Automated Sheet Cutting and Taping for Uniform Bookbinding Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for making photo albums or books by binding printed sheets suffer from quality deviations due to manual operation, leading to non-uniform gaps and parallelism issues, resulting in poor page turning experience and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A sheet processing apparatus that automates the cutting and taping process, using a positioning member to ensure accurate gap formation and parallel edges between image and binding margin portions, and affixing adhesive tapes to create flexible hinges for high-quality bookbinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to fix the small piece and printed sheet with adhesive tapes, then the process is simple and flexible, but quality deviation occurs due to non-uniform gap dimensions and parallelism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation simplicityVSAvoidgap dimension uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated sheet processing apparatus that uses a positioning member to precisely control sheet placement and a cutter to create uniform gaps. The automated taping unit then applies adhesive tapes consistently, eliminating the quality deviation caused by manual operation while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member automatically positions the sheet on the table without requiring manual adjustment, and the cutter automatically creates uniform gaps. The system performs self-positioning and self-processing operations that ensure consistent gap dimensions and parallelism across all sheets, eliminating the need for operator concentration and manual precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual fixing of sheets is performed, then equipment complexity is low, but productivity decreases and quality deviation increases with larger numbers of sheets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidsheet processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet processing apparatus is divided into functional modules: a positioning member for precise sheet placement, a cutter for creating uniform gaps, and a taping unit for applying adhesive tapes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, increasing overall productivity while keeping individual components simple and the system manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual sheet processing with an automated apparatus that can handle multiple sheets simultaneously. The positioning member, cutter, and taping unit work together in an automated sequence, dramatically increasing productivity compared to manual operation while maintaining relatively simple equipment design through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual gap formation is used, then the process is adaptable to different sheet sizes, but parallelism between gap edges becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet size flexibilityVSAvoidgap parallelism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning member is designed to adapt to different sheet sizes while maintaining consistent positioning relative to the cutter and taping unit. The system can dynamically adjust to various sheet dimensions while ensuring that gap edges remain parallel and uniform, achieving both adaptability and precision through dynamic positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automated positioning member uses mechanical guidance and reference surfaces to ensure consistent sheet placement regardless of sheet size. The cutter then creates uniform gaps with parallel edges by referencing the positioned sheet edges, eliminating the parallelism issues that occur with manual gap formation while maintaining versatility across different sheet dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The apparatus ensures uniform and high-quality bookbinding by automating the process, allowing for precise control of gap dimensions and parallelism, resulting in flat page opening and improved appearance, suitable for mass production.

Implementation Method 1

a taping unit that joins the binding margin portion and the image portion together with a tape in a state in which a gap is formed between the binding margin portion and the image portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9440479B2Bookbinding with cutting and re-attaching sheets

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 CANON KK

AI summary

A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing table to which a printed sheet is transported, a positioning member that positions the sheet, a cutter that cuts the positioned sheet into a binding margin portion and an image portion, and a taping unit that joins the binding margin portion and the image portion together with a tape in a state in which a gap is formed therebetween.