AU2019202286B2

AU2019202286B2 - Methods and apparatus for forming cardboard booklet coverings

Info

Publication number: AU2019202286B2
Application number: AU2019202286A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Geoffrey Briscoe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2019-04-03
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-03
Also published as: AU2019202286A1

Abstract

A method of forming cardboard booklet coverings comprises cutting a cover board rectangularly to size from stock. The board is run along an orthogonal axis thereof through cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus has a cutting guide having an overhang guide surface and a lateral guide surface. A rotating cutting disc extends partway through a work surface beneath the overhang guide surface. An edge of the board is pressed against the lateral guide surface such that the cutting disc cuts a channel partway through a surface of the board at a set offset from the edge according to the position of the lateral guide surface, thereby forming a margin portion between the channel and the edge. The cut board is stacked adjacent a plurality of sheets and fasteners pressed through the margin portion and the sheets, thereby covering a booklet. 9 16 Figure 1 108 110 9 112 111 Figure 2

Description

Figure 1 108

110 9 112

111

Figure 2

Methods and apparatus for forming cardboard booklet coverings Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to a method of forming cardboard booklet coverings in a way which is easier, faster and uses less materials than conventional methods.

Background of the Invention

[2] Covering of receipt, invoice, delivery books and the like typically entails obtaining cardboard covering stock (of which one type is referred to within the industry as "croc board") and cutting the stock into a cover board and using a guillotine to cut the cover board into margin and a remainder portions.

[3] Adhesive tape is then laid on a surface, sticky side up, and the margin and the remainder section adhered thereto in a spaced apart manner (such as by a 2 mm gap) so as to flexibly join the margin to the remainder section.

[4] The constructed covering can then be overlaid paper pages and stapled through the margin section, thereby forming the booklet. The adhesive tape join allows the remainder section to open with respect to the stapled margin.

[5] The present invention seeks to provide a different way of forming cardboard booklet coverings, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[6] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[7] There is provided herein a method of forming cardboard booklet coverings in a way much faster than conventional arrangements, including the aforedescribed.

[8] The method comprises cutting a cover board rectangularly to size from stock. The cover board is then run along an orthogonal axis thereof through cutting apparatus.

[9] The cutting apparatus comprises a cutting guide having an overhang guide surface and a lateral guide surface. A rotating cutting disc extends part way through work surface beneath the overhang guide surface.

[10] An edge of the board is pressed against the lateral guide surface such that the cutting disc cuts a channel part way through an undersurface of the board at a set offset from the edge of the board according to the position of the lateral guide surface.

[11] As such, the channel is formed part way through a surface of the board, thereby

forming a margin portion along the orthogonal axis between the channel and the edge of

the board.

[12] The board is then stacked adjacent the plurality of sheets, typically with the channel

facing outwardly and fasteners such as staples driven therethrough.

[13] As can be appreciated, the present methodology is much faster, easier, reliable and

uses less materials than the aforedescribed methods.

[14] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the guide comprises a spacer plate

defining the lateral guide surface sandwiched between a top plate defining the overhang

guide surface and the work surface.

[15] Further preferably, the position of the spacer plate is adjustable with respect to the

cutting disc. For example, the spacer plate may comprise at least one channel orthogonal

with respect to the lateral guide surface through which fasteners are inserted.

[16] As such, the fasteners can be loosened so as to adjust the respective positioning of

the lateral guide surface with respect to the cutting disc, thereby being able to finely control

the width of the margin portion.

[17] In a further preferred embodiment, the vertical offset of the cutting disc is

adjustable, such as by fine control screw adjustment mechanism. As such, the exact

thickness of the bridge formed adjacent the channel can be controlled. The method may

comprise cutting the channel to between 20 and 80% through the board.

[18] In embodiments, the thickness of the spacer plate may be greater than that of the

cutting board and wherein the cutting board slides to the guide, the rotating cutting disc

presses the cutting board up against the overhang guide surface. In this way, different types of cutting board stock of differing thicknesses may be cut with the thickness of the bridge

adjacent the channel formed thereby being uniform.

[19] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present

invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[21] Figure 1 shows cardboard booklet coverings being cut rectangularly to size from

stock;

[22] Figure 2 shows the cardboard booklet covering being passed along an orthogonal

axis thereof through cutting apparatus to cut a channel through a surface thereof;

[23] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the cutting apparatus in

accordance with an embodiment;

[24] Figure 4 shows the cutting guide of the cutting apparatus in accordance with an

embodiment;

[25] Figure 5 shows an end cross-sectional elevation view of a cover board being cut by

the cutting apparatus;

[26] Figure 6 illustrates a booklet being formed with a cut cover board in accordance with

an embodiment;

[27] Figure 7 illustrates a cut cover board in accordance with an embodiment; and

[28] Figure 8 illustrates a method for forming cardboard booklet coverings.

Description of Embodiments

[29] Figure 8 is of a method for forming cardboard booklet coverings. Step 100 comprises

cutting cover boards 106 rectangularly to size from stock 107 as is illustrated in Figure 1.

The stock 107 may comprise "croc board" as it may be referred to within the industry.

[30] The stock 107 may comprise a mono-material reconstitution of recycled paper fibres.

In embodiments, the stock 107 may comprise a paper laminate sheet adhered to one or both

sides.

[31] Step 102 comprises running the board 106 through cutting apparatus 108 as is

illustrated in Figure 2.

[32] The apparatus 108 may comprise a planar work surface 109 and a guide 110 operably

coupled thereto. The guide 110 may cooperate with a cutting disc 111 thereunderneath to

cut channels 112 through surfaces of the boards 106 run therethrough.

[33] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the apparatus 108 in accordance

with an embodiment. As can be seen, the board 106 runs along the work surface 109 through

the guide 110 such that the cutting disc 111 contacts each board 106 engaged underneath

the guide 110 so as to cut the channel 112 therealong.

[34] The apparatus may comprise an electric motor 112 which may drive the cutting disc

111, including by belt drive 113. The apparatus 108 may comprise dust extraction apparatus

114 which may comprise an inlet hose 115 having an inlet 116 located adjacent the cutting

disc 111 so as to draw air in under the working surface 109 adjacent the portion of the

cutting disc 111 extending through the work surface 109. The inlet hose 115 may enter a collection bin 117 which may comprise a vortex finder 117 through which air is drawn by a vacuum machine 119 to separate collected dust 119 entrained within the air drawn therethrough. Clean air is expelled via an outlet 120.

[35] Figure 4 illustrates the guide 110 in further detail in accordance with an

embodiment. The guide 110 may comprise a top plate 122 which may be right angled so as

to define a horizontal portion 123 and a vertical portion 124. The horizontal portion 123

may define an overhang 125 adjacent the vertical portion 124. A portion of the cutting disc

110 extends through a slot 126 within the working surface 109 beneath the overhang 125.

The guide apparatus 110 may further comprise a spacer plate 127 which may space the

undersurface of the top plate 122 away from the work surface 109.

[36] The top plate 122 lies atop the spacer plate 127 which itself lies atop the work

surface 109. Fasteners 128 may hold the top plate 124 and the spacer plate 127 to the work

surface 109, the fasteners 128 extending through respective apertures thereof.

[37] The spacer plate 127 defines a lateral guide surface 129 parallel with a plane of the

cutting disc 111 which guides an edge 130 of the cover board 106 therealong.

[38] In a preferred embodiment, the lateral offset of the spacer plate 127 is adjustable

with respect to the cutting disc 111 so as to be able to control the positioning of the channel

112 from the edge 130 of the cover board 106. As such, step 101 may comprise adjusting

the lateral guide surface 129 with respect to the cutting disc

[39] In accordance with this embodiment, the spacer plate 127 comprises longitudinal

slots 131 orthogonal with the lateral guide surface 129. The fasteners 128 extend through

each slot 131 respectively.

[40] As such, in use, the fasteners 128 may be loosened and the lateral offset of the spacer plate 127 adjusted with respect to the position of the cutting disc 111.

[41] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the cover board 106 being cut by

the apparatus 108. There is shown the top plate 122 and the spacer plate 127 being held

tight against the work surface 109 by way of the fasteners 128 extending therethrough. The

cutting disc 111 extends through the slot 126 which locates beneath the overhang 125

defined by the horizontal portion 123 of the top plate 122. The vertical portion 124 may be

used to guide the edge 130 of the cover board 126 underneath the overhang 125.

[42] With reference to Figure 7, the board 106 is rectangular and comprises an orthogonal

axis 132 parallel with a respective edge 130 of the cover board 106. When cut, a margin

portion 137 is formed between the channel 112 and the edge 130.

[43] With reference to Figure 5, the edge 130 of the cover board 106 is pressed against

the lateral guide surface 129 of the spacer plate 127 and drawn along the work surface 109

in the manner shown in Figure 2.

[44] An upper surface 133 of the board 106 is pressed against the undersurface 125 by

the action of the cutting disc 111 against the cutting board 106 thereunderneath.

[45] As such, there is shown the cutting board 106 being lifted slightly away from the

surface of the work surface 109, thereby pressing tightly against the undersurface 125 of

the top plate 110.

[46] As such, the thickness of the spacer plate 127 may be greater than the thickness of

the cover board 106 so as to allow different types of cover board 106 having differing

thicknesses to be run through the cutting apparatus 108 with a bridge 134 being formed

thereby being of uniform thickness for proper and uniform hinging action.

[47] As is shown in figure 5, the vertical offset of the cutting disc 111 may be adjustable

such that the depth of the channel 112 and therefore the thickness of the bridge 134 may

be finally adjusted. In embodiments, a screw adjustment mechanism (not shown) may

interface a rotor of the cutting blade 111 for fine adjustment of the vertical offset of the

cutting blade 111. The board 106 may be cut such that the channel 112 extends between 20

and 80% partway through the board.

[48] Figure 6 shows the cut board 106 being stacked adjacent a plurality of paper sheets

135 to form a booklet 136. In the embodiment shown, upper and lower cut cover boards

106 are stacked either side of the paper sheets 135 for hinged action at both sides of the

booklet 136. Furthermore, the channels 112 may face outwardly. However, in embodiments,

a cut board 106 may be provided on one side of the booklet 136 only for one-sided hinging. In other embodiments, the channels 112 may face inwardly.

[49] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature

to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one

skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention.

Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for

purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit

the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations

are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described

in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby

enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of forming cardboard booklet coverings, the method comprising cutting a cover board rectangularly to size from stock, running the board along an orthogonal axis thereof through a cutting apparatus, the cutting apparatus comprising a cutting guide having an overhang guide surface and a lateral guide surface, and a rotating cutting disc extending partway through a work surface beneath the overhang guide surface, an edge of the board being pressed against the lateral guide surface such that the cutting disc cuts a channel partway through a surface of the board at a set offset from the edge according to the position of the lateral guide surface, thereby forming a margin portion between the channel and the edge, stacking the cut board adjacent a plurality of sheets and pressing at least one fastener through the margin portion and the sheets, wherein the cutting guide comprises a top plate defining the overhang guide surface and a spacer plate thereunderneath spacing the top plate away from the work surface, the spacer plate defining the lateral guide surface along an edge of the spacer plate and wherein the lateral guide surface is parallel with a plane of the cutting disc.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a position of the spacer plate is adjustable with respect to a position of the cutting disc and wherein the method further comprises adjusting the position of the spacer plate with respect to the position of the cutting disc to adjust the width of the margin portion.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spacer plate comprises at least one slot therethrough and at least one respective fastener extending through the top plate and the spacer plate to fasten the top plate and the spacer plate to the work surface and wherein the slot is orthogonal with respect to the lateral guide surface and wherein the method comprises loosening the fastener to move the position of the spacer plate to a chosen position and subsequently tightening the at least one respective fastener.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top plate is right angled in that the top plate comprises a horizontal top plate portion and a vertical top plate portion.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein stacking the cut board adjacent the plurality of sheets comprises orientating the cut board with the channel thereof facing outwardly.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising stacking a further cut board oppositely adjacent the sheets.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein pressing at least one fastener through the margin portion comprises pressing staples through the margin.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is between 1-5 mm in width.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is approximately 2 mm in width.
10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical offset of the cutting disc with

respect to the overhang guide surface is adjustable and wherein the method comprises

adjusting the vertical offset of the cutting disc to adjust the depth of the channel.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the channel extends between 20 and 80%

partway through the cover board.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cutting guide comprises a top plate

defining the overhang guide surface and a spacer plate thereunderneath spacing the top

plate away from the work surface, the spacer plate defining the lateral guide surface along

an edge thereof and wherein the lateral guide surface is parallel with a plane of the cutting

disc and wherein a thickness of the spacer plate is greater than a thickness of the cover

board and wherein, when running the board beneath the overhang guide surface, the

cutting disc presses the cutting board up against the overhang guide surface.