Apparatus and method for preparing multipage, taped, side-stitched

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for preparing side-stitched (and preferably taped) documents which lie flat when opened on a flat support surface, such as a desk. The apparatus includes means for feeding a series of sheets to the apparatus in a paused, timed, preselected order, scoring means for impressing a vertical score line along one edge of each sheet as it passes through the scoring means, means for changing the position of the scoring element of the scoring means so that the score line of each sheet can be offset from the score line of adjacent sheets in the document being prepared, a downstream, in-line accumulating station to receive scored sheets from the scoring means, first clamping means associated with the accumulating station to grasp a complete assembly of sheets on the side opposite the score lines, means for moving the clamped assembly to and through in-line, downstream operating units including a stitching station and a stopping station, a stitching station including a stitching (stapling) head for making two or more stitches in the assembly at loci adjacent to and exterior of the score lines, and a stopping station including second clamping means for grasping the side-stitched document on its upstream side transverse to the stitched side.