GB1293630A - Improvements in methods and apparatus for the manufacture of punched cards - Google Patents

Abstract

1293630 Cutting and punching sheets K BALL 8 July 1970 [11 July 1969 21 April 1970] 33183/70 Heading B4B A method of producing cut and punched sheets, particularly for use in the production of data transmission cards, comprises severing a sheet so as to cut thereinto the outlines of several cards while leaving at least one connection between each of the cards and the remainder of the sheet, and simultaneously punching holes into each of the cards at predetermined locations thereof. As described, the method is employed to produce cards 6, Fig. 1, from a plastics sheet 5, by cutting along the major edges 8 of the cards and leaving the cards attached to the sheet by weakened portions 9 which may be perforated and/or fold lines. Apparatus for performing the method, Fig. 4, comprises a first section including a base 12 supporting a plurality of anvils 14 having apertures 15 and surrounded by a spring-loaded confining plate 16, and a second section comprising an encoding plate 17, inserts 19 movable in recesses 18 in the plate 17 and a cover 22 for the plate. In use, the cover 22 is removed and a punched paper tape 27 laid on the plate 17. Movement transmitting pins 26, or balls, are dropped through the perforations in tape 27 into selected ones of a plurality of bores in the plate 17 and inserts 19 so as to lie above punches 29 in these bores. The cover 22 is then secured to plate 17 and the first and second sections together with a sheet 5 are placed between the upper 24 and lower 11 plates of a mechanical or hydraulic press. When the press is operated, the edges of anvils 14 co-operate with the edges of recesses 18 to cut the edges 8 of the cards and the punches 29 punch a selected pattern of holes 7 into each card.