Case Maker Patents (Class 412/17)
  • Patent number: 11787218
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for manufacturing embossed laminated hardcover book cases and embossed laminated hardcover books. The method of manufacturing an embossed laminated hardcover book case may comprise: receiving a book printing request from a user; printing a desired cover design on a cover sheet based at least in part on the received book printing request; applying a laminate sheet to the cover sheet using a laminating apparatus; embossing the laminate sheet using a textured roller of the laminating apparatus to define an embossed laminated cover sheet; providing a spine board and front and rear cover boards based at least in part on the received book printing request; and combining the spine board, the front and rear cover boards, and the embossed laminated cover sheet to define the embossed hardcover book case. Adding a book block converts the case into an embossed laminated hardcover book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Lightning Source LLC
    Inventors: John Kwiatkowski, James Hartzell, Kenneth M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 10099501
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the preforming and rounding of a book block. A support strip is arranged at an adjustable loading height for accommodating a fore-edge of the book block to be rounded. A transport device transports the book block at the loading height toward the support strip. A preform press is adjustable in a vertical direction above the back of the book block and includes at least two preforming tools. A rounding device including two rounding rolls driven in opposite directions for rotation around parallel rotational axes clamps the book block between the two rounding rolls for rounding the book block. At least a first drive is connected to at least one of the preforming tools to displace at least one of the preforming tools in a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the rotational axes to change a spacing between the preforming tools in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 8858148
    Abstract: Binding equipment and false cover forming equipment for hardcover books are disclosed. The false cover forming equipment carries out false covers, by positioning a pair of endpapers in correspondence of lateral binding flaps of a respective backstrip, arranging folds of the endpapers at a pre-assembling distance associated with the thickness of the text block and gluing margins of past-down sheets of the endpapers with binding edges of the backstrip. The binding equipment is feedable, at a cover input “IC”, with the false covers for carrying out book blocks by gluing the backstrips of the false covers with the binding edges of corresponding text blocks and refolding the pairs of endpapers on the respective text blocks. An electronic processing unit is settable for the control of the false cover forming equipment and the binding equipment as a function of the dimensions of the hardcover book to be bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tecnau S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuliano De Marco, Armando Aprato, Francesco Modica, Gianrico Scarton, Francesco Terrusi
  • Patent number: 8801351
    Abstract: In a device for cutting to length and feeding spine strips (3) for a case maker (1), a center strip conveying device (30) is provided that advances the spine strip material (5, 6) by the spine width (BS) transverse to the board feed direction (23) in a cyclic fashion. The spine width (BS) can be changed from work cycle to work cycle without accumulating additional waste. This can be realized because the previously required width sizing on the material web is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Geldmeier, Frank Tautz
  • Publication number: 20140131987
    Abstract: A process for double-sided printing of a book hardcover, which includes: providing a book hardcover having a spine between front and back covers all integrally formed from a single blank of foldable board material, wherein the front and back covers each have polymer coated inside and outside surfaces; providing inside and outside dye sublimation sheets respectively printed with inside and outside front and back cover images using dye sublimation ink; superposing the inside and outside dye sublimation sheets respectively on the inside and outside surfaces of the front and back covers when the book hardcover is open flat; applying heat and pressure to the superposed inside and outside dye sublimation sheets and inside and outside surfaces of the front and back covers to respectively sublimate the dye sublimation ink of the inside and outside front and back cover images into the polymer coatings on the inside and outside surfaces of the front and back covers to thereby form a double-sided printed book hardcover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ROYALBIND PTY LTD
    Inventor: Clifford Kevin Royle
  • Patent number: 8550760
    Abstract: A device is provided to shape a spine of a book casing positioned horizontally spread out flat and oriented to be distributed evenly over a spine of a book block. Two fold-shaping rails are arranged extending in a direction parallel to one another. A movable, shaping tool is arranged to face the inside of the book casing spine to shape a web on the book casing spine with the aid of the two fold-shaping rails. The shaping tool includes two spaced-apart support bars that extend parallel to the fold-shaping rails and are arranged to be adjustable so that together they adjust the web width of the book casing spine in a direction transverse to the direction of extension of the fold-shaping rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Holger Schilling, Thomas Friese
  • Patent number: 8439621
    Abstract: A device for shaping a book cover back on the inside of a horizontally positioned, spread-out book cover and aligned approximately evenly distributed with a spine of book block. The device includes two opposite-arranged fold-forming rails that have longitudinal extension and a shaping tool that is movable towards the inside of the book cover back that faces the spine to lift the book cover back between the fold-forming rails to form a web on the book cover back. The shaping tool includes a tool bar having a top presenting a guide plane and two adjacent support bars that extend parallel to the fold-forming rails along the longitudinal extension. The support bars adjust a web width of the book cover back in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension through a joint adjustment of the spacing between the support bars. The support bars are form-fittingly and frictionally positioned on the guide plane of the tool bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 8333541
    Abstract: A process and an arrangement for covering a flat-lying blank, preferably made of cardboard with a cover, in particular applicable in the production of book covers is described. The covering takes place in cycles in a number of working stations, whereby an overall cycle time can be given to each working station in advance. Each working station contains at least one working means, to which at least one sub-cycle time is assigned. It is provided that in the case of a constant remaining overall cycle time, at least one sub-cycle time assigned to the working means of a procedural step can be adapted to the processed materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Michael Hoerauf Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Publication number: 20120308335
    Abstract: An assembly for realizing in continuous covering jackets of book elements of different dimensions starting from a film wrapped up in a coil. The assembly includes a mechanism for cutting the film unrolling from the coil for realizing pieces of the film; a first folding device of a first end of the pieces; a second folding device of a second end of the pieces; a control and command unit and a longitudinal welder suitable for both superiorly and inferiorly closing folded pockets and for regulating the height of the cover itself by trimming the parts in excess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SITMA MACHINERY S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aris Ballestrazzi, Lamberto Tassi
  • Patent number: 8322962
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to score book covers are described. An example scoring apparatus includes a first scoring roll and a corresponding second scoring roll. The first scoring roll opposes the second scoring roll to process a cover at a first location of the cover. A first slider to couple the first scoring roll to the scoring apparatus such that the first slider enables independent adjustment of the first scoring roll relative to the second scoring roll in a first lateral direction relative to the second scoring roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventors: James M. Lanman, Patrick S. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8128331
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to score book covers are described. An example scoring apparatus includes a first scoring roll to oppose a corresponding second scoring roll to process a cover at a first location on a first side of the cover, and a third scoring roll to oppose a corresponding fourth scoring roll to process the cover at a second location on the first side of the cover. The first location and the second location correspond substantially to the thickness of a book to which the cover is to be applied. The first and the third scoring rolls are mechanically driven and rotate about a first axis of rotation and the second and the fourth scoring rolls rotate freely about a second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventors: James M. Lanman, Patrick S. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8123449
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing hard book cases (covers) can make cases including tucked and folded corners. The apparatus can track the progress of the book case throughout the assembly process and can accurately align the unfinished assembly with the tucking and folding devices of the apparatus. Short runs of different sized book cases may be quickly and efficiently manufactured on a single apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GP2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Porat
  • Publication number: 20120027540
    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 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Cyr, Jacob Eyngorn, Aaron M. Moore
  • Publication number: 20110311336
    Abstract: In a case maker (1), cover boards (2) and a spine strip (3) are joined with the glued blanks to be covered (4) in a roll-down device (12, 15). The protruding edges of the blank (4) are subsequently turned in successively arranged work stations (40, 43). Book cases (8) with different dimensions are manufactured in the form of a continuous production by adjusting at least the guides (29, 30) of the board feed (20) that align the cover boards (2) and spine strips (3), as well as the turn-in devices (44.1, 44.2) of the side turn-in station (43), to the working positions defined for the respective book case (8) to be manufactured next in synchronism with the throughfeed of the respective book cases (7, 8) and their assigned cover boards (2), spine strips (3) and blanks to be covered (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Tautz
  • Patent number: 8056457
    Abstract: An arrangement for covering a flat lying blank, preferably made of paperboard, with a cover, as is in particular applicable in the manufacture of book cases. The arrangement comprises fixing means for simple coupling of a circular cutting device. This circular cutting device comprises transport means for direct feeding of the cut blank to the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Michael Hoerauf Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Publication number: 20110176890
    Abstract: A device for forming the outstretched, horizontally positioned spine of the case of a book, which is extended uniformly over, and aligned with, the spine of a book block, and which possibly has an inlay such as schrenz paper. The device includes a forming tool, which can be moved toward the inside surface of the spine of the case, i.e., the surface which faces the spine of the book block, lifts the case spine up between two lateral, opposing creasing rails, and produces at least a rounded or flat web on the spine between the book covers of the case. The forming tool is mounted on a rotatable frame having an axis of rotation which is parallel to the creasing rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: MÜLLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Thomas Friese, Holger Schilling
  • Patent number: 7955039
    Abstract: A peeling sheet on the back of a cover sheet is provided with a cover seal having a printed front surface is peeled off to partially expose an adhesive layer. A core material for cover is placed thereon. First side piece portion and second side piece portion are then peeled off and the entire surface of the first cover members, backbone member and second cover member of the core material for cover is bonded and fixed by the adhesive layer of the cover sheet for cover. Outer circumferential region of the cover seal for cover is then bent to the inside thus making a cover of a booklet. When a personal user edits electronic images and prints the electronic images on a printed sheet, the printed sheet can be fixed easily in a short time for making a booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Lab. At-Site Ltd.
    Inventor: Takemi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110014011
    Abstract: A device for deforming a book back cover aligned approximately uniformly distributed on a book back, possibly a book cover back having a back insert of a horizontally stretched out positionable book cover, composed of a deforming saddle which can be pushed forward onto the downwardly directed inner side of the book cover, wherein the book cover back is producing a rounded portion of the round cover back located opposite the folding rails between two laterally opposing fold shaping rails which produce a rounded portion of the book cover back, wherein the deforming saddle is formed by two laterally downwardly directed saddle blades formed by the saddle blades which lift the book cover back during the deformation, wherein for adjusting the rounding of the book cover back the saddle blades are together pivotably constructed about an axis extending parallel to the book cover back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: MULLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Holger Schilling, Thomas Friese
  • Publication number: 20100226734
    Abstract: A hardcover assembly arrangement including first and second hardcover assemblies, with each assembling including a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on a first surface of the hardcover assembly and additional pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on a second surface of the hardcover assembly, opposite the first surface. Each assembly includes a release liner disposed over and contacting the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the hardcover assembly, with the first and second hardcover assemblies being positioned relative to one another such that the release liner of the first hardcover assembly is disposed over and contacts the additional pressure sensitive adhesive of the second hardcover assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin P. Parker, Nicholas G. Paget
  • Patent number: 7753635
    Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing the covers of a book using a surface material and cover pieces glued to it. In order to glue the cover pieces to the surface material, a device equipped with a work table is used, on top of which the surface material is positioned. The cover pieces are glued to the surface material by supporting one end of them, in the initial stage, free of the glue surface with the aid of a shelf-like support piece and commencing gluing from a point farthest from the said end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Maping Ky
    Inventors: Henri Huotari, Iisakki Huotari
  • Publication number: 20100166527
    Abstract: An assembly includes two sheets which are superimposed, wherein one edge of one of the sheets is aligned with an edge of the other sheet. The assembly also includes a tape connecting the two edges, the tape having opposing and offset layers of adhesive. One of said layers of adhesive is disposed on one side of said tape and the other of said layers of adhesive is disposed on the other side of said tape, and wherein said one of said layers of adhesive is attached to the outside of one said sheet and said other of said layers of adhesive is attached to the inside of said other sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Contra Vision Limited
    Inventor: G. Roland Hill
  • Publication number: 20100111643
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Schmidkonz
  • Patent number: 7658585
    Abstract: A binding-in and pressing machine (1) with a plurality of pressing stations (60) and heated joint forming rails situated on a reciprocating carriage (50). An alignment station (20) is provided for aligning the book case joints (2a) at the height of the joint forming rails (49a, b), including a height-adjustable alignment table (21) with rails (22, 23) for supporting the book (2) on the outer edges of its spine and guide elements (28, 6) for centering the book on the alignment table. A separate pre-forming station (40) is also provided that comprises the forming rail (51), clamping plates (41a, b), and joint rails (48a, b) that engage into the book case joints (2a) and counteract a downward movement of at least the book case joints (2a). The books (2) aligned in the alignment station (20) are transferred into the pre-forming station (40) while being clamped in lateral regions near the joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Brommer, Torsten Meineke
  • Publication number: 20090285656
    Abstract: A table (31) is located in a first position and a second position which is rotated at 90 degrees from the first position. A cover (27) is arranged on a top face of the table (31) and fixed to the table (31) by fixing means (32a, 32b). Cardboards are preliminarily attached to predetermined positions on a rear face of the cover (27), and an outer margin of a predetermined width is formed outside the cardboard. Folding units (35) are arranged on either side of the table (31), and guided by guide rails (34) for reciprocal linear movement in directions toward and away from the table (31). The folding units (35) are located in an outer margin folding position at which said folding units (35) engage with the cover (27) on the table (31) and fold the outer margin of the cover (27) so as to attach the outer margin to the cardboards, and a standby position at which the folding units (35) separate from the cover (27). A control unit controls the table (31) and the folding units (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki KOJIMA, Ko OUCHIYAMA, Kazuyuki FUKUSHIMA
  • Patent number: 7614838
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for producing cases with rounded corners. According to this method, the corner edge (10) that protrudes in the region of a rounded corner (9) is initially uprighted and turned over and subsequently pressed on the cover boards (7a, b, c) together with the turning-over and pressing-on of the lateral edge (11a) of an adjacent lateral border, in the same station (1). The apparatus comprises at least one rounded corner tool (3) that is arranged in the same station (1) in the which the lateral edges (11a, b) of opposed lateral borders that lie parallel to one another are uprighted, turned over, and pressed on the cover. The rounded corner tool (3) can be moved (b) toward the center of the case and out of the effective range of the lateral turn-in device (24) immediately before the turning-over and pressing-on movement (c, d) of the lateral turn-in device (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Geldmeier, Frank Tautz, Gerhard Lintelmann
  • Publication number: 20090123254
    Abstract: A process and an arrangement for covering a flat-lying blank, preferably made of cardboard with a cover, in particular applicable in the production of book covers is described. The covering takes place in cycles in a number of working stations, whereby an overall cycle time can be given to each working station in advance. Each working station comprises at least one working means, to which at least one sub-cycle time is assigned. It is provided that in the case of a constant remaining overall cycle time, at least one sub-cycle time assigned to the working means of a procedural step is adapted to the processed materials. The present invention is in particular applicable when at least one edge of a cover applied to a blank is folded over. The folding over of the edge takes place thereby in a folding station within the pre-set overall cycle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Publication number: 20090116935
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing hard book cases (covers) can make cases including tucked and folded corners. The apparatus can track the progress of the book case throughout the assembly process and can accurately align the unfinished assembly with the tucking and folding devices of the apparatus. Short runs of different sized book cases may be quickly and efficiently manufactured on a single apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Porat
  • Patent number: 7490450
    Abstract: A process and an arrangement for covering a flat-lying blank, preferably made of cardboard with a cover, in particular applicable in the production of book covers is described. The covering takes place in cycles in a number of working stations, whereby an overall cycle time can be given to each working station in advance. Each working station comprises at least one working means, to which at least one sub-cycle time is assigned. It is provided that in the case of a constant remaining overall cycle time, at least one sub-cycle time assigned to the working means of a procedural step is adapted to the processed materials. The present invention is in particular applicable when at least one edge of a cover applied to a blank is folded over. The folding over of the edge takes place thereby in a folding station within the pre-set overall cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Michael Hoerauf Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 7236934
    Abstract: A book on demand system for manufacturing a set books. The system includes an order placement system and a book manufacturing system. The order placement system includes a computer and a database for storing books in an electronic form. A customer can operate the computer to access the database and to select a set of books to purchase. In addition, the customer can define the storage space will be used to store the set of books. The computer responds to this customer input by manufacturing the set of books so that the books can be placed physically within the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert C. Mayes
  • Patent number: 7134822
    Abstract: A guide apparatus for applying a cover to a bound stack of sheets, including a base unit which defines a book receiving surface and a first alignment member having a lower cover stop disposed along a reference line, and a first upper cover stop also disposed along the first reference line. A first book stop is included defining a stack engaging surface which is positioned intermediate the cover engaging surfaces of the first upper and lower cover stops and with said stack engaging surface extending a distance past said first reference line towards the book receiving surface. The first upper and lower cover stops are positioned to engage top and bottom cover sections of the cover, with the stack engaging surface being positioned to contact the edge of the stack so as to precisely align the stack with respect to the top and bottom cover sections in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Parker, Evelyn Steiner, Wayne Kassom
  • Patent number: 6769676
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding spine inserts for a machine for manufacturing book covers having a take-off roller system for withdrawing in clocked synchronism a material web cut to width by further means from a screening roll, having a cutting device for cutting off a portion of the material web as a flexible spine insert, having means of introducing the flexible spine insert into a board feed plane and having a board feed, which pushes the spine insert and further cover boards, for synchronous feeding of the boards onto a covering material, which has been coated with glue at a glue spreading roller and fed by means of a covering material cylinder a take-off roller system is provided, which inserts the material web counter to the board feed direction into the board feed plane and with which are associated guides for guiding the advanced spine insert and means of further guiding the cut-to-length spine insert as far as into the board feed plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Machon, Günter Geldmeier, Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 6726424
    Abstract: For a book casing-in machine, there is provided a method in which, while being conducted out, the books are shaped in the fold and pressed over their entire area and are held in a force-locking manner until they are deposited in the lying-flat condition. The device for performing the method has a conducting-out conveyer which takes over the book from the casing-in point and has shaping rails which engage in the fold and pressing rails which effect clasping in the region close to the fold. The device also has a book-delivery gripper which takes over the book from the conducting-out conveyer and feeds the book to pressing rollers which are driven in rotation and which roll along on the lateral faces of the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reimer Voss
  • Patent number: 6698796
    Abstract: This is to provide a cover suitable to hollow-backed binding and provide a binding method for an album and the like for obtaining a well-bound appearance using the cover at low cost and easy to turn over. A cover is composed of a decoration cloth, a pair of substratum paper and a spine affiche adhered on required positions on the back of the decoration cloth, an interconnected reinforcement paper adhered to substratum paper to create a space between a spine affiche and a reverse paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nakabayashi Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 6676354
    Abstract: In a process for casing a book block or paper-cover block into a cover during the manufacture of adhesively bound books, paper covers or magazines in an adhesive binding machine in which the block is transported, with a hanging-out portion, in a block clamp belonging to a transport system and is connected to the cover by gluing the back and/or the side regions, provision is made, in order to achieve an increase in quality, for the hanging-out portion (1a) of the block (1) to be aligned with the back region (2a), which is preferably predetermined by scoring, of a cover (2) which is fed in, and for the said cover (2) to be pressed against the back and/or the side regions of the block (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Holtmeier, Gunther Knittel
  • Patent number: 6632059
    Abstract: In a method for adhesive attachment of a cover and a binding strip on the flanks of a spine of an book block comprised of bound printed sheets, the book block is transported in a transport direction on a circulating transport device. A binding strip is placed onto the book block spine such that lateral strip parts project laterally past the spine. The cover is moved into a proper position relative to the book block spine in accordance with the cycle of the book block and in the transport direction of the book block. At least one of the lateral strip parts is loaded on a side facing away from the cover with a pressing element. The cover and the book block pass through a pressing device in order to connect the cover and the book block to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventors: Jakob Debrunner, Mike Fritschi, Kaspar Furrer
  • Patent number: 6632060
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for pre-registering boards for use in, for example, the manufacture of looseleaf binders and packaging products. Boards are dropped onto the base plate by an automatic process. Spine guides enable the spine portion of the boards to be secured for subsequent registering. The movement of the spine guides allows the spine portion of the boards to be placed accurately. The spine guides are attached to a spine guide rack which is located on the underside of the base plate. The spine guide rack operates through the use of pneumatic cylinders and enables the movement of the attached spine guides. The spine guides move along a spine guide trench and secure boards on the base plate. The spine guides are retracted when the boards are initially placed on the base plate and then start moving medially to squeeze the spine portion of the board such that it becomes perpendicular to the x-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Motion Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gilmore, Jason Ernst
  • Patent number: 6497544
    Abstract: A machine for casing inner books into book cases by gluing the outer end papers of an inner book to the inner surfaces of the covers of a book case, having a conveyor, which at cyclical intervals feeds successive inner books with the spine directed upwards in a vertical plane of motion to a cyclically fed book case, which is held in position in the plane of motion of the inner book, and having means for moving the covers up against the inner book and joining the end papers and book covers, is, in view of a compact design which is less expensive to manufacture, characterised by a feeding conveyor (5), which feeds the inner book (2) with the spine directed upwards to a lower receiving point and has a device (15-17) for spreading apart the outer end papers (2a) of the inner book (2), and by a gripper (21), which grasps the inner book (2) between the spread-apart outer end papers (2a) and conveys it from the lower receiving point to an upper joining point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Schmücker, Reimer Voss
  • Patent number: 6394729
    Abstract: The invention includes novel unibody binder constructions and the process of making same. The binder is composed of two plastic sheets comprising such material as polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate or other similar plastics. An uncompromised single piece of board or similar rigid material, such as chipboard, microflute board, corrugated board, fiberboard, etc., or a synthetic substrate, is then coated with a glue such as a resin glue, a U.V. adhesive, etc., on both sides and sandwiched between the plastic sheets. This sandwich is then formed into the unibody construction by welding the entire outer perimeter. At the time of welding, the air between the plastic sheets and the board is pressed or vacuumed out. To create the hinges on the binder, the unibody construction is then hydraulically creased to the extent necessary by using three moving blades to provide living hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen R. Welch
  • Patent number: 6379094
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for facilitating folding of a cover material (6) about a spine (4) and a pair of panels (2) to form a hard book cover (8). The apparatus (20) comprises an infeed table assembly (22) for supporting the cover material (6), the spine (4) and the pair of opposed panels (2). A pressure device for receiving the cover material (6), the spine (4) and the pair of opposed panel assembly (16) and for supplying an initial pressure to the cover material/spine/panel assembly (16). A conveying and rotating mechanism (28) is provided for receiving and conveying the cover material/spine/panel assembly (16) to a fold mechanism (28). The fold mechanism (28) facilitates folding of each longitudinal free edge of the cover material (6), about a longitudinal perimeter of the spine (4) and the pair of panels (2), to form the hard book cover (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Porat
  • Patent number: 6257622
    Abstract: The improved cloth book cover according to the invention has a spine area, and a front and back cover portion having pockets at the two lateral edges in which the front cover and the back cover of a book may be inserted. The cover is made from an elastic fabric, preferably spandex, so that the cover is elastically retained on the book. The cloth material is also preferably water resistant and flame retardant. An optional pocket located on the outside spine area of the book cover may be fashioned to contain pens, pencils, rulers, etc. A method of making the cloth book cover uses overlock stitching along the top and bottom edges of the cover and along the unfolded edges of the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Sharon A. Peker
  • Patent number: 6142721
    Abstract: A system for the perfect binding of a book block (14) within a soft paper cover is disclosed in which the center portion (18) of the cover is sized relative to the thickness of the book to be bound. An activatable adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the center portion of the cover. The book block is inserted into the cover such that the spine (S) of the book block is generally in register with the adhesive. The cover is forcibly compressed onto the book block by pressing members (60a, 60b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Marsh
  • Patent number: 6099224
    Abstract: A paper supplying apparatus has a rotatable member around a horizontal axis, a pair of clamp plates supported by this rotatable member mutually parallel and in face-to-face relationship for clamping a book block in between, and guide plates each attached to an associated one of these clamp plates, extending downward from the clamp plates to a lower edge part of the book block when the book block is held vertically. Such a paper supplying apparatus can be removably connected to a book binding machine by attaching a guide rail to an outer wall of the book binding machine and a runner to the paper supplying apparatus. The runner is slidably engageable with the guide rail, allowing the paper supplying apparatus to move along the guide rail selectably towards or away from the book binding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Horizon International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Uchida, Yoshinari Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 5980182
    Abstract: A case-in device of an adhesive bookbinder includes a base inside which two shafts are rotatably mounted to be driven by a motor to rotate in opposite directions. A binding platform is pivotally mounted to the base and has two clamping plates movably supported thereon. The platform has two elongated slots and two guide rails corresponding to the slots. Each of the guide rails has two slides slidably mounted thereon and each corresponding to and connected through the respective slot to each of the clamping plates. Each of the slides has a roller rotatably supported thereon. The shafts have lever arms fixed thereon and the arms are sized to be engageable with the rollers and thus driving the clamping plates toward each other to clamp and the apply a force to a book disposed therebetween for adhesively securing the book cover to the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Duplo USA Corporation
    Inventor: Tung Shang Yen
  • Patent number: 5876143
    Abstract: A document binder is formed with front and back covers hinged together in articulated fashion with a spine located therebetween. An overlay is provided across the outer surface of at least the front cover and the spine and is secured by fusion to inner and outer, plastic cover sheets that encapsulate a flat, stiff, front cover core, spine, and back cover core therebetween. A front cover title sheet pocket is defined between the overlay and the outer, plastic cover sheet. The title sheet pocket is of a narrow enough width to readily accommodate title sheets printed on paper of standard width, such as eight and a half inches. The fabrication technique employed allows a title sheet pocket to be created for the front cover of the document binder which snugly confines the title sheet and prevents it from shifting laterally as occurs in conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 5868539
    Abstract: In the manufacture of a book, the book consisting of a cover and an inner book, the book cover is permanently shaped by the formation of folds in the articulation region thereof prior to being joined to the inner book. In the course of forming the folds in the cover, the covering material thereof is caused to undergo plastic flow and to be shaped so that beneficial stresses are created in the fold defining regions. The back of the cover may also be permanently shaped substantially simultaneously with the formation of the folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Horst Rathert
  • Patent number: 5827033
    Abstract: Disclosed are adjustable size dies for use in case making systems. Also disclosed are methods of adjustment, alignment and of use of the adjustable size dies in case making systems which are especially well suited for use in the practice of book binding. Appropriate practice of the present invention provides a very user friendly approach to accommodating the binding of books of different sizes without the need to rebuild dies in standard book binding case making machines, as is presently the common practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: James D. Welch
    Inventor: Richard L. Feldman
  • Patent number: 5800110
    Abstract: Hinge joints are impressed in a book cover through the use of a heated tool, having the profile of the desired joint, and the joint is thereafter immediately stabilized. Joint stabilization is accomplished by rapid reduction of the temperature of the joint areas while maintaining the application of compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nikolaos Georgitsis, Kurt Begemann
  • Patent number: 5575504
    Abstract: A file folder which remains neatly open and neatly closed is comprised of a front, a back cover and a spine made in one piece and connected along two folds, and a groove milled along at least one of these folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Konrad Wagner
  • Patent number: 5413446
    Abstract: A book cover formation machine has feeder stations for the cover cloth and cover boards, a glue-application station for the cover cloth, and an assembly station for mating the cover cloth and cover boards. The machine also has a turn-in station with turn-in elements for folding the head and foot flaps over the cover-board edges in a first plane, and for folding the lateral flaps over the cover-board edges in a vertically displaced second plane. The turn-in station is a separate mechanism juxtapositioned to the assembly station. The functions of assembling the cover cloth and boards, of executing the head and foot flap turn-ins, and of executing the lateral flap turn-ins, are coordinated such that all functions within a cycle are performed on different book covers simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Rathert, Reimer Voss
  • Patent number: 5409341
    Abstract: A book cover assembly apparatus includes a cover table and a transport arm. The transport arm has a vertically moveable suction head which carries cover boards to the cover table which is initially in an inclined acquiring position. The transport arm establishes an initial line of contact between an adhesively coated cover cloth disposed on the cover table and the cover boards. The cover table is pivoted to a horizontal position in synchronization with movement of the transport arm thereby progressively diminishing the angle included by the cover cloth and cover boards. Such combined movement causes the contact line to move across the cover cloth, rolling the cover cloth into contact with the cover boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Horst Rathert