IP Library Granted Patent US 7,333,878
Granted Patent B2
US 7,333,878 · App. 11/380,667 · Granted Feb 19, 2008

Combined mailing streams

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,333,878
App. No.
11/380,667
Granted
Feb 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of combining mail streams in a printing finishing process including the acts of generating a master mailing list having a sequence, forming a first mail stream, forming a second mail stream, and combining the first mail stream and the second mail stream according to the sequence of the master mailing list.

Claims (42)

1. A method comprising:

providing a master mailing list including a sequence of recipients;

assembling printed products to form a first mail stream on a finishing line;

providing a second mail stream of printed products to the finishing line; and

combining the first and second mail streams in the sequence of the master mailing list on the finishing line.

2. The method of claim 1 and further including the act of printing address indicia on at least a portion of the printed products of the combined mail stream.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first mail stream is assembled using pockets and a saddle stitcher.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a loader provides the second mail stream to the finishing line.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the loader is a shuttle hopper.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second mail streams are combined on a mail table.

7. The method of claim 1 and further including the acts of stacking and bundling the combined mail stream.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first mail stream includes at least two different titles assembled in a multi-binding process.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first mail stream includes at least two different versions of a printed product assembled in a multi-binding process.

10. The method of claim 1 and further including the act of feeding a third stream of bound printed products to the finishing line.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the printed products of the second mail stream are pre-addressed.

12. A method of combining two mail streams, said method including:

providing a master mailing list including a sequence of recipients;

assembling printed products to form a first mail stream on a finishing line;

storing the first mail stream in a buffer on the finishing line;

providing a second mail stream of printed products to the finishing line downstream of the buffer; and

combining the first and second mail streams in the sequence of the master mailing list on the finishing line.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first mail stream is assembled using pockets and a saddle stitcher.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the buffer is a conveyor type buffer.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the second mail stream is provided to the finishing line using a shuttle hopper.

16. A method of combining two mail streams, said method including:

assembling printed products to form a first mail stream on a finishing line;

storing the first mail stream in a buffer;

providing a second mail stream of printed products to the finishing line downstream of the buffer; and

combining the first and second mail streams in a controlled sequence by selectively feeding printed products from the buffer and from the second mail stream to the finishing line.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein a controller controls the selective feeding of the printed products.

18. The method of claim 16 and further including the acts of supplying a third mail stream of printed products and combining the first, second and third mail streams in the controlled sequence.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the first mail stream includes at least two different titles.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the first mail stream includes at least two different versions of a printed product.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the buffer is a first in, first out type buffer.

22. The method of claim 16 and further including the act of printing indicia on selective printed products of the combined mail stream.

23. A method for combining two mail streams on one printing finishing line, said method including:

providing a master mailing list including a sequence of recipients;

assembling printed products on a finishing line;

diverting predetermined copies of the printed products from the finishing line to thereby define a first mail stream with gaps;

providing a second mail stream of printed products to the finishing line; and

combining the first and second mail streams in the sequence of the master mailing list such that the printed products of the second mail stream are placed into the gaps.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the predetermined printed products include newsstand versions of the printed product and wherein the printed products of the first mail stream include subscriber versions.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2010
From: QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 024697/0316 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2008
From: GRAUSHAR, WILLIAM T.; GERES, JOHN C.
To: QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020334/0443 →