Abstract: An oven capable of operating in the temperature range between 2500 F. and 4500 F. The heating element of the oven has at least one halogen lamp and the interior lining of the oven is rebonded fused silica foam.

Abstract: A method of refreshening a bread product by heating the bread product to a temperature between 2500.degree. F. and 4500.degree. F. The bread products are maintained at this temperature range for a period of 3 to 90 seconds.

Abstract: An invisible ink has been discovered that utilizes a substituted phthalocyanine dye in combination with selected waxes and resins. The resulting ink is one that has use in thermal printing and is transparent or almost transparent in white light, but is responsive to infra-red light in the range of 720 to 1000 nm. The preferred waxes are polyethylene wax, natural paraffin wax and carnauba wax, and the preferred resin is ethyl vinyl acetate polymer.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of mail that is submitted to a local post office and reducing the effort required by a local post office. A mailer sorts mail and separates local mail from non local mail, identifies the destination of the non local mail and puts the same in a tray in accordance with the destination thereof. The mail destined for each destination is processed in accordance with the departure time of a transportation system so that the mail will be received just-in-time by a common carrier. The non local mail is then forwarded to the common carrier by the mailer and the common carrier delivers the mail to a transport vehicle destined for a postal distribution center.

Abstract: A metering kiosk in which postage is applied to a finished mail piece such as a postcard which has been provided with bar codes to indicate paper orientation for receipt with the kiosk and indicate the destination of the postcard. The metering kiosk has a touch screen monitor for convenient communication between the user and the logic of the kiosk. Although the primary function of the kiosk is to apply postage to a finished mail piece, convenience and entertainment of the user is a consideration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a communication system and method wherein messages are transmitted and stored in voice mail boxes. The system and method provide the ability on the part of an author to recover a message before access to the message by a recipient. This allows the author to recoup a message in case the message is sent accidentally to the wrong recipient or the message has been sent to a recipient who no longer has access to the message.

Abstract: A scheme has been devised for retrieving audio from a digital audio tape (DAT) that has been used in a device such as a digital audio logger wherein audio is recorded on a intermittent basis. An audio bit map is created on the DAT that represents a record of activity with a "1" bit representing audio and a "0" bit representing absence of audio. The channels of the logger can be searched for a next message or previous message. A predetermined sequence of "1's" and "0's" are used in the search for identifying a message.

Abstract: A method and system for providing validated labels that are attached to mail trays immediately upon mail being processed by a mailer and placed in a tray. Mail lists and programs for sanitizing the mail list and sorting the mail to achieve postal discounts are stored in a mailer's processor. A printer is controlled to print addresses on documents, such as letters, that are forwarded to an inserter. A mail list stored in the processor indicates where the mail is to be sent, the class of mail, level of sortation and the contents of the mail. Tray contents are computed and appropriate labels are prepared by a label printer under its control. By making the tray label printing an intricate part of the mail processing system, as opposed to being an adjunct to it, the providing of the labels becomes more efficient, reliable and economical.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a low cost postage value generating apparatus wherein the number of postage imprints are determined rather than an accounting of the postage value. The apparatus has two movable print heads each having a single value font. This device is able to print multi-values by using multiple impressions of the two print heads. Because of this, the number of imprints gives a representation of the total postage value dispensed.

Abstract: The instant invention is concerned with providing safeguards that prevent damage to weighing scale in the case of an overload applied to the side edges of the scale platform. In addition, the invention prevents damage to the weighing mechanism of the scale due to torquing when one attempts to lift the scale by the platform.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a mounting device for a load cell scale that is a component of a high speed sheet processing system. The invention has particular utility in a mail processing machines which include the step of weighing mailpieces. The mounting device of the instant invention is one that provides reliability, ease of manufacture, and ease of assembly. In addition, isolation members are included that isolate the scale platform from vibrations caused by the scale's environment.

Abstract: A dual frequency field is generated to produce an interrogation zone wherein the higher frequency is substantially higher than the lower frequency. The signal generated by the magnetic marker is detected, filtered and amplified. Time windows are selected at the expected pulse locations of a signal. The signals detected at the time windows are multiplied by a window function. The product resulting therefrom is averaged to produce a demodulated signal and the presence of a marker in the interrogation zone is determined by detecting the demodulated signal at the lower frequency of the dual frequency interrogation zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing labels that are to be inserted into mail trays. A label printer is integrated into a mail sorting machine. Upon a specific bin of the mail sorting machine having sufficient mail pieces to fill a mail tray, the label printer prints a tray label for the mail in such bin. This tray label has printed thereon the zip code to which the mail is to be sent and the bin number in which the mail pieces are located. Upon the printing of such tray label, it is be conveyed by the mail sorter to the appropriate bin and is immediately available to the clerk for insertion into a mail tray.

Abstract: Fluorescent Ink formulations have been conceived that result in inks having improved tack and flow properties so that problems relating to ink plugging with contemporary ink pads are reduced. Another advantage to the inks is that they have improved paper dust resistance, shelf life and flow properties. These inks are made of a coloring material having an organic non fluorescent pigment dispersed in a rosin ester and a solid solution of a fluorescent dye in triazine paraformaldehyde aryl sulfonamide resin dispersed in an alkyd resin. The solvent system is preferably composed of non drying solvents such as emollients and higher molecular weight glycols.

Abstract: Ink formulations have been conceived that result in inks having improved shelf life, tack and flow properties so that problems relating to ink plugging with contemporary ink pads are reduced. Another advantage of the inks is that they have improved paper dust resistance. These inks are made of a coloring material having an organic pigment dispersed in a modified rosin ester or dispersed in a modified rosin ester and triazine formaldehyde aryl sulphonamide resin dispersed in an alkyd oil. The solvent system is preferably composed of non drying solvents such as emollients and high molecular weight glycols.

Abstract: This invention relates to reading and analyzing the contents of sealed mail. The invention has utility in the sorting of sealed mail and in the matching of mail envelopes and its contents. The contents of sealed mail are read by having a light in the near infrared directed to the sealed envelope and creating an image of the printed matter on the contents by directing the light to an optical detector. The image thus received is analyzed and a determination can be made whether contents are of high value or whether the addresses on the envelope match the addresses of the contents. If the envelopes are not addressed, the address can be printed on the envelope after analysis of the address block of the contents.

Abstract: A digital voice processing system wherein voice processing functions are run in software. This application of software allows a modular structure because the application software resides in boards that are coupled to a host computer. With this structure, the software can be updated as required and the capacity of the system can be readily expanded to meet increased needs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for and method of determining the accuracy of mail piece weights. The weight of individual mail pieces during a mail run is displayed in real time. A high speed weighing scale is located downstream from the mail processing unit to receive the mail pieces after the mail processing unit has inserted selected materials into envelopes. As each mail piece is weighed, its weight is stored in memory and a display can be made showing all the weights of the individual mail pieces in real time. This display can be temporary, such as on a monitor, or permanent, such as a print out. With such display, an operator has a fast method of determining if the weights are in an expected range.

Abstract: This invention relates to locking mechanism for a weighing scale capable of weighing flat articles at a high rate and with a high degree of accuracy. The locking mechanism of the instant invention is applicable to a vibrating tray type scale which requires a mechanism for stabilizing the base of the scale during periods when articles are being conveyed onto and off the tray of the scale. An electromagnetic locking mechanism has been conceived that provides advantageous for a vibrating tray scale. These advantages are simple construction, low cost, self compensating and zero force requirement. With a such locking mechanism, the vibrating tray scale functions more accurately and rapidly.

Abstract: A system has been conceived whereby the capability of a postage meter can be expanded through use of an interface device. A device is put into electrical communication with an electronic postage meter, and this device in turn is connected to a number of other devices. The other devices can include a computer, a printer, a scale, and the like, whereby mail may be processed, the postage required to mail such mail pieces accumulated, and the final amount of postage required to mail a batch of mail communicated to the postage meter. The postage meter would then print an indicia either upon a tape or upon a statement sheet thereby providing the required postage for accompaniment with a batch of mail.