Abstract: A collator comprises a first hopper for storing signatures having a first characteristic and a second hopper for storing signatures having a second characteristic. A plurality of collating pockets move relative to the first and second hoppers and receive signatures from the first and second hoppers. An actuatable feeder, when actuated, feeds an individual signature from one of the first and second hoppers. A memory stores a predetermined number corresponding to the number of individual signatures to be delivered from the first hopper. The feeder is controlled to initially feed individual signatures from the first hopper to the plurality of pockets until the number of individual signatures delivered equals the predetermined number and then to feed individual signatures from the second hopper to the plurality of pockets without stopping movement of the pockets relative to the first and second hoppers.

Abstract: Newspapers are collated with materials which vary as a function of the characteristics of the readers of the newspapers. For example, a newspaper for a reader having a credit card for a particular business establishment would include an insert which is an advertisement for the business establishment. A newspaper for a reader who did not have a credit card for the business establishment would not include the advertisement. Indicia identifying the reader for whom each newspaper is intended is printed on the jacket of the newspaper during the process of collating the newspaper. Further indicia may be applied onto inserts appropriate to the intended reader and/or advertiser.

Abstract: An improved newspaper handling apparatus and method enables newspapers to be formed in a sequence which is the same as the sequence in which newspapers are to be delivered to different addresses along a delivery route. Therefore, newspapers containing inserts for readers having particular characteristics can be formed and indicia corresponding to addresses along a delivery route printed on the newspapers in a sequence which is the same as the sequence in which the newspapers are delivered to the different addresses along the delivery route. During the forming of the newspapers, collating spaces are moved past hoppers from which inserts are fed. The completed newspapers are transferred from the collating spaces to a discharge conveyor in a sequence which corresponds to the sequence in which newspapers are to be delivered to different addresses along a delivery route.