U.S. patent number 3,925,126 [Application Number 05/376,327] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-09 for vibratory book binding method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to William C. Heller, Jr.. Invention is credited to Alfred F. Leatherman, Leonard Shatzkin.
United States Patent |
3,925,126 |
Leatherman , et al. |
December 9, 1975 |
Vibratory book binding method
Abstract
Adhesive joinder of the body of a book to a case is obtained by
compressing the assembled body and case with book binding clamps to
bring adhesive joinder areas into contact. In addition to the
compression of the body and case, vibratory blows are applied to
the assemblage to enhance the adhesive action of the joinder areas.
Heat may be applied to dry or cure the adhesive.
Inventors: |
Leatherman; Alfred F.
(Columbus, OH), Shatzkin; Leonard (Croton-on-Hudson,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Heller, Jr.; William C.
(Milwaukee, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
23484564 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/376,327 |
Filed: |
July 5, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/73.6;
156/272.4; 156/273.7; 156/275.7; 156/908; 264/69; 412/5; 412/8;
412/37; 412/900; 228/111.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42C
11/04 (20130101); B42C 13/006 (20130101); Y10S
412/90 (20130101); Y10S 156/908 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B42C
13/00 (20060101); B42C 11/04 (20060101); B42C
11/00 (20060101); B32B 031/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/73,477B,272,73.6,580,275 ;11/1AD,4,5 ;29/470.3 ;264/69 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Whitby; Edward G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Andrus, Sceales, Starke &
Sawall
Claims
We claim:
1. An improved method of joining a body of leaves within an
embracing case having front and back covers to form a bound book of
conventional construction, said method comprising the steps of:
applying a liquifiable adhesive to selected areas of at least one
of the body or case;
placing the body in the case with the covers on either side of the
body;
compressing the assembled body and case to bring the adhesive areas
of one book element into contact with the other book element;
causing the adhesive to assume a liquid state;
applying vibratory compressive blows to the compressed assembled
body, case the liquid adhesive at less than ultrasonic frequencies
and at a magnitude sufficient to mechanically enhance the adhesive
action in the joinder area; and
terminating the compression of the body and case and the
application of the vibratory blows.
2. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the joinder of the body
and case occurs, in part, along abutting areas of the front and
back covers and the book body, and wherein the steps of the method
are further defined as comprising, applying adhesive to the
abutting areas of the body or case, compressing the abutting areas,
applying vibratory blows to the abutting areas, and terminating the
compression and vibratory blows.
3. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the joinder of the body
and case occurs in part at hinge areas of the book and wherein the
steps of the method are further defined as comprising, applying
adhesive to the hinge areas of the body or case, compressing the
hinge areas, applying vibratory blows to the hinge areas of the
book, and terminating the compression and vibratory blows.
4. The improved method of claim 2 wherein the joinder of the body
and case also occurs, in part, at hinge areas of the book and
wherein the steps of the method are further defined as comprising,
applying adhesive to the hinge areas of the body or case,
compressing the hinge areas, applying vibratory blows to the hinge
areas of the book, and terminating the compression and vibratory
blows.
5. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the amount of compression
applied to the assembled body and case is correlated to the
magnitude of the vibratory blows so as to permit the latter to vary
the forces to be applied to the assemblage.
6. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the compression of the
assembled body and case is provided by clamping means and the
magnitude of the vibratory blows is correlated to the amount of
compression and the resiliency of the book materials to retain the
clamping means in contact with the case.
7. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the vibratory blows are
applied at a repetition rate of 120 blows per second.
8. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is thermally
responsive, said method including the step of applying heat to the
assemblage at least during the application of the vibratory
blows.
9. The improved method of claim 3 wherein the adhesive is thermally
responsive, said method including the step of applying heat to the
assemblage at least during the application of the vibratory
blows.
10. The improved method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is
thermally responsive to a selected form of indirectly applied
energy and the step of applying heat to the assemblage is further
defined as exposing the adhesive to a selected form of indirectly
applied energy at least during the application of the vibratory
blows.
11. The improved method of claim 10 wherein the adhesive is
thermally responsive to an alternating magnetic field and wherein
the step of exposing the adhesive is further defined as exposing
the adhesive to an alternating magnetic field.
12. The improved process of claim 10 wherein the adhesive is
thermally responsive to an alternating electric field and wherein
the step of exposing the adhesive is further defined as exposing
the adhesive to an alternating electric field.
13. The improved process of claim 10 including the step of forming
an adhesive by dispersing particles of susceptor material heatable
upon exposure to a selected form of indirectly applied energy in a
carrier of thermally responsive adhesiveness to form the
adhesive.
14. The improved process of claim 13 wherein the step of forming
the adhesive is further defined as dispersing particles of a
susceptor heatable upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field
in the carrier.
15. The improved process of claim 14 wherein the step of forming
the adhesive is further defined as dispersing particles of magnetic
iron oxides in the carrier.
16. The improved process of claim 15 wherein the step of forming
the adhesive is further defined as dispersing particles of gamma
Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the carrier.
17. The improved process of claim 11 further defined as exposing
the adhesive to an alternating magnetic field having a frequency of
from 0.5 to 30 megahertz.
18. The improved method of claim 17 further defined as exposing the
adhesive to an alternating magnetic field having a frequency of 0.5
to 6 megahertz.
19. The improved method of claim 14 wherein the step of forming the
adhesive is further defined as dispersing from 10 to 50% by weight
susceptor material in the carrier.
20. The improved method of claim 8 wherein the bonding action of
the adhesive is completed by the application of heat, said method
including the step of applying heat to the assemblage to complete
the bonding action of the adhesive.
21. The improved method of claim 8 wherein the adhesive is rendered
liquid by the application of heat, said method including the step
of applying heat to the assemblage to render the adhesive liquid.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. field of the Invention
The present invention relates to book binding methods and apparatus
suitable for that step in the book binding process commonly termed
building in.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the book binding process, a body of leaves is joined to a case
comprised of the covers and spine. A glue or paste is applied to
selected portions of the body or case. The body is then inserted in
the case and the assemblage compressed as by clamping means to
bring the bonding surfaces into contact to effect the joinder and
form the hinge area of the book.
There has heretofore arisen problems in conventional book binding
case, and securing a bond of adequate strength between the body and
the case. This is particularly true of the bonds in the indented
hinge areas adjacent the spine of the book which allow the covers
to be opened and lie flat and the pages to be turned.
Simple compressive forces appear inadequate to provide the degree
of adhesion necessary. Further, in some instances, there is a
tendency for the book elements to spring apart once the compressive
forces are released, due to the resiliency of the materials and
because the glue has not dried. The hinge areas are especially
subject to this failing because of the flexural properties which
must be provided to this area to permit opening and closing of the
book. Heat may be applied to the hinge areas to hasten drying or
curing of the glue. For this purpose, resistance heaters and the
like have been placed in the clamping means. However, because of
the numerous layers, the air spaces between them, and the poor heat
conduction properties of the book materials, heating of the glue
may be difficult to obtain without raising the temperature of the
clamping means to the point where scorching of the exterior of the
case becomes likely.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The gist of the present invention is to improve the strength of the
internal adhesive bonds in books by providing an improved book
binding method which introduces vibratory compressive blows in
addition to the relatively constant compressive clamping forces. In
a modification of the method of the present invention, heat may be
applied during the vibratory action to dry or cure the adhesive
while the book is under compression, thereby to prevent any
separation of the book portions upon termination of the vibratory
blows and compressive forces. For this purpose a bonding agent
heatable upon exposure to a selected form of indirectly applied
energy may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view of a book of
conventional construction which may be bound by the process of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a building in machine showing
the method and apparatus of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a conventionally bound book 10. Book 10 is comprised
of two main components -- body 12 and case 14.
Body 12 is formed of a plurality of leaves 16 commonly grouped into
signatures, sewn together along one edge. Body 12 includes end
papers 18 on either side thereof and crash or super 20 extending
across the sewn edge of the body outside the end papers. The case
14 for hard cover books includes front and back covers 22 and 24
formed of boards covered with buckram 25 or other flexible material
which also forms spine 26. In soft cover books, a single piece of
folded paperboard may form the case.
In book 10, when bound, end papers 18 and super 20 are glued to the
inside of covers 22 and 24 with glue 27. The adjacent portions of
the spine are creased so as to form hinge areas 29.
In the book binding process and apparatus, the elements of the book
are moved in seriatum down a casing in line. Typically, joint
adhesive 27 is applied to the hinge areas of body 12 while a casing
in paste is applied to end papers 18 and adjacent portions of super
20. The body is then placed in case 14 so that the glued areas are
properly located.
The final operation is a pressing of the book between mechanical
clamps to bring the end papers, super, and covers into secure
contact, to form the crease at the hinge area, and compress the
portions of the book at the hinge area to secure adhesive joinder
in this area.
The machine used to perform these operations is commonly termed a
building in machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the machine includes
opposed force applying means 30 suitable for compressive abutment
with front and back covers 22 and 24 of book 10. Means 30 are
variously known as pockets, platens, or clamps. For exemplary
purposes, clamps 30 may be brought into abutment with covers 22 and
24 by means of cams and followers. As book 10 and the associated
clamps 30 move along the casing in line, followers 32 are brought
into contact with the rises of cams 34 which force clamps 30
against covers 22 and 24 and apply a compressive force. Spring 31
returns clamps 30 to the open position.
The building in machine also includes means 36 for compressing and
forming the hinge areas of the book. Means 36 are variously known
as shoes, creasers, hinge irons, joint irons, nippers, or joint
formers. Similar to clamps 30, creasers 36 are brought into
abutment with hinge areas 29 of book 10 by means of followers 38
coupled to the creasers which engage the rises on cams 40 and
returned to the open position by a spring return, not shown.
It will be appreciated that the building in machine typically
includes a plurality of stations in the casing in line at which the
specific operations or steps of the book binding processes are
performed. The stations may be arranged in line, or in a circular
or other suitable configuration. The clamps and/or creasers may
move with the book between stations or may remain at the stations
as the book is advanced down the line.
In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to
apply vibratory blows to book 10 in addition to the constant
compressive forces applied by clamps 30 and creasers 36 at one or
more of the stations of the building in machine. To this end,
vibratory driver means 42 are interposed between the clamps 30 and
the cam 34-follower 32 structures. Vibratory driver means 44 are
interposed between creasers 36 and cam 40-follower 38 structures.
Such a vibratory means may include wire coil 46 coupled to an
alternating current power supply 48. A solenoid core or slug 50 is
mounted within the coil 46 for axial movement responsive to
alternating current energization of the coil. Solenoid core 50 may
be biased by a spring, not shown.
The repetition rate of the vibratory blows produced by the
vibratory driver means is a function of the frequency of the
alternating current power supply, typically twice the alternating
current frequency. The repetition rate of the vibratory blows may
be altered by altering the frequency of the alternating current
power supply. From a 60 cycle AC power supply, 120 vibratory blows
per second are obtained. Repetition rates of this magnitude have
generally been found suitable for use in the practice of the method
of the present invention.
While a wide range of vibratory frequencies can be used, the
present invention does not contemplate the use of frequencies in
the ultrasonic range, for example, 15,000 Hz and above, for several
reasons. The present invention is directed to a wet bonding system
and to mechanical treatment of adhesives in the fluid state by
vibratory blows. Ultrasonic treatment tends to be unsuited for the
liquid adhesives and resilient materials found in book binding
applications. Further, ultrasonic vibrations of a sufficient
amplitude to cause any sort of internal mechanical treatment in the
book would in all likelihood cause the damaging heating of the
exterior of the cover commonly termed "ultrasonic burn".
As shown in FIG. 2, solenoid cores 50 of vibratory driving means 42
are coupled to clamps 30 on either side of book 10 while coils 46
are pinned to followers 32. Similarly, solenoid cores 50 of
vibratory means 44 are coupled to creasers 36 on either side of
hinge areas 29 while the coils are connected to follower 38. The
coupling of vibratory driver means to the pressure applying means
may be direct connection, as shown in FIG. 2, in connection with
clamps 30, or may be a loose coupling as shown in connection with
creasers 36, in which plate 45, abuts the back of creasers 36.
In performing the method of the present invention, parts of the
books are moved, in seriatum, along a casing in line. At a
predetermined point or points in the line, a glue, such as book
binder's or casing in paste, is applied to the preselected areas of
the body, for example, to the super and to the exterior of the end
papers and joint adhesive 27 is applied to hinge areas 29 of body
12. Body 12 is inserted in case 14 and the assemblage placed in
binding clamps 30. The movement of book 10 and binding clamps 30
along the casing in line causes followers 32 to contact the rises
on cams 34 extending clamps 30 and compressing book 10 to bring
super 20 and end papers 18 into firm contact with covers 22 and 24.
In a similar manner, followers 38 contact the rises on cams 40
moving creasers 36 into abutment with hinges areas 29 to form the
creases at the hinge areas and to press the hinge area portions of
the book together.
At the same time, vibratory driving means 42 and 44 may be
actuated, either by the movement of clamps 30 and creasers 36 or
independently thereof, to apply vibratory blows to book 10, to
improve the joinder of the body to the case. The primary
improvement is believed to result from better wetting by the liquid
glues and adhesives of the various solid surfaces being bonded, as
well as an actual forcing action tending to drive the glues more
deeply into the surface of the paper, fabric or other fibrous or
porous materials comprising the book at the areas being joined. The
vibrations also remove air trapped in the adhesives and glues
further enhancing the joinder.
The vibratory action may be concluded when followers 32 and 38 fall
off the rises of cams 34 and 40, retracting clamps 30 and creasers
36.
In the vibratory book binding method of the present invention, it
has been found desirable to decrease the level of the compressive
force exerted on the assembled book from that ordinarily used so as
to permit small movements of clamps 30 and creasers 36 as they
exert the greater and lesser forces which characterize the
vibratory action. The magnitude of the vibratory action and the
compressive force exerted by clamps 30 and creasers 32 may thus be
correlated to produce the desired results. However, it has ben
found undesirable to permit sufficient motion as to allow the
clamps to lift from the surface of the book as the book may slip
from the proper position in the building in machine. Cycle times
for the vibratory action may be adjusted according to the viscosity
of the glue, the porosity of the paper, and fabrics, and similar
criteria. In a multiple station machine, cycle times may typically
run 0.8 sec. of vibratory action at each station.
The improvements obtained by the practice of the present invention
may be further enhanced by applying heat to the book elements to
accelerate the drying or curing of the glue and retain the superior
joinder obtained by the vibratory blows. This consideration is
particularly important at the hinge area of the book because of its
critical importance to the book and the stresses to which it is
subjected.
While such heat may be applied by resistance heaters or the like
located in the creasers or in portions of the clamps, the present
invention contemplates the use of a bonding agent heatable upon
exposure to a selected form of indirectly applied energy, for
example, alternating magnetic or electric fields. For this purpose,
the adhesive used in the book binding process may comprise an
adhesively thermoplastic or thermosetting bonding agent carrier
having dispersed therein particulate material susceptible to
heating upon exposure to the indirectly applied energy. The
material is incorporated in the bonding agent carrier in quantities
sufficient to produce the desired heating action. This is typically
10 to 50% by weight with respect to the bonding agent. To provide a
bonding agent heatable by an alternating magnetic field, the
susceptor material may preferably comprise fine particles of iron
oxide, such as gamma Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4. To
provide a bonding agent heatable responsive to an alternating
electric field, polyvinyl chloride may be utilized as the susceptor
material. In some instances it may be possible to select a
dielectrically heatable substance which itself may act as the
bonding agent.
The bonding agent is applied to the selected areas of body 12 or
case 14. The body is inserted in case 14 and the assembled book
placed in the building in machine. In the instance in which the
susceptor is inductively heatable, an alternating magnetic field
may be established by coils 52, shown in cross-section in FIG. 2,
connected in series with high frequency power supply 54. The series
connection is completed by a jumper, not shown. The coils may be
located in clamping means 30 or creasers 36, also as shown in FIG.
2. Coils 52 may be cooled by coolant circulated in passages 56 to
prevent scorching or degradation of buckram 25 of covers 22 and
24.
Upon the energization of coils 52, a magnetic field is created
which permeates assembled book 10, inductively heating the
susceptor material in the bonding agent, driving off solvents and
causing the bonding agent to dry or curing a heat activated resin
bonding agent. The magnetic field created by coils 52 may typically
range from 0.5 to 6 megahertz although frequencies of up to 30
megahertz are conveniently obtainable with conventional helical
coils. When the desired degree of heating has been obtained, coils
52 are deenergized and book 10 removed from the building in
machine.
The bonding agent carrier may comprise a hot melt adhesive, in
which case the indirectly applied energy may be applied at the same
time as the vibratory blows to render the bonding agent liquid. The
heating may be terminated either before or after the vibratory
blows.
Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as
being within the scope of the following claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is
regarded as the invention.
* * * * *