GB984761A - Improvements in and relating to a book cover-applying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

984,761. Bookbinding machines. J. V. CARSTENS. May 23, 1961 [May 24, 1960], No. 18599/61. Heading B6A. [Also in Division B8] Apparatus for applying covers to books, comprising a continuously operated conveyer 7 for feeding the books spines downwards, a coverfeeding device 81 for feeding horizontally disposed covers one by one to a cover-applying device 4 located beneath the conveyer 7, and means for controlling the cover-feeding device and cover-applying device which are actuated by the books advanced by the conveyer, is characterized in that the covers are applied to the book spines while the books are in motion. An endless belt 2 feeds the books to the conveyer 7 running at a faster speed than the conveyer 2. The conveyer 7 comprises a pair of spaced belts 60, 61, driven continuously by a motor 15. The belts are prevented from movement in a vertical direction by rails 71, 72, I-shaped in crosssection. The belts are urged towards each other to grip a book therebetween by spring- pressed plates mounted on the cross-pieces of said rails, Fig. 7 (not shown). The rail 72 is displaceably mounted in guides 73. Gluing.-A gluing roller 17 is mounted in a glue tank 16 and is rotated by a motor 18. A brush removes excess glue from the book spines. Heating elements or blowers may be provided either side of the cover-applying device 4. Cover-feeding device.-Covers are stacked on a table 80 and fed one at a time to a conveyer 81 by a perforated suction roller 87, on actuation of a micro-switch 90 by a book. The conveyer 81 comprises parallel inclined rollers 82 driven by a belt located under the rollers. The inclined rollers register the covers against a guide rail 88. At the end of the conveyer is an adjustable stop 83, containing a switch. The latter is closed when a cover engages the stop. An adjustable resilient stop 84 maintains the cover against the guide rail 88. The cover is lifted over the stop 84 to allow it to travel with a book by an electromagnetically-operated finger 86. The switch 90 consists of two seriesconnected switches 90a, 90b initially open and closed, respectively. An arriving book closes the switch 90a to energize a relay and actuate the cover-feeding device. The book next opens the switch 90b so that the cover-feeding device cannot be actuated again until the book has cleared the switch 90 completely. Cover-applying mechanism 4.-The coverapplying mechanism (described and claimed in Specification 984,762), comprises a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 22, mounted in a frame 21 supported on a vertically movable platform 24. The platform is lifted by an electromagnet 29 when the switches 91 and 83 are closed. The micro-switch 91 likewise consists of two series-connected switches 91a, 91b initially closed and open, respectively. Thus, as the book clears the switch 91a, but while still engaging the switch 91b, the switches are closed to energize a relay and operate the electromagnet 29, provided that a cover is in position above the platform 24 and engaging the switch 83. The spacing of the switches 90, 91 may be adjusted along the conveyer 7. Alternatively, the cover-applying device comprises a platform 42 carried by telescopic tubular members 35-38 urged apart by springs 39, 40. The lower members 35, 36 have cylindrical extensions surrounding eccentrics 33, 34, whereby the platform is moved vertically into engagement with a book spine and horizontally in contact with the book for part of its travel, the telescopic members being compressed, on rotation of the eccentrics. The eccentrics are driven by a gear-wheel held inoperative by a pawl, which is withdrawn from the wheel to permit rotation thereof by the passage of a book. The platform is provided with an upstanding flange 43 which engages the rear edge of the book to maintain them in contact over said part of their travel. Pressure-applying station 5.-The cover is pressed on to the spine by an endless conveyer belt 5 passing over a stationary, adjustably and resiliently mounted plate and over a number of adjustable rollers. The book finally passes between rails 6 which fold the cover about the book.