Abstract: A book binding apparatus is provided with a conveyor belt 5 having a book block conveyance surface 13 extending obliquely downward toward a pair of clamp plates 3 and 4 of a clamper 2 at a book block supply position A. A guide plate 21 is attached to the clamp plate 4 on the conveyor belt side and can swing between a standing position and a tilted position. When the pair of clamp plates is placed in a closed position, the guide plate is held in the standing position. When the pair of clamp plates is placed in an open position at the book block supply position, the guide plate swings from the standing position to the tilted position and connects to the book block conveyance surface.

Abstract: Bookbinding-unit adhesive application device that does not interrupt the unit to replenish adhesive when consecutively applying adhesive to sheet bundles, and can shorten the time the system is interrupted. An adhesive storage container (10) that stores adhesive; an applicator roller (30) rotatably disposed in the adhesive storage container (10); an adhesive supplier (55) that refills hot-melt adhesive to the adhesive storage container (10); heater (20) that melts the adhesive in the adhesive storage container (10); and refill volume controller (62) that controls the amount of refill adhesive of the adhesive supplier (55) are provided. The refill volume controller (61) is configured to set the adhesive refill volume based on information from adhesive detector (22a) disposed in the adhesive storage container (10); and remaining sheets determiner (62) that determines the number of sheets to coat for the sheet bundles to be coated with adhesive.

Abstract: In a film bonding machine 1 including a laser oscillation means 2 for oscillating laser for processing a tape 7 bonded onto an end surface 8 of a columnar honeycomb structural body 6 by the laser oscillated from the laser oscillation means 2, the film bonding machine 1 further includes an image pick-up means 3 having a moving type or tilt type mirror 4 capable of reflecting the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 onto the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2 by reflected light and an image pick-up unit 5 for picking up the image of the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 reflected by the mirror 4. In the film bonding machine 1, the processing position of the tape 7 bonded onto the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 can be recognized by the image-pick means 3 on the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2. As a result, the tape bonded onto the end surface of the honeycomb structural body can be accurately processed by the laser.

Abstract: A method of forming a bound document includes providing a text body defining a first sheet and a last sheet, aligned edges of the sheets defining a spine, the spine being bound with an adhesive strip to define a first wing and a second wing of the adhesive strip, wherein the first wing extends beyond the first sheet of the text body, and the second wing extends beyond the last sheet of the text body. The method further includes compressing the first wing of the adhesive strip against the first sheet to form a first exposed adhesive bead; compressing the second wing of the adhesive strip against the last sheet to form a second exposed adhesive bead; and applying a cover over the text body and against the first and second exposed adhesive beads to attach the cover to the bound text body as a floating cover.

Abstract: A binding device includes an L-shaped frame including two uprights, a crossbar-shaped platen interconnecting the upright, a central screw having a bottom end secured to the platen, and a rectangular table having two rear corners secured to bottoms of the uprights; a base including two arcuate openings each formed along an edge of an upper portion of the side, and two adjustment knobs secured to both sides of the table proximate a front end of the table; and a heater releasably secured to a rear end of the table and a vertical section of the frame and including a front heating area. The adjustment knobs are adapted to slide in a range defined by two ends of the opening. The platen is adapted to lift and lower by operating the screw and press one or more books to be bound on the table. A book binding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stack of pages can be bound along a binding edge to form a book by positioning a first side of an elongated conductive metal foil strip in contact with the binding edge. The strip has opposed ends, opposed side edges extending between the ends, and an adhesive with a predetermined melting temperature in contact with at least a portion of a first side thereof. The strip has been altered from a first configuration to a second configuration so as to enhance a resistance of the strip between the ends from a first value to a second value substantially greater than the first value. A voltage is applied across the strip sufficient to melt the adhesive to bind the stack of pages together along the binding edge.

Abstract: A perfect bound book construction is disclosed in which the book has a book block comprising a plurality of text pages, and a soft paper cover. The inner and outer faces of the cover are laminated with a plastic film so as to form a double laminated cover. The center portion of the inner lamination of the double laminated cover is conditioned or roughened, as by scarifying, so that an adhesive will adhere to the inner lamination and bind the spine of the book block to the double laminated cover. Apparatus for and a method of printing books on demand with such double laminated covers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive coating device for sheet-binding provided with a roller 14, part of which is immersed in adhesive 10 stored in an adhesive reservoir 12, for applying hot-melted adhesive 10 in the above-mentioned adhesive reservoir 12 along the arranged one-side edge of a bundle of sheets 54 while rotating. The device includes an electromagnetic induction heating coil 20 disposed in the vicinity of the above-mentioned roller 14, and a current supply device 5 for supplying a high-frequency current to the above-mentioned electromagnetic induction heating coil 20.

Abstract: In a device (1, 51) for applying an adhesive to the spine (2a) or to areas (2b) of the lateral faces adjacent thereto of an inner book (2) having a projecting portion and conveyed past in a transport system (3), comprising at least one rotating application roller (53a,b) or application disc (5) which picks up the adhesive from a reservoir (4, 52) and transfers same to the inner book (2) by rolling-off, the device having a doctor blade (7, 54a,b) adjustable with regard to its distance from the application roller (5, 53a,b) for regulating the application thickness of the adhesive and having an actuating device (8, 9, 57, 59) for the controlled movement of the doctor blade (7, 54a,b) between an application and a zero-application position, it is provided that the actuating device includes at least one single-acting contraction hose (24a,b, 56a,b) controllable via compressed air (P) and acting as a pull actuator.

Abstract: A curable casemaking adhesive, books and related articles bound thereby. In one embodiment, a UV curable hot melt adhesive is used to form the case, which is preferably also embossed. In another embodiment, a moisture curable hot melt adhesive is used to form the case, which is preferably also embossed.

Abstract: A curable casemaking adhesive, books and related articles bound thereby. In one embodiment, a UV curable hot melt adhesive is used to form the case, which is preferably also embossed. In another embodiment, a moisture curable hot melt adhesive is used to form the case, which is preferably also embossed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing adhesive in a bookbinding system are described. Sheets may be bound into bound text bodies having respective spines exposed for adhesive application and characterized by multiple length dimensions and multiple thickness dimensions. In one aspect, a sheet binding system comprises an adhesive dispenser that is configured to dispense across the thickness dimension of a text body spine solid sheet adhesive having one of multiple effective widths that is sized to correspond substantially to the length dimension of the text body spine. In accordance with this approach, books of different lengths (or heights) may be readily bound with solid sheet adhesive that may be contained within a single, replaceable cartridge housing.

Abstract: In order to adhesively bind a set of sheets of book blocks, booklets and the like, the inner book (6) is inserted in a clamping device (7-11) with the back facing downward and received by a holding device that can be moved horizontally and perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the block. The adhesive is applied onto the backs of the blocks from the bottom by a press on device by means of an adhesive pad (17). The adhesive pad is impinged upon by the press on device in such a manner that the back of the book forms a set of sheets on one side and then on the other side by exerting pressure while adhesive is imultaneously applied on the back of the book forming the set of sheets (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive application station provided for bonding stacked printed products using a flowable or liquifiable adhesive. The inventive station comprises an application head which is provided for the adhesive and which has a sliding surface for the printed products. The station also comprises a stop which is arranged on each side of said sliding surface and which is provided for the printed products, and comprises a slotted nozzle which is provided for the adhesive and which extends over the entire width of the sliding surface. The adhesive application station also has an adhesive reservoir that is configured as a pressure chamber and has means for generating pressure in said adhesive reservoir. At least one lateral stop is configured as a lateral guide surface which, within a narrow tolerance zone, automatically compensates for different thicknesses of the stacked printed products that are passing through.

Abstract: Adhesive systems comprised of one or more photoinitiators and one or more adhesives capable of radiation-induced reaction are useful in one-step or multi-step perfect binding of books and other printed articles. The adhesive may be a low viscosity mixture of a monomer and/or polymer which is cross-linkable by UV or stronger electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An encoded binder strip having an adhesive matrix and an encoded pattern formed on a surface of the matrix to identify the type of binder strip. The encoded pattern includes relatively high reflectivity regions and relatively low reflectivity regions. Preferably, the encoded pattern is read as the binder strip is fed into a binding machine, with the encoded pattern controlling operation of the machine.

Abstract: A glue spreader for spreading glue to a back or adjacent area of a book block of gathered printed pages conveyed past the glue spreader on a conveyor includes a tub for holding the glue. At least one application roller, drivable in the same direction and at the same speed as the book block, is submerged in the tub in order to take up the glue and transfer the glue to the back of the book block. A blade coater is adapted for arrangement above the glue level in the tub at a changeable distance to the application roller. An actuation element is coupled to the blade coater for adjustment of the blade coater for determining a thickness of a glue film to be transferred to the book block back based on the changeable distance to the application roller. A controllable electric motor has a drive element and the actuation element of the blade coater is operatively connected to the drive element of the controllable electric motor.

Abstract: A book cover paper that is to be glued to a book block back has material scooped out on the side facing the book back, reducing the thickness of the cover paper at least over the width of the book block back, before the cover paper is joined to the book block back.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a method for bookbinding is provided. The method comprises placing a strip of hot-melt adhesive tape between a spine of a book block and a central region of a cover. The hot-melt adhesive tape comprises a first layer having a first hot-melt adhesive substance having a first viscosity and a second layer having a second hot-melt adhesive substance having a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity when heated. The strip of the hot-melt adhesive is placed such that the first layer of the tape is positioned next to the spine and the second layer is positioned next to the central region of the cover.

Abstract: An indexible turret delivers successive stacks of a series of stacks of overlapping paper sheets to an adhesive applying or coating station where the elongated spine of a freshly delivered stack assumes a predetermined position. An elongated carriage is movable longitudinally of the spine at the coating station and carries two mirror symmetrical nozzles one of which is activated to supply a coat of adhesive to the spine at the coating station while the carriage moves in one direction and the other of which is activated to apply a coat of adhesive to the spine of the next stack of the series while the carriage moves in the opposite direction. The nozzles have elongated slots extending transversely of the spine at the coating station, and each nozzle is mounted in a discrete frame and is adjustable in and/or with such frame transversely of as well as toward and away from the spine at the coating station.

Abstract: An edge banding apparatus (21) for adhesively securing banding material (28) to an edge of a board (27). The apparatus (21) includes a board support structure (22) formed to support a board (26) in a near vertical orientation with the edge (27) to be banded in a downwardly facing orientation. An adhesive applying assembly (23) is positioned relative to the board support structure (22) and is formed to apply adhesive (54) to the downwardly facing edge (27) during relative motion between the board (26) and the adhesive applying assembly (23). The apparatus (21) includes a banding material applying assembly (24) positioned downstream of the adhesive applying assembly (23) and formed to apply a banding material (28) to the edge after the adhesive (54) is applied and a cutoff assembly (25) which cuts off the banding material (28) as the banded board (26) passes the cutoff device (25).

Abstract: A thermal binding mechanism for thermal binding of a binding object having a thermal melted glue at one side includes: (a) a rectangular housing for holding with hands, having a recess defining a passage for the binding object to pass through; and (b) a clipping and heating mechanism mounted within the housing to heat and uniformly exert a force onto the binding object, having a first heat source located at the bottom portion of the path, and a pair of second heat source positioned at the two lateral sides of the recess, corresponding to the thermal melted glue of the binding object, thereby the binding object is located between the clipping and heating mechanism and the binding object is allowed to move relatively along the passage via the clipping and heating mechanism.

Abstract: A machine for attaching a book cover to endsheets within an adhesive is set forth. The adhesive is applied while it is within a predetermined temperature range. The machine includes a housing, an application roller journalled within the housing, and a metering roller journalled within the housing. The metering roll is axially parallel to the application roller and nearly contacts the application roller at a nip. The region above the nip defined by the application and metering rollers, and two internal seals with the housing is an adhesive reservoir. The adhesive remains in this reservoir before it is applied by the application roller. The machine also includes a level detector which detects the level of the adhesive in the adhesive reservoir. The level detector is coupled to a controller and produces a low level signal when the level of the adhesive is below a predetermined level threshold.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing booklets, such as bank check booklets, having variable printed information. A paper stock for the booklets, perforated for separation into panels, is coated with a catalyst along certain surfaces. After passage through a non-impact printer, such as a laser printer, the panels are separated and stacked in such a way that the surfaces coated with a catalyst extend along an edge of each panel, with these edges being aligned in a common direction. When the coated edges of each stack of panels are subsequently pressed against an adhesive layer coated on a binding cover, the catalyst begins the process of hardening the adhesive in the layer.

Abstract: A cover-less binder assembly system for binding together a series of sheet materials, such as, for example, paper for business reports and the like by an office worker, with the binding typically being done along one edge using a simple, cover-less and guide-less spine (10). A separate, temporary guide (20) is temporarily provided for initially guiding the sheet material or papers into the binding spine or member to be adhered thereto, after which the combination of the spine (with the edge-inserted sheet materials) and the temporary guide are placed in a heating unit for binding the sheet materials to the spine with hot melt glue. Thereafter the bound materials are removed from the separate guide, which can thereafter be re-used in connection with other materials to be bound and a different spine. A preferred guide member includes two diverging side panels (22) forming a "V" shape leading into a trapezoidal-shaped bottom in which the spine is positioned but otherwise unattached or connected.

Abstract: Wheel apparatus (1) for applying adhesive to books includes a wheel (30) rotating about a horizontal axis. A portion of the wheel below the axis rotates between two walls (90) rising from the bottom of the adhesive reservoir (34). A metering surface (84) extends from a step (80) near the bottom of the wheel in a curve slightly diverging from the wheel to a terminal edge (88) extending between walls (90). Walls (90) and step (80) and surface (84) serve to meter the amount of adhesive carried by wheel (30) for application. Walls (90) are spaced from side walls (70, 72) to form recirculate channels for adhesive. The wheel (30) and a counter-rotary spinner wheel (32) are carried by a frame (46) pivoted on reservoir (34) so the wheel (30, 32) can be moved away from reservoir (34) for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A multi-part carbonless business form includes a first upper CB sheet having a first heat and/or pressure sensitive adhesive strip or a lower surface thereof and extending along and adjacent one marginal edge thereof; a second lower CE sheet having a second heat and/or pressure sensitive adhesive strip of substantially identical adhesive composition as the first strip, on an upper surface thereof and extending along and adjacent a corresponding marginal edge in substantial vertical alignment with the first adhesive strip; and at least one intermediate CFB sheet located between the first upper sheet and the second lower sheet and having a first plurality of apertures vertically aligned with the first and second adhesive strips to thereby allow heat and/or pressure sealing engagement between the upper CB sheet and the lower CF sheet through the first plurality of apertures in the intermediate CFB sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for variably printing and electively binding sheets. A printer is used to print variable sets of information onto a plurality of sheets, sequence the printed sheets, and assemble the printed sheets into a stack. Particular sheets within the stack of the printed sheets are selectively bound together. The binding is accomplished using a toner or other adhesive selectively applied to the sheets. This allows for the printing and binding of different booklets from an assembled stack of sheets, for example, without having to remove each booklet from the stack and separately bind it.

Abstract: A method of binding book blocks to form books is disclosed. The method involves applying an aqueous composition to the spine area of a book block and removing the volatile components of the composition. The composition comprises (1) an aqueous vehicle, a film-forming polymeric resin, and a polyurethane resin or (2) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion or emulsion. The composition may also include an alkaline component. In another embodiment, the composition comprises a mixture of an aqueous, film-forming polymeric latex, an alkaline component to adjust the pH the latex to that of an aqueous polyurethane dispersion, and the aqueous polyurethane dispersion.

Abstract: An adhesive bound pad of paper such as loose leaf binder paper is provided which is secured in assembly by adhesive material, lining or partially lining holes along selected edges of the paper stack forming the pad. The edges of the paper pad remain free of adhesive material and thus are not distorted upon separation of the sheets from the pad. The adhesive bound pad is manufactured by assembling a selected number of sheets of paper into a stack and drilling or otherwise forming holes, such as binder holes, along one of the edges of the stack. Thereafter, the coating of adhesive material is applied within the holes of the stack so as to entirely coat the paper at the holes or to coat selected portions of the paper at the holes as desired. After the adhesive material has been allowed to cure or has been cured the paper is releasably retained in adhesive bound pad form and the manufacturing process is complete. Individual sheets of paper may be pulled away from the pad.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are provided for splicing together adjacent paper materials, in mid-air which includes placing adjacent paper materials together in an aligned position, pressing the papers together, applying tape by utilizing an apparatus which includes a tape spool on an axle, and roller, an inverted V channel, wheels and cant wheels for guiding and maintaining paper or plastic materials in a fixed position, and a cutter for severing tape, moving the apparatus along the adjacent paper materials and severing the tape.

Abstract: A system for laying up multi-layer stacks of sheets is particularly well suited for making pads of notes having ultra-removable adhesive coatings applied in a narrow strip to the back of each sheet. Large sheets having areas many multiples larger than the size of the individual pads, are applied from a continuous paper web having zone coated adhesive strips applied thereto onto a series of recirculating pallets each of which serially receives a large sheet. The web is applied by pressing the adhesive coated side onto the pallet as the pallet travels through a nip formed by the web carrying roll. Closely spaced end-to-end register of the pallets is maintained through the web-applying nip roll and a perforating blade cooperates therewith to form a weakened tear line across the width of the web which is synchronized to coincide with the gap between adjacent pallets.

Abstract: A book spine coating nozzle is provided with adjustable side sealing jaws for adjusting the nozzle width for different book thicknesses and having distinct, separate side glue outlets for depositing glue on the book sides. Glue flow control valves are disposed between the nozzle and outlets so the glue deposited on the book sides can be selectively and independently cut off or controlled.

Abstract: A book binding process and apparatus are shown wherein polyurethane adhesive (PUR) attaches a crepe portion of a book binding to a book block and hot glue attaches the crepe portion to the book cover. The PUR delivery system includes an inclined trough positioned adjacent a polyurethane adhesive delivery roll. A polyurethane adhesive source delivers polyurethane adhesive upon the inclined surface of the trough and the polyurethane adhesive is metered onto the roller as a function of the separation of the leading edge of the trough and the roller.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. The heat source or electrode is swingably mounted in the binder receiving portion for movement between a bookbinding position and a retracted position. An operating mechanism is provided for moving the heat source or electrode from the retracted position to the bookbinding position upon insertion of the binder into the binder receiving portion.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for applying adhesive to a sheet at an adhesive applying station from a mechanism adjacent the adhesive applying station for applying adhesive. A sheet support mechanism is provided adjacent the adhesive applying station. A moving mechanism is provided for moving a portion of a sheet in one direction relative to the sheet support mechanism from an initial position to a position adjacent the adhesive applying mechanism in order for adhesive to be deposited on the sheet. A mechanism is also provided for moving the portion of the sheet with the adhesive thereon away from the adhesive applying mechanism in an opposite direction beyond the said initial position.

Abstract: An assembly for applying hot melt adhesive to the backbone of a book block to attach a cover includes a bath of hot melt glue heated to approximately 350.degree. F. A metal wheel is submerged in the bath. The metal wheel is rotated and scrapers meter the hot melt adhesive on the surface of the metal wheel. The metal wheel transfers the hot melt adhesive to flexible adhesive distribution wheel. The flexible wheel is fabricated of a silicone rubber with iron oxide capable of withstanding the elevated temperatures of the hot melt adhesive while maintaining its flexibility. In addition, the cut and mold of the wheel results in greater flexibility of the wheel, allowing the wheel to flex to engage completely the backbone of each book block to apply the adhesive fully and completely.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for binding a book utilizing a binding tape having a flexible substrate and a heat activated adhesive. The binding tape is forced against the front cover of the book utilizing a heated platen, so as to form a front cover seal simultaneously along the length of the front cover. The platen then folds the tape around the edge of the book so as to form the spine of the book. The platen then forces the remaining portion of the tape against the back cover so as to form a back cover seal simultaneously along the length of the back cover.

Abstract: A latex adhesive made from a polymer such as a ethylene/vinyl acetate or styrene/butadiene copolymer, a low-boiling alcohol, such as isopropanol, a non-crystallizing polyhydric alcohol such as sorbitol, and preferably a cellulose thickener. The latex adhesive dries so quickly that an adhesively edge-padded stack of paper sheets formed using the adhesive can be cut by hand into tablets within about 30 minutes. These tablets do not leave an upstanding ridge of adhesive when a number of the sheets are torn off.

Abstract: A sheet binder includes a frame having first and second spaced parallel support walls for receiving therebetween a plurality of sheet to be bound. The walls each have a first end for defining therebetween an opening into which the sheets are inserted, and a second end defining therebetween a binding zone. A heating plate and deposition base are operably associated with the second ends for applying an adhesive strip to associated edges of the sheets for binding the sheets together. The plate and base are displaceably supported within the frame for being linearly and alternatingly moved into and out of the binding zone.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. A binder-insertion hole of the binder receiving portion is provided with a cover to prevent foreign matter from entering the binder receiving portion.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for applying adhesive to a sheet at an adhesive applying station from a mechanism adjacent the adhesive applying station for applying adhesive. A sheet support mechanism is provided adjacent the adhesive applying station. A moving mechanism is provided for moving a portion of a sheet in one direction relative to the sheet support mechanism from an initial position to a position adjacent the adhesive applying mechanism in order for adhesive to be deposited on the sheet. A mechanism is also provided for moving the portion of the sheet with the adhesive thereon away from the adhesive applying mechanism in an opposite direction beyond the said initial position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a soft-cover book of the type having an opening relaxed position in which front and read cover sections may lay flat against a support surface. A collection of pages are perfect bound to form a book block having a spine which is deformable along an arc of 180.degree. without significantly affecting the bond strength of the book block. Preferably, the book block includes a thin flexible capping material across the spine and portions of the opposed sides of the book block. The book block is moved relative to a valved adhesive application station for selective extrusion of adhesive. The adhesive is extruded to form a plurality of adhesive application areas on the spine of the book block, with each application area being spaced apart from adjacent application areas by adhesive-free areas. A soft cover is then brought into contact with the adhesive application areas. Extrusion may be from an elongated outlet which intermittently applied adhesive across the width of the spine.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously or sequentially edge binding a sheaf of papers and separately laminating single sheets. A heat applying assembly includes a body of heat conducting material having a generally horizontal elongated slot extending through the body and two pairs of rollers, one at an input end of the slot and the other at an output end thereof for feeding a document between two thermoplastic sheets through the slot. Upper and lower imbedded heating coils apply heat above and below the slot for fusing the thermoplastic sheets to effect lamination of the document. The body of heat conducting material provides an upper surface slanted at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal. A rigid guide surface oriented by an equal angle with respect to the vertical provides for gravity retention of a sheaf of paper to be edge bound against the aforementioned upper surface, a heat setting adhesive being introduced along the common end of tyhe sheaf of papers thereby binding the papers along a spine.

Abstract: A process for book binding in which a block of pages, one of whose sides constitutes a book spine, is adhered to a book cover through the applicaiton of a polyurethane hot melt adhesive to the book cover and not to the spine, together with parallel side strips of adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus which adhesively binds a set of sheets by applying a strip having an adhesive on one surface thereof to the spine of the set. The strip is supported on a heated platen which softens the adhesive. The spine of the set of copy sheets is pressed into the adhesive on the strip. The depth of penetration of the spine into the adhesive is controlled so as to form a layer of adhesive between the spine and the strip having a predetermined thickness. As the spine of the set of copy sheets is moved into contact with the adhesive on the strip, it is damped to absorb a substantial portion of the kinetic energy of the set of sheets to reduce the deflection and distortion of the set of sheets.

Abstract: Thus, the present invention is directed to hot melt adhesive compositions suitable for bookbinding application comprising tackifying resins, at least one wax diluent and a substantially radial styrene-butadiene block copolymer, the copolymer having a styrene content greater than about 35% by weight, a modulus at 300% elongation of at least 4.5 MPa and a solution viscosity less than about 1000 cps.

Abstract: A passbook is provided that substantially prevents alteration or counterfeiting. The passbook is formed from a plurality of sheets of flexible material that are bound to one another at selected locations thereon by welding to define a substantially integral stub. The free edges of the welded pages are then folded back over the welded stub such that the stub is disposed interiorly. The welded stub is difficult to disassemble and reassemble without providing some indication of tampering. Furthermore, the disposition of the welded stub enables the passbook to be laid flat without creating stresses on the stub that could result in separation or delamination.

Abstract: Rounded, hard covered books are bound using a specific class of low viscosity reactive urethane hot melt adhesive compositions which provide a coating which will remain sufficiently flexible and thermoplastic so as to be capable of accepting and maintaining the rounded configuration even after extended periods of storage.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously or sequentially edge binding a sheaf of papers and separately laminating single sheets. A heat applying assembly includes a body of heat conducting material having a generally horizontal elongated slot extending through the body and two pairs of rollers, one at an input end of the slot and the other at an output end thereof for feeding a document between two thermoplastic sheets through the slot. Upper and lower imbedded heating coils apply heat above and below the slot for fusing the thermoplastic sheets to effect lamination of the document. The body of heat conducting material provides an upper surface slanted at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal. A rigid guide surface oriented by an equal angle with respect to the vertical provides for gravity retention of a sheaf of paper to be edge bound against the aforementioned upper surface, a heat setting adhesive being introduced along the common end of .[.tyhe.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.