Book Fore-Edge Trimming Machine with Flap Opening Furrowers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing book trimming machines face challenges in efficiently trimming the fore-edge of books with flapped covers without damaging the cover and in accommodating books with single-flap covers, leading to increased costs and production inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A vertical trimming machine with furrower means to open the cover flaps and a movable trimming blade, along with adjustable conveyor belts and counter-pressers, allows for precise trimming of the fore-edge without damaging the cover, and can handle both books with single and double flaps by enabling the removal of one furrower for single-flap production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a three knife trimmer is used to trim the fore-edge of books with flapped covers, then the trimming operation can be performed, but the flaps are damaged or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by opening the flaps before the trimming operation. The furrower means is positioned to open the flaps in advance, creating space between the blade and the flap surface. This preliminary opening action prevents the trimming blade from damaging the flaps while still enabling precise fore-edge trimming of the book block.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a specific machine with a single blade is designed upstream of the perfect binder, then fore-edge trimming can be performed on book blocks with sewn spines, but it cannot be used for book blocks with milled and glued spines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the trimming machine to handle both sewn and milled/glued spines. The key feature is the positioning of the trimming blade relative to the furrower means - the blade is positioned such that it trims the book block fore-edge after the flaps are opened, making the machine applicable to both spine types without requiring different blade configurations or machine layouts.
3Ease of operation
If sucker means are used to open the cover flaps for trimming, then the trimming blade can access the fore-edge, but marks are left on the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses furrower means as an intermediary device to open the flaps without direct contact that would mark the cover. The furrowers create a gap between the flap and the book block through a cutting or separating action, providing the necessary space for trimming without the suction marks associated with traditional sucker means.
4Productivity
If an additional three knife trimmer is added to the production line, then fore-edge trimming can be performed, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flap opening function and the fore-edge trimming function into a single integrated machine. The furrower means and trimming blade are combined in one device, eliminating the need for separate trimmers. This integration maintains productivity by performing both operations in one pass, while significantly reducing the number of machines required and lowering overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine is provided for trimming the fore-edge of books including at least one conveyor device having two superposed belts mounted about relative pulleys, the distance between the adjacent branches of the two belts being equal to the thickness of the books, which are fed to one end of the conveyor device with their spine parallel to its direction of movement and their fore-edge to be trimmed projecting from the belts, a trimming blade movable in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the books, and a presser and counter-presser to make contact with opposing parts of a book block which are adjacent to the cutting plane of the trimming blade. The machine further comprises two furrowers, one for each of the two faces of the books to open openable book parts before the trimming operation.