Patents Represented by Attorney Scolnick
  • Patent number: 5246522
    Abstract: A deactivatable electronic article surveillance marker is produced by placing elongated magnetically soft elements on a support and aligning short sections of magnetically semi-hard wires parallel to one another in bands with the bands being perpendicular to the elongated ferromagnetic materials. In another embodiment a criss-cross configuration of magnetically soft elements are provided and the bands of magnetically semi-hard wires are placed diagonally relative to the crisscross elongated soft magnetic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Cordery, Charles F. Murphy, III
  • Patent number: 5245547
    Abstract: A method of processing sheets, comprising: providing portable sheet supporting structure including electronic structure for storing data; stacking a plurality of sheets in the sheet supporting structure in an order for feeding each sheet from the sheet supporting structure; and storing data relating to each sheet in the data storing structure in said order for feeding the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5244344
    Abstract: A code break mechanism preferably employed in a stacker apparatus. The stacker apparatus has a support housing, a deck fixably mounted to and supported by the housing, a registration wall fixably mounted to the housing and extending generally perpendicular to the deck. A deflector plate is pivotally mounted in an opening in the registration wall. A rotary solenoid in communication with a linkage train causes the deflector plate to be selectively positionable from a first position coplanar with the registration wall to a second position pivotally displaced from the registration wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence M. Doeberl, Ralph K. Rand, Larry S. Payne, Kazutoshi Fujimoto, William C. Monday
  • Patent number: 5245545
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for the presentation of mail to the post office with assurance that postage has been paid for each mail piece. It is more particularly concerned with mail on which there is no evidence of postage payment, such as permit mail. This is accomplished by weighing each mail piece to determine the weight, packaging the mail either in batches with a fixed weight or in batches with variable weight that gives but fixed stack dimension and sending a statement sheet to the post office that gives the number of mail pieces in a batch of mail, the weight of the batch and the postage due.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5242368
    Abstract: Apparatus for cross-folding paper sheets, including: a first folding device for imparting a first fold to a paper sheet; a transport module secured to the first folding device for receiving a once folded paper sheet, and a second folding device oriented perpendicular to the first folding device and secured to the transport module, wherein the transport module includes a pivotable paper stop assembly having a self-centering stopping surface to stop and align the once folded paper sheet and a brush for controlling bounceback of the once folded paper sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin J. Buckley, Earl E. Eschweiler, Jr., Susan Mahmoodi, Joseph H. Marzullo, Harold L. Taylor, Walter Wolog
  • Patent number: 5242499
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides for automatically controlling positioning of a moistening nozzle relative to an envelope flap being moved therepast at high speed. The invention has particular application as an envelope flap moistener in a high speed mailing machine. Envelopes are moved to and past the nozzle at a speed of at least about 65 inches per second along a given path with the flap extending from the envelope in an opened configuration thereof. A sensor attached to the nozzle senses the location of the edge of the flap within about 0.2 inch of the nozzle upstream thereof a plurality times as the flap moves to and past the nozzle. The nozzle is then positioned to track the flap edge in accordance with sensing of the envelope flap. The nozzle may be pre-positioned by a lower bandwidth servo system having an envelope sensor located further upstream of the tracking sensor. A higher bandwidth servo loop controls tracking of the nozzle in response to the tracking sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Norman J. Bergman
  • Patent number: 5242369
    Abstract: Apparatus for cross-folding a sheet of paper. The apparatus includes: a first paper folder for imparting a first fold to a paper sheet; an inverting chute located adjacent and downstream of the first paper folder; a transport module located adjacent and downstream of the inverting chute for changing the direction of travel of the once folded paper sheet perpendicular to the direction of travel through the first paper folder; a second paper folder for imparting a second fold to the once folded paper sheet perpendicular to the first fold; and a device for causing the paper sheet to enter or bypass the inverting chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Earl E. Eschweiler, Jr., Susan Mahmoodi
  • Patent number: 5243654
    Abstract: A metering system requires a user to provide periodic, accurate meter readings to a billing authority.The metering system includes a mechanism for dispensing postage or another accountable quantity, an accounting mechanism for updating and storing information regarding the amount of postage dispensed by the dispensing mechanism and an output mechanism for outputting the stored postage information. The system also includes a mechanism for storing a time deadline, a clock that provides a current date signal and a lock that disables the dispensing mechanism when the current date is not before the stored deadline. The system also includes a reset mechanism for extending the stored deadline.A user of the system reads the output of the system to obtain a current meter reading. The user then telephones the billing authority's data center, provides the current reading to the data center and receives back from the center an encrypted combination that reflects the reading provided by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5242314
    Abstract: A universal electrical bus connector is disclosed which is multi-functional in serving to connect a power and communications bus passing through the connector to a printed circuit board module to permit tapping into selected wires of the bus for utilization in the module, to connect separate power and communications buses together at any location to extend the bus within a machine harness, and to connect separate power and communications buses together at a printed circuit board module both to extend the bus and permit tapping into selected wires of the extended bus for utilization in the module. The connector includes essentially a housing having a plurality of electrical contact devices which connect between individual wires of a bus and contact areas formed on the surface of the printed circuit board module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Di Giulio, Kjell A. Heitmann, Edward J. Naclerio
  • Patent number: 5238236
    Abstract: Improvement to an apparatus for singulating respective documents fed thereto, the apparatus comprising first document feeding structure including first and second document feeding structure adjacent one another. The improvement is to the second document feeding structure and comprises a first section including an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end being pivotally mounted to a frame member, and including at least two outboard endless belts therearound and second structure for moving the outboard belts upstream relative to a path of travel in vertically spaced second belt runs; and a second section having at least two inboard endless belts therearound. The second section is pivotably mounted at one end to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Belec, William J. Wright
  • Patent number: 5239168
    Abstract: A postage meter having the capability to print a zip code in bar code form. The postage meter includes an input for input of a postage value and input of a destination zip code, a display, a printer for printing an indicia on a mail piece, the indicia including a representation of a postage value and a representation of a destination zip code in bar code form. The postage meter also includes accounting means for accounting for expended postage and a controller responsive to the input. The controller controls the meter to receive a postage value and display a prompt requesting input of the destination zip code, convert the zip code to bar code form and add the bar code to the indicia. When a destination zip code is input the postage meter resets the postage value in accordance with a bar code discount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Durst, Jr., Kevin D. Hunter, Jose Pastor
  • Patent number: 5234399
    Abstract: A folding machine buckle chute with means for accessing paper jams is provided. The access means, comprising two pivotable sidewalls secured by a doubleslotted latch, allows for simple and rapid removal of jammed sheets from the buckle chute without disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Boughton, Jeffrey T. Mulreed, Joan T. Wagner, Walter Wolog
  • Patent number: 5233168
    Abstract: A method of derotating an image includes the following steps: Scanning a scannable image to capture in memory a pixel by pixel mapped image; determining size and skew of the mapped image; performing a series of area-limited vertical pixel shifts upon the mapped image; and performing a series of area-limited horizontal pixel shifts upon the mapped image. Data contained in informational cells of the scannable image can be extracted by locating clock bits, and using the clock bits to establish a nominal horizontal and vertical position of each cell in the mapped image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: George Kulik
  • Patent number: 5233531
    Abstract: A system and method for the recharge of postage meters. A request for recharge of a postage meter is transmitted to a remote location as a facsimile image. The information in the request is extracted using OCR or similar techneques and transmitted to a data processing center which verifies the request and, if verified, returns a unique code which will recharge the requesting meter. The code is transmitted to the requesting meter as a second facsimile image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5230504
    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. The registration unit also includes 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 adjusting the position of the document registration unit for handling different length documents. The apparatus further includes structure for pivoting said documentation registration unit about a vertical axis for skew adjustment of said registration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick N. Schmaling
  • Patent number: 5229932
    Abstract: Apparatus for categorizing and certifying a batch of mail by determining parameters of the mail pieces of such batch. The parameters that are determined include the physical dimensions, the weight, the size, class, readability, print contrast and reflectivity of the mail pieces. Based upon these determinations, the deliverability of the mail can be assessed. The mail pieces are also weighed, sized and the class of mail determined and postage amount is checked for the purpose of assuring the accuracy of the postage paid for the mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Connell, Raymond Keating, Ronald P. Sansone, Karl H. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5226496
    Abstract: A scale for fast determination of weights including a platform and load cell transducer. Output of the transducer is converted to a digital signal, processed by a low pass digital filter, and weights computed as a function of the sequence of digital signals by means of an algorithm which compares a first estimate of the weight to the break points of a postal rate chart and user the first estimate if it is not within a predetermined distance of a break point, and otherwise determines a second, more accurate estimate. The platform and transducers are combined to form a structure which does not have any significant resonance below the cut off frequency of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Seymour Feinland, Gerald C. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5224416
    Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory and a plurality of stepper motors. Positioning commands from the microcomputer are directed to the plurality of stepper motors and includes a plurality of respective stepper motor drivers. Each of the stepper motors are arranged for positioning at least one printwheel. The non-volatile memory has stored therein data for associating each of the stepper motor drivers with a respective printwheel wherein the positioning of a selected printwheel is commanded in accordance with the data relating printwheel to stepper motor driver stored in the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Malin, Arno Muller, Easwaran C. N. Nambudiri, Russ R. Pantino
  • Patent number: 5224046
    Abstract: A system for obtaining recharge codes for one or more postage meters. The system includes a conventional microcomputer; including a keyboard and display, and disk drive, which is connected through a modem to a remote data processing center. The center provides codes which may be used to recharge postage meters, i.e., reset the meters so that they may continue printing postage. The system includes a data bank of information relating to each of the postage meters, including identification codes for each of the meters. A user enters information, including a control sum, for each meter and the system combines it with other information stored in the data bank to form messages. The system then enters into transactions with the remote data processing center to obtain recharge codes for each of the meters, which are then displayed for entry into the meters. In another embodiment the system may communicate directly with each meter through a local communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung-Kun P. Kim, Barry H. Axelrod, Eric L. Zuidema
  • Patent number: RE34338
    Abstract: A method for folding and sealing sheets comprises feeding a sheet forward along a path, bulging a portion of the sheet, folding said bulged portion, adhering a portion of the sheet face to face to a portion thereof trailing backward of the fold, and passing the formed fold forward. Apparatus for folding and sealing sheets comprises means for feeding a sheet, means for bulging a portion of the sheet, means for folding the bulged portion, and means for adhering a sheet portion face to face to a portion thereof trailing the fold. Apparatus for enhancing the security of information on a front side of a sheet comprises said apparatus for folding and sealing sheets, where a plurality of folds are provided and the front side of said sheet is concealed from view inside said folds, said folds being sealed along the lateral side edge portions thereof. Address information may be applied adjacent the trailing edge of said sheet, and the trailing edge portion is folded to expose the address information to view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Christian A. Beck, Marc C. Breslawsky, Hans R. Forster