Abstract: A device and a method for folding a print substrate web is disclosed. The device has devices for quarter folding and for cross-cutting the print substrate web for severing individual products as well as devices for cross folding. As viewed in the transport direction of the products, an arrangement for dividing the product stream is provided after a second quarter folding device, the arrangement conveying the successive products to a first and a second conveyor belt in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A method for arranging pages of a print product on fold sheets that are subsequently combined into an imposition scheme on print sheets and for representing the production process and the product it produces is disclosed. The print sheets are initially imprinted with the pages and then cut into the fold sheets. The fold sheets are folded and cut and collated into the print products. To make the determination of the imposition schemes more flexible, the pages are initially assigned to partitions of the print products. Pages of a print product that are included in a partition are either not separated from each other, or are only separated from each other by a last cut of the print product.

Abstract: A single level web conversion apparatus is provided. The single level web conversion apparatus includes a web guiding apparatus guiding a web, a former longitudinally folding the web downstream of the web guiding apparatus and a cutting apparatus cutting the folded web into a first signature and a second signature. The web guiding apparatus includes rolls having axes of rotation aligned with a vertical direction that guide the web in a vertical on-edge orientation. The former receives the web in a vertical on-edge orientation and folding the web such that the folded web has a horizontal orientation and travels in a horizontal plane. The first and second signature each travel in the horizontal plane. A method of producing and delivering printed products is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a winding unit configured to wind a continuous sheet, a binding unit configured to bind the continuous sheet that is wound and stacked by the winding unit, and a first cutting unit configured to cut the continuous sheet that is bound by the binding unit in a state that the continuous sheet is wound by the winding unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a digitally printed product that includes at least one section of sequentially printed sheets folded approximately in the center. The sequentially printed sheets are conveyed one after another on a conveying device and folded inside a folding apparatus to form a first fold. The folded sheets are gathered in a gathering station to form a section which is fed to a work station where the section is folded approximately in the center to form a second fold.

Abstract: For the production of different types of newspapers, the material web printed in a digital printing system (2) passes through a further processing system (3), whose most important structural units are a side edge cutting station (4), a longitudinal cutting station (5), a crosscutting station (6), a first collecting station (8), a crossfolding station (10), a longitudinal folding station (11), a stitching station (12), a second collecting station (13) and a delivery station (14). The sheets separated from the material web in the crosscutting station (6) are placed on one another in the first collecting station (8) to form sections. These sections are folded transversely with respect to the direction of movement (Y) in the crossfolding station (10). In the longitudinal folding station (11), the sections are folded in their direction of movement (Y). In the stitching station (12), the sheets of a section are joined to one another along the longitudinal fold.

Abstract: A developing device including: a first developer carrying member for carrying a developer to develop a latent image formed on an image bearing member; a first regulating member, disposed on one end of a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member, for regulating a gap between the image bearing member and the first developer carrying member; a second developer carrying member for carrying a developer to develop the same latent image formed on the image bearing member; and a second regulating member, disposed on the one end of the longitudinal direction of the image bearing member, for regulating a gap between the image bearing member and the second developer carrying member, wherein the first and second regulating members are disposed without being superposed upon each other in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the collated printing of a first set of images of a nonrepeating series and a second set of images. The collated printing provides for the complete printing of the nonrepeating series with respect to each of the images so that the combined images of the first and second series are collated in predetermined units or packets, preferably corresponding to the number of images in the repeating series. A first indicia for identifying the nonrepeating series and a second indicia for identifying the collated units can be printed on the combined images. Also, a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive can be applied to the back of the combined images to form packets of the combined images and any desired quantity.

Abstract: A system having a printer for customizing signatures delivered and processed on a conveyor line in groups of completed books of variable thickness includes an arrangement for maintaining a constant distance between the printer and the books regardless of the thickness of the books in order to preserve the quality of printing on the books. The system further includes an arrangement for selectively diverting completed books to a stacker, a mail stream conveyor and a poor quality book conveyor.

Abstract: In a printing system in which printing is conducted on sheets of cut paper supplied from a sheet hopper and the printed sheets are stacked in a stack unit, the binding apparatus binds a bundle of sheets of printed cut paper discharged to the stack unit, wherein the binding apparatus includes: a conveyance arm that holds an end portion of the bundle of printed cut paper in a vertical direction and conveys them in a horizontal direction; a binding machine that binds the bundle of sheets of cut paper conveyed by the conveyance arm with a band-shaped or string-shaped binding medium; an output unit that stocks and outputs the bundle of sheets that have been bound; and a control unit that controls the conveyance arm, binding machine and output unit.

Abstract: An inserter module for attaching processed cards to associated card carrier forms having cardholder information printed thereon is provided. The inserter module includes a chassis, printer for printing cardholder information on serially connected card carrier forms, takeup means for maintaining proper takeup of the serially connected carrier forms as they exit the printer, burster for separating the serially connected carrier forms after printing, and inserter for attaching the processed cards to associated printed carrier forms.

Abstract: A system reads a data record from a card and, based on this information, searches a database for additional letter data and prints on a section of a travelling web of paper the data record and letter data. The printed web section is tracked and the card providing the data record is affixed to the web section. The printed web section with card is then separated to form a letter sheet and inserts are selected for the letter sheet with card based on the previously read data record for the card. The letter sheet with card and selected inserts is then stuffed into an envelope and an indication of the weight of the envelope with enclosures, based on the known weight of the envelope, card and letter sheet and the known weights of the selected inserts, is provided to a franking machine.

Abstract: A digital copier with mail preparation functions including a document input scanner deriving an electronic representation of an original document placed at a scanning position associated therewith; a document editor, responsive to operator command from a user interface to identify in, an original document an area thereof including an address; a document creator, for combining the image from the identified area with a pre-stored envelope image; a source of sheets and envelopes; means for selectively feeding sheets and envelopes from the source to a printer; the printer is controlled to create an image on the selected sheet or envelope in accordance with the created envelope image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for printing and collating multiple webs of materials, particularly for use in creating personalized direct mail materials, are disclosed. The invention includes a single, highly flexible press having components capable of being driven at unequal speeds to account for different sizes of insert materials and their associated envelopes. Operating a single press in this manner reduces the amount of waste web material which otherwise would be present. The press similarly includes novel collating and inserting apparatus whereby each outgoing envelope is effectively formed around the "insertable" materials. Control mechanisms and verification systems associated with the press additionally maintain any personalized materials in registration, permitting a single press to produce the entire direct mail piece from multiple webs with minimal waste.

Abstract: A stabilization system for the printing of signatures having a chain conveyor for conveying a plurality of signatures in a longitudinal direction, the chain conveyor being subdivided into a plurality of conveyor spaces and one of the signatures being provided in each of the conveyor spaces. The stabilization system includes a support structure for supporting the chain conveyor, means for lifting the signatures off of the chain conveyor, and a second conveyor for conveying the signatures in the longitudinal direction to a printer for printing textual subject matter on the signatures after they are lifted from the chain conveyor. The second conveyor has a support structure that is separate and vibrationally isolated from the chain conveyor and the support structure for the chain conveyor so that the printer is separate and vibrationally isolated from the chain conveyor and its support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus ideally suited for the small mailing service is disclosed. The apparatus can take pro-printed, un-addressed mail pieces of non-identical size delivered to the mailing service from different merchants and combine the mail pieces to create mailing bundles at the lowest postal rate and group the bundles to create a single mailing. In the apparatus a computer serves to take the merchant mailing lists, merge and sort the entries thereon into lowest postal rate groupings, and use this merged data base to enable a sequence controller and associated machinery to physically commingle and address the non-identical mail pieces into the single mailing bundle. Provision is also made for generating required postal service documentation and invoices from the mailing service to the merchants.

Abstract: An improved system for segregating and identifying separate job sets from a commonly stacked output of plural job sets of copy sheets sequentially generated by a printer and sequentially outputted into a sheet stacker in which they may be superposed commonly stacked. A control system selects which standard size sheet supply tray of the printer will feed the copy sheets for a selected job set, and can automatically feed and print a cover sheet of a larger size or different orientation before or after the job set copy sheets are fed. The sheet stacker may desirably stack the copy sheets of the job sets commonly edge aligned but so that at least one edge area of the cover sheets extends substantially from at least one edge of the stack of copy sheets of the job sets to provide an exposed printed banner strip for clear job sets segregation and separation even if the commonly stacked plural job sets of copy sheets are misaligned in subsequent handling.

Abstract: Trackable response devices such as redeemable coupons are prepared by forming multiple sets of response devices. Each set might comprise a book having multiple pages of coupons. A tracking code is printed on least some of the response devices of each set. The tracking code for the response devices within a particular set is the same, and the tracking code for each set is different. After the sets are formed, each set is printed with an address, and the address of each set and the tracking code of the set is stored.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing an item to be mailed using a printer in which a main document is printed and a line of mail preparation stations comprising an inserter station, responsive to an output, comprising instructions for controlling the printer and the mail preparation stations, said instructions for controlling the mail preparation stations being detected and fed to those mail preparation stations. According to the invention the main document is fed directly from the printer to the mail preparation stations and the supply of the instructions for controlling the mail preparation stations is carried out in accordance with the printing of the main document. Further, an apparatus according to the invention is set forth, to be used for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A system and method which compares document requirements to the printer capability and determines the best match therebetween. When a mismatch occurs, the system determines the best match between size, color, weight and type by determining a mismatch magnitude between the job paper requirements and the printer's paper capabilities or stocks. The paper with the lowest mismatch magnitude is designated. The system also determines the best match between the document requirements and the printer capability for stapling, folding, duplexing and stacking. The operator is given an opportunity to correct any mismatches and the best match is used to configure the printer for the job if the user has specified a best match print strategy.

Abstract: Embedded intelligence in the form of machine readable indicia printed on at least some of the sheets of a document is used by a document integrating device to control a feeding operation performed by the document integrating device. Regular sheets located in the document immediately preceding the location of an insert sheet are output with machine readable information indicative of the subsequent location in the document of an insert sheet. These regular sheets are then supplied to a document integrater (either in a stack or as they are output from an imaging device). A first scanner in the document integrater scans the regular sheets as they are fed from an inlet (having, for example, a regular sheet feeder unit). When a regular sheet located in the document immediately prior to an insert sheet is fed from the inlet, the machine readable information indicative of the subsequent insert sheet is read by the first scanner.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system, and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

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: A document finisher includes a printing station for printing on the binding of a book. The printing station in one embodiment prints on the binder tape before the book is bound. In a second embodiment, the printer prints on the binding after the book is bound. The printing stations are space efficient and designed to be easily incorporated with preexisting stations in document finishers. Ink jet printers and impact-type printer may be utilized.

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.

Abstract: An improved plow construction for a signature printing system wherein a collating conveyor chain moves past a plurality of signature feeder stations which cooperatively build-up books on said chain and wherein a signature lifting plow device and a signature printer cooperate to effect printing on an inside page of signature. The improved plow device is constructed with a configured-sheet deflection element having: (i) a lead edge region located at an upstream position and extending generally radially below said conveyor chain; (ii) a trail end region located at a downstream position and extending generally radially from said conveyor chain, above said lead edge region and (iii) an intermediate section having a curved surface joining said lead and trail edge regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the personalization of magazines and like "book" publications. A book, having a cover which provides address information, is formed from a number of signatures. This is accomplished by automatically printing at least one personalized signature with variable personalized printing (such as by ion deposition), assembling the personalized signature with at least one other signature, detecting the personalized printing on the personalized signature (as by optically scanning OCR characters), and in response to such detecting, printing address information on the cover. The personalized printing can be the addressee's name, photograph, or identification number. The personalized signature may be assembled with other business documents, such as a business reply envelope, and may be perfed to provide a return form.

Abstract: The present invention is a system which compares the print job requirements to the printer capability and determines the best match therebetween. When a mismatch occurs, the system determines the best match between size, color, weight and type by determining a mismatch magnitude between the job paper requirements and the printer's paper capabilities or stocks. The paper with the lowest mismatch magnitude is designated. The system also determines the best match between the job requirements and the printer capability for stapling, folding, duplexing and stacking. The operator is given an opportunity to correct any mismatches and the best match is used to configure the printer for the job if the user has specified a best match print strategy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for incorporating pre-personalized signatures within magazines, books, catalogs, etc. which are intelligently matched to recipient name and address information printed on the covers of the magazines, books, etc. In one embodiment, pre-personalized signatures are printed off-line and later supplied to a signature feeder in the bindery line. Before or after deposit on the bindery chain conveyor, coded indicia on the pre-personalized signatures are machine read and processed through a control processor and related storage memory for locating and printing recipient name and address information on the magazine cover, matched to the pre-personalized signature.

Abstract: In order to avoid ergonomic problems such as carpel tunnel syndrome while improving productivity, an apparatus for feeding signatures to a binding line is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pocket adjacent a binding line for receiving signatures to be delivered to the binding line. It also includes first and second signature feeders for feeding signatures from a source to a signature transfer mechanism which extends to the pocket adjacent the binding line. The apparatus further contemplates at least one of the signature feeders receiving signatures directly from the source. In order to facilitate the efficient operation of the signature feeders of the invention, the signature transfer mechanism has a signature receiving end. The signature receiving end is positioned above the signature feeders and is adapted to transfer signatures to the pocket in either a shingled stream fashion or a one-at-a-time fashion. The signature transfer mechanism also has a signature transferring end positioned adjacent the pocket.

Abstract: A sheet is moved into a tray. The height of a bundle is determined as it moves along a conveyor. A belt drive is activated to pinch the delivered sheet and advance it to a swingable applicator whose outfeed end is movable to a position just above the top of the bundle. Information is printed upon the sheet prior to entering the applicator assembly. The sheet is advanced through the applicator assembly at a speed synchronized with bundle speed. The applicator lays the sheet upon the bundle which is then moved to a wrapper. The outlet end of the applicator assembly is moved so that it is positioned just above the bundle receiving the sheet under control of a height sensor. The timing of sheet delivery is a function of bundle speed and bundle height. A microprocessor responsive to a detector sensing the feeding of the sheet to the applicator assembly and responsive to bundle height controls the initiation of advancement of the sheet from the tray.

Abstract: An imprinting system of the type including: a conveyer; a plurality of feeders for delivering signatures to a conveyer, the conveyer moving the signatures in a predetermined direction along a conveyer path; a printer disposed proximate to the conveyer along the path for imprinting on portions of signatures within a predetermined print field; improved in that the system further comprises: a scanner for scanning a field of view disposed along the path extending in the predetermined direction in predetermined relation to the print field and generating scanner output signals indicative of the position of the signature within the field of view; and the system for controlling the printer includes varying the position of the print field relative to the field of view in accordance with the movement of the signatures through the field of view.

Abstract: A printing system for customizing folded signatures in a collating and binding line having a number of spaced signature feeders includes an auxiliary feeder for conveying signatures in a particular orientation to a primary feeder located in the line, and a printer positioned between the auxiliary and primary feeders for printing signatures before their delivery to the line such that the printing on the signatures lies substantially transverse to the folds of the signatures. The system further includes an arrangement for aligning the signatures in a particular orientation between the auxiliary feeder and primary feeder.

Abstract: A method of forming a coded image with the edges of a plurality of stacked pages is disclosed. The method includes defining a unique identification code for a plurality of defined areas on a sheet of paper, and for printing each identification code onto each area, the identification code being in contact with a boundary between each area. A method of cutting the sheet along each boundary to form blanks having a coded edge, and stacking a number of sheets to form a stack with an edge bearing a coded image formed from a number of coded edges is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for individually printing signatures during delivery to a bindery line where a plurality of signatures are provided at a feeding station for delivery to a binding line conveyor. The signatures are transferred by a transfer conveyor which extends from a point near the feeding station to a point near a binding line conveyor. A main drum assembly preferably moves the signatures one at a time from the feeding station to the transfer conveyor which follows a path to a delivery drum assembly where the signatures are delivered one at a time from the transfer conveyor to the binding line conveyor. The transfer conveyor is adapted to receive one signature at a time from the main drum assembly after which the transfer conveyor carries the signatures to the delivery drum assembly which delivers signatures one at a time for deposit on the binding line conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet material handling apparatus includes a main conveyor along which collated assemblies of signatures are sequentially moved. An inserter assembly is provided to feed inserts one-at-a-time into each of the collated signature assemblies in turn. The inserter assembly includes an infeed conveyor which feeds a continuous strip of interconnected inserts from a source. A separator assembly separates the leading insert from the remaining inserts in the strip of inserts. A separator conveyor moves the leading insert forwardly away from the strip of inserts toward a feeder conveyor. The feeder conveyor accelerates the insert to a relatively high speed and then propels the insert into an opening in the collated assembly of signatures. To form the opening in the collated assembly of signatures, a plow or deflector plate is mounted on the outer end portion of the feeder conveyor and engages the collated assembly of signatures.

Abstract: A method for sorting, separating and indicating sections of an outputted stack, such as printed continuous paper web. A continuous web is outputted which includes a plurality of sections having pages therein. Page separation and section separation locations are determined upon the web wherein the size of each page in a section is equal and wherein the size of at least one section separator page disposed adjacent to a section separation location is unequal to the size of the other pages in the section. The web is folded at each of the subsequent page separation locations upon an alternating face to produce a zig-zag pattern. The section separator pages may be folded so that their size is greater than or less than the size of the pages in the section and the section separator pages may be cut so that their size is greater than or less than that of the pages in the section.

Abstract: An automated system gathers coupons into sets that are individually customized for different addresses. The system involves recording a list of addressee information and codes for identifying the various addressees. The list is used to control the feeding of coupons from each of several feeder units to a conveyor track. Each feeder unit is disposed adjacent to each coupon group for removing coupons therefrom, and each feeder unit contains a printing head for printing an addressee code on each coupon as it is fed to the conveyor track. A processor controls the feeding of the coupons according to the recorded list such that the addressee coded coupons are collected into coupon sets, and the coupons of each set are printed with the same addressee code.

Abstract: Signature machine for printing an inside page of a signature as it moves through the machine from a signature supply source to the signature gatherer, made possible by positioning an ink jet printer in a raceway between the supply source and the gatherer. After being printed the signature is folded to bring the inside pages into juxtaposition before being delivered to the gatherer. There may be two supply sources for different signatures, feeding different signatures to be printed differently before being folded one after another.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for composing an imposition in terms of an arrangement of printing plates on selected of the image positions on selected units of a printing press to print a given edition, by first assigning each section of this edition to one of the press areas. Thereafter, each printing unit is examined to determine an utilization value thereof in terms of the placement of the printing plates on the image positions and the relative number of image positions to which printing plates are assigned with respect to the total number of image positions. Thereafter, a list of the image positions for each of the sections and its area, is constructed by examining one printing unit at a time in an order according to the placement of that printing unit in the array and examining its utilization value to determine whether or not to include a particular image position of that printing unit in the list.

Abstract: The system for processing a virgin web to yield printed documents such as business forms includes a printing device adapted for printing non-repetitive (variable) and repetitive (constant) information and data as determined by a computer, and processing devices disposed--in relation to the transporting direction of the web--in front of and past the printing device and serving for shaping the web and possibly for printing onto the web in color. The processing devices are preferably built in the form of slide-in units adapted to be loosenably mounted into shelves of the system and to be driven for instance through separable connecting means by drive devices fixedly mounted on the frame. The system makes it possible to process the web within a small space and with small energy requirements, and to assembly and disassemble the processing devices with rapidity.

Abstract: To permit preparation of inserts or special sections for newspapers, selected in accordance with individual subscriber, distributor or regional dealer wishes, inserts or sections (100,102) are selected in accordance with these wishes, under control of a computer-controller (112) and selectively assembled to form intermediate products (115). The intermediate products are coded in accordance with product distribution address sequences, and can be stored until they are to be merged with the daily news section of the newspaper, for example the masthead section, for rapid assembly therewith, while retaining the address codes and the product distribution sequence. The completed newspaper is then addressed, upon reading the address codes, and can be immediately bundled or packaged for delivery to a delivery truck (111) whose route follows the sequence of the distribution addresses of the pre-addressed individualized combined newspaper.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for printing and separating continuous forms into discrete folded jobs from a single moving web including an accumulator positioned between a printer and job separator with the accumulator being constructed to accumulate a portion of the web in random loops whenever the job separator operates at a capacity less than the printer.

Abstract: An in-line array of product dispensers overlie a conveyor belt. An ink jet printer overlies the conveyor belt downstream of the product dispensers. Information identifying the product dispensers which hold the desired products for a particular set and the desired number of sets of that type are entered to a controller operatively associated with the product dispensers and the printer. The controller times the dispensing of products from the selected product dispensers so as to form imbricated sets of products on the conveyor belt. As the products in the imbricated set pass under the printer, the controller activates it to print desired information on the exposed portion of each product.

Abstract: A computerized printing system particularly advantageous with word processing and data retrieval with personal computers prints pages on both sides of sheets carried as a continuous web for collation of the sheets with the printed pages counting those on opposite sides of the sheets in numerically ordered sequence when stacked in a fan-fold type array. Printed pages are printed on both sides of the web, and batches of two consecutive pages are alternately printed on the opposite sides of the web. Corresponding data processing and organization means provide for organizing, printing and collating the data, which can process fan-fold type webs directly to produce pages stacked with pages on both sides of the separable web sheets oriented in the same direction in numerical sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for printing images on halves of both sides of a group of receiving sheets by passing each sheet seriatim four times directly in succession through a printing station thereby printing the four halves of the sheet. The sheets thus printed are together folded double to form a book in which the sequence of the images corresponds to the sequence of the original images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for printing images on halves of both sides of a group of receiving sheets by passing each sheet seriatim four times directly in succession through a printing station thereby printing the four halves of the sheet. The sheets thus printed are together folded double to form a book in which the sequence of the images corresponds to the sequence of the original images.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for preparing mailpieces. The apparatus includes printing structure and structure; for supplying a plurality of stationery items. In addition the apparatus includes a computer. The computer includes structure for receiving and storing data including different letter datum corresponding one-for-one to different information provided for preparing each of a plurality of different mailpieces. The information for each mailpiece includes a postal zip code. The computer includes structure for identifying respective postal zip codes which each include a plurality of predetermined elements. In addition, the computer includes structure for sorting from the data the letter datum corresponding to information which includes an identified postal zip code.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of items to be mailed, preparation of each item varying in accordance with selected values of pre-determined parameters. The system includes apparatus for marking each item with selected identification code values; apparatus for preparing each item to be mailed in accordance with stored parameters, the preparing apparatus having a detector for detecting and outputting identification values from the items; a data base system for storing selected values of the parameters in associated with the identification codes, a control system responsive to the output identification codes to access the associated selected values for output to the preparation apparatus. The preparation apparatus of the subject system includes an inserted system and the pre-determined parameters include parameters defining the inserts to be assembled with an item.

Abstract: Stacks of sets of number identified Bingo tickets are produced by first stacking different main sheets containing numbered Bingo tickets arranged six by six, and (1) cutting the first stack along a medial vertical cut line, stacking the substacks and cutting the resulting stack along horizontal lines between successive ticket rows and stacking the resulting substacks; (2) cutting the first stack along a medial horizontal line, stacking the substacks and cutting the resulting stack along vertical lines between successive ticket rows and stacking the resulting substacks; or (3) cutting the first stack along a pair of parallel lines between success pairs of tickets, stacking the substacks, cutting the resulting stack along a pair of parallel lines perpendicular to the first cut lines and stacking the resulting two by two ticket substacks. The identifying numbers are so sequenced and the stacking so effective that the numbers identifying corresponding tickets in successive sets may be progressive.