Method and apparatus for manufacture of swatch bearing sheets

Abstract

Color swatch charts are formed by feeding sheets eighteen inches or longer in length with this long dimension of the sheet disposed transversely to the sheet travel direction. Ribbons in a row of eighteen inches or longer are simultaneously severed with the first and last swatch in each row of identical size and with the swatches having four square corners to form a rectangular shape. This orientation of the long axis of the sheet reduces the number of stations and the length of travel of the sheets, thereby increasing production. The sheets are fed through an adhesive applying station where spots of adhesive are applied in rows to the sheet. The sheet travels through a series of swatch forming and applying stations. At each such station, a plurality of swatch ribbons are fed forwardly and severed to form the individual swatches in a row; and a row of swatches is then transferred to and adhered by the adhesive spots on the sheet. The preferred severing station comprises a rotating cylinder carrying a straight cutting blade that is resiliently backed by springs that allow the rotating cutting blade to shift radially inwardly as it sweeps past a stationary anvil blade. Thus, all of the swatches in a row are cut simultaneously rather in seriatim fashion as with a curved or helical blade. The sheets travel through a succession of stations and a succession of rows of swatches are adhered thereto.