Method and apparatus for preparing and assembling communications for mass distribution

Abstract

Abstract This disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for assembling informational material or data for mass distribution from continuous sheets of web material. This is attained by forming a laminate of compatible sheets from two or more continuous strips of web material to define the information unit readied for mailing of distribution. The continuous strip depending on the article formed, are pattern printed with suitable adhesive and perforated in a predetermined manner to define compatible continuous sheets. The respective compatible sheets are the imprinted with the desired information or date, be it variable or uniform, prior to the lamination or bonding of the compatible sheets. After printing the respective sheets are subsequently collated and bonded together in accordance with the pressure sensitive pattern printed thereon. The continuous web thus bonded are then severed or cut into individual informational units to be distrubted in accordance with the perforated pattern. An apparatus for effecting high speed collation and bonding of the compatible sheets of continuous web comprises a machine having an input section and an output section. The respective sheets of continuous web material are simultaneously fed it not he input section of the machine where the sheets are collated and conveyed at very high speeds are collated and conveyed at very high speeds to the output section by an endless conveyor. In the output section the collated sheets are passed between pressure rollers for bonding to form a continuous laminated structure of connected readily separable units. A heater section is interposed between the input and output section to condition the adhesive pattern of the compatible sheets by heat to facilitate the bonding. The heater section includes a pair of complementary heater platens, hingedly connected to pivot between operative inoperative positions. The arrangement is such that the heater platens will pivot to an inoperative position whenever the machine is stopped for any reason. Upon passage of the collated sheets through the pressure rollers the laminated sheets are cooled by passing over a cooling medium, and secondary bonding pressure is applied by passing the cooled laminated sheets through a second set of pressure rollers.

Inventors

• 👤 J Batchelder
• 👤 A Griswold

Bibliographic Details