초록 ▼

A system and method for assembling and binding books and for printing an address or a personalized message in accordance with coded information. The system includes a main control with a data processor and a memory for coded address and message information. One of more bindery lines each has means f

A system and method for assembling and binding books and for printing an address or a personalized message in accordance with coded information. The system includes a main control with a data processor and a memory for coded address and message information. One of more bindery lines each has means for gathering and assembling sections to form a book and for imaging the book with a personalized image. A line control has a data processor connected with the bindery line to control selection and assembly of signatures and imaging in accordance with the control information. Operator terminals at the main and line controls have visual display with touch screen operation input. A communication network connects the main control with each of the line controls. Address and control information from a magnetic tape is transferred to disk memory at the main control. This information is later transmitted over the communication network to the line controls. The vacuum valves of the bindery line signature delivery units and the operation of ink jet units to position message fields on the book are timed by observation of the operation of the line at slow speed and the entry of timing control information through an operator terminal.

대표청구항 ▼

In a bindery line having, (1) a moving chain with a plurality of successive signature collecting positions, (2) a plurality of signature delivery units each with a delivery mechanism driven in synchronism with the chain for transferring a signature from the unit to the chain, a cycle of bindery line

In a bindery line having, (1) a moving chain with a plurality of successive signature collecting positions, (2) a plurality of signature delivery units each with a delivery mechanism driven in synchronism with the chain for transferring a signature from the unit to the chain, a cycle of bindery line operation moving said chain a distance corresponding with one signature collection position and operating each delivery mechanism through one delivery sequence, the delivery mechanism including a vacuum signature pickup and a vacuum valve, and (3) a controller for the vacuum valves of the signature delivery units, vacuum being applied to the signature pickup of selected signature delivery units during a cycle of bindery line operation to transfer selected signatures to the moving chain and being shut off during a cycle of bindery line operation to omit a signature, the controller having an operator input, the method of timing operation of each of the vacuum valves which includes: moving the chain and the signature delivery mechanisms at a slow speed; observing for each signature delivery unit the time in the bindery line cycle at which the signature pickup engages a signature; and setting the time of operation of the vacuum valve for each unit through the controller operator input in accordance with the observed time.