Abstract: Apparatus for selectively guiding an envelope having a body and a flap, the apparatus including structure for deflecting the envelope flap from the envelope body, structure for feeding an envelope in a downstream path of travel toward the flap deflecting structure, structure for selectively guiding an envelope out of the path of travel, the guiding structure including a baffle movable between a first position for guiding an envelope away from the flap deflecting structure and a second position for guiding an envelope to the flap deflecting structure, the guiding structure including a solenoid operable for moving the baffle, structure for controlling the guiding 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 to move the baffle from one of the positions to the other of the posi

Abstract: An improved mailing machine has a modifiable deck for accommodating a mailpiece feeder. The mailing machine is modified by providing a plate which may be incorporated into the deck. The plate carries a positive drive mechanism for the feeding of mailpieces at the desired speed which comprises a positive drive roller and pulley which are aligned to use the drive mechanism of the mailing machine for belt driven power.

Abstract: In a mailing machine including an impression roller, a postage indicia printing drum overhanging the impression roller, and apparatus for rotating the impression roller and drum in timed relationship with one another for feeding a sheet beneath the drum and in printing engagement therewith, wherein the feeding apparatus includes shaft structure on which the impression roller is mounted for rotation therewith, there is provided an improved impression roller.

Abstract: A mailing machine for conveying envelopes seriatim along a feed path toward a postage meter operatively connected to said mailing machine. The mailing machine includes a housing frame, a deck secured to the frame for supporting the envelopes, the deck having a longitudinal slot therein, a lower, driven, feed roller rotatably mounted on the frame, and an electro-mechanical tripper mounted on the frame for actuating the postage meter, the tripper projecting upwardly through the deck slot adjacent and downstream of the lower feed roller.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a latching mechanism for releasably joining and locking together two separate modules located on a flat surface. The latching mechanism includes a first module having a pair of lower fingers projecting therefrom and a pair of upper angular, locking members projecting therefrom, a second module having a pair of lower apertures for locking engagement with the pair of lower fingers and a pair of upper apertures for locking engagement with the pair of upper, angular, locking members and a cam rotatably mounted in the lower portion of the first module. The cam has a shape such that rotation of the cam is effective to lower the first module onto the second module to thereby join the two modules and continued rotation of the cam is effective to urge the second module upwardly against the first module to thereby rigidly lock together the two modules.

Abstract: A document handling apparatus for use with a copying machine to copy either thin or thick documents. Two pairs of cooperating rollers located on top of the copying machine feed thin documents past an illuminating station. A carriage for supporting a thin or thick document is also located on top of the machine. For copying a thick document or for making multiple copies of a thick or thin document, the two pairs of cooperating feed rollers move out of the path of the carriage which travels across the illuminating station. The carriage is centered on its home position by a cam which is part of a slider bracket supporting structures. The slider brackets are manually or automatically raised and lowered. The rollers and the carriage are independently driven by the main motor of the copying machine through separate drive systems. Controls prevent the carriage from traveling too far in either direction and from moving when the feed rollers are in the path of the carriage.

Abstract: A document handling apparatus for use with a copying machine to copy either thin or thick documents. Two pairs of cooperating rollers located on top of the copying machine feed thin documents past an illuminating station. A carriage for supporting a thin or thick document is also located on top of the machine. For copying a thick document or for making multiple copies of a thick or thin document, the two pairs of cooperating feed rollers move out of the path of the carriage which travels across the illuminating station. The carriage is centered on its home position by a cam which is part of a slider bracket supporting structures. The slider brackets are manually or automatically raised and lowered. The rollers and the carriage are independently driven by the main motor of the copying machine through separate drive systems. Controls prevent the carriage from traveling too far in either direction and from moving when the feed rollers are in the path of the carriage.

Abstract: In combination with paper conveying apparatus in an electrostatic copier, including a movable photoconductor adapted to be electrically energized from a source of supply of electrostatic charge for attaching thereto a sheet of paper for movement therewith, there is described structure for detaching the sheet from the moving photoconductor. The structure includes the provision of one or more apertures in the photoconductor and finger means movable at least partially through the apertures, as the photoconductor is moving, for urging a portion of the attached sheet of paper away from the photoconductor. In addition, the structure preferably includes vacuum header means for urging the remainder of the attached sheet of paper away from the moving photoconductor.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for loading a master onto and unloading the master from the rotating master cylinder in a lithographic printing machine at substantially the same angular position of cylinder rotation. The apparatus includes external grippers for gripping a master edge and moving it into the proximity of the cylinder through a master delivery path. Internal grippers for gripping and later releasing the master edge in the proximity of the cylinder are mounted in the cylinder and are extendable beyond the cylinder surface during a first angular sector of cylinder rotation to describe a master receiving path that intersects the master delivery path in a loading merger region. The internal grippers are also extendable beyond the cylinder surface in a second angular sector of cylinder rotation to describe a master release path.