Abstract: A tool for use in bonding a composite multi-layer shell having complex curvature by the delta-alpha high temperature bonding process. The tool includes a plurality of segments that combine to form a mandrel assembly having a substantially continuous outer surface. The outer surface has a substantially axisymmetric shape including a complex curvature. When the segments are combined to form the mandrel assembly, at least one of the segments is configured to be movable in a substantially inward direction without substantial obstruction by any other segment. The segments are constructed of a first material have a first coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than a second coefficient of thermal expansion of a second material of a composite multi-layer shell to be bonded together using the tool.

Abstract: A device for separating labels (4) or the like stacked in a feeder (2), includes a transport device (6) which draws the labels (4) individually from one end of a stack, and a cassette (1), which holds the extractable labels (4) and which can be removed from the feeder (2) or replaced.

Abstract: A method, system and article for producing an envelope having improved seal integrity. The method comprises the steps of disposing at least one material at the interface of the adhesive seal between the flap and the body portion of the envelope, which material exhibits a characteristic property when combined with an activating agent. The envelope is then sealed by closing the flap onto the body portion of the envelope such that the activating agent combines with the material along the sealing interface. The sealing interface is inspected to determine whether the material exhibits the characteristic property thereby confirming that a seal has been produced between the flap and body portion of the envelope. The system and article are directed to the various modules of a mailpiece fabrication system employed to produce the mailpiece including an inspection module for confirming that a seal has been formed.

Abstract: An envelope sealing apparatus for sealing an envelope having a main body and a sealable flap foldable about a hinge between the flap and main body, and sealable thereto. The apparatus comprises a feed path along which an envelope can be fed; a driving means associated with the feed path for feeding an envelope along the feed path; a flap securing means cooperative with the driving means to secure an open envelope flap in contact with the driving means; and a flap sealing means cooperative with the driving means to seal the flap to the main body when the driving means drives the envelope in a flap sealing direction along the feed path. A mail piece creation device incorporating such an envelope sealer is further provided, along with corresponding methods.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic semiconductor pattern is provided. A pattern is formed on a first substrate. An adhesive is coated on the pattern to form an adhesive pattern. An organic semiconductor layer is formed on a second substrate. The second substrate is combined with the first substrate to remove a portion of the organic semiconductor layer attached to the pattern from the second substrate to form the organic semiconductor pattern.

Abstract: A tape feed for a postage meter which uses the envelope transport system of the postage meter to feed a tape from a tape receptacle into the path of the envelope feed system. The tape receptacle is pivotally mounted adjacent one of the belts of the envelope transport system. A solenoid is connected to the tape receptacle through a cam pin and cam slot arrangement for providing the pivotal movement. When the solenoid is energized, the tape receptacle is pivoted into a position wherein the belt extends into a slot in the receptacle and grips a tape to discharge a tape from the receptacle and feed it into the envelope transport system. When the solenoid is de-energized, the solenoid pivots the receptacle into a position wherein the tapes in the receptacle are out of contact with the belt. A sensor is provided to de-energize the solenoid when the belt moves the leading edge of the tape into gripping relationship by the envelope transport system.

Abstract: A folder-sealer apparatus for folding and sealing a mailer form includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a roller assembly for folding and sealing the mailer form, the roller assembly being positioned within the housing. The apparatus also includes a postage device for securing postage indicia on the mailer form, the postage device being secured within the housing. A method of operating a folder-sealer apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing postage stamps that are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive onto envelopes located therebeneath. Such postage stamps are wound in rolls and have a uniform width. In some postage stamp rolls the stamps are supported upon a carrier strip coated with a release agent, while in other arrangements the roll of stamps includes no separate carrier strip. The stamp application device of the invention is applicable to both types of postage stamp rolls. The stamp application apparatus employs a body that defines a stamp roll cavity and a postage stamp dispensing position. An advancement roller is located beneath the stamp roll cavity and above the postage stamp dispensing position and serves to advance the exposed end of the postage stamp roll toward the postage stamp dispensing position in incremental steps in response to operation of an advancement actuator mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to the creation of a swifter, cleaner, way of moistening envelope flaps to seal them. It represents an improvement over other designs of systems using nozzles in that it adjust for a variety of envelope flap shapes and lengths and depths. It is also an improvement over sponge or wick systems, since no glue build up is created. With a push of a button, a spray of water or sealing fluid, is directed to the flap, after symmetric geared adjustable arms, each arm geared at a pivot between them, are positioned (including a valve on each arm to adjust for a smaller envelope flap). After the envelope is positioned and the button is pushed, a spray of fluid falls upon the flap, directed downward by a number of nozzles on each arm, all connected to the pump and fluid reservoir by flexible tubes and conduits. The spring button returns to position, while drawing fluid up into the small piston pump to be used for another envelope.

Abstract: A method for providing confidentiality to a facsimile transmission includes the step of advancing a front enclosure sheet into the print engine. The method also includes the step of printing information associated with a first page of the facsimile transmission onto the front enclosure sheet with the print engine. The method further includes the step of advancing the front enclosure sheet out of the print engine and to an envelope forming station. The method yet further includes the step of advancing a back enclosure sheet to the envelope forming station. Moreover, the method includes the step of securing the back enclosure sheet to the front enclosure sheet so as to form an envelope at the envelope forming station. The method also includes the step of advancing a confidential sheet into the print engine. The method yet further includes the step of printing information associated with a second page of the facsimile transmission onto the confidential sheet with the print engine.

Abstract: A linerless label applicator for forming and applying a discrete, pressure sensitive adhesive linerless label to a document is adapted to receive and advance a plurality of documents, one at a time, along a document path through the applicator. The applicator includes a label storage and feed section, a label cutting section and a label application section. The storage and feed section stores the label material in roll form thereon and feeds the material through a feed assembly into the cutting section. The label cutting section includes a label drive assembly, a label guide assembly and a cutting assembly. The drive assembly includes a feed roller and a plasma coated idler roller which contacts the label adhesive and prevents adhesion thereto. The guide assembly includes a fan/vacuum manifold which retains the non-adhesive side of the label material in contact with the cutting assembly surfaces.

Abstract: A postage stamp applicator includes a stamp applicator drum rotatably carried on a housing for oscillating motion. A free end of a coiled supply of stamps extends to the stamp applicator drum. A metering head on the stamp applicator drum advances and severs a predetermined number of stamps as the stamp applicator drum oscillates through one complete cycle of oscillation corresponding to the movement of each envelope that passes beneath the applicator. The outer surface of the stamp applicator drum includes a plurality of decurling rollers that press down on the front side of the predetermined number of stamps to help affix such stamps to the face of the envelope. The stamp applicator drum is oscillated by a crank arm and crankshaft combination that connects the drive shaft on which the stamp applicator drum is mounted to a rotary driven input that rotates one full turn for each envelope passing beneath the applicator.

Abstract: A device for dispensing moistened stamps from a web wherein contiguous individual stamps are separated by a plurality of perforations. The individual stamps are cut with a cutting blade that is part of a stamp affixing assembly. When the blade is actuated by a user through a spring biased cover, the web of stamps is also advanced over a moistening pad member that is simultaneously brought against the web. The web is advanced through wheels that translate the linear reciprocating movement to a rotational movement. A water reservoir provides a constant source of water to the moistening pad.

Abstract: A modular assembly of components is provided for various aspects of high volume mailing. The modular system of components includes a postage meter, having a base with a driving motor and a head driven by the driving motor and operative to apply selected postage to a piece of mail. The postage meter head can be selectively removed from the postage meter base. The modular systems of components further includes at least one accessory selectively mountable to the postage meter base and capable of being driven thereby. The accessory may include an applicator for applying a closure tab, a label or a stamp to an envelope or sheet of material being driven by the postage meter base.

Abstract: A device for lifting flaps of envelopes at feed inlets of an envelope sealing machine includes a perforated suction plate having edges, and a separating plate having edges and being disposed downstream of the suction plate in an envelope feed direction. The suction plate and the separating plate are associated with a feed inlet of an envelope sealing machine. One of the edges of the suction plate is underneath one of the edges of the separating plate.

Abstract: A moistening device for the application of a liquid to gummed surfaces of envelope or letter flaps includes a reservoir for liquid. A sponge is disposed on a support. A brush holder is resiliently disposed above the reservoir. A brush is held by the brush holder and has bristles resting on the sponge for soaking with the liquid. An absorptive strip is disposed above the brush for storage of the liquid.

Abstract: The machine of franking labels includes means (5, 7) for ejecting printed labels to a dry label outlet (8), a switching flap (12) for switching labels towards a second outlet for wet labels (9), said flap being mounted to pivot on the axis of pressure wheels (7) belonging to the ejector means, and a moistening roll (23) mounted between the ejector means and the second outlet and driven at a speed greater than that of the ejector means in order to receive and wipe the labels which are deflected towards the second outlet, said labels engaging the moistening roll beneath a separator plate (10) between the outlets.

Abstract: An envelope flap sealing device in a mailing machine, including a moistener separator blade, a moistening brush attached to and located downstream of the separator blade, at least one pair of feed rollers for transporting envelopes past the moistening brush, a pivotable, deflecting baffle situated intermediate the feed rollers and the separator blade, and a cam operatively connected to the deflecting baffle for pivoting the baffle about its downstream end whereby the upstream end of the baffle is translatable between a raised position and a flat position, wherein the raised position guides an envelope flap under the moistening brush to thereby seal the flap and the flat position causes the envelope flap to pass over the moistening brush and not be sealed.

Abstract: A tape trip mechanism is featured that is easily retro-fittable to postage tape dispensing machines in the field. The tape trip device is automatically operative in response to electrical control signals generated by a digital scale, a computer, or other electrical-type mail equipment. The tape trip mechanism is mounted within the postage tape dispensing machine by fastening the mechanism into existing holes in the inside frame. A flexible cable of the mechanism actuates the machine dispensing system by rotating a shaft supporting a manual trip lever. When the manual lever is exercised, the flexible cable is caused to collapse, and therefore, the cable does not interfere with the manual operation. Thus the automatic electrical control is independent from the manual control, allowing the user a greater flexibility in machine operation.