Abstract: Apparatus for handling mailpieces is provided, including a feed deck, having an upright wall, and including instrumentalities for successively feeding mailpieces downstream on said feed deck. The feeding instrumentalities include a device for engaging the lower major surface of respective mailpieces and a directional feed roller assembly; the latter including a roller and a flexible shaft. The roller extends from the flexible shaft for disposition in engagement with the upper major surfaces of respective mailpieces and cooperates with the mailpiece engaging device for urging the mailpieces against the upright wall for edge registration. The apparatus also includes instrumentalities for selectively gating mailpieces from the feed deck and for stacking the gated mailpieces on edge at a receiving station.

Abstract: A gauging system for an envelope inserter provides simplified set up procedures for adjustment of a set of enclosure pick-up station side guides, an envelope stop and coordinated adjustment of both a set of envelope station side guides and sets of stripper fingers. A panel at the face of the inserter includes a slot and a pointer for lengthwise insertion of an enclosure. The operator places a specimen enclosure against an index end of the slot and rotates a knob to frame the enclosure length between the index and the pointer. Rotation of the knob provides simultaneous movement of the pointer and adjustment of the enclosure side guides to correspond with the framed length. A further slot and pointer are provided for envelope widthwise insertion. Rotation of its knob for framing the envelope width simultaneously adjusts the envelope stop. A further slot and pointer are provided for lengthwise envelope insertion.

Abstract: Imprinting apparatus is provided which includes framework, a printing device, and a roller platen movably attached to the framework for movement from a print ready position to a home position. The roller platen is disposed for urging a pressure sensitive medium into imprinting engagement with the printing device in the course of such movement. In addition, the apparatus includes structure for supporting the printing device. The structure includes an anvil constructed and arranged for carrying the printing device in either of two different locations relative to the print-ready position of the roller platen.

Abstract: For use in combination with a machine for feeding a web of paper in a downstream path of travel, there is provided apparatus for folding an unfolded web of paper along its longitudinally-extending weakened fold line. The apparatus comprises: a frame; web drag structure including a drag member which longitudinally extends across the path of travel of the unfolded web for frictional engagement by the web; a lower roller which is rotatably attached to the frame below the level of the drag member so as to extend transverse to the drag member and at an angle of approximately 95.degree.

Abstract: In a fluid supply and dispensing system including a fluid dispenser for carrying a working supply of fluid at working surface level, and a reservoir which is connected in fluid flow communication with the dispenser for carrying a replenishing supply of fluid at a surface level which establishes the working surface level of fluid in the dispenser, there is provided with an improvement for lowering the working surface level to prevent spillage of fluid from the dispenser when the system is not in use. The improvement includes providing the reservoir with a movable, fluid displacement member, which is normally lowered into the replenishing supply of fluid, and providing means for raising the displacement member at least partially out of the replenishing supply of fluid, when the system is not in use, for lowering the surface level of the replenishing fluid supply and thus the working surface level of the dispenser's working fluid supply.

Abstract: In a machine which includes framework and apparatus for dispensing a moistenable workpiece, there is provided workpiece moistening instrumentalities. The workpiece moistening instrumentalities include: a source of supply of moistening fluid which has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being pivotably attached to the framework; structure for moving the upper end of the supply source between a first position, wherein the supply source is inaccessibly disposed, and a second position wherein the supply source is accessibly disposed; and, applicator structure removably mountable in the supply source.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying moisture to a workpiece. The apparatus includes a brush which has a base and a moisture carrier extending from the base. The moisture carrier has a free end for contacting a workpiece to apply moisture thereto. The base includes a plurality of teeth. In addition, the apparatus includes a brush holder which has a plurality of teeth. And, the brush teeth and said brush holder teeth are respectively constructed and arranged for separable engagement with each other for removably attaching the brush to the brush holder in one of at least two positions.

Abstract: An improved reciprocating ram for an envelope inserter includes a pusher which drives an enclosure from a ram pick-up station to an envelope station. Cycle time has been reduced by providing a ram return path which is beneath the elevation of the pick-up station. Thus, the next enclosure is fed to the pick-up station before the ram has completed its return stroke. The ram mechanism includes a ram carriage which rides along a pair of longitudinal rods. A ram block carrying a ram blade rides with the carriage and is keyed for vertical movement relative to the carriage. The block includes a follower which engages a longitudinal box cam having a latch adjacent its envelope station end. When the ram blade reaches the envelope station, the latch directs the follower to a lower elevation camming surface for the return stroke. The pusher is secured to the ram blade by a leaf spring catch which engages a grating on the undersurface of the blade.

Abstract: For use in combination with a machine for feeding a web of paper in a downstream path of travel, there is provided apparatus for folding an unfolded web of paper along its longitudinally-extending weakened fold line. The apparatus comprises a frame; a drag member attached to the frame so as to extend in frictional engagement with the unfolded web; a pair of parallel spaced rollers which are attached to the frame below the level of the drag member so as to extend at right angles to the drag member, such that an unfolded web may extend downwardly in its path of travel from said drag member to said upper roller and be folded between them and such that the folded web may threadably extend between the upper and lower rollers; and an output roller attached to the frame so as to extend parallel to said upper and lower rollers, such that the folded web may extend in its path of travel from beneath the lower roller to the output roller and then from beneath the output roller to the machine.

Abstract: A power control method and apparatus maintains a constant average power at an electrical load, such as a fuser in an electrophotocopy machine. A power monitor measures the average power delivered to the load and compares the measured power to a predetermined power. A digital network receives an input signal from the power monitor and controls the coupling of power from an ac source to the load. When load power is less than a predetermined level, the digital network couples every half cycle of the ac power source to the load. When the load power is equal to or greater than the predetermined power, the digital network couples every third ac half cycle to the load. As a result, only half cycles of sequentially opposite polarity are coupled to the load.

Abstract: An inserter is adapted to insert successive enclosures from a stack carried by an enclosure feeder assembly into envelopes carried by an envelope feeder assembly. Each feeder assembly includes a sloped tray and a pair of side guides which engage the ends of the stack of materials being fed. Both side guides are adjusted by releasing a tab adjacent one of the guides and sliding the guide. An endless belt mounted beneath the tray assures symmetrical displacement of both guides relative to the center of the tray. A feed wheel is carried along a drive shaft which extends transversely above the tray. The hub of the feed wheel includes a one way clutch which permits adjustment of the feed wheel position. A separator stone projecting from beneath the tray in staggered registration with the feed wheel includes a stone shield. Both the stone and the stone shield are adjustable through control knobs accessible at the front of the inserter.

Abstract: For interconnecting a postage meter and an actuator apparatus for operating the postage meter, wherein the postage meter includes a lever which is positionable in a plurality of postage value selecting positions, and the actuator includes a member for positioning the postage meter lever; there is provided a gauge for adjusting the spatial relationship between the postage meter and actuator, and a lever extension device for fixing the spatial relationship between the postage meter lever and lever positioning member.

Abstract: For interconnecting a postage meter and an actuator apparatus for operating the postage meter, wherein the postage meter includes a lever which is positionable in a plurality of postage value selecting positions, and the actuator includes a member for positioning the postage meter lever; there is provided a gauge for adjusting the spatial relationship between the postage meter and actuator, and a lever extension device for fixing the spatial relationship between the postage meter lever and lever position member.

Abstract: A process for interconnecting a postage meter and apparatus for operating the postage meter; wherein the postage meter includes a lever which is positionable in a plurality of postage value selecting positions, and the apparatus includes a member for positioning the postage meter lever. The process comprises the steps of fixing the spatial relationship between the postage meter and meter operating apparatus, and then fixing the spatial relationship between the postage meter lever and lever positioning member.

Abstract: In envelope stuffing apparatus which has an enclosure inserting station and includes a deck at the inserting station, structure for delivering the envelope in a path of travel to the inserting station, structure for opening the envelope and structure for inserting an enclosure into the envelope; and wherein the opening structure includes a ledge for supporting the flap of the envelope above the deck, and a first finger insertable into the envelope for stripping apart from each other the front and back panels of the envelope; there is provided an improvement in the envelope opening structure. The improvement comprises: a solenoid operable in response to delivery of the envelope to the inserting station; a second finger for depressing the envelope toward the deck against the resistance of the flap supporting ledge; and a linkage assembly.

Abstract: A processor controlled postage meter includes memories for storage of meter account balance data. Thermal security of the balance data is maintained through the employment of magnetic core memories constructed to withstand high temperatures which may be generated during a fire at the location of the meter. The magnetic core memory includes a matrix of toroids arranged in a plane and encased within ceramic cement for thermal insulation. The toroids are preferably formed of a non-oxidized pure metal magnetic alloy having a Curie temperature of at least 650 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: In apparatus for separating and feeding sheets, which includes a sheet feeding deck, a sheet separating stone and structure for carrying the stone in overhanging relationship with respect to the deck. There is provided an improvement for controlling the height of the stone above the deck. The improvement includes a movable frame connected to the stone carrying structure, a manually rotatable shaft connected so as to threadably engage the frame for moving the same to move the stone to a selected height above said deck, and apparatus for permitting the shaft to be pushed, without rotating the same, for raising the stone above the selected height.

Abstract: In a facsimile communication system there is provided a transmitter for transmitting facsimile information, the facsimile information including at least one document format each having a different address; and a receiver for receiving facsimile information, including a memory for storing the at least one document format in digital data form and for reading out stored digital data. In addition there is provided a transmitter for transmitting alpha-numeric data, including apparatus for respectively identifying a plurality of unique portions of alpha-numeric data with an address corresponding to a selected document format address; and a receiver for receiving alpha-numeric data, including apparatus for integrating the data of each of the identified portions of data with the data of the correspondingly addressed document format. And, there is provided a printer for printing the integrated data in document form.

Abstract: An improvement in an actuator adapted to be removably mounted in an operating relationship with respect to a postage meter having a postage value selecting lever positionable in a plurality of positions, one of the positions being a home position. The actuator includes a base having an aperture formed therein through which the postage meter lever extends when the actuator is mounted in the operating relationship with respect to the postage meter. The actuator also includes apparatus for positioning the postage meter lever in the home position for removing the actuator. In addition, the actuator includes means for securing the postage meter lever against inadvertent movement, in particular when an attempt is made to remove the actuator out of the operating relationship with respect to the postage meter prior to returning the postage meter lever to the home position.

Abstract: An encoder is provided for a postage meter having a lever which is movable between a plurality of postage value selecting positions. The encoder includes framework adapted for removably mounting the encoder in operating relationship with respect to the postage meter, and includes instrumentalities for monitoring movement of the postage meter lever when the encoder is operationally mounted. Preferably, the monitoring means includes means for providing an electrical signal which varies in response to movement of the postage meter lever from one of its positions to another.