Gary D Juda

US Patent:

53775694, Jan 3, 1995

Filed:

May 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/057802

Inventors:

Paul N. Richards - Fairport NY
Harry A. Hilbert - Ontario NY
Gary D. Juda - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B26D 718

US Classification:

83 98

Abstract:

A signature booklet maker (SBM) finishing apparatus for an image producing device includes a modified fold blade having a plurality of contacting teeth spaced part by a predetermined distance. The contacting teeth further include a predetermined contact surface width and a predetermined thickness. The grind direction of the teeth is specified to reduce inside sheet drag during folding. The spaced teeth are adapted drive the stitched signature set in a folding unit without contacting the stitches, thereby eliminating fold skew and inside sheet marking. Moreover, the fold blade has a predetermined hardness to ensure that the blade is not damaged during folding. The SBM further includes a trim waste elimination device and knife guard to prevent booklet trimmings from migrating throughout the trimmer unit. The knife guard eliminates the safety hazard caused by the blade in the resting position and guides air from an air blower to force booklet trimmings into a waste chute. A discontinuity bracket on the blade reduces the surface area for trimmings to become adhered to the blade by static electricity.