Abstract: A configuration for detecting mail items includes rigid optical waveguide elements between a monitoring location and transmitting and receiving devices on a main printed circuit board. The configuration makes use of a transmitted-light principle for detecting mail items to be franked.

Abstract: A configuration for an optical device interface makes use of the employment of rigid pieces of optical waveguide disposed between a measuring location and a transmitting location in an optical device. A transmitting and receiving device is provided on the main circuit board of a franking machine for the purpose of communicating with the device in which optical signals are transmitted. The optical signals are led back to the main circuit board of the franking machine through the rigid pieces of optical waveguide in the optional device and in the franking machine.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing device includes a thermal printing head of the corner-edge type having heating elements disposed on one edge and forming a printing bar. The edge faces a backing roller, is parallel to the axis thereof, and around which an ink ribbon is led directly away from a letter or envelope to be printed. A shell which is provided on the underside of the thermal printing head faces the backing roller. The shell extends immediately up to the printing bar and has a bottom surface with a region adjacent the printing bar at approximately the same height as the printing bar. The thermal printing head including the shell and the backing roller, are adjustable relative to one another. Good ink particle detachment and a relatively low contact force are provided. Disadvantages with regard to soft and sensitive mail can be avoided and the service life of the thermal printing head is prolonged due to a lower contact force.

Abstract: An ink connecting line from an ink printing head is docked on a container with a hollow needle passing through a rubber-elastic closure. A device for preventing re-use of the container for supplying ink to the ink printing head has high functional security, only allows the use of new fresh ink containers prescribed by the printer manufacturer and suppresses the use of fresh ink containers that have already been in operation and were then refilled. A hermetically closing cover device is provided inside the container for an insertion region of the hollow needle and can be tripped irreversibly through the use of the hollow needle the first time it is inserted. Once the hollow needle has been pulled out, ink can no longer flow out even if the needle is reinserted.

Abstract: A device for preventing re-use of a container for supplying ink to an ink printing head has high functional security, only allows the use of new fresh ink containers prescribed by the printer manufacturer and suppresses the use of fresh ink containers that have already been in operation and were then refilled. An ink connecting line from the ink printing head to the fresh ink container is docked in a known manner through the use of a hollow needle that is passed through a rubber-elastic closure. Two electrodes in the bottom of the fresh ink container are also part of an ink exhaustion detector in a known manner. A cover device for at least one electrode can be tripped irreversibly through the use of the hollow needle the first time it is inserted.

Abstract: A microclimate enriched by solvent vapors is produced in the antechamber during print operation and also predominates during the print pauses, the microclimate having a slightly higher pressure than the outer atmosphere. In this way all nozzles are equally protected against drying out. During print pauses of longer duration, the antechamber is closed and, if needed, is rinsed with solvent. The antechamber is formed by the ink print head being set back in relation to the front wall of the housing. In the front wall opposite the nozzles, openings are made whose width is larger than the diameter of a nozzle opening. The antechamber has a trough-shaped area for the inlet and outlet of solvent by capillary action, and a non-capillary area for the solvent vapors. A seal bonnet is provided for sealing during longer print pauses and cleaning processes.

Abstract: In arrangement for keeping clean the nozzles of an ink print head with a large number of nozzles, the printhead having an ink print module or of several ink print modules assembled in stacked construction, and a seal bonnet and a wiping lip arranged positionally on the ink print head, a cleaning module is provided alongside the ink print modules on the ink print head, and the seal bonnet is flexibly positioned on the ink print head and is formed so that the front surface of all the ink print modules, as well as the front surface of the cleaning module, can be simultaneously covered. In addition, the seal bonnet is kinematically coupled with the wiping lip. Cleaning ensues by expelling ink and/or suctioning ink into the seal bonnet, and subsequently emptying the seal bonnet of ink, and mechanically wiping off the ink print head.

Abstract: An arrangement for an electronic manual franking machine having an ink printer head and having an integrated system for controlling and supplying the ink printer head includes a housing containing a first assembly composed of a carriage, an ink printer head with a replaceable ink tank, and a second assembly composed of a write-read unit for a postage credit card, a microprocessor as well as a rechargeable battery with charging terminal, and an adapter with a mains terminal and, as needed, a data terminal. The adapter includes a battery charging device and a cleaning device and is fashioned as a deposit and docking station for recharging, cleaning and sealing of the manual franking machine. The carriage is fashioned so that the recording medium is rendered taut in the printing region. The cleaning ensues by ink ejection and/or extraction into the sealing cap, by sucking the sealing cap empty with a suction pump and wiping the ink printer head at a wiper lip.

Abstract: Arrangement for an electronic manual franking machine having an ink printer head and an integrated system for controlling and supplying the ink printer head includes a housing containing a first assembly, which includes a carriage, an ink printer head with a replaceable ink tank and a cleaning part with a sealing cap, and a second assembly which includes at least one data input and control electronics as well as a rechargeable battery with a charging connection. The carriage operates such that the recording medium is maintained taut in the printing region. The cleaning ensues by ink ejection and/or extraction into the sealing cap, by sucking the sealing cap empty and wiping the ink printer head. Specifically fashioned extraction channels enable a shortened cleaning procedure.

Abstract: A print head consists of an ink chamber with heater elements and orifices. Connected to the ink chamber is a pump chamber which is supplied with ink through an ink supply opening. The ink chamber and the pump chamber are enclosed between a first and a second end plate. The pump element is integrated within the pump chamber which forms part of the print head and there are divider elements and valve elements arranged lengthways along both sides of the pump element.