Apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line.

摘要

An apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line where a plurality of signatures are provided at a feeding station (26) for delivery to a binding line conveyor (24). The signatures are transferred by a transfer conveyor (28) which extends from a point near the feeding station to a point near a binding line conveyor. A main drum assembly (30) preferably moves the signatures one at a time from the feeding station to the transfer conveyor which follows a path to a delivery drum (32) assembly where the signatures are delivered one at a time from the transfer conveyor to the binding line conveyor. The transfer conveyor is adapted to receive one signature at a time from the main drum assembly after which the transfer conveyor carries the signatures to the delivery drum assembly which delivers signatures one at a time for deposit on the binding line conveyor. In addition, the signatures are individually printed by a non-contact printer (34) in a direction perpendicular to the backbones thereof during the course of signature transfer by the transfer conveyor.