Finishing Apparatus Patents (Class 412/18)
  • Patent number: 9248619
    Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional structure includes depositing a first pattern of thermoplastic toner particles onto a first surface of a receiver to form a plurality of spaced-apart stacks of toner particles that extend above the first surface of the receiver. The receiver is bent so that non-overlapping first and second portions of the receiver are defined. At least part of a surface of the receiver in the second portion is brought into contact with the deposited stacks of toner particles. The toner particles are fused to bind the second portion to the first portion and provide a selected spacing between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Roland R. Schindler, II, Donald Saul Rimai
  • Patent number: 8950995
    Abstract: A machine for attachment of a cover to a book block comprises a press plate elevating mechanism for elevating a press plate 8, a nip plate drive mechanism for sliding nip plates 9 and 10, and a controller 30 controlling the press plate elevating mechanism and the nip plate drive mechanism. The press plate 8 elevates from the lower standby position to an upper press position. The press plate 8 presses the cover 12 to the book block 4 at the upper press position. The cover 12 is attached to the book block 4 by pressing the cover 12 to the lower end surface of the book block 4. The press plate 8 is elevated from the intermediate position to the upper press position, staying at the intermediate position during a waiting time for adjustment. The press plate 8 elevates from the intermediate position to the upper press position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Hirohito Nakanishi, Kou Ohuchiyama, Takehito Yokogi, Akira Onodera
  • Patent number: 8950994
    Abstract: A measurement unit (6) is provided with a fixed body (19) which is fixed on a base (17) and has a reference surface (19a). A movable body (21) slides in the base along a guide rail, and a measurement body (22) having a measuring surface (22b) slides in the movable body along the guide rail. The measurement body is always pressed against a first side wall (21a) of the movable body by a coil spring (24). A first sensor (27) to detect the time when a book body is located on the front side of the reference surface, and a second sensor (28) to detect the time when the measurement body is separated from the first side wall of the movable body by a predetermined distance, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Tago, Shigeru Wakimoto
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140234055
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a suspension member that suspends 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 suspended by the suspension 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 clamp members. The suspension member includes an upwardly tapering portion whose thickness between opposing sheets of the booklet, into which the suspension member has been inserted, gradually decreases upward, and the suspension member supports an inner surface of the booklet with the upwardly tapering portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi SHIOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140234056
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Zen KAYABA
  • Patent number: 8517656
    Abstract: A cover applier is provided. The cover applier includes a transport system transporting a book, a cover delivery delivering a cover to a book, the cover delivery driven by a servomotor, a book sensor detecting an image printed on the book prior to the cover being delivered to the book and a cover sensor detecting an image printed on the cover prior to the cover being delivered to the book. The servomotor adjusting the position of the cover with respect to the book as a function of the book sensor and cover sensor. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hartshorne, Glenn Alan Guaraldi, Charles Reif Hammond
  • Patent number: 8475107
    Abstract: A paper-sheet handling device relating to the present invention has a configuration such that a binder paper alignment unit for temporarily reserving a plurality of paper-sheets perforated at predetermined positions, a movement mechanism for binding the bundle of paper-sheets thus aligned owing to the above by means of a binding component, and a binder cassette for storing the binding components for being transferred thereto, wherein the movement mechanism is arranged on the downstream side of the binder paper alignment unit and the binder cassette and also, the binder paper alignment unit and the binder cassette are arranges radially on the upstream side to form an approximately V-shape by making the aforesaid movement mechanism to be a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichi Haramiishi
  • Patent number: 8442422
    Abstract: Bookbinding unit that in binding an inner-leave sheet bundle together with a cover enables accurate binding of the cover onto the bundle's spine and meanwhile forms folding scores in the cover flaps. Furnished with: a stacking tray unit; a process path for sequentially transporting bundles from the tray unit into adhesive-application and cover-binding locations; an adhesive application unit, disposed in the adhesive-application location, that applies adhesive to bundles from the tray unit; a cover-supply unit that supplies covers to the cover-binding location; and a cover-binding unit, disposed in the cover-binding location, that binds sheet bundles from the adhesive-application location together with covers. The cover-binding unit has a shoulder-pressing unit that forms spine creases in the spine portion of the covers, and a flap-pressing unit that forms folds in the spine-creased sides of the covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroyuki Sorita, Takehiro Yamakawa, Jun Kondou, Takeshi Harada
  • Patent number: 8393843
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing a rejected book on a binding line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Quad/Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Blohm, Paul Volz, Ken Frohmader
  • Patent number: 8346156
    Abstract: A bookbinding apparatus, which is capable of being attached to an image forming apparatus, and bookbinding by adhering a cover sheet onto a spine of a sheet bundle formed by a plurality of sheets on each of which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, the bookbinding apparatus including: a coating section for coating adhesive onto the spine of the sheet bundle; a heater for heating the adhesive; a temperature detection section for detecting temperature of the adhesive; an input section for receiving input from a user; and a heater control section for controlling the heater based on a detection result of the temperature detection section based on the input from the input section so that temperature of the adhesive becomes a predetermined control temperature, and changing a control condition of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8316749
    Abstract: A finisher for a receiver moving in a feed direction includes a cutting device having a cutting blade and a scoring blade on opposite sides of the receiver and oriented perpendicular to the feed direction, and a scoring notch on the opposite side of the receiver from, and parallel to, the scoring blade. An actuator selectively causes the scoring blade to engage the scoring notch as the receiver moves between the scoring blade and scoring notch, so that the receiver is scored, or causes the cutting blade to engage the scoring blade, so that the receiver is cut. A controller receives a job specification including one or more cut or score location(s) on the receiver and causes the receiver to be cut at the cut location(s) or scored at the score location(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald S. Rimai, James D. Shifley, Brian J. Kwarta
  • Patent number: 8282330
    Abstract: A press plate (8) with a cover (12) is moved upwardly from a standby position to a press position to press the cover against a book block (4) by first and second elevation units. The book block (4) is clamped by nip plates (9, 10), together with the cover (12). The height of each of first and second ends (X, Y) of the press plate (8) at the press position can be set separately by separately controlling the first and second elevation units by a control section (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8221044
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Photo Me Holding France
    Inventor: Laurent Bourdelain
  • Patent number: 8157493
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: KRDC Co., Ltd., Gradco (Japan) Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8160488
    Abstract: An image formation processing system is provided with an image formation portion, an adhesive applying portion which receives a plurality of sheets from the image formation portion, gathers the received sheets in the shape of a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and applies an adhesive to an end face of the sheet bundle, and a post-processing portion which receives a plurality of sheets from the image formation portion, gathers the received sheets in the shape of a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet bundle, where the adhesive applying portion is disposed downstream of the image formation portion in the sheet transport, while the post-processing portion is disposed downstream of the adhesive applying portion in sheet transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Canon Finetech Inc., Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Honmochi, Masayoshi Kubo, Toshiaki Nochi, Ken Yonekawa, Yuji Ueno, Keiichi Nagasawa, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 8132994
    Abstract: A punching processing unit punches holes in a paper bundle delivered from a preprocessing device. A bookbinding unit includes a cartridge for stocking a plurality of rings, and performs a ring binding by binding the paper bundle with the rings. A detecting unit detects an abnormality of a ring in the cartridge. A control unit exchanges a signal with the preprocessing unit each time when detection information obtained by the detecting unit changes. When any one of the rings is determined as abnormal and an execution of ring binding is set, the control unit inhibits the ring binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Okada, Takeshi Sasaki, Shingo Matsushita, Junichi Iida
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8083455
    Abstract: A system for positioning a cover relative to a book block. The system comprises a drive unit to cause movement of at least one of the book block and the cover and a position sensor operable to detect at least one of a position of the book block and the cover. The position sensor is operable to generate a position signal indicative of the position. The system also comprises a controller in communication with the position sensor and the drive unit. The controller is operable to receive the position signal and to control the drive unit based on the position signal to adjust a relative position of the cover and the book block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Quad/Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Graushar, David F Christofferson, Timothy A. Heimerl, William H. Schnell
  • Patent number: 8070407
    Abstract: A sheet bundle conveying device includes a tray device on which sheets are placed and held in a bundle, a sheet bundle conveying path along which a sheet bundle from the tray device is guided to a predetermined processing position, a grip transferring device located on the sheet bundle conveying path for gripping and transferring the sheet bundle from the tray device to a processing position, and a grip controlling device for controlling the grip transferring device. When an apparatus error occurs, the grip transferring device moves the conveyed sheet bundle backward to the collection stage. A grip on the sheet bundle is released on the collection stage after the sheet bundle is returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Sasamoto
  • Patent number: 8052135
    Abstract: While a book block (P) is nipped between a pair of clamping plates (1a, 1b) and passes through processing units (B to D) in succession, perfect book bind processing is carried out. Two or more of the processing units (B to D) have pairs of members (2b, 2c; 3c, 3d; 4a, 4b) which engage or come into contact with both sides of a back surface of the book block A thickness of the book block is measured by a measuring unit (6) before the book binding processing is started. When a thickness of next book block is measured by a measuring unit during the book bind processing of a previous book block, a control section (7) stores a measured value of the thickness of the next book block in a memory (8). When the previous book block reaches a predetermined position on a conveying path, a gap between the pair of members of the processing unit located upstream of a position of the previous book block is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Horizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji Katayama, Shinichi Takai, Masaru Kano, Shigeru Wakimoto
  • Patent number: 8052131
    Abstract: A bookmaking apparatus includes a first path to convey a sheet bundle, a second path to convey a cover sheet, a joining stage disposed at an intersection of the first path and the second path, a gripping conveyance device arranged for gripping and a conveyance device arranged at a downstream side of the joining stage for conveying out the cover sheet and sheet bundle. The gripping conveyance device includes clamping members to grip the sheet bundle and clamping control device for opening and closing the clamping members. The clamping control device operates the clamping members to grip a lower edge of the sheet bundle when joining the sheet bundle to the cover sheet, and the clamping members to retract to an upstream side of the first path and to grip the sheet bundle again when conveying the joined sheet bundle to the conveyance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nagasawa, Akihiko Tsukui, Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Publication number: 20110217147
    Abstract: A print-medium post-treatment apparatus and a control method thereof, to increase the number of print media stacked on a bookbinding stack tray by controlling operation of a conveyor belt. The a print-medium post-treatment apparatus includes a bookbinding stack tray including a tray sensor to sense a print medium and a conveyor belt to move the print medium, and a controller to move the print medium in a given discharge direction by operating the conveyor belt in a first direction if the tray sensor senses the print medium moved onto the bookbinding stack tray and to move the print medium in an opposite direction of the discharge direction by operating the conveyor belt in a second direction so as to reduce a distance between a previously discharged print medium and a subsequently discharged print medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Min, Hyun Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 7955040
    Abstract: A cutting device that cuts an edge portion of a sheet bundle to an even length, in which a plurality of sheet have been stacked, using a cutting blade, the cutting device includes: a paddle shaft capable of being rotated, which is connected to a drive source provided in the vicinity of the cutting blade; and a plurality of paddles provided on the paddle shaft in a rotary axis direction thereof; wherein the plurality of paddles are arranged in a single line with the same phase as each other on the paddle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, Masaaki Uchiyama, Tsuyoshi Shiokawa
  • Publication number: 20110103863
    Abstract: A conveying device that conveys a sheet bundle with a flattened back-face portion includes a first conveying unit, a driving unit, and a second conveying unit. The first conveying unit retracts to a position where no driving force is exerted on the sheet bundle before a leading end of the sheet bundle formed in a flat spine shape enters, and abuts on the sheet bundle to exert conveying force after the leading end of the sheet bundle passes a conveying position. The driving unit moves the first conveying unit to retract to the position and to abut on the sheet bundle. The second conveying unit is positioned on an upstream side of the first conveying unit in a sheet bundle conveying direction and conveys the sheet bundle towards the first conveying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Shinji Asami, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Naohiro Kikkawa, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Kiichiroh Gotoh
  • Patent number: 7922435
    Abstract: A sheet collecting device includes a tray on which sheets are placed, a sheet discharging roller for transferring sheets to the tray, an abutment regulating device for regulating a leading end and a trailing end of the sheets on the stacking tray in a conveying direction, and an aligning device for aligning the sheets relative to the abutment regulating device. The stacking tray includes a tray base supported by an apparatus frame and a plate member disposed on the tray base for placing and supporting at least some of the sheets. The plate member is supported on a top surface of the tray base so as to be movable toward an abutment regulating member. A biasing device is provided between the plate member and the tray base to bias the plate member toward the abutment regulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Sanmiya
  • Patent number: 7918442
    Abstract: A bookmaking apparatus includes a first path to convey a sheet bundle, a second path intersecting the first path to convey a cover sheet, a joining stage disposed at an intersection of the first path and the second path, a gripping conveyance device arranged for gripping and conveying the sheet bundle along the first path, an adhesive application device for applying adhesive to a bottom side edge of the sheet bundle, a backup member arranged to support the cover sheet at the joining stage, and a folding conveyance device for folding and conveying the cover sheet and sheet bundle. After the cover sheet and the sheet bundle are adhered together and before the backup member retracts from the first path to a position outside the first path, the gripping conveyance device is retracted to separate a bottom edge of the sheet bundle from the backup member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nagasawa, Akihiko Tsukui, Katsumasa Takagi, Hiroshi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 7891928
    Abstract: A folded portion flattening device has: a sheet conveying section that conveys a booklet of folded sheets in a predetermined conveyance direction with a folded portion ahead; a sheet stopper that stops the booklet conveyed by the sheet conveying section at a fixed position; a pair of booklet holding members that hold the booklet stopped by the sheet stopper by gripping the booklet at both faces of the booklet; a pressing member that presses the front end of the folded portion of the booklet held by the booklet holding members in an opposite direction to the conveyance direction, so that a curve at the front end of the folded portion is flattened to form a flat face; and a wrinkle preventing member that prevents wrinkle from being generated in the flat face when pressed by the pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Harada
  • Patent number: 7887036
    Abstract: A current invention provides a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a sheet bundle which can be double-leaved and released without use of any binding device. A slit S to which a projection Pa provided at an end portion opposite to a side to be bound by a binding portion of a front cover P1 is formed in a back cover P3 of a sheet bundle PA by an insertion portion forming portion. Further, creases L1, L2 for inserting the projection Pa into the slit S while surrounding sheets P2 existing between the front cover P1 and the back cover P2 are formed in the back cover P3 of the sheet bundle PA by a crease forming portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Hayashi, Hideki Kushida, Hitoshi Fujimoto, Takaharu Hayasaka, Shigeo Doi
  • Publication number: 20100150683
    Abstract: A binder cartridge (51) that can accommodate a large number of binders (61) , which are connected in parallel to each other by an engaging mechanism. A right angle crank-shaped guide groove (55) is formed in a gate portion (54) at the front end of the binder cartridge. A binder in the front row of the binder cartridge is moved by a binder lateral movement mechanism (7) along the crank-shaped guide groove in the lateral direction and is separated from the other binders. A pair of upper and lower pushers (12, 13) of a bind mechanism portion (5) pinch division ring portions of the binder in the vertical direction and insert the division ring portions into a punch hole formed on the sheets of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Toru Yoshie
  • Patent number: 7722022
    Abstract: A machine is provided for trimming the fore-edge of books including at least one conveyor device having two superposed belts mounted about relative pulleys, the distance between the adjacent branches of the two belts being equal to the thickness of the books, which are fed to one end of the conveyor device with their spine parallel to its direction of movement and their fore-edge to be trimmed projecting from the belts, a trimming blade movable in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the books, and a presser and counter-presser to make contact with opposing parts of a book block which are adjacent to the cutting plane of the trimming blade. The machine further comprises two furrowers, one for each of the two faces of the books to open openable book parts before the trimming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: SCS Automaberg S.N.C
    Inventors: Massimo Scarpellini, Dario Scarpellini, Claudio Crovetto
  • Publication number: 20100119332
    Abstract: A sheet finishing device winds a paper tape at a stapling position on a sheet bundle and thus binds the sheet bundle. The sheet finishing device cuts a used sheet that is un-reusable for image formation to produce a paper tape for binding the sheet bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shogo OZAWA
  • Patent number: 7713015
    Abstract: Provided is a bookbinding apparatus including: a conveying unit which sequentially conveys sheets; a gluing unit which glues the sheets conveyed by the conveying unit; a stacking unit which sequentially stacks the sheets glued by the gluing unit; a pressurizing unit which pressurizes glued portions of the sheets stacked on the stacking unit; and a control unit which temporarily stops a stacking process carried out by the conveying unit onto the stacking unit and causes the pressurizing unit to execute a pressurizing process on the sheets stacked on the stacking unit when an operation interrupting event occurs during the stacking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoko Magata, Takeshi Aoyama, Masahiro Funakoshi, Yuichi Yamamoto, Daijiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20100104400
    Abstract: A method for producing printed products with an arrangement including at least one printing press to produce book blocks, at least one conveying device to convey the book blocks, at least one processing device to provide each respective book block with a respective cover, and a control unit to control the production of the book blocks. The method includes producing each respective cover in advance of each respective book block production, supplying each cover to at least one storage unit, and following the supplying of each cover to the storage unit, triggering at least one printing press by the control unit to produce the respective book block on the at least one printing press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Guenther Silberbauer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7641433
    Abstract: A method of trimming a plurality of sheets bound together, in which each of the plurality of sheets defines a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge that collectively define a fore edge of the closed bound document, comprising selecting a first portion of the plurality of sheets, folding the first portion of the plurality of sheets at a first fold angle and in a first fold direction, and trimming the folded first portion of the plurality of sheets near the first portion edges included in the first portion to partially achieve the desired edge effect for the bound document. The first portion of the plurality of sheets is greater than one sheet of the plurality of sheets. The first fold angle and the first fold direction are configured to achieve a desired fore edge effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Steven W. Trovinger
  • Patent number: 7547172
    Abstract: A machine to cover articles with flexible plastic material sheets. The machine includes an assembly for heat-sealing and cutting the sheets which cooperates with a work surface. The assembly includes a first and a second element, of which at least the first element is movable with respect to the other, and the two elements being arranged on opposite sides of the work surface. The first element includes a cutting and sealing blade having an electric current which passes through it and the second element including a cutting and sealing counter blade. Operation levers are provided to move the cutting and sealing blade from a rest position to a work position where the cutting and sealing blade engages the cutting and sealing counter blade. The first element and the levers belong to a unit connected to the work surface in a removable manner. The unit also includes elastic portions for holding the blade at a rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: CoLibri System S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aldo Farneti
  • Patent number: 7478988
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for making hard book cover assemblies. The apparatus may include a cutter for removing a portion of cover material from a hard book cover assembly. Cutting may be performed without releasing the assembly from a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: GP Squared Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Porat
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040179921
    Abstract: A method for trimming a single book having a front edge and two side edges includes transporting a book in a transport direction so that the front edge is parallel to the transport direction, cutting the front edge of the book using a first reciprocating knife when the front edge is parallel to the transport direction, transporting the book so that the side edges are parallel to the transport direction, and cutting the side edges using second and third reciprocating knives when the side edges are parallel to the transport direction. A single book trimming device is also provided having a conveyor device for conveying a book in a transport direction, a reciprocating front knife for trimming a front edge of the book, the front knife having a first blade edge parallel to the transport direction of the conveyor at the front knife; and at least one reciprocating side knife for trimming side edges of the book, the side knife having a second blade edge parallel to the transport direction at the side knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: John N. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6739818
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a post print finishing device that incorporates a spiral binder module into the post print handling and finishing functions. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the binder module binds sheets together by inserting a metal piece that serves as the binder and then bends the metal so as to function as a spiral binder. An accumulator module is included to stack the sheets, present the sheets to the binder for binding and then discharges the bound stack to an output bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jaime De La Torre Aguirre
  • Patent number: 6733006
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing device includes a placement unit for placing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, an offset unit for successively offsetting an edge of each sheet on the placement unit, and a saddle stitching unit for saddle stitching a stack of the sheets with the edge of each sheet shifted by the offset unit. The sheet post-processing device may include a folding unit for folding the stack of the sheets along a line where the sheets are stitched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Misao Kobayashi, Satoshi Iwama
  • Patent number: 6715749
    Abstract: A sheet wise booklet maker includes adjustable elements to allow adjustment of the parallelism of the booklet maker elements to produce quality booklets. The booklet maker includes a sheet trimmer, a folding apparatus, and a paper drive. Orientations of at least two of the sheet trimmer, folding apparatus, and paper drive are adjustable to achieve parallelism between the sheet trimmer, folding apparatus, and paper drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Steven W. Trovinger
  • Patent number: 6712349
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprising a center-stapling device, a center-folding device, and a stacking tray for stacking a discharged sheet or sheet bundle, staples at the center of a sheet bundle conveyer from a sheet output apparatus with the center-stapling device, folds the stapled sheet bundle into two with the center-folding device, and discharges the sheet bundle to stack on the stacking tray. Folding rollers discharge the sheet bundle folded into two by the center-folding device from the side folding into two. In this state, an opening/closing end fence orients a discharging direction of the sheet bundle folded into two downward in vertical direction, turns over the sheet bundle, and stacks the sheet bundle on a tilted lower side stacking tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6589000
    Abstract: The invention combines the binding techniques described in application Ser. No. 09/320,060 titled Binding Sheet Media Using Imaging Material with a buckle chute type folding device to form self mailers and other folded and bound or sealed document. The device for folding and binding sheet media using imaging material as the binder includes a buckle chute, a binder downstream in the paper path from the buckle chute, an input driver proximate to and upstream in the paper path from the buckle chute, and an exit driver proximate to and between the buckle chute and the binder in the paper path. The input driver directs the media sheet into the buckle chute and, in cooperation with the buckle chute, buckles the media sheet along a fold line. The exit driver receives the media sheet from the buckle chute, folds the media sheet along the fold line and directs the media sheet towards the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Co., L.P.
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6450492
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for receiving and assembling sheets in a binding station at which thermal binding strips are automatically supplied to the side edges of the assembled sets, the sheet receiving trays at the binding station are laterally moved apart to allow a set of assembled bound or unbound sheets to gravitate to a stapling station at which an assembled set of sheets may be stapled together, and the trays forming the stapling station are moved laterally apart to allow the stapled set to gravitate to a stacker tray which is allowed to move downwardly as progressive sets are deposited on the stacker tray and the stacker tray is moved upwardly to a set receiving position following removal of finished sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Gradco Japan
    Inventors: Peter M. Coombs, James R. Seay
  • 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: 6364590
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming scorelines in a book cover includes a pair of scoring counter-bars and a pair of scoring tools. Each of the scoring counter-bars include a longitudinal indentation provided therein and each of the scoring tools include a scoring protrusion provided thereon. The scoring protrusion of one of the scoring tools engages the longitudinal indentation of an associated one of the scoring counter-bars so as to form scorelines in the book cover when the book cover is positioned between the scoring counter-bars and the scoring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Maximo Gayoso
  • Patent number: 6354582
    Abstract: A bookbinding machine having an inner-book transporting system, consisting of a conveyer, preferably a roller chain with individual links that engage movably in one another, running around deflecting wheels, and of a multiplicity of clamps, at points of articulation of the conveyer, for clamping-in stacks of leaves, which clamps are disposed at equal mutual distances from one another and so as to be movable, drivewise on the conveyer means, and are guided in tracks on a machine frame, having an entry and an exit and having a number of processing stations along rectilinear conveyer paths, wherein the machine frame (1) has, in the region of the processing stations, a path section (A, B) in a length corresponding to a grid arrangement (R) with a defined basic dimension (x), and processing stations in the form of functional modules (4) in a breadth corresponding to the grid arrangement (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Hafer, Jurgen Garlichs
  • Publication number: 20010038782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding documents by individually binding each media sheet to previously bound media sheets using imaging material as the binding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Roland Boss