Abstract: Systems and methods are described for publishing a document. In one example, a user interface, configured for profiling a document, a publisher of the document, a plurality of document consumers and a plurality of ad buyers, is displayed. The system may remove from the plurality of ad buyers those ad buyers whose goods or services are found to overlap areas of goods or services offered by the publisher. The removal may be performed in an automated manner, and as a backup, in a manual manner by a user operating the user interface. The document consumers are matched with the plurality of ad buyers to find ad buyers that are compatible with the document. Content provided by the publisher and ads provided by ad buyers found to be compatible with the content are then combined to form the document.

Abstract: Postage weight of a print item is computed as a function of certain print characteristics of the print item. The postage weight may be computed prior to printing the print item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing literature. The method includes receiving signals from a client by way of a client interface device and a communication link. The signals are received by a controller which is a component of the apparatus of the instant invention. The apparatus automatically prints literature on sheets of media as selected by the client, and produces a booklet containing the selected literature. Postage for the booklet is automatically calculated by counting the number of sheets of media used in producing the booklet and multiplying this number by the estimated, or approximated, weight of each sheet.

Abstract: A device and method for filling open boxes, containing such products as electronic equipment, with loose fill. The boxes are fed one at a time to a conveyor in random order. A bar code applied to each box, giving the box size, is scanned. The boxes are longitudinally centered by electric eyes actuating a brake at a centering station along the conveyor. The boxes are then widthwise centered by a pair of successively actuated cylinders. A pump-up cylinder at the centering station is actuated to lift a centered box to a predetermined height set by said bar code. A fill valve for loose fill has a supply of loose fill at its upper end fed to it through a feed pipe by gravity, the loose fill flowing by gravity, once the valve is opened, until its feed pipe is plugged, and then it is shut off. The pump-up cylinder then lowers the box to the conveyor. A series of air-blasts, sent to the box further along the conveyor, levels any mountain of loose fill that forms during the feeding of the loose-fill.