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: A pocket assembly and paperboard blank for forming the same are provided. The blank comprises a front retaining panel, a front support panel, a rear support panel and a rear retaining panel cosecutively articulated to one another along fold lines that are preferably parallel to one another. The front and rear retaining panels each are provided with score lines extending away from their articulations to the respective front and rear support panels. The score lines are formed to define continuous embossments extending from selected surfaces of the front and rear retaining panels. An appropriate adhesive then is applied adjacent the embossments. The pocket assembly is formed by rotating the front and rear retaining panels approximately 180.degree. around their respective articulations to the front and rear support panels such that the embossments defined therein are in substantially continuous contact with the opposing faces of the front and rear support panels.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and aparatus for welding together paper sheets, more especially for, but not limited to, bookbinding. The sheets are held in a desired relation with one another, and the portions to be connected are held together while subject to ultrasonic vibration which fuses ingredients of the paper so as to weld the fused areas together. A folded sheet can be welded across a midportion thereof and then folded along the weld or parallel to the weld to make a signature for a book; or stacked sheets can be bound together along their rearward edge portions by the ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: This invention bonds the paper pages of books without applying adhesive to the paper. Clamping jaws press the paper sheets of a book together along the edges that are to be bound. The paper is a weldable paper and the sheets bond to one another where they are clamped in contact and raised to a welding temperature by heat of one or both of the clamping jaws, radio frequency energy or otherwise. The temperature must be at least as high as the welding temperature of the paper and not so high that it will scorch or otherwise damage the paper. The clamping and welding apparatus are combined with other book-making machinery and located along the course followed by the unfinished book at a station where the welding step can be done automatically and with substantial saving in the usual labor required.

Abstract: An improved method of making hard and semi-rigid book covers, and the product obtained, provides a multi-layer plastic book with any desired ratio of flexibility to stiffness in the different parts of the cover such as the front and back panels, the hinge lines and the backbone panel that connects the front and back panels. A first layer of plastic is cast or extruded on a casting paper or belt or other supporting surface, and additional plastic material is applied to the first layer over areas that will form the front and back panels, and to the backbone area if the desired cover is one that is to have a stiffened backbone panel. A second layer is applied under conditions that insure a highly effective bonding and freedom from distortion when a curing step is necessary. The operation is continuous and the laminate formed is severed into separate covers as it is delivered from the laminating operation.

Abstract: This invention bonds the paper pages of books without applying adhesive to the paper. Clamping jaws press the paper sheets of a book together along the edges that are to be bound. The paper is a weldable paper and the sheets bond to one another where they are clamped in contact and raised to a welding temperature by heat of one or both of the clamping jaws, radio frequency energy or otherwise. The temperature must be at least as high as the welding temperature of the paper and not so high that it will scorch or otherwise damage the paper. The clamping and welding apparatus are combined with other book-making machinery and located along the course followed by the unfinished book at a station where the welding step can be done automatically and with substantial saving in the usual labor required.