US3608888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signature gathering
Assignee: McCain Manufacturing Corp
•
Filing: 1969-10-16
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Books (magazines) are compiled from signatures demographically in that persons in the same mailing zone may receive books with signatures of different content. The books are trimmed while superimposed one on another, but nonetheless proper mailing sequence (zone separation) is maintained by shifting a trailing book forward to lie atop the next leading book just before trimming, and then the shifted book is returned to its former position before being mailed thereby to preserve the mailing zone sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 William B Mccain
- 👤 James F Cosgrove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:16
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/02; B65H39/06; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/43; B65H2301/431; B65H2301/4311
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of compiling books to be mailed to persons in the same and in different mailing zones, said books being composed of signatures selected demographically in that books for persons may have signatures of different content even though the persons are in the same mailing zone and comprising: affording supply sources of signatures for all the books, feeding control data including the demographic data and the mailing zone data for each booK to a sensing station where the data for each book are sensed in sequence, collecting signatures to compose each book in accordance with the demographic and mailing zone sequence, binding the collected signatures into books and moving the books onto a conveyor means, advancing a trailing book forward from the position occupied by it on the conveyor means to lie atop the next leading book on the conveyor means, trimming the superimposed books simultaneously and then shifting the top one of the trimmed books rearward to its previous position on the conveyor means thereby to preserve the mailing zone sequence as the books are delivered to a collecting station by the conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of compiling books to be mailed to persons in the same and in different mailing zones, said books being composed of signatures selected demographically in that books for persons may have signatures of different content even though the persons are in the same mailing zone and comprising: affording supply sources of signatures for all the books, feeding control data including the demographic data and the mailing zone data for each booK to a sensing station where the data for each book are sensed in sequence, collecting signatures to compose each book in accordance with the demographic and mailing zone sequence, binding the collected signatures into books and moving the books onto a conveyor means, advancing a trailing book forward from the position occupied by it on the conveyor means to lie atop the next leading book on the conveyor means, trimming the superimposed books simultaneously and then shifting the top one of the trimmed books rearward to its previous position on the conveyor means thereby to preserve the mailing zone sequence as the books are delivered to a collecting station by the conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the data are carried on a tape which is itself a mailing tape bearing printed label addresses for the persons to receive the books, and wherein the individual mailing labels are applied to the books prior to superimposing the books for trimming.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method according to claim 2 in which the control tape bears an analog reference of the correct thickness for each book, wherein the reference analog is transmitted to a caliper station where the signatures of a collected book are compared to the corresponding reference analog, wherein the books are bound by stitching, and wherein a book of incorrect thickness is not stitched and is rejected from the conveyor prior to being superimposed for trimming.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the mailing zone data identifies the mailing zone separations calling for a corresponding signal to be generated when a zone separation is detected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the delivered books are separated by mailing zones in accordance with said signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of compiling books from signatures and trimming the books comprising: compiling individual books from a predetermined number of signatures and moving the books one behind another in line on a conveyor toward a trimming station, elevating a trailing book and superimposing the same on the leading book immediately in advance thereof on the conveyor, trimming the two books simultaneously, and then shifting the topmost one of the two books rearward to its previous position in line on the conveyor following the trimming operation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of compiling books from signatures and trimming the books comprising: compiling individual books from a predetermined number of signatures and moving the books one behind another in line on a conveyor toward a trimming station, elevating a trailing book and superimposing the same on the leading book immediately in advance thereof on the conveyor, trimming the two books simultaneously, and then shifting the topmost one of the two books rearward to its previous position in line on the conveyor following the trimming operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |