Abstract:
Book-turning equipment is detailed. The equipment acts on horizontally-oriented books and rotates them vertically through approximately one hundred eighty degrees without reorienting their backbones (spines). Mechanical assistance is provided only for the first approximately ninety degrees of the book rotation, however, with gravity and centrifugal forces causing the remaining rotation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to automated processes and equipment for creating printed or other materials and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to systems and methods for inverting materials such as books, magazines, etc. (or portions thereof), for purposes including, but not limited to, printing mailing addresses on rear covers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,784 to Bellanca, et al., discloses a continuous-feed apparatus for turning books approximately ninety degrees. The apparatus receives book blocks “in upright orientation” and rotates them so that their binding edges face downward. Rotation is achieved via conveyance on an arcuate “false bottom ramp,” with the rotated blocks then conveyed on an inclined ramp to an existing ramp and thence to a clamping mechanism. No rotation of horizontally-oriented materials is suggested in the Bellanca patent, nor is any rotation through approximately one hundred eighty degrees disclosed. Similarly, no rotation for purposes of printing mailing addresses on covers is detailed. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,526 to Bulka, et al., mentions then-existing techniques for stacking saddle-bound books. These techniques included receiving a certain number of books in a bin or tray and then rotat[ing] the entire bin 180° before the next book is placed on top of the stack. Then a similar number of books are placed on the stack and it is rotated again. 
         [0004]    See Bulka, col. 1,11. 49-52. According to the Bulka patent, the techniques tended to damage books and were incompatible with high-speed production equipment. The Bulka patent, therefore, proposes a different system for “slowly” rotating books through one hundred eighty degrees in a horizontal plane so as periodically to reorient their backbones. No vertical rotation occurs, however, nor is any rotation employed to facilitate printing of mailing addresses. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides alternate book-turning equipment for purposes other than those identified in the Bellanca and Bulka patents. The equipment acts on horizontally-oriented books and rotates them vertically through approximately one hundred eighty degrees without reorienting their backbones (spines). As a consequence, backbones of the books may continue to travel in the same orientation, while previously upwardly-facing, typically front, covers may become downwardly-facing covers for purposes of printing mailing addresses or other information on the rear covers. 
         [0006]    Book-turning equipment of the present invention may be employed continuously. This system thus allows for rapid production, as the conveying of books need not be stopped to reorient any manually. Although not presently preferred, embodiments of the invention conceivably could be modified so as to turn books only upon command, which would allow books needing turning to be processed together with those not requiring turning. 
         [0007]    Equipment and techniques of the invention further are configured to cause rotation through one hundred eighty degrees with mechanical assistance only through ninety degrees. Stated differently, the present invention affirmatively rotates books only through approximately ninety degrees, allowing natural forces such as gravity and centrifugal forces to rotate the books through an additional ninety degrees. This approach simplifies aspects of the equipment, as mechanical assistance is not required through full inversion of the books. 
         [0008]    Indeed, systems of the present invention may be incorporated into existing binding (or others) lines and require only a single axis of rotation. Accordingly, only one rotating shaft is necessary. Sensors associated with the equipment may recognize when a book (or set of books) needing turning is approaching the equipment, thus causing a ninety-degree rotation of the shaft (and thereby effecting a one hundred eighty degree rotation of the book or books). 
         [0009]    It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide equipment, systems, and techniques for turning materials. 
         [0010]    It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide equipment, systems, and techniques for reorienting covers of printed materials without reorienting their backbones. 
         [0011]    It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide equipment, systems, and techniques for rotating printed materials through approximately one hundred eighty degrees. 
         [0012]    It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide equipment, systems, and techniques for rotating printed materials through approximately one hundred eighty degrees while only mechanically assisting with the initial ninety degrees of such rotation. 
         [0013]    It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide equipment, systems, and techniques for sensing approach of materials needing to be turned and causing rotation of a shaft of the equipment. 
         [0014]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in appropriate fields with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sample book for use with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A-D  are schematicized, elevational views of equipment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is another schematicized, elevational view of equipment including that of  FIGS. 2A-D . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematicized, top plan view of equipment including that of  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is exemplary book X. Although identified as a “book,” book X may instead be a magazine, periodical, catalog, brochure, or other printed or unprinted document or material. As well, book X may be a signature or other portion of such a document or material. Nevertheless, book X preferably includes a first, or front, cover Y, a second, rear cover Z, and a spine or backbone S. 
         [0020]    Depicted in  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3  is set  10  of books including book X. As shown especially in  FIG. 2A , set  10  initially is oriented horizontally; book X is uppermost of the set, with front cover Y oriented upward and rear cover Z oriented downward. Backbone S of book X is oriented so as to be visible in  FIG. 2A . Set  10  may approach turning equipment  14  on conveyor or belt  16  travelling in the direction identified by arrow E. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that set  10  may comprise as few as one book or as many books as feasible or desired. 
         [0021]    Exemplary equipment  14  may comprise a rotatable shaft  18  from which arms  22  extend. In the version of equipment  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-D , four arms  22  (labeled “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D”) are shown. Arms  22  may be spaced approximately ninety degrees around the circumference of shaft  18  and serve as platforms for sets of books. In this embodiment of equipment  14  consistent with  FIGS. 2A-D , shaft  18 , and consequently arms  22 , may rotate in the clockwise direction as indicated by arrow G. Of course, if the direction of linear travel of set  10  is reversed, shaft  18  may rotate counterclockwise instead. 
         [0022]    As set  10  approaches equipment  14 , arm  22 B is upright (vertical), arms  22 A and C are horizontal, and arm  22 D extends downward (vertically). Set  10  initially may encounter and be supported by arm  22 C, continuing to travel linearly until it contacts (or almost contacts) arm  22 B. At approximately this time shaft  18  will rotate (see  FIG. 2B ), so that arm  22 B begins supporting set  10 . Shaft  18  continues to rotate toward ninety degrees, so that arm  22 B approaches a horizontal position and arm  22 C approaches a vertical one, with books of set  10  likewise approaching a vertical orientation (see  FIG. 2C ). Further rotation to ninety degrees causes the books of set  10  to become vertical; however, responding to centrifugal and gravitational forces, the books of set  10  continue to rotate without assistance of equipment  14 , effecting “falling” onto belt  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 2D . 
         [0023]    In this rotated configuration of set  10 , book X is now lowermost of the set, with front cover Y facing downward. Rear cover Z, consequently, faces upward. The “falling” action also tends to space books of set  10  horizontally, as shown in  FIG. 2D , ultimately causing them to separate or “de-shingle” (i.e. no longer be stacked). As books of set  10  separate for further processing and they travel in direction F along belt  16 , rear cover Z will be exposed for printing. Spine S, moreover, remains oriented so as to be visible in  FIG. 2D , an advantageous result. Alternatively or additionally, other means (e.g. gates) could be used to de-shingle books of set  10  if desired. Indeed, books of some sets  10  may remain stacked even after falling onto belt  16 , facilitating their being shrink-wrapped or processed in certain other ways. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 3-4  provide additional detail concerning exemplary equipment  14 . In at least one version of the invention, equipment  14  may comprise a table-like structure  26  comprising at least platform  30 , frame  34 , and feet  38 . Structure  26  may be placed in-line between segments of belt  16 , with platform  30  being at approximately the same height as the belt  16  so as to provide a continuous horizontal path for set  10 . Of course, interfacing equipment may be utilized as needed. Various motors, gears, and belts (or other means) may be employed to correlate rotation of shaft  18  with movement of set  10 , preferably under control of or in response to signals directly or indirectly from a controller or sensors. 
         [0025]    Illustrated in  FIG. 4  is that each arm  22 A, B, C, or D may comprise multiple segments, only one of which is depicted in the elevational views of  FIGS. 2A-D  and  3 . Shown in  FIG. 4  are segments  22 A 1 - 5 ,  22 B 1 - 5 , and  22 C 1 - 5 , which are spaced along the width of platform  30 . Between segments, platform  30  may include lengthwise-extending support members  42 , although such members  42  may not always be necessary. Indeed, if desired each of arms  22 A-D may be widened so as to support set  10  with as few as one (or more) segments. Further, one or more of arms  22 A-D may be omitted in certain configurations or redistributed angularly about the circumference of shaft  18 . Platform  30  additionally may, in some cases, include either driven or freely-rotating rollers  46 . 
         [0026]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Additionally, the contents of the Bellanca and Bulka patents are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.