Low Tack Adhesive Binding for De-collatable Book Signatures

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional de-collatable book bindings using staples or plastic bags are cumbersome and costly, requiring special equipment and labor for signature removal, and often involve tearing or cutting processes that complicate the separation of signatures from the cover.

Innovation Solution

The use of a low-tack adhesive along the spines of signatures to securely bind them to a cover, allowing for easy separation without the need for staples or cutting, and the application of a retention tab to secure the signatures within the cover, facilitating distribution while maintaining a clean appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If staples are used to bind signatures to cover, then retention force is improved, but ease of separation deteriorates and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention forceVSAvoidease of separation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stapling system with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive is applied to the spine of the cover and signatures are pressed against it, eliminating the need for staples while maintaining retention force. This substitution allows for easy separation by simply peeling the signatures from the adhesive bond.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful element (staples) from the binding system and replaces it with a cleaner adhesive solution. By removing the mechanical fastening mechanism, the design eliminates the complexity of staple removal while maintaining the necessary retention function through adhesive bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If staples are used to bind signatures to cover, then retention force is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention forceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stapling system with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive is applied to the spine of the cover and signatures are pressed against it, eliminating the need for staples while maintaining retention force. This substitution allows for easy separation by simply peeling the signatures from the adhesive bond.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful element (staples) from the binding system and replaces it with a cleaner adhesive solution. By removing the mechanical fastening mechanism, the design eliminates the complexity of staple removal while maintaining the necessary retention function through adhesive bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If signatures are placed in separate bags for distribution, then ease of distribution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of distributionVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the signature collection with the cover into a single integrated unit bound by adhesive. This eliminates the need for separate plastic bags and their associated equipment, while still allowing easy distribution by simply removing the adhesive-bonded signatures from the cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical bagging system with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive is applied to the spine of the cover and signatures are pressed against it, eliminating the need for staples while maintaining retention force. This substitution allows for easy separation by simply peeling the signatures from the adhesive bond.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If tearing or cutting processes are used to separate signatures, then separation is achieved, but harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidtearing and cutting damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical stapling system with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive is applied to the spine of the cover and signatures are pressed against it, eliminating the need for staples while maintaining retention force. This substitution allows for easy separation by simply peeling the signatures from the adhesive bond.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of strong bonding into a benefit by using adhesive that provides strong retention during normal use but allows for easy, damage-free separation. The adhesive bond is designed to be strong enough to hold signatures during handling but weak enough to peel easily during distribution, eliminating the need for tearing or cutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and cost-effective production of de-collatable books by eliminating the need for staples, cutting, or special equipment, allowing for easy and organized removal of signatures from the cover without significant force, thus reducing manufacturing time and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a low tack adhesive is used to bind signatures of the books to a cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9855782B2De-collatable bindings and methods of producing the same

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 LSC COMMUNICATIONS BOOK LLC

AI summary

De-collatable bindings and methods of producing the same are disclosed. A disclosed includes a cover defining a spine and signatures disposed within the cover. The disclosed also includes a low tack adhesive disposed between the spine of the cover and the signatures to facilitate removal of the signatures from the cover.