Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating the manner in which a ribbon of known profile is wrapped around a carcass of known profile in accordance with a predetermined winding specification is disclosed. The profile of the ribbon, the profile of the carcass and the winding specification are stored in a memory together with the desired final profile of the ribbon build. The profile of the final ribbon build, which will be created at a selected cross-section of the carcass when the ribbon is wrapped around the carcass in accordance with the winding specification, is calculated. The final ribbon build so calculated is displayed on a video display which also displays the desired final profile so that the profile created by the predetermined winding specification can be compared to the actual profile which will be produced by the winding specification.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the overload of a load cell used to measure deflection by providing a safety mechanism that will act upon the support of the load cell when an overload condition is reached. The invention is described in the environment of a leaf spring weighing scale that uses load cells to measure deflection of a load support.

Abstract: An automatic analytical balance is disclosed, which features a unique weighing structure. The scale comprises a flexibly pivotable shaft that pivots in one direction in response to a load being weighed, and that pivots in an opposite direction in response to a known movable weight movably disposed upon the shaft. A balance detector is operatively connected to the shaft to determine when the movement of the known weight has brought the shaft into a balanced condition. Means are provided to measure the movement of the known weight which is required to produce the balanced condition in the shaft. This measurement is indicative of the weight of the load being weighed.

Abstract: A coupling device for adjusting the contact pressure between a balance weight and a rotative lead screw in an analytical balance. The weight is threaded upon the lead screw, and is advanced along a balance beam as the lead screw is caused to turn. The balance weight is substantially supported in rolling contact with the frame of the balance beam, and therefore, adds very little contact pressure to the lead screw connection. A leaf spring operatively connected between the balance weight and the lead screw adjusts the force exerted between the lead screw and the balance weight to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A weighing scale is illustrated having a compensation for correcting the non-linearities of a load supporting spring.The load support is caused to deflect, and the load spring caused to be put in tension as a weight is put on the load support of the scale. The load spring has a non-linear response, which is effectively eliminated by the compressor. The compensator comprises a frictionless-type rotatable drum which is operatively connected between the load support and the frame of the scale. The drum is not journalled, but rather, is free to rotate about a vertical plane in response to the deflection of the load support. The drum has movable weights to adjust its rotational moment, whereby the counter-force upon the load support is caused to be varied and the non-linear response of the spring is caused to be substantially linearized.

Abstract: A null balance transducer which is useful in analytical balances. The transducer features a first and second band which support the balance beam of the scale, and which shoulder most of the weight. A third band is also connected to the balance beam, and is responsive to the pivoting of the balance beam. A pair of strain gages are mounted to the third band to detect the balance condition of the balance beam. The strain gages provide accurate results, since the third band is not substantially influenced by weight loading of the balance beam.

Abstract: An elastic-type clamp is used for securing weighing scale flexure plates to a load support. The elastic-type clamp eliminates uncontrolled and unpredictable deflection characteristics of the plates, which were the result of changing boundary conditions and manufacturing differences in the bite of the previously used inelastic clamp. The lips of the inventive clamp are made deformable under load, or as strain develops in the flexure plates. The ability of the clamp to elastically deform prevents slippage of the flexure plates about their point of securement to the load support. This in turn will reduce load measurement errors inherent with the previous inelastic clamping design.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for measuring weighing and/or mass of an object. The object to be measured is subjected to an input frequency signal supplied to a piezoelectric crystal. Another piezoelectric crystal supporting the object is caused to vibrate in response to the input frequency signal and the mass and/or weight of the supported object. This second vibrating piezoelectric crystal will then produce a frequency output signal, whose amplitude is a function of the mass (and/or weight) of the object being measured. The frequency of the input and the output signals are substantially the same.

Abstract: A leaf spring weighing scale is described which uses load cells to measure the deflection of the load support. The load cells are arranged in tandem. One of the load cells is a low range deflection reading cell, and the other load cell is a high range measuring cell. Each of the load cells is bottomed before it reaches its deflection limit to prevent damage to the cell. A point contact connection between the load support and the load cells eliminates errors caused by lateral forces, and errors due to the non-linearities in the load support deflection. The leaf springs of the scale are constructed as thin strips to eliminate the effects of "oil canning", and to reduce structural and assembly inaccuracies.

Abstract: A stacking and feeding tray is described, which provides a fluctuating urging force upon a stack of mail. The fluctuating urging force provides a proper feeding of pieces of mail, such that a double feed of envelopes is essentially eliminated. The fluctuation in feed-in force is provided by a clutched drive, which is responsive to an optical sensing of the discharge of a piece of mail.

Abstract: A high speed weighing scale for use in a continuous mail sorting and postage imprinting system which automatically weighs and meters each piece of mail. The system is designed to rapidly handle a large quantity of mixed mail. Mixed mail is continuously and synchronously fed in seriatim along a continuous feed path. Unsealed envelopes have their flaps wetted and sealed. All the envelopes are stopped at a weighing station where they are weighed, and the postage corresponding to their particular weight is computed. The determined postage value is used to continuously reset a postage meter which imprints the required postage upon each envelope as it arrives at a metering station. The metering and weighing functions of the system are synchronized such that the postage meter will imprint the proper postage upon each piece of mail, despite the fact that several envelopes may be simultaneously in transit along the feed path.

Abstract: A mail transporting mechanism for transporting pieces of mail through a mail handling system. The mechanism comprises a frame supporting a number of rotative rollers. A friction belt is stretched over the rollers, and conveys a letter through the mechanism as the rollers turn. The rollers are mounted on a movable yoke assembly, which is spring biased to provide positive contact between the belt and the mail. The roller assemblies are pivotable from an engaging position to a non-engaging position, by means of a slidable bar carried on the frame. When the bar is made to slide, a bracket fixed to each of the roller assemblies is made to pivotably cam causing the roller assembly to disengage. The bracket has means for easily setting the engaged position of the assembly to a given level of contact with the mail.

Abstract: A mounting fixture for mounting a postage meter to a mail-handling machine is disclosed. The fixture features a pivotable housing which pivots to disengage the postage meter from its printing position. A pair of elongated tracks are disposed upon the housing, which then guides and allows the postage meter to be pulled forward to an accessible position. In this position, the meter is easily set to a new register reading for purposes of adding funds to the machine.

Abstract: A flap separating mechanism and method for distending a flap from a body portion of an envelope.An envelope moving through a mail handling system may require its flap to be moistened and sealed. As a prelude to the moistening procedure, the flap of the envelope must be separated from the body portion. The separating mechanism disclosed herein comprises a pivotable elongated bar. An incoming vertically oriented envelope engages a dog-leg bend in the bar causing it to pivot to a deflected position. A weighted lever arm urges the elongated bar to pivot back to its original position, which provides a force to be applied to the back of the envelope. This force "breaks-the-back" of the envelope, which in turn results in distending the flap from the body portion thereof.