Method for manufacturing the mailing set

Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing a forwarding item set which enables a predetermined number of forwarding items to be simply and surely prepared.SOLUTION: An original sheet S is cut to be divided into first block sheets BS1 serially printed in three lines and two rows with 6-face post cards P and second block sheets serially printed in two lines and two rows with 4-face post cards P. According to a predetermined number K of post cards P, the K1 first block sheets BS1 and the K2 second block sheets BS2 are prepared by printing with predetermined information. The post cards P are discretely divided by cutting the K1 first block sheet and the K2 second block sheet along cutting lines T, Y. A desired number (K=K1×3+K2×2) of post cards P are packaged as forwarding item sets PS by combining the discretely divided post cards P by each line of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a delivery set, which manufactures a delivery set consisting of a desired number of sheet-shaped deliveries based on an original sheet in which the deliveries are printed in a matrix via solid or imaginary cutting lines. [Background Art]

[0002] At the end of the year, New Year holidays and summer season, companies and organizations place orders with private printing companies for New Year's postcards and summer greeting postcards printed with predetermined patterns, and a postcard set consisting of a desired number of postcards is delivered.

[0003] In the manufacturing of this postcard set, due to stamps being printed on the surface of the postcard, first an original sheet of postcards with stamps printed is produced by a state-governed company (Japan Post Co., Ltd.), after which a private printing company prints a predetermined pattern on the original sheet, further cuts it, and then packages the desired number of postcards in a bag, band or box.

[0004] Conventionally, by convention, original postcard sheets with four postcards printed in 2 rows and 2 columns have often been sold. For this reason, when a printer uses a 4-up original sheet S' as shown in Figure 5(a), first, as shown in Figure 5(b), after printing a predetermined pattern on the original sheet S' and stacking them, as shown in Figure 5(c), the stacked original sheets S' are cut into single postcards P, and as shown in Figure 5(d), the desired number of postcards P are counted and packaged. Incidentally, as an apparatus for mass-producing postcards P, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-338121 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, when printing a predetermined design on a four-page spread sheet, if the number of postcards requested by a company is a multiple of four, the postcards can be prepared without any surplus or shortage. However, if the number of postcards requested by a company is not a multiple of four, it is necessary to print and cut the spread sheet with more postcards than requested, and then, as shown in Figure 5(d), remove 1 to 3 extra postcards. This is time-consuming and laborious, and also environmentally unfriendly as the extra postcards are discarded. It should be noted that this problem is not limited to postcards, but occurs similarly with other sheet-type mailing materials.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method for manufacturing a mailing set that allows for the easy and reliable preparation of a desired number of mailings, and thereby enables the efficient production of a mailing set consisting of a desired number of mailings, while also reducing the environmental impact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a set of mailings consisting of a desired number of K (K is an integer of 5 or more) mailings, based on a source sheet in which sheet-like mailings are printed in a matrix manner via solid or imaginary cutting lines, comprising: a first step of cutting the source sheet along predetermined cutting lines to divide it into a first block sheet in which multiple mailings are printed in a matrix of 3 rows and M columns (M is an integer of 1 or more) via cutting lines, and a second block sheet in which multiple mailings are printed in a matrix of 2 rows and M columns (M is an integer of 1 or more) via cutting lines, and the mailings The method is characterized by comprising: a second step of preparing a first block sheet of K1 (where K1 is an integer of 1 or more) and a second block sheet of K2 (where K2 is an integer of 1 or more) according to the desired number of sheets K; a third step of individually dividing the shipment by cutting the first block sheet of K1 and the second block sheet of K2 along their respective cutting lines; and a fourth step of packaging the desired number of shipments (K = K1 × 3 + K2 × 2) as a shipment set by combining the individually divided shipments row by row of the first block sheet and the second block sheet.

[0009] According to this method, by combining a first block sheet with three rows and M columns of sheet-like materials printed on it, and a second block sheet with two rows and M columns of sheet-like materials printed on it, any desired number of materials can be easily and reliably prepared. Therefore, there is no need to thin out excess materials when preparing the desired number of materials, and it becomes possible to efficiently manufacture sets of materials consisting of the desired number of materials. Moreover, since no excess materials are discarded, it is also possible to reduce the environmental impact.

[0010] Furthermore, in the second step described above, predetermined information may be printed on the first block sheet (1 K sheet) and the second block sheet (2 K sheets). This allows the predetermined information to be printed while preparing the first block sheet (1 K sheet) and the second block sheet (2 K sheets).

[0011] Furthermore, in the second step, different information may be printed on each column of the first block sheet (K1) and the second block sheet (K2). This makes it possible to simultaneously manufacture a set of mailings consisting of a desired number of mailings with different information printed on them.

[0012] Furthermore, in the second step, one first block sheet and two second block sheets may be prepared such that the difference in the number of first block sheets K1 and the number of second block sheets K2 is two or less. This makes it possible to reduce the difference in the number of first block sheets and second block sheets when combining them, and to manufacture a set of shipments consisting of the desired number of items more efficiently.

[0013] Furthermore, the original sheet may have 40 sheets of material printed in a matrix pattern via solid or imaginary cutting lines, and in the first step, by cutting the original sheet along predetermined cutting lines, it may be divided without excess into a first block sheet in which multiple sheets of material are printed in a 3x2 grid via the cutting lines, and a second block sheet in which multiple sheets of material are printed in a 2x2 grid via the cutting lines. This allows for the division of the 40-sheet original sheet into a first block sheet printed in a 3x2 grid and a second block sheet in which multiple sheets of material are printed in a 2x2 grid via the cutting lines, making it possible to manufacture a set of materials consisting of the desired number of sheets more efficiently.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a mailing set manufacturing system for manufacturing a mailing set consisting of a desired number K of mailings based on a source sheet on which sheet-shaped mailings are printed in a matrix manner via solid or imaginary cutting lines, wherein the source sheet is cut along predetermined cutting lines to divide it into a first block sheet in which multiple mailings are printed in a 3-row, M-column (M is an integer of 1 or more) arrangement via cutting lines, and a second block sheet in which multiple mailings are printed in a 2-row, M-column (M is an integer of 1 or more) arrangement via cutting lines. The device is characterized by comprising: a cutting unit; a printing unit that prints predetermined information on a first block sheet of K1 and a second block sheet of K2 according to the desired number of sheets K to be sent; a second cutting unit that cuts the first block sheet of K1 and the second block sheet of K2 along their respective cutting lines to divide the sent items individually; and a packaging unit that combines the individually divided sent items row by row of the first block sheet and the second block sheet to package the desired number of sent items (K = K1 × 3 + K2 × 2) as a set of sent items. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, by combining a first block sheet in which sheet-like materials are printed in 3 rows and M columns with a second block sheet in which sheet-like materials are printed in 2 rows and M columns, any desired number of materials can be easily and reliably prepared. Therefore, there is no need to thin out excess materials when preparing the desired number of materials, and it is possible to efficiently manufacture a set of materials consisting of the desired number of materials. Moreover, since excess materials are not discarded, it is possible to reduce the environmental impact. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a shipping set manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the raw sheet in the shipping set manufacturing system. [Figure 3]It is a plan view showing a first block sheet and a second block sheet divided from the original sheet of Fig. 3. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram showing the first to fourth steps of the method for manufacturing a delivery set according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing the steps of a method for manufacturing a delivery set using a conventional original sheet with four continuous printing surfaces. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Next, a delivery set manufacturing system (hereinafter referred to as the present system) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. In the present embodiment, description will be given assuming a postcard P as the delivery.

[0018] The present system manufactures a postcard set PS composed of a plurality of postcards P based on an original sheet S on which 40 postcards P are continuously printed in 10 rows and 4 columns, and as shown in Fig. 1, comprises: a first cutting section 1 that divides the original sheet S into block sheets BS1 and BS2 by cutting; a printing section 2 that prints predetermined information (A) and (B) on the block sheets BS1 and BS2; a second cutting section 3 that individually divides the postcards P by cutting the block sheets BS1 and BS2; and a packaging section 4 that packages a desired number K (K is an integer of 5 or more) of postcards P as one postcard set PS.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the original sheet S is a single paper sheet on which 40 rectangular postcards P are continuously printed in 10 rows and 4 columns. On the surface, nine solid cutting lines T are provided along the row-direction boundaries of each postcard P, and three solid cutting lines Y are provided along the column-direction boundaries of each postcard P. Normally, stamps, New Year's lotteries and the like (not shown) are pre-printed on the surface of the original sheet S by a company under the jurisdiction of the country (Japan Post Service Co., Ltd.).

[0020] In the present specification, the term "row" refers to an array extending in the vertical direction of the postcard P shown in Figure 2, and the term "column" refers to an array extending in the horizontal direction of the postcard P shown in Figure 2. Further, the "row direction" refers to the vertical direction in which the rows extend in Figure 2, and the "column direction" refers to the horizontal direction in which the columns extend in Figure 2.

[0021] The first cutting section 1 cuts the original sheet S along predetermined cutting lines T1 to T3 and Y1, thereby dividing the original sheet S into four bundles of first block sheets BS1 and four bundles of second block sheets BS2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the first cutting section 12 cuts along three cutting lines T1 to T3 provided along the column direction of the original sheet S and a cutting line Y1 provided at the center in the row direction, thereby, as shown in Figure 3(a) and Figure 4(b), dividing the sheet into four bundles of first block sheets BS1 of the same size on which six postcards P are consecutively printed in 3 rows and 2 columns, and as shown in Figure 3(b) and Figure 4(b), dividing the sheet without remainder into four bundles of second block sheets BS2 of the same size on which four postcards P are consecutively printed in 2 rows and 2 columns. In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(a), the first cutting section 12 cuts a stack of a plurality of original sheets S in a bundled state, thereby dividing the stack into the first block sheets BS1 and the second block sheets BS2 each in a bundled state where a plurality of sheets are stacked, as shown in Figure 4(b).

[0022] The printing section 2 is a printer that prepares first block sheets BS1 and second block sheets BS2 on which predetermined information (A) and (B) are printed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(c), among the four bundles of first block sheets BS1 and four bundles of second block sheets BS2 cut by the first cutting section 1, the printing section 2 prints first information (A) on the back surface of each postcard P in the upper row and prints second information (B) on the back surface of each postcard P in the lower row for one bundle of first block sheets BS1 and one bundle of second block sheets BS2, thereby printing different information (A) and (B) for each column of the first block sheets BS1 and the second block sheets BS2. In the present invention, the predetermined information (A) and (B) includes at least one of pictures, graphics, characters, and symbols.

[0023] Furthermore, when the printing unit 2 prints the first information (A) and the second information (B) on the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2, it counts the number of first block sheets BS1 (K1 is an integer of 1 or more) and the number of second block sheets BS2 (K2 is an integer of 1 or more), thereby discharging K1 copies of the first block sheet BS1 and K2 copies of the second block sheet BS2 separately. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(c), stamps and the like are pre-printed on the front of each postcard P, while K1 copies of the first block sheet BS1 and K2 copies of the second block sheet BS2 are prepared, with the first information (A) and the second information (B) printed on the back of each postcard P.

[0024] The number of sheets K1 and K2 for the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 can be easily set in the printer settings (printing unit 2). For example, for 100 to 110 sheets, the following combinations of K1 and K2 are possible.

[0025] <If the desired number of sheets K is 100 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 20 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 20 x 3 = 60 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 20 x 3 = 60 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 20 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 20 x 2 = 40 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 20 x 2 = 40 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 100 sheets. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 100 sheets.

[0026] <If the desired number of sheets K is 101 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 3 = 63 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 3 = 63 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 19 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 19 x 2 = 38 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 19 x 2 = 38 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 101. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 101.

[0027] <If the desired number of sheets K is 102 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 20 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 20 x 3 = 60 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 20 x 3 = 60 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 2 = 42 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 2 = 42 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 102. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 102.

[0028] <If the desired number of sheets K is 103 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 3 = 63 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 3 = 63 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 20 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 20 x 2 = 40 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 20 x 2 = 40 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 103. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 103.

[0029] <If the desired number of sheets K is 104 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 20 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 20 x 3 = 60 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 20 x 3 = 60 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 22 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 22 x 2 = 44 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 22 x 2 = 44 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 104. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 104.

[0030] <If the desired number of sheets K is 105 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 3 = 63 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 3 = 63 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 2 = 42 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 2 = 42 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 105. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 105.

[0031] <If the desired number of sheets K is 106 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 22 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 22 x 3 = 66 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 22 x 3 = 66 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 20 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 20 x 2 = 40 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 20 x 2 = 40 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 106. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 106.

[0032] <If the desired number of sheets K is 107 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 3 = 63 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 3 = 63 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 22 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 22 x 2 = 44 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 22 x 2 = 44 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 107. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 107.

[0033] <If the desired number of sheets K is 108 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 22 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 22 x 3 = 66 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 22 x 3 = 66 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 2 = 42 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 2 = 42 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 108. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 108.

[0034] <If the desired number of sheets K is 109 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 21 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 21 x 3 = 63 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 21 x 3 = 63 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 23 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 23 x 2 = 46 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 23 x 2 = 46 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 109. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 109.

[0035] <If the desired number of sheets K is 110 sheets> Number of sheets in the first block sheet BS1: K1: 22 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 22 x 3 = 66 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 22 x 3 = 66 Number of sheets in the second block sheet BS2: K2: 22 sheets • Number of postcards in the top row: 22 x 2 = 44 • Number of postcards in the bottom row: 22 x 2 = 44 The total number of postcards P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 110 sheets. The total number of postcards P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 is K: 110 sheets.

[0036] The second cutting unit 3 is a cutting machine that individually divides postcards P by cutting the first block sheet BS1, which consists of one K sheet, and the second block sheet BS2, which consists of two K sheets, along the respective cutting lines T and Y. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4(c) and 4(d), the second cutting unit 2 divides the first block sheet BS1, which consists of one K sheet, into six bundles of postcards P, each consisting of one K sheet, by cutting them in a stacked state, while dividing the second block sheet BS2, which consists of two K sheets, into four bundles of postcards P, each consisting of two K sheets, by cutting them in a stacked state.

[0037] In this embodiment, since the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 are arranged in two rows, as shown by the upper dotted line in Figure 4(d), the upper row of the original first block sheet BS1 and second block sheet BS2 will produce three bundles of postcards P with one K each and two bundles of postcards P with two K each, thus allowing for the preparation of a desired number of postcards P (K=K1×3+K2×2) printed with the first information (A). Furthermore, as shown by the lower dotted line in Figure 4(d), the lower row of the original first block sheet BS1 and second block sheet BS2 will produce three bundles of postcards P with two K each and two bundles of postcards P with two K each, thus allowing for the preparation of a desired number of postcards P (K=K1×3+K2×2) printed with the second information (B).

[0038] The packaging unit 4 is a packaging machine that packages the desired number of postcards P that have been individually divided by the second cutting unit 3. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(e), the packaging unit 4 combines the individually divided postcards P in each row of the original first block sheet BS1 and second block sheet BS2, thereby packaging the desired number of mailings (K = K1 × 3 + K2 × 2) as one postcard set PS.

[0039] In this embodiment, as described above, a desired number (K=K1×3+K2×2) postcards P printed with the first information (A) are prepared. These postcards P are sealed with a bag or band and placed in a cardboard box to form a single postcard set PS. Similarly, as described above, a desired number (K=K1×3+K2×2) postcards P printed with the second information (B) are prepared. These postcards P are sealed with a bag or band and placed in a cardboard box to form a single postcard set PS.

[0040] Next, the operation of this system will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0041] First, as a preliminary step, a stack of raw sheets S on which 40 postcards P have been printed is prepared, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0042] Next, in the first step, as shown in Figure 4(b), the first cutting unit 1 cuts the original sheet S along predetermined cutting lines T1 to T3 and Y1, thereby dividing it into four bundles of first block sheets BS1 and four bundles of second block sheets BS2.

[0043] Next, in the second step, as shown in Figure 4(c), the printing unit 2 counts the number of sheets of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 in a bundle of first block sheets BS1 and second block sheets BS2, and prints the first information (A) on the back of each postcard P in the upper row of the first block sheet BS1 and second block sheet BS2, and prints the second information (B) on the back of each postcard P in the lower row of the first block sheet BS1 and second block sheet BS2, thereby preparing a first block sheet BS1 with one sheet of K and a second block sheet BS2 with two sheets of K printed on each row.

[0044] Next, in the third step, as shown in Figure 4(d), the second cutting unit 3 cuts the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 along the respective cutting lines T and Y, thereby dividing the postcard P individually. This prepares a desired number (K=K1×3+K2×2) of postcard P with the first information (A) printed on the upper row of the original first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2, and a desired number (K=K1×3+K2×2) of postcard P with the second information (B) printed on the lower row of the original first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2.

[0045] Next, in the fourth step, as shown in Figure 4(e), the individually divided postcards P are combined in each column of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2, so that the desired number of postcards P (K=K1×3+K2×2) printed with the first information (A) are sealed in bundles with bags or bands and placed in a cardboard box to be packaged as one postcard set PS1. Similarly, the desired number of postcards P (K=K1×3+K2×2) printed with the second information (B) are sealed in bundles with bags or bands and placed in a cardboard box to be packaged as one postcard set PS2.

[0046] As described above, by combining a number that is a multiple of 3 and a number that is a multiple of 2, any integer greater than or equal to 2 can be represented. Therefore, by combining a first block sheet BS1, in which sheet-like postcards P are printed in a 3x2 arrangement, with a second block sheet BS2, in which sheet-like postcards P are printed in a 2x2 arrangement, it is possible to prepare any desired number K of postcards P, greater than or equal to 2, in each column of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2. For this reason, there is no need to thin out excess mailings when preparing the desired number K of postcards P, and it becomes possible to efficiently manufacture postcard sets PS consisting of the desired number K of postcards P. Moreover, since no excess postcards P are discarded, it is also possible to reduce the environmental impact.

[0047] In this embodiment, a postcard P was assumed to be the mailing material, but it is not limited to this, and other sheet-like mailing materials may also be used.

[0048] Furthermore, although the first cutting unit 1 divides the 40-face original sheet S into a first block sheet BS1 and a second block sheet BS2, the original sheet S with any other number of faces may also be divided into the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2. Also, although the first cutting unit 1 divides the original sheet S into the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2 without any excess, the sheet may be divided in a manner that results in some excess.

[0049] Furthermore, although the second cutting section 3 is divided into a first block sheet BS1 with 3 rows and 2 columns and a second block sheet BS2 with 2 rows and 2 columns, it may also be divided into a first block sheet BS1 with 3 rows and M columns (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) and a second block sheet BS2 with 2 rows and M columns (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

[0050] Furthermore, although the first cutting unit 1 and the second cutting unit 3 are configured to cut the original sheet S and block sheets BS1 and BS2 along solid cutting lines T and Y, it is also possible to set fictitious cutting lines T and Y that are not visible to the original sheet S, and cut the original sheet S and block sheets BS1 and BS2 along fictitious cutting lines T and Y.

[0051] Furthermore, although the printing unit 2 is configured to print predetermined information while counting the first block sheet BS1 (1 K sheet) and the second block sheet BS2 (2 K sheets), the predetermined information may also be printed on the first block sheet BS1 (1 K sheet) and the second block sheet BS2 (2 K sheets) that have been prepared in advance before printing.

[0052] Furthermore, although the printing unit 2 is configured to print different information for each column of the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2, it may also print the same information for each column.

[0053] Furthermore, the combination of the number of sheets K1 of the first block sheet BS1 and the number of sheets K2 of the second block sheet BS2 is not limited to those described above, but it is preferable that the difference in the number of sheets K1 of the first block sheet BS1 and the number of sheets K2 of the second block sheet BS2 is 2 sheets or less.

[0054] Furthermore, in the second step, the printing unit 2 prints predetermined information (A) and (B) onto the first block sheet BS1 and the second block sheet BS2. However, the predetermined information (A) and (B) may be printed before the first step, or no predetermined information may be printed at all. In this case, the second step will involve preparing one K sheet for the first block sheet BS1 and two K sheets for the second block sheet BS2.

[0055] Furthermore, in the second step, one K sheet of the first block sheet BS1 and two K sheets of the second block sheet BS2 are prepared from one bundle of the first block sheet BS1 and one bundle of the second block sheet BS2, out of four bundles of the first block sheet BS1 and four bundles of the second block sheet BS2. However, one K sheet of the first block sheet BS1 and two K sheets of the second block sheet BS2 may be prepared from multiple bundles of the first block sheet BS1 and multiple bundles of the second block sheet BS2. In this case, it is preferable to prepare one K sheet of the first block sheet BS1 and two K sheets of the second block sheet BS2 from the four bundles of the first block sheet BS1 and four bundles of the second block sheet BS2 cut by the first cutting unit 1, with no excess material.

[0056] Furthermore, although the second cutting unit 3 cuts the first block sheet BS1 (1 sheet K) and the second block sheet BS2 (2 sheets K) in a stacked bundle, it may also cut the first block sheet BS1 (1 sheet K) and the second block sheet BS2 (2 sheets K) one sheet at a time. Also, the second cutting unit 3 may be the same cutting machine as the first cutting unit 1, or it may be a different cutting machine.

[0057] The packaging unit 4 is designed to automatically package the desired number of postcards P in K quantities, but the desired number of postcards P in K quantities may also be packaged manually.

[0058] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as the present invention, or within the equivalent scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1...First cutting section 2…Printing department 3…Second cutting section 4...Packaging department S... Original Sheet BS1... Block sheet #1 BS2...Second block sheet P...Postcard (mailed item) PS...Postcard set (sending set)

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a mailing set, which manufactures a mailing set consisting of a desired number of K (where K is an integer of 5 or more) mailings based on a source sheet in which sheet-like mailings are printed in a matrix order via solid or imaginary cutting lines, The first step involves cutting the original sheet along a predetermined cutting line to divide it into a first block sheet in which multiple pages of the mailing are printed in a 3-row, M-column (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) configuration via the cutting line, and a second block sheet in which multiple pages of the mailing are printed in a 2-row, M-column (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) configuration via the cutting line. A second step involves preparing a first block sheet of K1 (where K1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1) and a second block sheet of K2 (where K2 is an integer greater than or equal to 1) according to the desired number of sheets K to be sent. A third step involves cutting the first block sheet (K1) and the second block sheet (K2) along their respective cutting lines to individually divide the items to be sent. A method for manufacturing a mailing set, characterized by comprising a fourth step of packaging a desired number of mailings (K = K1 × 3 + K2 × 2) as a mailing set by combining individually divided mailings according to each column of a first block sheet and a second block sheet.

2. The method for manufacturing a mailing set according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, predetermined information is printed on one first block sheet and two second block sheets.

3. The method for manufacturing a mailing set according to claim 2, wherein in the second step, different information is printed for each column on a first block sheet of K1 and a second block sheet of K2.

4. The method for manufacturing a delivery set according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, one first block sheet and two second block sheets are prepared such that the difference in the number of first block sheets K1 and the number of second block sheets K2 is two or less.

5. The aforementioned original sheet consists of 40 sheets of paper being sent, printed in a matrix-like fashion with solid or imaginary cutting lines. A method for manufacturing a mailing set according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the first step, the original sheet is cut along a predetermined cutting line to divide it without excess into a first block sheet on which multiple mailings are printed in a 3x2 grid via the cutting line, and a second block sheet on which multiple mailings are printed in a 2x2 grid via the cutting line.

6. A mailing set manufacturing system that manufactures a mailing set consisting of a desired number K of mailings based on a source sheet in which sheet-like mailings are printed in a matrix order via solid or fictitious cutting lines, A first cutting unit cuts the original sheet along a predetermined cutting line, thereby dividing it into a first block sheet in which multiple pages of the document are printed in a 3-row, M-column (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) configuration via the cutting line, and a second block sheet in which multiple pages of the document are printed in a 2-row, M-column (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) configuration via the cutting line. A printing unit prints predetermined information on a first block sheet of K1 and a second block sheet of K2, depending on the desired number of sheets K to be sent. A second cutting section that individually divides the shipment by cutting the first block sheet (K1) and the second block sheet (K2) along their respective cutting lines, A shipping set manufacturing system characterized by comprising a packaging unit that packages a desired number of shipping items (K = K1 × 3 + K2 × 2) as a shipping set by combining individually divided shipping items in each row of a first block sheet and a second block sheet.

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