System for preparing shipping documents

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.