Method for binding a bundle of leaves, a bundle of leaves, method and device for forming such a bundle of leaves

Abstract

Method for binding a bundle (5) of leaves (1) in a binding back (7), whereby the bundle (5) is placed in the binding back (7) with an edge (2) of the leaves (1) and fastened therein, characterized in that for the binding use is made of a bundle (5) of leaves (1) of which a strip (4) of each of the leaves (1) has been separately double folded beforehand along the same line to form a fold line (3) that extends parallel to and at a distance (A) from the aforementioned edge (2).

Claims

1. A method for binding a bundle (5) of leaves (1) in a binding back (7), comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of leaves; separately folding a strip (4) of each of the plurality of leaves, each respectively clamped between a plurality of plates, over an angle of at least 120 along a fold line (3), first in one direction and then in an opposite direction along the same fold line, the fold line extending parallel to an edge of each of the leaves at a distance (A) from the edge; forming the plurality of leaves into a bundle of leaves; and placing the bundle (5) of leaves in the binding back (7) with the edge (2) of each of the leaves (1) received and fastened therein, wherein separately folding the strip further comprises steps of: (a) extending at least one of the leaves, clamped between the plurality of plates, and the plates from a second plurality of plates and into a funnel such that the one of the leaves folds along the fold line by contacting at least a first wall of the funnel; and (b) retracting the one of the leaves and the plates from the first wall and into the second plurality of plates such that the one of the leaves, folded against the first wall, is unfolded along the fold line by contacting a first tip of the second plurality of plates.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the folding step comprises folding the strip of each of the plurality of leaves over and angle of 180 such that the strip (4) of the leaves (1) is folded back to the plane of the leaves (1).

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the distance (A) between the fold line (3) and the edge (2) of the each of the plurality of leaves (1) such that when opening the bound bundle (5) the opened leaves (1) extend flat or substantially flat.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the binding back (7) to be a V-shaped or U-shaped binding back and selecting the distance (A) to correspond substantially to a depth of the binding back (7).

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising squeezing d in respective arms (14) of the binding back (7) together after placing the bundle (5) therein in order to clamp the bundle (5) in the binding back (7).

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the distance (A) to be greater than the depth of the binding back (7).

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the distance (A) to be between 10 and 14 mm.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the distance (A) is selected to be approximately 12 mm.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fastening comprises adhering the leaves to the binding back (7) with a hotmelt adhesive (10) that melts during binding in order to fasten the leaves (1) along each edge (2) thereof after solidification, said binding back being made of metal.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising stapling the bundle (5) together before the placing step.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising proving print on the leaves (1) before the folding step.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein sides (6) of adjacent leaves (1) oriented towards one another are provided with printing (15) that runs seamlessly over the fold line (3) of both leaves (1) from one side (6) to the other side (6) to which the part of the printing (15) on one side (6) is applied up to the fold line (3) of the leaf (1) concerned and the part of the printing (15) of the other side (6) is applied up to the fold line (3) of the adjacent leaf (1).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the printing (15) on one side (6) and the printing (15) on the other side (6) continues with an overlapping section over the fold line (3).

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or two endpapers (11) of a folder or book are affixed to the binding back (7).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the endpapers (11) are configured to be completely folded outwards with respect to the arms (14) of the binding back (7) up to against or almost against the arms (14) of the binding back.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein separately folding the strip further comprises steps, after steps (a) and (b), of: (c) re-extending the at least one of the leaves, clamped between the plurality of plates, and the plates from the second plurality of plates and into the funnel such that the one of the leaves folds, in a direction opposite to folding in step (a), along the fold line by contacting at least second first wall of the funnel, the second wall being opposite to the first wall of the funnel; and (d) retracting the one of the leaves and the plates from the second wall and into the second plurality of plates such that the one of the leaves, folded against the second wall, is unfolded along the fold line, in a direction opposite to the folding in step (b), by contacting a second tip of the second plurality of plates, the second tip being a tip of the plurality of plates opposite the first tip.

Description

(1) With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a preferred method for binding a bundle of leaves according to the invention is described hereinafter by way of an example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1 to 7 schematically show the successive steps of a method according to the invention;

(3) FIGS. 8 to 10 schematically show the bundle of FIG. 7 while being leafed through;

(4) FIG. 11 schematically shows a view according to the arrow F11 of FIG. 7;

(5) FIG. 12 schematically shows the folded leaves of FIG. 11, but in a loose separated position;

(6) FIG. 13 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12;

(7) FIG. 14 schematically shows a device for sharply double folding a leaf;

(8) FIGS. 15 to 23 schematically show the successive different steps of the use of the device, as shown in FIG. 14;

(9) FIGS. 24 to 26 schematically show an alternative device for sharply double folding a leaf and different steps of the use of such a device.

(10) FIGS. 1 to 4 schematically show a method for manufacturing a double-folded leaf 1.

(11) To this end a leaf 1 with an edge 2 is folded back along a fold line 3, which runs parallel to the edge 2 and at a distance A from it, in one direction as shown in FIG. 2.

(12) In this way a strip 4 is formed that is demarcated by a fold line 3.

(13) Then the strip 4 is folded in the other direction along the sharp fold line 3 as shown in FIG. 3.

(14) The strip 4 is folded each time over an angle greater than 90, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this case the angle is 120.

(15) However, it is not excluded that the angle over which the leaf 1 is folded is greater than 120.

(16) The folding of the leaf 1 over an angle greater than 90 and preferably at least 120 has the advantage that the leaf 1 will fold over the fold line 3 formed. When the angle is less than 90, the leaf 1 will bend around the fold line 3.

(17) Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, the strip 4 is folded back in line with the leaf 1.

(18) In this way a double-folded leaf 1 is made.

(19) Preferably the strip 4 for forming a sharp fold line 3 is completely double folded. In this way the fold line 3 forms as it were a flexible hinge along which the leaf 1 can be flexibly turned back and forth with respect to the strip 4.

(20) The distance A between the edge 2 and the fold line 3 is equal to the width of the strip 4.

(21) FIGS. 5 to 7 schematically show a method for binding a bundle 5 of double-folded leaves 1.

(22) As shown in FIG. 5, the bundle consists of a number of double-folded leaves 1 that are placed with their sides 6 against one another, whereby the edges 2 of the leaves 1 to be bound are aligned with respect one another.

(23) In this case the binding back 7 consists of a U-shaped part 8, for example of metal, with a layer of hotmelt adhesive 10 on the base.

(24) The binding back 7 is further provided with two endpapers 11, for example of cardboard, that are provided with a covering 12 on either side.

(25) It is clear that the binding back 7 can also take on other forms.

(26) The bundle 5 is placed in the U-shaped part 8 of the binding back 7, whereby the edges 2 of the double-folded leaves 1 are placed up against the layer of hotmelt adhesive 10, as shown in FIG. 6.

(27) Hereby the fold line 3 of the double-folded leaves 1 comes out somewhat above the U-shaped part 8.

(28) Then the layer of hotmelt adhesive 10 is heated by means of a heat source 13. The hotmelt adhesive 10 will hereby melt and become liquid, such that the double-folded leaves 1 of the bundle 5 can be affixed therein.

(29) After solidification of the hotmelt adhesive 10, the bundle 5 is attached to the bundle 7 via the hotmelt adhesive 10.

(30) Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the arms 14 of the U-shaped part 8 of the binding back 7 are squeezed together. This will ensure an extra sturdy fixing of the bundle 5 in the binding back 7 and the fit of the bundle 5 against the free edges of the arms 14 without a split being visible between the two.

(31) The bound bundle 5 is now finished into a folder with bound leaves 1.

(32) As shown in FIG. 7, when opening the bundle 5, the double-folded leaves 1 will extend in one plane.

(33) In reality the result is better than shown in the drawings, which give a somewhat distorted picture because a certain thickness has been given to the leaves for clarity.

(34) FIGS. 8 to 10 schematically show how the U-shaped part 8 of the binding back 7 will turn when leafing through.

(35) When an endpaper 11 is opened, it can be folded up against the arm 14 of the U-shaped part 8, as shown in FIG. 8.

(36) When leafing through further, the arm 14 of the U-shaped part 8 will move away from this endpaper 11 because the U-shaped part 8 will turn towards the other endpaper 11 according to the arrow B. This is shown in FIG. 9.

(37) When leafing even further through, as shown in FIG. 10, the U-shaped part 8 of the binding back will turn further until the other arm 14 of the binding back 7 is finally against the other endpaper 11.

(38) This turning of the binding back 7 is done automatically as it were when leafing through the bundle 5, and will ensure that the leaves 1 extend flat when the bundle 5 is opened at a certain page.

(39) As presented in FIG. 11, the sides 6 of the double-folded leaves 1 are printed, for example with a part of an illustration 15 or photograph, whereby the illustration 15 continues as good as seamlessly from the one double-folded leaf 1 to the other double-folded leaf 1 to thus form one continuous illustration. This is useful, for example, when composing a photograph album whereby large photographs can be provided in this way that extend over two leaves 1 and this without an inconvenient split between the two.

(40) FIG. 12 shows two printed double-folded leaves 1, whereby after binding the printing 15 will form a single whole on both leaves 1 together.

(41) Hereby the printing 15 is printed up to the fold line 3, whereby the strip 4 remains unprinted.

(42) FIG. 13 shows a variant of this, whereby a part 16 of the strips 4 is also printed with an overlapping part of the printing 15.

(43) It is clear that the hotmelt adhesive 10 can be left out, and that the bundle 5 can be stapled before being placed in the binding back 7.

(44) It is also clear that the squeezing of the arms 14 of the U-shaped part 8 of the binding back 7 can be omitted.

(45) A device 17 for forming a bundle 5 of leaves 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 14.

(46) The device 17 is provided with two plates 18, in this case steel plates with a thickness of 0.3 millimeters, which act as clamping means 18.

(47) The two plates 18 are affixed between two plates 18b. These plates 18b can be moved with respect to the leaf 1, which is clamped between the two plates 18. The plates 18 cannot be moved with respect to the leaf 1.

(48) A leaf 1 is clamped between the two plates 18, which have their edge 19 aligned with a line 20 at a distance A from the edge 2 of the leaf 1 to form a protruding strip 4 with width A.

(49) Furthermore the device 17 is also provided with a profiled element 21 with a funnel-shaped groove 22, which acts as a folding means 21.

(50) At the entrance 23 of the groove 22 there are two rotatable rollers 24. The bottom 25 of the funnel-shaped groove 22 ends in a sharp point 25.

(51) Furthermore the device 17 is also provided with means for moving the plates 18 with respect to the element 21 in a direction X-X parallel to and in a direction Y-Y perpendicular to the plane of the leaf 1, which for simplicity is not shown.

(52) The successive steps of a method for forming a bundle 5 of leaves 1 according to the invention, in which the device 17 is used, are shown in FIGS. 15 to 23.

(53) FIG. 15 shows how a leaf is clamped between the two steel plates 18, whereby a strip 4 of the leaf 1 protrudes between the steel plates 18 with a width A.

(54) The plates 18 with the leaf 1 are above the element 21 in such a position that the strip 4 comes past the entrance 23 of the element 21.

(55) The plates 18 and are then moved towards the element 21, in such a way that the strip 4 of the leaf 1 is partially folded upwards as shown in FIG. 16.

(56) When the plates 18 are at the level of the funnel-shaped groove 22, they will move in the groove 22 as shown in FIG. 17. The plates 18b will hereby not move in the funnel-shaped groove 22, but will stay in place.

(57) As a result, the rollers 24 will ensure that the leaf 1 between the plates 18 is readily guided in the groove 22.

(58) When the plates 18 are as far as possible in the bottom 25 of the groove 22, the strip 4 will be folded upwards over the line 20 over the edge 19 of the plates 18, such that a sharp fold line 3 occurs.

(59) As can be clearly seen in the drawings, the leaf 1 is folded by an angle greater than 120. This will lead to a sharp fold line 3.

(60) The plates 18 will then move back from the groove 22, and will as it were slide back in the plates 18b. The folded strip 4 is folded back in the plane of the leaf 1 using the plates 18b, as shown in FIG. 18.

(61) The first sharp fold line 3 is formed. In order to fold the strip 4 over this fold line 3 in the other direction, upwards, over the same line 20 similar steps are performed, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 23.

(62) The plates 18 with the leaf 1 are under the element 21 in such a position that the strip 4 comes past the entrance 23 of the element 21.

(63) The plates 18 are then moved towards the element 21, in such a way that the strip 4 of the leaf 1 is partially folded downwards, as shown in FIG. 20.

(64) When the plates 18 are at the level of the funnel-shaped groove 22, they will then move in the groove 22, as shown in FIG. 21. The plates 18b will hereby not move in the funnel-shaped groove 22, but will stay in place.

(65) As a result the rollers 24 ensure that the leaf 1 between the plates 18 is readily guided in the groove 22.

(66) When the plates 18 are as far as possible in the point 25 of the groove 22, the strip 4 will be folded downwards over the line 20 over the edge 19 of the plates 18 such that a sharp fold line 3 occurs.

(67) In this case too the leaf 1 is folded over an angle greater than 120.

(68) This sharp fold line 3 will be formed in the same line 20 as the previous fold line 3. In other word words, in this way a sharp double fold line 3 is made.

(69) The plates 18 will then move back out of the groove 22, and will as it were slide back in the plates 18b. The folded strip 4 is then folded back in the plane of the leaf 1 using the plates 18b, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

(70) In this way a sharp double-folded leaf 1 can be made.

(71) By using the plates 18 it can be ensured that the strip 4 is folded twice over exactly the same line 20.

(72) The use of the funnel-shaped groove 22 ensures the sharp fold line 3.

(73) It is clear that there can be even more rollers 24 in the funnel-shaped groove 22, or that there are absolutely no rollers 24 present.

(74) It is also clear that the method can also be implemented by first performing the steps presented in FIGS. 19 to 23 and then the steps presented in FIGS. 15 to 18, in other words by first folding the strip 4 downwards and then upwards.

(75) FIGS. 24 to 26 describe an alternative embodiment of a device 17 according to the invention, whereby in this case the plates 18 with the clamped leaf 1 and the profiled element 21 can move with respect to one another in only one single direction, i.e. in the direction of the plane of the leaf 1, whereby the plates 18 are positioned opposite the entrance 23 of the funnel-shaped groove 22.

(76) The means to fold the strip 4 of the clamped leaf 1 perpendicularly with respect to the plates 18 are in this case formed by a separate element 26, for example a stylus 26, that is arranged movably between the plates 18 and the profiled element 21 in a direction Y-Y perpendicular to the plane of the plates 18 and which extends parallel to the edge 19 of the plates 18.

(77) Additionally, the bottom 25 of the funnel-shaped groove 22 can be open, whereby the width C of the opening 27 is somewhat wider than the thickness D of two plates 18 with clamped leaf 1.

(78) The use of such an alternative embodiment differs in the fact that in this case the strip 4 of the leaf 1 is folded, before the plates 18 are placed in the funnel-shaped groove 22, by moving the element 26 upwards or downwards from a side of the plates 18 to the other side of the plates 18 in order to first fold the protruding strip 4 upwards or downwards perpendicularly. The element 26 hereby moves from one position on a side of the plates 18 to a subsequent position of the plates 18, whereby the two positions are situated at a perpendicular distance E from the plates that is less than the width A of the strip 4, such that when the plates 18 move in the funnel-shaped groove 22, the folded strip 4 remains caught behind the element 26.

(79) When the plates 18 move in the funnel-shaped groove 22 their edge 19 will be able to move past the bottom 25 on account of the opening 27 in the bottom 25. This will lead to a very sharp fold line 3 being formed.

(80) The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the drawings, but a method for binding bundles of leaves according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of variants, without departing from the scope of the invention.