Stapling Or Stitching Patents (Class 270/37)
  • Patent number: 5316280
    Abstract: Apparatus for stitching and folding sheets of material, especially paper, comprising an in-feed unit, a wire-stitching unit, a sheet-folding unit and an out-feed conveyor. The sheets are maintained in a downward linear path from entry into the in-feed unit until initiation of the folding by a folding blade. Removal of the folded sheets is substantially perpendicular to the previous downward linear path. The sheets abut a first stop for the stitching, and abut a second stop for the folding. The in-feed unit and the wire-stitching unit are pivotable relative to the rest of the machine in the manner of a clam-shell. All units remain engaged with a main drive in both the closed and opened positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Watkiss Automation Limited
    Inventor: Christopher R. Watkiss
  • Patent number: 5305993
    Abstract: A folder assembly for a sheet fed printing machine utilizes a collect cylinder that is capable of operating in collect or non-collect modes. A first cross-stitching cylinder and a second cross-stitching cylinder are placed adjacent the collect cylinder. A transfer and jaw cylinder receives cross-stitched signatures and forwards them to a delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Albert-Frankenthal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Staeb
  • Patent number: 5284466
    Abstract: Apparatus for fastening and folding stacks of paper sheets includes a stitching unit adapted to collect staples and insert them in the sheet stack while a folding knife simultaneously drives a section of the sheet stack into a gap of the stitching unit to fold the stack. The inserting edge of the folding knife provides the die for bending the inserted staple into a secured configuration. The folding knife and the stitching unit gap are preferably mounted on planet wheels of coordinated planetary gears so that the knife and the gap periodically align to fold and fasten the sheet stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Motterstitch Company
    Inventors: Bengt Magnusson, Roland Johnsen
  • Patent number: 5217255
    Abstract: An erasable system including an element having a porous marking surface and an erasable marking composition for applying markings to the porous marking surface. The marking composition comprises an aqueous dispersion of particles of film-forming polymeric materials and a colorant, and the marking composition provides an erasable, substantially water-insoluble coalesced residue on the marking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventors: Nan J. Lin, Peter G. Hanley
  • Patent number: 5174557
    Abstract: Printed products are stapled by guiding them between a stapling-head arrangement and a staple-closing arrangement. The stapling-head arrangement comprises a number of stapling heads revolvingly moved along a closed revolving path. A section of this closed revolving path thereby extends substantially parallel to the travel path of the printed products. The staple-closing arrangement comprises a number of countersupports likewise moved along a closed revolving path also having a section extending substantially parallel to the travel path of the printed products. A countersupport co-acts in each case with a stapling head to close the respective inserted staple. Consequently, during the stapling operation, the stapling heads and the countersupports run along and cover a certain distance together with the respective printed products to be stapled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Jacques Meier
  • Patent number: 5137265
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes plural trays arranged along a sheet conveyance direction, wherein a sheet is stacked, bridging between the plural trays, wherein a post-processing is effected to the sheet in a part of the plural trays; a controller for controlling the trays to provide a level difference between the trays by lowering another one of the trays than the one of the trays; and aligning device for laterally aligning the sheet stacked, bridging between the trays providing the level difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Nobutaka Uto, Mitsuhiro Mukasa
  • Patent number: 5131641
    Abstract: A finisher for use with an image recorder staples a predetermined number of sheets sequentially driven out from the recorder and sequentially stacks a plurality of such stapled sets of sheets on a tray. A staple position changing device controls a stapler moving device such that a stapler staples a set of sheets at a particular position which is shifted by at least more than the length of a staple from the position where the preceding set of sheets was stapled. The sets of sheets so stapled at different positions are sequentially stacked on a tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Hidaka
  • Patent number: 5129639
    Abstract: The present invention is a system which compares the print job requirements to the printer capability and determines the best match therebetween. When a mismatch occurs, the system determines the best match between size, color, weight and type by determining a mismatch magnitude between the job paper requirements and the printer's paper capabilities or stocks. The paper with the lowest mismatch magnitude is designated. The system also determines the best match between the job requirements and the printer capability for stapling, folding, duplexing and stacking. The operator is given an opportunity to correct any mismatches and the best match is used to configure the printer for the job if the user has specified a best match print strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John W. DeHority
  • Patent number: 5108081
    Abstract: An improved saddle stitcher for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a saddle stitcher. The improved saddle stitcher comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. A sheet feed path for receiving reproduction sheets is associated with the support frame, and an adjustable mechanism for registering reproduction sheets and thereafter stapled reproduction sets is mounted on the frame. Further, a mechanism associated with the frame is provided for stapling reproduction sheets at substantially the mid-line thereof, and for folding a stapled reproduction set substantially along the mid-line thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Russel, Robert H. Shea, Frank Hacknauer
  • Patent number: 5108082
    Abstract: An improved Z-folder for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a Z-folder. The improved Z-folder comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. An assembly is mounted on the frame for moving a reproduction sheet directed to the Z-folder along a prescribed path to effect Z-folding of such reproduction sheet. A device for collecting reproduction sheets prior to having a finishing operation carried out thereon is also associated with the frame. A sheet feed path is defined for delivering reproduction sheets directly to the collecting device, such path intersecting the prescribed path of the Z-folding assembly, whereby a compact arrangement is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Shea, Frank Hacknauer, Steven M. Russel
  • Patent number: 5106066
    Abstract: A stapling system for stapling a set of copy sheets in a copier or printer includes a precise, but non-metering continuous wire feed mechanism. The feed mechanism has a full-feed wire sensor, and a control circuit including the wire being fed, for sensing and controlling the feeding of precise lengths of continuous staple wire to the stapler head of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Shea, Steven M. Russel
  • Patent number: 5099292
    Abstract: A finisher for use with a copier, laser printer or similar image forming apparatus and having a function of sorting or stacking sheets sequentially driven out of the apparatus and a function of stapling each stack of such sheets. A plurality of bins are sequentially moved to a position where the bins face the sheet outlet of the apparatus one at a time. A particular pair of the bins define a sheet inlet for receiving the sheets coming out of the sheet outlet one at a time. The sheets are distributed to the bins via the inlet to be stacked on the bins. A sheet stack is pulled out of each bin by a sheet stack moving device, bound at a staple position by a stapler, and then returned to the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Hirose
  • Patent number: 5080340
    Abstract: An improved modular finisher apparatus, for use with a reproduction apparatus producing reproduction sets, for forming completely finished reproduction sets. The improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus. A first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets. A second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected. The finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Frank Hacknauer, Steven M. Russel, Robert H. Shea
  • Patent number: 5078376
    Abstract: A copying machine having a binding function capable of automatically binding discharged copied sheets using a predetermined holding device includes a binding function selection unit and a maximum bindable sheet count displaying unit. Since the maximum bindable number of sheets of an original can be displayed according to a copying mode prior to copying, the binding function of the copying machine can be utilized more effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Yamada, Yoshiki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5073803
    Abstract: A copying apparatus includes a circulating type original document feeder for feeding a plurality of originals from a tray, one by one, onto an exposure section. Each original is exposed to light from an optical system and an image of each original is copied onto a sheet. The apparatus also includes a counter for counting the number of originals fed from the feeder, a binding unit for binding sheets, and a controller for inhibiting the operation of the binding unit when the value counted by the counter is over a standard. The feeder may operate in a first feeding mode where each original is fed to the exposure section with only its first side facing the optical system, or in a second feeding mode where each original is fed twice to the exposure section, once with its first side facing the optical system and then once with its other side facing the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Kato, Syuzi Maruta, Masazumi Ito, Kadotaro Nishimori, Kimihiko Higashio
  • Patent number: 5067697
    Abstract: The invention permits an inexpensive, flexible further processing of tabloids to smaller format double and multiple folds.In at least one conveying conversion means with in each case at least one removal station (19', 19", 19'"), preferably simultaneously several starting products are removed, which are then further processed in parallel as clusters. The clusters are jointly conveyed by conveying means (36-46, 50, 51) and in each case all the printing products of a cluster (2) are simultaneously processed.The method and means have a fundamentally upwardly open processing capacity, even in the case of large printing products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 5058872
    Abstract: A working mechanism adaptable for producing virtually an infinity of different motions is provided which finds practical utility in a variety of contexts such as the handling of zigzag folded webs. The mechanism preferably includes at least one elongated working element pivotally supported at the inner end thereof and coupled by a pivotal link to an elongated, flexible, continuing closed-loop motion-imparting member such as a chain or belt. Advantageously, the mechanism may comprise a plurality of elongated working elements each coupled with a pair of closed loop path motion-imparting members to produce complex, variable speed motions heretofore difficult to achieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Didde Web Press Corp.
    Inventor: Dean E. Gladow
  • Patent number: 5048809
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sheet folding and sealing to produce mailable letter-like objects, each from a single preprinted sheet, comprises a feed mechanism for the feed of sheets in seriatim while continuous beads of adhesive are applied to each sheet along lateral portions thereof. The sheets are fed into a buckle folder which makes one or more transverse folds in each sheet while transversely-spaced spots of adhesive are applied along a transverse line across the sheet. The buckle folder is structured so that it has fold pans on one side; and, both the input and output are on the other side. The folder also includes folding and sealing rolls that seal folded-over sheet portions to close and seal the sheet into a letter-like object. A perforator perforates the object so that tearing along the perforations facilitates opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Baumfolder Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Tebbe, Carl J. Didier
  • Patent number: 5046710
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making a leaflet having fold lines and cross folds normal to the fold lines and with an adhesive adhering a lip portion of a long leg of the leaflet to a short leg of the leaflet to avoid leaving a loose edge on the leaflet. Sheets are conveyed in a first direction to a first folding at a first folding station, and then a second conveyor feeds the sheets to travel at right angles to a cross folder at a second folding station. The cross folds are made to a lip portion on a long leg and adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the lip portion which is adhered by the adhesive to a folded panel to form a leaflet having fold lines and cross folds at its edges, thereby eliminating any loose edges. Loose edges may open the leaflet during a high speed conveyance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Vijuk
  • Patent number: 4984948
    Abstract: Selective collating and binding processes for manufacture of digest-size mail order catalogs, magazines or other materials. Such "books" are most economically collated and bound in pairs on a "2-up" line that simultaneously produces two output streams of books. Mail order retailers and others require that the books be organized according to postal zones for favorable mail rate treatment. They also frequently prefer that various sets of customers receive various editions of the book; repeat buyers, for instance, may receive a more complete edition of a catalog than other buyers. Similarly, two or more mailers may desire that their mailing be combined, so that two or more sets of catalogs are packaged together for the same postal zones in order to receive favorable mail rate treatment. Processes of the present invention provide selective binding and collating on a 2-up line of such different catalogs, different editions of the same catalog, or different editions of different catalogs, or "versions".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Foote & Davies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Lindsay, Rodney E. Bell, William McNickle
  • Patent number: 4957284
    Abstract: A sheet folder is convertible to a booklet maker by mounting a stapling and sheet guide unit at the inlet side of the folder. The stapling and sheet guide unit has a pair of laterally aligned staplers above a sheet guide which includes holders for engaging the stack of sheets along their opposite side edges and a retractable front stop engaging the leading edge of the stack of sheets to be stapled. A vibratory jogger on one of the holders aligns the edges of the sheets in the stack. After the stack of sheets is stapled, the front stop is retracted and a kicker plate strikes the stapled set of sheets from below, causing the stapled set of sheets to slide down into the folder. The folder has rollers which advance the leading edge of the stapled set of sheets against a stop and then continue to pull the stapled set of sheets, causing its stapled centerline to fold into a fold gap between rollers. The size of this fold gap is selectively adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Profold, Inc.
    Inventor: Yvan E. Brabant
  • Patent number: 4917366
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet handling apparatus capable of stapling discharged for example from a copying machine in which stapling operation is prohibited in certain cases, for example if the desired copy consists of one page only, or if the sheet folding is conducted defectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Murakami, Hideki Adachi, Masanori Miyata, Takeshi Honjo
  • Patent number: 4917364
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus. It includes a first post-processing device for effecting a processing to the sheet material and a second post-processing device for effecting to the sheet a processing different from the aformationed processing. The apparatus is capable of selectively discharging or processing the sheet material discharged from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Iida, Nobutaka Uto, Masakazu Hiroi, Akimitsu Hoshi
  • Patent number: 4900391
    Abstract: A sheet recirculating, folding and gluing system folds documents, holds them at a wait station and then inserts them into another sheet which is folded and glued "on-line" to form an envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, William R. Burger
  • Patent number: 4878656
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes stacking device for receiving and stacking plural sheets sequentially discharged, stapling device for acting on a stack of the sheets stacked on the stacking device at a predetermined position of the stack to staple it, discharging device for discharging from the stacking device the sheets stapled by the stapling device, an inlet for allowing manual insertion of sheets to the stacking device, manually operable device for the stapling device, and automatic control device for actuating the stapling device when a preset number of the sheets are stacked on the stacking device, for actuating the discharging device when a stapling operation is completed, for actuating the stapling device in response to the manually operable device, and for not actuating the discharging device even when the stapling operation responsive to the manual device is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Honjo, Akimaro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4840364
    Abstract: To permit selectively stapling paper products which are to be folded in advance of formation of a first or a second cross fold, a stapling cylinder (18) can be selectively placed in engagement with a first folding blade cylinder (5) carrying transport needles (6) or a second folding blade cylinder (10) having folding blades and grippers (11) thereon. If the stapling cylinder (18) is engaged with the first needle and folding blade cylinder (5), staples can be placed into the products prior to formation of the first cross fold at the position of the fold line. Upon engagement of the stapling cylinder (18) on the gripper and folding blade cylinder (10), the once folded products are stapled at the fold line of a second fold, which is then carried out after stapling. The respective first and second folding blade cylinders include staple counter plates (13) to close the staples supplied by the staple applying stapling cylinder (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Man - Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Eckhard Schneider
  • Patent number: 4824503
    Abstract: Paper from a roll or other supply is processed by an in-line magazine publishing and/or assembly system. The processing sequence includes printing pages of the magazine in predetermined places on the paper, laying down patterns of glue in other places of the paper, cutting a pattern of perforations and slits in the paper related to the glue pattern, cutting the paper into two sections, one of which is folded forming the pages of the magazine. The other section is folded forming the magazine cover, including pockets defined by the glue pattern. One pocket takes the form of a tear-out remittance envelope, the other pocket taking the form of a tear-out invoice sheet. A window in the cover exposes and uses the name and address on the invoice for the magazine mailing address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 4817931
    Abstract: A folded closed instructional leaflet has exterior edges and is formed from an integral sheet having a pair of first fold lines formed in the sheet and extending parallel and dividing the sheet into superimposed panels. A first cross fold is normal to the fold lines and divides the superimposed panels into a first short leg and a second long leg, with each of said leg having superimposed panels therein. A lip portion is formed on the long leg. A sdcond cross fold in the short leg forms a short interior section in the short leg disposed within the interior of the leaflet and a leg section with a third cross fold in the long leg forming a leg section having superimposed panels with the lip portion on the leg section. The second and third cross folds form substantially equal halves for the leaflet with short interior section between the halves. Adhesive interior of the leaflet join the halves together at the lip portion to form a closed leaflet with fold lines and cross folds along its exterior edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Vijuk
  • Patent number: 4812195
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for folding sheets, and more particularly, to folding sheets and adhering an outer fold to the inner fold to make "outserts" which bear information relating to the pharmaceuticals and which are inserted into the pharmaceutical packages to give instructions and warnings to the users of the pharmaceutical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Vijuk Bindery Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Vijuk
  • Patent number: 4801133
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus having a sorting unit to distribute the sheets among a plurality of bins, a binding unit to bind the sheets and a transporting unit to sequentially transport the sheets contained in each of the bins to the binding unit. The sheet processing apparatus allows the selection of either a first mode to control the binding unit in conjunction with the transporting unit or a second mode to independently control the binding unit regardless of the transporting unit. Further, the operation in the second mode is inhibited either when the first mode is selected, when the binding unit and the transporting unit are in operation in the first mode, or while the sorting operation of the sorting unit is in progress. In the second mode, the binding unit is actuated upon detecting that sheets have been inserted into the binding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniaki Ishiguro, Takuma Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4792077
    Abstract: A chain link type stapler operates in transit at about 45,000 items per minute to staple and crease printed paper products. Only two link chains are required and they have a common contiguous path for receiving and clasping the paper products for transit while being stapled by means of mating, stapler and anvil links. The stapler link operates to receive wire lengths, form staples therefrom, insert and clinch the staples over a cyclic path of the chain. This is achievable by means of a reciprocating wire clip assembly journalled in an internal cavity of the stapler link. Reciprocation is programmed by a cam arm extending externally from the clip assembly and stapler link on which roller means is mounted to ride in a cam track about the chain travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Custom-Bilt Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans G. Faltin
  • Patent number: 4790523
    Abstract: A method and system for displacing objects, particularly flexible fabric layers, into a predetermined relative disposition wherein the objects are deposited on a supporting surface in a relatively spaced apart disposition, positional coordinates of each object are successively sensed and data relating thereto are stored in a programmed central processor unit, each object being then displaced with respect to a succeeding object, in an order reverse to the order of sensing so as to locate each object in a predetermined relative (preferably superimposed) disposition with respect to the position of the succeeding object as stored in the processor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Galram Technology Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: David Tomer
  • Patent number: 4770284
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting folded sheets has one or two pairs of chain conveyors whose horizontal upper reaches define two spaced-apart portions of a first path for the transport of successive folded sheets of a series of sheets in such a way that the sheets ride on the pairs of conveyors in inverted positions (with the backs on top). An additional chain conveyor has a horizontal upper run defining a second horizontal path between the first and second portions of the first path to transfer the sheets from the first to the second portion of the first pair. The additional chain conveyor advances successive sheets along a stationary ramp which pivots the panels of the sheets apart so that the thus exposed inner sides of the panels are accessible for the application of printed information, labels or the like. The speed of the additional conveyor can slightly exceed the speed of the other chain conveyor or conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventor: Heinz Boss
  • Patent number: 4721294
    Abstract: The webs of printed material 1a, 1b printed in a printing machine are assembled in the desired manner, after being previously cut, via various deflectors (e.g., 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, etc.) and are optionally provided with inserts or wrappers which have been cut to size and come from rolls (40, 41). After braking has been effected in braking stages (e.g., 37a-37h), the fold is formed on folding tables (38a-38h). The folded products can be assembled in any desired manner on collecting tables, after which they are either paid out below the collecting tables (39a-39h) or combined with further folded products (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: MAN - Roland Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Godber Petersen
  • Patent number: 4621757
    Abstract: Apparatus for discriminating signature sets of abnormal total thickness from signature sets having normal total thickness in a saddle-wired preparing apparatus. The discriminating apparatus includes means for electrically detecting the movement of sensor wheels which are adapted to discriminate a signature set of normal thickness from one having abnormal thickness, means for timing the output of this detected signal through a mechanical detector, and solenoid means for switching a stitcher and a deflector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: K.K. Osako Seisakusho
    Inventor: Tatsuo Osako
  • Patent number: 4595187
    Abstract: A low cost, on-line saddle stapler accessory for preparing long edge fed booklets, receives side registered copies from a copier, and introduces a crease centrally of the copies. The copies are aided into a roof-shaped compiler tray and registered at their lead edges. When a set has been compiled, a first saddle staple is made and the set is passed on to a second position, registered and stapled a second time. Afterwards, the now saddle stapled booklet is forwarded to a stacking tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Henry T. Bober
  • Patent number: 4592651
    Abstract: A copier capable of binding copy papers at their center or their edge as desired. A bookbinding device is operatively connected to a paper outlet of the copier. To bind the papers at their center, a folding mechanism of the bookbinding device is activated first in order to form a crease along the center of each copy paper. Then, a binding mechanism of the bookbinding device is activated to sequentially stack the papers in an upwardly convex form and such that the creases face upward in alignment and, then, stich the papers together along the aligned creases by means of a stapler or the like. The bound papers are discharged to a stacking mechanism of the bookbinding device in a developed position so as to be stacked there while being folded double in the creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Oikawa, Kenichi Shimizu, Shigeru Suzuki, Izumi Tagoku, Masahiro Ishikawa, Takashi Seto
  • Patent number: 4552497
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for preparing side-stitched (and preferably taped) documents which lie flat when opened on a flat support surface, such as a desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Barry C. Kockler, John E. Dobson, Daniel T. Noonan
  • Patent number: 4512845
    Abstract: To eliminate the necessity for stapling together web portions which are derived, for example, from a rotary printing machine, and superimposed, and which should be joined together, one of the web portions is deflected in a separate path and has a strip of adhesive applied transversely to the direction of movement, for example by passing the web portion between a pair of rollers, one of which has adhesive applied thereto. The web is passed free from contact with the two rollers of the pair, and the uncoated roller, at least, is formed with a projecting strip providing an impression or counter strip to press the web portion against the adhesive coating on the other roller to thereby apply an adhesive strip thereon. The two web portions are then guided into contact with each other and folded in the folding apparatus transversely to the movement at a fold line (19). The projecting strip need not be continuous, but may be a row of projecting bumps or teeth (FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: M.A.N.-Roland Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ingo Kobler
  • Patent number: 4509732
    Abstract: A document handling apparatus comprises a first conveyor means for conveying a document to a given location, a document stacking means for receiving documents conveyed by the first conveyor means and maintaining them at said location to form them into a stack, a stapling means for stapling the stack of documents, and a second conveyor means for conveying the stapled stack of documents out of said given location. The first or the second conveyor means comprises a conveyor roller or rollers, and an electromagnetic ball control device which brings a steel ball into abutment against or away from the conveyor rollers in response to an operation of an electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadaaki Kanno, Takeshi Ukai, Yutaka Akahoshi, Katsuji Shibata
  • Patent number: 4426072
    Abstract: An improved glue application system is used in combination with a collating apparatus of the type in which a plurality of rolls are mounted on spaced spindles and webs unwound from the spindles are to be collected in overlapping relation. The improved glue application system includes at least one flexible tapered nozzle having a tubular body and a tip having an end which contacts a supported surface of a selected web at an angle normal to the supported surface, the nozzle being mounted on the collating apparatus such that the tubular body flexes in response to variations in distance from the supported surface to the tubular body so that the end remains in contact with the supported web during operation of the apparatus. The nozzle communicates with a source of glue by a conduit which carries a valve which can be remotely controlled to start or stop the flow of glue through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Cole, Richard A. Gaspar, Donald C. Stackhouse, John L. Trentman
  • Patent number: 4425111
    Abstract: The invention concerns expanding files. A flat strip of flexible material (12) is progressively folded longitudinally to form a U-shaped channel. A length of the material equivalent to the developed width of a gusset is drawn forward. A precut partition with glued tabs (113) is placed at the rear of the drawn forward section of material. A fold is formed by pushing the three edges of the channel inwardly. This sequence of operations is repeated to form a multiplicity of pockets, comprising a plurality of parallel partitions joined along three edges to constitute respective filing pockets by the flexible material which is concertina-folded to constitute respective gussets. This multiplicity of pockets may be sectioned to provide separate expanding files. The invention comprises the manufacturing method and the machine for implementing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Inventor: Andre Chazelas
  • Patent number: 4420147
    Abstract: A machine for folding and gluing a continuous web in high speed operation. A continuous web which has solidified glue thereon in selected regions is folded. Heat is applied to the folded web to melt the glue, particularly in specific areas of the folded web. Pressure is applied to the specific areas to urge together the folded portions of the web and the melted glue therebetween. Then the folded web travels between heat transfer members which rapidly cool the folded web and the glue between folded portions thereof. Thus, the glue is solidified and the folded portions are firmly adhesively attached together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: The Standard Register Company
    Inventors: William J. Knox, Byron C. Hall
  • Patent number: 4410170
    Abstract: Machines for stapling and folding a stack of paper sheets, having a reciprocable tray to receive and move a stack of paper sheets between a rest, stapling position and a sheet-folding position; solenoid-operated staplers to staple together said sheets in a stapling line, a blade on said machine reciprocally movable between a rest position and a sheetfolding, extended position wherein an edge of said blade presses against said stack of paper sheets at said stapling line, a power-driven pair of spaced, opposed rollers with the nip between rollers aligned with said blade to allow said blade in its extended position and the bent stack of paper sheets thereon to enter said nip, whereupon said power-driven rollers grip and fold said sheets along said stapling line, electrically powered drive means to move said blade to extended position when said tray is moved into said sheet-folding position, whereby said power-driven pair of rollers lift the stapled, folded sheets off of said blade and convey said stapled, folded
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Bruce Wertheimer
    Inventors: Bruce Wertheimer, Rune S. Pearson
  • Patent number: 4340212
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming printed paper products having a folded or pocket portion, for example inserts for magazines and brochures having a reply envelope. A moving web of paper from which the inserts are made is first folded along the edges thereof to form the folded or envelope portion of the insert. Thereafter, printing is carried out on the folded web. Since folding precedes printing, a web having a width which exceeds the maximum width that the printing press can accommodate may be used. In this way, an insert having a width up to the maximum width that the printing press can accommodate and/or inserts having envelope portions and/or envelope flap portions of increased size are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Inventor: Walter A. Simson
  • Patent number: 4281920
    Abstract: A stapler device is disclosed for a finishing station in a copying or duplicating machine which is arranged to produce automatically a predetermined number of copy sheet sets in accordance with a collated document stack. The copy sheets are compiled into individual sets and stapled in the upper left-hand corner of each set as viewed in a reading orientation. The staple has its bridge (crown) portion angularly related to the edges of a set corner, and for optimum strength for which the staple is capable, the angle is such as to be perpendicular to the diagonal of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Cross
  • Patent number: 4270742
    Abstract: A paper stack binding and folding device which comprises an inclined machine frame, a paper stack feed table at one end of said machine frame having a movable abutment ruler and a slit and slots therein, a paper stack feed mechanism having a paper stack feed pawl for extending through said slit to feed a paper stack, a stapling mechanism positioned below said paper stack and having stapler guns for ejecting staples to said paper stack and a caulking member for bending said staples, binding position control stops for stopping the feed of said paper stack in a predetermined binding position, a paper stack folding mechanism having a pair of parallel folding rolls defining a gap therebetween to fold the paper stack and a folding position control stop for stopping the feed of the bound paper stack in a predetermined folding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4179107
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of printing, collating and binding booklets, magazines, pamphlets and similar printed material in one, two or four colors utilizing a novel procedure for assuring precise printing and collating registration. In the printing operation, the present method provides great flexibility whereas the same printing equipment can be used for two-sided printing with full four-color printing on each side and variations thereof. In the collating operation, the present method provides for precise collation of multiple printed pages. In particular, the printing and collating operation utilizes a series of punched holes for orienting the pages during processing which punched holes are removed in a final trimming operation, allowing on-line printing, collation and binding at high production rates and with decreased waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: Amprint Corp.
    Inventor: Jerome R. Harris
  • Patent number: 4147338
    Abstract: A machine for making forms sets comprising a continuous bottom sheet and multiple continuous form sheets, includes a central row of assembly stations on either side of which are provided form set sheet supply rolls and form set sheet processing equipment for enabling uninterrupted feeding of bottom and form set sheets to the machine while the form set sheets are processed and assembled to the bottom sheets of the form set. The upper form sheets are fed continuously to the assembly station using a special arrangement of feed and guide rollers, each successive set of form sheets being fed from alternate sides of the assembly station. Assembled form sets are finally perforated, folded and stacked in a desired manner by the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Inventor: Karl H. Gath
  • Patent number: 4145241
    Abstract: The sheets in a column of compartments of a sorter, collator or the like are jogged to align their edges. An endless belt is moved past a glue dispenser to coat a length of the belt corresponding to the number of compartments to be covered. The belt is then moved into engagement with the edges of the sheets in those compartments to deposit the adhesive on the edges. The operation is then intermittently repeated along the edges of the sheets to bond the desired extent of the length of the edges. A jogging mechanism aligns and holds the edges in alignment for binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Norfin, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Snellman, John C. Kuspert, Arthur G. Saunders