Patents Assigned to Horizon International Inc.
  • Publication number: 20210269270
    Abstract: The cutting machine for cutting a paper, comprising: a conveying section configured to convey the paper one by one in a conveying direction; a rotating section configured to rotate the paper conveyed by the conveying section 2; and a downstream cutting section disposed on a downstream side of the rotating section in the conveying direction 1a, including at least one cutter, and configured to cut the paper rotated by the rotating section in the conveying direction 1a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji AOKI, Tomonori YACHI, Hiromasa NAMBU, Takehito YOKOGI, Shinya KITAYAMA
  • Patent number: 11097567
    Abstract: A paper stack S supplied between clamping plates 1a, 1b of a carriage clamp 1 is pushed toward a positioning bar 2b by an alignment bar 5. A nip head 7 of a paper stack supplying unit 3 has first and second nip plates 9, 10, and a nip plate drive mechanism 11 moving each nip plate from a protruding position at which the nip plate protrudes from the nip head and a retracted position at which the nip plate retracts into the nip head, and translating the second nip plate taking the protruding position relative to the first nip plate taking the protruding position between a first position at which the first and second nip plates receive the paper stack therebetween and a second position at which the second nip plate cooperates with the first nip plate to grip the paper stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kanta Kambara, Shigenobu Fukuda, Shigeru Wakimoto
  • Patent number: 11091346
    Abstract: A sheet supplying unit 1 supplies sheets S one by one. A knife-type folding unit 5 folds the sheet. A first sensor 28 detects the sheet entering the folding position. A second sensor 30a, 30b detects the sheet passing through the opening. A timer 31 measures a time interval from end of sheet detection by the second sensor to start of sheet detection by the first sensor. A sheet feed interval change unit 33 calculates a reduction amount of the sheet feed interval using the measured values of the timer and changes the sheet feed interval based on the reduction amount each time a predetermined number of the sheets are folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Yoshikazu Nakamura, Shigeru Wakimoto, Hideaki Tabuchi
  • Publication number: 20210178801
    Abstract: The device includes a first conveyor 1 and a second conveyor 12. The first conveyor transports the book blocks B to the bookbinding apparatus and can accumulate the book blocks on a transport surface 4. A first stopper 23 is arranged at an entrance of the second conveyor and a second stopper 28 is arranged in the middle of a path of book block on the transport surface of the first conveyor. The first and second stoppers can take a block position and a retracted position. The second conveyor and the first stopper operate in synchronization with an operation of the bookbinding apparatus. The second stopper takes the block position when the number of book blocks accumulated on upstream side of the first stopper exceeds a predetermined limit value, or when a thickness difference between the book blocks transported side by side exceeds a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Kitayama, Kohei Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20210138821
    Abstract: Provided is a book block aligning device that forms one processing line with paper processing devices on an upstream side and a downstream side, and is capable of stably performing alignment processing of a book block at a high speed. Provided is the book block aligning device comprising an air blowing control mechanism that controls start/stop of blowing of air from an air outlet, and an air volume of air, in accordance with timing when a book block passes through the air outlet opened in a conveying surface provided in a conveying path, and a vibration mechanism that vibrates a first conveying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei OKAMOTO, Shigenobu FUKUDA, Shigeru WAKIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210138822
    Abstract: Provided is a book block feed device capable of feeding a book block always in an aligned state to a bookbinding machine. The book block feed device comprises an alignment unit and a press unit that are adjacently arranged in order along a conveying path of the book block from an inlet to an outlet of the conveying path. The alignment unit comprises a vibrator that vibrates the book block. The press unit includes a press surface that forms a part of a conveying surface of the conveying path, and a press plate that sandwiches and presses the book block between the press plate and the press surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Kanta KAMBARA, Shigenobu FUKUDA, Kohei OKAMOTO, Hiroto OTANI, Takehito YOKOGI, Shigeru WAKIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210136244
    Abstract: A determination device (1) includes a first storage unit (10), a determination unit (12), an input unit (13), and an update unit (14). The first storage unit (10) stores one or more processing rules of a post-printing processor (4) predetermined based on processing know-how for a post-printing process. The input unit (13) receives input of information about an update of the processing rules. The update unit (14) updates the processing rules stored in the first storage unit based on the input of information about the update of the processing rules. The determination unit (12) determines whether a post-printing processing instruction information generated by a pre-printing processor (2) satisfies the one or more processing rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Taishi Shimizu, Takanori Kitani
  • Publication number: 20210122077
    Abstract: A three side trimmer has a trimming unit 1, an accumulating unit 3, a discharge unit 2 and a conveying mechanism 4 conveying trimmed booklets BK to the accumulating unit. The accumulating unit has a shelf 5 movable in a vertical direction, and a drive roller conveyor 7 on the shelf. The accumulating unit, in a mode, delivers the trimmed booklets to the discharge unit at every accumulation of a predetermined number of the trimmed booklets and, in another mode, accumulates the trimmed booklets without delivering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Fukushima, Yoshinari Kuwabara, Tatsuaki Ida
  • Publication number: 20210114837
    Abstract: A pair of conveyance rollers are arranged for signatures. The signatures is conveyed through the pair of conveyance rollers to a stacking unit while being sandwiched from both sides thereof between the pair of conveyance rollers. In response to passage of a signature for a sheet stack through the pair of the conveyance rollers, the conveyance rollers is switched from conveyance rotation to intermittent rotation to cause the pair of the conveyance rollers to keep the signatures for a next sheet stack from being conveyed to the stacking unit. In response to the stacking unit becoming ready to receive the signatures for the next sheet stack, the conveyance rollers is switched from the intermitted rotation or the stop to the continuous rotation to cause the pair of the conveyance rollers to convey to the signatures to the stacking unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki KASHIBA, Tomoyuki SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20210114831
    Abstract: Each of the sheets is conveyed by a horizontal conveyance unit in a state of being overlapped with a next sheet from above. Each of the sheets is conveyed out of the horizontal conveyance unit in a state of being folded along a fold line with the fold line oriented upward, the fold line extending in a conveyance direction of the horizontal conveyance unit. An oblique conveyance unit receives the sheet from the horizontal conveyance unit and successively conveys the sheets in an oblique downward direction. A sensor is arranged to detect passage of the sheets at a position where steps pass. Each of the steps is formed by two sheets adjacent to each other diverted to the oblique downward direction by the oblique conveyance unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki KASHIBA, Tomoyuki SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 10960701
    Abstract: A folding machine folding a sheet P1 into a predetermined folding pattern to form a signature P3, a saddle stitching machine 3 arranged downstream of the folding machine to staple and fold the signature and a control unit 15 controlling the folding machine and saddle stitching machine are provided. The folding machine has parameters adjustable depending on a thickness of the sheet. The saddle stitching machine has parameters adjustable depending on a thickness of the signature P3, P4. The control unit sets the parameters of the folding machine based on the information about the thickness of the sheet and sets the parameters of the saddle stitching machine based on the information about the thickness of the signature calculated using the information about the thickness of the sheet and the information about the folding pattern of the folding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Ida, Takakazu Hori, Masayuki Kashiba
  • Patent number: 10933553
    Abstract: A three side trimmer has a trimming unit 1, an accumulating unit 3, a discharge unit 2 and a conveying mechanism 4 conveying trimmed booklets BK to the accumulating unit. The accumulating unit has a shelf 5 movable in a vertical direction, and a drive roller conveyor 7 on the shelf. The accumulating unit, in a mode, delivers the trimmed booklets to the discharge unit at every accumulation of a predetermined number of the trimmed booklets and, in another mode, accumulates the trimmed booklets without delivering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Fukushima, Yoshinari Kuwabara, Tatsuaki Ida
  • Publication number: 20210053310
    Abstract: A paper stack press machine comprises a base 1 with a press surface 2, a pressing plate 5, and a pressing plate drive mechanism 6 moving the pressing plate between a standby position at which the pressing plate separates from a paper stack S on the press surface and a press position at which the pressing plate presses the paper stack against the press surface. A surface of the pressing plate facing the press surface is elastically deformable. A pushing bar 11a is arranged at the second side of the pressing plate so as to be movable in an axial direction thereof between a retracted position at which the pushing bar separates from the paper stack and an advanced position at which the pushing bar pushes the paper stack against the press surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Kanta Kambara, Kohei Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20210039416
    Abstract: A paper stack S supplied between clamping plates 1a, 1b of a carriage clamp 1 is pushed toward a positioning bar 2b by an alignment bar 5. A nip head 7 of a paper stack supplying unit 3 has first and second nip plates 9, 10, and a nip plate drive mechanism 11 moving each nip plate from a protruding position at which the nip plate protrudes from the nip head and a retracted position at which the nip plate retracts into the nip head, and translating the second nip plate taking the protruding position relative to the first nip plate taking the protruding position between a first position at which the first and second nip plates receive the paper stack therebetween and a second position at which the second nip plate cooperates with the first nip plate to grip the paper stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Kanta Kambara, Shigenobu Fukuda, Shigeru Wakimoto
  • Publication number: 20200346887
    Abstract: A paper folding machine comprising folding mechanisms (11, 15, 24) arranged at folding positions (A-C) on a transport path (1), respectively, guides (8, 19, 20, 28, 29) positioning a paper sheet (F) relative to the folding positions by engagement with at least one side edge of the paper sheet, stoppers (12, 15, 25) stopping and positioning the paper sheet at the folding positions by bringing a leading edge of the paper sheet into contact with the stoppers, a fold misalignment detection unit (50) detecting a fold misalignment amount of the paper sheet for each folding position, and a controller (42) controlling positions of the guides and stoppers. The controller calculates, for each folding position, an average fold misalignment amount, and adjusts the position of the guide and/or stopper associated with the corresponding folding position so as to correct fold misalignment corresponding to the average fold misalignment amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Shinya Watanabe, Yoshikazu Nakamura, Shigeru Wakimoto, Hideaki Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 10766290
    Abstract: A bookbinding machine calculates a rotational speed coefficient, which represents the percent change of a rotational speed of a pump 6 relative to the reference rotational speed of the pump, depending on a thickness of a book block P to be bound and a conveying speed of a clamper by use of a first function defining a relationship between the thickness of the book block and the rotational speed coefficient and a second function defining a relationship between the rotational speed coefficient and the conveying speed of the clamper, calculates the set value of the rotational speed of the pump based on the rotational speed coefficients and the reference rotational speed, and sets the rotational speed of the pump according to the set value of the rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Tago, Shigenobu Fukuda, Shinya Kitayama, Kosuke Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20200271254
    Abstract: A fitting for attaching a flexible hose to a device includes a conduit body having a first end configured to attach to a flexible hose, and an open second end having an attachment flange. The attachment flange has an annular recess surrounding the open second end a gasket molded into the annular recess. A strengthening member is adjacent the annular recess. The attachment flange is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and the strengthening member is overmolded by the thermoplastic elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Flexfab Horizons International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Martin
  • Patent number: 10654186
    Abstract: The trimmer includes: a pusher 2 that pushes the bound material 1; a pusher moving device that moves the pusher; a positioning part 111 that positions the bound material pushed by the pusher; an allowable position memory that memorizes an allowable position range relevant to the pusher; an allowable reaction force memory that memorizes an allowable reaction force range relevant to the pusher; and a determiner that determines whether a length of the bound material is normal or abnormal. The determiner determines that: the length L of the bound material is normal; or the length L of the bound material is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Shimizu, Masamichi Kanao, Hideaki Tabuchi
  • Publication number: 20200147991
    Abstract: A bookbinding machine calculates a rotational speed coefficient, which represents the percent change of a rotational speed of a pump 6 relative to the reference rotational speed of the pump, depending on a thickness of a book block P to be bound and a conveying speed of a clamper by use of a first function defining a relationship between the thickness of the book block and the rotational speed coefficient and a second function defining a relationship between the rotational speed coefficient and the conveying speed of the clamper, calculates the set value of the rotational speed of the pump based on the rotational speed coefficients and the reference rotational speed, and sets the rotational speed of the pump according to the set value of the rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Tago, Shigenobu Fukuda, Shinya Kitayama, Kosuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10611183
    Abstract: This system is provided with: a conveying device 1 that conveys paper P along a conveying path F; a sheet paper supply device 2, paper-folding device, or cutter connected to an upstream end of the conveying path; a gathering device 3 disposed midway through the conveying path; a saddle stitch device 7 connected to a downstream end of the conveying path; and a management unit 13 that collectively controls the conveying device, the sheet paper supply device, the paper-folding device, the cutter, the gathering device, and the saddle stitch device. The gathering device can switch operation between a non-operating mode, a first operating mode for operating as a primary gathering device, and a second operating mode for operating as a paper insertion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Kou Ohuchiyama, Takakazu Hori, Masayuki Kashiba, Hiroki Yamamoto