Abstract: A mailing machine comprising, structure for feeding a sheet in a path of travel, a fence for defining a direction of the path of travel and against which an edge of a sheet is normally registered for alignment thereof in the path of travel, structure for printing postage indicia on a sheet in the path of travel, the printing structure including a rotary postage indicia printing drum, the printing structure including structure for driving the drum, structure for controlling the sheet feeding and drum driving structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure for sensing a sheet in the path of travel and providing a signal to the microprocessor when a sheet is fed into and out of blocking relationship with the sensing structure, the signal having a first magnitude when a sheet is not disposed in blocking relationship with the sensing structure, the signal having a second magnitude when a sheet is disposed in blocking relationship with the sensing struc

Abstract: A machine comprising, structure for printing an indicia, structure for feeding a sheet having a leading edge downstream in a path of travel to the printing structure, structure for controlling the sheet feeding and printing structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the controlling structure including structure for sensing the leading edge of a sheet in the path of travel, the sensing structure connected to the microprocessor and providing a signal thereto indicating that the leading edge has been sensed, the microprocessor programmed for commencing counting a predetermined time delay in response to the signal, the microprocessor programmed for causing the printing structure to commence printing the indicia on the sheet a selected marginal distance from the leading edge thereof corresponding to the predetermined time delay, the controlling structure including structure for manually selecting the marginal distance and thus the predetermined time delay from a plurality thereof, the control

Abstract: A mailing machine, comprising a base including a deck, a postage meter removably mounted on the base, the postage meter including a rotary postage printing drum overhanging the deck, the base including means for feeding an envelope in a downstream path of travel to the drum, the base including means for selectively driving the drum for printing postage on an envelope fed thereto, envelope deflecting means including an elongate substantially rectangularly-shaped member having a predetermined length, the member including a substantially horizontally-extending first portion of the length thereof fixedly attached to the drum, the member including a second portion of the length thereof inclined downwardly from the first portion, the member including a third portion of the length thereof inclined upwardly from the second portion, the member including a fourth portion of the length thereof extending substantially horizontally from the third portion and disposed between and in sliding engagement with the drum and the

Abstract: A mailing machine comprising, a base and a postage meter mounted on the base, the postage meter including a rotary postage indicia printing drum, the base including structure for driving the drum at a desired constant indicia printing speed corresponding to a desired reference voltage, the base including structure for controlling the postage printing drum, the controlling structure including a microprocessor connected to the drum driving structure, the controlling structure including structure for sequentially sensing a commencement and a completion of constant printing speed of the drum and providing corresponding successive signals to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for providing a predetermined reference voltage corresponding to the desired drum printing speed, counting a time interval in response to receiving the successive constant speed commencement and completion signals, determining whether the counted time interval and the desired time interval are substantially equal, and storing t

Abstract: A mailing machine base comprising, structure for feeding a sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge in a path of travel, the sheet feeding structure including a roller, the sheet feeding structure including structure for driving the roller at a desired sheet feeding speed corresponding to a desired reference voltage, structure for controlling the sheet feeding structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor connected to the roller driving structure, the controlling structure including structure for sequentially sensing the leading and trailing edges of the sheet in the path of travel and providing corresponding successive signals to the microprocessor, the sheet having a predetermined length from the leading edge to the trailing edge thereof; and the microprocessor programmed for providing a predetermined reference voltage corresponding to the desired sheet feeding speed, counting a time interval in response to receiving the successive leading and trailing edge signals, determining whet

Abstract: A mailing machine base comprising, structure for a direction of the path of travel and feeding a sheet in a path of travel, a fence defining against which the an edge of a sheet is normally registered for alignment therewith and thus in the direction of the path of travel, structure for controlling the sheet feeding structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor connected to the sheet feeding structure, the controlling structure including structure for sensing a sheet fed into and out of blocking relationship with the sensing structure and providing a corresponding signal to the microprocessor, the signal having a first magnitude when a sheet is not disposed in blocking relationship with the sensing structure, the signal having a second magnitude when a sheet is disposed in blocking relationship with the sensing structure, the signal having a variable magnitude between the first and second magnitudes for less than a predetermined time interval when a sheet is fed into blocking relationship wi

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a plurality of pulse width modulated signals for separately driving a plurality of electrical loads, comprising, a microprocessor, a plurality of comparator means, each of the comparator structure including first and second input terminals and an output terminal, digital to analog converter structure connected to the microprocessor for control thereby, the converter structure including a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to a different comparator structure first terminal for providing separate control signals thereto, structure for generating a reference voltage signal having a variable amplitude, the signal generating structure connected to each of the comparator structure second terminals for providing the reference voltage signal thereto, a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of electrical loads respectively connected to a different comparator structure output terminal via a different power amplifier for receiving therefrom an amplified comparator structur

Abstract: Apparatus for drying ink on a sheet fed downstream therebeneath in a predetermined path of travel, the apparatus comprising; framework, structure for blowing air downwardly toward the path of travel of a sheet, the air blowing structure including an electrically operable axial fan connected to the framework, an elongate member connected to the framework for location thereof beneath the fan, the member including an elongate upper wall and elongate oppositely disposed side walls depending from the upper wall, the upper wall having a light reflecting inner surface, structure for providing infrared light, the light providing structure including an elongate electrically-operable infrared lamp connected to the framework for location thereof within the member, and the upper wall of the member including a plurality of elongate parallel-spaced louvers formed therefrom and extending transversely of the longitudinal length thereof, each of the louvers including an aperture and vane associated with each other, each of th

Abstract: Value selection and printing apparatus comprising, structure for printing a value, the structure including a rotatable device and a drive shaft, structure for selecting the value, the value selecting structure including a first rack gear slidably movably connected to the drive shaft, the first rack gear including a first portion of the length thereof movable internally of the device and a second portion of the length thereof movable externally of the device, the internally movable portion including a driving element, the externally movable portion including a plurality of first gear teeth formed therein the value selecting structure including a rigid guide shaft fixedly mounted within the device and an elongate second rack gear slidably connected to the guide shaft for movement therealong, the second rack gear including a driving element therefor, both rack gears' driven elements disposed in engagement, the second rack gear including a plurality of second gear teeth, the value selecting structure including a

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter has a postage printing drum having a home position, and the base comprising, structure for moving the drum, a d.c. motor for driving the drum moving structure, a microprocessor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for driving the d.c. motor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for dynamically braking the d.c. motor, a comparator connected between the microprocessor and d.c. motor for receiving therefrom a signal corresponding to the back e.m.f. voltage thereof and providing a comparison signal to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for, energizing the braking switch for a first time interval predetermined to cause the d.c.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a sheet comprising, a frame including an elongate generally rectangularly-shaped upper wall having opposite ends, at least one endless belt looped about the upper wall, the at least one belt including a belt run overlaying the upper wall and extending longitudinally of the length thereof between the opposite upper wall ends, a d.c. motor supported by the frame and connected for driving the at least one belt in opposite directions, structure for connecting the apparatus to a source of supply of a.c.

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter includes a printing drum and a drive gear therefor, and wherein the meter includes a shutter bar mounted for movement into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear to respectively prevent and permit driving the drive gear and thus the printing drum, the mailing machine base comprising, framework, structure for moving the shutter bar out of locking engagement with the drive gear and then moving the shutter bar into locking engagement with the drive gear, the moving structure including a lever arm pivotally attached to the framework and adapted to be disposed in bearing engagement with the shutter bar when the meter is mounted on the base, the lever arm including a yoke portion depending therefrom, the moving structure including a cam shaft journaled for rotation to the framework, the moving structure including a cam connected to the cam shaft for rotation therewith and having an end portion thereof disposed withi

Abstract: A method of processing sheets, comprising: providing portable sheet supporting structure including electronic structure for storing data; stacking a plurality of sheets in the sheet supporting structure in an order for feeding each sheet from the sheet supporting structure; and storing data relating to each sheet in the data storing structure in said order for feeding the sheets.

Abstract: In a mailing machine base including structure for feeding an envelope, having a body and a flap, in a downstream path of travel, and including structure for deflecting the flap, a process for selectively guiding an envelope into and out of engagement with the flap deflecting structure, the process comprising the steps of, providing a baffle upstream from the flap deflecting structure, providing electromechanical structure for moving the baffle, providing a microprocessor for controlling the baffle moving structure, providing a resettable timer having a predetermined time out time interval, operating the baffle moving structure to move the baffle into the path of travel for guiding an envelope fed therein out of engagement with the flap deflecting structure and operating the baffle moving structure to move the baffle out of the path of travel for the time interval for guiding an envelope fed in the path of travel during the time interval into engagement with the flap deflecting structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a cut tape comprising, structure for receiving a cut tape, structure for feeding the cut tape from the receiving structure, the feeding structure including a solenoid operable for causing the feeding structure to feed the cut tape; and structure for controlling the feeding structure, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the solenoid electrically connected to the microprocessor, the controlling structure including a switch electrically connected to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for causing the solenoid to operate in response to actuation of the switch.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing an elongate web of sheets including a marginal edge portion bordering each sheet, wherein each marginal edge portion includes a code marked thereon, and said code includes data identifying the bordered sheet, the apparatus comprising: structure for successively sensing said codes; structure for successively separating said sheets from said web; and structure for stacking separated sheets in a predetermined order, the stacking structure including memory structure removably connectable thereto for storing said successive codes in said predetermined order.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing an elongate web of sheets is provided, which includes structure for continuously feeding successive sheets of the web in a path of travel, structure for successively cutting the successive sheets from the web, and structure for successively deflecting the successive sheets out of the path of travel and into cutting relationship with the cutting structure.

Abstract: A process for connecting a switch to a printed circuit board comprising the steps of, providing a printed circuit board having at least one aperture formed therein, providing a switch including a housing having at least one electrical terminal extending therefrom, providing a fastener made of a molded plastic material capable of withstanding a soldering environment, mounting the switch on the board such that the at least one terminal thereof extends through the at least one board aperture, connecting the switch to the board by means of a fastener and wave-soldering the at least one terminal to the printed circuit board after the connecting step.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing letters, comprising: an elongate deck; structure for feeding respective letters in a downstream path of travel extending longitudinally along the deck, the feeding structure including a pair of axially parallel spaced rollers, the feeding structure including an endless belt looped about the rollers and disposed in engagement therewith; and structure for supporting the feeding structure, the supporting structure including a stationary frame, the supporting structure including a pair of elongate parallel-spaced support members pivotably attached to the frame and extending therefrom into overhanging relationship with the deck, and the feeding structure removably connected to the support members.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling sheets comprising: portable structure for supporting a first plurality of sheets in a predetermined order in a stack, said portable structure including memory structure having stored therein a plurality of codes listed in said predetermined order, each of said codes including data identifying one of the sheets of said stack; structure for receiving a second plurality of sheets respectively including an identity code; structure for comparing codes for relatedness thereof; and structure for collating first and second sheets identified by related codes.