Abstract: A book sewing machine has an inserter for plates for indicating the planes of separation between the books. Each plate is disposed in the separation plane in correspondence with the top of the adjacent face of the contiguous books on that side of the books facing the loader. The machine also has a gluer for applying a layer of glue to the backs of the books which advance towards the discharge zone. Close to the latter is a separator constituted by a cutting blade which traverses the pile of books so that it cuts the layer of glue on the backs and simultaneously cuts the thread connecting the last book to the next book, thus effecting the separation. An operating cycle of the separator device is started each time a control circuit is given an enabling signal by a detecting device for detecting the passage of a plate. The position of the detection device preferably coincides with that of the cutting blade which may be a separate element or which may be part of the plate.

Abstract: A palletizing machine for stacking rows of articles in layers on a pallet, includes an entry station for accummulating a row of articles, an intermediate support for receiving from the entry station a sufficient number of rows of articles to constitute a layer of articles on the pallet, and a pallet support vertically movable in a main framework of the machine to position the upper level of a pallet or partially loaded pallet just below the level of the intermediate support so that a layer of articles accumulated thereon can be readily tranferred to the pallet. To facilitate the handling of articles such as piles of books, both the entry station and the intermediate support are provided with roller beds.

Abstract: A signature opener for opening signatures having either an upper or lower positioned overlap, the opener having a conveyor, a pair of opposed rotatably mounted opening member and a drive therefor, for selectively engaging the upper or lower positioned overlap and pushing the part of the signature having the overlap away from the other part, thereby opening or initiating the opening of the signature.

Abstract: The automatic signature opener has a continuous conveyor for the signature, a surface covered with pressure-sensitive adhesive which is brought into contact with the top sheet of the signature to lift the top sheet, a separating member for insertion between the top sheet and the remainder of the signature to hold them apart, and a member for pulling the top sheet of the signature away from the adhesive surface to release the signature from the adhesive surface.

Abstract: To manufacture a sewn book from a plurality of signatures, a length of thermoplastic filament is inserted through holes in the spine of each signature so that part of the filament is on the inside and the ends of the filament extend out through the holes, and the exterior parts of the filaments of a plurality of such signatures are interconnected by welding, preferably by welding them to transverse thermoplastic members, in order to join these signatures together.