Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, channel members connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame, a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor and a plurality of support members each adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements. Included are circular concentric cam tracks rotating with the shaft member, each of the tracks being positioned under a plurality of the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load. The motor turns the shaft member and guides the concentric cam tracks alternately into contact with successive support members in a step-by-step manner and thereby lift a corresponding number of the weights substantially equal to the weight of the load.

Abstract: A bursting apparatus for separating sheets in a continuous intermittently perforated form web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feed roller, a burst roller and a bursting device, said bursting device disposed between said feed roller and said burst roller and comprising two horizontally positioned cone sections wherein their base portions are adjacent to each other and are encircled at least in part by a bursting ring, said bursting ring having a portion extending beyond said cone base portions in at least a portion of its outer periphery.

Abstract: In apparatus including framework adapted for removably mounting the apparatus in operating relationship with respect to a postage meter having a lever movable between a plurality of postage value selecting positions, wherein the apparatus includes a base having an aperture formed therein which is dimensioned to permit movement of the lever within the aperture when the apparatus is mounted in its operating relationship; there is provided structure for movably connecting the base to the framework for movement between a first position and a second position. The structure includes at least one spring interconnecting the base and framework for urging the base into the first position, the base being manually movable from the first position to the second position, and the aperture including a portion thereof dimensioned for permitting passage of the lever through the base when the base is disposed in the second position.

Abstract: An improved reciprocating ram for an envelope inserter includes a pusher which drives an enclosure from a ram pick-up station to an envelope station. Cycle time has been reduced by providing a ram return path which is beneath the elevation of the pick-up station. Thus, the next enclosure is fed to the pick-up station before the ram has completed its return stroke. The ram mechanism includes a ram carriage which rides along a pair of longitudinal rods. A ram block carrying a ram blade rides with the carriage and is keyed for vertical movement relative to the carriage. The block includes a follower which engages a longitudinal box cam having a latch adjacent its envelope station end. When the ram blade reaches the envelope station, the latch directs the follower to a lower elevation camming surface for the return stroke. The pusher is secured to the ram blade by a leaf spring catch which engages a grating on the undersurface of the blade.

Abstract: Novel radiation-curable, liquid vinyl organosilicon polymers and coating compositions which are free of volatile solvent(s) and which are adapted to be applied to a substrate and cured rapidly by exposure to radiation to form release coatings having good release properties with respect to adhesives, and methods for producing such polymers and compositions and for applying and curing such release coatings.The vinyl polysiloxane may be prepared from dimethyl dichlorosilane, vinyl methyl dichlorosilane, and tetrachlorosilane or trichloromethylsilane.It may be mixed with a polymethyl hydrogen polysiloxane and a photosensitizer and cured by ultraviolet or electron beam radiation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for non-impact printers such as those that use light emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce an image on a photoconductor. In such devices, a discontinuity is generally created in a line of printed characters because of the movement of the imaging surface relative to the LED array. The system of this invention eliminates such discontinuity through adjustment in the enabling sequence of the LEDs of the array.

Abstract: A method for entering the serial number into the nonvolatile memory of an electronic postage meter upon completion of assembly of the meter including the steps of programming a given chip number into a nonvolatile memory to be used in assembly of the meter, assembling the electronic postage meter with a meter body serial number and a nonvolatile memory with a given chip number, communicating the serial number and chip number to a data center, receiving information from the data center in response to the communicating steps, and entering the serial number into the nonvolatile memory if the received information is properly enterable into the meter.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gauge comprises an elastic member having a surface subject to stress; a semiconductor substrate secured to the elastic member and including at least one PN junction wherein both the P type and N type material is composed of amorphous semiconducting material; and an electrical connection for conducting a signal indicative of strain.

Abstract: A secured housing for an electronic device having an electronic memory mounted therewithin is provided which has an access aperture which provides tamper proof security and electro-magnetic interference protection while permitting access to the memory for reading the information maintained in the memory. Opening of the access aperture disables the electronic device from further operation by unlatching a switch which disconnects the electronic device from its power supply while preventing relatching of the switch to reactivate the electronic device. Use of the access aperture provides a visible indication of access to the interior of the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic device is an electronic postage meter and the electronic memory is a nonvolatile memory containing postage accounting information.

Abstract: A gauging system for an envelope inserter provides simplified set up procedures for adjustment of a set of enclosure pick-up station side guides, an envelope stop and coordinated adjustment of both a set of envelope station side guides and sets of stripper fingers. A panel at the face of the inserter includes a slot and a pointer for lengthwise insertion of an enclosure. The operator places a specimen enclosure against an index end of the slot and rotates a knob to frame the enclosure length between the index and the pointer. Rotation of the knob provides simultaneous movement of the pointer and adjustment of the enclosure side guides to correspond with the framed length. A further slot and pointer are provided for envelope widthwise insertion. Rotation of its knob for framing the envelope width simultaneously adjusts the envelope stop. A further slot and pointer are provided for lengthwise envelope insertion.

Abstract: Imprinting apparatus is provided which includes framework, a printing device, and a roller platen movably attached to the framework for movement from a print ready position to a home position. The roller platen is disposed for urging a pressure sensitive medium into imprinting engagement with the printing device in the course of such movement. In addition, the apparatus includes structure for supporting the printing device. The structure includes an anvil constructed and arranged for carrying the printing device in either of two different locations relative to the print-ready position of the roller platen.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of emulsion polymers having a solid content of about 65% to about 80% is disclosed. The process comprises the step of adding a monomeric mixture to a reaction system maintained at a temperature of from about 60.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C., the monomer addition not exceeding an hourly rate of about one-fourth of the total monomer to be added, the mixture comprising monomers having a particle size of from about 10-100 microns, the system having therein an emulsifier and initiator at the time of the monomeric addition.

Abstract: A value printing device, such as a postage meter, is provided with a switch for automatically signaling when a new inking member unit has been inserted into the device. The switch has a piercing member that closes the switch when a membrane or cover over an opening in the inking member is overcome by the piercing member.

Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, a channel member connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame and a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor, the shaft member including a spring for supporting the pan element. A plurality of collapsible support members are secured at one end thereof to the frame and each have at their opposite ends a device that is adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements when the support member is in an extended and non-collapsed position. A camming arm is secured to the shaft member and extends in a direction toward the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load.

Abstract: An articulate bridge assembly covers an enclosure transport pathway from an enclosure feeder through an enclosure pick-up station in a reciprocating ram type envelope inserter. The bridge includes a cover hinged along an axis parallel to the transport pathway. The horizontal and vertical planes of the cover are stabilized with reference to the inserter frame by spring mechanisms incorporated in the cover hinge assembly. A switch for detecting multiple enclosures in the pathway is mounted to the cover. To adjust the switch for various enclosure thicknesses, a knob at the face of the inserter is rotated. The knob advances a lead screw against a sloped surface of a pivot link. The pivot link in turn bears against a bracket assembly carrying the switch. The upper surface of the cover is planar and obstruction free, while a chassis is carried by the undersurface. Mounted to the chassis are skis which urge successive enclosures against transport belts.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gauge comprises an elastic member having a surface subject to stress; a semiconductor substrate composed of an amorphous semiconducting material secured to the surface of the elastic member; and an electrical connection on the amorphous material for conducting a signal indicative of strain.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of toners that exhibit relatively low conductivity (10.sup.-9 to 10.sup.-14 ohm.sup.-1 cm.sup.-1) and positive triboelectrical properties (5.0-30.mu. c/g) is disclosed. The process steps include first forming a homogeneous dispersion of both carbon black particles and particles of a second pigment saturated with monomer and initiator by intimately mixing at least one monomer, carbon black, particles of the second pigment, and a polymerization initiator and adding the mixture to a mixture of sufficient water and at least one alcoholic dispersing agent to form a homogeneous dispersion solution. The solution is then heated to a temperature sufficient to substantially complete the polymerization of the monomer and form a homogeneous polymeric dispersion of the carbon black particles and the particles of the second pigment. Thereafter a weak organic acid (PKa 3.0-6.0) or a weak acid anhydride (PKa 3.0-6.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus is described wherein an array of ink jet heads of the impulse jet type is compled to print sheets such as envelopes traveling past the heads. The ink jet heads are spaced along the travel path of the sheets and laterally staggered to print different image lines. The apparatus includes a microprocessor and controllers which are associated with individual heads. The controllers include buffers which are loaded with image signals derived from a font memory in correspondence with data to be printed. Presettable delay networks are used in the controllers to precisely determine when an ink jet head is to be printed in relationship with the detection of sheets at a particular distance relative to the heads. The ink jets heads are operated in timed relationship with each other and in synchronism with the traveling sheets while their associated buffers are reloaded at the proper times for a continual printing of different information such as addresses on envelopes.

Abstract: Organic photoconductive elements which are stable and sensitive over a broad range of the spectrum, including the near infrared band, having a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer carried on an electroconductive support are disclosed. The invention involves the use of a first layer between the support and the charge generating layer which is capable of functioning as (i) an adhesive bonding layer on the electroconductive support to provide a receptive and retentive base layer for the charge generating layer and (ii) as a barrier layer to prevent substantially any leakage of charge from the surface of the photoconductor, characterized by the first layer comprising at least one polycarbonate having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 25,000 to about 45,000, in combination with a charge generating layer that comprises at least one organic pigment which is sensitive to near infrared radiation.

Abstract: An electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics for correcting inaccuracies in the position of the reflected light resulting from defects in the angular relationship between the plane of the facets and that of the rotating axis of the polygon as well as those errors due to inherent angular misalignment between each of the facets of the rotating polygon. The invention also encompasses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with the acousto-optical modulation for maintaining a constant level illumination and/or for varying the spot size.