Method for ease in identifying particular bundles of printed cards while packing and unpacking the bundles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11401065-B2
Application number	US-201816180049-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2018
Priority date	May 11, 2018
Publication date	Aug 2, 2022
Grant date	Aug 2, 2022

Abstract

A workflow process for packing and unpacking variable sized bundles of printed card signs includes providing identifiable codes that make the card signs highly visible and recognizable. Included on selected card signs is a color coded border with indexing added to each bundle in groupings to help in packing and unpacking the bundles into and from boxes. When the bundles are packed in a box on edge, both the person packing and unpacking the box can easily identify the beginning and end of each bundle and thereby limiting the time required to organize and process the bundles and reduce labor cost and errors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A workflow process for packing and unpacking of groups of printed signs that are to be placed onto store shelving, comprising:
providing a printer that includes a computer capable of receiving digital instructions and executing the same;
printing signs on sheets that include paper onto which sales strip images of multiple cards are printed, said sheets including a clear polymer carrier that adds strength to said sheets;
configuring said sales strip images to not extend into predetermined areas of said clear polymer carrier in order to allow that portion of said clear polymer carrier to be used for attaching to said store shelving;
using said computer to cause said printer to print to outer edges of printable area of said signs;
printing a different color code markings on said outer edges of selected ones of said signs;
providing bundles of said signs with each bundle including a different color code printed on said outer edge of said signs;
providing a box; and
packing said bundles of signs into said box in rows and on edge so that said color code markings are readily recognizable.

2. The workflow process of claim 1 , including shrink wrapping each color coded bundle of signs.

3. The workflow process of claim 1 , including providing indexing printed on each of said signs within each of said bundles indicating separate groupings.

4. The workflow process of claim 3 , wherein said color code markings are exposed only after a post print slitting operation.

5. The workflow process of claim 4 , including using said color coded marking and indexing to identify the beginning and end of said bundles and groupings.

6. The workflow process of claim 5 , wherein said bundles of printed signs are in multiple sizes.

7. A method for identifying particular bundles of printed cards while packing and unpacking the bundles, comprising:
providing a printer;
using said printer to print a sheet containing multiple card images thereon, said sheet including a clear polymer carrier for strength;
preventing said multiple card images from extending into predetermined areas of said clear polymer carrier in order to allow said predetermined areas of said clear polymer carrier to be used for store shelf attachment;
using said printer to place a pattern onto a selected one of said multiple card images on said sheet with said pattern being placed onto at least one edge of said selected card image;
slitting said sheet containing multiple card images thereon into individual cards;
using said printer to provide multiple sheets containing multiple card images thereon and slitting said sheets containing multiple card images thereon into individual cards;
using said pattern to organize said cards into bundles;
using said pattern to place said bundles into a box in rows and on an edge with said at least one edge and pattern showing; and
using said pattern on said cards of said bundles to expedite packing and unpacking said bundles.

8. The method of claim 7 , including providing each bundle of printed cards with indexing.

9. The method of claim 8 , including diagonally indexing groups of printed cards within said bundle of printed cards.

10. The method of claim 9 , including providing said pattern as cross-hatching.

11. The method of claim 7 , including providing said pattern as a color code.

Assignees

• Xerox Corp

Inventors

• Case Hans Franklin
• Herrmann Douglas K
• St Martin Kevin

Classifications

• G06Q10/0633 Primary

  Workflow analysis · CPC title

• B65B53/00

  Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging · CPC title

• B65B5/068

  in trays (B65B5/061 - B65B5/065 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65B25/141 Primary

  packaging flat articles in boxes · CPC title

• G06Q10/0832

  Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods · CPC title