Process Patents (Class 412/1)
  • Patent number: 6099225
    Abstract: A low cost, high speed, high resolution laser printer method and apparatus for re-writable media is presented. A method for finishing of printed sheets into booklets is described. Novel mechanical operations permit the manufacture of a very low-cost, off-line booklet maker for use with desktop laser and ink jet printers. The technology can scale to medium-speed, in-line booklet manufacture. The method is novel because most of the finishing operations are performed on a sheet-by-sheet basis using precision paper positioning and a transverse tool carrier that cuts, scores, folds, punches, and staples the sheets. To form a finished saddle-stitched booklet, each sheet is cut to length determined by its sequence in the booklet and paper thickness, scored, punched (if required), folded, accumulated in a stack, and stapled. The sheet-wise method allows finishing operations to be done with low-cost tools and low actuation forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Ross R. Allen, Steven W. Trovinger
  • 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: 6077016
    Abstract: An apparatus for roughening a surface of a book block spine formed of a plurality of individual printed sheets clamped together. The apparatus includes a roughening tool which has a tool bit holder having a rotary axis and a radial face; a plurality of cutter tool bits mounted in a circular array on the tool bit holder and projecting axially from the radial face and together defining a cutting plane; and a drive for rotating the tool bit holder about the rotary axis. The apparatus further includes an arrangement for effecting a relative movement between the book block spine and the roughening tool in a direction of displacement; and an arrangement for setting the roughening tool relative to the book block spine such that the cutting plane forms an acute angle with the direction of displacement, whereby arcuate markings cut simultaneously into the surface of the book block spine along diametrically opposite portions of the circular array have unlike depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Geiser, Jakob Debrunner
  • Patent number: 6062792
    Abstract: An elongate binding member 10 is initially open. A series of loops extend along the open edges and these are suspended from a row of holding teeth 12. The other loops are exposed and pages 9 are threader over the exposed loops to be suspended downwardly from the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Heights Design Production Limited
    Inventor: David Francis Garrity
  • Patent number: 6056492
    Abstract: In order to provide a bookmark for a book, a method of making a book includes the step of applying a releasing adhesive to an inner surface of a front or rear cover having an initially greater width. The outer portion of this cover is then folded inwardly along a fold line so as to be in generally confronting relation with the inner surface of that cover to cause the width after folding to generally correspond to the width of the other cover. The outer portion of that cover is folded along the fold line so as to place the releasing adhesive in adhesive contact with confronting surfaces of both the folded outer portion and the remainder of that cover to adhesively secure them together after they have been folded into confronting relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: David William Hudson
  • Patent number: 6053684
    Abstract: A method and a device for the production of folded products utilizes a row of folding jaws and a row of counter folding jaws. A signature to be cross-folded is inserted between the jaws by a folding blade. The folding jaws and counter folding jaws form a line of embossing on the folded signatures adjacent the transverse fold line. The resultant folded item has an increased moment of resistance in the direction of transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Oskar Eckert, Thomas Werner Rugamer
  • Patent number: 6033171
    Abstract: An automatic cutting and crimping apparatus for a spiral coil binding a book of sheets includes a pair of trim heads slidably attached to a slide bar mounted on a trim station that is part of a larger spiral binding apparatus. The trim heads include a pair of stationary crimping jaws which engage and hold the lead and trailing ends of the spiral coil while a rotating cutting jaw cuts the ends of the coil as they are held against a stationary cutting jaw. The rotating cutting jaw continues to rotate so that the ends of the coil are crimped inwardly and upwardly toward the book of sheets to provide offset ends which serve to inhibit unintentional withdrawal of the coil from the holes along the edge of the book. After the coil has been cut and crimped, the spiral bound book is indexed to a discharge station for discharge from the spiral binding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Spiraflex, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Doyle, Gerald E. Blaha
  • Patent number: 6030163
    Abstract: A method of fusing two or more pieces along an edge to produce a bound volume uses an activating agent which dissolves and mixes with a component present on the pieces, and thereby causes the edges of the various pieces to fuse together. The method is particularly useful for producing bound periodicals and magazines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag
    Inventor: James W. Flannery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6024524
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing book blocks from various printed sheets composed of a plurality of quarto sheets which are inserted into one another, wherein the printed sheets are successively pulled fold first along a conveying path from a stack of printed sheets by a gripping unit of a feeder and are subsequently gathered with their flat sides placed against each other into book blocks. The gripping unit which grasps the printed sheets approximately at the fold thereof produces a deformation or injury which extends at least partially through the quarto sheets, so that the respective quarto sheets are secured relative to each other and displacements relative to each other are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventors: Arnold Braker, Wilfried Weibel
  • Patent number: 6010292
    Abstract: Optical arrangements are provided by which observers of flat containers or display boxes, such as compact disc (CD) jewel boxes, can be presented with different information about the contents of the box when looking at one of its surfaces from different angular perspectives. Advantageously, parallax effects are compensated where the size of the observable images and the viewing distance create undesirable visual artifacts. Horizontally and vertically oriented lenticulated panels are used in combination with interlaced images to convey the differently coded views without the need for physically manipulating such boxes as in the past to see equivalent information. Compliant inserts preferably provide the information content of the various views and are adapted for use with industry automated insert machinery while being self aligning with the lenticulated panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Insight, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Fantone, Anthony L. Gelardi, John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 6010293
    Abstract: A book binding method includes binding a plurality of flatly superimposed leaves by a line of stitches of thread using a stitching machine, and folding the superimposed leaves in two along the line of stitches of thread to form a book. The stitches of thread of the superimposed leaves are impregnated with an anaerobic ultraviolet hardening type adhesive agent. A book binding apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Tadao Uno
  • Patent number: 6010157
    Abstract: A two-piece cover for binding a stack of loose sheets into a booklet or brochure is disclosed. The cover includes a front cover panel and a rear cover panel. The rear cover panel includes a cover portion and a spine portion. The spine portion includes a front side and a back side, and is adapted to be folded to securely bind the stack of loose sheets within the cover. The spine portion includes a plurality of score lines respectively defining fold sections. The cover further includes a first second and third adhesive strips respectively coupled to the back side of the first fold section, the back side of the fourth fold section, and the front side of the fifth fold section. In use, the spine portion is folded along the third score line to create a recess between the second fold section and the third fold section into which the loose sheets of paper may be placed and secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Pengad, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Pierson, James D. Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 5961268
    Abstract: According to the inventive method for joining product parts by means of a glued spine, the juxtaposed edges of the stacked product parts which form the spine area (2) of the product in process are pre-treated with a tearing tool (4) e.g. with a rotating brush. The method is especially advantageous for joining multi-layer product parts with multi-layer folded edges to be joined, whereby the folded edges are torn up by the tearing tool (4) to a depth at least reaching the innermost layer. The inventive method is also applicable in the sense of stitching, for joining the individual layers of one single product part with one multi-layer folded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Erich Jager
  • Patent number: 5957502
    Abstract: A unitary dual sided album leaf and method of making. The method includes the steps of:providing a image retaining media having an image forming side and a back side;printing a plurality of images on the image forming side of the image retaining media, the image retaining media being composed into first and second image retaining sections;folding the image retaining media along a predetermined line, the first and second image retaining sections being positioned such that when the image retaining media is folded, the back side of the first and second image retaining sections will be substantially co-extensive with each other so as to form the first and second sides of the album leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Manico, Richard Carroll Reem
  • Patent number: 5941671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the application of glue onto the back of a book block processed in a book binding machine and bound by gluing, wherein the thickness of glue application is measured. At least the glue layer applied to the book block back travels partially through at least one measuring range formed by a ray bundle and directed transversely of the travel path of the book blocks. The apparatus includes a transmitter and corresponding receiver which together operate as a measurement transducer. The transducer forms a measuring range extending transversely of the travel path of a book block. The transmitter and receiver are arranged in the book binding machine and the book blocks are moved past the measuring range in such a way that at least the glue layer applied to the book block back partially extends into the measuring range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding
    Inventor: Thomas Wehrle
  • Patent number: 5938388
    Abstract: A staple wire supply roll is positioned on a threading-in device that can be moved out of a stapling apparatus, and the leading end of the wire is transported by means of a thread-in transport device, through a flexible guide tube, to a stapling device. A sensor positioned on the stapling device signals the end of the threading-in operation when the leading end of the staple wire passes by. By pushing the threading-in device into the apparatus, the staple wire transport device of the stapling device is set in motion, as a result of which the leading end of the staple wire is transported to a location which positions the leading end of the wire in device. The staple wire is transported, in accordance with the thickness of the sheet stack measured by a sensor, by a stepping motor, which at the same time drives a radial cam unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Helmut Bloser, Heinz-Guenter Bethmann, Joachim Buck, Helmut Funk, Rolf Hascher, Juergen Ries, Gert Scheufler
  • Patent number: 5876170
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement are provided for checking completeness of a book block intended for an adhesive binding, wherein an adhesive binding machine includes a conveyor defining a conveying path along which the book block is conveyed. A plurality of processing stations are arranged along the conveyor for processing the book block. A measuring device is disposed along the conveyor and is adapted to check completeness of the book block by measuring the thickness of the book block. The measuring device includes measuring elements arranged opposite each other on both sides of the conveying path. The measuring elements are separated by a distance to define a measuring segment and arranged for exerting a defined contact pressure onto the flanks of the spine of the book block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventor: Peter Geiser
  • Patent number: 5860781
    Abstract: A document printing appliance with a paper feed device (E1, E2) processing strip-like recording media (A) of preselectable configuration and having a downstream electrographic printing device (DRU) which can print the strip-like recording media (A) on one side and on both sides, and with a paper post-processing device coupled to the electrographic printing device (DRU) on the output side. Said paper post-processing device has a print-page separating device (V), a buffer store (ZS) for the job-related reception of the separated print pages, and a job finishing device (JF) coupled to the buffer store, for the document-related compilation of print pages extracted from the buffer store (ZS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Oce Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Wiedemer
  • 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: 5820325
    Abstract: A method of make-ready of a bindery apparatus includes the steps of providing indicia relating to the size of the signature on the apparatus to locate inner and outer ends of pocket guides for pocket machines to obtain a proper bow of the signatures and a proper location of the signatures for feeding to a rotary gripper mechanism. Indicia are provided on the rotary gripper mechanism relating to the drop of the signature onto a saddle. Information from a previous run of the same signature is used to set the rotary gripper mechanism to time the signature drop. Indicia are also provided for locating a first gathering conveyor to allow setting of signature pushing lugs to a position related to the length of the signature, while the gathering conveyor is at a predetermined reference position. Similarly, indicia related to the length of the signature are used to position pushing lugs on a second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Allen Hartsoe
  • Patent number: 5810536
    Abstract: A puzzle book having a front cover, a back cover, a plurality of pages disposed between the front and back covers, and a puzzle disposed on the exterior side of the front cover. The puzzle is composed of a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces which are disposed in a cavity formed in the exterior side of the front cover. Each of the puzzle pieces has a portion of a printed image formed thereon and a plurality of interlocking portions. The cavity in which the puzzle pieces are disposed may have a shape defined by an internal perimeter of a border area, and the border area may have a plurality of interlocking portions which mate with the interlocking portions of the puzzle pieces to help hold the puzzle pieces within the cavity when the front cover of the puzzle book is opened. The puzzle book may also be provided with a single sheet of transparent material which covers at least a portion of the puzzle and which is removable from the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Thomas P. McQueeny
  • 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: 5791692
    Abstract: A unitary dual sided album leaf and method of making the same. The method includes the steps of:providing an image retaining media having an image forming side and a back side;printing a plurality of images on the image forming side of the image retaining media, the image retaining media being composed into first and second image retaining sections and;folding the image retaining media along a predetermined line, the first and second image retaining sections being positioned such that when the image retaining media is folded, the back side of the first and second image retaining sections will be substantially co-extensive with each other so as to form the first and second sides of the album leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Manico, Richard Carroll Reem
  • Patent number: 5788446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for making books, brochures and similar products with a perfect binding. Signatures are continuously gathered in a specific sequence in a direction of conveyance, to form loose signature blocks. The loose signature blocks are collected by holders that include a mechanism that applies a compression force to the signature blocks. The signature blocks are transferred, with the compression force still applied to the signature blocks, in an approximately perpendicular feeding movement to a circulating clamping arrangement which is driven in the same direction as the direction of conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventor: Marcel Stolz
  • Patent number: 5788436
    Abstract: Method for producing a book binding that is comprised of at least one book binding sheet, having at least one book binding cover that is connected to a binding spine, in which a strip of molten adhesive is applied on the inner side of the binding sheet at the point that is to form the spine. Before it is applied, the molten adhesive is heated so that the adhesive is in a plastic state. In order to ensure that the molten adhesive is applied securely in the desired shape and with little cost, the molten adhesive (10, 41) is reshaped after being at least partially applied to the binding sheet (11, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Lazar
  • Patent number: 5779423
    Abstract: A soft cover, lay flat book in which a non-adherent, unreinforced coating of a volatile liquid carrier and powdered material is disposed over the glue along the backbone of the book block prior to the assembly of the cover, and the cover is adhered or otherwise secured to the book block only between the front and rear leaves and outer surface portions of the book block so that the backbone is movable independently of the spinal cover when the book is opened and closed.Alternately, the coating may be applied to the spinal portion of the cover and a laminate film affixed over the inner surface of the cover, again allowing independent movement of the backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: John F. Bermingham
  • Patent number: 5774363
    Abstract: In a page arrangement order determination method, when a plurality of pages are to be arranged on a common surface for printing purposes, the order of arrangement of the plurality of pages on the common surface is determined based on only the order of folding of printed paper and a position of a front page. A cutting step required for a work-and-tumble operation and a repeat operation can be effected between a printing step and a bookbinding step, and when one of the work-and-tumble operation and the repeat operation is to be effected, the page arrangement order is determined only by additionally designating the one of the two operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Hajime Sato, Masakatsu Yanaga, Keisuke Iguchi, Norio Kajima, Yasu Sato
  • Patent number: 5716181
    Abstract: Self binding system for home use that utilizes a spring binding to clamp pages into a bound book. A retaining piece is used to hold the spring binding open until the pages are in place. Once the retaining piece is removed the spring binding clamps the pages in the book cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Brian J. Ebel
  • Patent number: 5713604
    Abstract: A binding structure for binding together sheets of paper having multiple openings along a margin thereof is provided. The structure includes a connector panel having multiple openings along a first connector panel edge. An elongated binding element extends adjacent and parallel to the margin of the sheets of paper and the first connector panel edge. The connector panel being disposed on a bottom side of the elongated binding element. A one-piece report cover is provided having a front panel, a center spine panel, and a back panel. The one-piece report cover including a first hinge and a second hinge parallel to the first hinge, the first hinge and second hinge formed integral with the one piece cover and defining respectively pivotal connections between the front panel, the center spine panel, and the back panel. Adhesive strips attach a bottom side of the connector panel to a top side of the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas V. Ward, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5702219
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a process of bookbinding is provided which permit automatic back-bonding of bookbinding by folding a plurality of paper sheets in two with the wrong sides of the plurality of paper sheets, i.e., the sides not bearing any characters or drawings thereon, as the outer sides and applying together the folded paper sheets on the wrong sides thereof. The bookbinding apparatus includes folding facilities for folding each paper sheet in two with the wrong side as the outer side, stacking facilities for stacking the folded paper sheets by feeding the paper sheets successively to a predetermined position on a plate-like member, and adhesive applying facilities for applying adhesive material to the wrong side of each folded paper sheet fed to the predetermined position. The folded paper sheets fed to the plate-like member are thus bonded together successively on the wrong sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kanpuri
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Hattori
  • Patent number: 5672030
    Abstract: A stack of unbonded perforated book signatures receives cold pva adhesive applied to the spine and hot eva adhesive is promptly applied in not more than approximately ten minutes prior to setting of the cold adhesive to permit the fabrication of a book of greatly enhanced durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Berryville Graphics
    Inventor: Robert Wayne Dean
  • Patent number: 5662447
    Abstract: A frontcover mountable with a photo for books is made of two layers of hard board, having an opening in an outer layer. A cover paper having an opening corresponding to the opening of the outer layer of the hard board is adhered on an outer surface of the outer layer, with one side unadhered to allow a photo inserted through a gap between the both to expose out of the opening. Its manufacturing method includes eight steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Jiun Wey Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: B. H. Tsai
  • Patent number: 5660514
    Abstract: A flexible sheet having the back coated with a glue is formed into panels which are folded back on themselves with at least one layer being the back glued to itself by the coating. In one embodiment the glue is an energy responsive adhesive, and energy is applied to the folded sheet while it is on a cover, so that a cover having the cover liner with reinforced pocket is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Specialty Loose Leaf, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Wilson
  • Patent number: 5660515
    Abstract: This invention relates to a trimmer apparatus for cutting book forms collated on a bindery apparatus and more particularly, to an improved make-ready or to set up of the trimmer apparatus to obtain production run speeds of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Allen Hartsoe
  • Patent number: 5655866
    Abstract: An improved fully folded signature for subsequent use in gathering and combining or binding in bookbinding. The fully folded signature includes uniquely positioned perforated folds and sequences of folding which reduces folding time, alter folded signature orientation during gathering, and eliminates the need for having a conventional backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph V. Bellanca
  • Patent number: 5647715
    Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a cover sheet by adhesive bonding to a spine of a book block formed of bound printed sheets, wherein after a binding process a plurality of such book blocks follow one another on a transport path at regular distances. The book blocks are arranged to be in a transverse position on the transport path. The cover sheets are clamped so that each cover sheet presents a spine portion and preformed cover side portions extending from the spine portion so that the cover side portions are freed of deformation after the spine portion of the cover sheet has been pressed to the spine of the book block. The book blocks are fed, respectively, an inner side of a clamped cover sheet oriented for adhesive bonding, facing the spine of the book block. The inner side of the cover sheet is pressed to the spine of the book block and to lateral flanks of the spine of the book block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventor: Marcel Stolz
  • Patent number: 5647714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of automatically cutting indexes and an automatic index cutting machine for carrying out the method. The index cutting machine is constructed of number of modules where each module includes a counting arrangement which functions to count a predetermined number of pages automatically for a specific index indentation, and a knife arrangement for cutting this predetermined number of pages. The book is transported between the modules hanging from a transporting arrangement which includes a transporter to hold the book hanging from its spine. Each module counts up to an index indentation and the index indentation is then cut in the knife arrangement, whereafter the book is transported to the next module in which a count is made to the next index indentation and this index indentation is cut. This procedure is repeated module after module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Jan Lundberg
  • Patent number: 5645387
    Abstract: In order to ensure that inserts in a book or magazine will reach the intended recipient, a binding line includes a plurality of packer boxes along a binding line conveyor. The binding line can actuate at least some of the packer boxes to gather signatures from them in order to build groups of signatures into books. The binding line also includes a feeder for feeding at least one insert for association with all or specific ones of the books wherein the inserts are affixed within the books at a point along the binding line. In order to ensure that the inserts in the book or magazine will reach the intended recipient, the inserts may be directly affixed in the books, placed in envelopes that are affixed in the books, or placed in bags that are affixed in the books.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventors: Frank Scalet, Joseph P. Berger, Hal B. Harting, Anthony J. Majewski, Khrystal L. Neibert, Lois C. Tucker, Judy E. Walters, Steven D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5636957
    Abstract: A method of making a personalized children's storybook using preprinted books and inserting stickers containing personalized data to create a personalized book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: John B. Hefty
  • Patent number: 5618062
    Abstract: A method for making custom printed notes or note pads. One or more sheet assemblies are provided which have first and second sheets and a pattern of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the rear major surface of each of the sheets that contacts and is releasably adhered to the rear major surface of the other sheet only in nonadhesive areas. Indicia is printed on the front major surfaces of the sheets using a conventional copy machine. The sheets can either be cut along predetermined lines to form the custom printed notes, or the sheets of a plurality of such printed sheet assemblies can be separated, stacked to adhere the patterns of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the rear major surfaces of the sheets to the front major surfaces of the sheets with the edges of the sheets in a predetermined orientation with respect to each other, and the stacked sheets can be cut along predetermined lines to form custom printed note pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Mertens, Mark S. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5584633
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for successively delivering ring carrier elements to a paper loading station for producing bound booklets. The apparatus provides a carrier having ring elements adhesively attached thereto in spaced apart fashion, the carrier drawn to a ring loading station where individual elements are deposited onto a comb retainer whereat a ring spreader can open the rings for loading of paper thereon. The carrier can be fashioned as a fan-folded supply or can be a wound supply, having the elements adhesively attached thereto, or threaded thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Scharer
  • Patent number: 5542800
    Abstract: A method of binding a pack of signatures, at least some of said signatures including a plurality of interleaved sheets and each of said signatures having a closed side, comprises the following steps. The pack of signatures is clamped with the closed sides of the signatures lowermost and coplanar with one another along a spine of the pack. The closed lowermost sides of the signatures are sawed to expose the interleaved sheets of the signatures. The sawed lowermost sides of the signatures are slashed with a multiplicity of cuts lateral to the lengths of the sawed lowermost sides. A preparatory adhesive is applied to the sawed lowermost sides of the signatures to create an initial bond of the interleaved sheets of the signatures. The preparatory adhesive is cured until it is substantially free of surface moisture. After applying and curing the preparatory adhesive, a notcher forms a multiplicity of closely spaced, wide open notches in the lowermost sides of the signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventors: Don E. Detterman, Robert W. Erwin
  • Patent number: 5498112
    Abstract: The application of protective jackets comprised of paper to a book is facilitated by minimizing bending stresses in the jacket paper in the fold areas where the jacket is wrapped around the opposed longitudinal edges of the book cover in the course of defining jacket retention flaps. The stresses are relieved by the metered, uniform moistening of the fold areas of the jacket to thereby diminish the flexual strength of the paper fibers in these areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Schwettmann, Siemen Garlichs
  • Patent number: 5461459
    Abstract: A digital copying apparatus capable of forming a binding at an appropriate position with respect to a copy image irrespective of an orientation of an original document. The digital copying apparatus detects orientations of the original document, an original image and a copy sheet, and rotates original image data in accordance with the detected orientations so as to accord the orientations of the original image and a copy image. When the rotated original image data is formed on the copy sheet as the copy image, formation of the copy image is controlled to provide a binding at the relative position in relation to the copy image by shifting the copy image with respect to the copy sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Muramatsu, Kaoru Tada
  • Patent number: 5454678
    Abstract: A method of making a personalized children's storybook using preprinted books and inserting stickers containing personalized data to create a personalized book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: John B. Hefty
  • Patent number: 5419582
    Abstract: A rotary cutter is disclosed for repeatedly cutting web printed sheet material with a printed repeat portion of finite length thereon which includes a cutting cylinder adapted for rotation in a manner such that the web printed sheet material passes thereby. A cutting knife extends generally along the length of the cylinder on the outer surface for periodic engagement with a backup support cylinder for cutting the sheet material when positioned therebetween. The cutting knife is generally continuous along a major portion of the length thereof and has a minor arcuate portion which is discontinuous with the major portion so as to cut the sheet material whereby the sheet material on one side of the cutting line is provided with a straight cut portion having an arcuate projection extending therefrom and the sheet material on the other side of the cutting line is provided with a void portion corresponding in configuration and dimension to the arcuate projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Newsday, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Norris, Thomas M. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5403138
    Abstract: A booklet album including a stack of several double-sided photographs and covered with a protective cover. The booklet album includes pages which are designated to bear selected original frames from a photographic film strip of a predetermined size. The photoprints are stacked in the order designated for each page. Each double-sided photograph, includes two photoprints, which are laminated with one transparent sheet on their front surface. The laminated sheets are folded between the photoprints. A customer may order such a booklet album by making desired selections on an order form. Stickers are provided on the form, and placed on desired frames of a film strip. The stickers have markings so as to indicate which page the desired printed frames are to be positioned as well as markings indicating the size and orientation of the printed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Otake, Zenya Tanabe, Yoshihiro Tsukiji, Toru Kurokawa, Takakazu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 5383754
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a device capable of identifying an image orientation to allow adequate processing to be executed and a device capable of binding sheets by determining a binding position. When an image orientation cannot be identified on the basis of a predetermined reference object, it is identified on the basis of another object. When the image orientation of a reference image and the image orientations of the other images are not coincident, an adequate procedure is executed to avoid an undesirable result. An orientation of a document image matching a predetermined adequate binding position is surely and accurately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Sumida, Akihisa Itabashi, Hiroshi Fukano, Hiroyasu Shijo, Hiroshi Takashima, Takeshi Ogiwara, Fumio Kishi
  • Patent number: 5382055
    Abstract: A method for making custom printed notes or note pads. One or more sheet assemblies are provided which have first and second sheets and a pattern of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the rear major surface of each of the sheets that contacts and is releasably adhered to the rear major surface of the other sheet only in nonadhesive areas. Indicia is printed on the front major surfaces of the sheets using a conventional copy machine. The sheets can then either be cut along predetermined lines to form the custom printed notes, or the sheets of a plurality of such printed sheet assemblies can be separated, stacked to adhere the patterns of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the rear major surfaces of the sheets to the front major surfaces of the sheets with the edges of the sheets in a predetermined orientation with respect to each other; and the stacked sheets can be cut along predetermined lines to form custom printed note pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Mertens, Mark S. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5376205
    Abstract: A record book or pad and a method of manufacturing such a book or pad has a stack of sheets in sets A. Each set A consists of a primary sheet P disposed between secondary sheets OS and US. Both faces of the sheet P are provided with a reactive coating 4 of duplicating material and each face of the secondary sheets OS and US which opposes the primary sheet P in the set is provided with reactive coatings 5 of duplicating material. When a marking is applied to the sheet OS for recording a message, pressure from that marking transfers through the sheet OS causing the coatings 4 and 5 between the sheets OS and P to inter-react and form a duplicate marking on a one face of the sheet P. Similarly when a marking is applied to the secondary sheet US, pressure from that marking transfers through the sheet US causing the coatings 4 and 5 between sheet P and US to inter-react and form a duplicate of the marking on the second face of the sheet P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Drakes Office Systems Limited
    Inventor: Thomas R. Drake