Abstract: A device for printing information at multiple predetermined positions of a flat object including a registration wall, a print module including print nozzles and a print plate and displaceable along an horizontal axis perpendicular to the registration wall, fixed upper drive members for moving the flat object in a direction of transport along the registration wall, the print plate and the fixed upper drive members together forming an upper reference in a vertical direction, and lower pressing members for pressing the flat object against the upper reference, the device further comprises at least one mobile upper drive member and, for avoiding contact with the flat object immediately after printing, the at least one mobile upper drive member is vertically mobile and configured to be moved from a lower to an upper position above the upper reference when the displaceable print module is positioned along the horizontal axis ahead of the at least one mobile upper drive member in the direction of transport.

Abstract: A device for printing information at multiple predetermined positions of a flat object including a registration wall, a print module including print nozzles and a print plate and displaceable along an horizontal axis perpendicular to the registration wall, fixed upper drive members for moving the flat object in a direction of transport along the registration wall, the print plate and the fixed upper drive members together forming an upper reference in a vertical direction, and lower pressing members for pressing the flat object against the upper reference, the device further comprises at least one mobile upper drive member and, for avoiding contact with the flat object immediately after printing, the at least one mobile upper drive member is vertically mobile and configured to be moved from a lower to an upper position above the upper reference when the displaceable print module is positioned along the horizontal axis ahead of the at least one mobile upper drive member in the direction of transport.

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 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: Provided is a storage device for a mail-handling machine. The storage device includes a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along the referencing wall from an inlet of the device towards a sloping surface against which the mailpieces accumulate, and a skid-forming part that is supported by a structure secured to the storage device and that comes to press against said stack of mailpieces substantially over the entire length of said stack, so as to jog the top of the stack.

Abstract: A storage device for a mail-handling machine, said storage device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along said referencing wall, and a shock-absorber ramp that is mounted against the referencing wall and that is hit by the mailpieces after they are ejected from said mail-handling machine, and before they fall back down onto the conveyor belt so as to be conveyed towards the sloping surface.

Abstract: A storage device for a mail-handling machine, said storage device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along said referencing wall from an inlet of the device towards a sloping surface against which said mailpieces accumulate, and a skid-forming part that is supported by a structure secured to said storage device and that comes to press against said stack of mailpieces substantially over the entire length of said stack, so as to jog the top of said stack.

Abstract: A storage device for a mail-handling machine, said storage device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along said referencing wall, and a shock-absorber ramp that is mounted against the referencing wall and that is hit by the mailpieces after they are ejected from said mail-handling machine, and before they fall back down onto the conveyor belt so as to be conveyed towards the sloping surface.

Abstract: An ink collection device for a servicing station of a franking machine, said ink collection device comprising: an ink collection reservoir for receiving the ink ejected, during a servicing stage, by ink ejection nozzles of at least one print module; at least one drainage duct placed above the reservoir and opening out in register with said at least one print module while defining a gap between a top of the drainage duct and the print module; and, mounted across said at least one drainage duct and at a small predetermined distance from the top of the drainage duct, means for causing the fine ink droplets ejected by said ink ejection nozzles to coalesce to form a plurality of thicker ink drops, and for causing said ink drops to drip under gravity into said ink collection reservoir.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cleaning the ink ejection nozzles of an inkjet printer head of a mail handling machine, comprising, on the one hand, a scraping means arranged in a path of travel of the mail items opposite the ink ejection nozzles and actuated by a mail item as it advances beneath the printer head, and, on the other hand, a means for cleaning this scraping means. Advantageously, the scraping means is articulated between a position of scraping in which the scraping means is arranged in the path of travel of the mail items, and a position of rest in which the scraping means is withdrawn from this path of travel.

Abstract: A mail-handling machine including a postage-metering or “franking” module including at least a print mechanism for printing a postage imprint on a mail item and a conveyor for conveying the mail item along a mail item conveyor path defined by top and bottom guide plates. The conveyor includes at least a mail item engagement mechanism including a bottom plate mounted to move vertically at the inlet of the franking module. A support supports the mail items at the inlet of the franking module. The support is moveable in a manner synchronized with the vertical movement of the bottom engagement means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cleaning the ink ejection nozzles of an inkjet printer head of a mail handling machine, comprising, on the one hand, a scraping means arranged in a path of travel of the mail items opposite the ink ejection nozzles and actuated by a mail item as it advances beneath the printer head, and, on the other hand, a means for cleaning this scraping means. Advantageously, the scraping means is articulated between a position of scraping in which the scraping means is arranged in the path of travel of the mail items, and a position of rest in which the scraping means is withdrawn from this path of travel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a supply module in a mail processing machine including a conveyor for conveying the mailpieces and a moistening device ensuring wetting of a flap of an envelope after the latter has been slightly moved apart from the body of the envelope, as well as a device for creating on said flap of the envelope a second line of fold above the natural crease line of the envelope existing at the level of the join of the body of the envelope with the flap.

Abstract: A mail-handling machine comprising at least firstly a postage-metering or “franking” module comprising at least print means for printing a postage imprint on a mail item and conveyor means for conveying said mail item along a mail item conveyor path defined by top and bottom guide plates, which conveyor means comprise at least mail item engagement means including bottom means mounted to move vertically, which engagement means are disposed at the inlet of the franking module, and secondly a mail item feed module disposed immediately upstream from the franking module and comprising at least conveyor means for conveying the mail items, and a moistener device, support means further being provided for supporting the mail items as they move between the feed module and the franking module, which support means are suitable for being moved in a manner synchronized with the vertical movement of the bottom engagement means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a secured accounting module of a franking machine comprising a printed circuit card intended to receive accounting circuits and mounted between a module base and a module cover, the base including a plurality of crimping studs on which the card is fitted and which are intended to cooperate with locking bushes fast with the cover; an insert ring interposed between each crimping stud and the corresponding locking bush; a first connector for connecting this insert ring with the cover, after the cover has been force-fitted on the base; and a second connector for connecting this insert ring with the base, after the cover has been force-fitted on the base.

Abstract: A mail-handling machine comprising at least firstly a postage-metering or “franking” module comprising at least print means for printing a postage imprint on a mail item and conveyor means for conveying said mail item along a mail item conveyor path defined by top and bottom guide plates, which conveyor means comprise at least mail item engagement means including bottom means mounted to move vertically, which engagement means are disposed at the inlet of the franking module, and secondly a mail item feed module disposed immediately upstream from the franking module and comprising at least conveyor means for conveying the mail items, and a moistener device, support means further being provided for supporting the mail items as they move between the feed module and the franking module, which support means are suitable for being moved in a manner synchronized with the vertical movement of the bottom engagement means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a supply module in a mail processing machine comprising one the one hand means for conveying the mailpieces and a moistening device ensuring wetting of a flap of an envelope after the latter has been slightly moved apart from the body of the envelope, and on the other hand, means for creating on said flap of the envelope a second line of fold above the natural crease line of the envelope existing at the level of the join of the body of the envelope with the flap.