METHOD FOR PLACING A LOOP OF BAND ON A BOOKBINDING COVER AND MACHINE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID METHOD

Abstract

 A method for placing a loop of band on a bookbinding cover and a machine for the implementation of said method, characterised in that it comprises the steps of feeding and measuring the band, holding the band by means of a clamp, placing a first adhesive point on the cover by means of an automatic applicator, placing a first end of the band on the first point by means of a first handler, pressing the band against the adhesive point and the cover by means of an automatic press, removing the press, placing a second adhesive point on the pressed part of the band by means of band by means of the automatic applicator, placing a second end of the band on the second adhesive point by means of a second handler, pressing the second end of the band against the second adhesive point by means of said automatic press, withdrawal of the cover.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a procedure and a machine for placing a band, preferably elastic, on a bookbinding cover. More specifically, the present invention also relates to a procedure and a machine for placing an elastic band on the cover of a book, notebook or diary.

[0002] Currently, these processes are performed by hand or with significant labour, making it necessary to outsource the manufacturing to geographical areas with cheap labour, which increases costs relating to logistics. As an additional consequence, producing editions in small numbers is extremely expensive.

[0003] Moreover, the manual performance of the process makes it difficult to control the exact quantity of adhesive for the elastic band, resulting in a different finish for each book. Therefore, to ensure a favourable aesthetic it is common practice to insert an extra sheet that covers the connection between the band and the cover of the book.

[0004] The document ES2030520T3 discloses a machine for affixing an elastic band to a cardboard or similar surface of a folder. This is a machine that works on a surface which already contains two perforations. The band is made to pass from one part of the surface to the other by means of suction, and is moved from one perforation to the other in the same manner. Finally, the band is passed through the second perforation by mechanical means and the suction is stopped. This method has the disadvantage that the machine that performs it does so is bulky, expensive and generates maintenance problems.

[0005] FR2503803 discloses a method for affixing an elastic band that is performed by means of pushing, unlike the document ES2030520T3. The method comprises the steps of placing the elastic or rubber band adjacent to a hole and pushing the band through the hole using a tapered cylindrical pusher, there being a closing rivet in the conical portion of the pusher. The rivet is placed in the hole, clamping the band against the walls of the hole. Subsequently, a die part having a central hole mating with the diameter of the pusher is actuated from the side opposite to the pusher action in such a way that it deforms the rivet, thus fixing the band in place.

[0006] This method has the disadvantages that it is not flexible and that it leaves the end of the band free. Moreover, the rivet is aesthetically undesirable and the band can escape by slippage with use.

[0007] The documents MX2012008151A and ES2428002T3 disclose different manual methods for affixing a rubber band to a cover of a book.

[0008] The document ES2428002T3 discloses a manual method wherein the band is placed between the cover and an intermediate cover that has a groove for receiving the band. The cover and the intermediate cover are glued together.

[0009] The document MX2012008151A discloses a manual method wherein the band is made to pass through two holes of the cover, and once there the ends of the band are affixed to terminals of a size larger than the holes, which, since they cannot pass through the holes, prevent the band from escaping.

[0010] The applicant is unaware of any machine or automated method for placing loops of band on a bookbinding cover.

[0011] An aim of the present invention is to disclose a method and a machine that make it possible to automate the process of placing a loop of elastic band on a bookbinding cover, preferably the cover of a book, notebook or diary, and that simultaneously offer lower cost and greater flexibility than the known methods and machines.

[0012] More specifically, the present invention discloses a method for placing a loop of band on a bookbinding cover, said method comprising the following steps:

• feeding the band;
• measuring the band;
• holding the band by means of a clamp;
• cutting the band;
• placing a first adhesive point on the cover by means of an automatic applicator;
• placing a first end of the band on the first point by means of a first handler;
• pressing the band against the adhesive point and the cover by means of an automatic press;
• removing the press;
• placing a second adhesive point on the pressed part of the band by means of the automatic applicator;
• placing a second end of the band on the second adhesive point by means of a second handler;
• pressing the second end of the band against the second adhesive point by means of said automatic press;
• withdrawing the cover.

[0013] The present invention further comprises a machine for implementing the method forming the subject of the present invention, which comprises a station for placing a loop of band, preferably elastic, on a bookbinding cover, which comprises:

• A band feeding device;
• A device for measuring and cutting the band;
• An automatic adhesive applicator;
• A first and a second handler for placing a first and a second end of band one on top of the other;
• A press.

[0014] Preferably, the handlers are spatulate in form.

[0015] To allow a clearer understanding, there follows a description of an embodiment of the present invention, based on some illustrative but non-limitative drawings of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a machine for the implementation of the method of placing a loop of band on a bookbinding cover, in this case made of a cellulose material.

Figures 2 and 3 show two views of the station for placing an elastic band on a bookbinding cover, in this case made of a cellulose material.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the station for placing a loop of band on a bookbinding cover, in this case made of a cellulose material.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the station for placing an envelope or pocket in the bookbinding cover, in this case made of a cellulose material.

Figure 6 shows schematically the different steps of the method for placing an elastic band on a bookbinding cover, in this case made of a cellulose material.

Figure 7 shows schematically the different steps of the method for placing a loop of elastic band on a bookbinding cover, in this case made of a cellulose material, according to the present invention.

[0016] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the machine comprises four different stations, each intended for the performance of a specific process on the cover, in this case of a previously bound diary. The machine comprises:

• a feeding station -1-, in which the previously bound diaries are placed,
• a station for placing an elastic band -2- on the cover of the diary,
• a station for placing a loop of band -3- on the cover of the diary, and
• a station for placing an envelope or pocket -4- on the cover of the diary.

[0017] The feeding station -1- receives the bound diaries in readiness for their subsequent movement to the other stations.

[0018] The station for placing an elastic band -2- comprises a station for measuring the cover on to which the band is to be applied, located in a receptacle that receives the diaries -100-. The station comprises an elastic band measuring and cutting unit -22- for varying the length of band to be cut according to the measurement of the cover of the diary -100-. In parallel with the measuring and cutting of the band, a punch -23- creates two holes in the cover of the diary -100- for passing the elastic band through said holes.

[0019] In the elastic band placement station -2-, the band is held by two clamps -27- (see Figure 3) that have the ability to move relative to each other. Both clamps also have the ability to move in the direction of advance of the band (see arrow in Figure 2), which is delivered from a feeder -21- (see Figure 2). Said clamps -27- do not hold the cut section of band by the endmost portions of the section, so that there is an excess portion of band between each clamp and each end of the cut band. The elastic band placement station -2- comprises a system -24-for positioning the band on the cover and parallel-acting supports -251- that push the excess portions of band through the punched holes in the cover of the diary -100-.

[0020] To attach the elastic band to the cover, the elastic band placement station -2- comprises a movable glue applicator -25-, capable of placing adhesive points at different locations on the cover. A press -26- presses the excess portions of the band against the cover so that they are fixed to the diary.

[0021] The machine further comprises a station for placing a loop of elastic band -3- (see Figure 4) on the cover of, in this case, a previously bound diary. This station comprises a band feeding, measuring and cutting station -30-, which feeds a section of band, held by a clamp 32, to two handling spatulas -31-, -33- for handling each end of the band. A movable glue applicator -34-, capable of placing adhesive points at different locations on the cover, and the spatulas -31-, -33- place the band on the glue points. The station for placing a loop of elastic band -3- further comprises a press -35- for pressing the band against the cover in order to attach it.

[0022] The station further comprises a station for placing an envelope or pocket -4- on the cover of, in this case, a previously bound diary -100- (see Figure 5). The station comprises a feeder for envelopes -41- which are picked up by an envelope handler -42- for their placement on the cover of the diary -100-. Prior to the placement of the envelope, a movable glue applicator -43- places a trace of adhesive around the area of the cover.

[0023] The method for placing a preferably elastic band on a bookbinding cover according to the present invention is carried out in the station for placing an elastic band -2-. Figure 6 shows schematically the method applied to a previously bound diary. Once the diary has been placed in the station -2-, the cover to which the band must be added is measured in order to determine the length of band to be cut according to said measurement. In parallel with this step, two holes are punched in the cover of the diary. Next, the elastic band is cut to the appropriate length according to the measurement of the cover, and the band is then held by two clamps -27-. A first clamp holds the band by a first point in such a way that there is a first excess portion of band between a first free end of the band and the first clamp. Next, a second clamp holds the band by a second point in such a way that there is a second excess portion of band between a second free end of the band and the second clamp. Once the band has been clamped at two points, it is moved to a position facing said cover.

[0024] The clamps -27- have the ability to move relative to each other in order to adapt to the length of the band, resulting in the ability to adapt to different sizes of diaries.

[0025] Once the band has been placed facing the cover, said first and second excess portions of belt are passed through the holes punched in said book or notebook cover, without the clamps releasing the band (for reasons of clarity, this has not been represented in Figure 6). This is achieved by means of two pins -301-, -302- which simultaneously push the excess portions of band. Next, a first glue point -401- and a second glue point -402- are placed on said book or notebook cover by means of a movable applicator. The application has been represented schematically by two arrows in Figure 6. Finally, the excess portions of band are pressed against the glue and the cover, so that the excess portions are fixed to the cover.

[0026] The process of placing a loop of preferably elastic band on a bookbinding cover is carried out in the elastic band loop placement station -3-. Figure 7 shows schematically the method applied to a previously bound diary. First, the band is fed into the machine, where it is measured and cut. The band is held by means of a clamp while it is cut. Next, the band is fixed to the cover, beginning with one of its ends. A first adhesive point is placed -600- on the cover by means of an automatic applicator, and subsequently -700- a first end of the band -2- is moved by means of a spatula -31- and placed on the first adhesive point. Next, a press presses the band against the adhesive and the cover in order to fix it in place. For the second end of the band, the procedure is repeated, i.e. an adhesive point is placed -800-, a spatula -32- places the second end on the adhesive point, and a press presses the second end of the band against the adhesive and the cover.

[0027] Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to embodiments of the same, it will be understood that these embodiments are not limitative of the invention, since there could be multiple variables in terms of manufacturing or other details that will be evident to a person skilled in the art after interpreting the subject matter disclosed in the present invention, claims and drawings. Consequently, all variants or equivalents will be included in the scope of the present invention if they can be considered to fall within the broadest scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Method for placing a loop of band on a bookbinding cover, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

- feeding the band;

- measuring the band;

- holding the band by means of a clamp;

- cutting the band;

- placing a first adhesive point on the cover by means of an automatic applicator;

- placing a first end of the band on the first point by means of a first handler;

- pressing the band against the adhesive point and the cover by means of an automatic press;

- removing the press;

- placing a second adhesive point on the pressed part of the band by means of the automatic applicator;

- placing a second end of the band on the second adhesive point by means of a second handler;

- pressing the second end of the band against the second adhesive point by means of said automatic press;

- withdrawing the cover.

2. Machine for implementing the method of claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a station for placing a loop of band on a bookbinding cover, which comprises:

- A band feeding device;

- A device for measuring and cutting the band;

- An automatic adhesive applicator;

- A first and a second handler for placing a first and a second end of band one on top of the other;

- A press.

3. Machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the handlers are spatulate in form.

Drawing