CA1038563A - Forming and applying jackets to book covers - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Books to be jacketed are fed in open position and in a first direction to an assembly station where the covers of a fresh-ly arrived book enter between the central panel and the flaps of a prefabricated jacket which is transported to the assembly station in second direction counter to the first direction. The feed of books is interrupted in response to an interruption of the transport of jackets, or vice versa, and each book is inspected prior to being fed to the assembly station in order to determine whether or not the end papers adhere to the respective covers. The jackets are prefabricated from rectangular blanks which are withdrawn from a stack and are folded by pairs of coating mechanical folding devices at least one which is heated to provide each jacket with perman-ent creases in regions where the flaps adhere to the central panel.
Jacket books are closed and descend into a channel or directly onto a conveyor from which they can be removed by hand for stack-ing at one or both sides of the assembly station.

Description

_~ ~Q3~35~3 The present invent~n reIates to a meth~ and apparatus for applying jackets to books, brochure~, catalogs or the like, and more particuLarly to a method and apparatus for automatic appllcation of jackets to commodities generally known as or resembling books and having two hard or soft outer covers and a number of Leaves or sheets disposed between and riveted, pasted or otherwlse secured to the cov-ers.
German Offenlegungsschrift No. 23008,13$ discloses a method and apparatus for automatic application of jackets to books. Th~
books are fed seriati~ to a position above a jacket which is provid-ed with two partially folded flaps. One cover of a book which is h ld in such po~ition i9 then opened by means of suction cups and the rè-j ~ .~, :
spective flap is folded thereover. In the next step, the book is inverted to expose the o~her cover~and the latter Ls opened by suc-tion cups to allow or folding of the other flap before the other cover is closed.
A drawback of such method and apparatus is that the~sys~
.- . .
tem for controlling the deformation of successive jacke~ blanks, the transport and manipulation o~ jac~ets, as well as the transport and ~20 manipulation of books are too complex and prone to malfunction, and that the conversion from jacketLng of one type or size of books to jacketing of another type of size of books consumes too muc~h time .. .
and necessitates several compLex adjustmentsO StilL further, the acketing~operatinn must be preceded by an inspectLon o~ books which nor~ally takes pLace at a looation remote from the jacketing appa~
ratus. The inspectLon i~voL~as determining whether or not the free , : :
end papers of a book adhere to papers which overlie the inner sides of the covers.

An object of the invention is to provlde a novel and im-proved apparatus or appLying jackets to books in such a way that :~38~i~;3 the application of jackets ls incLdental to ano~her operation which is to be performed before the books are ready for shipment to stores, schools, libraries or other institutions.
Another object of the invention is to provlde an appara~
tus wherein the books can be jacketed at the same rate at which they pass the final inspection including a determination whether or not the end papers adhere to the respective cover~s.
A further object of the invention i9 to provide an appara- -tus which can be rapidly converted for jacketing of differently di-mensioned books and which is simpler, more compact~ more reLiablesnd more versatile than heretofore known apparatus.
An additionaL object of the inventinn is to provide an `
,.
apparatus whose jacketing operation is reproducible with a hlgh de~
gree oE accuracy and which can furnish jacketed books in an optimum ~ `~
position or orientation for urther processlng, such as the intro~
:. . ~ :.
duction of jacketed books into boxes or~other types of receptacles.

; Still another object of the invenei~n is to provide a no~

~ el and improved method of manipulating jackets prior to, during and - ~ ~ subsequent to fblding around the covers of books.

~20 A further;object of the invention i~ to provide a book ~acketing method which can be practiced substantially simul~aneous~
.
ly with the customary finaL inspection oE books for determining the~
:
condition of their end papers ~ The method of the present~invention involves the applica-i ` tion of jackets to covers~of books or sLmiLar commodities (herein-~` after called books), and co~prises the steps of converting succes~
. . .
.
sive preferably rectanguLar sheet-like blanks into jackets each in-- ~ ~ cluOing a central panel and two fl~ps whlch a~ least par~ially over-~;` ; lap the panel, movLng successive ~ackets to an assembly station a-long a flrst path, opening successive books so ~hat their covers , ~ ,. - ~
', :

~ .
lQ~S~i3 are spaced apart from the leaves, moving the thus opened books to the assembly station along a second path so that portions o the covers of a book enter be~een the panel and the 1aps of a jacket at the assembly station, and closing the thus jacketed book so that the flaps of the respective iacket are located between the covers and the leaves of the closed book.
The jackets which are m~ved along the first path pre~er- : :
ably advance coun~er to the direction of movement of books along the seocnd path ~ .
L0 The method may ~urther comprise the steps of inspecting each book immediateLy prior to entry into the second path,~ and such :
inspecting step may comprise determining whether or not the end papers which flank the leaves adhere to the respective covers and introducing into the second path only those books wherein ~he end .
papers do not adhere to the covers.
The first moving step preferably incLudes maintaining:the ;-~.
panels of successive jackets in a substantia:lly horizontal plane : :
during travel along the first path, and the second moving step pref-.
erabLy comprises maintaining the covars of successive bonks in a substantially horizontaL plane during travel along the second path.
The method may farther comprise the step of moving jacket- .
ed books along a third path, and such step preferably includes main-: taining the jacketed books in a subseantially vertical plane, at ~least~during the interval immed~ tely following the ^removal from .
the assembly station.
The step o~ converting blanks into jackets preferabLy com- ~.
prisos heating the blanks in regions where the flaps ad~here to the respectiva central panels~ especially if one or both sides of each . ~ blank are coated with a. fllm of thermoplastic synth~ic plastic ma terial~ Such heating resalts in ~he formation of permanent creases -- .
,. . , . ~ ; ~, ,~ , 1()385~3 in the re~ions where tle fLaps ad~lere to the respective cen~ral pan- - ~
els. ` ~.
The method preerably further comprises the steps of mon-itoring the one and/or the other path for the presence of Jackets and/or books therein, and interrupting the movement o~books or ~sckets along the respective path in response to detected absence ,:
of jackets or books. .
The 1aps are preferabl~ maintained in a predetermined orientatlon with respect to the corresponding central paneLs at the assembly station so as to insure that the c~vers of an opened book . .
can find their way into the spaces between the flaps and the paneL
of a jacket which is to be assembled with such book.
A jacketed book is preerably moved from the assembly sta-~tion t~ a lower leveL and is preerably held in a vertical pLane dur-.
ing such movement. The movement to a lower Level is preerably ol- ~.
l~wed by a sidewise movement of~the jacketed book or ~y ~ilting of ~ the book into a substantLaLIy:horlz~o~taL k~ane. ~The evacuation of a jacketed book from the assembly~station is preerably accompanied, ~.preceded or followed by the step of aligning the jacket;with the 20~ respective book so that the panel of the jacket fuLLy overLaps, con~
ceals and hence protects the respective covers. This can be achiev- ~
..
ed by causLng the Leading edges of the covers to abut against a : . suitable stop immediately upon evacuation from the assembly:s~ation or by~causing the jacketed books to vibra~e upon evacuation from~
the assembly~station so as to shift~the covers reL~tive to the jack~
~; et and/or vice versa, .
The novel features which are cnnsidered as charact2ristic :: : :
of tha Lnvention are set forth in par~icular in the appended claims. ~;

The improved jacketLng apparatus ltself, however, both as to Lts construction and its mode oE oper~tion, together with additionaL ~.
:~ .

~ ~ .

1~)3E~ i3 features and advantages thereof, t~ilL be best understood upon per-usaL of the following detailed description of certain specifLc em-bodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.
FIG, 1 is a somewhat schematic plan..view of a flrst jack~
eting apparatus which embodies the invention;
FIG. la is a perspective view showing successive stages of making a jacket and the assembly of such jacket with a book;
: FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of ~he apparatus ~
':
~f FIG. l; ~ ~ ~
:10 FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectionaL view ~.
. .: :.
substantially as seen in the d~rection of arrows from the line III- :~
, III of FIG. l; : ~ -.
FIG. 4 is an ~nlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical ; 8ectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IV-. IV of FIG. 3;
~ FI6. 5 is an enlarged view of a deta l in FIG. ~3, sho~in~
t,~ ~ one of:two mobile blank folding members in~an idle position;~
FIG. 6 shows the structure~of FI6. 5 bu~ ~ieh ;the one fold- ~ -ing member in an intermediate position;
., 20 FIG. 7 shows the structure of FIG. 5 or 6 but with the . -~
one folding.member in an operative posi~ion;
.. . . .
FIG. 8 is sn enlarged ramgentary sectional vLew as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VIII-VIII of FIG. L;
FIG. 9 Ls an enlarged~fragmentary sectional vLew as seen ~;
In the direction of arrows from thé line IX-IX of FIG. l;
FI6. Lo is an enlarged~transverse vertical ~ectional view ,, i . : : . ~ : ~ -, .~ as seen in the direction o arrows~ from the line X-X of FIG. 1; :
- :~ FI~. 11 iLlustrates the structure o FIG, 10 but with the closLng arms for book covers in:operative positions, FI6. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal ver~ical sectionaL
B

1 view as seen in the dir~iction of arrows from the line XII-XII o~
FIG. 10; ;~
FIG. 13 is located on the same sheet as FIG. lA ancl is a plan view of a control panel in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 12; ,~ ~
FIG. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 illustrate the details of the ~ ;
control circuit in the apparatus of FIG. 1 to 12;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion o~ a second - -apparatus;
FIG. 20 is an end elevational view of a vibrating trough in the apparatus of FIG. 19; and , -FIG. 21 is a perspective view oE a portion of a third ~ . .
apparatus.
FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a first jacketing apparatus which com-prises several units serving to manipulate successive jackets 15 and books~25 in a manner which will be briefly outlin~ed by referring sim~
ultaneously to FIG. lA. The jackets 15 are obtained i~n response to deformation of rectangular blanks or~sheets 16 consisting of~paper ;~
or other suitable material. The b;lanks 16 form a stack 17~(FIG. 2 , . -:
which is supported by a platform 35 of the jacketing apparatus. The platform 35 is mounted at one end of a frame 36 and is movable up and down.
The first step in deforming a blank 16 includes providing ~;
it with two~flaps 18, 19 which partlally overlap one side cf the ;~
centraI portion or panel 20 of the respective blank. The panel~
20 remains flat or substantial~ly flat while the thus obtained jacket 15 moves edgewise toward the other end of the frame 36 so as tc be automatically assembled with a book 25 which, at *hat time, is moved .
in a direction toward the~stack 17 with its covérs 26l 27 located~ r in a common plane and with its leaves or sheets 24 located in planes ~-, , , which are normal or substantially normal~to the common plane of the - 7 ~

- ~L03~5~3 covers 26, 27. As a freshly formed jacket 15 advances ln the direc- ;
tion lndicated by an arrow 37, the correspQnding book 25 advances in the direction indlcated by an arrow 137 whereby the outer por-tions of the covers 26, 27 automatically enter the spaces between the flaps 18, 19 and the central panel 20 be~ore the apparatus begins to pivot the covers ~oward each other so that the fLaps are ultimate- -ly conflned between the covers and the respectiLve free end papers 28, 29,..The cLosed book 25, with the jacket LS thereon9 is thereupon caused to move downwardly by sliding along an inclined chute 38 whereby the front edges of its covers strike aga~ t a stop 39 which shi~ts the jacket lS (if necessary) so that the front edge of the jacket is flush with the adjacent edges of the covers. The proper-ly jacketed book is then ready for manual or automatic ~ransfer into ~ ;
8torage or into a receptacle, e.g., into a crate, box or the like.
Thé books 25 are inspected before they reach the upper stretch of a firs~ ~elt conveyor 40 which t~qvels belo~ wo uprieht -~inne~ guides 41, 42 for the sheets 24 and free end papers 28, 29.
When the sheets 24 and end papers 28, 29 enter the gap between the inner guides 41, 42, the covers 26, 27 (which lie flat on the upper stretch of the belt conveyor 40~ travel below the guides 41, 42 and between two outer guides 43, 44 which are adJustable along a trans- ~ ;
versely extending horizontal rod or bar 45 so that the width of the space between the guides 43, 44 slightLy exceeds ~he width of an open book 25. The inner guides 41,~ 42 are adjustable along a simi-lar transversely extending rod or bar 46. The inner guides 41, 42 respectively carry idler rollers or wheeLs 47, 48 which roll along the inner sides of open covers 26, 27 whiLe a book 25 advances with .
the conveyor 40 and onto the upper stretch of a shorter second belt conveyor 49. The conveyors 40, 49 are driven ~y a motor 50 in such a way that the conveyor 49 travels faster ln order to aut:omatically 8 ::

.. ~ , . . . - .... . . . .......................................... , ~

, ., ' . . .~ ,,. . - ~ .

~.~3~3 increase the distance between a preceding book 25 and the next-fol~
, . ;; .
lowing book. .-.

The ~otor S0 is preferably of the variable speed type so ;~

that it can change the speed of the conveyors 40 and 493 if and when necessary, particularlx when the jackets 15 on the books 25 . ~
, . .
abutting the stop 39 of FIG. 2 are not in accurate register with - the respective covers 26, 27. The speed of the conveyor 40 changes ~ ~
proportLonally with that of the conveyor 49 in response to each . : - .
change of RPM of the motor 5p.
~ A book 24 which Ls pLaced onto the conveyor 40 has been inspected by an attendant who determines whether or not the end papers 28, 29 adhere to the covers 26, 27. Such insp2ction is de-sirabLe in order to insure that a jacket l5 is not destroyed or dam~
aged during attachment to a defective book. If the book is satis~
factory, its sheets 24 and ene papers 28,29 are introduced.into the vertical gap between the Lnner guLde 41, 42 whereby ths belt convey~
: or 40 entrains the covers 26, 27 and advances the book onto the belt~
~ . cnnveyor.49. The attendant can separate~the end papers~ 28, 29~rom ; the respective covers 26, 27 if the bond between the end paper 2 20 : or 29 and the respective cover Z6 or 27 can be destroyed without affecting the appearance and/or~integrity of end papers and/or covers.
. A~blank.16 which has been removed from the stack 17-on .
the mobLle platform:35 by one or more suction cups~is dep~osited Dn ;
:the downwardly inclined.~up?er~stretch of a belt cDnveyDr 51~9D that :~ the blank can advancs toward~a folding station 52. The platfonm 35-~
can descend~automstically~in response~tD removal of discrers blanks ~ ~ ~
: 16:or upon completed~removal ~f several (P.g., five, six~ seven or ~.
elght) blanks, depending on the thlckness of blanks~ ALI that counts ~:is to ins:ure that ~he uppe~most blank 16 of the stack 17 can be : 30reached by the su~tion cup or cups for transfer onto the belt con- :

.,.. , .. j .
- ` - .

5~3 veyor 51. The means for llfting the platform 35 in stepwLse ~ashion may comprise an intermittentLy rotated feed screw 35a ~r any other suitable lifting means. .
A blanlc L6 which reaches the folding station 52 is trcat~
ed as follows: Such blank rests on two timin~, belt conv2yors 53 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which are advanced stepwise to move the jack2ts 15 toward a station 54 where the jackets are assembled with the books 25. The conveyors 53 have aLigned entraining elements 53a which Lo~
cate successive blanks 16 in predetermined positions at the folding station 52 so that a blank at the station 52 is in an optimum pDSi~
tinn for the making of flaps 18, L9, i,e., for conversion into a ~ :
~acket 15.
The folding instrumentalities at the station 52 incLude two blank guides 55, 56 (FIG. 3) which center the blanks L:6 at the ~ station 52, ewo fixed folding ~r creasing members 57, 58 above the ~ -: upper stretches of the timing belts 53 and two mo~ile folding or creasing members 59, 60 which are res~pectively disposed between the guides 55, 56 and folding members 57, 58 and are movable between the positions shown ~or the folding member 60 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, ~ .
The foldlng instrumentaLities further comprise two pressure plates :~
61, 62 which can be~biased upwardly by springs 63 to urge the:~blank 16 against the respective fLxed folding members 57, 58 during the ~ :
making o fLaps 16, L7. The means~for moving the folding member 60 ~ :
and the associated pressure plate 62 comprises a sleeve 64 (FIG. 5 7) whLch surrounds a rod-like support 65 ~or the pressure~plate 62j a piston rod 66 which carries the sLeeve 64 and axially mova~ly sup~
ports the ~upport 65, a first link 67 which is articul.ately connect~
ed to the sleeve 64 and carries the folding member 60, and a second :
link 68 ~hich is articulately connected with t~e link 67 and receives ~0 motiQn from a piston.rod 6~. The piston rods 66 and 69. are respec-1 ~3 - ~ :
. ~ r llF

~C)38S63 tively movable by pneumatic cylinders 66a and 69a (FIG. 3) whose op-eration is synchronized so that the ~olding member 60 can be moved ;~
from the inoperative or retracted pos~ ion of FIG. 5, through the intermediate position of FIG. 6, and to the operative posLtion of FI~. 7 to thereby provide a blank 16 with the flap 19. The member 60 is thereupon retracted to the position ~f FIG. 5 before the jack-- :
, . ~ .
e~ 15 is advanced toward the assembly station 54. The operation of ~ :
the folding member 59 and pressure plate 61 is analogous (see the cylinders 66b and 69b).
Each of the folding members 59, 60 has a groove 70 wh;ch :'~
,, receives the outermost portion of the associated foLd~ g member 57, :.~
. ~ ..
58 during creasing of a bLank 16. The folding members 57, 58 are heated by heating units HEl and H~2 to thereby promote the formation o premanent creasRs betwéen the centraL panel 20 and the 1aps L8, 199 especially if the material of blanks 16 includes layers of syn~
theti~ thermopLastic materiai.
. ~ It is clear that the heating units HEl and HE2 (or analog~
: : ous heating units) can be provided on or associated with the mobile : folding members 59, 60~ Furthermore, the apparatus may comprise a .~.
heating unit for each of the folding members 57-60. The arrangement of FIG. 3 is preferred at this time because the heating units HE
snd HE2 remain stationary. .;~
` Freshly formed flaps;18~19 are thereupon caused to pass through a channeL 73 (FIG. 8) w~h:tenminates short of the assembly ~tstion 54 so that the flaps L8, 19 are free t;o pivot to the posi-:
tions shown for the flap 19 in FIG. 9. In such positions, the ~laps are sufficiently spaced frvm the central paneL ~0 of a jacket 15 to ~. ~
~: allow or in~roduction of the respective covers 26J 27 at the sta-: tlon 54. The bel~ conveyors 51 and 53 are driven by a main motor ~ 30 74 through the medium of a clut~h 75 shown in FIG. 2. ~ ;~

", r ~` 10~35~3 `
The assemblin~ of books 25 with jackets L5 takes place on a platform 76 (FIGS. 2 and 12) which is plvot~ble at 77 to per~
mit a jacketed book to descend into the chute 38. The means for assembllng includes two closing arm~ 78, 79 (FIGS. 10 and IL) hav- ;
ing portlons 78a, 79a which overlie the flaps 18, l~. The arms 78 and 79 are pivotable at 80, 81 to move the covers 26, 27 from the ~ -open positions of FIG. 10 to the partly cLosed positions o FIG. 11. .~
The means for pivoting the arms 78, 79 comprises links 8Z, ~3 which ~:
are attached to a crosshead 84 on the pis~on rod 85 of a pneumatic cylinder 86 in the frame 36.
The portions 78a, 79a of the closing anms 78, 79 have roLler~ followers 78b, 79b which engage stationary cams 87, 88 when the arms 78, 79 assume the idle positlons shown in FIG 10. The ex-.
tensions 78c, 79c of the portions 78a, 79a are then spaced apart . ,~ . ;
from the adjacent flaps 18, 19 of a jacket 15 at the assembLy sta~
-tion 54 SpriQgs 89, 90 respectively bias the portions 78~,~79a in :~ :
directions indicated by arrows 91, 92 so as to move the extensions : ~
7ac, 79c flush agaLnst the flaps 18, 19 (FIG. ll) when the roller : ::
followers 78b, 79b are disengaged from the cams 87, 88. The por-tions 78a, Z9a are adjustable with respect to the main portions of ,: ~
the respective arms 78, 79 ~o that these arms can be used for the ~ .
closing of covers of smaller or larger books. As shown in the right-hand portion of FIG. 10, the main portion of the closing arm 78 has severaL tapped bores 93 for screws or analogous fasteners 94 : which can secure the portion 78a in a desired position at a selected distance from the pivot 80. The adjustable moun~ing of portion 79a ~n the main portion of the closing arm 79 is analogous.
The platform 76 is pivotable by the piston rod g5 of a ~pneumatic cylinder 96 shown in FIG. 12.
The free end papers 28, 29 of the books 25 are inspected ~2 .... , , ~ .

... . ...... ~ .. . ,.. , .. .. ,, . ., ~ ~ , ; ~
~ l~385~;3 on a table or platform 97 tFIG. 2) whose upper sLde is ~lush with the upper stretch of the belt conveyor 40, A book at the assembly statLon 54 overlies the platform 76 to such an extent that it sl~ es off the latter as soon as the ~"
platfonm is pivoted to its inclined position, A ~acketed book 25 which abuts agai~t the stop 39 of FIG.

2 is moved sideways by an intermittently operated piston rod (see the piston rod 204 of FIG 19) to provide room for t~e next-follow-- ing book The books which are pushed aside by the piston rod ~orm a row of books in a channel which can discharge books onto a take~
off conveyor or from which the books are removed at intervals by an attendant who places stacks of uninspected books onto the table 97, The piston rod which expels jacketed books from the chute 38 forms part of a double-actin~ pneumatic cylinder and piston unit DP5 The unit DPS can be replaced by an eLectromagnet or by~any~Deher suit~
able means or expellLng a jacke~ed book which abuts against the stop 39 It is also within the purview of the inventîon to move 3acketed books aLternately to opposite sides of the stop 39, i.e., ;
to provide a channel at each side of the chute 38. The unit DP5 is then replaced wi~h;an evacuating unlt which can move jacketed~books which abut the stop 39 toward or away from the observer of FIG. 2.
The frame 36~further supports a control panel 105 for sig--nal lamps, actuating knobs, gauges and other elements of the control~
system, see FIG. 13.~ The parts on the top face of the control panel 105 include a selector knob for a switch~MS2 which can be moved be~
~ween a first posltion (MANUAL), a second position (OFF) and a third ~-position (AUTO~TIC), Two lamps are provided~to indicate ~hat the heaters HEl and HE2 for the fixed folding members 5~, 58 are on or oif. Another knob is provided for a main switch MSl. The other .. 13 . ~`.. ..

~ (~3~563 pushbuttons on thei.control panel 105 serve to actuate switches PB3~
PB10 and PB13-PB16. Two addLtional l~obs on the panel L05 serve to select the positions of moving c~ntacts o~ sw:LtGhes ~4 and ~5 `~
FIGS. 15 to 18 show a circult diagram of a control axrange~
ment in the apparatus of FIGS. 1-13. The cD~onents of this circuit are as folLows~
Units Rl, R5, R7, R8 and R15 are eleven-terminaL reLay de-vices, the termLnals-of each such relay device being designated 1, ~ .
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 77 8, 9, 10, 11. Each of these reLay devices comprise~
a relay wLndLng (connected between the respective terminaLs 2 and 10) and three normally closed relay switches which are respectively ;~
connected between terminals 1 and 4, 5 and 6, and 11 and 8. When a relay wlnding between the terminals 2 and 10 becomes energized, it ~ ~ ;
causes the ass~ciated relay switches to open. Each of the reLay de~
vices Rl, R5, R7, R8 and R15~further comprises three~normally open relay switches which~are respectively connected between terminals 1 and 3, 6 and 7, and IL and 9. When the relay winding between the : `
terminals 2 and L0 of a relay device~becomes energized, it çauses ~-the associated normally open relay switches to close.
, ; 20 ~ The units R2, R3, R4, R6, R10 and R16 are eight-terminal ~ ~:

~; relay devices9 the terminaIs of each such relay device being desig~
~ ~ nated 1~ 2, 3, 4, 5, 69 ?, 8. Each of the eight-terminal~relay de~
vices comprises a relay winding (connected between the respective terminals 2 and ~7) and two nonmally closed relay switches respective-ly connected between termLnals L and 4,~and between ter~inals a and 5. When a relay winding between ~he terminals 2 and 7 becomes en~
; ergized, it ause~the associated normally closed relay switches to open. Each of the relay devices ~2, R3, R4, R6, R10 and RL6 furth-er comprises two normally open relay switches which are respective-Ly connected between terminals 1 and 3, and between tarm:inals 8 and ~ I : ~

....
.~ ~

~ 038563 6, When a relay wlnding betwe~n the terminaLs 2 and 7 becomes en~
ergized, it cause the associated normaLLy open relay switclles to close.
The units R12, R13 and R33 a~e eight:-terminal relay de-vices which are identical to the reLay deuices R29 R3, R4, R6, RL0 and R16, However, all elght terminals of the relay devices R12, R13 and R33 are not sh~wn in the drawing; only the terminals 2 and 7, ~etween which is connected the respective relay winding, are explic~
itly marked. It will be understood, h~wever, that the other termin~
als and interconnecting sw~iches are nonetheless present.
The units R9 and Rll are eight-tenminal time-deLay relay devices, in all respects identical to the eight-terminaL reLay de-vices just described, except that the relay switches o~ the relay devlces R9 and Rll do not respond immediately to the establishment of energizing current in the respective relay winding; they respond only after the elapse of a predetermLned adjus~abie tlme deiay in~
~terval.
The unit R14 is an eleven-terminaL latching relay device having terminals designated A, B, L, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (termin-als ~ and 5 not sh~wn). The device R14 comprises two normally cLosed ;~relay switches which are respectiuely connected between the termin- ~ ;
als 1 and 7, and between the~terminals 3 and 9; two nonmally open~
relay switches whLch~are respectively connected between terminals 4 and 7, and between terminals 6 and 9; and a bistable relay coil ~ -arrangement, not shown. TermLnal B serves as SET input~,~whereas~
terminal 8 serves as a RESET input.;l~hen a SET pulse ls applied : to the termlnal B, ~he ~wo normaLly closed and the tw~nonmally open relay switches of the devi~e RL4 respectively assume their open and '~

closed posltLons. Converselyj when a RESET pulse Ls applLed to 30 tenminal 8~ the four relay switches in RL4 reassume thleir normal - .,.. ,_ ,, , , . ~ . . _,~

~ 3~ `3 positions. The terminaL A is a supply terminal which is directly connected to a voltage s~pply lLne AT29.
The various termlnals of the relay devices Rl through R16 are interconnected with each other. In order to facilitate under-standing, where appropriate, each such terminaL of each of the relay devices Rl through R16 which is connected to a terminal of another relay device i5 labelled to designate the othex terminaL. For exam~
ple, the terminal 3 o~ relay device R3 is designated with tha legend "R4T2:, signifying that this terminal is connected to the terminal 2 of relay device R4; conversely, the ~erminal 2 o relay device R4 is designated with the legend "R3T3", sy~bolizing the }us~-explained iact th~t the terminal 2 of R4 is connected to terminal 3 of R3.
The circui~ of FIGS. 14-18 incLudes connections between ;~
the terminals of diferent relay devices Rl through R16, cQnpections ~ ;
, . , : : . ~ . , :. . .
between terminaLs beLonging to the same relay device, a~ aLso con~
nections from such terminals to other components of the control~cir~
cu~t. For example, the terminal;l of the relay device R5 is~;connect-~

-.
ed directly to terminal 2 of R5; ~this connection is readLly perceiv-able because it inv~lves two terminals Df the same relay devLce so that no explanatory legend is necessary. See also the readi~ly trace-able direct ~onnectinn between the terminal 2 of R7 and the terminal 2 of R8. The terminal 9 of R7 is connected to a remote circuit junc~
tio~ ATl; this explains the use of the legend 'iATl" at the ~erminal 9 of R7. The application of such legend eliminates the need for ~:
showing a long connecting wire which would be dif~icult to trace, ~ -, ~ The connections between certain~relay switches which are installed :~
in the relay devices Rl to R16 are shown as being connec~ed externaL
~o the respective relày devices. For example~ FIG. 16 shows a norm-aLly closed switch beneath ~hich appears the legend "R3'l lndicating i that this normally cLosed switc~ is vne of the normally closed relay ~ ~ ~

10385~
swltches in the relay device R3; furthermore, the left-hand and right-hand ~ermin~Ls of this switch are designated 8 and 5, respec- -tively, indicating that the swltch in question is the normalLy clos-ed switch between the simiLarly numbered term:Lnals o the relay de-vice R3. Immediately to the right of the switch above the reference character R3 in FIG. 16, there is shown a ~url:her switch above the legend "R4" which indica~es that this is one of the switches in the relay device R4; furthermore, the terminaLs of this switch are shown at 8 and 69 signifying that the switch in question is instaLled in and connected between the similarly designated terminals of the re~
lay device R4. The two switches just discussed are shown as being connected with each other in 5eries, and this is consistent with the use of symbolic legends at the terminaLs of the relay devices RL
through Rl6. For exampLe, still referring to the swltches R3(8~5) and R4(8-6) of FIG. 16, it wilL be seen that the tenminal 5 of switch R3(8-6).is connested directLy to terminal 8 of switch R4(8-6 Looking at the relay device R3 of FIG. 16, it will be noted that the tenminal 5 is labelled "R4T8", signifying that such terminal~is di-rectly connected to~terminal 8 of the~relay device R4; converseLy, the terminal 8 of relay device R4 In FIG, 16 is labelled "R3T5", signifying that this terminal is connected directly to terminal 5 of the relay device R3. ~ :
It will be noted that the~connections are shown symbolic-ally by means of legends and, additionally,~by showing the internal relay switches connected to each other as though they were external to ~he respective relay devices.
: The mOtOr lM of FIGS~ 15 and 16 is the book infeed motor 50 shown ln FIG. 2, This motor is depicted-twice in order to reduce the number of lines representing conductor wires. .~
3Q . .The motor DM of FIG. L5 is the main motor 74 which drives ," ~, .

~ . , ... ,- ~ ; -, ., . .. ~ i, ~ 0385~3 the timlng belts 53 of FIGS. 2-3 through the intermediary oE clutch 75.
The motor TM of FIG. 15 is the motor (not depicted in FIG.
2) which raises and lowers the stack-supporting platform 3S o FIG. -2 by rotating the feed screw 35a, Ihe motor VlM of FIG, 15 drives a fan or another suitable suction generating device for the ~non-illustrated) suction cups which,, in FIG. 2, transfer successive blanks 16 from the stack 17 , :;~
. onto the belt conveyor SL.
The motor V2M tshown also in FIG. 2) drLves a -fan or the Like to generate suction for a suction holding device which hoLds a jacket 15 in place at the assembly station 54. In E'IG, 2, there is shown a pneumatic conduit L20 leading rom motor V~M to a member 121 positioned intermediate the folding arms 78, 79 and the conveyox belt 49. The member 121 extends transversely to the direction of .
:~ book advancement and serves to hold the jacket L5 in place by apply- : ;
ing suction substantially across the entire transverse width of the : :
~acket at station 54. :
The motors DM, TM, VlM, V2M and lM are driven by ~hree-phase current. The three-phase power lines are designated LL, L2, ~L3. ~ . .~. .
~ FIG. 14 shows tha ma~n switch MSl which must be closed i the motors ~M, TM, VLM, V2M and 1M are to be driven, However, the ~:
closing of main swItch MSl is not suffLcient to cause these motors to run, Each of these motors is connected to the supply lines Ll, .
L2, L3 by one or more trios of relay switches, : Motor DM is connected to power lines Ll, L2, L3 by way of .
a trio of reLay switches designated D (FIG. 15~ These reLay switch~
es clsoe when a rel~y winding RD ~FIG. 14) is energized.
: 30 ~otor I~I is connected to power lines Ll, L2, L3 by way of -~ 0385~3 a first triD of rel~y switches designated R17 ' and by way o a sec-ond trio of relay switches designated R12' (FIG. 15). t~hen one of these trios of relay switches closes, the motor TM turns in a first direction, causing the platform 35 (FIG. 2) to rise; when the other of these trLos of relay switches closes, the motor I~l turns in the opposite direction, causing the plat~orm 35 to descend R~lay switch-e~ R12' close when the winding of relay device R12 is energized;
likewise, 'relay switches R17' close when a relay winding R17 (FIG.
14) is energized. ~ -Additi~nally, motor TM is connected to the power lines Ll, L2, L3 by a further trio or relay switches desginated T. These reLay swLtchex close when an ass~ciated (non-illustrsted) reLay wind-ing becomes energized. This (non-illustrated) winding becomss en-ergized whenever the main sw~ch MSl is cLosed, M~tors VLM and ~'2M are both connected to power lines Ll, L2, L3 vLa.a trio of relay switches designated V (FIG, 15).~ ~witch-es V'close when:a relay wind~ing RV (FIG. 14) is energized.
~ otor lM (designated 50 in FIG, 2) has two terminals 6, 6. The right-hand terminal 6 is connected to power Line L3 through the intermediary of one of two relay switches R2'; the let-hand term-inal 6 ls con~ected to power line Ll through the intermediary of the other re~ay switch R2' and a relay swit h lM' wh~h is in series with the other relay switch R2'. The reLay switches R2' close when~
the winding of the relay device R2 Ls energized The trio o~ reLay switches deslgnated H2, lM', Hl closes when the main switch MSl i9 closed because a (non-illustrated) relay wlnding associated with this trlo of swLtches becomes energized when MSl is closed The first heater element HEl is connected between two .~ :
terminals Hl' shown in FIG. 15 The rlght-hand'terminal Hl' is c~nnected to po~er l~ne L3 by wa~ ~f two right-hand relay switches .

~3t~S~3 `;~ ~;
R21'. The left-h~nd tenminal Hl' is connected to power line L2 by way of two left-hand relay s~itches R21', and further by way Df the relay switch Hl which, as stated above, closes when the main switch M~l is closed. Relay switches R21' cl~se when relay ~inding R21 (FIG. 15) is energized. ..
The second heater element H¢~ is connected between two terminals ~2' sh~wn in FIG.. 15. The manner in which this second heating element is connected to power by way of relay switches R22' is analogous to that just explained with respect to the first heat~

.
ing element, but the second heating eLement is under the cont`rol of a further relay winding R22 sho~n in FIG. 15. ~ ~
The two relay windings R21, R22, which control. the ener- :.
gization o~ the heater eLements HEL and HE2, are in turn controlLed by adjustable thermos~at...heater control units HCl and HC2. Each of the two heater control units HCl, HC2 may for example essentially comprise a bimetallic switch Located in heatexchanging reLationship with the respective heater element. Each of the thenm~stat heater - . .
control units HCl and HC2 further comprises conventional adjusting . means ~or selecting the temperature at which the respective bimetal-lic switch element opens. Accordingly, each of the adjustable units . . HCL, HC2 is set~to a temperature at which the respective heater ele-ment ~s to be maintained : . FIG. 14 shows a step-down ~ransformer The 220V primary has a first tenminal directly to power line L3 and a second termin~
81 connected to power line LL by way of fou~ series-connected norm-ally closed hea~-responsive switches designated, in order, D', T', .
V', H2"~ Hl"~ These heat.~esponsive switches are associated with . relays baaring the same de6ignations (~nly the relays RD and R~

: shown) If any one of such relays overheats, the associated nonm-; 30 mally-closed heat-responsive swi~co opens, thereby disconnecting 8S~i3 the transformer primary from power The 110V secondary of the trans-former is connected across terminals AT29g AT32 and furnishes A.C. :~ .
voltage for the various relay windings of the circuit. ;~
The control circuit additionally incl~des an electromag-netically activatable "one-revolution clutch" the electrical part ~::
of which is designated CL. The mechanical part of this clutch is shown diagrammaticalLy in FIG. 2 at 75. I~hen the electrical part ~ ~ ~
CL of the clutch is energized~ the clutch estalishes a torque-trans- :
:
mitting connection betwe n the outpu~ shaft of the main motor DM i~
(shown at 74 in FIG. 2) and the shaft which drives the belt convey-ors 51, 53 for the blanks and jacketss. SpecificaLly, the l'one-rev~
olution clutch" CL, 75 establishes such engagement when CL becom2s energized. Once engaged, thé clutch remains engaged until the main ;~
.
drive shaft for.the belt conveyors Sl, 53 has perormed exactly one revolution; upon completion of such one revolution, the clutch dis-`
engages by purely mechanical means. In other words~ only the engag~
ing of clutch is electrically controlled, the disengaging of the ~ :
clutch is effected automatically by mechanical means.
: ~ The control circuit further includes a cam motor designat-~;20 ed CM. The output shaft-of cam motOr CM LS provided with cam means ~ : :
which control four cam switches CSl, CS2, CS3, CS4. These switches ;:
open and close when the cam mot~r CM assumes various predetermined angular~positions.
~ ~ : The controL circuit further includes two photoelectric - monitorLng units EEl and E~2. ~ach of the units E21, ~E2 has termin~
als designated 1, 2,: 3, 4, 5, 6,:7, 8. 9, The terminals 8 and 9 ~ :
are connected to p~wer lines Ll, L2, respectiveLy, from which is de-r~ved the operating power for the monitoring units. Connected be-tween termlnals 1 and 2 of each vf the unlts EEl, ~i~2 Ls a photo-sensitLve element arranged in the path of a non-illustrated Light 2~ : :

t.` ~
~F

s ou rc e. 1(~3~ 3 The photosensitive element of EEl is positioned two ~chirds down the inclined chute 38, When no book blocks the li~ht path of ~.
the photosensitive element, the normally closed switch between term- ;
inals 6 and 7 of ~l remains closed, and the i.ndicator lamp connect-ed between terminals 3 and 4 of ~l is not ill.uminated 11hen the light path of the photosensitive element is:bl.oclced, the normally closed switch between terminals 6 and 7 of EE]. opens, and the indi~
cator lamp connected between.terminals 3 and 4 of EEl lights up. The ~0 internal circuitry of the monitoring unit EEl is conventional.
The photosensitive element of the monitoring UDit EE2 is ~;
positiQned at the ~acket forming station 52 ~hen the light path ~ :
of the photoelement of unit EE2 is blocked by a jacket at the foLd-ing station 52, the nonmally open switch connected between~terminals '~
:5 and 7 of E~2 cLoses, and the indicator Lamp connected between ~: terminals 3 and 4 of EE2 lights up. When no jacket is present at -~
the folding station 5~, the switch connected between terminals 5 and 7 of EE2 opens, and the indicator Lamp connected~between terminals

3 and 4 oE EE2 is of, 2û~ lSl is a limit switch mounted on one of the gaides 41, 44 8ee FIG. l). The location of limit switch LSL, rela~ive to the : belt co~veyors 40,.~49, is sh~wn in FIG, 2 When a book is fed from : . ~
the slower conveyor 40 onto the faster conveyor 49, the limit switch ~ ~:
LSl closes. The closing of limit switch LSl by a book reaching the conveyor 49 initiates a j~cketing cycLe, ;~
LS2 is a~limit switch Located downstream of the limit - ~:
8witch LSl, the spatiaL relationship being shown in FIG. 2. LS2 is ii closed when engaged by the leading end of an advancing book and ~ ~ :
opens when ~he trailing end of such book advances be~ond its movable ::
~ 30 portion. : 2 2 ~: -.
.
....

.~ ~ . .

~L~38S63 LS3 ls a limit switch located at the end of the lnclined chute 38 shown in FIG. 2; this switch closes when a jacl;eted book reaches the stop 39.
LS4 is a limit switch shown also in FIGS. 2, 10 and 11.
This switch is closed by the crosshead 84 whPn the latter rises ~rom the position shown in FIG. la to the position of FIG. 11. Thus, the switch LS4 closes in response to folding of the covers 26, 27 against the free end pages 28, 29 at the assembly station 54.
LS5 is a nonmally closed limit switch which cooperates :
with a pneumatic book-removing arrangement including the double~
acting cylinder and piston unit Dp5 shown in FIG. 2. When a jacket-ed book reaches the bottom of the chute 38 and closes the Limit switch LS3, the piston rod of the unit DP5 performs.a working stroke and expels the jacketed boo~ from the chute by m~ving the book in a di-rection nonmaL to the plane of FIG.~2. When the piston of DP5 reach-- e8 the end of such work~ng stroke, it opens the limit switch LS5 which thereby indicates that the chute 38 is empty.
LS6 and LS7 are cam-controlled switches.... As explained above, when the electricaL part CL of the one-revolution clutch CL, 75 is energlzed, a drive shaft which drives the conveyoxs 5L, 53 is caused to complete a single revolution This one-revolution drive shaft Ls provlded with non-illustrated cam means which control thP
switches LS6 and LS7. These switches remain closed while the one-revolution drive shaft moves from the 0 p~sition to the 330 posi-~, .
tisn; the switches LS6 and LS7 are open while ~he one-revolution drive shaft moves rom the 330~ position to the 360 position.
LS8 and LS9 are normally closed limit switches which are actuated by the stack supporting platform 35 of FIG. 2 and respec-tLvely determine the lowermost and uppermost permissible positions for the pLatform. If it is desired to cause the platform 35 to rise7 )385~3 the movablc contact of a switch ~S5 shown in FIG. L4 is moved from ~ ~' the illustrated neutXal positlon to its lower position~ thereby com-pleting the current path for reLay winding R12. ~nergization of relay winding R12 results in cl~sing of the tri~ of associated re- ' lay switches R12' so that the motor TM becomes connectcd to power and turns in a direction to cause the platform 35 to rise. I~hen thè platorm 35 has risen to the maximum permissible level, it opens the limit switch LS9 which interrupts the current path of relay wind~
Lng R12, thereby opening the trio of relay switches R12' and there~
by causing the platform-controlling motor TM to become disconnected ~' ;. ~, .
f rom power.
If it is desired to cause the platform 35 to d'escend, the movable contact of the switch MS5 is moved from its neutral position to its upper position to complete the current path of relay winding . ,- ..
R17 The energization of reLay winding~R17 causes the associate~
, , , . . :~
trio of relay switches R17' to claose~ t'nereby causing mbtor T~i tv .~
. .
turn'in a direction causing the plat~orm 35 to descend t~hen the . ~ ' 'platform 35 has descended to the lowest permissible level, it en~
gages the lim~ switch LS8 which opens and interrupts the current .
path of relay winding RL7, thereby opening the trio of relay switch-es R17'. ~' : ' When the control circuit is to be set for automatic opera- ~
ti~n, the movab~le contact of the switch MS5 is placed into its low- ' ~`.' .
ermost posltLon, i.e., the "UP" pos ition for the stack-supporting platform 35 of FIG. 2.
LS10 is a limit switch composed of tWD mechanically con~
- .
' nected moving switch members, as sh~wn in FIG. 14. This switch is ' .'.
.
activated by the top o the stack o blanks 16 supported on the'~ ; ' platform 35 of FIG. 2. When the top of the st~ck of bl~nks rises to a predetermined leveL (the movable contact of swLtch M~5 is in 24 ~
... .

the platform "UP" positi~n), the uppermost blank oE the stack acti-vates the switch LS10 which energizes t~e relay winding R13 and de~
energizes the relay winding R12 to terminate the upward movement of ;;~
the stack-supporting plat~orm 35. However, as successive blanks are removed fxom the stack and converted into book jackets, the upper level of the stack 16 will evidently descend, eventually becoming so Low that the limit switch LSL0 reassumes its ilLustrated position. ;
As a resu~t, the relay winding R12 wilL become energized again, and the mo~or T~l will cause the platform 35 to rise until the topmOSt blank of the stack 16 again reaches and actuates thelimit switch .

~S 10, The four cam-controlled switches CSl~ CS2, CS3 and CS4 open and close when the output element of the cam mot~r CM assumes various predetermined angular positions, ;
~Sl is open while the output ele~ent of the cam motor CM '-~
is between~the 0 and JO positions and is closed wh~ile ~he~ output element between the 30 and 360 positions, CS2 is open while the output element of the cam motor CM
i~ between the 0 and 40 positions, and is cLosed while the outpu~
20 element is between the 40 and 330 posleions.
; ~ CS3 is open while the output element oE the cam motOr CM
;~ is between the 0 and 60 positions, is closed while the output element is between the 60 and 300 positions, and is open again while the output element is between the 300 and 360 positions. ~ ~
CS4 is open while the output element of the cam motor CM ~ -` is between the 0 and 20 posltions, is closed-while the output ele- -- ment is between the 20 and 330 positions, and is again open while ~he output element is between the 330 and 360 positi~ns.
~ ~ The control circuit further includes five solenoids ACl ;~
~hrough AC5 whi~h are shown in FIG5. L6 and 17. Each o the sole-~ ~3 85 ~
noids ACl through AC5 is installed in ~he housing of one oE the 81milarLy referenced three-port two-position pneumatic switchover valves ACL through AC5 shown in FIG. 2. The ~oLenoids ACl to AC5 are the control solenoids of the respective pneumatic switchover ~ .
valves. For any one of the five switchover valves, when the respec-tive control solenoid is energized9 the associated ~alve member moves to establish communication between the vaL~e inlet and one of the two valve outlets; when the control solenoid is deenergized, com-munication is established between the valve inlet and the other of the two valve outlets. The control solenoid AC6 (FIG. k8) is not . .
used.
Associated with the pneumatlc switchover valves ACl to ~CS o FIG. 2 are double-acting cylinder and piston units DPL to DP5, Each of the units DPl to Dp5 has a irst port connected to one of the outlets of the respective switchover valve and a second port connected to the other outlet of the respective switchover valve. Compressed air is appLied to the inlets of all the swi~ch~
over valves ACL to AC5 of FI&. 2, the air being routed to one or ~ ;
the other of the two ports of the associated cylinder and piston ,-~ ~ . .
unit, depending upon whether the respective control solenoid is en- ~
.
ergized or not.
. . .
The double-acting cylinder and piston unit Dpl includes he cylinder 86 and piston rod 85 (see FIGS. L0 and Ll). When the plston of tne unit DPl is in Dne of the two positi~ns thereof, the ~ ~;
arms 78j 79 occupy~the positions shown in FIG. 10. I~en the piston -of the unit DPl is in the other position, the anms 78, 79 occupy the positions shown in FIG. Ll.
The unit DP2 incLudes the cylinder 96 and pistDn rod 95 ~ ~see FIG. 12) When ths piston of the unit DP2 is in one of its two positions, the pivotable platform 76 ~FIG. 12) is in the hor-~ " . .

5~63 izontal posltiQn thereo~ hen the piston of the unit DP2 is in the other posltinn, the platform 76 is tilted so as to cause a jaclc~
eted book thereon to drop down into the chute 38.
The apparatus comprises two substantially identical units Dp3 each of which incLudes a piston rod 66 and one o the cylinders 66a, 66b. One of the units DP3 controls the upward and dor~7nward movements of pressure plate 6L (see FIG. 3), while the other of the units-DP3 controls the upward and downward movements of the pressure plate 62. The pressure pla~e 62 is shown in its lower position in FIG. 5, and in its upper positi~n in FIG. 6.
Each ~f the two substantLally ident~cal double-acting cylin~er and piston units DP4 comprises a piston rocl 69 (FIG. 3) and one of the cyLinders 69a, 69b. Each piston rod 69 controls, in conjunction with the corresponding pist~on rod 66, the posi~ion of the respective ~olding member 59,or 60 (FIG. 3).

- , :
. The function of the unit DP5 has been described above.
. M~2 (shown in FIG, 14) is an auto/manual mode selecting ~ ~ :
.
switch9 a~d MS3 (FIG, 14) is an emergency switcho When MB3 is clos~
. edS the relay winding of relay device R33 becomes energized, there-Z0 by opening the relay switches R33(1-4) and R33(S-5) (FIG, 14) to thus disconnect the 110V secondary of the transformer from the var~
ious A.C. relays. All motors stop, :
MS4 (FIG.~15~ ls a heater control switch. The heating ~: elements H¢l and HE2 connected between terminals Hl', Hl' and H2', H2' become energized when switch ~S4 is closed, .;
Finally, the control circui~ includes ~hirt~sen pushbutton-activated switches PB3 to PBll and PB13 ~o PE16. These switches are 8ho~n in FIGS. 14 and L6-17. -The switches PB3 to PBll are employed only in ~he manuaL
operating mode9 for machine set-up and check-out procedures. They ... 27 ~ :

;; - . `. ~, ; .

1(~,8~3 activate individual compon~nts of the m~chine. ~;
When briefly closed, the switch PB13 energizes the relay w~nding of relay device RD, thereby causing the trio of associated relay switches D to close and to start the main drive motor DM. In :~
additian, when relay device.RD is onl the relay switch D (FIG. 14~
connected in paralleL with pushbutton-activated switch PBL3 closes, thereby establishing a self-loclcing action which maintains RD on even after PB13 opens upon release of the associated pushbutton. ;; .
When pushed open,.the switch PB14 interrupts the current path of the relay winding of RD ~o terminate the sel~-lockiQg action and to arrest the main drive motor DM ~ -When brie~ly closed, the switch PB15 establishes a~cur-rent path for the relay winding of relay device RV. Accordingly, the ~rio o relay switches V closes to start the ~acuum motors VlM ~ ~;
and V2M. Also the relay switch V (FIG. 14) connected between term~
inals AT30 and AT25 cLoses to establish a self-locking action which maintains the relay winding of RV energized even after the switch -PB15 opens upon release of the associated pushbutton.
When actuated, the switch PB16 interrupts the current path :~
. ~, ...
~or the relay winding of relay device RV to terminate the self-lock~
ing action and to stop the vacuum motors VlM and V2~
To set the control circuit of FIGS.L4 to L~ for "automatic"
mode of operation, the operator proceeds as follows: The main switch M~l is closed.- The pushbuttons associated with switches P~13 and PB15~are briefly depressed to star~ the main`drive motor DM and the vscuum motors VlM and V2M The heater control switch M54 is closed, a~ to permit energization of the heater elements H¢L and HE2.
The switch MS2 is moved eQ the ~rAUTO~ position and the movsble con-tact o~ switch M65 is moved to its lower position. Fi.nally, the :
30 pushbutton associated with switch PBll is depressed and held depress-- 2~ :

... . :

..... .. . . . ... . . . . . ..

ed until a bLanlc is advanced to the folding station 52 and cDnvert-ed into a jacket. In the "automatic" mode, switch PBll is connect-ed in paralLel with th~ limit switch LS3. The manner in which push~
button-activated switch PBll performs the just: mentioned function will become cLear from the detailed description of the operation of limit switch LS3 during "automatic" operation of the circuit. IQ
the "automatic mode" the relay devices R7~ R8 and RlO never go on.
Thi5 is because the switch M~2 is in series wlth the pushbutton-activated swtich PB8 which is open~ Accordingly, the voltage supply line AT27 for the relay device R7, R8 and R10 is dLsconnected from power.
The operation of the control circuit in the "automatic"
mode i5 as oLLows:
(1) An attendant ~nspects a book o~ the table 97 of FIG.
2 and feeds a satisfactory book onto the first belt conveyor 40.
(2) The book 25 enters the space ~etween the guides~41, ;
.: - -~ .
42 to trip the limit switch unit LSl which assumes a position other than that shown in FIG. 16. Such tripping of the limit swLtch LSl constitutes the beginning of a machine operating cycle.
t3) As a result ~f tripping of limit switch LSl, a SET
pulse is appLied via closed switeh R15~ 8) ~o the SET input B of - the bistable relay device R14 SD that the relay device Rl4 undergoes , a ~ransitiQn intG the ON s~ate thereof.
: (4) Since the relay device R14 is on, the switch R14(7-

4) sh~wn in FIG. 17 closes, thereby energizing the winding of relay ;
device Rl5. `-~ ' ;;

(5) As a result of energization of the winding of relay device R15, the switch R15(11-8) shown in FIG. 16 opens, temporar-ily preventing further applica~i~n of SET pulses to the Lnput B of 30 R14, ....

:~0~ii63

(6) The trailing end of the book 25 now advances beyond and enables LSl to return to its illustrated position.

(7) Meanwhile, however, the front portion o~ the book 25 ; .
has closed the limit switch LS2.

(8) The closed switch LS2 energizes the windlng of the -~
relay device R3.
~ 9) As a result of energization of the winding o~ R3, the switch R3(1-3) shown in FIG. L6 closes and energizes the wind- --Lng of thé relay device R4.

-(10) The book 25 advances urther and aLlowe the limit switch LS2 to open.
(11) The reopening of switch LS2 results in deenergiza-tion of the winding of relay device R3. ~ ;
(12) However, the winding of relay device R4 remains en~ergized because of thè locking action af~orded by the monitoring unit EEl. The photosensitive element of the unit EEI is positioned two-thirds down the inclined chute 38. So long as no book blocks ;
the Light path of the photosensitive element of unit EEl, the switch connecting the terminaLs 6 and 7 of the unit EEl remains cLosed.
During the time period that the light path of the photosensitive element iz blocked, the azsociated switch is open. Thus, once the windlng of R4 becomes energized9it is held energized by the swi~ch of the unit EEl so that ~he current flows through the switch o EEl and into the terminaL 3 of R4, out from the terminal 1 of R4, and r~ then back to the terminal 2 o R4, na~ely into the relay winding ~ ~ o~ R~
~ . .
(13) As a~result o energization of the winding of R4, current flows through~ solenoid ACl, via closed xelay switches R3(8-~; 5), R4(8-6) and R7(5-6)~. It wiLl be recalled-that the winding of 30 relay devLce R7 is not energlzed during automatic operatLon of the - ` : . ' . , 10~8~i~3 jacketing apparatus.
(14) ~nergization of the solenoid ACL caus~s the respec- :
tlve pneumatic switchover valve ACl (FIG. 2) to activate the double-acting cylinder and piston unLt Dpl. As a result, the piston rod 85 (FIGS. 10, 11) pushes the crosshead 84 upwards so that the cLos-ing arms 78, 79 move to the positions shown in FIG. 11 and cause~
the jacketed covers 26, 27 of the book 25 to close.
~15) Simultaneously with the energization of solenoid .
ACl through cLosed switches~R3(8-5), R4(8-6) and R7(5-6), a RES~T
10pulse is applied, via switches R3(8-5) and R4(8-6) to the RESET in- :
put 8 o the bistable relay device R14. Accordingly, the relay de- `:
vice R14 goes off. . .. .
~ 16) The upward movement of crosshead 84 results in clos-ing of the limit switch LS4 (see FIG. 11).
:(17) When the switch ~S4 closes, the solenoid AC2 becomes :~
energized : ~(18) As a result, the pneumatic switchover valve AC2 ~ :
~ -(FIG. 2) actuates the double-acting cylinder and pis~on unit DP2 ~95, 96 in FIG. 12). The piston rod 95 moves downwardly and tilts the platfonm 76.~
., . ~
tl9); The tilting of platform 76 causes ~he closed jacket~
ed book supported thereon to drap Lnto the chute 38 (FIG~ 2).
~ (20) ThR book, in dropping to the bottom of chute 38, `~
passes the photosensitive eLement of the monitoring unit EEl. Dur-ing blocking of the light path of the photosensitive element, the ..
normally closed switch connect~d between terminaLs 6 and 7 of the ~!
unit~EEl opens9 thereby ending the locking action of re~ciy device R4 Accordingly R4 goes off :
(21) When the relay devi.ce R4 goes off, the associatPd relay swi~ch R4(8-6! opens to interrupt the current path of the - 3 ~

solenold ACl. ~3~3 (22) Deenergization of the solenoid ACl causes the pneu-matic switchover valve ACL to actuate the double-acting cylinder and piston unit Dpl which moves the closing a~ls 78, 79 from the positions shown in FIG. 11 back to the positians shown in FIG. 10.
(23) As a result of the return movement of closing anms -~ 78, 79 to the positinns of FIG. 10, the crossf~ead 84 allows the limit switch LS4 to open. ~ `
(24) Reopening of limit switch LS4 interrupts the current path of solenoid AC2.
~ (25) The resulting deenergization of solenoid AC2 causes ..
the switchover valve AC2 to actuate the double-acting cylinder and piston unit DP2 (95, 96 in FIG. 12) which moves the platform 76 ~;
back ~o its normal horizontal position.
(26) When the book reaches the bottom of the chute 38, - it contacts and closes the Limit switch LS3.
- (27) Closing of limie switch LS3 energizes the w~inding .
of the relay device R1.

~ ~ (28) With Rl on, the internal`connection between termin~

: 20 als 1 and 4 of Rl becomes interrupted, as explained with xespect ~ ~ ;

to the eleven-terminal relay devices. Cansequently, the current . . .
path leading through limit swi~ch LS2 is broken, Accordingly, even ~ ~
, ;~if limit switch LS2 should be cl~sed and then opened as a second ` ~ `
book moves~past LS2~,~this wiLl not result in energization Df the ~control so1enoid ACl~for the c10sLng arms 78, 79 of FlGS. 10 and 11.~ ;
.
~ ~ (29) ~hen ~1 is on, its terminals 1 and 3 become internaL-; ly connectèd to e~ch other. Consequen~ly, the winding oE the relay ~device as ls energized.

(30) When~R5 1s on, its relay switch R5(6-7) ~loses to complete the current path o~ soLenoid AC5, The relay switch R8(5-6) .

r ~ . . . .~.
: ' , ,, ,, ' - - ~ 03 ~ ~ 3 in series with the solenoid AC5 and the latter swltch is always cLosed during automatic operation since the relay device R8 is of~
(31) ~nergization o solenoid AC5 causes the switchover ;
valve AC5 (FIG. 2) to actuate the unit DP5 (FIG. 2) whose piston rod is or carri~ the book pushoff device. Consequently~ the jac~eted book at the bottom of the chute 38 i~ expelled by movLng in a direc_ tion nonmal to the plane of FIG. 2. .
(32) As the 3acketed boolc leaves the chute 3~, it allows -the limit switch LS3 to open.
(33) Reopening of LS3 immediately resuLts in deenergiza-tiDn of the winding of relay device Rl.
(34) When the piston rod of the unit DP5 reaches the end , of the book pushoff stroke, it contacts and opens the limlt switch LS5.
.
(35) Opening of LS5 turns off the relay device R~5.
~36) With R5 off~ the associated relay switch R5(6-7) opens and deenergizes the solenoLd AC5.
(37) Deenergiza~ion of soLenoid AC5 causes ~he pis~on rod of the unit DP5 to return to ~ts nonmal retracted position.
(38) By retrac~ing the piston rod, the uni~ DP5 allows the Limit switch LS5 to close.
Closing of LS5 turns on the relay device R5. -(40) R6 is off when R5 is on. Furthenmore, the~normally i~i open switch between tenminals 5 and 7 o~ the mnn~toring un~t E~2 is closed because a jacket Is present at the folding station 52.
M~reover, the relay switch R8(4~ Ls closed because ~he relay de-v~ce R8 is off during automatic operation. Consequently, energiz~
ing current flJws through the series-connected relay switches ~6(8-5), R5(11-9) and R8(4~1) shown in FIG. 17, and through tne relay ~ . : -, ~ , ~ 30 windin~ conne~ted between terminals 2 and 7 ~f R9. ~ ~

- ', 10385~3 (41) Althou~h current flows through the relay winding of relay device R9, the normally closed ~elay switch thereof extend_ ing internally between terminals 8 and 5 does not immediateLy open, R9 being a time-delay relay device~ a ~redetermined adjustable time interval elapses between the cnmmencement of fLow of energizing cux~
rent through the winding of device R9 and the movement of the asso- ;-~ciated relay switches to their non-normal positions. For the dura~
tion of this intervaL, the current flowing through s~itches R6(a-s) ~ ;
R5(11-9), and R8(4-L) flows into the terminaL 8 and out of terminal 105 of R9 and through the activating winding of clutch CL. ;~
(42) The cLutch CL is initially caused to assume the en- `~
gaged position by passing an energizing current thrDugh the ac~ivat-lng winding thereoE, i,e., between terminals T28 and T29 shown Ln FIG. 17. Once enga~ed, the clutch remains engaged even if the flow of energizing current is terminated. When the shaf~ which is~d~riven by the clutch has performed exactly one revolution, the c~lutch is automatically disengaged by mechanical means. The duration of time lnterval during which energizing current flows through CL from R9 is sufficient to get the cLutch engaged; t~is havlng been done, the .
ZO rest of the clutch opera ion proceeds mechanicaLly, the flow of en-ergizing current terminating upon elapse of the time delay determin- ~ ;
ed by the relay device R9, .
(43) With the clutch CL engaged, the main drive shaft , :
which drives the conveyors 53 is caused to perform exac~ly one revo~
lution, thereby advancing the~ conveyors 53 a distance o~ 20 inches.
: . . .
As a result, a bLank 16 from ~he~stack 17 is brought to the~fol~ing station 52, and simultaneousLy therewith a freshly formed book jack-- ~ et is sdvanced from the ststinn 52 to the assembly statLon 54.

t44) Going back to the steps (40) and ~41), the~ turning ., on of hhe~relay devlce R9 whicb occurs after a jacketed book is _" :

10~8563 dumped into and th~n expelled from tl}e chute 38 can only take place if the monitoring unlt 3E2 senses the presence of a jacket at the folding station 52 In other words, when a jacketed boDk is dumped into tha chute 38, the clutch CL will become engaged to advance the conveyors 53 by 20 inches only if a ~acket is ready a~ the folding station 52 for advancement to the assembly station 54. Otherwise, the clutch CL will not engage and the operation of the apparatu~
will be interrupted so that the cause of malfuncti~n, e.g., due to exhaustion o~ the stack 17, can be eliminated.
(45) Returning now to ~ep (43~, the drive shaft ~or the ~ ~ .
conveyors 53 is provided with cam means which control the limit switches LS6 and LS7, these switches bei~g held closed except dur-ing the last 30 of rotation of such drive sha~t, i.e., the switch-es LS6 and LS7 open when the drive shaft reaches the 333 posi~ion .. . .. .
(46) When the clutch CL begins to rotate the maLn drive `~
, shaft, the cams on thls shaft cause or all~w the limLt switch~s LS6, ;~ -~; LS7 to close~

(47) Because LS6 i5 closed, Rl6 goes on.
~ . . . .
(48) Uith RL6 on, the associated relay switch R16(L-3) closes and current fL~ws from supply line AT28 thrcugh switch R8~8-ll), through the switch connected between terminals 5 and 7 of EE2, ;;
through R16(1-3) and through the rela~ winding connected internally ~:
- in Rll between the terminals 2 and 7.
~ 49) Despi~e the flow o energizing current through the relay winding of Rll, Rll does not go on lmmediately; instead, it goes on after elapse of a predetenmined adjustable time lnterval~
During this interval, th~ current 10wing through relay swi~ch .
R16~1-3) flows through the nonmaLly cLosed switch Lntern~lly con-necting the terminal~ 8 and 5 of RlL, and flows through lthe ener-. ~ . .
gizlng winding o cam motor CM 3~ :

~103~S63 (50) Upon elapse of the interval determined by the ti~e~
delay relay device Rll,the internal switch between the terminaLs ~;
8 and 5 opens9 thereby brea~ing this particular current path into the energizing winding of the cam motor CM.
(51) Meanwhile, however, the cam motor CM has already be~
gun to rotate. When the shaft driven by the cam motor CM reaches the 30~ position, it closes the switch CSl and assures a current path for CM even after the current path through Rll becomes inter~
rupted. When the shaft driven by the ~am motor CM reaches the 360 position, CSl opens and arrests the mobor CM. Thus, the switch CSl ;
assures that the shaft driven by CM will perform exactly one revo~
lution, ~ 52) Cam motor CM additionalLy controls the opening and cLosing of switches CS2, CS3 and CS4. When the shaft driven by the ;
motor CM reaches the 40D position,~the sw~tch CS2 cLoses and ener~
gizes the solenoid AC3, The energizing current for AC3 fl~ws not Dnly through CS2 but also through the relay switch R10(5-8); how~
ever, the relay device R10 is of during automatic operation, i.e.,~
the switch R10(5-8) is then closed.
~ t53) Energization o~ solenoid AC3 causes the switchover :~ : :
valve AC3 (FIG. 2) to activste the double-acting cylinder and piston~
units DP3. Energization of the solenoid AC3 causes the pressure plates 6L and 62 to move from the l~wer posi~ions ~FIG. 5) to the ra~sed positions. (FIGS. 6, 7). The solenoid AC3 becomes deenergized when the:shaft driven by the~cam motor CM reaches the 330 position; ~ : :
the pressure plates 61 and 62 then return to positions eoresponding :~
to the pos~ ion of plate 62 in FIG. 5.
(54j When the shaft driven by the cam mo~or C~I reaches th~:60:posltion, the switch CS3 closes and energizes the s~oLenoid AC4.

- :
~: _ r . .~

~L038563 (55~ ~nergization of solenoid AC4 causes the associated 3witchover valve AC4 (FIG. 2) to activate the double-acting cylinder and piston units DP4 (FIG. 2). The folding members 59, 60 move frQm the positions shown in FIG. 3 to positions corresponding to that ;
of the folding member 60 in FIG. 7.
(56) When the shaft which is drivsrl by the cam motor CM
reaches the 300 position, the switch CS3 opens and deenergizes the solenoid AC4 As a result, the folding members 59, 60 return to , the positions shown in FIG. 3. : ~;
(57) When the shaft driven by the cam motor CM reaches the 20 position, the switch CS4 closes and energizes the winding~ ~;
of the relay device R6. -~
(58) With R6 on~ the switch between the terminals 5, 6 of R6 (in the current path o~ R9) opens and pre~ents renewed ener-gization of the cLutch CL. This is of course appropriate~ slnce the one-revolution clutch CL shou~d not be again energized until it has performed a complete revolution and automatically become dis- ~ ;
.:
engaged. To this~ end, cam switch CS4 is maintained cLosed by the cam motor CM until the shaft driven by the motor CM reaches the ~ -20330~position. The switch R6(8-5) then opens and thereby permits ~ ~:
renewed energization of the clutch CL.
(59) Upon compLetion of their respective singLe revolu- -~
tlnns~,~ he shafts driven by the one-revolution clatch CL and cam motor CM-stop. A jacket is present at~the folding sta~ion 54, a~ait-ing only the infeed of an unjacketed~ book, and the circuit compon-ents are in the states,corresponding to those at the commenceme~t of step (1).
(60) The attendant plac~s a second boolc on the convayor 40, Such second book trips the switch ~Sl, causin~ LSl tc assume 30the non-illustrated po3Ltion thereo-E, as in s~ep (1) above; and the ? , , - :

1038563 ~
entire cycle from steps (1) to (S~), inclusive,is repeated (61) If the attendan~ places the second book on the con~
veyor 40 too soon, so that such second book trips the switch LSl while limit swLtch LS7 is still closed, then, unLess steps to the contrary are taken, the second book reaches the assembly sta~ion 54 before the book jacket does, which is not desired. To avoid this, Lf the second booLc trips the limit switch LSl while limit switch LS7 ~ ;
is still closed, the motor lM (motor 50) will stop until the relay ~-.
device R15 goes off at the end o one revolution of the ma;n drive shaft for the jacket conveyors If LSl is tripped whila LS7 is stiLl closed, energizing current for relay device R2 will cease ~o arrive from swLtch R7(4-1), shown in FIG. 16, because no current will be fLowing through the in~exnal switch connected between termin-als 8 and 6 of RL6 since R15T6 is internaLLy connected to R15T7 in view of the fact that R15 is on. Consequently, and since R15T7 is connected to R14T6, and-since R14T6 is deenergized because R14 is off, no current can reach the relay winding o R2. Therefore, i , a second book trips LSl whiLe LS7 is stiLl closed, the motor lM ~ ~
,, ~, . ~motor 50) stops. The motor lM cannot be started again until switch LS7 opens and then again closes, which occurs at the end of ~he , , , ,~ jacket advancement cycle, i.e., when the clu~ch CLg 75 disengag2s The switches PB3 to PB10 will only be opera~ive if switch M~2 is ' in the "MANUAL~' position thereof, with the main power switch M~
closed~
Pressing PB3 turns R2 on to start the motor lM until PB3 ~:

~ ~ .
is released.

Pressing PB4 energizes solenoid ACl, ~ausing the arms 78, : .
~ 79 to m~ve from t~e positions of FIG. 10 to those shown irl FIG. 11.
1 . .
Energiza~Lon of solenoid ACl is~possible because ~he relay switch R7(6-7~ ls closed, since R7 gO2S on as soon as the switch M62 is ~ -~- ? 3 8 .: . ., :

10385~;3 put into "~NUAL" position. When PB4 is reLeased, the arms 78, 79 return to the positions shown in FIG, L0.
Pressing PB5 energizes solenoid AC2, causing the platform 76 to tilt (see FIG. 12). Releasing o PB5 causes the platform 76 to reassume its horizontal position.
Pressing PB6 causes the clutch CL to become energized, Accordingly, the clu~ch ebnnects the motor DM ~o the drive shaft for the jacket conveyors. This drive shaft psrforms one revolution and then stops, i,e., the pubhbutton for the switch PB6 can be re- , leased immediately, Pre9sing PB7 energizes solenoid AC5, thereby activating -the unit DP5, ReLease of PB7 deenergizes soLenoid AC5, causing the piston rod of the unit DP5 to assume the normal retracted position.
Pressing PB8 starts the cam motor CM.
, The soLenoids AC4, AC5 are respectively energized in re~
sponse to closing o~ the switches PB9, PBL0, ~ FIGS, 19 and 20 shuw the assembLy and evacuating stations - ~ of a slightly modified jacketing apparatus, A jacketed book 25 is ;;~
shown in FIG, 19 immediately upon descent onto the sligh~ly inclined supporting plate or box 201~ of a vibrating trough 200, The jacket o~ the book 25 is Located between the pusher 203 of a piston rod -.
. .
~ ~ - 204 forming Rart of the cylinder and piston unit DP5 and a Latch - ~
or stop 205 mounted on the upwardly extend;ng plate or wall 202 of the trough 200,~ A book which is in the proc3ss of being assembled with a jacket ~8 shown at 25a, When the pusher 203 performs a work~
Lng stroke, the book 25 pivots the latch 205 counterclocl~ise against ~ -the oppositiDn of a spring (not sh~wn) so that the book 25 moves in-ta abutment with the previously shifted book 25b of a series or row :
:
` ~ of books 25b, 25c..... on the supporting plate 291. The ~rDugh 200 or~s part of a vibrating conveyo~ ~including sprLngs 206) which ~ LO 3 ~ ~ ~ 3 causes the covers and/or the jackets of books on the pLate 20L to move into abutment with the wall 202 so as to insure that PaCh jack- ;
et is in accurate register with the respective covers before the books 25b, 25c... are removed from the trough 200. The inclination of the plate 201 with respect to a horizontaL plane and the inclin-ation of the wall 202 with respect to a vertical plane (see FIG. 20 may be in the range o~ 10-15 degrees.
The latch 205 automatically returns to the upright posi~
tion o FIG. 19 as soon as the book 25 moves therebeyond. This latch performs the additional function of preventing the leftmost book 25b from overturning into the path of downward movement o~ the .
next-Pollowing book. While shting the book 25 beyond the latch 205, the pusher 203 simultaneously advances the books 25b, 25c...
by a step in a direction away from the Latch 205. The unit DP5 then retracts the pusher 203 so that the book 25a can descend onto the pLate 201 as soon as the jacketing op~ration at the assembiy station 254 Ls completed.
:
The trough 200 repLaces the inclined chute 38 and stop 39 of the fLrst appara~us.

FIG. 21 shows a portlon of a ~hird apparatus wherein suc~

cessive jacketed books 25, 25b, 25c.., are evacuated by a take-of .
~ conveyor 300 here shown as incLuding an endless beLt 301. A~book ~ ~
- ~
25 which descends in a chute (not shown) corresponding ~o the chute ~ ~
38~ o the first apparatus abuts against the stop 39 and one side ~ ;
of lts jacket is adjacent to a roller-shaped tilting member 302....... ; -~; A modified pusher 303 on the piston rod Z04 of ~he unit DP5 is ~d-~acent to the other side of the`jacket on the book 25. The back of the book 25 rests on the horixontal topmost portion of a ramp 308 wh~h fur~her includes a portion sloping downwardly toward the : 30 upper stretch~of the belt 301. ~When the piston rod 204 perEorms a ;

.' ~ . '-. ~ .

~38~{~3 i working stroke (arrow 204a), a strip 303a on the lower portinn of the ~ront face of the pusher 303 moves the back of the hook 25 into the space below the tilting member 302 whereby the book 25 begins :~
to slide along the sloping portion of the ramp 308 and descends on- ~ :
to the belt 301 to be advanced to an automatic packing machine or to a position within reach of an attendant who places iacketed boDks into crates, boxes or other types of receptacl.es, or onto a vehicle for transport eo ano~her processing station in the plant.
' .

.

.
- ~ . . ~ . .

, . . ~ ., .
.,: . ~

.: ,..
, ~:, .
.. . .
~ .... .
... .

.. . .. . .. ... . . . . .. . .

Claims (33)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of applying jackets to the covers of books, comprising the steps of converting successive sheet-like blanks in-to jackets each of which includes a central panel and two flaps flanking the panel; moving successive jackets to an assembly station along a first path; opening successive books so that their covers are spaced apart from the leaves; moving the thus opened books to said assembly station along a second path so that portions of the covers of a book enter between the panel and the flaps of a jacket at said station said first moving step comprising maintaining the panels of jackets in a substantially horizontal plane during travel along said first path, and said second moving step comprising main-taining the covers of books in a substantially horizontal plane during travel along said second path; and closing the book so that the flaps of the respective jacket are located between the covers and leaves of the thus jacketed book.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the jackets moving along said first path advance counter to the direction of movement of books along said second path.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of moving jacketed books along a third path, including maintaining the jacketed books in a substantially vertical plane.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said con-verting step comprises heating the blanks in the regions where the flaps adhere to the respective central panels.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring one of said paths for the presence or absence of jackets or books in said one path, and interrupting the movement of books or jackets along the other of said paths in response to detected absence of jackets or books in said one path.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining the flaps in a predetermined orientation with respect to the corresponding central panels at said assembly station.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of maintaining successive jacketed books in an upright position, moving successive jacketed books from the level of said assembly station to a level therebelow, and thereupon moving the jacketed books sideways.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said closing step comprises simultaneously pivoting the covers toward the respective leaves.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of shifting the jackets of successive jacketed hooks when the central panel of a jacket exposes portions of the respective covers.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein said shift-ing step comprises locating successive jacketed books in a substan-tially vertical plane and moving the books edgewise against a stop to thereby shift the jackets relative to the respective covers or vice versa.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said blanks are rectangular and said converting step comprises simultaneously folding two parallel marginal portions of a blank over the median portion of such blank whereby said marginal portions constitute the flaps and the median portion constitutes the panel of the resulting jacket.

12. Apparatus for jacketing books, comprising a source of sheet-like deformable blanks; means for withdrawing blanks from said source; means for converting successive withdrawn blanks into jackets wherein a central panel is flanked by two flaps; means for feeding successive jackets to an assembly station, including at least one first conveyor for moving jackets to said station in a first direction; means for transporting to said station successive books in such position that the covers of a book arriving at said station are spaced apart from the leaves and enter between the flaps and the panel of a jacket at said station, including at least one second conveyor for moving books to said station in a second di-rection counter to said first direction; and means for closing the covers of a book at said station so that the flaps of the respective jacket are located between the covers and leaves of the thus jacketed book.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said converting means includes means for heating the blanks in regions where the flaps adhere to the respective panels.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further com-prising means for interrupting the operation of said feeding means in the absence of books on said transporting means.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further com-prising means for interrupting the operation of said transporting means in the absence of jackets on said feeding means.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further com-prising means for evacuating jacketed books from said assembly station.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said eva-cuating means comprises a platform on which the hooks and jackets rest at said assembly station, said platform being movable between a substantially horizontal and an inclined position, and means for moving said platform between said positions whereby a jacketed book slides off said platform when the latter assumes said inclined po-sition.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said evacuating means further comprises a chute which receives jacketed books sliding off said platform.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18, further comprising means for removing jacketed books from said chute.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, further comprising conveyor means positioned to receive jacketed books sliding off said platform.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising means for moving the jackets of jacketed books into exact register with the respective covers.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said trans-porting means comprises a plurality of successive conveyors and means for driving said conveyors at different speeds so that the speed of a book leaving a preceding conveyor increases when the book reaches the next-following conveyor.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said with-drawing means comprises a first conveyor arranged to transport suc-cessive blanks into the range of said converting means and said feeding means comprises at least one second conveyor for moving suc-cessive jackets from said converting means to said assembly station.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising adjustable guide means adjacent to the paths of movement of jackets and books to said assembly station.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said con-verting means comprises cooperating stationary and mobile folding members for blanks and means for moving said mobile folding members with respect to the associated stationary folding members.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising means for maintaining the flaps of jackets on said feeding means in a predetermined orientation with respect to the corresponding cen-tral panels.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said clos-ing means comprises a pair of arms movable at said station from first positions in which said arms support a jacket and the covers of a book, with the covers spaced apart from the respective leaves, to second positions whereby said arms pivot the covers against the respective leaves.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising a book inspecting station located immediately ahead of said trans-porting means for inspection of books and removal of rejects prior to transfer of the inspected books to said transporting means.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising pneumatic means for temporarily holding jackets during assembly with books at said station.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said feed-ing means and said transporting means define substantially horizont-al paths for the jackets and book covers.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 30, further comprising means for maintaining the leaves of books on said transporting means in a substantially vertical plane.

32. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising means for evacuating jacketed books sideways with respect to said assembly station.

33. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising means for cyclically operating said withdrawing, converting, feeding, transporting and closing means in a predetermined sequence.