US3708094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for separating bound books
Assignee: WILSON H CO
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Filing: 1970-03-13
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-03-13
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 K Koether
- 👤 A Dillin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:58
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42C; B42C5/00; B42C19/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/371
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
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.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
197 words
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.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
197 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |