the passport  1  is arrived at the carrier  42  of the engraving unit  4 , the flip mechanism  41  and the first separating device  43   a  are provided between the first page  12  and the cover  11  of the passport  1  and the second separating device  43   b  is provided above the second page  13  of the passport  1 . 
     In a second step, shown in  FIG.  5   b   , a tilting operation is carried out. During the tilting operation, the page flip mechanism  41  is moved relative to the carrier  42  via the shaft  421  such that the first page  12  is turned from its front page  121  facing the laser engraver  44  in an initial state to its backside  122 . At the same time the page flip mechanism  41 , the carrier  42 , and the two separating devices  43   a  and  43   b  are moved (together with the passport  1 ) relative to the laser engraver  44  such that, after the first page  12  is turned, the backside  122  of the first page  12  faces the laser engraver  44 . That is, before turning the first page  12 , the frontside  121  thereof faces the laser engraver  44 , i.e. is positioned substantially perpendicular below the laser engraver  44 . After turning the first page  12 , the backside  122  thereof faces the laser engraver  44 , i.e. is positioned substantially perpendicular below the laser engraver  44 . Therefore, the position of the laser engraver  44  remains unchanged. 
     Then, as shown in  FIG.  5   c   , the laser engraver  44  engraves the backside  122  of the first page  12  in a third step. During laser engraving in the third step, the flip mechanism  41  pushes the backside  122  of the first page  12  towards the second separating device  43   b  being arranged between the frontside  121  of the first page  12  and the cover  11 . Therefore, the position of the first page  12  with respect to the laser engraver  44  remains unchanged during laser engraving thereof. 
     Afterwards, a tilting back operation is carried out as shown throughout  FIGS.  5   d  and  5   e    in a fourth step. As can be gathered from  FIG.  5   e   , the first portion  14 , i.e. the first portion  113  of the inside  111  of the cover  11 , is in contact with the first separating device  43   a . During the tilting back operation, the page flip mechanism  41  is moved in a reverse direction relative to the carrier  42  via the shaft  421  such that the first page  12  is turned from its back page  122  facing the laser engraver  44  during laser engraving in the third step to its frontside  121 . At the same time, the flip mechanism  41 , the carrier  42 , and the two separating devices  43   a  and  43   b  are moved (together with the passport  1 ) relative to the laser engraver  44  such that, after the first page  12  is turned, the frontside  121  of the first page  12  faces the laser engraver  44 . That is, before carrying out the tilting back operation of the first page  12 , the backside  122  thereof faces the laser engraver  44 , i.e. is positioned substantially perpendicular below the laser engraver  44 . After turning the first page  12  back, the frontside  121  thereof faces the laser engraver  44 , i.e. is positioned substantially perpendicular below the laser engraver  44 . Therefore, also here, the position of the laser engraver  44  remains unchanged. 
     Then, as shown in  FIG.  5   f   , the laser engraver  44  engraves the frontside  121  of the first page  12  in a fifth step. During laser engraving in the fifth step, the page flip mechanism  41  pushes the first page  12  towards the first separating device  43   a  being arranged between the backside  122  of the first page  12  and the cover  11 . Therefore, also here, the position of the first page  12  with respect to the laser engraver  44  remains unchanged during laser engraving thereof. 
     Afterwards, as shown in  FIG.  5   g   , the passport  1  is output from the engraving unit  4  in a sixth step. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference signs list 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 passport 
               
               
                 11 
                 cover 
               
               
                 111 
                 inside of cover 
               
               
                 112 
                 outside of cover 
               
               
                 113 
                 first portion of inside of cover 
               
               
                 114 
                 second portion of inside of cover 
               
               
                 12 
                 first page 
               
               
                 121 
                 frontside of first page 
               
               
                 122 
                 backside of first page 
               
               
                 13 
                 second page 
               
               
                 131 
                 frontside of second page 
               
               
                 132 
                 backside of second page 
               
               
                 14 
                 first portion of cover 
               
               
                 15 
                 spine 
               
               
                 16 
                 second portion of cover 
               
               
                 2 
                 bending system 
               
               
                 21 
                 motor 
               
               
                 22 
                 bending unit 
               
               
                 221 
                 first plate of bending unit 
               
               
                 222 
                 second plate of bending unit 
               
               
                 223 
                 first ceramic ball strip 
               
               
                 224 
                 second ceramic ball strip 
               
               
                 23 
                 lever 
               
               
                 24a, 24b 
                 position sensor 
               
               
                 25 
                 separation sensor 
               
               
                 26 
                 frame 
               
               
                 27 
                 pivoting plate 
               
               
                 28 
                 separating device 
               
               
                 29 
                 guidance plate 
               
               
                 4 
                 laser engraving unit 
               
               
                 41 
                 page flip mechanism 
               
               
                 42 
                 carrier 
               
               
                 421 
                 shaft 
               
               
                 43a, 43b 
                 separating device 
               
               
                 α 
                 angle between first and second pages 
               
               
                 β 
                 angle between first and second plate of bending unit 
               
               
                 γ 
                 angle between first and second portion of cover 
               
               
                 ε 
                 angle between first portion of cover and first page