US 5,031,891 AGranted

Method and system for selectively collating subjectively different printed copy products, particularly different newspaper inserts for targeted distribution

AssigneeMAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG

InventorsIngo Kobler, Godber Petersen

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

To permit placement of selected copy products having different subject matter together in specifically collated copy product assemblies, for association of individualized copy product assemblies with delivery addresses in a specific sequence, for example specific to subscribers or distribution stations or regions, a controller-computer (10) stores delivery addresses and the desired copy products at specific delivery addresses. All the copy products are stored in individual storage locations, from which, with respect to a specific address within the sequence, selected individual copy products are removed, for placement on collecting spaces (48-56) on a collecting transport system. The controller-computer includes timing circuits controlling, respectively, the removal and guidance of selected copy products for the specific addresses in the sequence to specific collecting spaces, as the transport system moves beneath the storage locations or stations, to form the collected product assemblies which, then, can be supplied with a cover (39) or directly with the delivery address. The first or last of the copy product stations (1, 4) can hold folded newspapers which, for example, can be the main section of a newspaper, with which specific regional or advertisement inserts, formed by the copy products, are then assembled.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of selectively collating subjectively different printed copy products (6-9) individually selected for subscribers, particularly different inserts for printed publications,

comprising the steps of
storing, in a controller-computer (10)
(a) the subject matter of copy products selected for subscribers having delivery addresses to which said copy products are to be delivered;
and
(b) the delivery addresses of the subscribers of th copy products in a predetermined sequence,
wherein said sequence consists of a predetermined sequence of delivery;
providing a moving collating transport system (5) having a plurality of identifiable individual collecting spaces (48-56);
separately storing the copy products (6-9) at individual storage locations (1-4);
selectively individually controlling removal of copy products from the storage locations (1-4) based on
(a) the desired subject matter of the respectively stored copy products, and
(b) the delivery address in said predetermined sequence of the delivery addresses for subsequent distribution of the copy products to said addresses;
guiding selectively individually removed copy products to identified individual collecting spaces (48-56) of the collecting transport system (5) to form individually associated collated copy product assemblies (36) at the identified individual collecting space;
selectively applying (41) a respective delivery address to the collated copy product assembly (36) under control of the controller computer (10) in accordance with the stored delivery address while retaining said sequence of the delivery addresses;
and
controlling the respective time of removal and guidance step and the address application step under control of the controller-computer (10).

12 more elements

A system for selectively collating subjectively different printed copy products (6-9) individually selected for subscribers, particularly different inserts for printed publications,

comprising
a controller-computer (16) including memory means (43, 44) for storing
(a) the subject matter of copy products selected for subscribers having delivery addresses to which said copy products are to be delivered;
and
(b) the delivery addresses of the subscribers of the copy products in a predetermined sequence;
wherein said sequence consists of a predetermined sequence of delivery;
a moving collating transport system (5) defining a plurality of identifiable individual collecting spaces (48-56);
a plurality of individual storage locations or sections (4) for separately storing groups of copy products (6, 9), wherein the copy products of each group carry different subject matter;
means (11-14;
15-18;
19-22) for selectively individually controlling removal of the copy products from the storage locations based on
(a) the desired subject matter carried by any copy product, and
(b) the delivery address of the copy product in said predetermined sequence of the delivery address for subsequent distribution of the copy products to said addresses, and
for guiding said selectively individually removed copy products on identifiable individual collecting spaces of the collating transport system (5), to form, in said collecting spaces, individually associated collated copy product assemblies (36) in said predetermined sequence;
means (41) for selectively applying a delivery address to the collated copy product assemblies (36);
means for connecting said controller-computer (10) to said removal and guidance means, and to said address application means for controlling
(a) the nature or characteristics of the copy product assemblies based on the selected removed copy products, and
(b) while retaining said sequence of the delivery addresses, guiding said removed copy products in individual collecting spaces (48-56) for placement of the resulting collated copy product assemblies (36) in said individual collecting spaces in said sequence;
and
means for applying the desired copy product address to said selected copy product.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/536,076Filed 11 Jun 1990 · continuation
Priority: DE 380635127 Feb 1988
Granted: 16 Jul 1991
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B65H 43/00
Use of control, checking, or safety devices
B65H 39/043
From piles: the piles being disposed in juxtaposed carriers
B65H 39/055
From piles: by collecting in juxtaposed carriers
B65H 2301/4311
Features with regard to the collection, nature, sequence and/or the making thereof: making personalised books or mail packets according to…