Book binding process

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Binding Process Modern book binding involves a series of collating, gluing and trimming steps which are preferably carried out as a continuous process.
Typically, individual pages or signature folds are collated into a compressed stack, or "block".
The block may be sewn prior to further processing.
Prior to application of the primer adhesive, the outer surface of the spine area can be roughened by a rotating blade to yield an absorptive, planar surface.
The block is next provided with a flexible film by the application of a primer, which is preferably a high viscosity latex comprising an emulsified polymeric adhesive resin.
The primer is applied in one or more applications so as to coat and penetrate the roughened spine by brushing, rolling or a similar process.
A portion of the wet primer wicks between the sheets to form a matrix which when dried, binds the sheets into the body of the flexible film which forms a part of the spine of the block.
After application, the coating of primer is exposed to heat.
A substantial amount of the water present in the latex is evaporated and a resilient plastic film forms which is subsequently coated with one or more adhesive layers, which may include a hot-melt adhesive layer.
The coverstock is next adhered and the books are trimmed.
Primer Compositions Latexes The present primer compositions are modified adhesive latexes.
The major portion of the latex solids are emulsified particles of adhesive polymeric resins.
Any suitable water-dispersible polymeric resin may be employed as the polymeric solid phase, including, but not limited to polychloroprene (neoprene), styrene-butadiene rubber, vinyl-vinylidene chloride, ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl acetate-acrylic acid copolymers and acrylonitrite-butadiene copolymers.
Preferred polymeric latex adhesive bases include the alkali-soluble vinyl acetate-acrylic acid copolymer available as a 55% aqueous emulsion as Covinax