(19)
(11) EP 0 379 879 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
17.04.1991 Bulletin 1991/16

(43) Date of publication A2:
01.08.1990 Bulletin 1990/31

(21) Application number: 90100295.6

(22) Date of filing: 08.01.1990
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B42C 1/00, B41F 17/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
CH DE FR GB IT LI

(30) Priority: 23.01.1989 US 299631

(71) Applicant: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
Chicago Illinois 60616 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Mayer, Theodore W.
    Chiacago, IL 60638 (US)
  • Anker, Earl J.
    Glenwood, IL 60425 (US)
  • Reigel, Gregory F.
    Elburn, IL 60119 (US)
  • Clarke, F.G.E.
    Essex, CT 06426 (US)

(74) Representative: Altenburg, Udo, Dipl.-Phys. et al
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte, Bardehle . Pagenberg . Dost . Altenburg . Frohwitter . Geissler & Partner, Galileiplatz 1
81679 München
81679 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line


    (57) 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.






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