WO2010136047A1

WO2010136047A1 - Device and method for placing a card in a sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2010136047A1
Application number: PCT/DK2010/050121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jens August Mellentin
Original assignee: Jens August Mellentin
Priority date: 2009-05-29
Filing date: 2010-05-31
Publication date: 2010-12-02

Abstract

A device for placement of a card in a sheet comprising support means (2) for support of the sheet, cutting means (14a) for providing one or several cuts and/or flaps in the sheet, a card holder (8) for holding a card close to the support means (2), displacement means (15, 16) for displacement of the card towards the cuts in the sheet during which displacement, parts of the card may be pressed through at least one of the cuts in the sheet and actuator means (5) for actuating the cutting means (14a) and the displacement means (15, 16). Further, bending means (20) is provided for bending the flaps up and over the card. As a result, a device is obtained for placement of a stiff card in a sheet. The device does not take up much space and may be placed on a desk.

Description

Title of invention: Device and method for placing a card in a sheet

Object of the invention

The invention relates to a device for placing a card, especially a stiff card, such as credit cards or the like, such as a CD or a DVD, in a sheet.

Background of the invention

WO 91/13019 describes a device for sideways insertion of a card into a sheet, in which a number of cuts have been produced prior to the insertion. A disadvantage of this device is that it takes up relatively much space and thus is not particularly suitable for office use or for integration in a digital/analogue printing/copying machine, such as a desktop publishing printer or a copying machine for office use.

From EP 0 034 568 A1 a device is known in which a napkin is placed under flaps on top of a table mat. The napkin with the corners bend down is displaced vertically down onto the horizontally placed table mat. The table mat has been provided with a flap at each corner of a rectangle and the flaps have been bent upwards before the meeting with the napkin and during the meeting the corners of the napkin are inserted in the holes adjacent to the flaps. After the placement of the napkin on top of the table mat the flaps are released.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for placement of a rela- tively stiff card on a sheet and secure it herein against easy releasement from the sheet.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for placing a card in a sheet or the like, the method comprising

- placing the sheet on a support means,

- activating cutting means for providing one or more cuts in the sheet, at least one cut defining a flap,

- arranging the card on the sheet at least one of the edges of the card being aligned with the one or more flaps, - activating sheet bending means, said sheet bending means acting on the flaps in a region of the sheet adjacent to, but outside of the card contour so as to exert a bending force on the flaps in a direction towards the card, thereby bending the flaps up and over the card, - releasing the sheet bending means so as to bring the one or more flaps in engagement with the card.

Hereby is obtained that the card not only is placed in cuts in the sheet but also may be fastened by one or more flaps at places along the contour so that the card is main- tained in engagement with the sheet until it is manually removed.

According to the invention, the card can be arranged on the sheet by a displacement substantially perpendicular to the sheet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the card may be arranged on the sheet by a sideways displacement of the card towards at least one of the cuts in the sheet whereby the card is relatively easy placed in the cut.

Advantageously parts of the card may, according to the invention, during the displace- ment be pressed through at least one of the cuts in the sheet.

Further, according to the invention, the method may advantageously comprise clamping of the sheet on the support means by activating clamping means after placing the sheet on the support means

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a device for carrying out the method, comprising:

- support means (2) for support of the sheet,

-cutting means for providing one or several cuts in the sheet, at least one cut defining a flap,

-a cardholder (8, 8') for holding a card (1 ) next to the support means,

-displacement means for arranging the card on the sheet at least one of the edges of the card being aligned with the one or more flaps,

-bending means (20) for bending the at least one flap in a direction towards the card, thereby bending the flap up and over the card, and

-actuator means for actuating the cutting means and the displacement means. According to the invention, the card holder can comprise movable members adapted to be activated by the actuator means and the movement of which allow the card to be displaced substantially perpendicular to the sheet, whereby the card can be placed close to the sheet before the securing to the sheet.

Further, according to the invention, at least parts of the movable members can advantageously be matrices cooperating with the cutting means during the cutting of the sheet.

The cutting means may for example be knives of the hole-punching type, i.e. moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. Other examples for cutting means are roller cutters or knives that are configured to cut with a movement in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the sheet.

As a result, a device is obtained for placement of a relatively stiff card in a sheet, the card being secured by means of at least one flap. In addition, the device does not take up much space and may thus be placed on a desk.

The displacement means can, according to the invention, advantageously comprise means for sideways displacement of the card towards the cuts in the sheet.

Further, the displacement means can, according to the invention, be adapted for during the displacement of the card to press parts of the card through at least one of the cuts in the sheet,

According to the invention, the actuator means may comprise a pivotal handle.

Advantageously, said displacement means may comprise at least one pivotal arm to be moved in response to an activation of the pivotal handle for instance activated by means of a cam surface on the pivotal handle

According to the invention, the pivotal handle may be connected via an arm to a first sliding member with at least one oblique surface for activating the cutting means. Hereby the cuts and flaps are provided substantially like holes in a punch. According to the invention, the sliding member may be provided with an additional oblique surface for activating a second sliding member for bending the at least one flap past the displaced card so as to secure the card in its displaced position.

Another embodiment of the device is characterised in that the card holder is manually displaceable.

According to the invention, the cutting means may comprise pawls with knives said pawls are carried of the displaceable card holder.

In a special embodiment, according to the invention, the pawls (22) with the knives (25) are guided in grooves (21 ) connected to the support means (2), the end of the grooves being offset for moving the knives against the sheet during the displacement of the pawls.

The device implementing the method may be a standalone device or part of a larger device such as a copy machine, desktop publishing equipment, digital printers, e.g. for office use, or a larger publishing/printing/copying system.

The device may comprise a card feeder for keeping a plurality of cards for one-by-one retrieval.

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a device for sideways insertion of a card into a sheet,

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4 shows an illustration of the displacement of the card in the sheet,

Fig. 5 shows the device after the displacement and insertion of the card,

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a device for sideways insertion of a card into a sheet, Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of the device shown in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 shows the device illustrated in Fig. 6 after the placement of a card in the card holder,

Fig. 9 shows an illustration of the sideways movement of the card holder together with the card,

Fig. 10 shows a bottom view of the device in Fig. 9

Fig. 1 1 shows an illustration of the cuts in the sheet and the following insertion of the card into the cuts,

Fig. 12-18 show different embodiments of the placement of a card in a sheet, illustrat- ing examples for different cuts in the sheet,

Fig. 19 shows schematically the placement of a card between flaps that are cut and upwardly bent by cutting means,

Fig. 20 shows a detail according to one embodiment of a device with cutting means and flap bending means,

Fig. 21 shows an arrangement of a plurality of cutting means and flap bending means in a common support,

Fig. 22 shows an arrangement of four cutting means with integrated flap bending means,

Fig. 23 shows a further arrangement of four cutting means with integrated flap bending means,

Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of an upper part of another embodiment of the device shown in fig. 1 -6 ,

Fig. 25 shows sectional view of the device in fig. 24 with matrices supporting a card, and Fig. 26 shows the device shown in fig. 25 after a displacement of the matrices.

The device illustrated in Fig. 1 -3 for placement of a card 1 or the like in a sheet comprises a basis part in form of a housing 2 the top side of which is forming a support means for sheet. At the rear part of the housing 2, there is a number of protruding consols 3, each being provided with an opening 3a at the level of the top of the housing an axle 4 is placed through the openings 3a of the consols 3 and is extending in a transversely direction of the housing 2.

An overlapping part 7 and a cover shaped handle 5 are pivotal mounted on said axle, said handle 5 being biased into an open position by a spring (not shown). The handle 5 is provided with legs 5a and 5b protruding parallel to the consols 3 and carrying a rod 9 at the level of the bottom of the housing 2. By said rod 9 the handle 5 is connected with a fork shaped actuator 1 1 said actuator 1 1 having three prongs placed parallel to the bottom of the housing 2. The actuator 1 1 is slidingly movable in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The central prong is longer than the two side prongs. The side prongs are each ending in an oblique surface 1 1 a and the central prong is ending in an oblique surface 1 1 b.

Within the housing 2 a cutting means 14a is moveably supported on columns 12 and 13 extending mutually parallel perpendicular to the top of the housing and the moving plane for the fork shaped actuator 1 1 . The cutting means 14a is cooperating with matrix's 14b on the overlapping part 7. The cutting means 14a is biased into a lower position on the columns 12 and 13 by means of one or more springs (not shown). The movement of the cutting means 14a is activated by the coorporation of the oblique surfaces 1 1 a on the side prongs of the actuator 1 1 and projections 14c on the bottom side of the cutting means 14a.

At the rear part of the housing, displacement means is provided. The displacement means comprises two arms 15 and 16. The arms 15 and 16 are pivotally mounted at one end next to each consol 3 and adapted to be moved in a plane parallel with the top of the housing. Each arm 15 and 16 is activated by a cam surface 17 and 18 on the adjacent part of the handle 5.

In the overlapping part 7, there is an area 8 serving as a card holder. When the handle 5 is pressed down towards the overlapping part 7 after a sheet is placed between the overlapping part 7 and the housing 2 the actuator 1 1 is being pulled by the rod 9. When the said oblique surfaces 1 1 a are moved backwards, the perpendicularly movable cutting means 14a in the housing 2 is moved towards the matrix's 14b in the overlapping part 7, the rear part of the cutting means 14a gliding along the oblique surfaces 1 1 a. Hereby cuts are provided in the sheet placed between the housing 2 and the overlapping part 7. In the present example two oblique cuts and one curved cut is provided. Subsequently, the corners of the card 1 placed in the area 8 are to be inserted into the oblique cuts. This is achieved by the displacement means in form of the arms 15 and 16 pivotally in relation to the housing 2. By pressing down the handle 5 the cam sur- faces 17 and 18 on the pivotal handle 5 will make the arms 16 turn, and the free end of the arms 16 performs a forwards motion and pushes the card 1 towards the oblique cuts in the sheet. At the same time, the card 1 is pressed down towards the cuts by means of the overlapping part 7 and opens the cuts so that the card 1 can be inserted therein. Subsequently, the bow-shaped flap cut by the matrix 14b is moved upwards by means of a pin 20 affected by an additional oblique surface 1 1 b of the actuator 1 1 , whereby the flap is led up and above the card 1 and grips and secures it.

This device is especially suitable for placing stiff cards in a sheet, but may also be used for cards, which are not stiff.

The device does not take up much space and is thus suitable for office use, as it may e.g. be placed on a desk.

The cuts in the sheet are not limited to the cuts shown in the Figs., as there are many variations.

Figs. 6-1 1 show an alternative embodiment of the device. This embodiment comprises a basis part and an overlapping part 7', which, by being supported of a transversely extending axle 4', is pivotal in relation to the basis part 2'. The sheet, into which the card is to be inserted, is placed between the basis part 2' and the overlapping part T. In the overlapping part 7', there is a card holder 8', which is supported in grooves 30, which are extending on opposite sides of the overlapping part T. Hereby the card holder 8' is movable in the longitudinal direction. On the bottom surface, the card holder 8' is carrying two pawls 22, which in relation to the card holder are pivotally mounted at each end of an axle 24, and which are separated from each other by a compressible expansion spring 23. The said spring 23 is placed around the pivot axle 24 between the pawls 22 and enables a sideways displacement of the pawls 22. At the end of each pawl 22 there is a knife 25. In the basis part 2' underneath the movable card holder 8' there is a longitudinal rail with a groove 21 , in which the ends of the protruding pawls 22 can be guided during the movement of the card holder 8'. The last part 21 ' of each groove 21 , when seen in the direction away from the axle 4', is raised in relation to the other part of the groove and is then lowered again. In addition, the last part of the rail is bent 45° inwardly. Therefore when during the displacement, the individual pawl 22 reaches the raised part 21 ' of the groove 21 , the knives 25 are raised, and at the same time they are displaced sideways by the 45°-bent part of the rail, thus providing an oblique cut in the sheet. At the same time, the overlapping part 7' is pressed down towards the sheet so that the sheet is secured during cutting. When the cutting is completed, the knives 25 are lowered again at the descending part of the groove 21 ', whereupon the corners of the card 1 , due to the faint descending movement towards the sheet, press against the inner part of the cuts and thereby open these, so that the corners of the card 1 can be inserted therein.

Like in the embodiment of the invention shown in fig 1 -5, the sliding card holder 8' may be provided with an additional oblique surface or cam surface for operation of a second sliding member for pushing a flap past the end of the card so as to secure the card in its displaced position, said flap being cut by means of the cutting means during the cutting process and subsequent to the insertion of the card into the oblique cuts. The flap is pushed up and above the card by means of the second sliding member for bending the flap. This ensures that the card is properly secured. In addition, in said additional flap there may be an additional cut so that the size of the card is less important. It should be noted in this connection that business cards may have many dimensions.

The production of this embodiment is simple and cheap and the embodiment is suitable for office use.

Figs. 12-18 show various cuts and the arrangement of a card in those cuts.

Fig. 12 shows a pair of substantially linear cuts 101 , 102 arranged in a V-shape such that first ends of the cuts 101 , 102 are located at a distance from each other slightly larger than a dimension of a card to be inserted, and second ends of the cuts 101 , 102 are located at a distance from each other less than said dimension of the card. The card 1 may thus be inserted into these cuts in a sideways displacement in a direction from the first ends towards the second ends of the cuts 101 , 102. During the sideways displacement parts of the card 1 are to be pressed through the cuts 101 , 102 in the sheet as indicated by the broken lines, thereby bringing the card 1 in friction engagement with the sheet.

An optional additional cut 103 may be provided in the sheet in a location next to the edge of the card 1 facing away from the V-shaped arrangement of cuts 101 , 102, wherein said cut 103 defines a flap overlapping said edge so as to lock the card 1 in place.

The additional flap may, as mentioned, be provided for example in connection with the embodiment shown in Figs. 6-1 1 . Said flap is cut during the cutting process and subsequent to the insertion of the card into the oblique cuts. The flap is pushed up and above the card by means of a special movement device for bending the flap.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment, wherein a card 1 is inserted in two substantially parallel cuts 104, 105 in the sheet, the cuts defining a band, wherein the length of the cuts 104,

105 is slightly larger than a dimension of the card 1 in the same direction and the distance of the two cuts 104, 105 from each other is less than a dimension of the card 1 in a direction transverse to the direction of the cuts 104, 105. In this embodiment, the card may be inserted from either side of the band by sideways displacement in a direction from cut 104 towards cut 105 or, alternatively from cut 105 towards 104. The insertion of the card 1 by sideways displacement may be facilitated by at the same time applying a bending force to the band in an upward direction out of the drawing plane so as to bend the band up and above the level of the card and/or by applying a bending force on the sheet adjacent to the band in a downward direction into the drawing plane. The bending forces may be applied by bending means, such as those mentioned below with respect to Figs. 19-21.

Fig. 14 shows a curved band formed by two cuts 106, 107 in the sheet engaging with the corner of a card 1 to maintain the card in place. In this embodiment, the card may be introduced into the cuts 106, 107 by a sideways displacement in a direction from cut

106 towards cut 107. In all embodiments according to the invention, the insertion of the card in the sheet may be facilitated by combining the sideways displacement of the card 1 with the application of bending forces on parts of the sheet.

In some embodiments, the sideways displacement may be dispensed of and the card may, after alignment with the cuts provided in the sheet, be brought into engagement with the sheet by merely applying bending forces on parts of the sheet in a direction out of the plane of the sheet so as to bend parts of the sheet up and over the card, wherein said parts of the sheet are one or more flaps defined by cuts in the sheet.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment, wherein the card 1 is held in engagement with a sheet by two flaps 1 10, 1 1 1 defined by curved cuts 108, 109 in the sheet. The card 1 may be inserted by a sideways displacement and/or by bending the flaps 1 10, 1 1 1 in an upward direction out of the drawing plane so as to bend the flaps 1 10, 1 1 1 up and over the card 1 . When omitting the sideways displacement in a simplified device/method according to the invention, a larger deformation of the flaps may be required in order to be able to bring the tips 1 12, 1 13 of the flaps 1 10, 1 1 1 past the edges 1 14, 1 15 of the card 1 so as to have parts of the card 1 pass through the cuts 108, 109 as indicated by the broken lines, thereby bringing the card 1 in engagement with the sheet.

Fig. 16 shows an embodiment, wherein a card 1 is held in engagement with a sheet by cuts 120, 121 , 122, 123 provided in the sheet, the cuts 120, 121 , 122, 123 being arranged at the corners of the card 1. In the shown embodiment the cuts 120, 121 , 122, 123 each comprises two legs, the legs respectively being arranged to substantially fol- low one of the two edges of the card 1 forming the respective corner. In the corner, the cut overlaps the contour of the card 1 with one or more flaps 1 16, 1 17 that are convexly and/or concavely curved as seen in a direction from the centre of the card towards the corner of the card. Furthermore, the corner cuts 120, 121 , 122, 123 may comprise extension cuts 1 18, 1 19 increasing the flexibility of the corner cuts thereby facilitating the insertion of the card into the sheet. This is particularly advantageous for facilitating the final insertion of the card 1 when omitting the sideways displacement. A further advantage of this embodiment is that the surface of the card 1 obscured by the engaging flaps/portions 1 16, 1 17 of the sheet is minimised and a maximum of the card 1 is kept visible to the user. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the two legs of the corner cuts diverge at an angle slightly exceeding the angle of the respective corner, such as in a hyperbolic curve or the like. Thereby an easy engagement of the card with the sheet is provided which is less sensitive to the precise dimensions of the card.

Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 show further advantageous embodiments of cuts defining flaps, wherein an outer flap is provided with a further cut defining an inner flap arranged on the outer flap.

Referring to Fig. 17 a card 1 is held in engagement with a sheet by two double-flaps 138, 139, each double-flap 138, 139 being formed by two cuts 130/134, 131/135. A first, outer cut 130, 131 forms the outer flap 132, 133, and a second, inner cut 134, 135 arranged on the outer flap 132, 133 defines an inner flap 136, 137. The card is held in engagement between portions 136a, 137a of the inner flaps 136, 137 on one side of the card and portions 132a, 133a of the outer flaps on the opposite side of the card. Preferably, the smaller inner flaps are arranged on the side of the card facing away from the sheet ("above the card"), whereas the larger outer flaps are arranged on the opposite side of the card facing towards the sheet ("below the card"). The card 1 may be brought in engagement with the sheet by merely placing the card 1 on the sheet in a substantially centred alignment with the previously provided cuts 130, 131 , 134, 135, applying bending forces to the portions 132b, 133b of the outer flaps 132, 133, thereby deforming the double-flaps 138, 139 in a direction towards the card. By that deformation of the double-flaps 138, 139 the inner flaps 136, 137 are bent up and over the card to engage the edge of the card. Bending forces are applied to the portions 132b, 133b in an upward direction out of the drawing plane, i.e. in a direction from the sheet towards the card.

The portions of the sheet engaging the card 1 are made more flexible by the additional cut 130, 131 around the engaging inner flaps 136, 137. Bending of the inner flaps 136, 137 up and over the edge of the card is thereby made easier and a sideways displacement may thus be omitted.

Fig. 18 shows an alternative embodiment for engaging a card 1 on a sheet by double- flaps, wherein the double flaps are arranged to engage with the corners of the card. In the embodiment shown, a first cut 140 defines an outer flap 141 that is provided with a linear cut 142. The card corner is engaged by the interaction with region 143 above the card and with region 141 a below the card.

Figs. 19 illustrates schematically the placement of a card 1 in a sheet 150 by cutting flaps 151 using cutting means 152 penetrating the sheet 150 from below, wherein the cutting means simultaneously in the cutting step act as flap bending means for bending the flaps 151 in an upright position so as to allow the card 1 to pass by the flaps towards the sheet. The bending action is a substantially elastic deformation. Therefore, when subsequently the cutting means 152 is released/retracted/removed from the sheet 150, the flaps 151 bend back towards the plane of the sheet 151 and engage the card 1 from above.

Figs. 21 -23 illustrate schematically details of devices for implementing the method according to the invention.

Fig. 20 shows a detail of a device according to one embodiment of the invention. The shown detail comprises support means 160 guiding a cutting means in a vertical direction towards a matrix 162 provided in the support means 160. The cutting means cooperates with matrix 162 to provide a double-flap with a first, outer cut defined by the outer edge 163 of the cutting means and a second, inner cut defined by the inner edge 164 of the cutting means 161 . Furthermore, integrated with the cutting means, bending means 165 are provided moveably in a direction towards the sheet to be placed in the support means 160. The bending means is arranged within the contour of the outer flap as defined by outer edge 163.

Under operation, first a sheet is placed in the support means. Then a double flap is cut using the cutting means. Then a card may be brought in alignment with the inner flap of the double flap, and finally the bending means is activated to slide in an upward direction past the edge of the card so as to bend the double flap in an upward direction until the inner flap snaps up and over the edge of the card.

Fig. 21 illustrates a combination of a plurality of devices as shown in Fig. 20 into a single fork 170. The fork comprises support means 171 , cutting means 172 and bending means 173 that may be activated independently/separately from the cutting means 172. Fig. 22 illustrates an arrangement of four cutting means 181 for defining double-flaps in a sheet (not shown), said flaps being adapted to engage a substantially four-sided, preferably rectangular card 1 along the edges of the card 1 , corresponding to the embodiment shown above in Fig. 17 for a variation with two double-flaps 138, 139.

The double flaps are defined by cutting the sheet following projections of the outer edge 183 and the inner edge 184 of the cutting means 181. In the embodiment shown, the movement of the cutting means is directed towards the sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. The movement of the cutting means 181 is guided by the support means 180. For the cutting operation, the cutting means 181 may interact with an optional matrix (not shown), wherein the matrix may be defined by the support means.

Integrated with each cutting means 181 , bending means 185 is provided moveably in a direction towards the sheet to be placed in the support means 180. The bending means 185 is arranged within the contour of the outer flap as defined by outer edge 183.

Like the cutting means 14a in fig 1 -5 the four cutting means 181 may be interconnected and moveably supported on columns extending mutually parallel perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. In the same way the four bending means 185 may be interconnected and movable in common. The movement of the cutting means 181 and the bending means 185 may be activated by activation means like the activation mechanism in fig 1 -5

When cutting without a matrix, the sheet is preferably clamped to the support means by clamping means (not shown) at least during the cutting operation. The clamping means may be activated by activation means that are preferably actuated by a common actuator coupled to the activation mechanism for activating the cutting means and/or the displacement means and/or the bending means. Such a common actuator may be a han- die, a servo motor, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like.

A card may be placed on top of a sheet after the cutting has taken place both by displacement perpendicular to the plane of the sheet and by sideways displacement like in fig 1 -5. For instance the card may be placed in a card holder on the handle 5. After providing the double flaps in the sheet, the bending means 185 may be activated so as to deform the defined flaps towards the card 1 , thereby bending at least portions of the flaps up and over the card to engage the card 1 in the sheet. In the shown embodiment, the bending means are integrated into the cutting means and guided for movement in a direction towards the sheet, preferably substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. In order to facilitate engaging the card in the sheet by the cuts provided in the sheet, the card may be kept in place by suitable card clamping means such as displaceable pins acting on the card from above so as to press the card towards the sheet. Furthermore, the insertion of the card into the cuts provided in the sheet may be supported by a sideways displacement of the card and/or a bending deformation of the card.

Fig. 23 illustrates an arrangement of four cutting means 191 guided by support means 190 for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet (not shown) and the card 1. The cutting means define for defining double-flaps in the sheet, said double-flaps being adapted to engage the card 1 in corners thereof, corresponding to the embodiment shown above in Fig. 18. The operation of this embodiment is analogue to the operation of the embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 22.

In fig. 24-26 another embodiment of an upper part of the device shown in fig. 1 -6 is shown. The lower part is unchanged except that two cutting means like the cutting means 181 shown in fig 22 and 23 are used and the arms 16 has been removed. The upper part comprises the handle 5 and the overlapping part 7 connected through the axle 4. The overlapping part 7 is carrying two matrices 200 corresponding to the two cutting means 181. The two matrices 200 are each displaceable mounted in the overlapping part 7 and biased into the cutting position by springs 201. In each matrice 200 a through opening 202 is provided. Said through opening 202 is rectangular and has an inclined surface 202 nearest the respective spring 201 . The openings 202 are adapted to corporate with protections 204 respectively on the under side of the handle 5 the projections 204 each being provided with inclined surfaces 205 corresponding to the inclined surfaces in the openings 202.

In use the two matrices 200 are serving as the card holder for a card 1. The Corporation of the projection 204 and the openings 202 means that the matrices 200 are removed from a card supporting position under a card 1 after the flaps have been cut in a sheet whereby the card is allowed to fall down on top of the sheet.

The underside of the handle 5 is carrying a flexible means 206 such as a block of foam rubber. The purpose of the flexible means 206 is to hold down the card 1 on top of the sheet while the bending of the flaps is going on.

It should be noted that the invention has been explained with reference to illustrative examples. However, numerous combinations of the above-mentioned techniques for engaging a card in a sheet may be contemplated and will be considered by the skilled person and are therefore to be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Similarly, straight or smooth cutting lines may be replaced by wave-formed, deckle edge or otherwise decorative variations having the same overall direction so as to obtain a certain decorative effect, for example when placing a photograph in a sheet. Such variations of the detailed structure of the cutting lines may also be considered comprised within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Method for placing a card in a sheet or the like, the method comprising

- placing the sheet on a support means,

- arranging the card on the sheet at least one of the edges of the card being aligned with the one or more flaps, - activating sheet bending means, said sheet bending means acting on the flaps in a region of the sheet adjacent to, but outside of the card contour so as to exert a bending force on the flaps in a direction towards the card, thereby bending the flaps up and over the card,

- releasing the sheet bending means so as to bring the one or more flaps in engage- ment with the card.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the card is arranged on the sheet by a displacement substantially perpendicular to the sheet.

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the card is arranged on the sheet by a sideways displacement of the card towards at least one of the cuts in the sheet.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein during the displacement of parts of the card are pressed through at least one of the cuts in the sheet.

5. Method according to claim 1 , 2, 3 or 4, further comprising clamping of the sheet on the support means by activating clamping means after placing the sheet on the support means

6. Method according to any of the claims 1 -5, further comprising activating card bending means in combination with the sheet bending means, so as to bend the card such that at least one of the edges/corners of the card is bend towards the sheet.

7. A device for carrying out the method in accordance with claim 1 , comprising: - support means (2) for support of the sheet, -cutting means for providing one or several cuts in the sheet, at least one cut defining a flap,

-a cardholder (8, 8') for holding a card (1 ) next to the support means, -displacement means for arranging the card on the sheet at least one of the edges of the card being aligned with the one or more flaps,

-actuator means for actuating the cutting means and the displacement means.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the card holder comprises movable members adapted to be activated by the actuator means and the movement of which allow the card to be displaced substantially perpendicular to the sheet.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least parts of the movable members are matrices cooperating with the cutting means during the cutting of the sheet.

10. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the displacement means comprise means (15, 16, 8') for sideways displacement of the card (1 ) towards the cuts in the sheet.

1 1 . A device according to claim 7, 8, 10 or 1 1 , characterized in that the displacement means (15, 16, 8') is adapted for during the displacement of the card to press parts of the card through at least one of the cuts in the sheet,

12. A device according to one or more of the claims 7-1 1 , characterised in that the actuator means comprises a pivotal handle (5).

13. A device according to one or more of the claims 7, characterised in that the dis- placement means comprises at least one pivotal arm (15,16) to be moved in response to an activation of the pivotal handle (5).

14. A device according to claim 13, characterised in that the at least one pivotal arm (15, 16) is activated by means of a cam surface (17) on the pivotal handle (5).

15. A device according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterised In that the pivotal handle (5) Is connected via an arm to a first sliding member (11) with at least one oblique surface (11a) for activating the cutting means (14a).

16. A device according to claim 15, characterised in that the first sliding member (11) is provided with an additional oblique surface (11b) for activating a second sliding member (20) for bending the at least one flap past the displaced card (1) so as to secure the card in its displaced position.

17. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the card holder (8) is manually displaceable.

18. A device according to claim 17, characterised In that the cutting means comprises pawls (22) with Knives (25) said pawls (22) are carried of the displaceable card holder (8).

19. A device according to claim 18, characterised in that the pawls (22) with the knives (25) are guided In grooves (21) connected to the support means (2).

20. A device according to claim 19, characterised In that the end of the grooves (21) are offset (at 2T) for moving the knives (25) against the sheet during the displacement of the pawls (22).

21. A device for placement of a card 1 or the like In a sheet or the like comprising: - support means for support of the sheet,

- cutting means for providing one or several cuts in the sheet,

- a cardholder for holding a card close to the support means,

- displacement means for sideways displacement of the card holder with the card 1 towards thθ cuts In the sheet during which displacement, parts of the card are to be pressed through at least one of the cuts in the sheet, and

- actuator means for actuating the cutting means and the displacement means.

22. A device according to claim 21, characterised In that said actuator means comprises a turnablβ handle 5.

23. A device according to claim 21 or 22, characterised In that an additional flap can be cut by means of the cutting means, said flap being pushed up (at 20) and above the rearedgeofthecardt