Patent US4149711A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4149711A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personalized on-line printing and inserting magazine binding machine
Assignee: AB Dick Co
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Filing: 1977-12-30
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Granted: 1979-04-17
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Expires: 1997-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for handling signatures such as magazines or the like which includes the on-line printing of personalized information onto materials to be inserted within a finished magazine. The system also provides on-line printing of personalized information onto materials adhered to the magazine cover, such as the address label. The on-line printed materials and the magazine or other signature are combined after the on-line printing is completed. The system operates under control of a process computer which includes means for storing the personalized information.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale H. Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:03
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42C; B42C19/00; B42C19/08; B41; B41J; B41J29/00; B41J29/40; B42C1/00; B42C1/10; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/02; B65H39/04; B65H39/043; B65H39/055; G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/40; B65H2301/43; B65H2301/431; B65H2301/4311; B65H2301/435; B65H2301/4352; G07B2017/00491; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/00596; G07B2017/00604; G07B2017/00612; G07B2017/0062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for collating preprinted signatures and at least one card comprising a station for processing preprinted signatures and cards, conveyor means for moving preprinted signatures and cards past said processing station, said conveyor means having a series of chain spaces each of which is adapted to receive either a printed signature or a card, signature feeding means for feeding preprinted signatures into said chain spaces, card feeding means for feeding cards into said chain spaces, control means for controlling said signature feeding means and said card feeding means to withold a signature from and feed a card to one chain space and feed a signature to another chain space, and means located downstream of said processing station for positioning a card that moved through said processing station from said one chain space into said another chain space having a signature located therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for collating preprinted signatures and at least one card comprising a station for processing preprinted signatures and cards, conveyor means for moving preprinted signatures and cards past said processing station, said conveyor means having a series of chain spaces each of which is adapted to receive either a printed signature or a card, signature feeding means for feeding preprinted signatures into said chain spaces, card feeding means for feeding cards into said chain spaces, control means for controlling said signature feeding means and said card feeding means to withold a signature from and feed a card to one chain space and feed a signature to another chain space, and means located downstream of said processing station for positioning a card that moved through said processing station from said one chain space into said another chain space having a signature located therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises a signature conveyor and a card conveyor having corresponding chain spaces, said control means controlling said signature feeding means and said card feeding means to feed either a signature to a chain space of said signature conveyor or a card to a corresponding chain space of said card conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said card conveyor guides said cards through said processing station to said positioning means, and said conveyor and said signature conveyor being so arranged as to permit processing at said processing station of a card on said card conveyor or of a signature on said signature conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said card conveyor is positioned above said signature conveyor and includes a central opening to permit processing of signatures therebelow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means at said processing station for printing personalized information onto said cards and signatures under control of said control means as said cards and signatures pass said processing station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said printing means comprises an ink jet printing system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control means instructs said signature feeding means to withhold a signature from said one chain space only if said signature is to receive a processed card at said positioning means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control means instructs said card feeding means to feed a card to a chain space only if a signature has been withheld from said chain space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for detecting the position of a chain space on said conveyor means and for providing information to said control means regarding said position, and wherein said control means utilizes said information to track individual signatures and corresponding cards.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises means for positioning a card for insertion into a signature in said another chain space intended to receive said card, means for diverting cards from said conveyor means to said insertion positioning means, and means for inserting said card into said signature as said signature moves along said conveyor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for positioning a card for insertion includes an auxiliary conveyor onto which said card is diverted, said auxiliary conveyor moving said card at a rate with respect to said conveyor means such that said card is positioned at the end of said auxiliary conveyor for insertion into said signature in said another chain space intended to receive said card.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for collating preprinted signatures and at least one card comprising the steps of providing a path having a series of spaces each adapted to receive a signature or a card, moving said spaces in said path, witholding a signature from and feeding a card to one of said spaces and feeding a signature to another of said spaces, processing said signatures and cards while they are moving in said path, and positioning a card from said one of said spaces into said another of said spaces containing a signature.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for collating preprinted signatures and at least one card comprising the steps of providing a path having a series of spaces each adapted to receive a signature or a card, moving said spaces in said path, witholding a signature from and feeding a card to one of said spaces and feeding a signature to another of said spaces, processing said signatures and cards while they are moving in said path, and positioning a card from said one of said spaces into said another of said spaces containing a signature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of providing a path includes the steps of providing separate path segments for signatures and for cards, said path segments having corresponding spaces for receiving either a signature on said signature path segment or a card on said card path segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein a signature is withheld from and a card is fed to a particular space only if that card is to be positioned after processing in a space occupied by said signature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the steps of processing signatures and cards comprises printing personalized information onto said signatures and cards moving in said path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the step of positioning a card from said one space into said another space containing a signature comprises the steps of diverting said card from said path, positioning said card for insertion into said space containing a signature and inserting said card into said space containing a signature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising the steps of determining the location along said path of signatures and cards and controlling said processing and said positioning in response to the location of certain cards and certain signatures at certain locations along said path.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
186 words
A system for on-line processing and combining of preprinted signatures and inserts therefor comprising: conveyor means for carrying said signatures and inserts, said conveyor means having a series of chain spaces for receiving either a signature or an insert, means for feeding preprinted signatures onto said chain spaces, means for feeding inserts onto said chain spaces, means along said conveyor means for processing signatures and cards moving along said conveyor means storage means for storing and providing information to said processing means as to the processing of said signatures and inserts, means located downstream of said processing means for positioning an insert from one of said chain spaces into another of said chain spaces having a signature located therein, and control means connecting said storage means with said conveyor means, said signature feeding means, said insert feeding means and said processing means for instructing the witholding of a signature and the feeding of an insert to said one chain space, the feeding of a signature to said another chain space and the processing of said signatures and inserts in accordance with information in said storage means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
186 words
A system for on-line processing and combining of preprinted signatures and inserts therefor comprising: conveyor means for carrying said signatures and inserts, said conveyor means having a series of chain spaces for receiving either a signature or an insert, means for feeding preprinted signatures onto said chain spaces, means for feeding inserts onto said chain spaces, means along said conveyor means for processing signatures and cards moving along said conveyor means storage means for storing and providing information to said processing means as to the processing of said signatures and inserts, means located downstream of said processing means for positioning an insert from one of said chain spaces into another of said chain spaces having a signature located therein, and control means connecting said storage means with said conveyor means, said signature feeding means, said insert feeding means and said processing means for instructing the witholding of a signature and the feeding of an insert to said one chain space, the feeding of a signature to said another chain space and the processing of said signatures and inserts in accordance with information in said storage means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed from claim 18 wherein said processing means includes printing means for personalized on-line printing of information provided by said storage means onto said inserts and signatures moving on said conveyor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said control means instructs the feeding of inserts to chain spaces which are adjacent signatures intended to receive said inserts in accordance with information provided by said storage means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein said positioning means includes means for positioning an insert for insertion into an adjacent chain space having a signature located therein, means for diverting inserts from said conveyor means to said insertion positioning means, and means for inserting said diverted insert into said adjacent chain space having a signature located therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-16 | 1982-10-16 | 1983-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-16 | 1986-10-16 | 1987-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-16 | 1990-10-16 | 1991-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |