US3708094A - Apparatus for separating bound books - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for separating books from an interconnected book pad in which the books have been joined together along one edge by interconnecting threads which have been severed but left engaged either in the loops of the terminal stitches of the adjacent book or in the needle punched holes of the first signature of the adjacent book. The method comprises moving the book to be separated transversely relative to the pad until the interconnecting threads are extracted and the book is separated from the pad. The apparatus for accomplishing the method includes a device for detecting the position of the book at the leading edge of the pad and a reciprocating plunger which drives the book transversely relative to the pad whenever its leading edge is moved to a predetermined location. The apparatus also includes a kicker arm for moving separated books away from the pad to facilitate their further processing.

Description

United States Patent 1 Koether et al.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING BOUND BOOKS Inventors: Karl H. Koether, Suffern; Arthur J.

Dillin, WestNyack, both of N.Y.

Assignee: H. W. Wilson Company, Bronx,

Filed: March 13, 1970 Appl. No.: 19,226

us. Cl. "225/103; 214/7, 214/8.5 F

Int. Cl. ..B26f 3/00 Field of Search....214/8.5 A, 8.5 F, 8.5 R, 8.5 B, 214/85 SS, 7; 225/99, 103

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1960 Hopton ..2l4/7 X 5/1969 Luginbuhl ..2l4/7 X 10/1960 Brown ..'....214/l BB X [4 1 Jan. 2, 1973 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham Attorney-John A. l-lowson 57 ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for separating books from an interconnected book pad in which the books have been joined together along'one edge by interconnecting threads which have been severed but left engaged either in the loops of the terminal stitches of the adjacent book or in the needle punched holes of the first signature of the adjacent book. The method comprises moving the book to be separated transversely relative to the pad until the interconnecting threads are extracted and the book is separated from the pad. The apparatus for accomplishing the method includes a device for detecting the position of the book at the leading edge of the pad and a reciprocating plunger which drives the book transversely relative to the pad whenever its leading edge is moved to a predetermined location. The apparatus also includes a kicker arm for moving separated books awayfrom the pad to facilitate their further processing.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 2191a SHEEI 2 [IF 5 PATENTEDJAN 1 2 ms SHEET [1F 5 nm oi PATENTEDJMI 2 I973 SHEET 5 BF 5 BACKGROUND This invention relates to apparatus for separating one or more individual books from an interconnected book pad. More particularly it concerns the separation of books from a pad in which the books have been stitched or otherwise secured together.

It is known to stitch book signatures together to form a pad of books which are joined together along one edge by interconnecting threads. It is also known to sever these threads between books and to leave their cut ends engaged either in the loops of the terminal stitches of the adjacent book or in the needle punched holes of the first signature of the adjacent book. Prior book separating devices have extracted these threads from adjacent books, but none of them have been very satisfactory. Thus, even today for the most part books are separated from a continuously stitched book pad by hand.

It is one object of the invention therefore to provide an improved method and device for separating books from a pad of book signatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel attachment for a signature sewing machine which extracts the free ends of the severed but interconnecting threads between books in a continuous sewn pad of book signatures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device having one or more of the above characteristics in which several books may be simultaneously severed from the book pad.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device having one or more of the above characteristics which is reliable and operates automatically without constant attention from a machine operator.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device having one or more of the above characteristics which operates at a rate dependent on the speed with which the book pad is advanced.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device having one or more of the above characteristics which operates at a rate dependent on the thickness of the books in the pad.

Still another object of the inventionis to provide a device having one or more of the above characteristics which is adapted to separate books of varying lengths and widths and thicknesses from a continuous book pad.

Further, other and additional objects of the invention will become obvious from the following summary and detailed description, especially when considered in connection with the drawings and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention separating one or more books from a continuous book pad is accomplished by moving the book or books relative to the pad until the connection between them is severed. In carrying out this method use is made of the movement of the book pad per se to trigger the operation of a relative movement device which severs the book(s) from the pad.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a plunger which under predetermined conditions contacts one edge of the leading book or books in a continuous book pad and drives it or them sharply in a transverse direction thus moving the book(s) as if to shear it (them) from the pad. In a continuously sewn padl this shearing motion causes the cut threads, which are engaged one way or another with the adjacent book, to be extracted and freed from such engagement. This transverse movement frees the book and completes its separation from the pad.

The signal which initiates the separating action of the plunger is generated by the automatic closing of a switch when the pad has been advanced to a predetermined position. As the plunger completes its separating movement it operates another switch which initiates the raising of a gate. In its down position the gate serves to help maintain the leading end of the pad in an upright condition. This raising motion of the gate also operates a kicker arm which pushes the now severed book(slaway from the pad. As the gate reaches its raised position it operates a third. switch which causes the travel bar carrying the gate to move back to a predetermined position preparatory to lowering the gate again to support the new leading end of the book pad. Simultaneously with this operation this third switch also prepares the 'device for the return of the plunger to its original position. As the travel bar starts its rearward movement the first switch which started the cycle operates in the reverse direction returning the plunger. As the plunger starts its return motion the second switch is operated in the reverse direction thus lowering the gate and as the gate lowers the third switch operates in the reverse direction to complete the cycle.

The various elements comprising the device include structural members preferably made of metal though as will be obvious certain of them may also be made of other materials such as wood or plastic. The device also preferably includes a plurality of cylinders operable by compressed air, valves associatedwith these cylinders and electrical and electromechanical equipment to control the operation of the valves. Various other control elements may be used, in. place of these if it is desired to do so.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along line 2--2 of that figure;

FIG. 3 is a profile elevation view of the preferred embodiment just before separation of a book and taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a profile elevation view of the FIG. 3 apparatus after the plunger has separated a book and after the gate has fully opened and the severed book cleared away by the kicker arm;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the operating sequence of the plunger and the kicker arm, and includes a sequence of threefigures, FIG. 5a illustrating the relative positions of the books, plunger and kicker arm before actuation; FIG. 5!; showing these elements during plunger positionbut before the kicker arm moves; and FIG. 50 showing them during kicker arm movement; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring and air flow diagram showing the. electrical, electromechanical and pneumatic connections of a device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a device which is mounted by a pair of support arms 12, 14 on a conventional sewing machine (not shown) which automatically stitches book signatures together along one edge into a pad. Arms 12, 14 are spaced apart and positioned above the sewing machines bed 16. The completed pad, illustrated by reference character 18, is guided along the bed by arms 12, 14 as it advances out of the machine in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 3. The arms 12, 14 can be moved closer together and further apart to suit the length dimension of the book pad along its stitched edge. In addition, the position of the bed 16 is vertically adjustable with respect to the arms 12, 14 to enable the device to accommodate books of varying width.

Underneath the pad and mounted in apertures in bed 16 are a pair of endless belts 20 mounted at one end about idler rolls 22 and at the other end about driving rolls (not shown) which move the upper runs of the belts in the forward direction shown by arrow B in FIG. 3. The motion of these belts is synchronized with the advance of the book pad so that both move together in the same direction and at the same speed. This helps keep the front or leading end of the pad 18 generally upright and facilitates the book separating function of the device. The bottom edge of the leading book in the pad preferably trails its upper edge just a bit.

Another portion of the device which helps keep the.

leading end of the pad generally upright is the movable gate 26 which comprises a supporting bar 28, a pair of fingers 30 and a pair of side rails 32. The bar 28 is mounted between the bottom ends of the side rails 32 and the fingers 30 are spaced apart on the bar extending downwardly and rearwardly to support the leading end of the pad at points below the bar 28.

The gate 26 is hingedly attached to a front portion of a travel bar 34 which carries a number of the other elements of the device and is movable forward with the pad as it advances along the bed 16 of the sewing machine. The travel bar 34 in turn is mounted on two spaced apart piston rods 36 forming part of a pair of air cylinders 38 which are mounted on a cross bar 40 attached to'a front portion of arms l2, l4. 7

To maintain the gate 26 in its proper up/down position at all times is a gate actuating air cylinder 42 carried on a support 44 which is mounted on and moves forward and back 'with the travel bar 34. The air cylinder 42 is connected to the g ate,26 by a linkage 46 which includes a piston rod 48, a T-shap'ed link 50, a bar 52, a cross bar 54, a pin 56 and mounting element 58. The piston rod 48 is connected at one end to a piston (not shown) in the air cylinder 42. One leg 60 of the T-shaped link 50 is pivotally connected to the other end of the piston rod while a second leg 62 of link 50 is pivotally connected to the front end of the air cylinder support 44. The bar 52 is pivotally connected at one end to the third leg 64 of the link 50 and at its other end is similarly connected to the cross bar 54 via the pin 56 and mounting element 58 which is mounted on the cross bar. The cross bar 54 itself is mounted between the side rails 32 of the gate 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the elements of the linkage 46 are so constructed andarranged that when piston rod 48 is forward as in FIG. 3) the gate is down and when the rod is back (as in FIG. 4) the gate is up. Air cylinder 42 is a conventional double acting device so that with air pressure in one direction it pushes the gate down while with air pressure on the other side it lifts the gate up.

To shear one or more books from the pad 18 the device includes a plunger device 66 comprising an air cylinder 68, a piston rod and a plunger 72. The air cylinder 68 is also a conventional double acting device which urges the rod 70 and plunger 72 toward the pad 18 when air pressure is delivered to one side and away from the pad to its normal or rest position as seen in FIG. 2 when delivered to the other. The air cylinder 68 is mounted on the underside of a plate 74 which is bolted onto the support arm 14.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6, the device also includes three microswitches 76, 78 and 80, five solenoids 112, 118, 122, 127 and 128, and five air valves 88, 90, 92, 94 and 96. The first microswitch 76 is mounted adjacent one of the air cylinders 38 on the cross bar 40 and controls the book separating function of the plunger. This switch 76 is a conventional double pole, single throw device which is operated by the movement of a rod 98 which is affixed to and moves with the travel bar 34 through an aperture in the cross bar 40. A cam 100 is adjustably positioned on the rod 98 to actuate the switch when the 1 travel bar reaches a predetermined forward position. The microswitch 78 is fixedly attached to the topside of the plate 74 and controls the gate lifting and lowering operations. The second switch 78 is also a conventional double pole, single throw device which is operated by the movement ofa rod 102 affixed to the plunger 72. A cam 104 is adjustably positioned on the rod 102 and serves to actuate this second switch 78 when the plunger has done its job of severing a book from the pad 18. The third microswitch 80 is mounted on a support 106 fixed to the travel bar 34 above the gate 26 and is actuated by the cross bar 54 when the gate reaches its lifted or raised position. This switch is a conventional double pole, double throw device. It controls the return of the travel bar 34 to its starting position as '7 well and prepares the plunger 72 for return to its original position.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the electrical circuitry portion of the device comprises five series branch networks a, b, c, d and e connected in parallel across a 120 volt 60 cycle per second power source 108. Network a comprises a pair of contacts 110 in switch 76 in series with a solenoid 112. Network b includes a pair of contacts 116 in switch 76, a pair of contacts 114 in switch 80 and a solenoid 118. Network c comprises a pair of contacts 120 in switch 78 in series with a solenoid 122. Network d comprises a pair of contacts 126 in switch 80 in series with a solenoid 128 and network e comprises a pair of contacts 124 in switch 78 in series with a solenoid 127. The switches 76, 78 and 80 are spring biased so that contacts 116, 120 and 126 are normally open while contacts 110, 114 and 124 are normally closed.

Turning now to the pneumatic control aspects of the invention the device includes a dry air supply 130 of about 80 to I50 p.s.i.g., a filter 133 and a valve 132 which reduces the pressure to about 80 p.s.i.g. and feeds the air directly to the valves 88, 90, 92, 94 and 96. The solenoids 112 and 118 control the plunger valves 96 and 90 respectively. Similarly, the solenoids 122 and 127 control the gate valves 88 and 94 respectively. All these solenoids are coil type devices which are mounted in pairs opposite each other on their respective valves. They are connected up electrically as far as is conveniently possible so as to have one side of each pair energized while the other is simultaneously deenergized.

With the travel bar 34 retracted, the plunger 72 is in its normal or retracted position, the gate 26 is down and the support 28 is resting against the front end of the book pad 18. In this condition contacts 116, 120 and 126 are open and contacts 110, 114 and 124 are closed. These conditions insure that solenoids 118, 122 and 128 are deenergized while solenoids 112 and 127 are energized and energization of these devices insures that valves 94 and 96 are operated so as to pass air from the source 130 into one end cylinders 42 and 68 to hold the gate 26 and plunger 72 in their down and retracted positions. As the pad 18 moves forward out of the sewing machine it pushes the gate 26 forward bringing the travel bar 34 with it. This in turn pulls the rods 36 out of the cylinders 38. A pair of adjustable bleeder valves 135 at the opposite end of the cylinders 38 maintains a partial vacuum in the cylinders as the bar is pushed forward to keep the pad upright and in line. When the gate 26 and travel bar 34 have reached their predetermined forward position the cam 100 actuates the first switch 76 providing the signal which sets the device in motion. Actuation of the switch 76 closes. contacts 116 and operates the plunger 72 to sever one or more books from the pad. An analysis of the circuit will show that the closing of these contacts allows current to flow from the electrical source 108 through contacts 116 and 114 thus energizing solenoid 118 to operate plunger valve 90 which operates the plunger. At the same time as contacts 116 are closed contacts 110 are opened, solenoid 112 deenergized and the plunger valve 96 operated to release any pressure in the op posite end of the cylinder which would prevent the plunger from operating properly.

This next phase begins when the plunger completes its book severing motion. When this occurscam 104 on rod 102 actuates the second switch 78 closing contacts 120 and opening contacts 124. This energizes solenoid 122 and simultaneously deenergizes solenoid 127 causing the gate valves 88 and 94' to operate to raise the gate. During this operation air from the source 130 enters the cylinder 42 through valve 88 and exits through valve 94.

The third phase of operation of the device begins when the gate 26 becomes fully lifted and the cross bar 54 actuates the third switch 80. Actuation of this switch closes the contacts 126, and simultaneously opens contacts 114. On the one hand this energizes solenoid 128, which operates valve 92, thus filling one end of the cylinders 38 with air starting the travel bar 34 on its return movement. it also deenergizes the solenoid 118, thus returning the valve 90 to its venting position in preparation for returning the plunger 72 to its retracted position.

As the travel bar 34 moves rearwardly the cam 100 moves out from under the first switch 76 which is spring returned to its original condition. This opens the contacts 116, and simultaneously closes contacts 110, thus energizing the solenoid 112 which operates valve 96 which returns the plunger to its original position.

Movement of the plunger 72 to this position moves the cam 104 out from under the second switch which is also spring returned to its original condition. This simultaneously opens contacts 120 and closes contacts 124 thus deenergizing and energizing solenoids 122 and 127 respectively to lower the gate. It should be clear that in both these operations the valves involved are operated to pressurize and exhaust air from cylinders 68 and 42 in the opposite direction from that previously described.

A pair of springs 134 mounted about rods 36 cushions the rearward motion of the travel bar 34 so that the gate 26 and support bar 28 come to rest gently against the book pad 18 rather than smacking against it with considerable force. The lowering of the gate opens the contacts 126 in the third switch deenergizing the travel bar solenoid 128 which returns valves 92 to their venting positions in which the plunger and the travel bar are readied to begin the cycle again.

In the preferred embodiment of the device 10 there is also included a kicker arm 136 mounted on the end of the gate s supporting bar 28 opposite the plunger 72. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5a, the bar 136 has an end portion 138 which lies behind and just below the last signature of the next book to be separated from the pad 18. In the drawings the heavier lines showing the upper surface of the pad 18in FIGS. 1 and 5 denote the boundaries between books. Once a book is severed from the pad 18 it momentarily stands upright (see FIG. 5B) until the gate 26 is raised. In this condition the kicker arm portion 138 lies adjacent a rear portion of the separated book. Then as the gate is partially raised (see FIG. 5c) the arm portion 136 pushes the separated book away from the pad 18. This kicking motion is then completed (see FIG. 4) and the gate 26 is fully raised. The now separated book is delivered from the device and ready for further processing. One advantage of including the kicker arm 136 in the device of this invention is that it enables the book separating function to be part of an automated line of book bindingequipment in which a conveyor system automatically carries the separated books away from the device to machinery for accomplishing the next step in the binding process.

Though the preferred embodiment of a device according to this invention has been described with reference to a mechanism which pushes the book to be separated horizontally with respect to the book pad it is also possible to push the book in any other transverse direction to accomplish the desired separation. Apparatus for accomplishing separation in any such direction is intended to be within the scope and spiritof this invention. Likewise, though the solenoids and switches have been described as useful in connection with a volt 6O cycle per second power source other voltages and frequencies are satisfactory and could also be used. The air pressures mentioned herein are also exemplary of just one of many satisfactory pressures and fluids which can be used.

The rate at which a device according to the invention operates is a function not only of speed with which the book pad is advanced, but also the thickness of the books to be separated from the pad. Books having thicknesses of from about 10 to 58 signatures per book with between about 16 to 32 pages (the latter number of pages being preferred) per signature have been separated by this device. Separation of more than one book at a time from a book pad is also possible by choosing thinner books and by positioning the plunger appropriately. The point at which the plunger will operate is controlled by the position of the cam 100 on the travel bar rod 90.

It also should be clear that though the device of this invention has been described in connection with a book signature sewing machine, that such a machine forms no part of the invention. Indeed, a book pad can be fed through a device according to this invention regardless of whether the pad was formed in such a machine or not. Thus sewn signatures are not necessary to the utility of the invention. All that is required is a book pad of signatures which are interconnected in some way, but are capable of being separated by a plunger device of the type described herein.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for separating books from a pad of books interconnected adjacent one edge and advancing along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising a gate device including a gate which engages the front end of said pad and moves with it as it advances along said path, means for detecting the position of the front end of said pad, a plunger controlled by said detecting means for engaging the book at the front edge of said pad along an edge adjacent to which the books in said pad are interconnected and moving said book transversely relative to said pad to separate the two whenever the front end of said pad has advanced to a predetermined location, and means controlled by the position of said plunger for moving said gate along an arcuate path away from and above said book pad whenever said plunger has engaged said book and advanced to a predetermined position and wherein there are means mounted on said gate for engaging and moving each separated book away from said pad as said gate is moved along said arcuate path.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gate device is mounted on a travel bar mechanism which is reciprocable on the path along which the book pad advances, and there are means connected to said travel bar for slowing its movement in one direction to maintairi'said gate against the front end of said book pad to support it in a generally upright condition as it advances.

4. A device for separating at least one flat article at a time from a continuously advancing supply of such articles which are interconnected together along one edge, comprising means for guiding said advancing articles in a straight line, means for supporting said advancing articles along an edge opposite said edge along which they are interconnected means for engaging and advancing the supported edge of said articles in synchronism with the movement of said articles to keep them in a generally upright condition, a member pivotally mounted adjacent the guiding means for arcuate movement between a position engaging the front end of said article supply and a position out of contact with said end and out of its line of advancement, said member also being slidably mounted for advancement by said article supply when it engages its front end, means controlled by the position of advancement of said member for engaging an edge of the article at said front end and for moving said article transversely along its interconnected edge relative to said supply to separate the article from the supply whenever the front end of said supply has advanced to a predetermined location beyond said guiding means.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said article separating means comprises a plunger device reciprocable between a resting and an article separating position and there are means for pivoting the pivotally mounted member away from the front end of said article supply in response to said plungers attaining said article separating position.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein there are means for biasing the pivotally mounted member against the front end of said article supply when in its engaged position to facilitate holding the articles in an upright position as they advance.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein there are means operated in response to the pivotally mounted member's reaching a position away from said article supply front end and out of its line of advancement for initiating the return of said article engaging and moving means to a position out of line with said advancing article supply.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for initiating the return of said article engaging and moving means also initiates the return of said member to its position engaging the front end of said advancing article supply.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for separating books from a pad of books interconnected adjacent one edge and advancing along a predetermined path, said apparatus comprising a gate device including a gate which engages the front end of said pad and moves with it as it advances along said path, means for detecting the position of the front end of said pad, a plunger controlled by said detecting means for engaging the book at the front edge of said pad along an edge adjacent to which the books in said pad are interconnected and moving said book transversely relative to said pad to separate the two whenever the front end of said pad has advanced to a predetermined location, and means controlled by the position of said plunger for moving said gate along an arcuate path away from and above said book pad whenever said plunger has engaged said book and advanced to a predetermined position and wherein there are means mounted on said gate for engaging and moving each separated book away from said pad as said gate is moved along said arcuate path.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gate device is mounted on a travel bar mechanism which is reciprocable on the path along which the book pad advances, and there are means connected to said travel bar for slowing its movement in one direction to maintain said gate against the front end of said book pad to support it in a generally upright condition as it advances.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for detecting the position of the front end of said pad includes a cam device connected with said travel bar and a switch mechanism operated by said cam device when the front end of said pad reaches said predetermined position.

4. A device for separating at least one flat article at a time from a continuously advancing supply of such articles which are interconnected together along one edge, comprising means for guiding said advancing articles in a straight line, means for supporting said advancing articles along an edge opposite said edge along which they are interconnected, means for engaging and advancing the supported edge of said articles in synchronism with the movement of said articles to keep them in a generally upright condition, a member pivotally mounted adjacent the guiding means for arcuate movement between a position engaging the front end of said article supply and a position out of contact with said end and out of its line of advancement, said member also being slidably mounted for advancement by said article supply when it engages its front end, means controlled by the position of advancement of said member for engaging an edge of the article at said front end and for moving said article transversely along its interconnected edge relative to said supply to separate the article from the supply whenever the front end of said supply has advanced to a predetermined location beyond said guiding means.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said article separating means comprises a plunger device reciprocable between a resting and an article separating position and there are means for pivoting the pivotally mounted member away from the front end of said article supply in response to said plunger''s attaining said article separating position.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein there are means for biasing the pivotally mounted member against the front end of said article supply when in its engaged position to facilitate holding the articles in an upright position as they advance.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein there are means operated in response to the pivotally mounted member''s reaching a position away from said article supply front end and out of its line of advancement for initiating the return of said article engaging and moving means to a position out of line with said advancing article supply.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for initiating the return of said article engaging and moving means also initiates the return of said member to its position engaging the front end of said advancing article supply.

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