Paper roll width reduction

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for producing a signature having a backbone fold defining a closed end and an intermediate fold transverse to the backbone fold using a reduced width of paper coming from a roll. The method and apparatus reduce gusset wrinkles adjacent the folds by slitting ribbons formed from the paper web along a trail edge and a lead edge of a closed end forming the signature. Preferably, the slitting operation leaves an uncut portion of the closed end of the signature extending across the intermediate fold from a side edge to the trail edge to stabilize the ribbon at the area to receive the intermediate fold. The lead edge and trail edge are slit very substantially to expose long areas of fibers for gluing to form a book backbone.