Method and apparatus for preparing validated mail tray labels

A system for providing labels for a mail tray to give destination and content information relative to mail pieces placed in the mail tray, the combination comprising:

• a processor having mail list distribution data and mailing information stored therein,
• a controller having postal regulation information stored in the memory thereof,
• an inserting machine in communication with said controller for placing inserts into envelopes to form mail pieces and communicating mailing information to said controller,
• a first printer in communication with said processor for printing and delivering documents having machine readable information therein to said inserter, and
• a second printer in communication with said controller for printing labels,
• a scale in communication with said controller and downstream from said inserter for weighing mail pieces prepared by said inserter and for communicating the weight to said controller whereby said controller determines the amount of postage required, compares the measured weight with weight calculated based upon insert information and outsorts the mail pieces whose estimated and determined weights do no coincide.

A system for providing labels for a mail tray to give destination and content information relative to mail pieces placed in the mail tray, the combination comprising:

• a processor having mail list distribution data and mailing information stored therein,
• a controller in communication with the processor for receiving mailing information therefrom and having postal regulation information stored in the memory thereof,
• an inserting machine in communication with said controller for placing inserts into envelopes to form mail pieces,
• a first printer in communication with said processor for printing and delivering documents to said inserter, and
• a second printer in communication with said controller for printing labels,
• a scale in communication with said controller and downstream from said inserter for weighing mail pieces prepared by said inserter and for communicating the weight to said controller whereby said controller determines the amount of postage required, compares the measured weight with weight calculated by the inserter based upon insert information and outsorts the mail pieces whose estimated and determined weights.

A method of producing labels for a mail tray to provide mailing information relative to the mail pieces in the mail tray and the destination thereof, the steps comprising:

• storing a mail list containing names and addresses of individuals, mailing information and postal regulations in a processor, storing Domestic Mail Manual regulations information in the processor,
• connecting the processor with an inserter to download selected address and mailing information to the inserter,
• printing documents with names and addresses from the stored mail list,
• individually combining the documents with inserts in accordance with mailing information received by the inserter from the processor,
• placing the combined inserts and documents into envelopes to form mail pieces,
• calculating the thickness of the mail pieces and determining how many mail pieces should be placed into a tray based upon the thicknesses of the mail pieces and zip codes and classifications thereof,
• calculating the weight of mail pieces placed into trays in accordance with the contents thereof,
• placing the determined number of mail pieces into a tray,
• weighing the mail pieces, communicating the weight of the mail pieces to the processor and determining the amount of postage due for the mail pieces, and outsorting mail pieces that do not meet Domestic Mail manual regulations,
• printing a label to identify the class, classification and destination of the tray, and
• applying the label to the tray.

A method of producing labels for a mail tray to provide mailing information relative to the mail pieces in the mail tray and the destination thereof, the steps comprising:

• providing a mail list containing names and addresses of individuals and mailing information, in a processor, and storing Domestic Mail Manual regulations information in the processor,
• connecting the processor with an inserter to download selected address and mailing information to the inserter,
• printing documents with names and addresses from the mail list and a code based upon the provided mailing information,
• individually combining the documents with inserts in accordance with mailing information received from the code,
• calculating the weight of mail pieces placed into trays in accordance with the contents thereof,
• placing the combined inserts and documents into envelopes to form mail pieces,
• weighing the mail pieces and determining the amount of postage due for the mail pieces, and outsorting mail pieces that do not meet Domestic Mail Manual regulations,
• calculating the thickness of the mail pieces and determining how many mail pieces should be placed into a tray based upon the thicknesses of the mail pieces and zip codes and classification thereof,
• placing the determined number of mail pieces into a tray,
• printing a label to identify the class, classification and destination of the tray, and
• applying the label to the tray.