Abstract: A bookbinding structure for binding a stack of sheets including an elongated substrate having a first surface on which a first, heat activated, adhesive matrix is disposed and a second surface on which a second, pressure activated adhesive is disposed. The first adhesive matrix will be used to binding an edge of the stack so as to form a bound book with no cover. The second adhesive matrix includes first and second spaced-apart segments which extend along the length of the substrate. First and second release liners are disposed over the first and second adhesive segments, with the release liners remaining in place until the stack of sheets have been bound with the bookbinding structure. One of the release liners is manually removed from the bound stack and the stack is positioned in a cover assembly with the edge of the stack being positioned opposite a spine section of the cover assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining when adhesive in a replaceable adhesive dispenser is nearly spent are described. In one aspect, a bookbinding system includes a receptacle for receiving a plug-in cartridge housing of an adhesive dispenser that contains a length of solid sheet adhesive wound into a roll, and an adhesive quantity interrogator that is configured to obtain an indication of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing. In another aspect, an adhesive dispenser includes a plug-in cartridge housing that is configured to plug into a receptacle of a bookbinding system, a length of solid sheet adhesive that is disposed within the plug-in cartridge housing and wound into a roll, and an indicator of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing.

Abstract: This is to provide a cover suitable to hollow-backed binding and provide a binding method for an album and the like for obtaining a well-bound appearance using the cover at low cost and easy to turn over. A cover is composed of a decoration cloth, a pair of substratum paper and a spine affiche adhered on required positions on the back of the decoration cloth, an interconnected reinforcement paper adhered to substratum paper to create a space between a spine affiche and a reverse paper.

Abstract: A booklet of sheets folded to create a curved spine is fixedly held by clamping jaws adjacent to the spine and a forming roller is passed one or more times along the length of the protruding spine with sufficient pressure to produce a flattening of the curvature of the spine. The deformation of the spine of the booklet means that the sheets lie flat after the treatment. A retractable stop plate defines the amount by which the spine protrudes beyond the jaws.

Abstract: A post print finishing device that incorporates an imaging material binder into the post print handling and finishing functions. In one exemplary embodiment, the finishing device includes a flipper module, an accumulator module and a binder module. The binder module binds sheets together by reactivating imaging material applied to binding regions on the sheets by a printing device. The flipper module receives a sheet leading edge first and discharges the sheet trailing edge first. That is to say, the flipper module flips the sheet before discharging the sheet for further processing. The accumulator module stacks the sheets, presents the sheets to the binder for binding and then discharges the bound stack to the output bin.

Abstract: A desktop binder for converting a plurality of sheets of paper into book form using a flexible binding media, or binder-tape, to attach the book spine and covers. The binder-tape is pre-coated with a hot melt adhesive and includes indicia that the binder can decode. The binder can utilize binder-tape both in roll or sheet format where the width of said binder-tape is equal to the long bound edge of the book. The binder-tape is cut to the desired size automatically by a mechanism within the binder. A method is presented for preprinting a spine title on the sheet form of binder-tape. The book is gripped by a roller mechanism that shuttles the book through the various process stages. The completed book may be ejected either from the opening into which it was inserted or, alternatively, transferred through a secondary opening communicating with a book-stacking unit or conveyor.

Abstract: A bookbinding structure and method. The bookbinding structure is used to bind pages together in existing, commercially available binding machines. The bookbinding structure has a heat activated adhesive matrix for binding the pages. To attach a wrap-around book cover once the pages have been bound with the bookbinding structure, an adhesive on the outer surface of the bookbinding structure may be exposed by removing a release liner covering the adhesive. The book cover may then be adhered to the exposed adhesive either by a heat method or by applying pressure over the adhesive, depending on the particular type of adhesive of the bookbinding structure. The book cover may be printed with information and/or graphics prior to being wrapped around the pages of the book.

Abstract: In a process for casing a book block or paper-cover block into a cover during the manufacture of adhesively bound books, paper covers or magazines in an adhesive binding machine in which the block is transported, with a hanging-out portion, in a block clamp belonging to a transport system and is connected to the cover by gluing the back and/or the side regions, provision is made, in order to achieve an increase in quality, for the hanging-out portion (1a) of the block (1) to be aligned with the back region (2a), which is preferably predetermined by scoring, of a cover (2) which is fed in, and for the said cover (2) to be pressed against the back and/or the side regions of the block (1).

Abstract: Gather-stitcher machine for joining and stapling a plurality of stacks of sheets of a magazine, and method for producing a thumb-tab index on magazines to be stapled by means of the gather-stitcher machine. In order to make it possible for a thumb-tab index to be machine-produced on the magazine which has been assembled together by the gather-stitcher machine, the machine is equipped with at least edge punching device arranged to the rear of a feeder guide mechanism in the transport mechanism's direction of travel, which device only produces punched-out portions in said stack of sheets in the long edges therein once the latter has been deposited.

Abstract: Apparatus for scoring a cover to be applied to a bound stack of sheets to form a book. A base unit is provided having a surface for receiving the cover, an lower die holder disposed below the surface and an upper die holder disposed above the surface. A lower die is supported on an upper surface of the lower die holder and an upper die is supported on the lower surface of the upper die holder. An actuating structure such as a handle, is used to move the upper and lower die between an open position and a closed where the upper and lower die score the cover. The upper die holder is fabrication using a transparent material so that a user can view the upper die and underlying cover to facilitate proper alignment.

Abstract: Use of plastic laminate on both sides of book covers made of paper to render them stiffer and more durable and a method for attachment of the laminated book covers when hot glue is used in the book binding process. Hot glue used in book binding will not bond with the plastic laminate. Bonding of the book laminated covers can be achieved by bonding a paper strip to the spine area of the laminated covers. The hot glue will then bond to the paper strip in the book binding process.

Abstract: A stack of pages is bound along a first edge thereof to form a book using an adhesive having a melting temperature and an elongated strip having an adhesive atop at least a portion of a first side. The strip has two opposed ends and an electrical resistivity between the ends and is dimensioned to substantially cover the first edge of the stack, with the first side against the first edge of the stack. An electrical current is introduced to pass along the strip between the ends. The current should be sufficient to create enough heat in the strip to achieve a temperature at least as great as the melting temperature, enabling the melted adhesive to bind the stack of pages together along the first edge. Apparatus are also provided for supporting, holding, and clamping the page stack prior to and during the binding process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binding assembly for use with a digital printer, having a support frame for mounting a printhead assembly and for printing on pages of media passing into in the binding assembly including: binding means for applying binding material to the pages of the media along a line substantially parallel to a general direction of travel of the media with respect with the support frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for increasing the binding strength of a bound text body by increasing the spinal surface area exposed for adhesive penetration greater than an area corresponding to the product of the sheet height dimension, the sheet thickness dimension and the number of sheets. In one aspect, sheet-wise conditioning of the binding area is performed prior to the application of adhesive to increase the bond area between sheets of the text body. In another aspect, the spinal surface area exposed for adhesive penetration is increased as adhesive is applied.

Abstract: In a method for adhesive attachment of a cover and a binding strip on the flanks of a spine of an book block comprised of bound printed sheets, the book block is transported in a transport direction on a circulating transport device. A binding strip is placed onto the book block spine such that lateral strip parts project laterally past the spine. The cover is moved into a proper position relative to the book block spine in accordance with the cycle of the book block and in the transport direction of the book block. At least one of the lateral strip parts is loaded on a side facing away from the cover with a pressing element. The cover and the book block pass through a pressing device in order to connect the cover and the book block to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for binding a text body are described. A multi-function sheet binder is configured to heat a preformed solid hot melt adhesive to a melting temperature, form the melted adhesive by pressing the melted adhesive into a spine of a text body and folding down edges of the melted adhesive into contact with the text body, and actively cool the formed adhesive. A spot heater is configured to heat one or more localized areas of a solid hot melt adhesive to a temperature sufficient to tack the hot melt adhesive to a text body spine. An adhesive former is configured to press a localized region of a preformed heated solid hot melt adhesive into a spine of a text body and to fold down edge regions of the preformed solid hot melt adhesive into contact with the text body.

Abstract: A pasting binding apparatus for binding a bundle of sheets comprises a paste coating device to coat a paste in a form of a line onto a binding side of a sheet being conveyed on a conveying passage in a conveying direction by a conveying device; a pressing device located above the paste coating device and to stack the sheet coated with the paste onto the bundle of sheets and to press the sheet onto the bundle of sheets; and the conveying device to convey the sheet to the paste coating device and to the pressing device.

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: A post print finishing device that incorporates an imaging material binder into the post print handling and finishing functions. In one exemplary embodiment, the finishing device includes a flipper module, an accumulator module and a binder module. The binder module binds sheets together by reactivating imaging material applied to binding regions on the sheets by a printing device. The flipper module receives a sheet leading edge first and discharges the sheet trailing edge first. That is to say, the flipper module flips the sheet before discharging the sheet for further processing. The accumulator module stacks the sheets, presents the sheets to the binder for binding and then discharges the bound stack to the output bin.

Abstract: A bookbinding repair kit containing instructions, diagrams and equipment to carry out repair to damaged or torn backing shoulder joints of any book, the equipment comprising a complete endpaper consisting of one evenly folded sheet of paper with a double-sided adhesive strip no less than 7 mm and no more than 10 mm in width but of a particular length, with a peel away backing paper attached to the endpaper adjacent one side of the endpaper fold, a double-sided self adhesive strip of mull cloth of a particular width and length, two thirds of each side of the mull cloth being covered with a peel away backing strip and the remaining third adhered to the adhesive side of a sconelined, one sided self-adhesive paper the same size as the endpaper, the endpaper side without the adhesive strip being glued to the plain side of the scorelined paper.

Abstract: A simplified desktop book binder method and apparatus wherein the sheets to be bound are accurately aligned by the binder tape itself. In particular, the conventional binder tape is formed into an L-shape. Alignment is achieved since the inside corner of the L and the edge of the bundle of sheets of paper are in contact. The tape is dropped into a correspondingly shaped slot in the binder apparatus and the paper bundle is placed on top of the tape, the edge of the bundle being automatically aligned against the corner of the tape. The free end of the long leg is wrapped tightly around the paper bundle. In an alternative arrangement, a form is substituted for the bundle of paper, the form being covered with Teflon tape. Since the glue will not adhere to the Teflon, the form may be removed after binding leaving the covers and binding tape with glue inside the spine, thus allowing the user to make folders as desired.

Abstract: A gluing device having therein a pressuring means which presses a glue container containing a liquid glue to eject contained glue from an ejection opening, a supply tube through which the ejected glue is transported from the glue container, a connecting means on the glue container side which connects the supply tube to the glue container, a connecting means on the supply tube side which detachably connects the connecting means on the glue container side to the supply tube, and a glue discharging means which receives the glue transported through the supply tube and delivers them from a nozzle opening, wherein there is provided a valve member provided inside the connecting means on the glue container side that makes the ejection opening to be opened and closed, and a protrusion is provided inside the connecting means on the supply tube side so that the protrusion presses the valve member to open the ejection opening when the connecting means on the supply tube side is connected to the connecting means on the su

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital printer for printing on separate pages of media, the printer including: a support frame; a printhead mounted on the support frame; and, a page binding means for binding the pages of the printed media.

Abstract: A reinforced book assembled from a stack of media sheets and a cover. Each media sheet includes at least one binding region located adjacent to a binding edge of that media sheet. The binding region of each sheet is aligned with and faces a binding region of an adjacent media sheet. The cover extends at least partially over a first face of the stack, wraps around the binding edges of the media sheets, and extends at least partially over a second face of the stack. The book also includes activated imaging material on the binding region of each media sheet binding the media sheets together as well as activated imaging material on the cover binding the cover to the binding regions on the first and second faces of the stack.

Abstract: In order to avoid the necessity of cropping the pages of a bound volume, uniformly sized printed pages having pre-glued edge surfaces are aligned within a stack and a press then presses the edge of the stack so as to compress the glue and adhere the pages together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding documents by individually binding each media sheet to previously bound media sheets using imaging material as the binding material.

Abstract: A device for preparing a book spine includes a plurality of movable pockets, each pocket having an angled back, a packer and a spine stop at a lower end of the pocket for receiving the spine. The spine stop has a first collect position, a second position wherein the spine stop is lower with respect to the packer than in the collect position but still holds the spine, and a third position wherein the spine stop is rotated away from the spine. A method for preparing a spine is also provided.

Abstract: In a method for at least partially cycle-dependent manufacturing of bound printed products by adhesive binding printed sheets in a spine area of an book block or by stitching with staples folded edges of printed sheets collected astraddle, a sequentially double-sided digitally printed paper web or individual sheets are transversely cut to from the printed sheets. The printed sheets are then transversely folded and subsequently supplied either to an adhesive binding station or to a saddle-shaped conveying support for stitching with staples.

Abstract: An applicator for applying an adhesive to a spine or adjoining regions of a book block conveyed guided past the applicator along a conveying plane in a conveying direction includes a trough for holding the adhesive. At least one applicator roller protrudes into the trough and is arranged for transferring adhesive onto the spine of the book block for forming an adhesive layer on the spine. The roller is driven in a direction which is the same as the conveying direction and defines an approach region in which the surface of the roller approaches the conveying plane. A sharply-pointed separating wedge is disposed downstream of the approach region of the applicator roller and forms a separating region for the supplied adhesive between the applicator roller and the conveying plane of the book block.

Abstract: A method for covering a book includes delivering a book into a pocket, delivering an inverted cover for the book into the pocket, the cover having a first side and a second side, the first side of the cover contacting a side of the book in the pocket, and reversing the second side of the cover so as to contact another side of the book. Also disclosed is a book covering device including a plurality of movable pockets for receiving a book and an inverted cover, each pocket having a support wall and a spine stop movable with respect to the support wall, and each pocket including a cover reversing device for reversing the inverted cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding documents by individually binding each media sheet to previously bound media sheets using imaging material as the binding material.

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: According to some embodiments of the invention, a method for bookbinding is provided. The method comprises placing a first hot-melt adhesive substance having a first viscosity between a central area of a spine of a book block and a corresponding area of an inner surface of a central portion of a cover for the book block. The method also comprises placing a second hot-melt adhesive substance having a second viscosity higher than the first viscosity between peripheral areas of the spine and corresponding areas of the inner surface of the central portion of the cover.

Abstract: Reactive hot melt polyurethane adhesives are useful in the graphic arts area, and in particular, for bookbinding applications such as casemaking, casing-in, gluing-off or thread-securing, facing, slip cases, lining-up, tightbacking, and bonding sides and joints; and for puzzle and gameboard lamination.

Abstract: A method for binding together a plurality of paper sheets. The binding process comprises providing a book binding sheet coated on one side with hot-melt adhesive, orienting and securing sheets of paper that will comprise the book to be bound relative to the binding sheet, securing the leading edge of the binding sheet to the front of the book to be bound, severing the secured portion from the remaining binding sheet material, wrapping the binding severed strip around the spine and rear cover and heating the adhesive to produce a permanent bond with the edges of the spine and covers.

Abstract: Systems and methods of binding sheets by activating a microencapsulated binding agent are described. Each sheet to be bound has an exposed binding surface region near a spine edge. A frontside adhesive system is disposed over the frontside binding surface region and comprises a binding agent that is encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The adhesive system is non-tacky to enable the sheets to be stacked and individually processed until the binding agent is released from the microcapsules.

Abstract: An arrangement for applying an adhesive to outer surfaces of an inner book to be inset into a book cover by an insetting machine, moving inner books on saddle plates of a circulating conveyor vertically upwardly. The arrangement has an adhesive applying device with two application rollers positioned opposite one another in an area of adhesive application. The two application rollers each roll along one of the outer surfaces of the inner book to apply an adhesive onto the outer surfaces of the inner book as the inner book is moved upwardly on a saddle plate. The two application rollers each have a recess forming a shoulder parallel to an axis of rotation of the application rollers, wherein the recesses apply the adhesive to grooves of the inner book and wherein a rotary position of the recesses is adjustable according to a position of a given groove shape of the inner book passing through the area of adhesive application.

Abstract: A method for preparing a book spine comprises delivering a plurality of products against a spine stop so as to define a spine, the plurality of products contacting a wall having a first section and a second section. The spine stop is moved away from the spine and the printed products are bent by moving the second section pivotally with respect to the first section. Also disclosed is device for preparing a book spine comprising a plurality of pockets, each pocket having a wall having a first section and a second section, the second section being pivotal with respect to the first section. Each pocket further includes a packer and a spine stop removably located at a lower end of the second section for contacting a spine end of the products, the second section and the packer supporting the products for pivotal movement.

Abstract: A process for producing protective covers for magazines is optimized for low cost and fast turnaround. A variety of techniques are employed within this process, each of which provides a cost or time advantage compared to conventional fabrication techniques. To optimize turnaround time, the glue that is used to adhere the protective cover to the magazine is formulated to be extremely aggressive and extremely fast drying. To assure consistent aggression and drying, the gluing process is regulated by the source of glue, based on the availability of glue at the appropriate application temperature. To further assure consistent aggression, particularly with high-gloss or relatively thin magazines, the gluing process includes an optional brushing of the exterior spine of the magazine to provide a suitable surface area to which the glue adheres.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album page. The apparatus includes a first supply of a media having a front and back side, a first print head located adjacent the front side of the media; a first transport mechanism for advancing the first supply of media in a first processing path; a second supply of a second media having a front and back side, the front side of the second media is such that digital images may be printed thereon; a second print head for providing images on the front side of the second media; a second first transport mechanism for advancing the first media along a first processing path, the first path and second path being positioned such that initially the paths are initially separated and later combined to form a single processing path such that the back sides of first media and second media will be co-extensive with each other; and a securing mechanism for bringing together and securing the first media and second media so as to form a substantially integral web.

Abstract: A bookbinding system and method of binding books including a cover/spine assembly having a relatively rigid cover section with a length and width at least as great as that of the stack of sheets to be bound and a spine section having a width greater than the height of the stack. The cover/spine assembly and the spine section are secured together along the length of the cover section so that the spine section can be folded along a first edge with respect to the cover/spine assembly. A heat activated matrix is disposed on the spine section including a central adhesive band and an outer band disposed between the central adhesive band and a second edge of the spine section. Binding is carried out by placing the stack over the cover section and folding the spine section over the edge of the stack. Preferably a second relatively rigid cover section is placed on top of the stack so that the outer adhesive band on the spine section will extend over second cover section.

Abstract: A method of binding books comprising the steps of holding in place a text hull (1) comprising the pages of two books (2, 3) the gutters (5, 19) of the two books being located on opposite edges of the text hull to one another, binding the opposite edges of the text hull adjacent the gutter of the pages; and dividing the text hull to separate the two books from one another.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a book block with a rounded or a rounded and pressed back includes adhering a first plurality of narrow retaining strips along outer leaves and back of the book block. Additional retaining strips may be applied transversely across the back of the book block in the region of the top and bottom of the back of the book block. Thereafter, the book block may be rounded or rounded and pressed. It is believed that application of the retaining strips prior to the rounding and pressing operations reduces the forces of resistance in the rounding and pressing operations.

Abstract: A conveyer carries in series sheets of card or the like, having rectangular central apertures. When a layer of adhesive has been applied, a portion of flexible strip, which is wider than the central aperture, is applied to the central part of the lower face of each sheet. There is deposited on the lower face of this strip portion a layer of adhesive which is narrower than the central aperture, and a strip of card or the like is then applied to this layer. The inlet and outlet margins of each sheet are then sheared along parallel cutting lines which intersect the central aperture at right angles. When the corners have been trimmed, the margins of the sheets can then be turned over and stuck to the lower face.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating printed products, such as newsprint, brochures and the like, from folded signatures by partially joining the signatures together at the folded edges with an adhesive to form a bound spine. The signatures are moved astride on a saddle-shaped transport and collection path for applying a perforation on the fold and subsequently applying an adhesive to the perforation.

Abstract: A process and product therefrom for making a waterproof, durable and easily printed book with a plurality of pages of synthetic paper bound by water-insoluble adhesive or glue and/or water-resistant thread. A preferred embodiment is prepared with a series of depressions or wells into which water-insoluble adhesive or glue is introduced before the insertion of the pages therein, the pages being tightly bound together and to the cover backing by a combination of adhesive or glue and water-insoluble thread.

Abstract: An album comprising a plurality of leaves each having a projection on one side and a matingly shaped recess on the opposed side, wherein the leaves are stacked on a base in which the projection of one leaf is aligned and registered with the recess of an adjacent leaf, the leaves are pressed with a platen in which adhesive paste is applied on the binding sides of the leaves and is removed after the adhesive paste is cured.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method of stacking covers for the fabrication of booklets. Each cover includes two cover sheets and an interconnecting spine. Applied to the inner surface of the spine is a binding device that includes a binding agent. The covers are mutually stacked with the inner surface of the spine of one cover lying against the outer surface of the spine of an adjacent cover. According to the invention, a deactivatable separating device is provided between the binding agent and the outer surface of the spine of an adjacent cover, so as to prevent adhesion between the spines of respective covers. According to another aspect of the invention, a cover of this kind is provided with a binding device that includes a binding agent (104) and a separating device (105) disposed on the surface of the binding agent that lies remote from the spine (103), this separating device preferably having a form of woven material affixed to the binding agent (104).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of board books including the folding of sheets into a four-page spread at a folding machine with each sheet having a pair of folds facing in one direction and a reverse integral fold facing in the opposite direction. At the folding machine, the second and third pages of the spread are adhered together to form an integral, four-page spread. These four-page spreads are placed into the feeding hoppers of a board book bindery line and adhesive is applied to one of the pages as the four-page spread is delivered to the conveyor. The integral four-page spreads, and any other spreads on the conveyor, are adhered to form a book block and a cover is added to complete the board book. The resulting board book has the pair of fold lines located at the book backbone and the integral reverse fold line is at the outer edge of the central page of the respective, four-page spreads in the board books.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding sheet print media uses a cartridge adapted from ink-jet technology for selectively firing droplets of adhesive onto an adjacently positioned stack of printed sheets.