Abstract: Apparatus for generating a plurality of pulse width modulated signals for separately driving a plurality of electrical loads, comprising, a microprocessor, a plurality of comparator means, each of the comparator structure including first and second input terminals and an output terminal, digital to analog converter structure connected to the microprocessor for control thereby, the converter structure including a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to a different comparator structure first terminal for providing separate control signals thereto, structure for generating a reference voltage signal having a variable amplitude, the signal generating structure connected to each of the comparator structure second terminals for providing the reference voltage signal thereto, a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of electrical loads respectively connected to a different comparator structure output terminal via a different power amplifier for receiving therefrom an amplified comparator structur

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a first gear wheel 10 having a section 12 with missing teeth. A second gear wheel 14 is arranged to mesh with the first gear wheel 10. The first tooth 16 on the first gear wheel 10 to engage with the second gear wheel 14 (following the missing teeth section 12) is resiliently movable inwardly within a radial slot 18 to withdraw when engaging an opposing tooth 22. A spring 20 urges the tooth 16 outwardly to one side of the opposing tooth 22 and into a gap on that side of the opposing tooth 22, so as to align the first and second gear wheels. Such a gear arrangement has particular use in a geared value setting mechanism provided on a print drum shaft of a postage meter.

Abstract: A folder inserter machine includes a device for monitoring the passage of stationery items between a pair of feed rollers (32, 38). A first signal is output if a single item is between the rollers and a second signal is output if more than one item is between the rollers. in the illustrated embodiment the first signal indicates to the folder inserter control that the machine is ready to accept a second insert and the second signal indicates that a multiple feed has occurred and flags a warning to the operator.

Abstract: An incremental position encoder and method are disclosed herein for a close loop position control system, for example, for positioning a printing device in an electronic postage meter. The incremental position encoder and method includes three channels, first and second of which provide signals for coarse position determination and first or second and third of which provide signals for fine position determination.

Abstract: A locking arrangement is disclosed for a machine, such as a postage meter, which includes a rotatable member (12) which rotates when the machine performs an operating cycle and a mechanical or electromechanical register (22; 20) for being incremented or decremented in response to operation of the machine. The arrangement includes a clutch (24) arranged between a fixed structure or member (28) and the rotatable member (12) the clutch being operable to engage or release said fixed structure or member. Means (60; 78) are associated with the registers (22; 20) for actuating the clutch to prevent rotation of the rotatable member (12) when the register displays a predetermined value.

Abstract: Di octyl phthalate (DOP) is used as a dielectric fluid for a-c electrical capcitors. An additive of an epoxidized linseed oil in an amount from 0.1% to 30% by weight of DOP stabilizes the capacitors and thus prolongs their life.

Abstract: In a postage meter, an auxiliary printing device is included for printing additional information on a mail piece relating to the type of mail being processed. The postage meter is of the flat printing type and a multi-faced printing member containing the additional information to be printed is mounted adjacent the standard postal printing mechanism. Each of the faces of the printing member may contain postal information to be printed and the appropriate information may be selected by rotating a handle attached to the member. A detent means aligns the selected printing face with the rest of the postage meter printing die. The detent means may be manually released from the printing member to remove the member from the postage meter.

Abstract: A system for metered dispensing of a product comprising a hermetically-sealed package containing sealed therein product to be dispensed, together with a pressurizing agent and a pump for dispensing the product. The pump discharge pressure of which is substantially independent of the internal pressure of said package.

Abstract: A pocketknife provided with a cutting blade and a sharpening blade wherein the two blades are sheathed within the handle and are pivotally movable from sheathed to extended positions characterized in that the sharpening blade, when extended, can be removed to enable its use for sharpening of the knife blade, but, when sheathed, is captured within the handle.

Abstract: A material for scavenging oil slick and/or oleaginous fluids comprising paper-machine sludge combined in the presence of water with a hydraulic cement and dried.

Abstract: In an electronic postage meter, the setting motors for setting the print wheels in the printing drum are directly controllable externally of the secure portion of the meter. The meter includes a shutter bar arranged to block rotation of the printing drum under determined conditions, the printing drum being rotatable in response to drive from a postage meter base. The postage meter includes first and second interposers controlled by a microprocessor for redundantly inhibiting movement of the shutter bar from a position blocking printing of postage. One of the microprocessor controlled interposers is also mechanically coupled to the print wheel setting mechanism to inhibit release of the interposer at determined positions of the stepping mechanism, and to inhibit operation of the setting mechanism when the interposer is released.

Abstract: A sachet comprising a case of fabric defining an enclosure containing a stuffing of fibrous material within which is embedded a frangible capsule containing a volatile material releasable into the stuffing by fracturing the capsule.

Abstract: A deodorant dispenser of the kind comprising a receptacle containing a pad impregnated with a deodorant material wherein the receptacle is provided with relatively rotatable top parts containing openings which on the one hand may be aligned by rotation of the parts and on the other hand positioned to be partially or completely out of alignment.

Abstract: In a postage meter which can be set to imprint a selected value of postage on individual mail pieces, two counters are typically provided for accounting purposes. One counter is an accumulating counter into which the postage value imprinted during each operation is added. The second counter is settable by the Postal Service to the amount of postage purchased by the meter user. As postage is imprinted by the meter, the value of the postage is subtracted from the second counter. Thus, this counter continuously indicates the amount of postage that remains available for imprinting. The meter of the present invention additionally provides an operator resettable counter to indicate the total value of postage imprinted on any group of consecutive mail pieces. The function and operation of the original counters are completely separate and unaffected by the present invention.