Apparatus Patents (Class 412/9)
  • 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: 6726423
    Abstract: A method for binding together a plurality of paper sheets. The binding process comprises providing a book binding sheet coated on one side with hot-melt adhesive, orienting and securing sheets of paper that will comprise the book to be bound relative to the binding sheet, securing the leading edge of the binding sheet to the front of the book to be bound, severing the secured portion from the remaining binding sheet material, wrapping the binding severed strip around the spine and rear cover and heating the adhesive to produce a permanent bond with the edges of the spine and covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventor: Harold P. Hocking
  • Patent number: 6726425
    Abstract: In order to adhesively bind a set of sheets of book blocks, booklets and the like, the inner book (6) is inserted in a clamping device (7-11) with the back facing downward and received by a holding device that can be moved horizontally and perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the block. The adhesive is applied onto the backs of the blocks from the bottom by a press on device by means of an adhesive pad (17). The adhesive pad is impinged upon by the press on device in such a manner that the back of the book forms a set of sheets on one side and then on the other side by exerting pressure while adhesive is imultaneously applied on the back of the book forming the set of sheets (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Bielomatik L.O.S. GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Schmidknoz
  • Patent number: 6709016
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a device for the production of security elements for electronic article surveillance, the security elements being comprised of at least two layers, as well as to a web material manufactured by means of the method the present invention proposes a simple, economical method, a corresponding device for the production of web material, as well as to a web material manufactured by the method for the purpose of electronic article surveillance. With regard to the method of the present invention, it is accomplished in that sections of a predetermined length cut from a second material web are conveyed in a direction transverse to the running direction of a first continuous material web and are applied to the first material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventors: Detlef Duschek, Gordon Klassen
  • Patent number: 6705604
    Abstract: The novel pre-folding machine for book covers and/or wrappers, has two symmetrical units each provided with two parallel axes on which marking disks and counteracting cylinders are installed. One of the two symmetrical units is fixed, while the other is positioned on guides or rails that extend in parallel to the shafts on which the disks and cylinders are supported and it can be translated by way of a screw, in order to adapt the distance between the marking disks to the book thickness. The machine is also provided with two pairs of flap folding pliers, each one with two wings. One of the wings is fixed and coplanar with the sheet and serves as counteracting element for the other wing that rotates by approximately 180° folding the cover flap around the marking carried that was carried out just upstream by the disks of the two symmetrical units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Mario Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 6698988
    Abstract: Calendars, posters and the like have slides applied to spaced top and bottom edges in an efficient and cost effective manner without diminishing production output levels nor requiring operator manipulation and involvement. The system includes a first and a second semi-automatic or automatic tinner which are joined together by a conveyor or a similar apparatus for transferring each of the serially processed calendars, posters or the like. Each calendar is processed in the first tinner to have a slide applied to a first or top edge of the calendar or poster. Each one is then serially discharged from the first tinner onto a conveyor in which the leading edge of the calendar includes the slide. The conveyor automatically transfers and reorients each calendar to the second tinner so that upon entering the second tinner, the bottom or opposite edge without the slide is the leading edge. The second tinner applies a slide without operator involvement or manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Stuebing Automatic Machine Company
    Inventor: William M. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20040037671
    Abstract: A semi-automatic tube clip fastener application machine transfers document holding tube clips sequentially and discretely to backing sheets of folders, such as medical records folders, business folders and the like. A continuous release liner is arranged in a continuous carrier, such as a wound roll or a stacked array of connected discrete fan fold sheets. A user operable starter, such as a foot pedal or hand operable starter commences movement of an advancing means which advances tube clips. A lifter, such as a vacuum block, sequentially and discretely lifts each tube clip reaching the roller from the release liner and transfers each tube clip to a backing sheet of the folder. The vacuum block transports the lifted tube clip to a point above the backing sheet which is located on a platform, and the tube clip is pushed against the backing sheet for attaching the lifted tube clip to the backing sheet, whereupon the vacuum block releases the tube clip upon temporary cessation of the vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Frank Vercillo, James Saladino
  • Patent number: 6692208
    Abstract: A booklet of sheets folded to create a curved spine is fixedly held by clamping jaws adjacent to the spine and a forming roller is passed one or more times along the length of the protruding spine with sufficient pressure to produce a flattening of the curvature of the spine. The deformation of the spine of the booklet means that the sheets lie flat after the treatment. A retractable stop plate defines the amount by which the spine protrudes beyond the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Watkiss Automation Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Robin Watkiss, Robert Antony MacGregor
  • Patent number: 6685414
    Abstract: A binding system in an imaging system includes an accumulator in which sheet material is accumulated in respective jobs to be bound. The binding system includes a binding assembly adapted and constructed to bind the sheet material together. A scoring member is connected to the binding assembly. The scoring member is adapted and constructed to form respective score patterns in sheet material received in the accumulator. The binding assembly can include a thermally low-mass heating element and a thermally high-mass cooling element. The scoring member can be connected for motion with respect to the binding assembly, for example, by forming at least one bore in the binding assembly, and at least one guide post extending from the scoring member and received for reciprocation in the at least one bore in the binding assembly. At least one resilient biasing member, for example, a coil spring surrounding the guide post, can be disposed between the scoring member and the binding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6682285
    Abstract: A hole-punching process for a sheet-wise booklet maker, including a hole punching device, a clamp, and a drive system. While a folded booklet sheet is being held stationary on its leading side, the drive system advances the trailing side of the folded sheet, thereby forcing the folded edge of the sheet into a hole punching device. The operation of the drive system is based on sheet information associated with the folded sheet, which includes information such as the order number of the folded sheet within the to-be-assembled booklet and the accumulated thickness of other sheets to be positioned within the folded sheet. Position information is also determined, indicating the instantaneous distance between the folded edge of the sheet with a hole punch in the hole punching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P.
    Inventors: Steven W Trovinger, Ross R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20040013496
    Abstract: Deformable metallic or plastic connectors of the type having an elongated bridge carrying two mirror symmetrical rows of substantially C-shaped prongs can be assembled with successive stacks of overlapping sheets, wherein the spine of each stack is provided with a row of straight or arcuate holes, by causing the connector at an inserting station to move along an arcuate path extending transversely of the bridge and having a curvature corresponding to or approximating that of the prongs in one of the rows or that of the arcuate holes. This results in the introduction of one of the rows of prongs into the holes. The prongs of at least one of the two rows are thereupon deformed so that the tips of the prongs of one row abut or at least slightly overlap the tips of the prongs of the other row; this prevents accidental separation of the connector from the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Kugler-Womako GmbH
    Inventor: Hartmut Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6672815
    Abstract: Apparatus for scoring a cover to be applied to a bound stack of sheets to form a book. A base unit is provided having a surface for receiving the cover, an lower die holder disposed below the surface and an upper die holder disposed above the surface. A lower die is supported on an upper surface of the lower die holder and an upper die is supported on the lower surface of the upper die holder. An actuating structure such as a handle, is used to move the upper and lower die between an open position and a closed where the upper and lower die score the cover. The upper die holder is fabrication using a transparent material so that a user can view the upper die and underlying cover to facilitate proper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Parker, Wayne Kasom, Evelyn Steiner, William M. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6663331
    Abstract: A rectangular opening/closing bar is formed, which is inserted in the curl ring of the ring binder to bind papers. The tip end of the opening/closing bar 28A is provided with an instruction portion 28a to raise and open ring pieces in turn while inserting the opening/closing bar 28A. Further, the opening/closing bar may have swollen portions on both ends of the opening/closing bar 28A to enable the bar slide smoothly in the curl ring. And it may be provided with a guide plate 28D perpendicular to the side wall 28b of the opening/closing bar 28A of the swollen portions side. In order to enhance the workability of the opening/closing bar, it may be preferable to use an auxiliary device for positioning the ring binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Carl Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Mori, Miki Horita, Yasuhiro Tokita
  • Patent number: 6637996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus attached to face to an end face of a sheet bundle where the sheet bundle is formed of collected sheets on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus. The bookbinding apparatus comprises a container detachably attached to a body of the bookbinding apparatus and an adhesive sheet on a surface of which a hot melt type adhesive to be melt by a heating means is coated, the adhesive sheet being contained in the container as in a state that the adhesive sheet is wound in a roll shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Hayakawa, Tsuyoshi Waragai, Tomoyuki Araki, Atsushi Ogata, Masayoshi Fukatsu, Junichi Sekiyama
  • Publication number: 20030198535
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Publication number: 20030198534
    Abstract: A device for automatically binding booklets (5) each presenting a variable number of sheets (4), comprising assembler means (40) for grouping the sheets of each booklet and presenting at least two separate means (80, 81) for feeding the sheets of each booklet towards a common gathering station (82), means (89, 41) for moving each booklet from said station to said binding means (33), and means (3) for measuring the thickness of each booklet (5) to be automatically bound, the binding means (33) forming for each booklet, on the basis of the measured thickness of the booklet to be bound, a personalized covering element for at least part of the visible faces and for an outer edge of the booklet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: CEM S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Valentinis
  • 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: 6632061
    Abstract: A trimming apparatus for a booklet maker is described which provides a compact and low cost booklet maker for desktop publishing. The booklet maker includes a sheet receiving tray for receiving a stack of sheets to be stapled into a booklet, a stapler unit arranged to staple the stack of sheets, and a trimming system for trimming the sheets in a sheet wise manner. The trimming system includes first and second pick and separate mechanisms arranged to separate each of the sheets in the stack of sheets and first and second cutters arranged to cut each of the separated sheets after the have been separated by the first and second pick and separate mechanisms. A controller positions the sheets and controls the trimming system to cut each of the separated sheets at a location determined based on a trimming schedule. The trimming schedule varies the position of the cut depending on a position of the sheet in the booklet and a thickness of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Steven W Trovinger
  • 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: 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: 6547501
    Abstract: A device for preparing a book spine includes a plurality of movable pockets, each pocket having an angled back, a packer and a spine stop at a lower end of the pocket for receiving the spine. The spine stop has a first collect position, a second position wherein the spine stop is lower with respect to the packer than in the collect position but still holds the spine, and a third position wherein the spine stop is rotated away from the spine. A method for preparing a spine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: James Richard Schlough
  • Patent number: 6547502
    Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Spiel Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Norton Spiel
  • Patent number: 6506008
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically trimming tree open side edges of printed products bound along a fourth edge to a desired format for each printed product. The printed products are transported in a transport direction along a surface of a trimming table. First, second and third trimming stations are located one after the other in the transport direction along the trimming table. Each trimming station includes a trimming device having at least one stationary blade that can be driven in a plane extending perpendicular to the surface of the trimming table, a positioning device for positioning one of the open side edges of a respective printed product on the trimming table to be cut, and a pressing device, with which a respective positioned printed product can be pressed over essentially the entire format during a out of the positioned open side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Grapha Holding AG
    Inventor: Peter Merkli
  • 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: 6480298
    Abstract: A compressible substrate such as paper has an image formed on the substrate. The imaged substrate is subjected to a compressive force throughout the entire area of the substrate to reduce the thickness of the substrate. The substrate remains in the reduced thickness, increased density state upon release of the compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Technology Innovations LLC
    Inventor: William Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6471458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for punching and binding sheets (F), the machine comprising first means for punching and second means for binding. This machine is characterized by the facts that the first and second means are in the form of blocks (2, 3) that are independent, removable, and interchangeable, and that the punch block (2) is fitted with means (60-63) for adjusting the size of the margin of the sheets (F), i.e. the spacing between the line of holes (P) and the nearest parallel edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fellowes France
    Inventor: Pierre Soule
  • Patent number: 6447230
    Abstract: On a base (12) are fixed a pair of supporting members (6, 8). A guide rail (3) is supported by the pair of supporting members. A measurement block (2) is guided by the guide rail in a sliding manner. On the base is fixed a reference block (10) abutted by the measurement block when it has reached one end of the guide rail. A moving-distance measuring device is provided which uses as a zero point a position where the measurement block abuts against the reference block, to measure a distance over which the measurement block has moved with respect to the reference block. The moving-distance measuring device has, on the base, a pair of pulleys (5, 7) arranged with a gap therebetween in a direction parallel to the guide rail, a belt (4) engaged over the pair of pulleys and having its part linked with the measurement block, and a rotary encoder (11) linked to a rotary shaft of one of the paired pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: HOrizon International Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takai, Yoshiyuki Horii, Shozo Itadori, Shigenobu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6435562
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album page. The apparatus includes a first supply of a media having a front and back side, a first print head located adjacent the front side of the media; a first transport mechanism for advancing the first supply of media in a first processing path; a second supply of a second media having a front and back side, the front side of the second media is such that digital images may be printed thereon; a second print head for providing images on the front side of the second media; a second first transport mechanism for advancing the first media along a first processing path, the first path and second path being positioned such that initially the paths are initially separated and later combined to form a single processing path such that the back sides of first media and second media will be co-extensive with each other; and a securing mechanism for bringing together and securing the first media and second media so as to form a substantially integral web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dale F. McIntyre, Joseph A. Manico
  • Patent number: 6406244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stack of flexible sheet material comprising a plurality of sheets disposed one on top of another, each sheet having repositionable adhesive along one edge and being free of adhesive along the opposite edge and the sheets are stacked with the repositionable adhesive edge of each sheet disposed along alternate opposite edges to maintain the sheets in the stack, characterized in that the stack comprises at least two sheets that are different from each other. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for obtaining a stack of sheets as defined above and a dispenser comprising a stack of sheets as defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Frederic P. A. Le Riche
  • Publication number: 20020071742
    Abstract: A method for transferring book blocks or the like into a transport device of a bookbinding machine. The book block is first clamped in a force-locking manner. At least one corner of the back edge or of the front edge of the book block is aligned with a position, which can be set in a predefined manner, by relative displacement of the two sides of the book block in the plane of the book block. The book block is then clamped in a force-locking manner by the transport device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Carsten Brommer, Ansgar Rohe-Krebeck, Christoph Schmucker
  • Patent number: 6394730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album leaf from a media having a front and back side. The apparatus includes a processing path along which the media moves through the apparatus; a digital printer disposed along the processing path for printing images on the front side of the media, the images being composed so as to define a segment having a fold line about which the segment is folded so as to form the leaf; a processing section disposed after the printer along the processing path for processing the media on which the images have been written; a removal mechanism for removing the protective release layer from the segment; a folding mechanism for folding the segment so as to form an album leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Manico, Dale F. McIntyre, Madhav Mehra
  • Publication number: 20020061238
    Abstract: A printing and binding apparatus (1) is disclosed which can print on demand, bind, and trim a perfect bound book. The apparatus includes one or more text page printers (110, 200) and a color cover printer (114). The text page printers print the text pages of a book and form the text pages into a book block (BB). The color cover printer (114) prints a cover for the book. The book block and the cover are delivered to a binding station at which the spine (S) of the book block is adhesively bound to the cover. The bound book is then delivered to a trimming station (TS) at which excess margins (are trimmed from the book. A method of printing and binding a perfect bound book on demand is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Marsh
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020044852
    Abstract: The three-side trimmer according to the present invention comprises an alignment station (F) for receiving booklet bundle (32) and aligning the booklets in the height direction, and a cutting station (D) for cutting the top edge, bottom edge and fore edge of the booklet bundle. The three-side trimmer further comprises a chuck mechanism (40) which holds the booklet bundle and conveys it from the alignment station to the cutting station. In the cutting station, there is provided a cutting table (23) for supporting a booklet bundle thereon, a top edge cutting knife (43), a bottom edge cutting knife (44), a fore edge cutting knife (42), and a pressing plate (48) movable between a waiting position, which is disposed over the booklet bundle, and a working position where the pressing plate presses the booklet bundle to the cutting table. An encoder reads the data about the rotational position of the servomotor (38) in the chuck mechanism while the chuck mechanism (40) holds the booklet bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Masato Nogawa, Tatsuo Uchida, Yoshiyuki Horii, Ko Ouchiyama
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020034428
    Abstract: A trimmer (1) is disclosed from trimming excess margins (M) along one, two or three edges of a perfect bound book (B) is disclosed. The trimmer has a shearing blade (15) movable in a shearing plane (SP) between an open and a closed position. The book is gripped by a book holder (35) proximate the spine (S) of the book and the book holder is vertically positioned such the shear blade will shear the book in a predetermined position along this first edge of the book. The book holder is then moved transversely with respect to the blade and the book is rotated 180° and the book holder is vertically positioned so that a predetermined amount of the margin along this second edge is trimmed from the book upon closing of the shear blade. The book is then moved transversely to a third position and the book is rotated 90° and the book holder is vertically positioned so that a predetermined amount of the margin along this third edge is trimmed from the book upon closing of the shear blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Marsh
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6350096
    Abstract: A binding assembly structured to secure a plurality of material sheets having a series of binding aperture on a corresponding series of binding elements of the type that include a wide perimeter flange. The binding assembly includes an alignment assembly which maintains the binding elements generally vertically oriented, a guide assembly which positions an edge of the material sheet in generally aligned relation with a perpendicular axis region of the binding elements, a displacement assembly which urges the material sheet and the binding elements into coupled engagement with one another at the corresponding binding apertures on the material sheet, and an actuation assembly which initiates operation of the displacement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Oscar Helver
  • Patent number: 6325585
    Abstract: A sheet perforation device for use in an image forming apparatus eliminates inconveniences such as imperfect punching due to too small a sheet size and completion of image formation without notifying the user that the punching could not be performed despite the user's instruction for punching. Punching setup is made and a starting instruction is given through an operating section. Based on the relationship between a selected sheet size and the spacing of holes to be formed by a punching unit, a determination is made as to whether the punching can be correctly performed, and, if it has been determined that the correct punching will fail, a warning message is displayed on the operating section. If the user gives a starting instruction again after recognizing the warning message, image forming operation is started while the punching setup is automatically canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Sasaki, Mitsuo Nimura
  • Publication number: 20010043846
    Abstract: A device for threading a binding thread along a transfer path between a thread spool and a sewing needle of a stitching unit of a thread stitching machine configured for binding a book in sheets at a groove side of the book in sheets has manipulation devices for manipulating the thread along the transfer path. A thread guiding device forming the transfer path is provided and correlated with at least one of the manipulation devices. A compressed air source is connected to the thread guiding device. The thread guiding device performs at least one of the functions of drawing in the thread and transporting the thread in a transport direction by compressed air supplied by the compressed air source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventor: Marcel Stolz
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6312204
    Abstract: A binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate a flexible plastic spiral element into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the spiral bonding elements. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding element is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book. A pair of leading edge spreaders, one of which has a guidance groove, engages the plastic spiral to spread its coils just enough to permit it to enter the successive holes of a sheaf to be bound. A trailing spreader at the opposite end insures that the last hole is accommodated with a portion of the spiral coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventors: Norton Spiel, Robert Dorishook
  • Publication number: 20010019691
    Abstract: A device for binding a stack of media sheets using imaging material as the binding agent. The binding device includes a tray for supporting the stack and a heated platen or some other type of imaging material activator near the tray. A press coupled to the activator is operative between a first position in which the activator is separated from the stack to a second position in which the activator contacts and compresses the stack at the binding region. A spring or other biasing mechanism operatively connected between the press and the activator biases the activator against the stack when the press is in the second position. The biasing mechanism allows pressure to be maintained on the stack to reactivate the imaging material without continuing to power the press down against the stack even as the stack shrinks under the reactivating pressure. Hence, power can be diverted if necessary or desirable from the press to activator to reduce the overall power consumption of the binding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 6273661
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding sheet print media uses a cartridge adapted from ink-jet technology for selectively firing droplets of adhesive onto an adjacently positioned stack of printed sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: David M. Payne
  • Publication number: 20010008602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for producing books on-demand. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can receive an electronic text file of a book and then print and bind a copy of the book. A user may browse an electronic catalog, for example over the Internet, and place an order for a book which can be picked up at a conveniently located electronic bookstore shortly after placing the order. The subject invention reduces costs and waste associated with conventional production and distribution of print matter. Advantageously, the subject invention allows books with smaller audiences to be published at a reasonable price. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can have access to literally millions of books and can print and bind any selected book in a few minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Victor Manuel Celorio Garrido
  • Patent number: 6250868
    Abstract: A book production line which has a plurality of processing stations and a transportation device for receiving the book blocks from an intake and conveying the book blocks to the processing stations is presented. The book production line includes individual modules with processing stations including functions such as straightening and pre-shaping, rounding and pressing, gluing and fumigating, gluing, backing and heading and suspending of book blocks. Optionally, a processing station may be provided for pressing and shaping the books and the individual modules can be separately operated via independent operating panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Schmücker
  • Patent number: 6199851
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a device for assembling and producing of booklets. Each booklet having a cover that comprises two cover sheets and a spine disposed inbetween. A glue string is applied to the inner surface of the spine, and a sheet bundle inserted between the cover sheets of said cover and affixed at one end side edge to the inner surface of the spine by means of the glue string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Bindomatic AB
    Inventors: Urpo Latvakangas, Jan Sabelstrom
  • Patent number: 6186720
    Abstract: A structure of a multiple punch-bind machine includes a cutter set, linking plate, wire binding device and plastic ring binding device, and which are mounted on a base equipped with arm, the arm has more than a cutter set, one of which is linked to the arm and the rest cutter sets are linked with the linking plate and with the wire binding device or the plastic ring binding device hence punch holes in a different sizes, shapes, distance for binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Tung-Lung Chiang
  • Patent number: 6186721
    Abstract: An arrangement for pressing a book cover onto adhesive-coated outer surfaces of an inner book to be inset into a book cover in an insetting machine, moving inner books on saddle plates of a circulating conveyor vertically upwardly, has a pressing device with two or more pressing rollers positioned opposite one another in an area where a book cover is to be pressed onto the adhesive-coated outer surfaces of the inner book which is moved by a saddle plate. The two pressing rollers each press one side of the book cover onto one of the adhesive-coated outer surfaces of the inner book. The pressing device is coupled by a drive connection to a conveyor of an insetting machine. The drive connection has a pulling element gear unit for continuously adjusting a relative position between the saddle plates and the pressing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventor: Christian Ganter
  • Patent number: 6168363
    Abstract: A device for rounding and pressing book blocks with a conveying device for the book blocks. The device includes rounding rollers, pressing jaws or similar clamping elements, which are displaceable relative to one another, which act to receive the book block and act with a predefined force upon the book block. The device automatically adjusts the clamping elements to different formats of the book block and, in the event of deviations in the book block thickness, the clamping elements are displaceable relative to one another via articulately connected levers. The levers function to clamp the book block via an operating cylinder acting upon the free ends of the levers and automatically aligning the book block. The point of rotation of the levers being displaceably mounted in a guide aligned with the center of the conveying device of the book block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Nehring