Abstract: A value selection and printing apparatus includes a printing device having a printing wheel; a movable rack gear operatively engaged with the printing wheel such that at times when the rack gear moves along a normal linear operative path of travel the printing wheel is repositioned, the rack gear including a stress concentration area where the rack gear deforms when subjected to a force sufficient to disassociate the printing wheel from the rack gear; and a device, interfering with the deformed rack gear, for preventing the deformed rack gear from traversing the normal linear operative path.

Abstract: A scheme has been devised for retrieving audio for a selected time from a digital audio tape that has been used in a device such as a digital logger wherein audio is recorded on a intermittent basis. A record session table is created on the digital audio tape that correlates the time of recording sessions to of the location on the DAT for a selected time of recording.

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: The method for applying rating adjustments includes the storage of transformation data for a number of levels of discount rates which are applied at selected times in accordance with criteria such as time or monetary amounts attained. Each set of transformation data is kept one-to-one with respect to base rate data in respect of a plurality of desired parameters. The method allows changes to be made in the various levels of discounts and surcharges without disturbing other levels. The calculations may be made in real time in a user's system or a final convolution of a rate chart may be accomplished at a data center and quickly downloaded as required to the user's system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nest folding at least one smaller document of a collation while folding larger documents of the collation comprises the steps of: providing a buckle chute folder having a plurality of buckle chutes with one of the buckle chutes including a kicker structure adjacent a buckle chute stop; transporting to the buckle chute folder a collation having documents of at least two sizes; feeding the collation into the buckle chute having the kicker structure; buckling the larger of the documents into a nip of fold rollers as the lead edge of the collation hits the buckle chute stop; bouncing the smaller of the documents out of the buckle chute as the larger of the documents enter the nip of the fold rollers; and completing the first fold of the larger documents with the smaller documents nested within the first fold.

Abstract: The printwheel setting apparatus is used in a postage meter for setting the posting date printwheels. Each settable member of the apparatus includes digital encoding marks thereon. A charge coupled device is arranged to detect the encoding marks of one or more settable members simultaneously. A lens is disposed between the settable member and the charge coupled device to focus the image of the encoding marks onto the surface of the charge coupled device. Thus, the settings of a number of settable members such as thumbwheels may be determined simultaneously. A shutter may be closed across the charge coupled device to protect it from damage, dust contamination.

Abstract: A postage meter control system includes a microcomputer having a programmable microprocessor. The microcomputer is in communication with a decoder integrated circuit (Decoder IC). The Decoder IC has a first write control flip-flop and a second write control flip-flop, as in the preferred embodiment there are redundant non-volatile memories. Each control flip-flop has an output to a respective AND gate. The Decoder IC includes a dual timer which has an output to the control flip-flops. As a result, when the microcomputer enters write routine, the timer releases the control flip-flops to allow the system to be write enabled. If the write routine encounters a error, resulting in the timer timing out, the timer resets the control flip-flop and communicates with the microcomputer to try a retry. A more detailed description, and other features and advantages will become apparent in conjunction with the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A buckle chute for folding a sheet of paper. The buckle chute includes: a first plate having a vertically extending slot; a second plate opposing the first plate and defining a paper path therewith; a paper stopping tab extending through the vertically extending slot; a paper inverting tab extending through the vertically extending slot and situated above the paper stopping tab, the inverting tab being pivotable between an operative position in the paper path and an inoperative position out of the paper path; and a lever operatively connected to the paper inverting tab and extending beyond the side edge of the first plate for pivoting the tab between the operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting double fed sheets. A sheet passes beneath a roller which is mounted on a lever so that the opposite end of the lever is deflected by an amount proportional to the thickness of the sheet. A magnet is attached to the opposite end of the lever approximate to a Hall Effect sensor fixed to the frame of the apparatus so that the hall sensor produces a signal proportional to the thickness of the sheet. The output of the hall sensor is sampled by an A/D convertor and the signals are input to a computer for processing to detect double fed sheets. Average thicknesses for subsequences of samples distributed over the sheet are computed and compared to reference levels. The length of the sheet is also compared to a reference length. If, for any of these comparisons the measured values are greater than the references a doubled detect signal is generated.

Abstract: In a buckle chute folding apparatus having at least one buckle chute and including a first pair of rollers for feeding one or more sheets into the buckle chute, the buckle chute including upper and lower chute plates having a predetermined gap therebetween and a plurality of stops positioned in within the buckle chute such that the sheet buckles and forms a bulge in the sheet that is grasp by a pair of folding rollers which complete the fold, an improvement comprising structure for narrowing the predetermined gap between the upper and lower chute plates whereby buckling of the sheet within the buckle chute is minimized. The narrowing structure comprises a pair of compression plates, each of the compression plates being secured respectively on the outer face of the upper and lower chute plates.

Abstract: A postage meter mailing machine includes an improved embedded user interface. The user interface is suitable for providing a user interface to the mailing machine and also a direct user interface to an external device in bus communication with the mailing machine. The mailing machine includes a programmable microcontroller for performing hard and soft system functions. The microcontroller includes non-volatile memories for storing data information and executable routine. The microcontroller is also in bus communication with a visual display and a plurality of soft keys. Stored in the non-volatile memory is a plurality of system screens for display on said visual display. Each of the screens has a menu field and a prompt field and contains descriptors for a plurality of screen fields.

Abstract: A method of folding and accumulating a plurality of paper sheets. The method comprises: feeding a plurality of paper sheets seriatim into a first accumulator to form a first sub-set of paper sheets; feeding a plurality of paper sheets sedatim into a second accumulator to form a second sub-set of paper sheets; feeding the second sub-set of sheets through a folding device to form a folded second sub-set of sheets; depositing the folded second sub-set of sheets onto an accumulating deck; feeding the first sub-set of sheets through the folding device to form a folded first sub-set of sheets; and depositing the folded first subset of sheets on top of the second sub-set of sheets on the accumulating deck, to thereby form a final, folded collation consisting of the two folded sub-sets.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for energizing the machine, structure for printing indicia on a sheet, and structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, apparatus for automatically testing the machine in response to energization thereof, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including structure for energizing the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed for operating the sheet feeding structure and for operating the printing structure, the controlling structure including a random access memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory (NVM) respectively connected to the microprocessor, a plurality of sensors respectively connected to the microprocessor for sensing actual movements of the sheet feeding and printing structure and of a sheet in the path of travel and providing respective voltage signals to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for automatically storing

Abstract: In a collating machine for stacking sheets of paper fed seriatim thereto from a singulating feeder, the collating machine comprising a deck including a stacking area, a plurality of upper, endless, elastic belts, each of the belts moving around a pair of upstream and downstream pulleys suspended above the deck, a plurality of ramp guide blocks adjustably secured to the deck between the pairs of pulleys, and structure for stopping each of the sheets at a downstream end of the stacking area, the stacking area being a section of the deck between the stopping structure and the ramp guide blocks, an improvement comprises structure for locking the upstream pulleys on an idler pulley shaft, and structure for removably mounting the idler shaft to opposite sides of the collating machine whereby the idler shaft is lifted from the mounting structure to provide access to the collation in the stacking area.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding mixed mail in a mailing machine. The apparatus includes: a feed deck for stacking and feeding a plurality of envelopes; a device for urging the lowermost envelope along the feed deck; a feed roller located downstream of the urging device; a restraint belt system located above the feed roller, the downstream end of the belt system defining a feed nip with the feed roller; and an ingestion roller biased against the feed roller upstream of the feed nip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inserter based system that performs automated sorting of mailpieces in accordance with predetermined postal discount requirements. The system comprises an inserter for assembling the mailpieces and a sorter coupled to the inserter. The sorter includes a sorter controller and a plurality of on-edge sorting bins. The system also includes communicating mailpiece data and configuration data to the sorter controller. The sorter controller controls the sorting of mailpieces received from the inserter into sort groups according to postal discount requirements. A turn-up and alignment device and a vertical transport are located between the inserter and the sorter. The turn-up and alignment device turns the mailpieces from a horizontal alignment out of the inserter to a vertical alignment. The vertical transport transports the mailpieces on-edge to the sorter. The sorter further includes a scanner for scanning codes printed on the mailpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for buffering transport of freshly inked documents. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded conical screw conveyers. Each pitch of the screw conveyer creates a drying station for an inked document. As inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers, the conical shape of the conveyers maintain the document in a substantially central position. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. The buffer apparatus has a pusher mechanism to control document movement from the buffer to a downstream document handler, such as an envelope flapper.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a system for transporting, deskewing and stopping and envelope, comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, continuously moving, endless transport belts and a stationary vacuum deck having longitudinal grooves, each of which accommodates an upper reach of one of the continuously moving transport belts. The vacuum deck includes a plurality of vacuum ports arranged in longitudinal rows, each of which is adjacent at least one of the transport belts. A plurality of stop members are located at the downstream end of the vacuum deck. Vacuum at the vacuum ports urge an envelope against the continuously moving belts which transport the envelope to the stop members whereby the envelope is stopped and maintained in a deskewed position.

Abstract: A mailing machine with a rotatable drum including a printing die peripherally extending therefrom, structure for intermittently rotating the drum to move the printing die in a predetermined circularly-extending path of travel, a receptacle, and a disposable inking cartridge removably mountable in the receptacle and comprising: a generally rectangularly-shaped hollow housing having opposed side walls and having an edge wall extending between the side walls, the walls defining an aperture formed in the housing; a reservoir roller impregnated with printing ink and rotatably connected to the side walls so as to extend therebetween; a transfer roller impregnated with printing ink and rotatably connected to the side walls so as to extend therebetween; and be accessible via the housing aperture; the reservoir and transfer rollers respectively dimensioned for rolling engagement with each other to cause ink from the reservoir roller to be transferred to the transfer roller, and the transfer roller dimensioned for disp