Abstract: An envelope with its flap in an open position is driven along a transport path by first transport means (31a) at a first location. When the crease line between the flap and the body of the envelope reaches a predetermined location along the transport path, buckling means (31b, 53) engage the envelope from opposite sides at a second location, spaced apart from the first location, such as to cause the envelope to buckle laterally of the transport path and be partially closed. The buckling envelope with its crease line leading is then received by sealing means (31a, 31b), by means of which the envelope fully closed.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator of compact design has a circular paper path. Individual sheets moving along a main (linear) path enter the accumulator one by one, and each sheet is then diverted onto and around the perimeter of a set of driven disks. The disks are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the paper sheets. The disks then urge each sheet against a set of stops. Each subsequent sheet enters the circular path between the disks and the previous sheet, so that it too is urged and registered against the stops. When the accumulation is complete, the stops are retracted and a set of rolls is engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator. The accumulated stack of sheets is then diverted back into the main (linear) paper path.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator of compact design has a circular paper path. Individual sheets moving along a main (linear) path enter the accumulator one by one, and each sheet is then diverted onto and around the perimeter of a set of driven disks. The disks are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the paper sheets. The disks then urge each sheet against a set of stops. Each subsequent sheet enters the circular path between the disks and the previous sheet, so that it too is urged and registered against the stops. When the accumulation is complete, the stops are retracted and a set of rolls is engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator. The accumulated stack of sheets is, then diverted back into the main (linear) paper path.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Abstract: A document registration apparatus for use with a conveying device for transporting a document along a path from an upstream position to a downstream position through a document registration position, the document registration apparatus including an urge roller positioned adjacent to the path, the urge roller being moveable between a first urge roller position contacting the document and a second urge roller position out of contact with the document; apparatus for biasing the urge roller toward the conveying device; and a registration stop positioned adjacent to the urge roller and the path, the registration stop being moveable between a first registration stop position where the registration stop blocks transport of the document along the path and a second registration stop position away from the path where the registration stop does not block transport of the document along the path; wherein at times when the urge roller is in the first urge roller position and the registration stop is in the first registrat

Abstract: A thermal ink ribbon cassette for holding an inked ribbon of indefinite length for is in a thermal transfer printing mechanism is disclosed in which the cassette holds a spool of fresh ink ribbon which passes out of the cassette and across a thermal printing head, and then back into the cassette into a used ribbon chamber. A ribbon drive mechanism is mounted in the cassette adjacent the location on the cassette where the used ribbon normally enters the cassette so that if the ribbon breaks, the free broken end can be manually fed into the drive mechanism so that the remaining portion of the unused ribbon can be used. The cassette may also be provided with a removable front wall so that replacement ribbons can be inserted by a user, and a disposable container can be put into the ribbon take up chamber of the cassette so that a user does not have to handle the rumpled ink ribbon when changing to a new ribbon.

Abstract: A postage metering apparatus including a postage meter having a housing, a printing device disposed in the housing, an aperture in the housing exposing the printing device, a shutter bar mounted to the postage meter housing for movement from a closed position in which the shutter bar is disposed to cover the aperture and an open position in which the shutter bar is disposed away from the aperture, the shutter bar preventing access to the printing device through the aperture when the shutter bar is in the closed position and permitting access to the printing device when the shutter bar is in the open position; a base into which the postage meter is removeably inserted, the base including engaging structure for engaging the shutter bar; and driving structure for driving the engaging structure to move the cover between the closed and open positions, the driving structure including a motor, a drive shaft coupled to and driven into rotation by the motor and having a worm gear at one end thereof, a first pinion gea

Abstract: An envelope throat opening mechanism for an envelope inserting machine includes a pair of envelope throat opening claw assemblies mounted adjacent an envelope inserting position for opening the outer ends of an envelope disposed in the envelope inserting position to permit insert material to be inserted into the envelope. An envelope throat opening tongue assembly is also disposed adjacent the envelope inserting position and in substantial alignment with the center of an envelope, the tongue assembly having a tongue mounted therein for movement into the throat of the envelope adjacent the center thereof to ensure that the center portion of the throat is opened sufficiently to permit the insert material to be inserted into the envelope.

Abstract: An envelope throat opening mechanism for an envelope inserting machine includes a pair of envelope throat opening claw assemblies mounted adjacent an envelope inserting position for opening the outer ends of an envelope disposed in the envelope inserting position to permit insert material to be inserted into the envelope. An envelope throat opening tongue assembly is also disposed adjacent the envelope inserting position and in substantial alignment with the center of an envelope, the tongue assembly having a tongue mounted therein for movement into the throat of the envelope adjacent the center thereof to ensure that the center portion of the throat is opened sufficiently to permit the insert material to be inserted into the envelope.

Abstract: A mail piece weighing scale for use with automated mail processing apparatus in which a plurality of mail processing components are disposed along a feed path for processing mail pieces moving seriatim along the feed path. The weighing scale has a platform, the upper surface of which is aligned with and forms a segment of the feed path. A transport means for moving mail pieces across the scale platform is mounted on the platform so that the platform and the transport means form an integral unit which constitutes the tare weight of the scale when it is calibrated to register 0 weight.

Abstract: A side guide for a mailing machine includes a main wall, a secondary wall spaced from the main wall and moveable between an operative position and an inoperative position, and structure for allowing movement of the main and secondary walls in a direction transverse to movement of mailpieces passing through the mailing machine. The side guide operates such that at times when the secondary wall is in the operative position it is moveable in the direction transverse to movement of mailpieces via the structure to abut against mailpieces having a width within a first predetermined width range and at times when the secondary wall is in the inoperative position the main wall is moveable in the direction transverse to movement of mailpieces via the structure to abut against mailpieces having a width within a second predetermined width range that is different from the first predetermined width range.

Abstract: A moistening apparatus for a mail handling machine including a container for storing liquid which is mounted within the mail handling machine and a cartridge assembly removably mounted to the container. The cartridge assembly has a housing and a belt movably mounted within the housing such that at times when liquid is in the container the belt is capable of movement through the liquid to a position where the belt is presented for contact with mailpieces being processed through the mail handling machine.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adjustable pressure roller assembly for use in a paper feeding machine having a paper feed path and a feed roller for feeding various paper items, such as envelopes, single sheets, a plurality of layered sheets, etc. along the feed path. The pressure roller assembly has a back up pressure roller disposed on the opposite side of the feed path in juxtaposition to the feed roller of the paper feeding machine. There is structure for mounting the pressure roller for movement toward and away from the feed roller to vary the amount of pressure exerted by the pressure roller against a paper item disposed between the pressure roller and the feed roller. An actuating assembly is provided for controlling the direction and extent of movement of the pressuer roller So that the pressure roller and feed roller can accommodate a wide variety of thicknesses, types and grades of paper without risk of mutilating or misfeeding the paper.

Abstract: A tape positioning apparatus is disclosed which is used in a mailing machine having means for printing a postage indicia on a discrete portion of a strip of tape of indefinite length which is fed intermittently through the mailing machine. The apparatus includes a tape feed chute which moves the tape from a normal position out of alignment with the printing die of a postage meter in the mailing machine to a printing position in which the tape is aligned with the printing die. In order to assure proper feeding of the tape from the chute to a cutting device, the apparatus is provided with a latching device for latching the free end of the chute in a home position so that the leading edge of the tape cannot snag on any portion of the tape path as it is pushed from the chute to the cutting device after printing has taken place.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch assembly is disclosed which is designed for use with a rotary element which is subjected to repeated intermittent rotary motion. The clutch assembly includes a first circular hub fixedly attached to the element for rotation therewith, a wrap spring mounted on the first hub and adapted to grip or release the hub depending on the direction of movement of a free tang of the wrap spring. A second, split hub acting as a resilient shock absorber is mounted on the rotary element and underlies a portion of the wrap spring so as to deflect inwardly when the wrap spring grips the first hub thereby permitting a small amount of additional rotation of the rotary element to provide a controlled deceleration of the rotary element, thereby absorbing the shock force of virtual instantaneous deceleration of the rotary element which otherwise occurs and tends to break the wrap spring at the juncture of the spring coils and the tang which is attached to the rotary element.

Abstract: An ink tray includes a housing having a first, second and third chamber. The first chamber has an overflow baffle extending laterally within said chamber to divide the first chamber into an inlet side and an outlet side. An inlet port extends into the first chamber for receiving replenishing ink in the inlet side of the chamber and an outlet port is provided for removal of excess ink from said ink tray. A plurality of portals extending between the first and second chambers for directing replenishing ink to the second chamber from the inlet side of the first chamber and excess replenishing ink from the second chamber to the outlet side of the first chamber. An elongated inking roller is rotatively mounted in the third chamber. The third chamber is configured to expose a longitudinal portion of said inking roller. Absorption material is mounted in the second chamber to contact the replenishing ink.

Abstract: A postage meter mailing machine including a tape feed assembly positioned within the postage meter mailing machine between a home position and a second position. The tape feed assembly rotatably supports first and second rollers and associated drive gear assemblies in meshed gear engagement for feeding tape through the tape feed assembly. A locking assembly is provided for locking the drive gear assemblies when the tape feed assembly is travelling between its home and second position such that the drive gear is unlocked only when the tape feed assembly is in said home position.

Abstract: A mailing machine base includes a postage meter insertable and removable from a receptacle means, said receptacle means being mounted within said base and a tape feed assembly positioned between a home position and a second position. A tape frame assembly includes a first frame section including feed means for receiving a tape and causing said tape to displace in said tape track and gear means for driving said feed means, said tape track being fixably mounted to said first frame section at one end and aligned to receive tape from said feed means.

Abstract: The improved coupler in combination with a mailing machine base having a postage meter base. A postage meter is insertable and removable from a receptacle. The receptacle is mounted within a base and includes a lock engagement assembly for locking the postage meter in the receptacle. The mailing machine also includes a tape feed assembly having a first drive assembly for positioning the tape feed assembly to a first position and a second position and a second drive assembly for motivating the tape feed assembly. The coupler includes a link coupled to the feed assembly at one end for translating lateral displacement of the feed assembly to rotational displacement of a cam surface formed on the other end of the link. A following lever rides along the cam surface and causes the lock engagement assembly to be coupled to the second drive assembly only when the feed assembly in the first position.