Patent ID: 6379094
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: B42C

Abstract:
An apparatus for manufacturing a hard book cover, said apparatus comprising:a framework defining a longitudinal axis of the apparatus; an infeed table assembly, supported by the framework, for supporting a cover material having an adhesive on one surface thereof, a pair of opposed panels and a centrally located spine; and the cover material, the pair of opposed panels and the centrally located spine when combined with one another all forming a cover assembly; a conveying mechanism, supported by the framework, for receiving the cover assembly from the infeed table assembly and conveying the cover assembly to a fold mechanism; the fold mechanism, supported by the framework, for folding an exposed free end of the cover material around a longitudinal perimeter portion of the cover assembly; and a pair of opposed tuck fingers, coupled to a tuck finger drive mechanism to facilitate movement of the pair of opposed tuck fingers toward one another, and the pair of opposed tuck fingers operating during a standard corner fold of the fold mechanism, the pair of opposed tuck fingers being spaced apart from one another by a sufficient distance to facilitate accommodation of the pair of opposed panels between opposed inwardly facing side surfaces of the pair of tuck fingers, and the tuck finger drive mechanism moving the pair of tuck fingers inwardly toward one another with the pair of opposed panels located therebetween, during the standard corner fold by the fold mechanism, so that the opposed inwardly facing side surfaces of the pair of tuck fingers bias the cover material, located adjacent opposed corners of the opposed panels of the cover assembly, against a vertical wall of the panel to adhesively secure the cover material thereto.