Abstract: A front-end feeder for a mixed mail handling machine employs a raised deck portion spaced from a registration wall for the mail pieces. The raised deck portion, preferably a plurality of fixed steps of increasing height, provides additional tilting and guidance of wide mail pieces to prevent mis-registration.
Abstract: A postage meter having a plurality of value wheels extending through a window in a housing, and die protector bars between the value wheels, the die protector bars having a first position at which they extend a further distance from the housing than the value wheels, and a second, retracted, position. The die protector bars extend in the housing between a pivot block and a cam block. A die shield is slidably movable between a first position aligned with the window, and a second, retracted, position. The cam block and dead bolt are positively moved in common via cam surfaces, by a rotatable yoke. A latch lever may engage the dead bolt to latch the postage meter to a mailing machine.
Abstract: A removable transport mechanism for a vibrating tray scale for conveying flats on off of the platform of the tray. The removable drive mechanism has belts trained about rollers that can be readily replaced after they become worn. The transport mechanism has a floor that supports the conveying mechanism and the floor is attached to the vibrating tray scale by springs so as to be readily removable.
Abstract: In a postal charge accounting system, a control unit is connected to a card read-write unit which accepts one or more so-called "smart cards". Postage meter use information is written into and read from one of these cards. The postage expanded by the card user is stored in the card memory and can be displayed or printed out as desired. The system is applicable to delivery services other than postal mail which involve a franking operation.
Abstract: An electronic postal meter has an accounting unit with redundant nonvolatile random access memories controlled by a microprocessor system. The redundant random access memories have separate groups of address and data lines to minimize identical errors in data stored therein. The data transfer may occur at different times to and from the memories, with respect to any given byte of data. The system may incorporate redundant microprocessors, and critical parameters may be checked at periodic intervals in the main program of the accounting microprocessor system.
Abstract: A turning bar for shifting the path of travel of a web of tape. The bar includes: a first guide having a cylindrical shaped guiding surface, wherein the axis of the cylindrically shaped guiding surface is perpendicular to the path of travel; and a second guide downstream and below the first guide, the second guide having an upper, flat surface angled to the axis and a lower, arcuate surface extending from the upper, flat surface.
Abstract: A label printing system prints information on a series of labels carried on a web of release liner. The system includes a data processor and a printer. The printer includes a print head, a mechanism for advancing the web, a mechanism for reversing the web, and a mechanism for separating the labels from the release liner as the web advances. The data processor controls the printer to reverse the web until one of the labels is aligned with the print head, print information on the label, and then advance the web for separation of the printed label from the release liner.
Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for marking letter mail or mail pieces to provide a fast and convenient way of determining zip code breaks in a stack of letter mail. The mail pieces have marks printed on the edges thereof indicative of the continuity of the same zip codes thereon. The marks are visible when the mail pieces are stacked. Adjacent envelopes with the same zip codes will have an edge mark at the same location, but upon the zip code changing, the next envelope will have a mark placed at a different location. Numbers in sequence can be printed on each of the letters so that a mail clerk can inspect the last letter within a zip code group to determine if there is a sufficient number of mail pieces within that zip code set to allow a postal discount.In an alternative embodiment, the markings on the side of the mail pieces are printed in a pattern so as to form numbers when a stack is viewed from the side. In addition to forming numbers, a pattern line can extend between the numbers.
Abstract: A method of felting partially cured open cell polychloroprene latex foam to obtain desired foam member properties with intricate geometric shapes. Such felting renders the finished foam suitable for controlled ink flow required for printing purposes. The foam is open cell latex polychloroprene, cured in a steam autoclave, washed and dried while in the partially cured state. Thereafter, the partially cured foam can be stored and formed into intricate shape and fully cured when required.
Abstract: Apparatus for processing an elongate portion of a web of sheets, wherein the web portion includes a plurality of uniformly dimensioned successive sheets bordered by an elongate marginal edge having a plurality of sprocket holes formed therein at equal intervals along its length, the apparatus comprising: structure for guiding the web portion in a downstream path of travel, the guiding structure including a pair of spaced apart idler rollers and a timing belt endlessly looped about the rollers, the belt including a plurality of sprockets extending outwardly therefrom at said equal intervals, the belt including a belt run aligned with the path of travel, the web portion sprocket holes disposed in meshing engagement with the belt run sprockets for guiding the web portion in the path of travel; and structure downstream from the guiding structure for feeding the web portion downstream in the path of travel against an upstream force exerted thereagainst by the guiding structure.
Abstract: A method of moistening an envelope having a curved flap with a glue portion on the periphery thereof. The method includes: rotating the envelope in a plane containing the envelope; in the course of the rotating, contacting the glue portion of the flap with a moistening device; and thereafter urging the glue portion of the flap against the body of the envelope to thereby form a seal.
Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an inserting machine which feeds documents, inserts and envelopes. The sheet feeder comprises a frame, including a feed deck for holding a stack of sheets to be fed; and a separator wheel assembly, including at least one separator wheel, adjustably mounted to the frame above the feed deck. A motor is mounted adjacent to the wheel assembly for directly driving the separator wheel. Separator means for cooperating with the separator wheel assembly to restrict the feeding to single sheets is mounted to the frame opposite the separator wheel assembly and extends in-part above the feed deck. In another embodiment of the present invention, the direct drive motor is positionable on either side of the separator wheel assembly for achieving offset feeding adjustments of the separator wheel assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 1990
Date of Patent:
April 14, 1992
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Francis J. Briggs, Joseph H. Marzullo, Roderick N. Schmaling
Abstract: A mailing system includes a mail output system for sequentially delivering mail pieces to an accumulator, the accumulator assembling stacks of mail in response to zip code break signals from the mail output system and the count of mail pieces currently on a stack. The stacks are delivered to a bundler for holding together groups of mail directed to a common zip code destination.
Abstract: A low cost, high resolution optical encoder for a brushless DC motor comprises reflective sensors, and a movable disk cooperating with a stationary pattern to provide a pattern of reflective and non-reflective areas for the sensors that can be used to generate motor positional information as well as commutation drive signals.
Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for aligning, i.e., de-skewing, sheet material having squared upstream and downstream edges which is being advanced along a path. The advancing apparatus includes a pair of endless belts having pushers projecting therefrom which engage the upstream edge of the sheet material to advance the sheet material with rotation of the belts. The disclosed apparatus adjusts the relative positions of the pushers so that the squared upstream and downstream edges of the sheet material are normal to the path of travel of the sheet material. The invention has particular application to mailing machines in which paper sheets to be inserted in envelopes are advanced towards a folding station and/or an envelope insertion station. The invention has particular application to use with apparatus that cross folds paper.
Abstract: Apparatus for folding, sealing and aligning seriatim a supply of documents into envelopes, each of the documents containing a water-activated adhesive on a portion thereof. The apparatus includes: a hopper for storing a supply of the documents; a device for applying moisture to a portion of the documents; a pair of folding rollers for imparting a fold to the documents; a buckle chute for stopping the forward progress of the documents and causing the documents to enter the nip of the folding rollers; a pair of ironing rollers located downstream of the folding rollers for maximizing adhesive contact of the documents and forming the envelopes; a conveying device located downstream of the ironing rollers for holding the envelopes together during transport prior to their release for further processing; and a downwardly billowing, flexible membrane situated above the conveying device.
Abstract: In a machine for processing sheet material, an apparatus for centering and deskewing the sheet material being processed, comprises a deck; a pair of side guides adjustably located above the deck; adjustment limiting structure coupled to the side guides for limiting the distance adjustments can be made; linkage structure operatively coupled to the side guides and to the adjustment limiting structure for maintaining fixed center adjustments to the side guides, the linkage structure comprising at least three links, including a center link pivotally mounted to a center point of the deck and two end links, each of the end links coupled to one of the side guides; and friction structure coupled to each of the side guides for maintaining a position of the side guides after an adjustment is made.
Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening the flaps of envelopes comprising a guide path for guiding envelopes, a moistener, an arrangement for moving the moistener transversely of the guide path, a first drive for moving envelopes at a first speed onto the guide path, a detector for detecting the first speed, and a second drive for moving envelopes away from the guide path at a second speed. The first and second drives are spaced apart a distance less than the lengths of the envelopes. A sensor arrangement senses the widths of the flaps of envelopes at a determined position between the first and second drives, and a control arrangement is provided for controlling the position of the moistener as a function of the speed of an initial portion of the envelope, and as a function of the speed of a final portion of the envelope.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 31, 1990
Date of Patent:
March 24, 1992
Assignee:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Inventors:
Kevin J. O'Dea, Norman J. Bergman, Peter C. DiGiulio, Donald T. Dolan, James L. Vanderpool
Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for associating a strip with a set of stacked sheets. The strip, which may be paper tape, is positioned intersecting a path along which a set of sheets such as paper sheets is advanced. The sheet set is advanced towards the strip so that the downstream edge of the sheet set engages the strip with portions of the strip extending substantially beyond opposed major sides of the sheet set. The strip is then folded at least once to the sheet set adjacent the downstream edge of the sheet set with the strip portions extending generally adjacent the major sides of the sheet set. The strip is folded by advancing the sheet set and the strip through a nip. The strip is indexed from a roll to the position in the path of the sheet set. The strip is tensioned and is drawn against a knife edge as the sheet set advances through the nip to sever the strip from the roll.
Abstract: A control for a transport mechanism vibrating tray scale that conveys flats on and off of the platform of the tray. The scale supports a follower plate that has ramps which contact with the rollers of the transport mechanism. The follower plate is also in contact with a cam which upon rotation cause the follower plate to move within the scale. As the follower plate is moved, the rollers of the transport mechanism will move into and out an opening of the scale platform, depending upon direction of movement of the follower plate.