Abstract: A postal item collating system is disclosed. The system includes a postal item feeding path (3), a plurality of grippers (8) receptive of a postal item (2) from the feeding path (3), and a drive (11) for driving the plurality of grippers (8) along a circulation path (10). A collector (12) is disposed downstream from the postal item feeding path (3) and removes a received postal item (2) from a gripper (8) as it proceeds past the stationary collector (12). A controller (21) in signal communication with the drive (11) is responsive to a property signal (31, 34) based upon a property of the received postal item (2) to adjust a velocity of the string of grippers (8).

Abstract: A selection module for separating envelopes one-by-one from a stack of envelopes and for transporting them downstream, wherein the selection module comprises a plurality of articulated guides co-operating with a plurality of selector rollers to select said envelopes one-by-one and to transport them downstream, the plurality of articulated guides comprising two parts (120, 122) connected one to the other by a first extremity (120a, 122a) crossed by a common pivot connection (16), the respective second extremities (120b, 122b) of the two parts articulated guide being adapted to pivot about first and second pivot axis (18, 22) in opposition to first and second resilient return means (20, 24) as the envelopes pass over the selector rollers, the second pivot axis being offset downstream relative to the first pivot axis and the second resilient return means forms an inclination angle of about 45° regarding horizontally.

Abstract: A mail processing method for franking mail items, which franking machine is connected to a first server that is itself connected to a second server in communication with a sorting machine, the franking method including scanning the destination addresses borne on the mail items as the mail items are inserted, storing the digital images of the addresses scanned in this way, in association with respective unique identification numbers, and periodically transferring the digital images as indexed in this way to a first server. The first or second server extracts determined data from the digital images, which data, associated with the unique identification numbers, is suitable for enabling the sorting machine to be controlled automatically on receiving the franked mail items.

Abstract: During a setting stage, a scanner of an apparatus for preparing mail pieces scans a postal item. From the scanned image an area containing a mark is selected and a mark data set representing the mark or the position of the selected area is generated and stored. Instruction data representing a mail preparation instruction are stored in association with the mark data set. During an operating stage after the setting stage, one or more postal items are fed to the scanner, which scans item image data representing an image of the scanned portion of each postal item that is scanned. In response to agreement between the scanned item image data and the mark data set, instruction data associated to the mark data are selected. The mail piece including the scanned postal item is prepared in accordance with the selected instruction data.

Abstract: A selection module for separating envelopes one-by-one from a stack of envelopes and for transporting them downstream, wherein the selection module comprises a plurality of articulated guides co-operating with a plurality of selector rollers to select said envelopes one-by-one and to transport them downstream, the plurality of articulated guides comprising two parts (120, 122) connected one to the other by a first extremity (120a, 122a) crossed by a common pivot connection (16), the respective second extremities (120b, 122b) of the two parts articulated guide being adapted to pivot about first and second pivot axis (18, 22) in opposition to first and second resilient return means (20, 24) as the envelopes pass over the selector rollers, the second pivot axis being offset downstream is relative to the first pivot axis and the second resilient return means forms an inclination angle of about 45° regarding horizontally.

Abstract: A feeder for a mail-handling machine is provided with a conveyor device having at least one row of drive rollers comprising at least first and second drive rollers standing proud through a mailpiece-receiving deck of the feeder and controlled by a suitable drive mechanism, said first and second drive rollers being inclined at an angle ? relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal referencing wall, and the second drive roller being driven in rotation with a first predetermined delay relative to the first drive roller, which is the closer to the referencing wall.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus for folding sheets comprising a curved conveyance path along which the sheets are moved successively in first and second opposite directions, the curved conveyance path being such that the sheets cannot naturally register to reach a folding position by simple effect of gravity, wherein to register the sheets before to fold them transport rollers having loaded the sheets in the first direction moves back in the second opposite direction for compressing the sheets against an adjustable low stop member to generate an elastic deformation of the sheets sufficient to compensate friction in the curved conveyance path and automatically register the sheets.

Abstract: An image acquisition system for processing and tracking mail pieces in a mailing system (2) of the type comprising at least one mail piece processing machine (4, 6, 8) comprising at least one accumulation device (14, 16) for producing mail pieces and generating electronic processing and tracking details for these mail pieces, at least one imaging device (10, 12) for acquiring images of the mail pieces, and a computer (24) coupled to the at least one imaging device and the at least one mail piece processing machine, the at least one imaging device acquiring the images of mail pieces for simultaneously providing both these processing and tracking details and a filling level of the at least one accumulation device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and applying quality ratings to data records, such as for use with mailing lists and similar applications, are provided. Information such as use information may be obtained for a plurality of data records, each of which is associated with a potential recipient of a mailpiece. A quality rating may be assigned to each data record, which indicates an assigned likelihood that a solicitation mailpiece is expected to receive a favorable response from the potential recipient. These quality ratings may be stored and an indication of the quality rating for each data record may be provided to a mailer. The quality ratings may be generated or updated based upon how the associated data records are used by the mailer and/or subsequent mailers.

Abstract: Method allowing a mailing system to frank in advance and manage a large number of rate tables stored in the mailing system, and in particular providing the possibility to frank mail in advance using a new future rate table and to come back later to franking with today's date and using a previous rate table, and including the main steps: provision of a control module, which can store more than two rate tables in a non-volatile memory accessible by the control module, provision of a volatile memory which can store the active rate table that is currently used by the mailing system for franking mail pieces, selection by the control module of the active rate table amongst the rate tables stored in a non-volatile memory when the mailing system is powered on and loading of this active rate table by the control module in volatile memory, initiation by the control module of the change of the active rate table triggered by determined events, selection by the control module of a new rate table based on the franking date

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for generating a drop plan for a mailing containing a plurality of mailpieces. Tracking data may be received for mailings sent by a plurality of mailers, and estimated delivery times determined based upon the tracking data. A mailer may specify a delivery goal for a mailing and, based upon the estimated delivery times and the delivery goal, a drop plan for the mailing may be generated, which specifies at least one drop location for at least a portion of the mailing. The mailer also may modify the drop plan, suchas by specifying additional constraints, modified attributes of the drop plan, additional or updated goals for the mailing, or the like.

Abstract: System for remote firmware updates of mail processing device from a remote data server including: file download servers connected to the remote data server for receiving encrypted files encrypted from a list of binary files corresponding to firmware of a mail processing device to update; web servers providing a web service application for downloading files and connected to the remote data server and the files download servers for retrieving the encrypted files associated with a personalized files catalogue retrieved from the remote data server; and a user computer system connected to the web servers for receiving the encrypted files for download onto a storage device to plug into the mail processing device. The mail processing device decrypts the encrypted files with file decryption keys previously provided with the personalized files catalogue and installs the files before connecting to the remote data server for report the outcome of the installation.

Abstract: A system for selectively C, Z or half-folding sheet(s) of paper of variable format, comprising: a pocket-like channel (10) with a stop element (12) for defining a paper sheet position and positioning the sheet(s) according to a location of a recipient's address A and a type of fold required, two folding rollers (2, 4) arranged diametrically opposite to each other and forming a folding/nipping area (6), an inducing element (8) movable towards and away from the folding/nipping area for defining a fold line position, and a curved guiding path (14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26) which substantially covers at least one of the two folding rollers for receiving and guiding the sheet(s) completely around one or the other of the two folding rollers without changing their rotational direction during the folding cycle.

Abstract: Method for activation and storing traces generated by a mail processing device, comprising the following steps: connection of a storage apparatus on the mail processing device, activation of a traces generation module in the mail processing, temporary storage of selected traces in a circular buffer of the mail processing device, continuous transfer of the selected traces from the circular buffer to the storage apparatus, and when the traces generation is completed, deactivation of the traces generation module in the mail processing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating Web pages are provided. Web page development components, referred to as “pods,” may be used to encapsulate discrete functionality for use and re-use within Web pages. The pods may be contained in a library, from which a developer may select one or more pods that provide the functionality and/or presentation definitions the developer wishes to include in the Web page. A pod may contain all the functional and presentation information required to implement the desired functionality, and may contain only that functional and presentation information.

Abstract: A wiping device (20) for cleaning outer surfaces of at least one row of ejection nozzles in at least one print head (4a, 4b) of an ink jet printing module (2) of a franking machine when the module is moving above the wiping device in first and second directions (X, Y), comprising two wiping rollers (26, 28) located one behind the other in the first direction and adapted to rotate in opposite directions around respective fixed shafts (30, 32), the two wiping rollers being permanently dampened in contact with a cleaning fluid (24) contained inside a container (22); and the two wiping rollers are adapted via a one-way bearing (34, 36) to remain stationary alternatively, one during the moving of the module in the first direction and the other during the moving of the module in the second direction.

Abstract: For preparing a series of mail pieces using a mail preparation apparatus, a scanner (63) scans at least a portion of a first postal item (20, 25) and generates signals in accordance with scanned patterns. A control system (31) processes the signals from the scanner into image data representing an image and compares the image data with reference data, which represent features of optical marks of a particular type that are associated to predetermined instructions for processing postal items (20, 25). If at least a predetermined extent of agreement between the image data and the reference data is found, a job setting including scanning of optical marks from further postal items (20, 25) and controlling the preparation of the mail pieces in accordance with instructions represented by the optical marks is selected. Otherwise, a job setting not including scanning of optical marks from further postal items (20, 25) is selected.

Abstract: A cutter device for cutting envelopes open, which cutter device includes a rotary cutter suitable for cutting open an envelope, and a rotary bearing element against which said envelope is in contact as it goes past the rotary cutter, an axis of rotation of the bearing element forming a predetermined angle of inclination with a drive axis of the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A system for improving stacking of flat items stacked on edge and forming a batch of items in a sort bin (200a) of the type comprising a stacking deck (210) for supporting the batch of items, a paddle (220) movably connected to a shaft (224) mounted on the stacking deck for registering the batch of items while applying a first stacking pressure to the batch of items, a driving device (228) for applying at least another adjustable pressure to the batch of items for refining their registering against the paddle, and a movement control module (229) for controlling the driving device so as to adjust pressure in the batch of items, wherein the batch of items and the paddle are driven synchronously and separately.

Abstract: Flat item feeding apparatus (10) having a delivering section (12) for receiving a large batch of flat items on a transport surface (24, 26a, 26b) and a singulating section (14) for extracting these items one by one and transferring them downstream. The delivering section includes a transport device (22) for conveying the stacked on edge flat items towards the singulating section, a pushing device (30) for jogging the stacked on edge flat items during the conveying. The transport device has an endless belt (26a, 26b) protruding a transport deck (24) within a conveying zone B of length d of the delivering section and located a distance d2 from a downstream pulley (29a, 29b) and a distance d1 from an upstream pulley (27a, 27b), the distances d1 and d2 respectively defining determined conveying zone A, C in which the at least one endless belt remains below the transport deck.