Booklet feeder systems and methods

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for advancing booklets from a group of booklets are provided. In particular, a booklet feeder can include a conveying path for supporting a group of booklets with each booklet comprising a stack of bound sheet articles, and a grip remover configured for engaging booklets in a seriatim manner in the conveying path. The grip remover can be movable to remove an engaged booklet from the conveying path and advance the removed booklet to an exit path.

1 . A booklet feeder for advancing booklets from a group of booklets, the booklet feeder comprising:
 a conveying path for supporting a group of booklets with each booklet comprising a stack of bound sheet articles; and   a grip remover configured for engaging booklets in a seriatim manner in the conveying path, the grip remover being movable to remove an engaged booklet from the conveying path and advance the removed booklet to an exit path.   
     
     
         2 . The booklet feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying path comprises a supply conveyor for advancing the group toward the grip remover. 
     
     
         3 . The booklet feeder of  claim 2 , wherein the supply conveyor comprises a paddle assembly movable with the supply conveyor, the paddle assembly being angled relative to the conveying path for supporting the group of booklets at about an angle. 
     
     
         4 . The booklet feeder of  claim 2 , wherein the supply conveyor comprises an advancement barrier for stopping the advancement of the group when a first booklet in the group reaches an end of the supply conveyor; and
 wherein the grip remover is movable to lift the engaged booklet past the advancement barrier.   
     
     
         5 . The booklet feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the grip remover comprises at least one vacuum picker assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The booklet feeder of  claim 5 , wherein the vacuum picker assembly is carried on a pivotable swing arm. 
     
     
         7 . The booklet feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the grip remover is configured for engaging booklets of different booklet thicknesses. 
     
     
         8 . The booklet feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the exit path comprises an output conveyor for advancing the removed booklet away from the grip remover. 
     
     
         9 . The booklet feeder of  claim 8 , wherein the output conveyor comprises a first output conveyor stage and a second output conveyor stage, the first output conveyor stage being adapted for advancing the removed booklet to the second output conveyor stage. 
     
     
         10 . The booklet feeder of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller connected to the grip remover for controlling the movement of an engaged booklet from the conveying path to the exit path. 
     
     
         11 . A booklet feeder for advancing booklets from a group of booklets, the booklet feeder comprising:
 a conveying path for supporting a group of booklets having non-uniform booklet thicknesses, the conveying path comprising a supply conveyor for advancing the group toward an end of the conveying path;   at least one vacuum picker assembly configured for engaging booklets in a seriatim manner in the conveying path, the at least one vacuum picker assembly being movable to remove an engaged booklet from the conveying path and advance the removed booklet to an exit path; and   a controller connected to the at least one vacuum picker assembly for controlling the movement of an engaged booklet from the conveying path to the exit path.   
     
     
         12 . A method for advancing one or more booklets, the method comprising:
 supporting one or more booklets in a conveying path;   engaging one of the booklets in the conveying path using a grip remover;   removing the engaged booklet from the conveying path; and   advancing the removed booklet to an exit path.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising supporting a group of booklets having non-uniform booklet thicknesses in the conveying path. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising supporting the group at an angle relative to the conveying path. 
     
     
         15 . The method of claim  123 , comprising advancing the group along a supply conveyor toward the grip remover. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein advancing the group along a supply conveyor comprises stopping advancement when a first booklet in the group reaches an end of the supply conveyor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein engaging booklets comprises actuating a vacuum picker assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein advancing the removed booklet to an exit path comprises pivoting a swing arm on which the vacuum picker assembly is carried. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein advancing the removed booklet to an exit path comprises moving the booklet to an output conveyor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein moving the booklet to an output conveyor comprises moving the booklet to a first output conveyor stage and advancing the booklet from the first output conveyor stage to a second output conveyor stage.