US3825964A - Device and method for casing books - Google Patents

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.

Description

Grosv vith, III

[ DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CASING BOOKS e Attorney, Agent, or FirmJulian Caplan [75] Inventors: Charles T. Groswith, III, Los Altos;

Danilo P. Buan, Pleasanton, both of [57] ABSTRACT C lif An uncased book, such as shown 1n U.S. Pat. i 3,596,929 having end leavesfabricated with pressure [73] Assignee: Vela-Bind, lnc., Sunnyval Callfsensitive adhesive and protected by release paper is [22] Fil d; Ap 17, 1973 attached to a case of the type having a spine pad also fabricated with pressure sensitive adhesive by the de- [211 Appl' 351,879 vice. A table supports various adjustable members including locators which first gauge the thickness of the 52 U.S. Cl. 11/3 encased book to indicate a case ofp p spine width 51 Int. Cl 420 11/00 to be seleetede The ease is placed enthe table and [58] Field of Search 11/1 R, 3;.281/21, 29 centered by use f Side and p edge guides: The

tors are adjusted so that the spine edge of the 'uncased- [5 References Cit d book may be guided to contact, the center of the spine UNITED STATES PATENTS pad. A guide rod positions the top edge of the uncased. s I e 1 book a predetermined distance below the top edge of g ct the case. The uncased book spine now permanently 32/282751 4/1973 i W] R adheres to the case spine. The book covers are closed 317491423 7/1973 Abildg aard et al. est/21 R around the book and the end leaf release P p stripped away, permitting the end leaf adhesive to secure theend leaves to the insides of the covers.

3 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures 77 72 79 73 78 8/ 7/ 72 I 72 718/ 78 73 79' 72 2 z V et al.

51 July 30', 1974 Primary Examiner- Lawrence Charles gummmmsmw 3.825.96d

SHEET 20$ 4 PAIENIEnJuumsm 3.825.964

sum anr 4 1 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CASING BOOKS 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 onthe 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 deare 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, buteven the floor space required in a bindery is reduced because of the 2 I 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 assembleuncased book 41 andcase 46 as hereinafter appears. Assembly involves a series of steps which are also hereinafter explained Theuncased book 41 may be of various types. A preferred type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929. Suchuncased book 41 isformed of a plurality ofsheets 21 formed withapertures 22 adjacent the spine margins thereof. The uncased book is held together by means of a firstplastic strip 26 having integral projectingthermoplastic studs 27 spaced to fit through theholes 22 and a secondplastic strip 29 formed with similarly spacedholes 31 preferably having external counterfact that it is not necessary to spread out the book parts 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 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 devicein 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 aschematic 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 elcvational view of a portion of the structure.

i of rapid and convenient means for-locating the cased bores in whichrivetheads 33 are formed on the severed. ends ofstuds 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-likeheads on said studs.End leaves 23 are provided which fit on the top and bottom of the stack ofsheets 21, the spine marginal edges of theend leaves 23 being apertured and receiving thesame studs 27 which securethesheets 21 to thestrips 26, 29.

One of the features of the present application is the use of pressuresensitive adhesive 36 on at least a portion of eachend leaf 23. Initially,such adhesive 36 is protected from contact with other objects byrelease 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, crossdinked 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 therelease paper 37 and then the solvent is driven off by drying in an oven so that theadhesive layer 36 is about 1 mil or less in thickness.Such release paper 37 coated with adhesive 36 is then laminated to theend leaf 23 and rolled so that the adhesive 36 sticks to theend leaf 23. The fabrication of theend leaf 23, adhesive 36 andrelease 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 ofrelease paper 37 orend leaf 23 but terminates atline 42 located at about the locations ofstrips 26, 29 in the assembled uncased book. To facilitate stripping of therelease paper 37, the latter is folded over at about the location ofline 42 and extends back in a folded overportion 38 which projects beyond the outer edge of the cased book in an exposedportion 39 which functions as'a pull tab to strip the release paper 37'from the pressuresensitive adhesive 36, as hereinafter appears.

Case 46 is likewise subject to variation, but a preferred form employscover material 47 of vinyl, leather or other suitable substance and to the center of thecase 46 extending vertically in the completed book is aresilient 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 thestrip 48 is ahinge forming area 49 which is the thinnest part of the case. Immediately outside of eachhinge forming area 49 areboards 51 of cardboard or similar material. The top and bottom margins of thecover material 47 are folded inward in top andbottom turnins 52 at the top and bottom edges of the book, only partially covering theboards 51. Similarly, on each outer edge anedge turnin 53 of thematerial 47 is formed and the corners54 are preferably mitered, all as in accordance with conventional case manufacturing operations. Thus',-front and back covers 56 and an intermediatecentral spine cover 57 are provided. In the ultimate fabrication of the book,hinge creases 58 are formed immediately inward ofcovers 56 andbeads 59 formed immediately inward of the hinge creases v58.

In assembling theuncased book 41 to thecase 46, the

spine edge of theuncased book 41 is caused to adhere to the pressure sensitiveresilient bind strip 48. The top cover 46 (and the bottom cover as well) are unfinished in that theboard 51 is shown partly covered by the turned in top andbottom portions 52 andedge turnings 53. The end leaves 23, by means of adhesive 36, adhere to the insides of theboards 51 and to the portions of the turned inportions 52, 52 and 53 which are ultimatelycoveredyThe end leaf 23 thus permanently adheres to thecovers 56.

Apparatus 61 comprises a plurality of parts which are mounted on a flat table 62 which is preferably rectangularand is large enough to accommodate thelargest case 46 to be handled. To protect the underlying surface, apadding 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 ofholes 64 which are used to locate thecase 46 as hereinafter appears. The right-hand holes 64 are used with larger size cases. Spaced inwardly ofholes 64 are leftholes 66. In general, theholes 64 may be used with wider books such as books printed on paper 8- /inches in width, whereas theholes 66 may be used to locate cases used with smaller sheets such as are used in stan dard textbooks. Associated. with the pairs ofholes 64,

-indicia 93 marked on table 62. As hereinafterappears,

66 areindicia 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 ofholes 64 or 66. The bar is oriwidth).

Along either side of the back edge of table 62 is abracket 71, each bracket having upstanding apertured lugs 72. Threadedrod 73 fits through the 'ap'erturesinlugs 72. Preferably, the opposite endsofrod 73 are oppositely threaded. On one end is aknob 76 and on the opposite end acap 77.Knob 76 is used to rotate therod 73. Mounted above and betweenlugs 72 on either side arebrackets 78 which themselves have upstanding threaded aperturedouter lugs 79 in threadedengagement'with rod 73 and apertured but unthreadedinner lugs 81. Thus as theknob 76 is turned, thebrackets 78 move inwardly or outwardly relative to the center of table 62 in equal amounts but in opposite directions. Eachbracket 78 has aforward extension 82 which extends forwardly and inwardly.Extension 82 has upstanding apertured lugs 83 which receiveguide rod 84 which is parallel torod 73.Rod 84 is fixed to therightmost lug 83 as viewed in FIG. 1 as by welding, but slides in the apertures in the left side lugs 83 so thatrod 84 does not inhibit inward and outward movement of thebrackets 78 but merely maintains them in parallel.

'Fixed for movement with each of thebrackets 78 as they move inwardly and outwardly and also as they pivot aboutrod 73 arelocators 86 which are fabricated of rod stock. Each locator has astraight section 87 whichis parallel to the centerline of table 62. The upper end of eachrod 87 as viewed in FIG. 1 is formed with an outwardly turnedportion 88 which is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the inner edge ofextension 82 of bracket '78. The forward end ofrod 87 is bent in an outwardly turned forwardfront end 89 which is relatively short and which terminates in a rearwardly'outwardly slantedside 91, the rearward end of which is also welded or'otherwise secured tobracket 78 adjacent its outer edge. As is best shown in FIG. 1, therod sections 87 are parallel to each other at all times and thelocators 86, as best shown in FIG. 3, lie in a common plane at all times, although said plane may pivot about the axis ofrod 73.

Connected to the right-hand end of the right-hand bracket 78 is apointer 92 which indicates a plurality of thelocators 86 are used to gauge the thickness of theuncased book 41 to be assembled. Such thickness is indicated by thepointer 92 relative to theindicia 93. Various sizes ofcases 46 are used depending upon the size of the uncased book, the different sizes being differentiated bythe width of theflexible spine cover 57. Thus, with thinneruncased books 41 narrower spine covers 57 are employed. The width of thespine cover 57 determines the overall width of thecase 46 when it is laid flat on table 62 as is shown in FIG. 8. Theside edge guide 68 is positioned by selection of theproper holes 64, 66 so that thecase 46 is accurately centered relative to table 62, 'ormoreprecisely, is accurately centered relative to the gap between therod sections 87.

Further, by way of location of thecase 46, there are threeshort pins 96 and onelong pin 97 fixed to table 62 along the back edge thereof and positioned so that they do not interfere with pivoting of thelocators 86 or thebrackets 78. The function of thepins 96, 97 is to act as a stop for the rearward movement of thecase 46 as it is pushed back with the top edge tangent to said pins. Preferably, thepin 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 thatrod 84 is slightly forward relative to pin 96 when thelocators 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) whilerod 84 limits rearward movement of theuncased book 41. It is desirable that the top edge of the cover of the completed book be slightly higher than the top edge of thesheets 21 of which the uncasedbook 41 is formed. The location ofrod 84 and pins 96, 97 insures this desirable relationship.

ASSEMBLY OF BOOK TO CASE sizes ofcase 46 to be used/Theside edge guide 68 is then installed in a pair ofholes 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, theholes 64 are used with 8- /2 inch X l 1inch sheets 21, while theholes 66 are used with the narrower sheets of textbook size paper. Thelocators 86 are then pivoted backward to the position shown in FIG. 8 or they may be pivoted 180 or all the way back.

The properly selectedcase 46 is then placedon the table 62 as best shown in FIG. 8 with its right-hand edge against theside guide 68 and with its top edge against theends 96, 97. In such position thecase 46 is accurately centered relative to the gap between the 10-cators 86. The release. paper is then stripped exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive on thepads 48 which is located in the spine of the case. Thereupon, thelocators 86 are pivoted forwardly until they lie on top of the case 46 (see FIG. 9).

Thereupon, theuncased book 41 is lifted by the operator and inserted in theapparatus 61 taking care that its upper edge engagesrod 84 and that its spine slips between theparallel rods 87. As has been mentioned, the upper edge of thebook 41 is then slightly below the upper edge of thecase 46, as best shown in FIG. 9. Downward pressure on thebook 41 causes permanent adherence of its spine edge to the pressuresensitive adhesive 48 of thespine portion 57 of thecase 46. Thelocators 86 are then retracted to up position.

Thecovers 56 0f the book are then closed. To facilitate accurate closing of the covers, theleft cover 56 is folded over and its top edge aligned with thehigher pin 97. This assures that the top and bottom covers 56 are parallel. Thehinge crease 58 is then manually formed in the top cover by using an implement or the fingers to press the spine portion around thestrip 26 and form thebead 59. Thereupon, the operator grips the exposedtab 39 of therelease paper 38 and pulls the release paper 38-37 completely away. By pressing downwardly on thetop cover 56, the pressuresensitive adhesive 36 on-the top end leaf causes permanent adherance of the endleaf to the inside of the cove'r56.

Thereupon, the book is turned upside down and thecrease 58 andbead 59 are formed on the back cover in the same manner as they were formed on the front cover. Finally, thetab 39 is used to pull therear release paper 38, 37 of the rear end'leaf away exposing the adhesive 36 which causes permanent adherence of the rear end leaf to therear cover 56.

The formation of the book is thereby completed. It will be observed that thecase 46 is permanently bonded to theuncased book 41 atthree separate locations. These are the adherence of the spine of the book to the adhesive 48, which adhesive also overlaps thestrips 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 eachleaf 58 engages pressuresensitive adhesive 36, and the insides of thecovers 56 likewise engage said pressure sensitive adhesive.

. 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 outsidevof said uncased book, each said end leaf having pressuresensitive 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 edges of said covers extending outwardly beyond the 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 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 .20 books by reason of the flexibility of said spine; said seouter edges of said end leaves and beingdevoid 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 casewith 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.

Claims (3)

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 Tshaped 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.

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