Abstract: A bookmaking system includes sets of redundant cover printers and book block printers and a binder (or set of binders) for binding a printed cover page, printed by an assigned one of the set of redundant cover printers, and a corresponding set of printed pages for a book block, printed by an assigned one of the set of redundant book block printers, together to form a book. A transport mechanism connects the redundant printers and redundant cover printers with the binder. An assigned one of a plurality of book block buffers, intermediate the book block printers and the binders, stores the set of printed pages until the corresponding printed cover page is ready for binding; and/or an assigned one of a plurality of cover buffers, intermediate the cover printers and the binders, stores the printed cover page until binding can be performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive binder with a machine frame, a plurality of processing stations that are attached to the machine frame, at least two transport clamps for transporting book blocks, at least one closed guide track for the transport clamps, and at least one device for changing the overhang of the book blocks. To realize a technology-required change in the overhang in an easy and secure manner, the at least one device for changing the overhang of the book blocks is arranged in such a way as to operate jointly with a lower edge of at least one of the transport clamps, so that the lower edge can be positioned in several first planes of the adhesive binder, which extend parallel to the at least one closed guide track.

Abstract: A fold-enhancing device includes a pressing member, at least one retaining member, and a moving mechanism. The pressing member presses against a fold line of a recording-medium bundle folded into a booklet shape. The recording-medium bundle is obtained by stacking multiple sheets of recording media. The retaining member retains the recording-medium bundle and is provided at a position located away from the fold line in a direction intersecting the fold line and not in contact with the pressing member. The moving mechanism moves the pressing member and the retaining member in a direction extending along the fold line.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet binding device includes a tape support base, a slide base, a tape holder, a first displacement mechanism, and a second displacement mechanism. The tape support base supports a tape. The slide base is movable in a first direction. The tape holder is supported on the slide base and is movable in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first displacement mechanism displaces the tape holder in a second direction from a first position that is a position away from the tape to a second position at which the tape holder is capable of coming into contact with the tape. The second displacement mechanism displaces the tape holder in the second direction from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: When data about plural book sheets, each belonging to one of plural chapters, are edited to bind the plural book sheets by a casing-in operation in such a manner that chapter range images, which indicate the respective ranges of the plural chapters, are displayed on an edge so that the chapter range images that are adjacent to each other are arranged at different positions from each other in the top-bottom direction, a marker image emphasizing the chapter range image is adjacent to the chapter range image indicating the range of a chapter having book sheets the number of which is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for forming the spine region and/or the adjacent joint areas of a book case prior to casing-in the book block by means of a forming component that lifts the spine region out of the extended starting position relative to rails that hold down the case boards or the joint areas, wherein the forming geometry of the forming component can be varied by means of motor-driven adjustments, and wherein a separate adjusting drive is assigned to each of the elements that can be adjusted relative to the base element and form the book case.

Abstract: According to exemplary systems and methods, signs are created using a document-processing device. The signs are removed from a processing path of the document-processing device using a transport device to move the signs to a compiler. Ordered stacks of the signs are compiled in the compiler. The signs are temporarily held in the compiler during a first operation of a collating system. Following actuation and reset of the collating system, the signs are moved to the collating system. The collating system includes a ramped collator that moves interim stacks of signs received from the compiler from the ramps of the ramped collator toward a final collated stack according to job-specific instructions.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of determining whether or not a press operation is to be performed on a folded part of a sheet bundle according to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle. If a folding priority mode is not set on a selection screen displayed on a display unit of the sheet processing apparatus, a controller of the sheet processing apparatus determines whether or not the number of sheets of the sheet bundle indicated in sheet bundle information is equal to or larger than a threshold value. The controller sets a press mode in the sheet bundle information to “press,” if the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is equal to or larger than the threshold value, and sets the press mode to “pressless,” if the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a support member that supports a center-folded booklet by being inserted into the booklet along a fold of the booklet, a pair of clamp members that are disposed so as to face outer surfaces of the booklet supported by the support member and that clamp the booklet by moving closer to each other, and a post-processing mechanism that performs a post-processing operation on the booklet clamped by the pair of clamp members. The pair of clamp members clamp the booklet while moving relative to the booklet in a direction (up-down direction in the figure) so as to move away from the fold of the booklet, the direction being perpendicular to both of a clamp direction of the booklet and a direction in which the fold of the booklet extends.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of books, including: moving book blocks successively along a conveying section of a book production line; supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line; identifying a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases; transmitting an identified marking on at least one book case to a machine control of the book production line; assigning a dataset stored in the machine control for a sequence of book cases to the supplied stack; determining a sequence in the machine control for book blocks positioned on the conveying section; comparing the dataset for the sequence of the book cases to the sequence of the book blocks; and removing and/or supplying at least one book block from or to the conveying section if the sequence of the book blocks deviates from the sequence of the book cases using the machine control.

Abstract: An image forming system is described which is capable of assembling an output product which consists of sheets having uniform sheet widths by appropriately performing a trimming process even if the output product is made from a plurality of paper types. The image forming system consists of an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet; a finisher provided with a slit unit for trimming edges of sheets and capable of assembling an output product by joining the trimmed sheets, and a control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus and the finisher. When a book cover (standard paper type sheet) is supplied, the control unit trims the paper edges by a designated trimming width. Conversely, when a book body (non-standard paper type sheet) is supplied, the control unit trims the paper edges by a designated trimming width to which an offset amount is added.

Abstract: Methods for creating customized children's storybooks with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready templates stored in association with a software application on a desktop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. The methods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompted discussions that elicit responses from the child to create text for the storybook. The text may be generated by speech recognition software processing digital audio recordings of the child's responses. A digital image of the child's fingerprint is acquired and the fingerprint image and/or the storybook scenes are scaled to fit each other. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate the creation of fingerprint art. A completed page image is formed by digitally inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-shaped area, and if desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. When the scenes are completed the software application compiles the book pages and prints the same.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises a deciding unit which decides on a sequence for manufacturing a plurality of products using the type information of a plurality of products; and a unit which causes a print apparatus and a post-pressing apparatus to manufacture the plurality of products in accordance with the sequence decided on, wherein the deciding unit decides on the sequence such that products of the same type are manufactured consecutively by the print apparatus and the post-pressing apparatus, and furthermore, for each type of product, the deciding unit decides on the sequence using step information regarding steps for product manufacturing such that, among steps for manufacturing a plurality of parts that constitute each of the plurality of products of the same type that are consecutive in the print apparatus, steps for manufacturing the same type of part are consecutive.

Abstract: A book binding machine includes a collating machine, a perfect binder and a transfer device disposed between the collating machine and the perfect binder. The collating machine and the perfect binder are actuated by a common control device. In each case, one transport segment is assigned to a respective book block clamp by the control device. The control device also has a program which, if a defective or missing book block clamp is detected, actuates the collating machine in such a way that no book block is collated for that book block clamp. A method for operating a book binding machine is also provided.

Abstract: A printing system that is capable of producing a bookbound matter with good appearance when producing the bookbound matter by covering a first sheet bundle with a second sheet bundle. A determination unit determines whether it is specified so that images are printed on sheets of first and second sheet bundles in page order in which a bookbound matter is produced by covering the second sheet bundle folded by the first sheet bundle folded. A control unit controls so as to cut the first sheet bundle at a first position and to cut the second sheet bundle at a second position that is different from the first position, when the determination unit determines to be specified.

Abstract: It, as shown in FIG. 11, is provided with a feed roller 31 that is movable, rotates the spiral coil 11 passing through punched holes 3a of the bundle of paper-sheets 3, and guides the spiral coil 11 to feed it toward a coil advance direction, a screw guide 49 at a movable and adjustable side that guides and conducts a forward end of the spiral coil 11 fed by the feed roller 31 toward the coil advance direction into the punched holes 3a thereof, and a control part that receives diameter-of-coil-setting information for setting a diameter of a coil of the spiral coil 11 and controls positions of the feed roller 31 and the screw guide 49 based on the diameter-of-coil-setting information. Such a configuration enables the feed roller 31 and the screw guide 49 to move to the guided positions of the spiral coil 11 indicated by the diameter-of-coil-setting information. Accordingly, it is possible to pass the spiral coils having the different diameters thereof through the holes of the bundle of paper-sheets stably.

Abstract: A method and system for on-demand book production is provided in which covers and book content are synchronized at book binding equipment. In one exemplary system and method, a single printer prints a book cover followed by its corresponding book block. The cover and book block are each sequentially staged and synchronized together for binding in the binding equipment. In another method and system for on-demand book production, covers are printed and encoded at a first printer and a book block printing instruction is initiated in response to decoding of the cover in the binding equipment. Printing of the book block is in a separate but integrated printer and the book block is fed to the binding equipment for binding with the book cover. In each instance, synchronized book covers and book blocks are bound in and output from the binding equipment.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes: a binding unit that binds, as a bundle, a plurality of sheets by heating and pressing binding margin portions of the sheets set in advance, using toner interposed between the sheets as an adhesive material; and a pre-heating unit that heats the binding margin portions of the sheets while the sheets are stacked.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a detecting unit which detects the number of manuscript sheets; a calculating unit which calculates the anticipated number of sheets of recording media based on the detected number of sheets; a determining unit which determines whether the anticipated number of sheets calculated exceeds the predetermined number of sheets; and a bookbinding unit which binds multiple recording media, wherein the calculating unit calculates the anticipated number of sheets, further including a cover arranged on the outside of the multiple recording media which are stacked in an overlapping manner, and wherein the bookbinding unit binds multiple recording media without arranging the cover on the outside of the multiple recording media when an image is not formed on the cover if the determining unit determines that the anticipated number of sheets exceeds the predetermined number of sheets.

Abstract: A book forming and pressing machine includes a reshaping device to perform a shaping operation on a book block, a pressing device having a number of spaced-apart pressing plates and burn-in rails to press the book block during the shaping operation, and a loading device that includes a loading table. The loading table includes a book block back support arrangement to support the book block back during the shaping operation. The latter arrangement includes at least one pair of prism plates having shaped upper edges and arranged spaced-apart, extending parallel or quasi-parallel to each other to support a correspondingly shaped book block back during the shaping operation and. The arrangement further includes at least one feed element operatively connected with each prism plate and adjustable to a position to support a differently shaped book block back in place of the shaped upper edges of the prism plates.

Abstract: A book forming and pressing machine includes a pressing device that has a number of spaced-apart pressing plates, joint-burn-in rails and at least one station for accommodating a book block. A loading device has a loading table. A reshaping device includes a mechanism to shape a front cut of a book block. The mechanism includes a tool carrier having a shaping tool to shape the front cut. Tool carrier and/or the shaping tool executes a series of movements in one plane or in three-dimensional space, relative to the front cut to be shaped, while the book block is held in the pressing device.

Abstract: An information page (1) of a security document, includes: an information part (3), on the upper or lower surface of which part of the information recorded on the information page (1) can be seen; and a flexible connecting part (2) with good bending strength for attaching the information page (1) to a security document. To ensure that detaching the information part and the connecting part from each other leaves visible marks, the connecting part (2) has a netlike structure, and the connecting part (2) is arranged to penetrate into the information part (3) in the immediate vicinity of the upper or lower surface of the information part.

Abstract: Proposed is an image processing apparatus in which the data processing method is changed over in suitable fashion in accordance with job settings when binding is performed. To accomplish this, the image processing apparatus is such that when stored image data is processed, the output format is determined from a job ticket and processing for dividing image data is controlled in accordance with the output format determined. In accordance with the output format determined, the apparatus changes over the output timing of divided page image data.

Abstract: A binding system for binding a stack of sheets with a binding element includes a binding machine having an indicia associated with an operation to be performed in binding the stack of sheets, and at least one binding element having an indicia corresponding to the indicia on the binding machine.

Abstract: In a production method for a booklet having an over-size cover sheet, first all the pages of the booklet are joined together and connected. Thereupon the cover sheet is at first folded aside and the remaining sheets are cut to the desired format. Subsequently, the cover sheet is brought to the desired over-size format in a special method, preferably using a laser beam. A booklet in which the cover sheet is cut in different manner than the remaining stack of sheets is produced according to the production process indicated above.

Abstract: A sheet system including a sheet of paper and a tab coupled to and protruding outwardly from the body, wherein the tab is co-planar with the body. In one embodiment, the invention is a sheet system including one or more sheets of paper having a generally rectangular body and a tab coupled to and protruding outwardly from the body, wherein the tab is co-planar with the body. In one case the tab and body are unitary and made of a single piece of paper. In some embodiments an unbound set of tabbed sheets may be provided. In other embodiments the system further includes a front cover, a rear cover, and a binding mechanism binding the front cover, rear cover, and the one or more sheets of paper together. In this embodiment the one or more sheets of paper and/or the front cover and/or rear cover may be tabbed.

Abstract: A method of making a customizable storybook, including selecting a plot and a themed scene having a physical setting, selecting at least one character that relates to the plot, photographing a user at the physical setting, obtaining at least one photograph of the user at the physical setting, and combining the plot and the at least one photograph to produce a customized book.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus according to one aspect of this invention controls to print images on sheets based on image data of a plurality of pages, generate a bookbinding product by executing folding processing for the image-printed sheets, and output the bookbinding product. The printing control apparatus further accepts the position of an insertion sheet to be inserted into the sheets for which the folding processing is executed, and controls to output a plurality of bookbinding products by using, as a reference, the accepted position of the insertion sheet.

Abstract: Methods for creating customized children's storybooks with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready image templates stored in association with a software application running on a standard home computer system. The systems and methods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompted discussions that elicit responses from the child to create the text for the storybook. Initially, the appropriate size of the child's fingerprint is determined and the storybook scenes are scaled to fit that size. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate the creation of fingerprint art. An image template is formed by including within it at least one fingerprint-sized area. A completed image is formed by inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-sized area, and if desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. In one technique, an entire scene is produced including one or more fingerprint-ready image template(s).

Abstract: A method for automatically creating spine image areas for book covers that were originally created for books without spines includes adding image areas between the front and back cover images to make a single image with the spine being a user-specified solid color or bitmap image.

Abstract: In a method and associated device for gathering loose book blocks (B, B1 . . . 7), loose partial blocks (B, TB) formed of at least two serially printed signatures (7) to be arranged consecutively in a book block (B) are delivered to transport segments (3) with the aid of at least one feeder (10.1 . . . 3) by successively removing the at least two signatures (7) from a magazine (11) of the at least one feeder (10.1 . . . 3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing a rejected book on a binding line.

Abstract: A print job for ring binding is received and page information contained in the print job is acquired. Based on the page information, it is determined whether a sheet used as a back cover in the ring binding is a sequential insert sheet whose insertion order is determined in advance. When it is determined that the sheet used as the back cover is a sequential insert sheet, control is performed such that the insert sheet used as the back cover is printed by discharging insert sheets up to the insert sheet just before the insert sheet used as the back cover out of a set of sequential insert sheets. Then, sheets used as inner sheets in the ring binding and a sheet used as a front cover in the ring binding are printed in order.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to produce and sequence a plurality of different books. An example system includes a plurality of signature feeders to deliver signatures to stations along a conveyor to simultaneously produce and sequence a plurality of different books in a first predetermined order to co-mail, wherein each of the different books has different content. Additionally, the example system includes one or more trimmers to trim the plurality of different books. Further, the example system includes a stacker to stack the plurality of different books in a second predetermined order, wherein the second predetermined order satisfies discount postage rate guidelines. Still further, the example system includes a controller to cause the plurality of different books to be produced in a first predetermined order.

Abstract: A method collates multiple-layer brochures containing a plurality of n signatures having a gathering and stitching machine. Here, in a first step, the depositing of a first signature takes place by a first feeder into a first transport segment and, in a second step, the depositing of a second signature takes place by a second feeder into a second transport segment. Correspondingly further depositing of further signatures can take place by further feeders into further transport segments. Finally, depositing of an n-th signature takes place by an n-th feeder into an n-th transport segment. The signatures which are deposited on a gathering element in this way are transported through the stitching station and the trimming station and are delivered in the delivery station. A gathering and stitching machine performs the method and has a control unit which has a machine program for collating multiple-layer brochures having a plurality of n signatures.

Abstract: In a sheet finisher including an adhesive coating section, a movement mechanism, a control section that controls actions of the adhesive coating section and of the movement mechanism, is capable of multiple coating on a spine of a sheet bundle by causing the movement mechanism to move the adhesive coating section reciprocally and relatively with respect to the spine, and is capable of conducting a preparation process to cause the rotary adhesive supplying section to rotate for a prescribed period of time in a rotation direction corresponding to a movement direction of the adhesive coating section under a condition of no coating of the adhesive on the spine of the sheet bundle, after the movement direction of the adhesive coating section and the rotation direction of the rotary adhesive supplying section are switched, following the reciprocating movement in the case of the multiple coating.

Abstract: A computerized method may be used to create a photograph album from a digital photograph source. The method includes receiving an input selection from a user, which is entered through a computing device. The method also includes retrieving photographs and contextual content from a digital photograph database stored on a second computing device. The method also includes the one or more photographs and contextual content in a photo album. The method also includes compiling the photographs and contextual content into an arrangement. Finally, the method includes creating a finalized version of the photograph album.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for treating a printed flexible book cover prior to book binding. In the embodiments, a liquid (e.g., water or a water-oil solvent mixture) can be applied (e.g., by a liquid applicator, such as a spray nozzle, sponge, brush, etc.) to the spine portion only of the book cover so that it pools on the surface. After a predetermined amount of time, the liquid can be removed (e.g., by a liquid remover, such as a vacuum, blower, heater, etc.). Allowing the spine portion of the book cover to soak in the liquid for this predetermined amount of time ensures that the liquid saturates the spine portion. Saturating the spine portion of the book cover alters the surface structure and, thereby enhances adhesion of an adhesive material (e.g., glue or tape) during a subsequent book binding process even in the presence of fuser oil.

Abstract: For the automatic production of book covers for individual books with different format sizes, the data of the book to be bound are acquired and cataloged using software, the book covers are cut to the desired format, covering materials adapted to the format are applied to the book cover, the corners are folded, the endpapers are applied to the book covers and the text block and book cover are joined together, precisely positioned.

Abstract: The first step is fabricating a sheet with a front face divided into 4 quadrants; a rear face divided into 4 quadrants; upper and lower edges separated by a height; first and second side edges separated by a width; a central vertical fold line; and a central horizontal fold line. The next step is forming an image on each quadrant. The next step is creating a first fold along the vertical fold line and a second fold along the horizontal fold line. The next step is coupling the quadrants adjacent to the vertical fold line using a tape. The final step is cutting along the horizontal fold line to crop and remove the horizontal fold line creating a first signature having pages 1 through 8.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of books, including: moving book blocks successively along a conveying section of a book production line; supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line; identifying a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases; transmitting an identified marking on at least one book case to a machine control of the book production line; assigning a dataset stored in the machine control for a sequence of book cases to the supplied stack; determining a sequence in the machine control for book blocks positioned on the conveying section; comparing the dataset for the sequence of the book cases to the sequence of the book blocks; and removing and/or supplying at least one book block from or to the conveying section if the sequence of the book blocks deviates from the sequence of the book cases using the machine control.

Abstract: A printing system which is capable of performing square back processing and preventing occurrence of a new trouble of inadvertently creating a saddle-stitched brochure defective in the appearance of a trimmed edge and/or print appearance, which is unexpected by an operator. A receiving unit receives a job of a first type for creating a saddle-stitched brochure subjected to square back processing and trimming processing or a second type creating a saddle-stitched brochure not subjected to the square back processing but subjected to the trimming processing. A controller controls a trimming position at an end of the sheet bundle for the job and/or an image printing position on a sheet included in the sheet bundle based on whether a job to be processed is of the first type or of the second type.

Abstract: A system for automatically producing a bound album consisting of individual sheets, for example, a photo album is disclosed. The system includes a unit which immediately draws in sheets output by a printer or a stacker; a unit for creasing said sheets so as to facilitate folding them and keeping said sheets in their folded form; an adhesive application unit designed to paste at least some of the sheets two by two; and a unit to flip part of the cover sheet. The sheets are received and compiled on a delivery board equipped with registration features for this purpose. The board is capable of translational movement in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the sheets are transported inside the system and movement between several positions in synchronism with the adhesive application unit.

Abstract: A cover feeding device for a book binding machine features a transport device for feeding covers (1) decollated from a magazine (11), a conveyor (12) that is arranged underneath the plane of motion of the book blocks (7) a pressing device (14) that presses the covers against the spine and a printing unit (17) that prints content (8) onto the cover (1). The transport device comprises a turning device (21, 31a, b, 41) for transporting the covers (1) such that the outside (3) is at least partially directed upward during their infeed, and the printing unit (17) is arranged above the cover transport.

Abstract: A method and a device for pressing a book block over the rounded back of a book block having a longitudinal axis extending in the center and along the back. The book block is clamped between two clamping jaws of a clamping device, in a region adjacent to the back of the book block, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back. A pressing device presses a pressing member against the back, wherein the pressing member is placed approximately in the center of the back onto the book block back. At least a section of the pressing member is then moved across the back. Once the pressing member, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back, is placed onto the back it then moves along at least one continuously preselected movement path over the back.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a data input section to input document image data including cover sheet image data and body text image data; an image forming section to form an image on a recording medium based on the document image data; an input section to input a shift instruction for shifting a print area of the document image data; and a control section to control the image forming section so that images are formed by shifting only a body text image corresponding to the body text image data of the document image data on the recording medium while not shifting a cover sheet image corresponding to the cover sheet image data of the document image data, based on the shift instruction inputted from the input section.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pro label book includes printing static indicia on a web of label material, applying an adhesive to each portion of the web of label material that will become a label page in a pro label book that is not the portion of the web of label material that will become a top page of a label book to be formed if the adhesive is applied to a top surface of the web of label material or a bottom page of a label book to be formed if the adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the web of label material, printing variable information on the web of label material, sheeting the web of label material to form label pages, and batching the label pages together utilizing the applied adhesive. Certain embodiments include attaching one of a backer or a cover to the web of label material following the printing static indicia step.

Abstract: A milling unit of a book binding device removes a coating material adhered to cutting surfaces of coating sheets. A book binding device binding a bunch of sheets fed from a sheet aligning unit includes a sheet aligning plate aligning a section of the bunch of sheets fed from the sheet aligning unit; a gripper fixing the bunch of sheets aligned by the sheet aligning plate; an adhesive unit feeding an adhesive member to the section of the bunch of sheets to bind the bunch of sheets; and a milling unit milling the section of the bunch of sheets before the bunch of sheets is subjected to binding by the adhesive unit.

Abstract: A spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer to transport a bundle of folded sheets with the folded portion of the bundle forming a front end portion of the bundle, a clamping unit to clamp the bundle from both sides in a direction of thickness of the bundle, a spine forming member to flatten the folded portion of the bundle, disposed in that order in a sheet conveyance direction, and a controller that causes the sheet conveyer to transport the bundle of folded sheets to a first position downstream from an upstream end of the spine forming member in the sheet conveyance direction and to reverse the bundle a predetermined distance from the first position to a second position upstream from the first position in the sheet conveyance direction before the clamping unit clamps the bundle.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that performs sheet processing with respect to a plurality of printed sheets and a method of controlling the apparatus are provided. A bookbinding process is performed with respect to a plurality of sheets, and pressure is applied to a spine of a bound stack of sheets to flatten the spine. At this time, the amount of pressure applied to the spine is set in advance, and a square back process is executed while controlling application of the pressure to the spine in accordance with the set pressure amount.