Multiple signature feeder system

Abstract

A binding line having increased capacity and increased flexibility to deliver customized or personalized signatures to the gathering conveyor in order to customize or personalizes the content of a book to appeal to targeted demographic groups or individuals. The binding line includes a gathering conveyor, a plurality of packer boxes positioned along the gathering conveyor, each of the packer boxes being adapted to deliver a distinct signature to the conveyor, and a feeder system operatively associated with at least one of the packer boxes. The feeder system includes a feed conveyor and a plurality of feeder boxes, each of the feeder boxes being adapted to deliver a selected signature to the associated packer box. A primary controller is provided for activating a selected set of the packer boxes, thereby delivering a set of signatures to the gathering conveyor. The primary controller further activates a selected one of the feeder boxes, thereby delivering a selected signature from the feeder system to the selected packer box. Preferably, a printer is provided for imprinting a customized or personalized message on each of the signatures selected from the feeder system prior to delivery to the associated packer box.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a binding line for binding large circulation periodicals, catalogs, books and other printed materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to a binding line having a multiple signature feeder system, which greatly expands the capacity and flexibility of the binding line.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Books and most large circulation periodicals are simply a collection of forms or signatures that have been bound together into what is commonly referred to as a book. Each signature consists of a bundle of printed pages, and includes a backbone, a head, a foot, and a pair of folios. The signatures are gathered on a binding line in a particular order, and are then stitched or glued together to form the book.[0003]The binding line typically includes a plurality of packer boxes positioned along a gathering conveyor, with each packer box or a selected set of packer boxes delivering printed signatures seria...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention greatly expands the capacity as well as the flexibility of a conventional binding line to produce customized books targeted to appeal to a chosen demographic group, or books that are customized or personalized in accordance with other criteria. A feeder system having a plurality of feeder boxes or hoppers is positioned upstream of a conventional packer box. A feed controller operatively connected to a primary system controller activates a selected one of the feeder boxes, so that the distinct signature contained in that selected feeder box is delivered via a feed conveyor to the associated packer box. A printer disposed along the feed conveyor permits a customized or personalized message, such as the name and address of a magazine subscriber, renewal notices, or discount, shipping and credit features, to be applied to each signature prior to delivery to the associated packer box.

Problems solved by technology

Although it is very desirable to have customized or personalized signatures, physical and financial constraints severely hamper the capacity, and hence the flexibility, of the binding line.

The capacity of the binding line is limited by a number of factors, including the length of the binding line and the number of packer boxes available.

Space and cost considerations frequently make it impractical, if not impossible, to add packer boxes beyond a certain number.

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