Modular signature feeders

Abstract

Systems and apparatus for manufacturing books are disclosed. An example modular signature feeder includes a frame having a base configured to enable the modular signature feeder to be removably attached to another modular signature feeder or a signature transfer assembly associated with a signature collation feeder assembly. Removably attaching the modular signature feeder assembly to another modular signature feeder or a signature transfer assembly increases a footprint of the signature collation feeder assembly. A conveyor configured to move signatures and a hopper configured to hold a plurality of signatures are operatively coupled to the frame. A signature feeding device is disposed between the hopper and the conveyor and configured to feed the signatures from the hopper to the conveyor.

1 . A modular signature feeder, comprising: 
 a frame having a base configured to enable the modular signature feeder to be removably attached to another modular signature feeder or a signature transfer assembly associated with a signature collation feeder assembly, wherein removably attaching the modular signature feeder assembly to another modular signature feeder or a signature transfer assembly increases a footprint of the signature collation feeder assembly;    a conveyor operatively coupled to the frame and configured to move signatures;    a hopper operatively coupled to the frame and configured to hold a plurality of signatures; and    a signature feeding device disposed between the hopper and the conveyor and configured to feed the signatures from the hopper to the conveyor.    
   
   
       2 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to engage a building surface during operation of the modular signature feeder.  
   
   
       3 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the building surface is a floor.  
   
   
       4 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the signature transfer assembly is configured to receive the signatures from the modular signature feeder and feed the signatures to a host pocket.  
   
   
       5 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the host pocket is configured to feed the signatures to a square-back bindery line or a saddle-stitch bindery line.  
   
   
       6 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the signature feeding device is a rotary signature feeder.  
   
   
       7 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is driven by a servo motor.  
   
   
       8 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the servo motor is controlled based on information generated by an encoder operatively coupled to another conveyor.  
   
   
       9 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the other conveyor is associated with a signature squaring assembly configured to align the signatures.  
   
   
       10 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the conveyor is driven by the servo motor via a belt and a sprocket.  
   
   
       11 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is configured to receive signatures from the other modular signature feeder via a belt-to-belt transfer.  
   
   
       12 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is configured to deliver the signatures to the other modular signature feeder or to the signature transfer assembly via a belt-to-belt transfer.  
   
   
       13 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame or the base is configured to be operatively coupled to the signature transfer assembly via a signature squaring assembly.  
   
   
       14 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising at least one fastening component mechanically coupled to the frame or the base and configured to removably attach the modular signature feeder to the other modular signature feeder or the signature squaring assembly.  
   
   
       15 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the modular signature feeder is configured to feed a first signature and the other modular signature feeder is configured to feed a second signature different from the first signature.  
   
   
       16 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base is coupled to a plurality of casters or a plurality of wheels configured to enable the modular signature feeder to be rolled from one location to another.  
   
   
       17 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the base is configured to engage a building surface via the plurality of casters or the plurality of wheels.  
   
   
       18 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the modular signature feeder is substantially similar to the other modular signature feeder.  
   
   
       19 . A modular signature feeder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the hopper is a side-loading hopper.  
   
   
       20 - 40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . A modular signature feeder, comprising: 
 a frame having a base configured to engage a building surface during operation of the modular signature feeder and to enable the modular signature feeder to be removably attached to another modular signature feeder or a signature transfer assembly, wherein the base is configured to roll from one location to another;    a conveyor operatively coupled to the frame and configured to move signatures;    a hopper operatively coupled to the frame and configured to hold a plurality of signatures; and    a signature feeding device disposed between the hopper and the conveyor and configured to feed the signatures from the hopper to the conveyor.    
   
   
       42 . A modular signature feeder assembly as defined in  claim 41 , wherein the base is configured to roll via a plurality of casters or a plurality of wheels that are mechanically coupled to the base.  
   
   
       43 . A modular signature feeder assembly as defined in  claim 41 , wherein the building surface is a floor.