Abstract: Shape based postage rate criteria as to whether a postage item (an envelope) is greater than certain thicknesses above which the rate of postage of the item changes is provided by a gauge utilizing the platform of a scale on which the item is weighed. A roller is pivotally mounted on an arm so as to be set at heights over the platform at which the postage rate changes, for example, for envelopes ¼? thick and for envelopes ¾? thick, the envelope is then slid between the roller and the weighing platform. A display operated by the scale reads a weight change if the envelope is above the thickness at which the roller is set. Accordingly, the shape of the postage item provides a direct indication of whether the envelope satisfies postage rate criteria established by the postal authorities.

Abstract: System and method for printing indicia on mailing items, such as envelopes, cards, or label media, has a host computer system connected to a postal security device. The postal security device stores postage funds and, responsive to the host computer postage requests, provides data to the host computer representing an IBI Lite barcode having at least part of a unique authentication code. The host computer utilizes such data to produce print data representing postage indicia, and send such print data to one of a mailing machine, stand-alone printer, or printing system, for printing on a mailing item to be associated with the authentication code. A plurality of host computer systems each with their respective PSD may be provided. A reset computer system can communicate with each PSD, via their respective host computer, to provide additional postage funds and to receive information representing transaction data stored in the host computer.

Abstract: An improved envelope feeder is provided for single feeding of envelopes which may be of different sizes and thicknesses from a stack of such envelopes. The envelope feeder includes a separation roller having a plurality of disks, and retard members having surfaces which oppose the disks of the separation roller. The roller is movable with respect to the retard members in response to each of the envelopes moving between the surface of the separation roller disks and the retard members. A detector is provided for sensing the presence of each of the envelopes as they each move between the separation roller disks and the retard members. Responsive to this detector, a controller in the feeder automatically controls the spacing of the separation roller disks from the retard members to set the gap between their surfaces to match the thickness of each of the envelopes, whereby the envelopes move singularly between the separation roller disks and the retard members.

Abstract: An automatic mail processing machine includes modular mail processing stations for: 1) stacking and feeding envelopes, 2) weighing envelopes, and 3) applying indicia to the envelopes. The modules of the mail processing machine are linearly disposed with respect to each other. The array of modules configure an automatic mailing machine which requires a small amount of space. The automatic mailing machine may be used to process envelopes of mixed weights and sizes without undue and costly procedures being performed to the machine. The mailing machine may further be utilized to process envelopes of similar sizes and shapes without requiring that each envelope be individually weighed.

Abstract: An automatic mailing machine includes a mail transport device for moving individual pieces of mail, which can be of varying shapes and sizes, from a mail bundle to an oppositely disposed apparatus for weighing such pieces of mail and to then move same to a further station for additional processing. The automatic mailing machine may include apparatus for detecting the size of the piece of mail being processed and weighed which then compares that information against a norm. The automatic mailing machine is configurable to occupy a much smaller space than conventional mailing machines.

Abstract: A mailing machine includes a mail transport device for vertically moving individual pieces of mail from a mail bundle to an apparatus for weighing such pieces of mail and to then move same to a further station where each piece of mail is positioned horizontally by a plurality of rotating members while a bar code is printed thereon, if desired. After such positioning, the piece of mail is transported in one of two directions dependent upon previously selected criteria pertinent to the piece of mail. One direction moves the mail piece to a bulk mailing apparatus disposed adjacent the mailing machine while moving the mail piece in the other direction delivers it to an apparatus coupled to the mailing machine for sorting and storing each piece of mail, again dependent upon information pertinent to the particular piece of mail.

Abstract: Mail sorting apparatus feeds mail items past a printing postage meter into a hopper from which the items are dropped successively into sorting bins which revolve along a circular path. Collection bins, also disposed along the circular path below the sorting bins, for different categories of mail are open at the top to receive the mail from the sorting bins. When a sorting bin carrying a mail item revolves to a position where it is in alignment with the collection bin for that item, the sorting bin is opened and the item dropped into its collection bin. The size of the item is measured at an input station. The opening of the sorting bin is carried out under computer control in response to data entered at the input station. The postage meter is movable mounted and located in response to the size of the item so that the postal indicia are printed in the proper location on the item in the course of feeding thereof into the hopper.