DESCRIPTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to a booklet, a folder, covers or the like and a method and apparatus for their manufacture. More specifically, the invention refers to a folder or the like, comprising two substantially parallel covers, which with the aid of crease lines are connected to a spine bn the inside of which and solely between the crease lines there is attached a strip of binding agent, the strip being intended to be activated for providing adhesion between it and one edge of a sheaf of papers inserted between the covers. Background Art

Booklets, etc. of the kind described in the introduction are already known in many embodiments. Examples of such booklets and how they are manufactured and used are to be found inter alia in the US patent specifications 3 973 787, 4 129 471, 4 289 330 and 4 367 061.

In the last-mentioned specification there is described and illustrated how a glue strip is attached to the inside of the booklet spine substantially simultaneously with crease lines being formed on either side of the strip, this giving, inter alia, the advantage that the glue strip is very carefully oriented between the crease lines, whereby folding the booklet along them can be performed without obstruction from the glue strip, and it is ensured at the same time that the edges of all the sheets of paper later inserted in the booklet are joined to the melted glue strip along the entire length of the spine, while at the same time the booklet in the area of the glue strip is given, both inside and outside, a high-quality implementation without irregularities and other deficiencies deleterious to

A disadvantage burdening the booklet according to the US parent specification 4 367 061 is, however, that outside sheets in a sheaf which is inserted in the booklet for joining to the inside of the booklet spine may come between the glue strip and the covers, particularly for the reason that the covers are not usually parallel, but diverge from the spine. This results in at least the outer sheets not completely coming into contact with the glue strip during the binding operation, in turn resulting in that they can come loose from the finished booklet.

To remove the disadvantage mentioned in the previous paragraph it has been proposed to apply binder and/or guide means on the insides of the covers in the vicinity of the creasing lines between the covers and the spine, as is illustrated in the three first-mentioned of the cited US patent specifications, thus to ensure that all sheets in the sheaf will come into engagement against the strip on the spine. In the case where bind- ing agent is used for this purpose, only the two outmost sheets in the sheaf will be joined to it, wfile the next outmost sheets and possibly further sheets in the sheaf which have come outside the glue strip will not be bound. Furthermore, the use of binding agent on the covers means an increased cost and a more complicated manufacturing method. In the case where guide means are used, the available space between the covers is decreased and an unutilised gap occurs on either side of the sheaf. In the case where the binding agent on both covers and on the strip forms a cohesive band, creasing along the creasing lines or their preparation is made more difficult as well as there being the consumption of an unnecessary large amount of binding agent. Disclosure of Invention it is one object of the present invention at least partially to remove the disadvantages with

previous folders, booklets, covers and the like, as well as the disadvantages with the methods and apparatus for their manufacture.

This object is attained by the invention having been given the distinguishing features disclosed in the characterizing portions of the claims. Description of Figures

Figures 1 and 2 are end views of a folder, a booklet, a cover or the like (in the following designated booklet) according to two embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a previously known, unfolded booklet, which is used as starting product in manufacturing the booklet in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4 is an end view of the booklet according to Figure 3 in a folded condition.

Figure 5 is a perspective view obliquely from above of an apparatus for producing the booklet accord- ing to Figure 1 or 2.

Figure 6 is an end view of a part of the apparatus according to Figure 5 with a booklet inserted therein.

Figure 7 is an end view corresponding to the one in Figure 6 but schematically illustrating a second embodiment of the apparatus.

Figure 8 is a schematic end view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention. Figure 9 is a view seen obliquely.from above illustrating an apparatus for producing a blank for the booklet illustrated in Figure 1. Preferred Embodiments

Two preferred embodiments of the booklet in accordance with the present invention, as it is produced by one of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 5 - 8, is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 1 the folder is provided with two covers 1 and 2, and a spine 3, which can be made in one piece, e.g. from carton or as separate sheets of carton and/or plastics, which are connected in some suitable way to each other. A binding agent in the form of a strip 4 is fastened to the inside of the spine 3. The binding agent consists of such as thermo¬ plastics, hot melt glue or the like, which is in a solid state at room temperature, and on heating to a given temperature melts to become more or less liquid. The strip 4 has a rectangular cross section and is immediately inside the crease lines 5 and 6 between the covers 1, 2 and spine 3. These crease lines 5 and 6 are suitably provided by creasing in connection with attaching the strip 4 to the inside of the spine and forming the crease lines 7 and 8 at a short distance from the lines 5, 6. A method and apparatus for achieving creasing and the fastening of the strip is disclosed in the US patent specification 4 367 061 and also in Figure 9. There is thus achieved that the strip 4 is oriented exactly between the lines 5, 6 so that the subsequent folding can take place un-obstructed- ly, without any obstruction from the strip and without the covers bulging between the lines 5, 7 and 6, 8. Both opposing longitudinal side edges 4a and 4b of the strip 4, which are at right angles to the spine 3, are united with the insides of the covers 1 and 2 in accordance with the invention. This union is made in one or two possible ways, namely by the strip for having been fastened directly to the covers 1, 2, or with the aid of some suitable binding agent of a different kind, which does not require heating for adhesion, e.g. a cold glue, being applied to the strip before the covers are folded along the crease lines 5 and 6 in a direction towards the strip 4.

After the union between the strip 4 and the covers 1 and 2, the latter will be substantially parallel and at right angles to the strip 4, if the crease lines 5 and 6 have small transverse extensions, and this is illustrated in Figure 1. If these crease lines have greater extension the covers 1 and 2 will converge somewhat from the strip, resulting in that the covers form guides in the area of the lines 7 and 8 for a sheaf of papers inserted in the booklet, and the risk of a sheaf with a thickness greater than the width of the strip 4 being inserted in the booklet is reduced.

A modified embodiment of the booklet is illustrated in Figure 2, and here the booklet mainly differs from the one in Figure 1 by the strip, now denoted 9, having a trapezoidal-shaped cross section (i.e. a cross section with two parallel sides and two converging sides) with both the longitudinal non- parallel side edges 9a and 9b united with the covers 1 ' and 2'. In this way these covers, substantially between the lines corresponding to the lines 5, 7 and 6, 8 in Figure 1 , will converge in a direction away from the strip 9 to form a well-defined guide for a sheaf of papers inserted in the booklet and will prevent a sheaf that is too thick from being inserted in it. In the case where the lines 5 - 8 in Figure 1 , and corresponding lines in Figure 2, are creased in the way illustrated in the Figures with crease lines, which are convex seen from the inside of the booklet, the outer sheets in a sheaf inserted in the booklet are prevented from fasten- ing on the crease lines.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , as well as the one in Figure 2, the strip 4 or 9 can have an upper surface which is not entirely flat. This upper surface can thus be convex, concave or may have some other suitable contour. It may also be provided with a centrally situated U- or V-shaped recess or several such

recesses with small transverse extension. To achieve the mentioned union between the strip 4 or 9 and the covers 1 and 2, or 1' and 2' it is however necessary for the side edges of the strip 4 or 9 to have such large surfaces that the mentioned union can be made and maintained. The height of these surfaces should therefore not be less than about 1 mm in Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 3 there is illustrated the starting material used in manufacturing the booklet according to Figure 1 or 2, and therefore the booklet illustrated in Figure 1 will be the only one referred to in the following. This starting material, which is substantially flat, includes the covers 1, 2 and spine 3, these being either united to each other or formed integrally, the strip 4 fastened to the inside of the spine and the crease lines 5 - 8. The starting material is known, and is illustrated in the above-mentioned US patent specification 4 367 061, where there is also illustrated an apparatus for manufacturing it.

In Figure 4 the substantially flat material illustrated in Fig. 3 is now illustrated folded along the crease lines 5 and 6, the folding having been - ^' achieved with such as the folding means illustrated in the US patent specification 4 557 714. As will be seen from Figure 4, the covers 1 and 2 in the vicinity of the spine 3 are spaced from the side edges 4a and 4b of the strip 4, since the booklet material has distanced itself from the strip after folding, due to its elasticity at the crease lines 5, 6.

If a booklet with the cross section illustrated in Figure 4 where to be used for accommodating a sheaf of papers, several sheets in this sheaf could be inserted between each of the covers 1 and 2 and the respective side edge 4a or 4b of the strip, the outmost of these sheets would not then come into contact with

the strip, and would thus not be attached to the booklet in the subsequent activation of the strip, thus causing the accompanying disadvantages accounted for in the introduction. In the case where the strip comprises a thermoplastic or the like, this activation takes place by heating the strip and allowing it to cool after the sheets have sunk into the softened strip. A more detailed description of the activation and an apparatus for providing it is found in such as the US patent specifica- tion 4 367 116.

An apparatus is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 for producing the booklet illustrated in Figure 1 or 2, in Figure 5 the booklet being illustrated partially inserted in the apparatus, and in Figure 6 entirely inserted in the apparatus. Before insertion the booklet has been suitably folded to the configuration illustrated in Figure 4.

The apparatus in Figures 5 and 6 includes a stand 10 placed on a floor, and on the stand there are mounted a motor 11, two upper plates 12 and 13 and four lower plates, three of these plates 14 - 16 being visible. The fourth plate is situated beside plate 16 and behind plate 14. A plurality of pulleys 17 are rotatably mounted on the upper plate 12 and 13 at mutual uniform spacing in the longitudinal direction of the stand, this spacing being less than the length of the booklet. The output shaft of the motor 11 is also provided with a pulley 18. With the aid of a line or cord 19 the pulley 18 drives the pulley 17 illustrated farthest to the left in Figure 5, this pulley then driving the three nearest pulleys 17 via a cord 20. Of the three pulleys 17 just mentioned, both those furthest to the right in Figure 5 drive the remaining pulleys 17 via identical cords 21. Pressure rollers are mounted on the shafts of all the pulleys 17 and are accommodated in recesses in the plate 14 - 16 and the fourth plate. The two nearest pressure rollers 22 and 23 are illustrated in Figure 6,

and the distance between such pressure roller pairs 22, 23 is less than the exterior width of a finished book¬ let. In a zone (at a) immediately above the rollers 22, 23 the distance between opposing plates 14, 15 and 16 and the fourth plate is just as great as the exterior width of the booklet, whereas in a zone (at b) above zone at the distance is substantially smaller. The plates 14 and 15 are provided with electric heating elements 24 and 25 along their entire length where zone a merges into zone b.

When the booklet has been inserted between the plates 14, 15 and both forward pressure rollers 22, 23 in the manner illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the rollers will drive the booklet through the apparatus while the booklet is retained between the plates, due to each roll pair squeezing the booklet via chamfered edges urging the booklet upwards. During the forward travel of the booklet, when the covers 1 , 2 are pressed against the side edges 4a and 4b of the strip 4, these side edges are heated by the heating elements 24 and 25 via the covers and spine so that the side edges become soft. When the booklet leaves the gap between the plates 14 and 15 the side edges are so soft that they adhere to the covers 1 and 2, which are simultaneously pressed against the side edges, this adhesion being made permanent during the continued forward travel of the booklet between the plate 16 and the fourth unillustrated plate, these latter plates being insulated from the plates 14 and 15 and cool the booklet, possibly by un- illustrated cooling element. When the booklet leaves the apparatus, the covers 1 and 2 are permanently united with the strip 4.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 can be modified in different ways. For example, the pressure rollers 22, 23 can be replaced by drive rollers for belts which are in contact with the covers 1 and 2 along the

whole of their length during travel through the apparatus. Neither do the pressure rollers 22, 23 need to be driven, and they can be merely rotatably mounted, thus not requiring the pulleys 17, 18, cords 19 - 21 and motor 11, the booklet then being taken manually through the apparatus. In such an embodiment the pressure rollers 22, 23 can also be dispensed with, and the covers of the booklet can be pressed against each other merely by the plates 14 - 16 and the plate behind plate 16, while the booklet is pulled manually through the apparatus.

In this case the folder is also pressed upwards manually, or is pressed upwards by a bolster mounted between the sides of the booklet and against the strip 4. Instead of the heating elements 24, 25, other heating means can be used, such as hot air jets directed towards the side edges of the strip 4.

Two elongate pressure blocks 26, 27 are illustrated in Figure 7, their length somewhat exceed¬ ing that of the booklet, and they are movable mutually reciprocally in a manner not illustrated. After inserting the booklet between the separated blocks 26, 27 they are urged towards each other to press the covers 1 , 2 against the side edges 4a, 4b of the strip 4, so that the booklet is given the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 or 2. Before the blocks are moved together, the side edges can have been provided with some suitable binder, e.g. a pressure-sensitive glue, which adheres the covers in the pressing procedure mentioned. The union between the side edges and the covers can also take place by heating and subsequent cooling of the strip side edges, e.g. by the blocks 26, 27 being provided with heating elements corresponding to those illustrated in Figure 6 and by the provision of some suitable cooling means after the blocks. If the strip has a rectangular cross section and its edges are heated during the pressing operation, the blocks may be

formed such that the strip is deformed and the booklet is given the configuration illustrated in Figure 2.

According to a further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, which is illustrated in Figure 8, the not yet folded booklet illustrated in Figure 3 can be folded simultaneously with the covers 1 and 2 being united with the side edges 4a, 4b of the strip 4, even though the folder is not provided with creased lines. In this case the book- let is placed on a substructure 30, provided with a slot 31, somewhat wider than the strip 4, so that the strip 4 is immediately above the slot and facing up¬ wards. A punch 32, which is just as wide as the strip 4, is given a movement downwards in Figure 8 such as to press the strip 4 and spine 3 downwards in the slot, thus causing the covers 1 and 2 to be folded upwards along crease lines formed immediately adjacent either side. When the spine comes into engagement against the bottom of a recess 33, connecting up to the slot 31 and formed in a plate 34 insulated from the substructure 30, the covers 1 and 2 being pressed against the side edges 4a, 4b of the strip, said edges are heated by the heating elements 35 and 36 so that the edges at least partially melt. When the punch 32 and booklet are taken back upwards to a position where the side edges 4a and 4b are in the slot 31, the side edges are cooled by the cool or cooled side walls of the slot. After required cooling, the punch and booklet are taken still further upwards, whereupon the finished booklet is removed.

Instead of allowing the apparatus according to Figure 8b to include heating elements 35, 36 and plate 34, glue can be applied to the side edges 4a and 4b before, or in connection with, the not yet folded book- let being placed on the substructure 30, the covers 1 and 2 then being folded along the side edges of the strip 4 and united with these when the punch 32 presses the booklet down into the slot 31.

A still further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figure 9. The apparatus comprises a substructure 40, on which there is mounted a plate 41 and a spraying means 42. The plate 41 is provided with guide rails 43, which are adjustable in the horizontal plane, these guide rails being intended to align a (carton) blank 44 for registering with creasing edges 45 and 46 fastened to, and projecting above the substructure. The spray means 42 comprises a piston cylinder device, the piston rod 47 of which is connected to a spray jet 48, which is supplied with liquid glue (such as hot melt lim) in a manner not illustrated. After the piston rod 47 is moved from one end to the other end of the plate 41, with the jet 48 situated directly above the trough 49 formed by the edges 45 and 46, and has deposited therein a predetermined quantity of binder 50, the blank 44 is laid between the guide rails 43. A press pillow 51 mounted above the plate 41 is then lowered to press against the blank 44, thus causing the edges 45, 46 to form crease lines in it. Simultaneously with this, or immediately afterwards, the blank 44 will come into contact with the binder 50, which is in the trough 48 in the form of a more or less liquid strip, this strip then adhering to the blank. The blank 44 and strip now form an unfolded booklet similar to the one illustrated in Figure 3, but with the difference that the strip still has not completely solidified. Immediately after adhesion by the binder 50 (the strip) to the blank 44, the latter is folded to form the booklet illustrated in Figure 1 or 2, the remaining heat in the strip being utilised during folding to enable the side edges 4a and 4b of the strip to adhere firmly to the covers 1 and 2. This folding procedure may take place using any one of the methods described above with one of the apparatuses described

above, either in the immediate vicinity of, or combined with the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9. Such a combined apparatus can include: a) the bottom 52 in the trough 49 between the edges 45 and 46, this trough being displaceable vertically upwards from the position illustrated in Figure 9, taking with it the not yet folded booklet after the press pillow 51 has been removed sufficiently far from the plate 41, and b) the substructure 30 with the slot 31 in Figure 8, when the bottom 52 in Figure 9 may be said to correspond to the punch 32 in Figure 8, if this figure is viewed upside down. In an apparatus of the last mentioned kind, it is important that the binder 50 is not allowed to solidify completely before folding takes place, and displacement of the bottom 52 must take place immediately after the binder 50 is capable of carrying the blank 44 (covers 1 and 2 and spine 3) or means must be arranged for carrying the blank in some other way. The creasing edges 45, 46 may be heated to reduce the risk of cooling taking place too quickly or for reheat¬ ing the cooled strip.

It will be seen from the drawings and the description of the present invention that different modification and embodiments thereof are possible. Further modifications and embodiments are also possible without departing from the inventive concept.

The invention is thus limited solely by what is disclosed in the claims.