Abstract: A modular franking machine comprises first and second modules. A module assembly device holds the first module in alignment with the second module. It comprises at least one projecting shaft fixed to the first module and a sheath in the second module. The shaft is inserted in the sheath by translatory movement. The shaft is locked in position relative to the sheath when inserted in it. The locking system comprises a piston mobile axially inside the shaft to displace a retractable member housed inside the shaft so that it projects towards the exterior of the shaft and an opening in the sheath to receive the projecting member in order to immobilize the shaft in the sheath.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter including print apparatus for printing fixed postage data and variable postage data on a mail item advancing along a conveyor path between an inlet of the meter and an outlet thereof, the print apparatus comprising a first rotary drum, rotated by a first motor, for printing main postage data on the item, and a second rotary drum, rotated by a second motor and carrying a plurality of selectable plates, for printing auxiliary postage data on said mail item, and control means for actuating the second motor so as to print the imprint of a selected plate at a chosen position on the mail item.

Abstract: A general-purpose document folding machine comprises a folding module including at least one folding blade on a main document path. A pair of feed rollers and a pair of ejector rollers for advancing and ejecting documents are associated with each folding blade, disposed one on each side thereof and adapted to have the rollers driven to advance documents along the main path. At least one deflector flap on the main path diverts selectively from the main path documents that are to be folded. Drive means displace each folding blade transversely to a diverted document facing it in order to fold the document and also displace each folding blade along the main path at a longitudinal speed substantially equal to the rate of advance of the documents along the main path. This is in order to fold a diverted document while in motion and insert it between the rollers of the respective pair of ejector rollers.

Abstract: A device for folding over the flaps of envelopes received separately with the flap open at the entry to a guide path comprises a feed system for moving the envelopes along the guide path and a deflector system for folding the flaps of the envelopes over from an open position to a closed position. The deflector system comprises first and second pulley wheels with parallel rotation axes disposed with respect to the entry to the guide path and one on each side of this path so as to receive the envelopes between them. The first pulley wheel faces towards the front of the envelopes and has a stepped peripheral surface formed by a cylindrical first portion adapted to bear on at least that portion of each envelope adjoining the flap and a frustoconical second portion running on from this first portion and widening towards the flaps of the envelopes.