R.r. Donnelley and Sons Company

Other

Theodore W Mayer

Anthony J Majewski

F G Clarke

Earl J Anker

Glenn R Scott

Gregory F Reigel

Nicholas A Martellotto

Double bed

Lounge bed

In order to maximize postal discounts in connection with binding line operations, a system and method for co-mailing a plurality of diverse publications to their intended recipients is disclosed. The system and method contemplate preparing and addressing copies of each of the diverse publications on at least one binding line. Mailing information is then recorded for each of the diverse publications exiting from the binding line. The diverse publications are then each assembled in a predetermined order as the copies exit from the binding line following which each of the diverse publications is placed in position for feeding each of the copies to a co-mailing line in a predetermined order relative to the order of exit from the binding line. Mailing information is then assembled for all of the diverse publications to control or otherwise facilitate the operation of the co-mailing line by permitting the diverse publications to be accumulated for co-mailing purposes. Next, the assembled mailing information is utilized for feeding copies of the diverse publications to the co-mailing line. With this operation, the copies fed to the co-mailing line are accumulated into co-mailing stacks formed by copies having a common indicia of assembled mailing information after which the co-mailing stacks are prepared for mailing.

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

An apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line where a plurality of signatures are provided at a feeding station for delivery to a binding line conveyor. The signatures are transferred by a transfer conveyor which extends from a point near the feeding station to a point near a binding line conveyor. A main drum assembly preferably moves the signatures one at a time from the feeding station to the transfer conveyor which follows a path to a delivery drum assembly where the signatures are delivered one at a time from the transfer conveyor to the binding line conveyor. The transfer conveyor is adapted to receive one signature at a time from the main drum assembly after which the transfer conveyor carries the signatures to the delivery drum assembly which delivers signatures one at a time for deposit on the binding line conveyor. In addition, the signatures are individually printed by a non-contact printer in a direction perpendicular to the backbones thereof during the course of signature transfer by the transfer conveyor.

Apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during

An automated system gathers coupons into sets that are individually customized for different addresses. The system involves recording a list of addressee information and codes for identifying the various addressees. The list is used to control the feeding of coupons from each of several feeder units to a conveyor track. Each feeder unit is disposed adjacent to each coupon group for removing coupons therefrom, and each feeder unit contains a printing head for printing an addressee code on each coupon as it is fed to the conveyor track. A processor controls the feeding of the coupons according to the recorded list such that the addressee coded coupons are collected into coupon sets, and the coupons of each set are printed with the same addressee code.

Automatic document gathering and personalization system

Apparatus for gathering printed signatures for saddle stitching includes an endless gathering chain divided by pusher lugs into 2-up signature receiving areas, with each receiving area divided by a short pusher leg into a leading segment and a trailing segment, each adapted to receive a 1-up signature. At least one 1-up signature is first fed into at least one of the segments of each receiving area, and at least one 2-up signature is then fed into each receiving area overlying the 1-up signatures. The last signature is usually a 2-up cover; additional 1-up signatures may have been fed into trailing segments on top of any 2-up signature before the cover is fed, and a 1-up wrapper may be fed onto the trailing part of the 2-up cover.

Apparatus for and method of gathering 1-up and 2-up signatures for

The present invention accomplishes simultaneous stitching of tandem sets of 1-up gathered signatures. A shuttle mechanism grips adjacent, consecutive unbound books on a saddle-type gathering conveyor and, in a single stroke, presents both unbound books at a saddle stitcher station for simultaneous binding by two sets of individually controlled stitcher heads.

Method and apparatus for tandem stitching of books in a bindery line

Apparatus for facilitating the safe disposal of used hypodermic needles. According to a preferred embodiment, a funnel-like member, adapted to be hand-held, functions to support a needle sheath during a needle-sheathing operation. The converging walls of such member shield the hand of the user from accidental 'needle sticks'. Also disclosed are needle containers which incorporate means for facilitating the sheathing of used needles prior to entering the container.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Theodore W Mayer