System and method for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications

Claim 1

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line; assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order as said copies exit from said binding line; placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said copies to a co-mailing line, said diverse publications each being placed for feeding each of said copies in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line, said mailing information being assembled to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes; utilizing said assembled mailing information to feed copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 2

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line; assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order as said copies exit from said binding line; placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said copies to a co-mailing line, said diverse publications each being placed for feeding each of said copies in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line, said mailing information being assembled to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes; utilizing said assembled mailing information to feed copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 29

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line, said preparing and addressing step including preparing at least one of said diverse publications with personalized copies, said personalized copies being selectively bound and/or internally customized; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line, said mailing information being recorded such that said recording step includes sequentially recording an exact count by zip code; assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order as said multiple copies exit from said binding line; placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to a co-mailing line, said diverse publications each being placed for feeding each of said multiple copies in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line, said mailing information being assembled to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes, said mailing information assembling step including determining the number of copies for each zip code for said diverse publications; utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said utilizing step including the feeding of copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code order; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information, said accumulating step including sequentially accumulating copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code order; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 30

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line, said preparing and addressing step including preparing at least one of said diverse publications with personalized copies, said personalized copies being selectively bound and/or internally customized; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line, said mailing information being recorded such that said recording step includes sequentially recording an exact count by zip code; assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order as said multiple copies exit from said binding line; placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to a co-mailing line, said diverse publications each being placed for feeding each of said multiple copies in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line, said mailing information being assembled to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes, said mailing information assembling step including determining the number of copies for each zip code for said diverse publications; utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said utilizing step including the feeding of copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code order; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information, said accumulating step including sequentially accumulating copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code order; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 43

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding lines, said preparing and addressing step including preparing at least one of said diverse publications with personalized copies, said personalized copies being selectively bound and/or internally customized; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line(s) in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom including sequentially recording an exact count by zip code and carrier route; assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order of exit of each of said multiple copies from said binding line(s), said assembling step including sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications on a separate spirally wound bundle or reel; providing a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders; placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in a reverse order relative to the order of exit from said binding line(s), said placing step including separately placing each of said separate spirally wound bundles or reels in a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes, said mailing information assembling step including determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information being utilized to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said utilizing step including feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said accumulating step including sequentially accumulating copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 44

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding lines, said preparing and addressing step including preparing at least one of said diverse publications with personalized copies, said personalized copies being selectively bound and/or internally customized; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line(s) in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom including sequentially recording an exact count by zip code and carrier route; assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order of exit of each of said multiple copies from said binding line(s), said assembling step including sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications on a separate spirally wound bundle or reel; providing a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders; placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in a reverse order relative to the order of exit from said binding line(s), said placing step including separately placing each of said separate spirally wound bundles or reels in a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes, said mailing information assembling step including determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information being utilized to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said utilizing step including feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said accumulating step including sequentially accumulating copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 57

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding line(s), said preparing and addressing step including preparing at least one of said diverse publications with personalized copies, said personalized copies being selectively bound and/or internally customized; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line(s) in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom including sequentially recording an exact count by zip code and carrier route; assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding line(s), said assembling step including sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications onto separate pallets; providing a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to a co-mailing line in the exact order of exit from said binding line(s), said placing step including separately inverting and placing each of said pallets in a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes, said mailing information assembling step including determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information being utilized to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said utilizing step including feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said accumulating step including sequentially accumulating copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 58

A method of co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising the steps of: preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding line(s), said preparing and addressing step including preparing at least one of said diverse publications with personalized copies, said personalized copies being selectively bound and/or internally customized; recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed on said binding line(s) in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom including sequentially recording an exact count by zip code and carrier route; assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding line(s), said assembling step including sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications onto separate pallets; providing a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to a co-mailing line in the exact order of exit from said binding line(s), said placing step including separately inverting and placing each of said pallets in a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to permit said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes, said mailing information assembling step including determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information being utilized to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said utilizing step including feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said accumulating step including sequentially accumulating copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 71

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line; means for recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding line; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order as said copies exit from said binding line; a co-mailing line for preparing a plurality of diverse publications for co-mailing therefrom; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said copies to said co-mailing line in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information to feed copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line; means for accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 72

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line; means for recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding line; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order as said copies exit from said binding line; a co-mailing line for preparing a plurality of diverse publications for co-mailing therefrom; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said copies to said co-mailing line in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information to feed copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line; means for accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 99

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line, said preparing and addressing means including a plurality of signature feeders, a gathering chain for receiving signatures from said feeders, a binding machine for binding said signatures into said publications, and an ink jet printer for addressing each of said diverse publications before said multiple copies exit from said binding line, and said preparing and addressing means being adapted to prepare at least one of said diverse publications with selectively bound and/or internally customized copies; means for sequentially recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding line to provide an exact count by zip code; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding line; a co-mailing line for preparing a plurality of diverse publications for co-mailing therefrom; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes while determining the number of copies for each zip code for said diverse publications; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information to feed copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code order; means for sequentially accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks in zip code order, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 100

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on a binding line, said preparing and addressing means including a plurality of signature feeders, a gathering chain for receiving signatures from said feeders, a binding machine for binding said signatures into said publications, and an ink jet printer for addressing each of said diverse publications before said multiple copies exit from said binding line, and said preparing and addressing means being adapted to prepare at least one of said diverse publications with selectively bound and/or internally customized copies; means for sequentially recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding line to provide an exact count by zip code; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a predetermined order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding line; a co-mailing line for preparing a plurality of diverse publications for co-mailing therefrom; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from said binding line; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes while determining the number of copies for each zip code for said diverse publications; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information to feed copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code order; means for sequentially accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said co-mailing line into co-mailing stacks in zip code order, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 120

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding lines, said preparing and addressing means including a plurality of signature feeders for each binding line, a gathering chain for receiving signatures from said feeders for each binding line, a binding machines for binding said signatures into said publications on each binding line, and an ink jet printer for each binding line for addressing each of said diverse publications before said multiple copies exit therefrom, and said preparing and addressing means being adapted to prepare at least one of said diverse publications from at least one binding line with selectively bound and/or internally customized copies; means for sequentially recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding lines in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom to provide an exact count by zip code and carrier route; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding lines, said assembling means including a separate spirally wound bundle or reel for sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications thereon; a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in a reverse order relative to the order of exit from said binding lines, said placing means including means for separately moving each of said separate spirally wound bundles or reels to a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes while determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information utilizing means being adapted to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said assembled mailing information utilizing means feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; means for accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said copy accumulating means being adapted to accumulate copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 121

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding lines, said preparing and addressing means including a plurality of signature feeders for each binding line, a gathering chain for receiving signatures from said feeders for each binding line, a binding machines for binding said signatures into said publications on each binding line, and an ink jet printer for each binding line for addressing each of said diverse publications before said multiple copies exit therefrom, and said preparing and addressing means being adapted to prepare at least one of said diverse publications from at least one binding line with selectively bound and/or internally customized copies; means for sequentially recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding lines in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom to provide an exact count by zip code and carrier route; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding lines, said assembling means including a separate spirally wound bundle or reel for sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications thereon; a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in a reverse order relative to the order of exit from said binding lines, said placing means including means for separately moving each of said separate spirally wound bundles or reels to a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes while determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information utilizing means being adapted to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said assembled mailing information utilizing means feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; means for accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said copy accumulating means being adapted to accumulate copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 133

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding lines, said preparing and addressing means including a plurality of signature feeders for each binding line, a gathering chain for receiving signatures from said feeders for each binding line, a binding machine for binding said signatures into said publications on each binding line, and an ink jet printer for each binding line for addressing each of said diverse publications before said multiple copies exit therefrom, and said preparing and addressing means being adapted to prepare at least one of said diverse publications from at least one binding line with selectively bound and/or internally customized copies; means for sequentially recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding lines in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom to provide an exact count by zip code and carrier route; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding lines, said assembling means including a separate pallet for sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications thereon; a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in the exact order of exit from said binding lines, said placing means including means for separately inverting and moving each of said separate pallets to a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes while determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information utilizing means being adapted to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said assembled mailing information utilizing means feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; means for accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said copy accumulating means being adapted to accumulate copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.

Claim 134

A system for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications, comprising: means for preparing and addressing multiple copies of each of said diverse publications on one or more binding lines, said preparing and addressing means including a plurality of signature feeders for each binding line, a gathering chain for receiving signatures from said feeders for each binding line, a binding machine for binding said signatures into said publications on each binding line, and an ink jet printer for each binding line for addressing each of said diverse publications before said multiple copies exit therefrom, and said preparing and addressing means being adapted to prepare at least one of said diverse publications from at least one binding line with selectively bound and/or internally customized copies; means for sequentially recording mailing information for each of said diverse publications prepared and addressed by said preparing and addressing means on said binding lines in the exact order each of said multiple copies exits therefrom to provide an exact count by zip code and carrier route; means for assembling each of said diverse publications in a reverse order relative to the order each of said multiple copies exits from said binding lines, said assembling means including a separate pallet for sequentially assembling every copy of each of said diverse publications thereon; a common co-mailing line for all of said diverse publications, said co-mailing line including a separate publication feeder for each of said diverse publications and an accumulating conveyor adapted to receive publications from said publication feeders, said accumulating conveyor passing an exit point of each of said publication feeders; means for placing each of said diverse publications in position for feeding each of said multiple copies to said co-mailing line in the exact order of exit from said binding lines, said placing means including means for separately inverting and moving each of said separate pallets to a preselected location relative to one of said publication feeders; means for assembling said mailing information for all of said diverse publications to control operation of said co-mailing line by permitting said diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes while determining the exact number of copies for each zip code and carrier route for said diverse publications; means for utilizing said assembled mailing information for the purpose of feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line, said assembled mailing information utilizing means being adapted to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of said co-mailing line whereby said diverse publications are fed in a predetermined sequence by said publication feeders to said accumulating conveyor, said assembled mailing information utilizing means feeding copies of said diverse publications to said co-mailing line substantially in zip code and carrier route order; means for accumulating said copies of said diverse publications fed to said accumulating conveyor by said publication feeders into co-mailing stacks, said co-mailing stacks being formed by copies of said diverse publications having a common indicia of said assembled mailing information including zip code and carrier route therefor, said copy accumulating means being adapted to accumulate copies of said diverse publications into co-mailing stacks in zip code and carrier route order; and means for preparing said co-mailing stacks of accumulated copies of diverse publications for mailing.