Provided is a book block feed device capable of feeding a book block always in an aligned state to a bookbinding machine. The book block feed device comprises an alignment unit and a press unit that are adjacently arranged in order along a conveying path of the book block from an inlet to an outlet of the conveying path. The alignment unit comprises a vibrator that vibrates the book block. The press unit includes a press surface that forms a part of a conveying surface of the conveying path, and a press plate that sandwiches and presses the book block between the press plate and the press surface.

A bound collection of leaves having a spine and a method of its manufacture are disclosed. Each leaf of a first plurality of leaves of the bound collection includes a first pattern of tabs by which that leaf is bound. The tabs of the first pattern are distributed along a binding axis of that leaf that is parallel to a spine axis of the spine. Each leaf of a second plurality of leaves of the bound collection includes a second pattern of tabs different than the first pattern by which that leaf is bound. The tabs of the second pattern are distributed along a binding axis of that leaf that is parallel to the spine axis. Each tab of the first pattern and second pattern of tabs extends in a direction orthogonal to the binding axis from within an unbound region to a binding-side edge of that leaf.

Folding device to make two parallel folds in a leaf whereby the device (1) contains two clamps (1) with a folding edge (9), each formed by two clamping bars (6) with jaws (7) which can be moved relative to each other between an open position and a closed position and whereby the clamps (5) to feed the leaf (4) are arranged opposite each other with their folding edges (9) parallel and facing each other at a distance (B) equal to the desired distance between the folds to be made and whereby the folding device (1) also contains means (10) to move the clamps (5) in their closed position relative to each other in such a way that one of the clamps (5) with its folding edge (9) makes a circular movement around the folding edge (9) of the other clamp (5) to form both parallel folds at the folding edges (9) of both clamps (5).

Method for binding a bundle (5) of sheets (1), whereby an edge (2) of the bundle (5) of sheets (1) is bound, whereby use is made of sheets (1) in which a strip (4) of each of the sheets (1) is double folded separately beforehand along the same line to form a fold line (3) parallel to and at a distance (A) from the aforementioned edge (2). If paper with a density of less than 120 grams per square metre is used for the sheet (1), after having been double folded the strip (4) is folded at least once more along the aforementioned fold line (3).

Method for binding a bundle (5) of sheets (1), whereby an edge (2) of the bundle (5) of sheets (1) is bound, whereby use is made of sheets (1) in which a strip (4) of each of the sheets (1) is double folded separately beforehand along the same line to form a fold line (3) parallel to and at a distance (A) from the aforementioned edge (2). If paper with a density of less than 120 grams per square metre is used for the sheet (1), after having been double folded the strip (4) is folded at least once more along the aforementioned fold line (3).

In a saddle-stitching apparatus, when a sheet is transported to a center-folding unit, a folding blade moves from a retrieved position to a nip position between a pair of folding rollers. A forward end of the folding blade comes into contact with a fold of the sheet, so that the sheet is folded along the fold. When the sheet is attached to the nip position between the folding rollers, the folding rollers start rotating and then, the folding blade inserts the center-folded sheet between the folding rollers. After the center-fold finishing is completed, the rotations of the folding rollers stop in timing at which the folding blade is pulled out of the nip position between the folding rollers. When pulling the folding blade out of the nip position between the folding rollers, the rotations of the folding rollers restart.

In a saddle-stitching apparatus, when a sheet is transported to a center-folding unit, a folding blade moves from a retrieved position to a nip position between a pair of folding rollers. A forward end of the folding blade comes into contact with a fold of the sheet, so that the sheet is folded along the fold. When the sheet is attached to the nip position between the folding rollers, the folding rollers start rotating and then, the folding blade inserts the center-folded sheet between the folding rollers. After the center-fold finishing is completed, the rotations of the folding rollers stop in timing at which the folding blade is pulled out of the nip position between the folding rollers. When pulling the folding blade out of the nip position between the folding rollers, the rotations of the folding rollers restart.

A machine for processing sheets for binding the sheets to form a book and a method of manufacturing is provided. The machine includes, a first receiver and a second receiver to receive to receive a main sheet (101) and an auxiliary sheet (103) respectively. The machine further includes a disposer to dispose an adhesive strip (105) to couple the main sheet (101) and the auxiliary sheet (103) and to form a gutter (107) between the main sheet (101) and the auxiliary sheet (103). The distance (g1, g2) between the main sheet 101 and the auxiliary sheet (103) is a gutter-size (g1,g2). The machine further provides an adjuster to adjust relative position of the main sheet (101) and the auxiliary sheet (103) and any one or both of the gutter-size (g1,g2) and width (x1, x2) of the auxiliary sheet (103) based on the position of the main sheet (100) in the book. The first receiver and the second receiver positions the auxiliary sheet (103) adjacent to a first edge of the main sheet (101) and the first edge is proximal to a biding edge of the book.

A machine for processing sheets for binding the sheets to form a book and a method of manufacturing is provided. The machine includes, a first receiver and a second receiver to receive to receive a main sheet (101) and an auxiliary sheet (103) respectively. The machine further includes a disposer to dispose an adhesive strip (105) to couple the main sheet (101) and the auxiliary sheet (103) and to form a gutter (107) between the main sheet (101) and the auxiliary sheet (103). The distance (g1, g2) between the main sheet 101 and the auxiliary sheet (103) is a gutter-size (g1,g2). The machine further provides an adjuster to adjust relative position of the main sheet (101) and the auxiliary sheet (103) and any one or both of the gutter-size (g1,g2) and width (x1, x2) of the auxiliary sheet (103) based on the position of the main sheet (100) in the book. The first receiver and the second receiver positions the auxiliary sheet (103) adjacent to a first edge of the main sheet (101) and the first edge is proximal to a biding edge of the book.

A method of making a customized book via a fully automated process. Various sized customized books are produced via an automated book production system. The automated book production system includes a book block finishing section for preparing a book block to be part of the customized book. The automated book production system also includes a cover finishing section for preparing a cover for the customized book. The book cover is made of a flexible material. The automated book production system further includes a customized book finishing section that combines the book block and the cover to create the customized book. A fully automated customized book production system includes the book block finishing section, the cover finishing section for preparing a cover for the customized book, and the customized book finishing section that combines the book block and the cover to create the customized book.