System for preparing shipping documents

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for feeding forms of different dimensions.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second means includes means for storing and feeding forms of different dimensions.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight data entry means is a scale generating an electrical output signal which corresponds to the weight of the article to be shipped.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight data entry means is a light scanning, bar code reader connected to the processor.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight data entry means is the keyboard.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is a microprocessor.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the stored carrier form data for at least one of said plurality of carriers indicates that said at least one carrier requires at least two forms; and said at least one carrier having been selected, said processor selects a first one of said first, second and third means to feed a first of said at least two forms and subsequently selects a second one of said first, second and third means to feed a second of said at least two forms.

Claim 10

In an apparatus for preparing shipping documents relating to the shipment of parcels, said apparatus having weight data entry means, a printer, a memory, a keyboard and a processor connected to the weight data entry means, the printer, the memory and the keyboard, the improvement comprising: (a) means for storing in the memory names and addresses of recipients of parcels; (b) means for storing in the memory second information relative to parcels received by the recipients; (c) first means for feeding single forms to the printer; (d) second means for storing a batch of forms and feeding the forms of the batch to the printer; and (e) third means for feeding continuous forms to the printer; said memory storing carrier form data for a plurality of carriers; said form data identifying which and how many forms are required by each of said carriers, said memory storing said recipients' preferred carrier of said plurality of carriers, said keyboard being operable to send a recipient selection signal, said recipient selection signal indicating selection of one of said recipients, said processor being programmed to: (i) receive said recipient selection signal; (ii) refer to said stored carrier form data for said selected recipient's preferred carrier; and (iii) sequentially select, in accordance with the form data for said selected recipient's preferred carrier, at least one of said first, second and third means; whereby said at least one of said first, second and third means feeds to the printer said identified required forms for said preferred carrier upon selection of said selected recipient.

Claim 11

In an apparatus for preparing shipping documents relating to the shipment of parcels, said apparatus having weight data entry means, a printer, a memory, a keyboard and a processor connected to the weight data entry means, the printer, the memory and the keyboard, the improvement comprising: (a) means for storing in the memory names and addresses of recipients of parcels; (b) means for storing in the memory second information relative to parcels received by the recipients; (c) first means for feeding single forms to the printer; (d) second means for storing a batch of forms and feeding the forms of the batch to the printer; and (e) third means for feeding continuous forms to the printer; said memory storing carrier form data for a plurality of carriers; said form data identifying which and how many forms are required by each of said carriers, said memory storing said recipients' preferred carrier of said plurality of carriers, said keyboard being operable to send a recipient selection signal, said recipient selection signal indicating selection of one of said recipients, said processor being programmed to: (i) receive said recipient selection signal; (ii) refer to said stored carrier form data for said selected recipient's preferred carrier; and (iii) sequentially select, in accordance with the form data for said selected recipient's preferred carrier, at least one of said first, second and third means; whereby said at least one of said first, second and third means feeds to the printer said identified required forms for said preferred carrier upon selection of said selected recipient.

Claim 12

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said second information comprises information relative to goods purchased by the recipients.

Claim 13

The improvement of claim 10, wherein said information relative to goods purchased includes dates of purchase.

Claim 14

The improvement of claim 11, wherein said information relative to goods purchased further includes prices of the goods purchased.

Claim 15

The improvement of claim 12, further comprising means associated with the processor for transmitting in computer-receivable form said information relative to the parcels.

Claim 16

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said recipient selection signal comprises the name of one of said recipients.

Claim 17

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said recipient selection signal consists of a portion of the name of one of said recipients.

Claim 18

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said recipient selection signal comprises the address of one of said recipients.

Claim 19

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said recipient selection signal consists of a portion of the address of one of said recipients.

Claim 20

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said recipient selection signal comprises an identification code that identifies only one of said recipients.

Claim 21

The improvement of claim 9, wherein said recipient selection signal consists of a portion of an identification code that identifies only one of said recipients.

Claim 22

The improvement of claim 9, further comprising a display connected to the processor and means associated with the keyboard for defining a format in which information relative to said selected recipient is to be displayed.