Multiple signature feeder system

For use with a binding line having a plurality of packer boxes positioned along a gathering conveyor, a feeder system for feeding at least one of the packer boxes comprising:

• a plurality of feeder boxes associated with the one packer box, each of the feeder boxes being adapted to contain a distinct signature, each of the feeder boxes being adapted to deliver the distinct signature to a feed conveyor;
• the feed conveyor being adapted to receive the distinct signatures from the feeder boxes and to deliver the signatures from the feeder boxes to the associated packer box;
• and
• a primary controller for activating the packer boxes to thereby deliver a selected set of signatures to the gathering conveyor, the primary controller being operatively connected to a feed system controller for activating a selected one of the feeder boxes to thereby deliver a selected one of the distinct signatures from the plurality of feeder boxes to the associated packer box.

A binding line for gathering a plurality of signatures to form a book, comprising:

• a gathering conveyor;
• a plurality of packer boxes positioned along the conveyor, each of the packer boxes being adapted to deliver a distinct signature to the conveyor;
• a primary controller for activating a selected set of packer boxes to thereby deliver a set of signatures to the gathering conveyor;
• adjustable feed means associated with at least one of the packer boxes for delivering a selected signature to the associated packer box, the feed means including a plurality of feeder boxes and having a feed controller operatively connected to the primary controller, the feed controller for causing a selected one of the feeder boxes to deliver a selected signature to the associated packer box.

A method for expanding the capacity of a binding line comprising the steps of:

• providing a binding line adapted to gather a plurality of signatures to form a book and having a plurality of packer boxes positioned along a gathering conveyor;
• operatively connecting a plurality of feeder boxes to a selected one of the packer boxes;
• positioning a feed conveyor adjacent the feeder boxes;
• and
• controlling the feeder boxes to thereby deliver a selected signature to the feed conveyor for delivery to the selected one of the packer boxes.