Bookbinding: process and apparatus – Process – Of applying a cover to a book
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-01-09
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Bookbinding: process and apparatus
Process
Of applying a cover to a book
C412S014000, C412S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171044
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to document binding arrangements combined with output systems associated with imaging systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a binding module for output systems composed of a plurality of modules.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Imaging systems such as printers, fax machines, and copiers are virtually omnipresent, and can be found in homes and offices worldwide. The development of such systems has facilitated improvements in communication that have in turn fostered a sea of change in the way people live and work. Telecommuting, paperless offices, and intra-office networks represent but a few examples of the advancements that have been made possible by modern imaging systems.
Imaging systems have become relatively sophisticated in response to consumer demands. It is not uncommon to find imaging systems associated with output systems capable of collating, sorting, and stapling groups of documents. One example of such an output system a 3000-sheet stapler/stacker, available from Hewlett-Packard Company, for high-capacity HP LaserJet printers. The 3000-sheet stapler/stacker, can be combined with the HP LaserJet 8100 printer to conveniently provide reliable, high-volume printing and finishing for professional-looking documents. Using the HP LaserJet 8100 printer, 3,000-sheet stapler/stacker, automatic duplexer and 2,000-sheet input tray together, users can quickly and easily print, staple and sort numerous copies of large documents on demand. Manuals, training packages and other lengthy printed materials that need to be updated frequently can now be created in-house, allowing businesses to save costs associated with outsourcing and inventory storage and control.
The HP 3000-Sheet Stapler/Stacker includes a series of interconnected modules, each of which performs a discrete function. For example, a flipper module places, or “flips ”, documents into proper orientation in an accumulator module, which provides a location for finished documents to be gathered together as they are created to produce a complete document set, or “job ”. The job can then be transported to a subsequent module via a transport device such as a conventional elevator mechanism.
Various systems for binding groups of finished documents have arisen in parallel to the advancements in image production. Such systems enable in-house personnel to produce bound sets of materials from documents output from imaging systems. A variety of binding types are available, including spiral binding, flexible spine binding, and thermal binding.
In thermal binding processes, materials are typically placed within a cover, with a thermoplastic spline inserted along an edge of the materials. The binder applies heat, or a combination of heat and pressure, to fuse the spline with the materials, thus forming a bound set.
Unfortunately, imaging systems and binding systems have generally developed separately from one another. Consequently, jobs must be first completed on the imaging system, then introduced manually for processing in the binding system. Usually, jobs must be bound one-at-a-time, requiring a high degree of manual handling.
It can thus be seen that the need exists for a combined imaging/binding arrangement that can be easily integrated into existing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are achieved by providing a binding system in an output system having a plurality of discrete functional modules. The output system includes an accumulator module in which sheet material is accumulated in respective jobs to be bound. The binding system includes a cover feed module adapted and constructed to input one of a plurality of different covers into the output system. The binding system further includes a binding module connected to the cover feed module and to the accumulator module. The binding module is adapted to receive a cover from the cover feed module and a job to be bound from the accumulator module. The binding module is also adapted to place the job to be bound inside the received cover in a desired registration, and to bind the materials within the cover.
The cover feed module can include a cover selection mechanism. In an embodiment, the cover selection mechanism includes a measuring arrangement to determine at least one size parameter of the job to be bound. A cover selection arrangement can be provided for selecting a cover corresponding to the measured size parameter from one of the plurality of different covers.
The binding system can also include a transport mechanism adapted and constructed to move a selected cover from the cover feed module to the binding module.
A cover opening mechanism can be provided to open the selected cover a sufficient amount to permit insertion of the job to be bound into the cover. A job insertion mechanism can be included to insert the job to be bound into the opened cover, and a folding mechanism can be applied to fold the cover around the job after the job has been inserted into the opened cover.
A registration mechanism can be provided to place the job into a predetermined registration for binding after the job has been folded in the cover. The registration mechanism can be provided as a pushing mechanism.
The binding module can include a sealing apparatus adapted and constructed to seal the job to be bound in the selected cover. The sealing apparatus can be provided as a heating mechanism.
An outfeed mechanism can be included to move a bound job from the binding module to an outfeed station. The outfeed mechanism can be provided as an elevator mechanism.
A method of binding jobs into covers is also set forth. The method is described in the context of an output system having a plurality of discrete functional modules including an accumulator module in which sheet material is accumulated in respective jobs to be bound. In a first step, a cover feed module adapted and constructed to input one of a plurality of different covers into the output system is provided. Also provided is a binding module connected to the cover feed module and to the accumulator module. The accumulator module is caused to input a job to be bound into the binding module. Next, the cover feed module is used to input a cover into the binding module. The binding module is then used to place the job to be bound inside the received cover in a desired registration. Finally, the binding module is employed to bind the materials within the cover.
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Carter Monica S.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Wellington A. L.
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