Page binding method and machine

An apparatus for manufacturing, on an automatic continuous basis, successive album pages of predetermined length and width each of which comprises a base sheet having reinforcing tapes bound thereto in overlapping relation with opposing side edges thereof, said apparatus comprising:

• a registration station for guiding a pair of tapes in proper laterally spaced relation to receive a sheet therebetween, said registration station including folding means for folding the pair of tapes into overlapping adhered relation with respective side edges of the sheet;
• a compression station positioned downstream from said registration station and including a pair of releasable clamps having engagement surfaces aligned above and below the pair of tapes and an actuator operably connected to each said releasable clamp wherein activation of said actuator forces said engagement surfaces into compressing relationship with the pair of tapes thereby completing the folding of the pair of tapes and adhesion thereof with respective side edges of the sheet;
• and
• a drive mechanism for drawing the sheet and the pair of tapes downstream through said registration and compression stations and thereby drawing additional lengths of the pair of tapes toward said registration station, said drive mechanism comprising a sensor for detecting a following sheet immediately upstream from the sheet located within the registration station and producing a signal indicative thereof, a rail member, a carriage supported upon said rail member, a servo motor operably connected to said carriage, a controller in communication with said sensor and said servo motor, said controller responsive to said signal generated by said sensor wherein said signal causes said controller to activate said servo motor for linear reciprocating movement of said carriage between an upstream and a downstream position to form a web comprising a plurality of successive sheets connected with each other by the pair of tapes.