A printing apparatus capable of producing a product having the optimum image layout dependent on a discharge destination even when saddle-stitching is canceled due to input of image data for sheets in excess of a limit of a saddle-stitchable number of sheets. The number of output sheets per one copy is calculated based on image data. When the number of output sheets per one copy exceeds a saddle-stitchable number of sheets, it is selected whether to perform the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed without performing the saddle stitching processing thereon or to perform neither the saddle stitching processing nor the center folding processing on the sheets on which images are printed.

The invention provides a stack comprising a plurality of absorbent sheets stacked in facing arrangement. The stack is bound along its top edge by at least one line of stitches comprising a plurality of spaced apart stitch holes and a thread disposed therein. Individual sheets further comprise a line of perforations comprising a plurality of spaced apart perforation holes. The line of stitches and the line of perforations are such that there is generally a one-to-one numerical correspondence amongst at least a majority of the plurality of stitch holes and perforation holes.

A gripping device (200) is proposed for gripping a sewing thread (415) in a bookbinding sewing machine (100). The gripping device (200) comprises a crochet (205) and a body (220) that are slidable reciprocally between an open condition, wherein a hook (215) of the crochet (205) hooks the sewing thread (415), and a closed condition, wherein the hook (215) blocks the sewing thread (415); the body (220) has one or more channels (270) crossing it for conveying a gas jet towards the hook (215). A bookbinding sewing machine (100) comprising one or more gripping devices (200) is also proposed. Moreover, a corresponding method for sewing signatures (115) into book blocks (155) is proposed.

A gripping device (200) is proposed for gripping a sewing thread (415) in a bookbinding sewing machine (100). The gripping device (200) comprises a crochet (205) and a body (220) that are slidable reciprocally between an open condition, wherein a hook (215) of the crochet (205) hooks the sewing thread (415), and a closed condition, wherein the hook (215) blocks the sewing thread (415); the body (220) has one or more channels (270) crossing it for conveying a gas jet towards the hook (215). A bookbinding sewing machine (100) comprising one or more gripping devices (200) is also proposed. Moreover, a corresponding method for sewing signatures (115) into book blocks (155) is proposed.

The creaser 2 includes a project part 21 for forming the crease 120 on the sheet 101 and a receive part 22 for receiving the project part 21. The project part 21 is moved between a crease position and a standby potion, the project part 21 being at the crease position so as to form the crease 120 on the sheet 101, the project part 21 being away from the sheet 101 at the standby position so as not to form the crease 120 on the sheet 101. The input device 6 includes a selector 60 for selecting the sheet 101 to be creased by the creaser 2 from among the sheets 101 fed from the conveyer 1, the input device 6 sending the information of the selection to the controller 5.

The creaser 2 includes a project part 21 for forming the crease 120 on the sheet 101 and a receive part 22 for receiving the project part 21. The project part 21 is moved between a crease position and a standby potion, the project part 21 being at the crease position so as to form the crease 120 on the sheet 101, the project part 21 being away from the sheet 101 at the standby position so as not to form the crease 120 on the sheet 101. The input device 6 includes a selector 60 for selecting the sheet 101 to be creased by the creaser 2 from among the sheets 101 fed from the conveyer 1, the input device 6 sending the information of the selection to the controller 5.

A stapling unit with an improved stitching head drive apparatus includes a bunch sensor that senses the absence of the bunch of sheets and send a signal to the PLC, which actuates a lever operating device. The lever operating device opens the toggle lever by pushing the toggle release lever to disengage the driving lever from the pivot lever. The disengagement of the toggle lever with the pivot lever and the driving lever results in free pivotal movement of the pivot lever and the driving lever will not transfer the motion to the shaft which is responsible to drive the stitching head. Thus, the controllable movement of the stitching head results in improved cycle time of machine and minimum rejection.

A device and a method for folding a print substrate web is disclosed. The device has devices for quarter folding and for cross-cutting the print substrate web for severing individual products as well as devices for cross folding. As viewed in the transport direction of the products, an arrangement for dividing the product stream is provided after a second quarter folding device, the arrangement conveying the successive products to a first and a second conveyor belt in an alternating manner.

A device and a method for folding a print substrate web is disclosed. The device has devices for quarter folding and for cross-cutting the print substrate web for severing individual products as well as devices for cross folding. As viewed in the transport direction of the products, an arrangement for dividing the product stream is provided after a second quarter folding device, the arrangement conveying the successive products to a first and a second conveyor belt in an alternating manner.

A leveler device (200) is proposed for use in a bookbinding sewing machine (100) adapted to sew signatures (115) into book blocks (155) with one or more sewing threads (415). The leveler device (200) is used to level each signature (115) loaded onto amovable saddle (150). The leveler device (200) has at least one inlet (215) for receiving a gas jet and one or more nozzles (220) for ejecting the gas towards corresponding free ends of the threads (415) projecting from a last signature (115) of each completed bookblock (155). A bookbinding sewing machine (100) comprising the leveler device (200) is also proposed. Moreover, a corresponding method for operating a bookbinding sewing machine (100) is proposed.