Method and apparatus for producing magazines or the like

Claim 1

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and different sub-groups within each group by demographic characteristics in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber his name and address and at least one item of demographic information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of the gathering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying each subgroup in each different group with; (1) the corresponding number of subscribers within the subgroup, and (2) a predetermined combination of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup, preparing a preprinted stock of subscriber names and address labels arranged by group and subgroup in the same order as the groups and subgroups are arranged in the file, progressively machine reading the file in timed relation to the cycles of operation of the gathering machine, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations to produce, for each subgroup, a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, feeding the preprinted stock of labels to a labeling head operating in timed relation to the gathering machine with the labels for each subgroup being timed to coincide with the arrival at the labeling head of the particular magazines produced for that subgroup, monitoring the feeding of signatures at each gathering pocket to detect a misfeed or nonfeed at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, whenever an error is detected, tracking the defective magazine affected by the error in its subsequent passage through the gathering machine, rejecting the defective magazine after iti leaves the gathering machine, maintaining a cumulative count of each actuation of each pocket of the gathering machine, comparing the cumulative error count with the cumulative actuation count and deriving an error rate, for each subgroup, applying the error rate to the number of magazines to be produced for the subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defective magazines for that subgroup, and for the same subgroup, operating the gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines equal to the predicted number of defective magazines.

Claim 2

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and different sub-groups within each group by demographic characteristics in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber his name and address and at least one item of demographic information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of the gathering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying each subgroup in each different group with; (1) the corresponding number of subscribers within the subgroup, and (2) a predetermined combination of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup, preparing a preprinted stock of subscriber names and address labels arranged by group and subgroup in the same order as the groups and subgroups are arranged in the file, progressively machine reading the file in timed relation to the cycles of operation of the gathering machine, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations to produce, for each subgroup, a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, feeding the preprinted stock of labels to a labeling head operating in timed relation to the gathering machine with the labels for each subgroup being timed to coincide with the arrival at the labeling head of the particular magazines produced for that subgroup, monitoring the feeding of signatures at each gathering pocket to detect a misfeed or nonfeed at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, whenever an error is detected, tracking the defective magazine affected by the error in its subsequent passage through the gathering machine, rejecting the defective magazine after iti leaves the gathering machine, maintaining a cumulative count of each actuation of each pocket of the gathering machine, comparing the cumulative error count with the cumulative actuation count and deriving an error rate, for each subgroup, applying the error rate to the number of magazines to be produced for the subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defective magazines for that subgroup, and for the same subgroup, operating the gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines equal to the predicted number of defective magazines.

Claim 5

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and in different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristic in accordance with predetermined criteria from inown subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address and one item of demographic information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each mAgazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different subgroup in each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide a predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup and (2) the number of subscribers in that subgroup, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machines for instructing feeding of said gatherer pockets, in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different subgroups to produce for each subgroup a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, labeling means connected with said gathering machine adapted to apply a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by a group and subgroup in the same order as said groups and subgroups are arranged in said subscriber file means to the magazines, a plurality of monitoring means associated with said gatherer pockets, said monitoring means monitoring the feeding of signatures at each said gatherer pocket to detect a feed error at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, memory means connected with said monitoring means for storing information identifying any magazine rendered defective by a feed error, reject means connected with said memory means for rejecting the defective magazine after it leaves said gathering machine, disabling means connected with said gatherer pockets and with said monitoring means for preventing feeding from all said gatherer pockets downstream from the gatherer pocket where a feed error occurs, as the defective magazine passes each pocket, total count means connected with said gathering machine for maintaining a cumulative count of all the magazines produced by said gathering machine, error count means connected with said monitoring means for maintaining a cumulative count of all the feed errors, comparing means connected with said error count means and total count means for deriving an error rate, predicting means connected with said comparing means for applying the error rate to the number of magazines to be produced for each subgroup to derive for that subgroup a predicted number of defective magazines, and ordering means connected with said predicting means for operating said gathering machine for each subgroup for an additional number of defective magazines, and ordering means connected with said predicting means for operating said gathering machine for each subgroup for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines equal to the predicted number of defective magazines.

Claim 6

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and in different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristic in accordance with predetermined criteria from inown subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address and one item of demographic information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each mAgazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different subgroup in each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide a predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup and (2) the number of subscribers in that subgroup, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machines for instructing feeding of said gatherer pockets, in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different subgroups to produce for each subgroup a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, labeling means connected with said gathering machine adapted to apply a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by a group and subgroup in the same order as said groups and subgroups are arranged in said subscriber file means to the magazines, a plurality of monitoring means associated with said gatherer pockets, said monitoring means monitoring the feeding of signatures at each said gatherer pocket to detect a feed error at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, memory means connected with said monitoring means for storing information identifying any magazine rendered defective by a feed error, reject means connected with said memory means for rejecting the defective magazine after it leaves said gathering machine, disabling means connected with said gatherer pockets and with said monitoring means for preventing feeding from all said gatherer pockets downstream from the gatherer pocket where a feed error occurs, as the defective magazine passes each pocket, total count means connected with said gathering machine for maintaining a cumulative count of all the magazines produced by said gathering machine, error count means connected with said monitoring means for maintaining a cumulative count of all the feed errors, comparing means connected with said error count means and total count means for deriving an error rate, predicting means connected with said comparing means for applying the error rate to the number of magazines to be produced for each subgroup to derive for that subgroup a predicted number of defective magazines, and ordering means connected with said predicting means for operating said gathering machine for each subgroup for an additional number of defective magazines, and ordering means connected with said predicting means for operating said gathering machine for each subgroup for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines equal to the predicted number of defective magazines.

Claim 10

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different groups of subscribers classified in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle; file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying the different subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide a predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for each subscriber, means connected with said pocket instruction means for reading said file means and instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines appropriate for the corresponding subscribers, the information stored in said file means including at least the name and address of each subscriber in machine readable form, and the system further including: label printing means responsive to reading of said file means for automatically printing labels bearing the name and address of each subscriber; and label application means connected with said gathering machine for applying a printed label for each subscriber to a magazine constituted of the predetermined signature combination appropriate for that subscriber''s group, sensor means for sensing the presence and absence of a magazine and generating a signal in response to the sensed condition, and means responsive to a signal from said sensor means when a subscriber Divided by s magazine is absent for storing for a reuse the information pertinent to that subscriber.

Claim 11

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different groups of subscribers classified in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle; file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying the different subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide a predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for each subscriber, means connected with said pocket instruction means for reading said file means and instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines appropriate for the corresponding subscribers, the information stored in said file means including at least the name and address of each subscriber in machine readable form, and the system further including: label printing means responsive to reading of said file means for automatically printing labels bearing the name and address of each subscriber; and label application means connected with said gathering machine for applying a printed label for each subscriber to a magazine constituted of the predetermined signature combination appropriate for that subscriber''s group, sensor means for sensing the presence and absence of a magazine and generating a signal in response to the sensed condition, and means responsive to a signal from said sensor means when a subscriber Divided by s magazine is absent for storing for a reuse the information pertinent to that subscriber.

Claim 14

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers grouped in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of operation of the gathering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying the different subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazines for the subscribers, progressively machine reading the file, wherein the step of machine reading tHe file is followed by the step of storing the information from the file in a memory, reading the information in the memory to instruct feeding of the gatherer pockets, retaining the information in the memory for each subscriber whose magazine is defectively produced, and re-instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines for the subscribers whose information was retained in the memory.

Claim 15

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers grouped in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of operation of the gathering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying the different subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazines for the subscribers, progressively machine reading the file, wherein the step of machine reading tHe file is followed by the step of storing the information from the file in a memory, reading the information in the memory to instruct feeding of the gatherer pockets, retaining the information in the memory for each subscriber whose magazine is defectively produced, and re-instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines for the subscribers whose information was retained in the memory.

Claim 16

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristics in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber his name and address and at least one item of demographic information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of the gathering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying each subgroup in each different group with; (1) the corresponding number of subscribers within the subgroup, and (2) a predetermined combination of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup, preparing a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by group and subgroup in the same order as the groups and subgroups are arranged in the file, progressively machine reading the file in timed relation to the cycles of operation of the gathering machine, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations to produce, for each subgroup, a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, feeding the preprinted stock of labels to a labeling head operating in timed relation to the gathering machine with the labels for each subgroup being timed to coincide with the arrival at the labeling head of the particular magazines produced for that subgroup, monitoring the feeding of signatures at each gathering pocket to detect a misfeed or nonfeed at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, whenever an error is detected, tracking the defective magazine affected by the error in its subsequent passage through the gathering machine, rejecting the defective magazine after it leaves the gathering machine, preceding the step of labeling at the labeling head, of binding each magazine at a binding station, and subsequent to binding, trimming each magazine at a trimming station, detecting erroneously bound magazines subsequent to the binding step, rejecting each erroneously bond magazine, making a cumulative count of errouneously bond magazines, making a cumulative count of all magazines passing through the binding station, comparing the cumulative total of the erroneously bound magazines with the cumulative total of magazines passing the binding station, and deriving a binding error rate, for each subgroup, applying the binding error rate to the number of magazines for that subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defective magazines, and operating the gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup equal to the predicted number of defective magazines.

Claim 17

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristics in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber his name and address and at least one item of demographic information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of the gathering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying each subgroup in each different group with; (1) the corresponding number of subscribers within the subgroup, and (2) a predetermined combination of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup, preparing a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by group and subgroup in the same order as the groups and subgroups are arranged in the file, progressively machine reading the file in timed relation to the cycles of operation of the gathering machine, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations to produce, for each subgroup, a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, feeding the preprinted stock of labels to a labeling head operating in timed relation to the gathering machine with the labels for each subgroup being timed to coincide with the arrival at the labeling head of the particular magazines produced for that subgroup, monitoring the feeding of signatures at each gathering pocket to detect a misfeed or nonfeed at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, whenever an error is detected, tracking the defective magazine affected by the error in its subsequent passage through the gathering machine, rejecting the defective magazine after it leaves the gathering machine, preceding the step of labeling at the labeling head, of binding each magazine at a binding station, and subsequent to binding, trimming each magazine at a trimming station, detecting erroneously bound magazines subsequent to the binding step, rejecting each erroneously bond magazine, making a cumulative count of errouneously bond magazines, making a cumulative count of all magazines passing through the binding station, comparing the cumulative total of the erroneously bound magazines with the cumulative total of magazines passing the binding station, and deriving a binding error rate, for each subgroup, applying the binding error rate to the number of magazines for that subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defective magazines, and operating the gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup equal to the predicted number of defective magazines.

Claim 18

A method for producing different magazines, cOmposed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristics in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber his name and address and at least one item of demographic information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of the gatering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying each subgroup in each different group with; (1) the corresponding number of subscribers within the subgroup, and (2) a predetermined combination of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for the subgroup, preparing a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by group and subgroup in the same order as the groups and subsgroups are arranged in the file, progressively machine reading the file in timed relation to the cycles of operation of the gathering machine, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations to produce, for each subgroup, a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, feeding the preprinted stock of labels to a labeling head operating in timed relation to the gathering machine with the labels for each subgroup being timed to coincide with the arrival at the labeling head of the particular magazines produced by that subgroup, monitoring the feeding of signatures at each gathering pocket to detect a misfeed or nonfeed at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, whenever an error is detected, tracking the defective magazine affected by error in its subsequent passage through the gathering machine, rejecting the defective magazine after it leaves the gathering machine, preceding the step of labeling at the labeling head, of binding each magazine at a binding station, and subsequent to binding, trimming each magazine at a trimming station, detecting erroneously trimmed magazines subsequent to the trimming step, rejecting each erroneously trimmed magazine, making a cumulative count of the erroneously trimmed magazines, making a cumulative count of all magazines passing through the trimming station, comparing the cumulative total of erroneously trimmed magazines with the cumulative total of magazines passing the trimming station, and computing a trimming error rate, for each subgroup, applying the trimming error rate to the number of magazines for that subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defective magazines, and operating the gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup equal to the estimated number of defective magazines.

Claim 19

A method for producing different magazines, cOmposed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristics in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber his name and address and at least one item of demographic information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of the gatering machine causes successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying each subgroup in each different group with; (1) the corresponding number of subscribers within the subgroup, and (2) a predetermined combination of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for the subgroup, preparing a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by group and subgroup in the same order as the groups and subsgroups are arranged in the file, progressively machine reading the file in timed relation to the cycles of operation of the gathering machine, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations to produce, for each subgroup, a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, feeding the preprinted stock of labels to a labeling head operating in timed relation to the gathering machine with the labels for each subgroup being timed to coincide with the arrival at the labeling head of the particular magazines produced by that subgroup, monitoring the feeding of signatures at each gathering pocket to detect a misfeed or nonfeed at each pocket instructed to feed during each machine cycle, whenever an error is detected, tracking the defective magazine affected by error in its subsequent passage through the gathering machine, rejecting the defective magazine after it leaves the gathering machine, preceding the step of labeling at the labeling head, of binding each magazine at a binding station, and subsequent to binding, trimming each magazine at a trimming station, detecting erroneously trimmed magazines subsequent to the trimming step, rejecting each erroneously trimmed magazine, making a cumulative count of the erroneously trimmed magazines, making a cumulative count of all magazines passing through the trimming station, comparing the cumulative total of erroneously trimmed magazines with the cumulative total of magazines passing the trimming station, and computing a trimming error rate, for each subgroup, applying the trimming error rate to the number of magazines for that subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defective magazines, and operating the gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup equal to the estimated number of defective magazines.

Claim 20

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different groups of subscribers classified in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gathErer pocket having connected therewith pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle; file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying the different subscribers and associating the subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for each subscriber, means connected with said pocket instruction means for reading said file means and instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines appropriate for the corresponding subscribers, the information stored in said file means including at least the name and address of each subscriber in machine readable form, and the system further including: label printing means responsive to reading of said file means for automatically printing labels bearing the name and address of each subscriber; and label application means connected with said gathering machine for applying a printed label for each subscriber to a magazine constituted of the predetermined signature combination appropriate for that subscriber''s group.

Claim 21

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different groups of subscribers classified in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gathErer pocket having connected therewith pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle; file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying the different subscribers and associating the subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for each subscriber, means connected with said pocket instruction means for reading said file means and instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines appropriate for the corresponding subscribers, the information stored in said file means including at least the name and address of each subscriber in machine readable form, and the system further including: label printing means responsive to reading of said file means for automatically printing labels bearing the name and address of each subscriber; and label application means connected with said gathering machine for applying a printed label for each subscriber to a magazine constituted of the predetermined signature combination appropriate for that subscriber''s group.

Claim 22

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and in different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristic in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address and one item of demographic information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different subgroup in each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup and (2) the number of subscribers in that subgroup, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different subgroups to produce for each subgroup a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, labeling means connected with said gathering machine adapted to apply a preprinted stock of the subscriber name and address labels arranged by a group and subgroup in the same order as said groups and subgroups are arranged in said subscriber file means to the magazines, binding means connected with said gathering machine for binding the signatures constiting each magazine after leaving said gathering machine, triming means connected with said binding means for trimming each magazine subsequent to binding, detection means connected with said binding means for detecting erroneously bound magazines leaving said binding means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously bound magazines, binder error count means connected with said dEtection means for making a cumulative count of erroneously bound magazines, binder count means for counting all magazines passing said binding means, comparison means connected with said binder error count means and with said binder count means for deriving a binding error rate, prediction means for applying the binding error rate to the number of magazines for each subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defectively bound magazines for that subgroup, and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup equal to the predicted number of defectively bound magazines.

Claim 23

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and in different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristic in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address and one item of demographic information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different subgroup in each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup and (2) the number of subscribers in that subgroup, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different subgroups to produce for each subgroup a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, labeling means connected with said gathering machine adapted to apply a preprinted stock of the subscriber name and address labels arranged by a group and subgroup in the same order as said groups and subgroups are arranged in said subscriber file means to the magazines, binding means connected with said gathering machine for binding the signatures constiting each magazine after leaving said gathering machine, triming means connected with said binding means for trimming each magazine subsequent to binding, detection means connected with said binding means for detecting erroneously bound magazines leaving said binding means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously bound magazines, binder error count means connected with said dEtection means for making a cumulative count of erroneously bound magazines, binder count means for counting all magazines passing said binding means, comparison means connected with said binder error count means and with said binder count means for deriving a binding error rate, prediction means for applying the binding error rate to the number of magazines for each subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defectively bound magazines for that subgroup, and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that subgroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup equal to the predicted number of defectively bound magazines.

Claim 24

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and in different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristic in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address and one item of demographic information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different subgroup in each different group (1) a predetermined coombination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup and (2) the number of subscribers in that subgroup, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different subgroups to produce for each subgroup a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, labeling means connected with said gathering machine adapted to apply a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by a group and subgroup in the same order as said groups and subgroups are arranged in said subscriber file means to the magazines, binding means connected with said gathering machine for binding the signatures constituting each magazine after leaving said gathering machine, trimming means connected with said binding means for trimming each magazine subsequent to binding, detection means connected with said trimming means for detecting erroneously trimmed magazines leaving said trimming means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously trimmed magazines, trim error count means for making a cumulative count of erroneously trimmed magazines, trimmer count means for counting all magazines passing said trimming means, comparison means connected with said trim error count means and with said trimmer count means for deriving a trimming error rate, prediction means for applying the trimming error rate to the number of magazines for each subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines for that subgroup; and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycLes in excess of the number of subscribers in that sugroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup egual to the predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines.

Claim 25

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different geographic groups by region and in different subgroups within each group by demographic characteristic in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address and one item of demographic information, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different sets of signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different subgroup in each different group (1) a predetermined coombination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that subgroup and (2) the number of subscribers in that subgroup, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different subgroups to produce for each subgroup a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that subgroup, labeling means connected with said gathering machine adapted to apply a preprinted stock of subscriber name and address labels arranged by a group and subgroup in the same order as said groups and subgroups are arranged in said subscriber file means to the magazines, binding means connected with said gathering machine for binding the signatures constituting each magazine after leaving said gathering machine, trimming means connected with said binding means for trimming each magazine subsequent to binding, detection means connected with said trimming means for detecting erroneously trimmed magazines leaving said trimming means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously trimmed magazines, trim error count means for making a cumulative count of erroneously trimmed magazines, trimmer count means for counting all magazines passing said trimming means, comparison means connected with said trim error count means and with said trimmer count means for deriving a trimming error rate, prediction means for applying the trimming error rate to the number of magazines for each subgroup to estimate a predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines for that subgroup; and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycLes in excess of the number of subscribers in that sugroup to produce an additional number of magazines for that subgroup egual to the predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines.

Claim 26

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different groups in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that group and (2) the number of subscribers in that group, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different groups to produce for each group a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that group, binding means connected with said gathering machine for binding the signatures constituting each magazine after leaving said gathering machine, detection means connected with said binding means for detecting erroneously bound magazines leaving said binding means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously bound magazines, binder error count means connected with said detection means for making a cumulative count of erroneously bound magazines, binder count means for counting all magazines passing said binding means, comparison means connected with said binder error count means and with said binder count means for deriving a binding error rate, prediction means for applying the binding error rate to the number of magazines for each group to estimate a predicted number of defectively bound magazines for that group before the group is finished and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that group to produce an additional number of magazines for the group equal to the predicted number of defectively bound magazines.

Claim 27

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different groups in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets, each said gatherer pocket having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that group and (2) the number of subscribers in that group, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different groups to produce for each group a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that group, binding means connected with said gathering machine for binding the signatures constituting each magazine after leaving said gathering machine, detection means connected with said binding means for detecting erroneously bound magazines leaving said binding means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously bound magazines, binder error count means connected with said detection means for making a cumulative count of erroneously bound magazines, binder count means for counting all magazines passing said binding means, comparison means connected with said binder error count means and with said binder count means for deriving a binding error rate, prediction means for applying the binding error rate to the number of magazines for each group to estimate a predicted number of defectively bound magazines for that group before the group is finished and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that group to produce an additional number of magazines for the group equal to the predicted number of defectively bound magazines.

Claim 28

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different groups in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each of said gatherer pockets having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that group and (2) the number of subscribers in that group, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different groups to produce for each group a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that group, trimming means connected with said binding means for trimming each magazine, detection means connected with said trimming means for detecting erroneously trimmed magazines leaving said trimming means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously trimmed magazines, trim error count means for making a cumulative count of erroneously trimmed magazines, trimmer count means for counting all magazines passing said trimming means, comparison means connected with said trim error count means and with said trimmer count means for deriving a trimming error rate, prediction means for applying the trimming error rate to the number of magazines for each group to estimate a predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines for that group; and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that group to produce an additional number of magazines for that group equal to the predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines.

Claim 29

A system for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers classified in different groups in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information which includes for each subscriber at least his name and address, the system comprising: a gathering machine having a plurality of pockets adapted to contain different signatures, said gathering machine operating in cycles, each cycle of operation of said gathering machine causing successive feeding of signatures from at least some of said pockets to make up each magazine, each of said gatherer pockets having connected therewith; pocket instruction means for instructing the associated said pocket to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, file means for storing information in machine readable form identifying for each different group (1) a predetermined combination of at least some of said gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combination of signatures constituting the appropriate magazine for that group and (2) the number of subscribers in that group, reading means connected with said pocket instruction means, said reading means reading said control file means in timed relation to the cycle of operation of said gathering machine for instructing feeding of said gathering pockets in the predetermined different combinations corresponding to the different groups to produce for each group a number of magazines of the appropriate predetermined signature combination equal to the number of subscribers in that group, trimming means connected with said binding means for trimming each magazine, detection means connected with said trimming means for detecting erroneously trimmed magazines leaving said trimming means, rejection means connected with said detection means for rejecting erroneously trimmed magazines, trim error count means for making a cumulative count of erroneously trimmed magazines, trimmer count means for counting all magazines passing said trimming means, comparison means connected with said trim error count means and with said trimmer count means for deriving a trimming error rate, prediction means for applying the trimming error rate to the number of magazines for each group to estimate a predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines for that group; and ordering means connected with said prediction means for operating said gathering machine for an additional number of cycles in excess of the number of subscribers in that group to produce an additional number of magazines for that group equal to the predicted number of defectively trimmed magazines.

Claim 30

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers grouped in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of operation of the gathering machine casues successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying the different subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazines for the subscribers, progressively machine reading the file, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines approproate for the corresponding different subscribers, providing at least the name and address of each subscriber in machine readable form, responsive to reading of the file, automatically printing labels bearing the name and address of each subscriber, utilizing a labeling head to apply the label for each subscriber to a magazine constituted of the predetermined signature combination appropriate for that subscriber''s group as the magazine arrives at the labeling head, and removing a particular subscriber''s label from the labeling head if that subscriber''s magazine fails to reach the labeling head.

Claim 31

A method for producing different magazines, composed of different predetermined combinations of signatures, for different subscribers grouped in accordance with predetermined criteria from known subscriber information, utilizing different sets of signatures located in different pockets of a gathering machine of the type in which each cycle of operation of the gathering machine casues successive feeding of signatures from at least some of the pockets to make up each magazine and in which each pocket may be individually instructed to feed or not feed during each gathering machine cycle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a machine readable file identifying the different subscribers with different predetermined combinations of at least some of the gatherer pockets to be instructed to feed during a gathering machine cycle to provide the predetermined combinations of signatures constituting the appropriate magazines for the subscribers, progressively machine reading the file, in accordance with the reading of the file, instructing feeding of the gatherer pockets in the predetermined combinations required to provide the different magazines approproate for the corresponding different subscribers, providing at least the name and address of each subscriber in machine readable form, responsive to reading of the file, automatically printing labels bearing the name and address of each subscriber, utilizing a labeling head to apply the label for each subscriber to a magazine constituted of the predetermined signature combination appropriate for that subscriber''s group as the magazine arrives at the labeling head, and removing a particular subscriber''s label from the labeling head if that subscriber''s magazine fails to reach the labeling head.