U.S. patent number 3,825,964 [Application Number 05/351,879] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-30 for device and method for casing books.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Velo-Bind, Inc.. Invention is credited to Danilo P. Buan, Charles T. Groswith, III.
United States Patent |
3,825,964 |
Groswith, III , et
al. |
July 30, 1974 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CASING BOOKS
Abstract
An uncased book, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929 having
end leaves fabricated with pressure sensitive adhesive and
protected by release paper is attached to a case of the type having
a spine pad also fabricated with pressure sensitive adhesive by the
device. A table supports various adjustable members including
locators which first gauge the thickness of the uncased book to
indicate a case of proper spine width to be selected. The case is
placed on the table and centered by use of side and top edge
guides. The locators are adjusted so that the spine edge of the
uncased book may be guided to contact the center of the spine pad.
A guide rod positions the top edge of the uncased book a
predetermined distance below the top edge of the case. The uncased
book spine now permanently adheres to the case spine. The book
covers are closed around the book and the end leaf release paper
stripped away, permitting the end leaf adhesive to secure the end
leaves to the insides of the covers.
Inventors: |
Groswith, III; Charles T. (Los
Altos, CA), Buan; Danilo P. (Pleasanton, CA) |
Assignee: |
Velo-Bind, Inc. (Sunnyvale,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23382815 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/351,879 |
Filed: |
April 17, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
412/5; 412/21;
412/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42B
5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B42B
5/08 (20060101); B42B 5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;11/1R,3 ;281/21,29 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Charles; Lawrence
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Caplan; Julian
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case of the type
having a central flexible spine section having an exposed
pressure-sensitive inside surface, said apparatus comprising a
table dimensioned to support said case laid out substantially flat
with said pressure-sensitive inside surface uppermost with spaced
holes positioned along one side edge, an adjustably positioned side
edge guide along one side edge of said table, said side edge guide
comprising a detachable bar which is T-shaped in cross section and
having pins to fit into said holes, a rod along the back of said
table transverse to said side edge guide, means mounting said rod
spaced above said table, first and second brackets pivotally
mounted on said rod, means for fixing said brackets for pivotal
movement together, first and second locators each formed of bar
stock in generally truncated triangle shape fixed to said first and
second brackets and having parallel sides perpendicular to said rod
overlying said pressure-sensitive inside surface in one position
and being remote from said inside surface in a second position
whereby the spine edge of an uncased book may be slipped between
said parallel sides to be forced into contact with said
pressure-sensitive inside surface, a guide extending between said
brackets transverse to said parallel sides, said guide limiting
rearward movement of said spine edge of said uncased book, a series
of pins projecting up from said table a short distance rearward of
said guide whereby when the rear edge of said case engages said
case rear edge locating means said case extends a short distance
rearward of the rear edge of said spine edge.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said rod is formed of
two oppositely threaded sections and said brackets have threaded
portions in engagement with said threaded sections and which
further comprises a knob on said rod whereby said rod may be turned
to move said brackets and said parallel sides toward and away from
each other to accommodate uncased books of different spine
thicknesses, two elements including a pointer and indicia, one said
element on said table and the other said element movable with one
of said brackets, said pointer and indicia indicating the thickness
of a spine engaged on opposite sides by said parallel sides and
also indicating the proper location of said side edge guide.
3. A method of forming a cased book comprising providing an uncased
book having a plurality of sheets, front and back end leaves on the
outside of said uncased book, each said end leaf having
pressure-sensitive material on its outer surface extending to the
top, bottom and outside margins of said end leaves, first release
paper covering all of said pressure-sensitive material, binding
means binding said sheets and end leaves together along their spine
margins with said end leaves securely bound to said sheets prior to
assembly of said uncased book to a case; gauging the thickness of
said uncased book adjacent its spine edge, selecting a case of the
type comprising front and back covers, a flexible spine, covering
means for the outsides of both said front and back covers of said
spine, and a spine strip of resilient material extending
longitudinally down the middle of said flexible spine covering
having second pressure-sensitive material on its exposed surface,
said case prior to adherence to said uncased book being adapted to
encase a range of thicknesses of uncased books by reason of the
flexibility of said spine; said selected case having a spine strip
of a width greater than the spine width of said uncased book,
positioning said case on a table with said spine strip uppermost,
said table having a pair of locators pivotally mounted thereon for
movement between a first position resting on said table and a
second position remote from said table, removably positionable side
guide means, case top edge guide means, and uncased book top edge
guide means; removing said second pressure-sensitive material,
locating said uncased book with its top end a fixed short distance
below the corresponding end of said spine strip and centered
laterally with respect to said spine strip, pressing said uncased
book so that its spine edge adheres to said second
pressure-sensitive adhesive, closing said case about said uncased
book, removing said first release paper and applying pressure to
said covers to cause adherence of said end leaves to the insides of
said covers all the way to the outer edges of said end leaves and
with the insides of the outer edges of said covers extending
outwardly beyond the outer edges of said end leaves and being
devoid of exposed adhesive beyond the outer edges of said end
leaves, said step of gauging comprising resting the spine edge of
said uncased book on said table between said locators with said
locators in first position, moving said locators toward each other
to engage opposite sides of the spine of said uncased book,
observing the distance between said locators, removing said uncased
book and pivoting said locators to second position, positioning
side edge guide means on said table at a position dependent on the
distance between said locators, said step of locating said case
further comprising engaging the side edge of said case with said
side edge guide means and the top edge of said case with said case
top edge guide means, and in which said step of pressing said
uncased book comprises pivoting said locators to first position,
engaging the top edge of said uncased book against said top edge
guide means and the spine of said book between said locators and
pivoting said uncased book toward said spine strip with said top
edge guide as a fulcrum.
Description
This invention relates to and improved device and method for casing
books. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and
method for positioning and locating a case (hard cover) for a book
and an uncased book in such relationship that the parts may be
assembled in permanent fashion employing pressure sensitive
material on the spine of the case which adheres to the spine of the
uncased book and pressure sensitive material on end leaves of the
uncased book which adhere to the insides of the covers of the
case.
A principal object and advantage of the invention is to reduce the
number of operations required to bind an uncased book and to case
the book. The labor required is materially reduced and the use of
existing bindery equipment is almost entirely eliminated while the
device itself is of minimal complexity and expense. Conventional
book binding heretofore has required a large number of sewing,
gluing, beading and rounding steps, each of which normally requires
specialized equipment and, further, the casing in of the uncased
book requires gluing and fabricating steps. All of the foregoing
steps are either eliminated or greatly simplified by practice of
the invention.
Additionally, conventional bindery practice requires utilization of
large areas of floor space since the various parts which are
ultimately assembled in the cased book are ordinarily spread out
and must be left in spread condition while glue dries and while
other portions are being completed and assembled. Hence, not only
is the amount of labor and equipment greatly reduced by practice of
the present invention, but even the floor space required in a
bindery is reduced because of the fact that it is not necessary to
spread out the book parts as has heretofore been the practice.
A further feature of the invention is the reduction in the amount
of skilled labor required. The operator of the device hereinafter
described does not require extensive training in order to practice
the invention.
A principal feature of the invention is the provision of rapid and
convenient means for locating the cased and the uncased book
relative to each other. Further, the device provides means for
attachment of the uncased book to the spine of the case and the end
leaves to the insides of the covers rapidly and conveniently.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon
reading the following specification and referring to the
accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference
represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a device in accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-- 2
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation from the right of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a guide used in the apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the device in use in
gauging the thickness of an uncased book, the latter being partly
broken away in section to reveal internal construction.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a portion of the
structure.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing a step in the
assembly of the uncased book to the case.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a further step in the
assembly of the parts.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along
the line 9--9 of FIG. 8 and showing a subsequent step in the
attachment of the uncased book to the case.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an additional step in the
assembly of the parts.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the book covers closed
preparatory to stripping of the release paper from the end
leaves.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the completion of the
stripping of the release paper from the left side of the book.
FIG. 13 is a view showing removal of the release paper from the
right side of the book.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view through the completed book showing the
elements in enlarged scale.
In accordance with the present invention, device 61 is used to
assemble uncased book 41 and case 46 as hereinafter appears.
Assembly involves a series of steps which are also hereinafter
explained.
The uncased book 41 may be of various types. A preferred type is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929. Such uncased book 41 is formed of
a plurality of sheets 21 formed with apertures 22 adjacent the
spine margins thereof. The uncased book is held together by means
of a first plastic strip 26 having integral projecting
thermoplastic studs 27 spaced to fit through the holes 22 and a
second plastic strip 29 formed with similarly spaced holes 31
preferably having external counterbores in which rivet heads 33 are
formed on the severed ends of studs 27 by passing a hot knife
through said studs spaced beyond said second strip and then moving
the hot knife toward the second strip to form rivet-like heads on
said studs. End leaves 23 are provided which fit on the top and
bottom of the stack of sheets 21, the spine marginal edges of the
end leaves 23 being apertured and receiving the same studs 27 which
secure the sheets 21 to the strips 26, 29.
One of the features of the present application is the use of
pressure sensitive adhesive 36 on at least a portion of each end
leaf 23. Initially, such adhesive 36 is protected from contact with
other objects by release paper 37. Release paper 37, as
conventionally manufactured, is ordinary Kraft paper which is
coated with polyethylene on both sides so that the paper does not
absorb solvents or moisture and the polyethylene coating is stable.
At least the side of the release paper to which the adhesive is
applied is coated with a silicone material to facilitate
stripping.
Adhesive 36 is usually an acrylic, cross-linked acrylic, nitrile
rubber or other polymer which is initially dissolved in a solvent
as commercially available. A coating between 4 and 6 mils thick is
applied to the silicone coated surface of the release paper 37 and
then the solvent is driven off by drying in an oven so that the
adhesive layer 36 is about 1 mil or less in thickness. Such release
paper 37 coated with adhesive 36 is then laminated to the end leaf
23 and rolled so that the adhesive 36 sticks to the end leaf 23.
The fabrication of the end leaf 23, adhesive 36 and release paper
37 is an adaptation of general commercial practice in the pressure
sensitive adhesive art.
In a preferred form of the invention adhesive 36 is not applied
over the entire area of release paper 37 or end leaf 23 but
terminates at line 42 located at about the locations of strips 26,
29 in the assembled uncased book. To facilitate stripping of the
release paper 37, the latter is folded over at about the location
of line 42 and extends back in a folded over portion 38 which
projects beyond the outer edge of the cased book in an exposed
portion 39 which functions as a pull tab to strip the release paper
37 from the pressure sensitive adhesive 36, as hereinafter
appears.
Case 46 is likewise subject to variation, but a preferred form
employs cover material 47 of vinyl, leather or other suitable
substance and to the center of the case 46 extending vertically in
the completed book is a resilient spine strip 48 which is pressure
sensitive on both surfaces and is preferably originally covered by
release paper (see FIG. 8) which is stripped off at the
commencement of the assembling operation. Immediately to the
outside of the strip 48 is a hinge forming area 49 which is the
thinnest part of the case. Immediately outside of each hinge
forming area 49 are boards 51 of cardboard or similar material. The
top and bottom margins of the cover material 47 are folded inward
in top and bottom turnins 52 at the top and bottom edges of the
book, only partially covering the boards 51. Similarly, on each
outer edge an edge turnin 53 of the material 47 is formed and the
corners 54 are preferably mitered, all as in accordance with
conventional case manufacturing operations. Thus, front and back
covers 56 and an intermediate central spine cover 57 are provided.
In the ultimate fabrication of the book, hinge creases 58 are
formed immediately inward of covers 56 and beads 59 formed
immediately inward of the hinge creases 58.
In assembling the uncased book 41 to the case 46, the spine edge of
the uncased book 41 is caused to adhere to the pressure sensitive
resilient bind strip 48. The top cover 46 (and the bottom cover as
well) are unfinished in that the board 51 is shown partly covered
by the turned in top and bottom portions 52 and edge turnings 53.
The end leaves 23, by means of adhesive 36, adhere to the insides
of the boards 51 and to the portions of the turned in portions 52,
52 and 53 which are ultimately covered. The end leaf 23 thus
permanently adheres to the covers 56.
Apparatus 61 comprises a plurality of parts which are mounted on a
flat table 62 which is preferably rectangular and is large enough
to accommodate the largest case 46 to be handled. To protect the
underlying surface, a padding 63 of resilient and preferably
skid-proof material is furnished. As is shown in FIG. 1, along the
right-hand edge of the table 62 are related pairs of holes 64 which
are used to locate the case 46 as hereinafter appears. The
right-hand holes 64 are used with larger size cases. Spaced
inwardly of holes 64 are left holes 66. In general, the holes 64
may be used with wider books such as books printed on paper 8-1/2
inches in width, whereas the holes 66 may be used to locate cases
used with smaller sheets such as are used in standard textbooks.
Associated with the pairs of holes 64, 66 are indicia 67 which are
used to locate in proper position side edge guide 68 shown in
perspective in FIG. 4 and consisting of a piece of generally
T-shaped plastic bar with one arm of the T being shorter than the
other. Guide 68 has integrally molded depending pins 69 which fit
into pairs of holes 64 or 66. The bar is oriented in one direction
with the narrower T arm innermost for wider paper (e.g., 8-1/2
inches width) or in the opposite direction for narrower paper
(e.g., 8 inches width).
Along either side of the back edge of table 62 is a bracket 71,
each bracket having upstanding apertured lugs 72. Threaded rod 73
fits through the apertures in lugs 72. Preferably, the opposite
ends of rod 73 are oppositely threaded. On one end is a knob 76 and
on the opposite end a cap 77. Knob 76 is used to rotate the rod 73.
Mounted above and between lugs 72 on either side are brackets 78
which themselves have upstanding threaded apertured outer lugs 79
in threaded engagement with rod 73 and apertured but unthreaded
inner lugs 81. Thus as the knob 76 is turned, the brackets 78 move
inwardly or outwardly relative to the center of table 62 in equal
amounts but in opposite directions. Each bracket 78 has a forward
extension 82 which extends forwardly and inwardly. Extension 82 has
upstanding apertured lugs 83 which receive guide rod 84 which is
parallel to rod 73. Rod 84 is fixed to the rightmost lug 83 as
viewed in FIG. 1 as by welding, but slides in the apertures in the
left side lugs 83 so that rod 84 does not inhibit inward and
outward movement of the brackets 78 but merely maintains them in
parallel. Fixed for movement with each of the brackets 78 as they
move inwardly and outwardly and also as they pivot about rod 73 are
locators 86 which are fabricated of rod stock. Each locator has a
straight section 87 which is parallel to the centerline of table
62. The upper end of each rod 87 as viewed in FIG. 1 is formed with
an outwardly turned portion 88 which is welded or otherwise secured
to the underside of the inner edge of extension 82 of bracket 78.
The forward end of rod 87 is bent in an outwardly turned forward
front end 89 which is relatively short and which terminates in a
rearwardly-outwardly slanted side 91, the rearward end of which is
also welded or otherwise secured to bracket 78 adjacent its outer
edge. As is best shown in FIG. 1, the rod sections 87 are parallel
to each other at all times and the locators 86, as best shown in
FIG. 3, lie in a common plane at all times, although said plane may
pivot about the axis of rod 73.
Connected to the right-hand end of the right-hand bracket 78 is a
pointer 92 which indicates a plurality of indicia 93 marked on
table 62. As hereinafter appears, the locators 86 are used to gauge
the thickness of the uncased book 41 to be assembled. Such
thickness is indicated by the pointer 92 relative to the indicia
93. Various sizes of cases 46 are used depending upon the size of
the uncased book, the different sizes being differentiated by the
width of the flexible spine cover 57. Thus, with thinner uncased
books 41 narrower spine covers 57 are employed. The width of the
spine cover 57 determines the overall width of the case 46 when it
is laid flat on table 62 as is shown in FIG. 8. The side edge guide
68 is positioned by selection of the proper holes 64, 66 so that
the case 46 is accurately centered relative to table 62, or more
precisely, is accurately centered relative to the gap between the
rod sections 87.
Further, by way of location of the case 46, there are three short
pins 96 and one long pin 97 fixed to table 62 along the back edge
thereof and positioned so that they do not interfere with pivoting
of the locators 86 or the brackets 78. The function of the pins 96,
97 is to act as a stop for the rearward movement of the case 46 as
it is pushed back with the top edge tangent to said pins.
Preferably, the pin 97 is elongated so as to assist in closing of
the book as a next to final step in the assembly of the case to the
cover, as hereinafter appears. It should be observed that rod 84 is
slightly forward relative to pin 96 when the locators 86 are in
down position. This is best shown in FIG. 9. Pin 96 (or 97) limits
rearward movement of case 46 (i.e., movement to the right as viewed
in FIG. 9) while rod 84 limits rearward movement of the uncased
book 41. It is desirable that the top edge of the cover of the
completed book be slightly higher than the top edge of the sheets
21 of which the uncased book 41 is formed. The location of rod 84
and pins 96, 97 insures this desirable relationship.
ASSEMBLY OF BOOK TO CASE
The first step in assembly of the parts is to gauge the thickness
of the uncased book 41. As shown in FIG. 5, the locators 86 are in
down position (resting on the top of table 62). The knob 76 is
turned to bring the locators 86 inward or outward so that the
parallel rods 87 engage the outsides of strips 26 and 29 (or the
outer edges of the spine of whatever structure of uncased book is
being used). The operator then reads the position of pointer 92
relative to indicia 93 which indicates the sizes of case 46 to be
used. The side edge guide 68 is then installed in a pair of holes
64 or 66 corresponding to the size of the case which has been
indicated and which has been selected and oriented for proper page
width. As has heretofore been explained, the holes 64 are used with
8-1/2 inch .times. 11 inch sheets 21, while the holes 66 are used
with the narrower sheets of textbook size paper. The locators 86
are then pivoted backward to the position shown in FIG. 8 or they
may be pivoted 180.degree. or all the way back.
The properly selected case 46 is then placed on the table 62 as
best shown in FIG. 8 with its right-hand edge against the side
guide 68 and with its top edge against the ends 96, 97. In such
position the case 46 is accurately centered relative to the gap
between the locators 86. The release paper is then stripped
exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive on the pads 48 which is
located in the spine of the case. Thereupon, the locators 86 are
pivoted forwardly until they lie on top of the case 46 (see FIG.
9).
Thereupon, the uncased book 41 is lifted by the operator and
inserted in the apparatus 61 taking care that its upper edge
engages rod 84 and that its spine slips between the parallel rods
87. As has been mentioned, the upper edge of the book 41 is then
slightly below the upper edge of the case 46, as best shown in FIG.
9. Downward pressure on the book 41 causes permanent adherence of
its spine edge to the pressure sensitive adhesive 48 of the spine
portion 57 of the case 46. The locators 86 are then retracted to up
position.
The covers 56 of the book are then closed. To facilitate accurate
closing of the covers, the left cover 56 is folded over and its top
edge aligned with the higher pin 97. This assures that the top and
bottom covers 56 are parallel. The hinge crease 58 is then manually
formed in the top cover by using an implement or the fingers to
press the spine portion around the strip 26 and form the bead 59.
Thereupon, the operator grips the exposed tab 39 of the release
paper 38 and pulls the release paper 38-37 completely away. By
pressing downwardly on the top cover 56, the pressure sensitive
adhesive 36 on the top end leaf causes permanent adherance of the
end leaf to the inside of the cover 56.
Thereupon, the book is turned upside down and the crease 58 and
bead 59 are formed on the back cover in the same manner as they
were formed on the front cover. Finally, the tab 39 is used to pull
the rear release paper 38, 37 of the rear end leaf away exposing
the adhesive 36 which causes permanent adherence of the rear end
leaf to the rear cover 56.
The formation of the book is thereby completed. It will be observed
that the case 46 is permanently bonded to the uncased book 41 at
three separate locations. These are the adherence of the spine of
the book to the adhesive 48, which adhesive also overlaps the
strips 26, 29. The other two locations are on the front and back of
the book respectively and are each substantially the same. The
outside of each leaf 58 engages pressure sensitive adhesive 36, and
the insides of the covers 56 likewise engage said pressure
sensitive adhesive.
* * * * *