Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter has a postage printing drum having a home position, and the base comprising, structure for moving the drum, a d.c. motor for driving the drum moving structure, a microprocessor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for driving the d.c. motor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for dynamically braking the d.c. motor, a comparator connected between the microprocessor and d.c. motor for receiving therefrom a signal corresponding to the back e.m.f. voltage thereof and providing a comparison signal to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for, energizing the braking switch for a first time interval predetermined to cause the d.c.

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 central dictation system includes apparatus for prerecording standard voice files. Users of the system may select one of the prerecorded files. The selected file is copied to a new file, which the user is free to edit. The edited file is assigned to a transcriptionist or is accessible to an authorized listener, in the same manner as a conventional dictation job. The prerecorded standard files may contain, for example, standard radiology reports tailored to each user's preferences. Alternatively, the recorded files may contain questions or prompts that guide users to dictate information required to complete preprinted report forms.

Abstract: A document registration apparatus for use in a document inserting station or a document queuing station is provided. The apparatus includes a document registration unit having a plurality of laterally-spaced registration stops which pivot about a horizontal axis for stopping motion of a document and registering a particular edge of a document to a particular direction in the apparatus. There is at least one urge roller for moving the registered document away from the apparatus for further processing. The document registration apparatus also includes structure for pivoting the documentation registration unit about a vertical axis for skew adjustment of the registration unit.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing a non volatile memory for writing data therein, wherein the memory has a write accessing input. A control circuit produces successive enable signals, and a hardware device is connected to apply signal to the write accessing terminal of said memory only in response to a plurality of successive enable signals.

Abstract: An ink pad device for a high speed mailing machine is disclosed. The ink pad device includes an ink pad and an ink chamber in which the ink pad is at least partially disposed to sorb ink therefrom. The ink pad device may also comprise an ink reservoir and/or a pump for pumping ink from the reservoir to the ink chamber. The ink pad device is attachable to a drive for moving the ink pad horizontally and vertically from a horizontal home position to a horizontal inking position in which the ink pad is tamped against a printing device which imprints postage indicia. The ink pump comprises a deformable chamber which is compressed to pump ink from the reservoir to the ink chamber. In one embodiment, the ink pad and the ink chamber are provided as a disposable, non-replenishable, non-refillable unit containing a limited amount of ink for limited use. In another embodiment, the ink chamber, the ink pad, the reservoir and the pump form a unit in which ink is replenished from the reservoir to the ink chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating sheets of material. The apparatus includes: a device for supporting adjacent sheets of material; a vacuum cup for acquiring one of the adjacent sheets of material, the vacuum cup having a circumferential inner wall with an opening adjacent the one sheet of material and a circumferential outer wall coaxial with and surrounding but spaced from the inner wall, wherein the inner wall closes the end of the outer wall adjacent the one sheet of material, and wherein the outer wall includes a flexible, corrugated section enabling the outer wall to collapse in the axial direction; and a device to create separate vacuums within the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the vacuum within the inner wall causes the vacuum cup to acquire the one material sheet and the vacuum within the outer wall causes the cup to collapse and move away from the supporting device to thereby separate the one material sheet from its adjacent sheets.

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.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for a weighing module includes a scale which has a deck connected to a scale base for weighing an object placed on the deck. The deck has slots for accommodating dual thickness belts which are arranged below the deck to be in substantial registration with the slots. The belts are positioned with respect to the slot such that in a home position a thinner section of the belt does not protrude through the slot whereby the transport means does not interfere with weighing of the object on the deck. When the belts are actuated, the dual thickness belts move so that a thicker section of each belt protrudes through the slot as the belts are being driven to thereby lift the object from the deck onto the thicker section of the belt to transport the object on the belt.

Abstract: An envelope printing systems including a laser printer or similar printer operating under control of a micro-computer to print pairs of envelopes. The envelopes are printed with a FIM mark in a manner consistent with the requirements of the U.S.P.S. The envelopes are fed, two at a time, from a cassette which includes an identification mark. The envelopes are positioned in the cassette offset to one side and the printer is responsive to the identification mark to shift the image field to the opposite side so that the FIM mark is positioned on the upper edges of the envelopes, as required by regulation.

Abstract: In an envelope stuffing apparatus which has an enclosure inserting station and includes a deck, side guides mounted on the 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 inserting an enclosure into the envelope and for removing the envelope from the inserting station, and wherein said opening structure includes structure for supporting the flap of the envelope above the deck, there is an improvement in the envelope opening structure. The improvement comprises two throat openers insertable into the envelope for stripping apart from each other the front and back panels of the envelope. Each throat opener includes a side guide member for guiding the enclosure into the envelope and further including a ramp member for guiding the enclosure from the deck into the envelope.

Abstract: A document registration apparatus for use in a document inserting station or a document queuing station is provided. The apparatus includes a document registration unit having a plurality of laterally-spaced registration stops for stopping motion of a document and registering a particular edge of a document to a particular direction in the apparatus. The registration unit also includes at least one non driver urge roller for moving the registered document away from the apparatus for further processing. The document registration apparatus also includes a jam access hinge for providing access to a jammed document.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a sheet comprising, a frame including an elongate generally rectangularly-shaped upper wall having opposite ends, at least one endless belt looped about the upper wall, the at least one belt including a belt run overlaying the upper wall and extending longitudinally of the length thereof between the opposite upper wall ends, a d.c. motor supported by the frame and connected for driving the at least one belt in opposite directions, structure for connecting the apparatus to a source of supply of a.c.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a document registration apparatus that includes a plurality of laterally-spaced registration stops which pivot about a horizontal axis for stopping motion of documents and registering the leading edge of the documents to a particular direction in the apparatus, and also includes at least one pinch roller cooperatively operating with conveying structure for moving the registered documents away from the apparatus for further processing. The improvement includes structure for supporting the documents above the conveying structure when the documents are against the registration stops.

Abstract: In a moistener for moistening a mixed succession of objects of a substantially limited number of different height profiles and having a nozzle, methods for controlling movement of the nozzle are presented. These methods include a nozzle initialization process, a nozzle pre-positioning process and a nozzle holding process.

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter includes a printing drum and a drive gear therefor, and wherein the meter includes a shutter bar mounted for movement into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear to respectively prevent and permit driving the drive gear and thus the printing drum, the mailing machine base comprising, framework, structure for moving the shutter bar out of locking engagement with the drive gear and then moving the shutter bar into locking engagement with the drive gear, the moving structure including a lever arm pivotally attached to the framework and adapted to be disposed in bearing engagement with the shutter bar when the meter is mounted on the base, the lever arm including a yoke portion depending therefrom, the moving structure including a cam shaft journaled for rotation to the framework, the moving structure including a cam connected to the cam shaft for rotation therewith and having an end portion thereof disposed withi

Abstract: A postage meter has a rotatable print drum for franking an article. The print drum includes settable value-denoting elements and is mounted on a drum shaft for rotation therewith. A series of motors are each connected to drive a respective one of the value-denoting elements via an intervening drive train. There is a gearbox housing within which the drive trains are housed. The gearbox housing is split into two portions which are shaped so that they together encircle and are supported by the drum shaft. This provides a compact and easily assembled postage meter.

Abstract: A drive unit for a document feeding machine having: a paper feeding module having a pair of support railings; and a modular drive unit. The drive unit includes: a shaft journaled in the support railings; a conveying belt mounted on the shaft for conveying documents from an upstream position to a downstream position, the upper reach of said belt defining a feed path; a cross bar extending between and removably secured to the pair of support railings; a drive unit support plate secured to the cross bar; and a motor for driving the conveying belt secured to the support plate. When the cross bar is detached from the pair of support railings, the drive unit support plate, the motor and one end of the conveying belt drop below the feed path to facilitate repair of the modular drive unit.

Abstract: A system for determining the proper operation of a feeding apparatus includes a detector for detecting the feeding of two or more overlapped documents. The detector is connected to a processor for processing detected information and providing an output signal indicating that the detector has detected the presence of two or more overlapped documents. An adjustment arrangement is connected to the detector for adjusting the detector to detect the presence of overlapped documents for various different types of documents to be utilized with the feeding apparatus. A display is connected to the detector which displays a first condition when no documents are detected by the detector, a second condition when a single document is detected by the detector and a third condition when overlapped documents are detected by the detector. The system may include two or more spaced apart detectors each with their own adjustment arrangement and associated display.

Abstract: A rotatable guide finger for opening an envelope prior to insertion of documents into the envelope. The finger includes a pivotable arm and a sidewall defining a channel. The sidewall extends downstream from the pivotable arm and has an upper and a lower sidewall portion, each of the sidewall portions including an arc having a radius of about 0.16 inches and a line at an angle of about fifty degrees to a horizontal radius to the arc.