WO2008055609A2

WO2008055609A2 - Machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets

Info

Publication number: WO2008055609A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/009443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Bianchessi
Original assignee: DRIVEN CARDS Srl
Current assignee: DRIVEN CARDS Srl
Priority date: 2006-11-07
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-07
Also published as: WO2008055609A3; EP2079593A2; ITMI20062131A1

Abstract

A machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets comprising at least one line (4) for conveying the cards (2) to be applied which is of the modular type and comprises at least one module (40) for picking up the individual cards (2), a module (41) for reading the information coded on each individual card (2), and a module (42) for applying an adhesive element to each individual card (2), at least one line (5) for conveying the backing sheets (3) which is of the modular type and comprises at least one module (50) for picking up a single backing sheet (3), the conveyance lines (4, 5) converging into a module (8) for assembling the individual backing sheets (3) with the respective card (2).

Description

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CARDS OR VOUCHERS TO BACKING

SHEETS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets. Background Art

It is well known to use cards or vouchers, which are generally laminated and have standardized shapes and dimensions, as a data medium, such as for example credit cards, loyalty cards for commercial organizations, ID cards or others.

Such cards contain data in the form of a magnetic band and/or a bar code and/or a chip and/or a laser band and/or readable characters and/or graphic images.

The organizations which issue such cards need to send them to users together with a backing sheet which bears the identification data of the card and/or the identification data of the user and any supplemental information, such as for example instructions for using the card, any codes for activating or using the card, terms and conditions of validity, or others.

In the present description, the terms "card" or "voucher" are used equally to identify the cards, while the backing sheet will be designated by using equally the terms "backing sheet", "backing" or "carrier".

The application of a card or voucher which has already been coded or customized to a respective backing sheet provides for the execution of several steps: - taking a single card at a time from a magazine of cards which have already been coded;

- reading the data coded in the card and related in particular to the cardholder;

- (optionally) retrieving information to be reproduced on the backing sheet from a data bank; - (optionally) printing the retrieved information on a single virgin backing sheet;

- taking the printed backing sheet directly from the printer or from the corresponding sheet magazine; - checking the match of the data of the card with the information printed on the backing sheet;

- if the match is verified, applying the card or a plurality of cards to the respective backing sheet by means of containment pockets, adhesive bands or glues; - folding the backing sheet, with the card applied thereto, and inserting the folded assembly into an envelope.

Machines are currently known which perform such operations automatically; however, they suffer drawbacks, including the fact that they have a preset, non-modifiable structure, which prevents their adaptation to different requirements of the application of cards to the respective backing sheets.

Known machines in fact generally process a single type of card, which in any case is already coded, and therefore do not allow to code the card and/or customize it. Another disadvantage of known machines consists in that they are provided with lines for conveying the processed cards which block access to at least one of the two opposite faces of the card.

Another drawback of known machines consists in that they are provided with systems for taking the cards from the corresponding magazine or storage unit which also act on the recessed or relief portions of the cards, such as for example the identification number of the card, and may damage them.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets which is versatile and flexible in use and has a structure which can be adapted easily to different card and/or sheet processing requirements.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine which allows not only to process the cards in order to apply them to a backing sheet, but also to process the cards for example by customizing them with the coding of the corresponding data directly on the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine which allows to handle the cards so as to allow easy access thereto on both faces.

Still another object of the present invention is to devise a machine which allows to pick up a single card at a time from the corresponding magazine simply and easily, at the same time ensuring the integrity of the card and in particular of any recessed or relief portion thereof.

Within this aim, another object of the present invention is to devise a structure which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe to use, effective in operation, and relatively low in cost.

This aim and these objects are all achieved by the present machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets, characterized in that it comprises at least one line for conveying the cards to be applied which is of the modular type and comprises at least one module for picking up the individual cards, a module for reading the information coded on each individual card, and a module for applying an adhesive element to each individual card, at least one line for conveying the backing sheets which comprises at least one module for picking up a single backing sheet, the two conveyance lines converging into a module for assembling the individual backing sheets with the respective card. Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a possible configuration of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of an alternative configuration of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the card conveyance means of the machine according to the invention;

Figures 4a-4c are schematic sectional views of the device for picking up an individual card from the corresponding magazine of the machine according to the invention respectively in the inactive configuration, in the picking configuration and in the release configuration;

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the machine as a whole.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a machine for applying cards or vouchers 2 to a respective backing sheet or carrier 3.

The machine 1 comprises at least one line 4 for conveying the cards 2 and at least one line 5 for conveying the carriers 3, which merge in a module for assembling an individual carrier 3 with the respective card 2 and from which there extends a line 6 for conveying assemblies 7 constituted by the individual carriers 3 with the respective card 2 applied thereto.

The entire machine 1 is of the modular type and can be composed according to the different requirements; in particular, each conveyance line 4, 5 and 6 respectively for the cards 2, the carriers 3 and the assemblies 7 is of the modular type. The expression "modular conveyance line" is used to reference a conveyance line along which there are one or more modules for processing the cards 2, the carriers 3 or the assemblies 7 which are modular. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With particular reference to the conveyance line 4 for the cards 2, it comprises at least: a module 40 for picking up the individual cards 2, a module 41 for reading the information coded in each individual card 2, and a module 42 for applying an adhesive element, such as a double-adhesive band, to one of the two opposite faces of each individual card 2.

The conveyance line 4 for the cards 2 can also comprise at least: a module for coding data on a magnetic strip or a microchip, a module (of the two-sided thermal transfer, inkjet or laser type) for overprinting bar codes, images and/or data, which are not shown.

Along the conveyance line 4, upstream along the advancement direction of the cards 2, of the application module 42 there is conveniently an accumulation module 43 or buffer storage unit for the cards 2 while waiting for the application of the adhesive element, which is adapted to handle the times for optional printing of the carriers.

The conveyance line 5 for the carriers 3 comprises at least: a module 50 for picking up an individual carrier 3 and a module 51 for identifying the information provided on the carrier 3.

The conveyance line 4 and the conveyance line 5 merge in an assembly module 8, which is adapted to apply one or more cards 2 to the respective carrier 3 after checking that the data contained therein match the information provided on the carrier 3 (for example by means of an auxiliary bar code). The position for applying the card 2 on the respective carrier 3 can be preset.

The assembly module 8 comprises means for handling from above the individual cards 2, which are not shown and are adapted to take from above a single card 2 which exits from the application module 42 and apply it to the carrier 3.

The conveyance line 6 for the assemblies 7 comprises at least: a module 60 for controlling the assemblies 7, a module 61 for folding the correct assemblies 7, a module 62 for inserting the folded assemblies 7 into an envelope, a first module 63 for redirecting the carriers 3 which have been rejected because they have not overcome the information check and a second module 64 for redirecting the cards 2 which have been rejected because they have not overcome the information check.

The control module 60 checks whether a card 2 is applied to the current carrier 3, for example by mechanically checking the thickness, by optical inspection or by means of a TV camera.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two possible configurations of a machine 1 according to the invention.

The machine 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a line 4 for conveying the cards 2, a line 5 for conveying the carriers 3 and a line 6 for conveying the assemblies 7; the conveyance line 5 and the conveyance line 6 are arranged in line respectively upstream and downstream of the assembly module 8, while the conveyance line 4 is arranged at right angles thereto.

The following are arranged along the conveyance line 4: a pickup module 40, which manages one or more magazines 44 of the cards 2, a module 41 for reading the data coded onto the individual card 2, an accumulation module 43 and a module 42 for applying an adhesive element to the lower face of the card 2.

The following are arranged along the conveyance line 5 of the carrier 3: an optional module 50, of the belt or suction type, for picking up the individual carriers 3, and an identifying module 51.

Along the conveyance line 5, the information of the carrier 3 is checked, and only if the match between said information and the card 2 is verified, such card is applied to the respective carrier 3 at the assembly module 8; if the carrier 3 and the card 2 do not overcome the information check, they are rejected respectively by the first and second redirection modules 63 and 64.

The line 6 for conveying the assemblies 7 which exit from the assembly module 8 sends the assemblies to the folding module 61 and to the envelope insertion module 62. Figure 2 illustrates a machine 1 in which the line 4 for conveying the cards 2 and the line 5 for conveying the carriers 3 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the line 6 for conveying the assemblies 7.

Along the conveyance line 5 there is a printing module of the inline type 51' and/or transverse type 51", which is adapted for processing small batches with frequent die-cutter replacement.

The conveyance line 6 is completed with a folding module 61 and with an envelope insertion module 62.

The line 4 for conveying the cards 2 comprises conveyance means 45, which are not shown in detail in Figures 1 and 2. The conveyance means 45 comprise a track for supporting two mutually opposite edges of the cards 2 and means for pushing the individual cards 2 so that they advance along the track and act on the rear edge (in the advancement direction) of each individual card 2.

The track for the support and sliding of the cards is constituted by two shoulders 46 and 46', which are mutually spaced and parallel to the advancement direction of the conveyance line 4 and on which there is a respective step 47 and 47' for supporting a respective edge of the cards 2.

The pusher means comprise, for each card 2, a pusher such as a tooth 48, which protrudes at right angles from the supporting surface defined by the steps 47 and 47' and is associated with respective actuation means which are adapted to make them advance along the conveyance line 4.

The actuation means comprise a belt 49, which is closed in a loop and wound around two pulleys 49a and 49b, of which one is a driving pulley and the other one is a driven pulley; the active portion of the belt 49 runs parallel to the track and is arranged inside the two shoulders 46 and 46'; the teeth 48 are rigidly associated with the outer face of the belt 49.

Figures 4a-4c illustrate a detail of a module 40 for picking up the cards 2.

The pickup module 40 comprises one or more magazines 44 of the vertical type for the cards 2; each magazine 44 comprises a receptacle for containing the cards 2 which are superimposed in a stack, and on the bottom of the receptacle there is an opening for the access of means 10 for gripping an individual card which can move between a configuration for picking up the last card at the bottom of the stack and a configuration for releasing the picked card so that it rests on the plane defined by the steps 47-47'.

The grip means 10 are of the suction type and comprise at least one sucker 11.

The grip means 10 are associated with means for actuating their movement between the grip configuration and the release configuration, which comprise a linear actuator 12 of the double-acting type which is arranged at right angles to the supporting plane of the cards 2.

The linear actuator 12 is associated with adjustment means, not shown in detail, which are adapted to modify its position with respect to the magazine 44, so as to prevent the grip means 10 from acting on recessed or relief portions of the individual cards 2.

In particular, the adjustment means, as indicated by the arrows F, are adapted to change the position of the linear actuator 12 and therefore of the sucker 11 associated therewith at its head, on a plane which is parallel to the supporting surface of the cards 2 as defined by the steps 47-47'. Figure 5, which is a block diagram of the apparatus as a whole, shows in its upper part a block diagram of the software program used in the apparatus, which resides for example in a personal computer 90, which is connected to a network wiring distributor 91, which is interfaced with the hardware portion of the apparatus, and therefore with all the electrical/mechanical devices, designated by the reference numeral 92 in the figure.

The interface between the wiring distributor 91 and the devices 92 occurs by means of interface modules 93.

Conveniently, the software program which controls the apparatus according to the invention provides for a data/database interface module 100, which is connected to a profile interface module 300, to which a graphical interface module 200 is connected. The module 300 in turn is connected to a user interface module 400, which connects to a module 500 for loading sequences dynamically. The module 500 is adapted to load control sequences 501, STP printing reading sequences 502, chip reading sequences 503, bar code reading sequences 504 and magnetic strip reading sequences 505.

The sequence loading module 500 is connected to a module 600 for handling the individual modules of the apparatus. A dynamic library loading module 700 is linked to the dynamic sequence loading module 500. The module 700 is linked to command library modules 701 , 702, 703, ..., and is further connected to one or more external readers of bar codes, chips, magnetic strips, designated by the reference numeral 705.

The user interface module 400 is connected to an interface module 401 for communication, multitasking and bus arbitration.

The software structure of the entire apparatus is organized into the following three levels:

Level 1 (diagnostic).

Handling the motors of all the modules. The user interface 400 allows, by means of suitable buttons, to operate each individual motor and piston of each module stepwise.

Display of photocells of all the modules

The user interface 400 displays the status of each sensor/photocell, which is actuated (closed) or deactivated (open). An overview, with graphical representation, of the logical/physical state of the sensor system and of the actuators (motors/pistons et cetera).

The user interface displays the schematic representation of all the hardware components of which the apparatus is composed. Bar code reading for diagnostic purposes for calibration of module positions The user interface allows to perform test reads from the bar code modules that are present in order to check the correct positioning of the readers at the correct focal distance and the centering of the bar code with respect to the cards and sheets. Infrastructure for chip management The user interface 400 allows to connect a reader to the card below the contacts and to check correct reading of the ATR (Answer To Reset) of the card.

Level 2 (processing management).

Basic sequence cycle with: CARD PICKUP FROM RIGHT/LEFT (both magazines).

The card is picked up from one of the two available magazines. If they do not contain cards, the message is reported to the user interface.

CARD BAR CODE READING

The reader reads any bar code that is present on the card and associates it with the logic context of the card that is present in the module.

MAGNETIC STRIP READING

If configured, the motor of the power supply module conveys the card inside the magnetic strip reader, which reads any tracks that are present on the card and associates them with the logic context of the card that is present in the module. If not configured, the module allows only the transit of the card without any reading.

CHIP READING

If configured, the head for reading the chip that is present on board the module is made to contact the chip, the content of the card identification data is read by means of the appropriately provided contacts and then the head is offset from the contacts. If not configured, the module allows only the transit of the card without any reading.

LABEL APPLICATION CYCLE

The card is conveyed into the device, which applies a double- adhesive label to it. If one of the preceding modules has marked the card as incorrect, the label is not applied but the card is simply made to transit through the module.

PICKING THE SHEET FROM THE FEEDER If the card has at least one valid identification data item (magnetic band, bar code, chip or other), a sheet is loaded from the magazine.

LOADED SHEET BAR CODE READING

The bar code which identifies the owner of the sheet is read and the datum is associated with the logic context of the sheet. ITEM CONSISTENCY VERIFICATION

The match between the data that is present on the sheet and at least one of the identification data of the loaded card while waiting to be applied to the sheet is checked.

APPLICATION OF THE CARD TO THE SHEET IF CHECK IS POSITIVE

If the data match up, the piston of the module is actuated and aspirates the card from the plastic conveyance system and deposits the card onto the underlying sheet in a position which is preset by the configuration.

REJECTION OF SHEET AND CARD IF VERIFICATION IS NEGATIVE

If the data of the sheet and of the card do not match, the data of the next element (card +1 and sheet +1) are checked to see whether one of the two elements (sheet/card) might match one of the next elements. If a match is verified, the unsuitable element (card or sheet) is rejected, i.e., the one whose data do not cross-match even the next complementary element (the underlying sheet with the next card on the card track or the underlying card with the next loaded sheet).

CONVEYANCE INTOENVELOPE

When the data of two elements arranged on the application module match up, the sheet is made to advance toward the folding and envelope insertion device, otherwise the sheet rejection device is activated and the sheet is directed, during advancement, into a pocket dedicated to rejects.

DISPLAY OF TOTAL SHEETS INSERTED IN ENVELOPES / REJECTED During continuous operation of the system, the data related to the sheets inserted in envelopes and to the sheets that are rejected are displayed. DISPLAY TOTALS OF CARDS INSERTED IN ENVELOPES / REJECTED

During continuous operation of the system, the data related to the cards inserted in envelopes and to the cards that are rejected are displayed. CONFIGURATION OF MATCH FIELDS BETWEEN CARDS AND SHEET

It is possible to configure from the user interface 400 the positions of the reading strings on which the comparison between the data read from the bar code/magnetic strip and the data received from the chip is made, in order to allow to perform the comparison between different parts of the data structures that are present on the card and on the sheet.

Level 3 (customization management).

Level 3 allows end users to configure the job to be performed in the finest detail.

Management of graphical layout of module for printing the printed medium or carrier

By means of the graphical interface module 200, it is possible to configure the graphical appearance of the elements which will be printed onto a sheet during card identification. In this mode, the sheets do not necessarily have to be preprinted and loaded in order, since they are printed by means of this module directly when the corresponding card is loaded.

This method allows to arrange the cards even randomly, without having to stop the machine during processing in order to check the incorrect positioning of the sheets with respect to the cards. The interface is, for example, a CAD (computer aided design) environment which allows to perform all the configuration operations by viewing the end result of the sheet plus the card.

Database management The database module 100 is used during the sheet printing process in association with the graphical layout management mode. The data item obtained by means of the card identification system (magnetic strip, bar code, chip or other) is used to search for the record of the person that contains the address data and any additional data that are present in the database and are to be printed on the sheet. By configuring this module it is possible to retrieve data from different database systems that are commercially available.

Scratch table for verifying data in a non-algorithmic tabular mode between strip/bar code/chip. The database can contain a reference table which allows to pair the different data with each other, obtaining from one of them, used as a search key, access to all the others as well. The software searches for the record starting from the configuration performed on the matching system and retrieves the data required for the comparison. This technique is used when the data that are present on the different systems do not contain the same information (for example the magnetic strip contains the tax identification code, the sheet bears a bar code with the "person's progressive number"). The software performs a search in the table by using the tax identification code as a key and checks that the field of the database defined as "person's progressive number" contains the same information read from the bar code that is present on the sheet.

Table for managing the printing of the print medium or carrier (address, page layout).

The database can also contain a table which contains information linked to the destination address of the envelope, which will be used not for a comparison but for printing onto the sheet onto which the card will be applied.

Table for logging performed operations

The database 100 can contain a table in which the software can write the chronological list of all or part of the operations performed during a process, in order to allow the customer to verify the correct insertion of the cards in the envelopes with positive verification and the correct management of any rejects, which will have to be redone.

Management of sequences organized with different modes of execution of machine cycle

The sequences can be configured and condition the operation of the system in a continuous cycle. A sequence is represented by a series of actions and controls, performed in succession for each individual module, which condition the execution mode of a machine cycle. There is an appropriately provided module 500 which is designed to load the sequences and is capable of loading dynamically the configurations for the individual modules 600. Each subsequence of each module can use lists of different commands, depending on the assignment that the module must perform in a precise sequence, and a library of commands required to perform the operations provided by the sequence of a module, block 700 of the block diagram, is loaded automatically.

Read-Verify-Insert in envelope

This mode is the simplest: the cycle identifies a data item on the card, a data item on the sheet, compares them, and if the comparison is positive, it pairs them and inserts them in an envelope, otherwise it rejects them. Read-Print- Verify-Insert in envelope

The software identifies a data item on the card, uses the printing interface to retrieve the graphical appearance of the sheet, uses the data interface to retrieve the data to be printed, prints the sheet, checks that the data read from the sheet correspond to the data read on the card, and inserts the folded item into an envelope.

Read-Decide-Code-Print-Insert in envelope

The software identifies a data item on the card, decides on the basis of the content of the data whether to retrieve another card, optionally recodes the data read from the card (magnetic strip, chip or other) with a data item which is different from the original, which is meant only to guide the envelope insertion process, then uses the printing interface to retrieve the graphical appearance of the sheet, uses the data interface to retrieve the data to be printed, prints the sheet, checks that the data read from the sheet correspond to the data read on the card and inserts the folded item into an envelope.

Read-Decide-Code/attach/group-Print-Insert in envelope The software identifies a data item on the card, decides on the basis of the content of the data whether to retrieve another card, to insert in addition to the sheet also an attachment (for example a contract which the cardholder must return signed), decides whether to insert an optional second card from the second available magazine, optionally recodes the data item read from the card (magnetic strip or chip) with a data item which is different from the original, which is meant only to guide the envelope insertion process, then uses the printing interface to retrieve the graphical appearance of the sheet, uses the data interface to retrieve the data to be printed, prints the sheet, checks that the data read from the sheet correspond to the data read on the card and inserts the folded item into an envelope, which optionally contains an attachment and a second card. When a pack / postcode split occurs et cetera, the software stops the machine and asks the operator to package what has been produced up to then as belonging to pack number or postcode xxxx.

Substantially, the program described above is integrated in the apparatus according to the invention and allows to define all the graphical aspects of the sheet, in terms of color, size and shape, thus allowing the apparatus to use any type of die-cutters and not only a predefined range.

It is further possible to customize a processing sequence, both by means of preconfigured templates and by means of an appropriate written language. It is further possible to perform management, monitoring and diagnostics remotely.

In practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the proposed aim and objects; thanks to its modularity, the machine according to the invention is flexible and versatile in use and easily adaptable to different requirements for processing the cards and the carriers.

Moreover, the means for conveying the cards along the respective line allow free access to both opposite faces of each individual card, each of the two lower and upper faces of each card being therefore available for processing or for acting as a grip and handling element. Finally, it is noted that the adjustment of the position of the means for gripping the individual cards allows to avoid contact with given portions, for example recessed or relief portions, of said individual cards, thus protecting their integrity.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2006A002131 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A machine for applying cards or vouchers to backing sheets, characterized in that it comprises at least one line for conveying the cards to be applied which is of the modular type and comprises at least one module for picking up the individual cards, a module for reading the information coded on each individual card, and a module for applying an adhesive element to each individual card, at least one line for conveying the backing sheets which is of the modular type and comprises at least one module for picking up a single backing sheet, said conveyance lines converging into a module for assembling the individual backing sheets with the respective card.

2. The machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that it further comprises a module for identifying information provided on said backing sheets.

3. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one line for conveying the assemblies constituted by the backing sheet and the corresponding card, which is of the modular type and is fed by said assembly module.

4. The machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said assembly conveyance line comprises at least one module selected among: a module for controlling each individual assembly, a module for folding the individual assemblies, a module for inserting in an envelope the folded assemblies, and a module for redirecting the rejected backing sheets and/or cards.

5. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said line for conveying the cards further comprises at least one module for coding the individual cards and/or at least one module for overprinting the individual cards and/or at least one module for etching the individual cards.

6. The machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said coding module is selected from the group which comprises a magnetic strip coding module and a microchip coding module.

7. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said card conveyance line comprises at least one module for the accumulation and holding of said cards which is arranged upstream of said application module.

8. The machine according to one or more of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said control module comprises means for detecting the presence of a card on each backing sheet, which comprise at least one detection device of the optical, dimensional, visual or similar type.

9. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said line for conveying the individual cards comprises means for conveying the individual cards between said modules which comprise at least one track for supporting two opposite edges of said cards and means for pushing said cards which act on the rear edge of each card sliding along said track.

10. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pusher means comprise an element for pushing the rear edge of each individual card which protrudes from the supporting surface of said cards which is defined by said track and means for actuating said pusher elements so as to produce advancement along a direction which is parallel and internal with respect to said track.

11. The machine according to claim 10, characterized in that said actuation means comprise a belt which is closed in a loop and wound around two pulleys, one being a driving pulley and one being a driven pulley, said pusher elements being rigidly associated with said belt.

12. The machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that each of said pusher elements comprises a tooth which protrudes at right angles to said supporting surface.

13. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said module for picking up said cards comprises at least one magazine for said cards, means for gripping a single card from said magazine, means for actuating said grip means between a configuration for taking a single card from said magazine and a configuration for releasing the card that has been picked up which rests on said card conveyance line and means for adjusting the position of said grip means and/or of said actuation means with respect to said magazine.

14. The machine according to claim 13, characterized in that said magazine is of the vertical type and comprises a receptacle for containing a plurality of cards which are mutually stacked and is provided with an opening on the bottom for the access of said grip means.

15. The machine according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said grip means are of the suction type and comprise at least one sucker.

16. The machine according to one or more of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that said actuation means comprise a double-acting linear actuator, which is arranged at right angles to the supporting surface of said cards and with which a respective said grip means is associated.

17. The machine according to claim 16, characterized in that said adjustment means are associated with said actuator and are adapted to move it along at least one direction which is parallel to the supporting surface of said cards.