Improvements in or relating to Book-binding.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Book-binding.
I, ROBERT BAGSTER, of 15 Paternoster Row, in the City of London, Publisher,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in or relating to book-
binding whereby the leaves of the book are caused to remain flat when the book is
opened the backs being more flexible than hitherto.
According to my invention, the books are more loosely sewn than usual and the
covers are attached by means of a flexible glue, thus rendering the backs absolutely
flexible and not liable to crack or break, the covers being also capable of folding
right back without injury.
D1 of 1 1000'
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.
I, ROBERT BAGSTER of 15 Paternoster Row, E.C., Publisher, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in or relating to book-
binding whereby the backs are made flexible so that the leaves can be turned right
back or rolled up without cracking or breaking the back which has never been
done before.
In carrying out my invention I proceed as follows:-
The book is folded and rolled in the usual manner and then sewn, preferably by
a Smythe sewing machine. If the book contains maps or pictures I sew them
with an ordinary sewing machine to the first or last section of the book which is
not only an improvement, but also a source of strength at the weakest part of the
binding. The book is then pressed, cut and gilt in the usual manner, but in the
"forwarding" process, i.e., making the backs, I glue the flat backs with a flexible
glue heated at or near boiling point, very much hotter than is usual in book-binding.
then very carefully rub the glue into the back with a cloth or finger, and before
the glue is cold proceed to "round" the book and to "back" it in an ordinary
backing machine, but this machine is so set as to form a smaller shoulder than
heretofore. It is usual when the book is rounded and backed to place on a piece
of brown paper or thin binder's cloth, but I dispense with everything on the back
except the glue so that there is nothing between the back and the leather cover
and thus great flexibility is obtained.

page_text: The next step is to make the cover or case, and in glueing this ou to the book
I use a pure flexible glue as nearly, at boiling point as possible, and as this glue
does not adhere very quickly I move the back of the book after the cover is on,
to and fro over a gas flame or other means of heating to keep the glue hot, rubbing
the back the whole time till it is well fixed. By this means very intimate cohesion
is obtained between the back and the cover and the suppleness of the binding
secured.
To obtain the degree of flexibility possible under my system of book binding it
is absolutely essential that the glue should be kept very hot, as if it is allowed to
chill the flexibility is greatly diminished.
Any suitable flexible glue known in the trade-such for example as Procktor &
Bevington's may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein described flexibly bound book.
2. The method of book binding substantially as described whereby the backs
are made more flexible than heretofore.
Dated bis 27th day of November 1890.
ROBERT BAGSTER.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.
ROBERT
BAGSTER.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant..