WO2013186304A1

WO2013186304A1 - Method and facility for assembling a card comprising a card body, defining a recess, and an insert housed in said recess

Info

Publication number: WO2013186304A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/062255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gautier ALLOYEZ
Original assignee: Imprimerie Nationale
Priority date: 2012-06-13
Filing date: 2013-06-13
Publication date: 2013-12-19
Also published as: FR2992085B1; FR2992085A1

Abstract

A facility for assembling (200) and a method for assembling a card (10) comprising a card body (12), defining a recess (14), and an insert (16), of which the external shape is complementary to that of the recess (14) and housed in the recess (14). The method comprises the following successive steps: • providing the card body (12), • providing the insert (16), the insert (16) having an initial shape, • deforming the insert (16), • inserting the deformed insert (16) into the recess (14), and • releasing the insert (16) in the recess (14) to resume the original shape of same.

Description

Method and installation for assembling a card comprising a card body, defining a recess, and an insert housed in the recess

The present invention relates to a method of assembling a card comprising a card body, defining a recess, and an insert, of external shape complementary to that of the recess and housed in the recess.

Such cards are known, for example FR 2 944 122.

Currently, the assembly process of these cards is only partially automated. In particular, the step of inserting the insert into the card body is performed manually. This is done by an operator who deposits the insert on the surface of the card body, and slides the insert onto the surface of the card body until it falls into the recess.

While this method of assembly may be suitable for past production rates, an increase in demand for this type of card requires full automation of the production line.

But the insertion step of the insert in the card body is problematic. If indeed the method implemented by the operators is well suited to manual insertion of the inserts, it is difficult to repeat by a machine. A new method of card assembly is therefore necessary.

An object of the invention is thus to provide a method of assembling a card that is easily automated.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method for assembling a card of the aforementioned type, comprising the following successive steps:

- supply of the card body,

supply of the insert, the insert having an initial shape,

- deformation of the insert,

inserting the deformed insert into the recess, and

- Loosening of the insert in the recess for recovery of its original shape.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the assembly method also comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or according to any combination (s) technically possible (s):

the recess opens into a face of the substantially flat card body, and the insert is deformed so that the orthogonal projection of the insert on the plane defined by said face has a smaller surface area when the insert is deformed than when the insert has its initial shape, the deformation is suitable for, for at least one pair of opposite ends of the insert, bringing the two opposite ends of said pair closer to each other by bending the insert,

the deformation is adapted to bring the two opposite ends of a first pair towards each other in a first approximation direction, and to bring the two opposite ends of a second pair towards each other according to one another; a second direction of rapprochement,

the recess opens into a substantially plane face of the card body and, during the insertion step, each approach direction is substantially parallel to the plane defined by said face,

during the deformation, a first force is applied to each of said opposite ends, oriented in a direction of bending and directed in a first direction, a second force being applied to the insert substantially between two ends of the insert, oriented according to the direction of bending and directed in a second direction, opposite to the first direction,

the recess opens into a substantially plane face of the card body and, during the insertion step, the bending direction is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said face,

the outer shape of the insert is that of a convex polygon, and the deformation is adapted to bring at least three corners of the polygon, advantageously all the corners of the polygon, from each other, and

the deformation is adapted to make the insert concave and, during the insertion step, the concavity of the insert is oriented towards the recess.

The invention also relates to an installation for assembling a card comprising a card body, defining a recess, and an insert, of external shape complementary to that of the recess and housed in the recess, the installation assembly comprising:

means for supplying the card body,

means for supplying the insert,

means for deforming the insert, and

a device for inserting the deformed insert into the recess and for loosening the insert in the recess.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the assembly installation also comprises one or more of the following features, according to any technically possible combination (s):

it is adapted to implement a process as defined above, the insertion device comprises a support, displaceable relative to the card body, at least one gripping member of the insert, carried by one face of the support, and a plurality of fingers projecting in the same direction from said face of the holder; support, arranged around the gripping member, said fingers being movable relative to the or each gripping member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the support, so that they form with the or each gripping member the means of deformation of the insert,

the gripping member comprises a suction cup mounted on a jack,

the fingers define the contour of a region of the face of the support, and the insert comprises two large opposite faces connected to one another by a slice of the insert, each large face having an area greater than that of said region,

it comprises means for centering the insert relative to the gripping member, adapted to place the gripping member in line with the center of a large face of the insert.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a card manufactured using the method according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert of the card of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view from above of an assembly plant according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert of FIG. 2 and of a card body of the card of FIG. 1, during a step of the method according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a device of the assembly plant of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an insert centering table of the assembly plant of FIG. 3, and

- Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a card manufacturing facility comprising the assembly plant of Figure 3.

The invention relates to the manufacture of a card 10 shown in FIG. As shown in this Figure, the card 10 comprises a card body 12, defining a recess 14, and an insert 16 housed in the recess 14.

The card body 12 comprises a first large face 20, a second large face 22 opposite the first major face 20, and a wafer 24 connecting the large faces 20, 22 to each other. Each major face 20, 22 is substantially planar. The large faces 20, 22 are substantially parallel to each other.

The slice 24 defines an outer contour of the card body 12.

The recess 14 has a section, taken in a plane parallel to that of the first major face 20, substantially constant. This section typically has a generally rectangular shape.

The recess 14 opens into the first large face 20. Advantageously, as shown, the recess 14 is through and also opens into the second large face 22, so that the card body 12 forms a frame around the recess 14 .

Referring to Figure 2, the insert 16 is constituted by a thin plate 26. It comprises two large faces 28, 30 opposite, connected by a peripheral wafer 32 forming an outer contour of the insert 16. If the recess 14 is through, the insert 16 is dimensioned so that each large face 28, 30 of the insert 16 is flush with a corresponding large face 20, 22 of the card body 12 when the insert 16 is housed in the recess 14 .

The outer contour of the insert 16 has a shape complementary to that of the recess 14. Each dimension of the insert 16 is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the recess 14, so that the insert 16 can be housed in the recess 14. The smallest ratio of lengths between a dimension of the insert 16 and the corresponding dimension of the recess 14 is greater than 95%. Note that these length ratios are given with reference to the dimensions of the card body 12 and the insert 16 before rolling the card 10.

Preferably, the outer contour has a generally convex polygon shape, having edges 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D and corners 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D at the intersections of said ridges. In particular, as shown, the outer contour has a generally rectangular shape.

In the following, the shape of the outer contour of the insert 16 will also be designated as the "outer shape" of the insert 16.

In the example shown, the insert 16 is full. In a variant, the insert 16 is hollowed at its center and forms a frame.

Preferably, the insert 16 is elastically deformable. The "shape of the insert" to which reference is made above is then its form at rest.

Returning to FIG. 1, the card 10 also includes a structure layer 36, 38 on each side of the card body 12. A first structural layer 36 is contiguous with the first major face 20. A second structural layer 38 is adjoining to the second large face 22. Each structure layer 36, 38 has an outwardly substantially identical contour to the outer contour of the card body 12.

Each layer of structure 36, 38 comprises two sheets 40, 42 superimposed: a cover sheet 40, defining the face 44 of the structure layer 36, 38 opposite the card body 12, and a thermo-writable sheet 42 interposed between the cover sheet 40 and the card body 12.

The structure layers 36, 38 are preferably identical to each other, so that the card 10 has a median plane of symmetry substantially parallel to the large faces 20, 22 of the card body 12.

The card 10 is intended to be laminated after assembly of the card body 12, the insert 16 and the structure layers 36, 38. After rolling, the card 10 is advantageously in ISO 7816-1 format.

An assembly installation 50 of the card 10 is shown schematically in FIG. 3.

This installation 50 comprises a station 52 for inserting the insert 16 into the card body 12, a first transport carrousel 54, a station 56 for removing the first structure layer 36, a reversal station 58, a second transport carousel 60, a station 62 for removing the second structure layer 38, and an output station 64 of the assembled card. The path of the insert 16 through the installation 50 is shown schematically by the arrow 66.

The insertion station 52 comprises means 70 for supplying a backbone of cards (not shown), means 72 for supplying inserts 16, and means 74 for inserting each insert 16 into a recess 14 of the skeleton. . The insertion station 52 further comprises a table 76 for centering the insert 16.

The skeleton consists of the meeting of several card bodies 12 adjacent to each other. It thus delimits a plurality of recesses, each recess being constituted by the recess 14 of one of the card bodies 12. In the following, reference 14 will be designated both the recesses of the card bodies and those of the card body. skeleton.

In a variant, the skeleton consists of a single card body 12.

The insertion station 52 will be described in more detail below.

The insertion station 52 is adapted to output a pre-assembly of cards formed of the skeleton and inserts 16 inserted in the recesses 14 of the skeleton.

The first carousel 54 is adapted to receive this pre-assembly, and to carry it to the dispense station 56. The dispensing station 56 comprises a first reservoir 80 for supplying a first large thermo-writable sheet, a second reservoir 82 for supplying a first large cover sheet, and a table 84 for receiving the card pre-assembly. It also comprises a first member 86 for gripping the first large thermo-writable sheet and depositing the first large thermo-writable sheet on a first large face of the skeleton, and a second member for grasping the first large sheet of cover and depositing the first large cover sheet on the first large thermo-writable sheet. The dispensing station 56 finally comprises means (not shown) for welding the first large sheets to the skeleton and the inserts 16.

The dispensing station 56 is adapted to output a pre-assembly of cards formed of the skeleton, inserts 16 inserted into the recesses 14, the first large thermo-writable sheet and the first large cover sheet.

The first carousel 54 is adapted to receive this pre-assembly of cards, and to carry it to the turning station 58.

The turning station 58 is adapted to take the pre-assembly of cards on the first carousel 54, and to put it back on the second carousel 60.

The second carousel 60 is adapted to carry the returned pre-assembly to the dispensing station 62.

The dispensing station 62 comprises a first reservoir 90 for supplying a second large thermo-writable sheet, a second reservoir 92 for supplying a second large cover sheet, and a table 94 for receiving the pre-assembly of returned cards. . It also comprises a first member 96 for gripping the second large thermo-writable sheet and depositing the second large thermo-writable sheet on the second large face of the skeleton, and a second member for grasping the second large sheet of cover and removing the second large sheet of cover on the second large thermo-writable sheet. The dispensing station 62 finally comprises means (not shown) for welding the second large sheets to the skeleton and the inserts 16.

The dispensing station 62 is adapted to output a card assembly, formed of the skeleton, the inserts 16 inserted in the recesses 14, first large sheets and second large sheets. Note that this card assembly is a plate formed by the union of several cards 10 adjacent to each other, the first large sheets together constituting the first layer of structure 36 of each card 10, and the second large sheets constituting together the second structure layer 38 of each card 10. This plate is intended to be cut to isolate each card 10 from each other card 10.

The second carousel 60 is adapted to carry the card assembly from the removal station 62 to the exit station 64.

The output station 64 comprises means (not shown) for seizing the card assembly on the second carousel 60, and removing this assembly in a silo (not shown) for storing the card 10.

With reference to FIG. 3, the supply means 70 comprise a silo 100 for storing the skeletons, and a member 102 for transporting each skeleton of the silo 100 to a table 104 for inserting the inserts 16. The table 104 defines a surface (Not shown) substantially planar receiving the skeleton and inserts 16. When the skeleton is disposed on the table 104, the large faces 20, 22 of each card body 12 constituting the skeleton are each substantially parallel to the receiving surface.

The supply means 72 comprise a plurality of silos (not shown) for storing inserts 16. Each insert 16, in its silo, has an initial shape which is its rest form.

The insertion means 74 comprise a device (not shown) for extracting the inserts 16 from the silos of the supply means 72, and a device 1 10 (FIG. 5) for deforming the insert 16, for inserting the insert 16 deformed in the recess 14 and release of the insert 16 in the recess 14. Alternatively, the extraction device and the device 1 10 are merged with each other.

The extraction device is adapted to take each insert 16 in a silo of the supply means 72, and to deposit it on the centering table 76.

The device 1 10 is adapted to take each insert 16 on the centering table

76, to deform it, bring it opposite a recess 14 of the skeleton, insert it deformed into said recess 14, and release it into the recess 14 so that it resumes its original shape.

In particular, the device 1 10 is adapted to deform the insert 16 so that, when the insert 16 is disposed in line with the recess 14, the orthogonal projection of the insert 16 on the plane defined by the first major face 20 of the card body 12 has a smaller area when the insert 16 is deformed than when the insert 16 has its original shape.

In particular, the device 1 10 is adapted to deform the insert 16 so as to give the insert 16 a concavity oriented toward the recess 14 when it is arranged opposite the recess 14. For this purpose, the device 1 10 is adapted to bring opposite ends of the insert 16 towards one another, by bending the insert 16. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these ends are formed by the corners 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D of the insert 16.

The device 1 10 is advantageously adapted to bring each corner, respectively 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, of the insert 16 of the opposite corner, respectively 34C, 34D, 34A, 34B.

Referring to Figure 4, in the example shown, the device 1 10 is adapted to bring the opposite corners 34A, 34C towards each other in a first approximation direction R1, corresponding to a diagonal of the rectangle formed by the outer contour, and to bring the opposite corners 34B, 34D towards each other in a second direction of approximation R2, corresponding to the other diagonal of the rectangle. These directions R1, R2 are not parallel to each other. The device 1 10 is adapted to bring the insert 16 to the right of the recess 14 so that each direction R1, R2 is substantially parallel to the plane of the first major face 20 of the card body 12.

In particular, the device 1 10 is adapted to bring all the corners 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D of the insert 16 closer to each other, and in particular the adjacent corners arranged at the ends of the same edge, as well as the corners diagonally opposite.

Alternatively, the device 1 10 is adapted to bring only two opposite corners 34A, 34C towards each other.

According to another embodiment (not shown), the opposite ends are formed by the midpoints of opposite edges 33A, 33C, 33B, 33D.

In general, the opposite ends are defined as being ends of the insert 16 such that the straight line connecting them passes through the center of the insert 16 or any axis of symmetry of the insert.

In order to bring two opposite ends 34A, 34C, 34B, 34D closer to the insert 16, the device 1 10 is adapted to apply, at each of said opposite ends 34A, 34C, 34B, 34D, a first force F1, oriented according to a direction of flexion and directed in a first direction, and to apply a second force F2 on the insert 16 substantially between two adjacent ends, that is to say in the vicinity of the center of the edge connecting the two ends.

The second force F2 is oriented in the direction of bending and directed in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

Thus, four forces F2 are applied between the opposing forces F1 along the edges of the insert, thus causing the insert to bend along each of its straight edges as illustrated in FIG. 4. The corners are then two by two close together, whether diagonally opposite or arranged at both ends of the same side edge.

Alternatively, not shown, a single force F2 is applied to the center of the insert in the opposite direction to the F1 forces.

Advantageously, the device 1 10 is adapted to bring the insert 16 to the right of the recess 14 so that the first direction is directed towards the card body 12. In particular, the device 1 10 is adapted so that the direction of bending is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first major face 20 of the card body 12.

These functions are performed by means of the device 1 10 shown in FIG. 5. As visible in this Figure, the device 1 10 comprises a support 1 12 movable relative to the skeleton, and in particular movable relative to the insertion table 104. 1 12 is movable from a position where it is disposed above the centering table 76 to a position where it is disposed above the insertion table 104.

The support 1 12 defines a face 1 14, oriented towards the insertion table 104 when it is disposed above the insertion table 104. The support 1 12 is adapted so that the face 1 14 is oriented substantially parallel on the surface of the insertion table 104 throughout its movement.

The face 1 14 carries a plurality of members 1 16 gripping the inserts 16, and a plurality of fingers 1 18 all projecting in the same direction from said face 1 14.

Each gripping member 1 16 is adapted to grip an insert 16 on the centering table 76, and to release said insert 16 when it is inserted into a recess 14. Each gripping member 1 16 comprises a root 122, connected to the face 1 14, and a gripping end 120, opposite the foot 122.

Advantageously, as shown, the gripping end 120 is constituted by a suction cup.

Each gripping member 1 16 is in particular adapted to grip the insert 16 associated substantially in the center of a lateral edge of the insert between two adjacent fingers 1 18.

The fingers 1 18 and the gripping members 1 16 are grouped in batches, each adapted for the deformation of an insert 16.

The fingers of the same batch are arranged at the four corners of a rectangle of dimension slightly smaller than the size of the insert to lie opposite the corners of the insert. The gripping members, four in number per batch, are arranged between the fingers at mid-length of the sides of the rectangle delimited by the fingers.

In Figure 5, the support 1 12 carries four batches of fingers and grippers for the deformation of four inserts. Each finger 1 18 comprises a foot 123, connected to the face 1 14, and a free end 125, opposite the foot 123. Preferably, the distance from each free end 125 to the face 1 14 is equal for all the fingers 1 18 of the same batch.

Each gripping member 1 16 is mounted movably relative to the fingers 1 18 of the associated batch, substantially perpendicular to the face 1 14. The gripping member 1 16 is in particular movable between an expanded configuration for gripping and loosening the insert 16, in which the gripping end 120 is further away from the face 1 14 than the free end 125 of each finger 1 18 of the associated batch, and a retracted configuration for transporting the insert 16, in which the gripping end 120 is closer to the face 1 14 than the free ends 125 of at least two fingers 1 18 of the associated batch.

For this purpose, the input member 1 16 comprises a cylinder 126 controllable.

The fingers 1 18 of each batch are adapted to press the opposite ends 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D of an insert 16 carried by the gripping member 16 associated when said gripping member 1 16 is in retracted configuration relative to the fingers 1 18.

For this purpose, the fingers 1 18 of each batch define the contour of a region 124 of the face 1 14, said region 124 having a smaller area than the large faces 28, 30 of the insert 16. This region 124 is defined as being the smallest convex polygon whose fingers 18 of the batch form the vertices. Advantageously, the gripping member 1 16 is disposed substantially in the center of said region 124, and the fingers 1 18 are arranged so as to face opposite ends 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D of the insert 16.

Alternatively, for each batch of fingers and therefore for each insert, a single gripping member is provided in the center of the rectangle delimited by the fingers to enter the card from its center.

The centering table 76 is intended for centering each insert 16 relative to the gripping member 1 16 corresponding. For this purpose, the centering table 76 is adapted so that each insert 16 deposited on the centering table 76 by the extraction device takes a predetermined position on the centering table 76.

Referring to Figure 6, the centering table 76 comprises a support 130 defining a face 132 substantially parallel to the face 1 14 of the device 1 10. The face 132 carries a plurality of pins 134 and 135 for positioning.

The studs 134 and 135 are grouped in batches, the studs 134, 135 of the same set defining the contour of a region 136 of the face 132. The studs 134, 135 of the set are spaced apart from one another so as to allow the insertion of an insert 16 between the pads 134, 135, the insert 16 having one of its large faces 28, 30 in contact with the face 132. Note that in the example shown the centering table 76 comprises several batches of pads 134, 135 for the positioning of 16 inserts. Alternatively, when the skeleton consists of a single card body 12, the centering table 76 comprises a single set of pads 134, 135.

Each region 136 is intended to receive a single insert 16. The pads 134 are distributed in pairs along the long edges of the insert 16 and the pads 135 are arranged at the center of the small edges of the insert. The same pad 135 is positioned to act on two inserts. The pads 134, 135 are arranged around said region 136 so that, when the insert 16 is received in the region 136, the pads 134 prevent the insert 16 from pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the face 132 .

Each stud 134, 135 has a section parallel to the face 132, narrowing as the distance from the section to the face 132 increases. Each stud 134, 135 defines a slope 138, inclined relative to the face 132, oriented towards the region 136. Advantageously, each stud 134, 135 is at least partially frustoconical.

A method of assembling a card 12 by means of the installation 50 will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

In a first step, the transport member 102 captures a skeleton in the silo 100, and carries this skeleton to the insertion table 104.

At the same time, the extraction device takes inserts 16 in the silos of the supply means 72, and carries each insert 16 to the centering table 76. In particular, the extraction device carries each insert 16 by looking at a region 136 of the face 132, and loose the insert 16 facing said region 136. If the insert 16 is not centered relative to the region 136, it abuts on at least one stud 134, 135 This stud 134,

135 prevents the insert 16 from resting entirely on the face 132. However, the stud 134, 135 defining a slope 138 facing the region 136, the insert 16 slides on said slope 138 and falls in the region 136. Thus, the insert 16 takes a predetermined position on centering table 76, within region 136.

On the centering table 76, each insert 16 has an initial shape, which is its form at rest.

Then the device 1 10 takes each insert 16 on the centering table 76. Each insert 16 occupying a predetermined position on the centering table 76, it is easy for the device 1 10 to take each insert 16 so that it is centered relative to the gripping members 1 16 of the device 1 10.

In particular, the support 1 12 is positioned above the centering table 76, each gripping member 1 16 being arranged facing the center of an edge of a region

136 of the face 132. It then goes down to the centering table 76. Arrived at a height predetermined above the centering table 76, the support 1 12 is immobilized, and each input member 1 16 is deployed. Each input member 1 16 then returns in retracted configuration, taking with it the insert 16 received in the region 136 opposite which the input member 1 16 is located.

During this retraction operation, each opposite end 34A, 34B, 34C,

34D of the insert 16 bears against a finger 1 18. Under the effect of the opposition between, on the one hand, the suction force of the gripping member 1 16 in the center of the edges of the insert 16 , and the bearing forces of the fingers 18 on the opposite ends 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D of the insert 16, the insert 16 is deformed. He is particularly bent. The opposite ends 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D are thus brought closer to one another, the opposite ends 34A, 34C of a first pair of opposite ends being brought closer together in the first direction R1, and the opposite ends 34B, 34D of a second pair of opposite ends being brought closer along the second direction R2.

Then, the support January 12 moves and is positioned above the insertion table 104, each gripping member 1 16 being disposed opposite a recess 14 of the skeleton. Then the support 1 12 goes down to the insertion table 104, until the opposite ends 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D of each insert 16 penetrate into a recess 14. The support 1 12 stops then, and each grasping member 1 16 unfolds. Each insert 16 is then released in a recess 14, where it resumes its original shape, thanks to its elasticity. Then each gripping member 1 16 retracts after releasing the insert 16.

Then a first motorized arm (not shown) carries the pre-assembly of cards formed of the skeleton and inserts 16 on the first carousel 54.

The first carousel 54 then pivots to place the pre-assembly next to the station 56.

A second motorized arm (not shown) carries the pre-assembly on the receiving table 84. The first gripping member 86 then grasps a first large thermo-writable sheet and the laying on the pre-assembly, so as to center it on the latter, then the second input member 88 grasps a second large cover sheet and the laying on the first large thermo-writable sheet, so as to center on the latter. The first large leaves are then welded to the pre-assembly.

Then the second motorized arm brings back the pre-assembly, now formed of the skeleton, the inserts 16 and the first large sheets, on the first carousel 54. It rotates again to place the pre-assembly next to the station 58.

A motorized arm (not shown) of the turning station 58 then grasps the preassembly on the first carousel 54, and the pose returned to the second carousel 60. Then, the second carousel 60 pivots to place the pre-assembly next to the station 62.

A third motorized arm (not shown) then carries the pre-assembly on the receiving table 94. The first gripping member 96 grasps a second large thermo-writable sheet and laying it on the pre-assembly, so as to center it on the latter, then the second input member 98 grasps a second large cover sheet and the laying on the second large thermo-writable sheet, so as to center it on the latter. The second large sheets are then welded to the pre-assembly.

Then the third motorized arm brings the assembly of cards, consisting of the skeleton, the inserts 16, the first large sheets and the second large sheets, on the second carousel 60. This rotates again to place the preassembly next to the post 64.

There, a fourth motorized arm (not shown) grasps the card assembly on the second carousel 60 and the door in the station 64. There, the card assembly is advantageously drilled and placed a silo.

With reference to FIG. 7, the assembly installation 50 is part of a card manufacturing installation 10. This manufacturing installation 200 comprises the assembly installation 50, a laminating installation 202 of the assembling cards, and a cutting installation 204 of the laminated card assembly. The path of the card assembly through the installation 200 is shown schematically by means of the arrow 206.

A method of manufacturing the board 10 will now be described, with reference to FIG.

The manufacturing method includes a first assembly step, forming a card assembly, a second rolling step of the thus formed card assembly, and a third cutting step of the laminated card assembly.

The first assembly step is constituted by the assembly method described above.

During the second rolling step, the card assembly is seized in the silo of the station 64 of the installation 50, and placed in the rolling installation 202. There, the card assembly is laminated.

During the third cutting step, the card assembly is recovered at the output of the rolling installation 202, and transported to the cutting installation 204. There, the card assembly is cut, so that each card 10 of the assembly of cards is separated from each other card 10 of said assembly. Thus, at the output of the installation 204, a plurality of cards 10 are obtained.

Note that, in the variant where the skeleton consists of a single card body 12, the manufacturing facility 200 does not include a cutting installation, and the method does not include a cutting step: the card 10 is obtained directly at the end of the rolling step, at the exit of the rolling station 202.

Thanks to the invention, it is thus possible to assemble at a high rate cards comprising a card body and an insert housed in a recess of the card body.

Claims

1. - A method of assembling a card (10) comprising a card body (12), defining a recess (14), and an insert (16) of external shape complementary to that of the recess (14) and housed in the recess (14), characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps:

- supply of the card body (12),

- providing the insert (16), the insert (16) having an initial shape,

deformation of the insert (16),

inserting the deformed insert (16) into the recess (14), and

- Release of the insert (16) in the recess (14) to resume its original shape.

2. - A method of assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (14) opens into a face (20) of the card body (12) substantially flat, and in that the insert (16) is deformed so that the orthogonal projection of the insert (16) on the plane defined by said face (20) has a smaller area when the insert (16) is deformed than when the insert (16) has its original shape.

3. - Assembly method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deformation is adapted for, for at least one pair of opposite ends (34A, 34B, 34C, 34D) of the insert (16), bringing the two opposite ends (34A, 34B, 34C, 34D) of said pair closer to each other by bending the insert (16).

4. - A method of assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the deformation is adapted to move towards one another the two opposite ends (34A, 34C) of a first pair in a first direction of approximation ( R1), and to bring the two opposite ends (34B, 34D) of a second pair towards each other in a second approximation direction (R2).

5. - A method of assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (14) opens into a face (20) of the substantially planar card body (12), and in that, in step d insertion, each approximation direction (R1, R2) is substantially parallel to the plane defined by said face (20).

6. A method of assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, during the deformation, a first force (F1) is applied to each of said opposite ends (34A, 34B, 34C, 34D) , oriented in a direction of bending and directed in a first direction, a second force (F2) being applied to the insert (16) substantially between two ends (34A, 34B, 34C, 34D) of the insert, oriented according to the bending direction and directed in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

7. A method of assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the recess (14) opens into a face (20) of the card body (12) substantially flat, and that, in step d insertion, the bending direction is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said face (20).

8. A method of assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shape of the insert (16) is that of a convex polygon, and in that the deformation is adapted to approximate at least three corners of the polygon, preferably all corners of the polygon, from each other.

9. - Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation is adapted to make the insert (16) concave, and in that, during the insertion step, the concavity the insert (16) is oriented towards the recess (14).

10. - Installation (50) assembly of a card (10) comprising a card body (12), defining a recess (14), and an insert (16) of external shape complementary to that of the recess (14) and accommodated in the recess (14), the assembly facility (50) including means (70) for supplying the card body (12) and means (72) for providing the insert ( 16), characterized in that it further comprises:

means for deforming the insert (16), and

- A device (1 10) for inserting the insert (16) deformed into the recess (14) and releasing the insert (16) in the recess (14).

1 1. - Assembly plant (50) according to claim 10, characterized in that it is adapted to implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. - Installation assembly (50) according to claim 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the insertion device (1 10) comprises a support (1 12), movable relative to the card body (12), the less a member (1 16) for gripping the insert (16), carried by a face (1 14) of the support (1 12), and a plurality of fingers (1 18) projecting in the same direction from said face (1 14) of the support (1 12), arranged around the gripping member (1 16), said fingers (1 18) being movable relative to the or each gripping member (1 16) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face (1 14) of the support (1 12), so that they form with the or each gripping member (1 16) the deformation means of the insert (16).

13. - Installation assembly (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the gripping member (1 16) comprises a suction cup (120) mounted on a jack (126).

14.- Installation assembly (50) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the fingers (1 18) define the contour of a region (124) of the face (1 14) of the support (1 12), and in that the insert (16) comprises two opposite large faces (28, 30) connected to one another by a wafer (32) of the insert (16), each large face (28, 30) having an area greater than that of said region (124).

15. - Installation assembly (50) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it comprises means (76) for centering the insert (16) relative to the gripping member ( 1 16), adapted to place the gripping member (1 16) in line with the center of a large face (28, 30) of the insert (16).

16. - A method of manufacturing a card (10) comprising a card body (12), defining a recess (14), and an insert (16), of external shape complementary to that of the recess (14) and housed in the recess (14), the method comprising the following steps:

- performing a card assembly comprising the card body (12) and the insert (16) housed in the recess (14) of the card body (12), and

- rolling of the card assembly,

characterized in that the step of forming the card assembly is constituted by a card assembly method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

17. - Installation (200) for manufacturing a card (10) comprising a card body (12), defining a recess (14), and an insert (16), of external shape complementary to that of the recess ( 14) and accommodated in the recess (14), the manufacturing facility (200) including an assembly (50) for assembling the card (10) to form a card assembly, and an installation (202) for rolling the card assembly, characterized in that the assembly plant (50) is an assembly plant according to any one of claims 10 to 15.