Abstract: A folder and inserter machine comprises a tray for receiving documents to be folded and a folding mechanism having a folding abutment whose position is adjustable under the control of a processor. A pointer member is moved along the document to be folded present in the tray to pick up the distance between the bottom of the document and an address block on the document. The processor connected to the pointer member is organized to compute data representative of fold dimensions for the document on the basis of the distance provided thereto by the pointer member so as to adjust the position of the abutment automatically.

Abstract: The apparatus detects the fact that a predetermined temperature threshold, in particular a low temperature threshold, has been crossed, and prevents any subsequent use of the appliance. The apparatus includes a reversible thermostatic switch capable of changing from a first stable state to a second stable state, and of delivering an alarm signal when it finds itself in the second state; and control means co-operating with the switch to respond to the alarm signal by delivering a disable signal for disabling the electronic appliance. According to the invention, the apparatus further includes a DC voltage source (15), an electrical or electronic component (17) capable of taking two states corresponding to said first and second stable states connected in a loop with the voltage source and the switch so that a current passing through the thermostatic switch causes a change from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A postage meter comprising print means for printing a postage imprint including a posting date on an article of mail to be posted, an adjustment system for adjusting the posting date printed by the print means and including a processor connected to a calendar clock to receive a current date and controlling the print means to cause a postage imprint to be printed with a current posting date established on the basis of the current date. The processor is also programmed to prevent the postage imprint being printed when the current posting date for printing corresponds to a date on which the postal authorities are closed or a particular date defined by the user of the meter.

Abstract: An office machine for processing mail items includes mechanical elements for folding mail items and inserting them in envelopes and a data processing unit operating under the control of a configuration program to place the mechanical elements of the machine in a particular operating mode in accordance with configuration data. An interface receives a portable external element including a memory and inserted into an opening in the machine at the location of the interface means. The processing unit reads configuration data previously stored in the memory of the portable element when the machine is switched on with the portable element present in the interface means in order to place the mechanical elements of the machine in the operating mode corresponding to the configuration data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moistening labels that have one face coated with adhesive, the device serving to moisten the adhesive-coated face of the labels in uniform manner. The device includes a moistening element constituted by a rigid bar whose top portion is in contact with the adhesive-coated face of the labels and which is split by capillarity slits extending in the running direction of the labels over the bar and whose respective bottoms are immersed in a moistening liquid maintained at constant depth.

Abstract: In a postage metering system, daily postage usage data is accumulated and stored over a period of time. Periodically the stored accumulated postage usage data is recovered from the postage meter system and noted on a billing form. A certification number is generated from the stored accumulated postage usage data and noted on the billing form. The certification number is then used by a billing authority to verify the correctness of the noted accumulated postage usage data in order to ensure proper billing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific field of processing mail. More particularly, it relates to a print mechanism enabling a ail carrier to be recognized from the franking print applied to an article of mail, the carrier having been previously selected by the user of the postage meter. The device for selecting articles of mail as a function of carrier or of shipping service consist in printing a special mark on each article of mail as a function of the corresponding carrier.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for a folding and/or inserting machine has a document entry surmounted by at least two loading bins adapted to cooperate with the document entry in various modes of operation, individually or in combination, using a set of sensors and drive units and controlled by a programmed microprocessor of a control circuit via an input/output interface circuit in the feeder.

Abstract: The feed device includes a platform (9) adapted to receive at least one mail item (4; 4A, 4B) laid flat on it and a plurality of rollers (10) each having a flat (10B). Said rollers are mounted to rotate under the platform to occupy alternately a first position in which they remain below the platform and a second position in which they project above the platform. A weight sensor (30) is mounted under the platform to carry it, said sensor being responsive to vertical displacement of the platform to deliver a signal (C) indicative of the load applied to it when the rollers are all substantially in said first position.

Abstract: A print block cassette for franking machine print drums comprises a support having a block support side, longitudinal guide and support members perpendicular to the block support side and engaged in bosses on the support and a plurality of separate print blocks each mounted interchangeably on at least one longitudinal guide and support member.

Abstract: A mail-processing machine including an electrical power supply for powering at least one control motor, and a safety locking circuit electrically connected to a cover switch of the machine and co-operating with the electrical power supply to switch the power supply off whenever the cover of the machine is open. The machine includes a chopper electrical power supply comprising at least one power chopper circuit having a control circuit. The safety locking circuit includes at least one electromechanical relay electrically connecting the power chopper circuit to its control circuit, and constituting an integrated on/off mechanism that is approved, cheap, and very compact.

Abstract: A control device for on the fly printing machines, especially machines for franking envelopes, comprises a printing device comprising a rotary print head actuated by a first motor and carrying on a portion of its surface a printing active part. A conveyor device for conveying the envelopes is actuated by a second motor and feeds the envelopes into contact with the printing device at a given conveyor speed and evacuates franked envelopes. The rotation speed of the first motor is optimized so that the tangential speed of the print head is held equal to the conveyor speed during a printing phase corresponding to the period during which an envelope is in contact with the active printing part and as close as possible to the conveyor speed during a complementary catch-up phase. The conveyor speed is optimized so that the conveyor speed is as low as possible whilst preventing overlapping of envelopes arriving on the conveyor device.

Abstract: A modular franking machine comprises first and second modules. A module assembly device holds the first module in alignment with the second module. It comprises at least one projecting shaft fixed to the first module and a sheath in the second module. The shaft is inserted in the sheath by translatory movement. The shaft is locked in position relative to the sheath when inserted in it. The locking system comprises a piston mobile axially inside the shaft to displace a retractable member housed inside the shaft so that it projects towards the exterior of the shaft and an opening in the sheath to receive the projecting member in order to immobilize the shaft in the sheath.

Abstract: A connection device without electrical contact for connecting a fixed part of a franking machine to a rotary print drum containing electronic circuits includes a transformer separable into two parts respectively fastened to the fixed part and to the rotary printing drum. A first modulator chops and modulates a DC current supplied to a first winding in sympathy with a first signal to be transmitted to the rotary drum. A rectifier and filter device supplies power to the electronic circuits in the rotary drum. A first demodulator demodulates the current induced in the second winding. A second modulator modulates the current induced in the second winding at a different frequency to that used by the first modulator and in sympathy with a second signal to be transmitted to the fixed part. A second demodulator extracts the second signal from the current in the first winding.

Abstract: A device for setting the position of printwheels (5) included in a removable head (2) of a postage meter. A pivotable control module (17) is provided in the base (1), and is mounted on resilient supports (29). It carries motors (M1, M2, M3, M4) mounted in a circular arc around a cylindrical block (16) of driving gear wheels (R3). When the module (17) is pivoted forwards, it meshes with drive systems (20) having gear wheels (19, 21, 22, 23) that enable the printwheels (5) to be rotated.

Abstract: An angular position sensor having at least one resistive track which is circular, for example, and at least one cursor. The cursor is adapted to move while in electric contact with the track. The track is closed and continuous and has at least two electric access points. The sensor cooperates with an arrangement for applying separate predetermined electric potentials to the access points and with an arrangement for measuring the resulting electric potential at one of the access points. The cursor is therefore able to rotate through a complete turn without leaving the one resistive track. All angles can be measured and rotation through several turns is possible.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter including print apparatus for printing fixed postage data and variable postage data on a mail item advancing along a conveyor path between an inlet of the meter and an outlet thereof, the print apparatus comprising a first rotary drum, rotated by a first motor, for printing main postage data on the item, and a second rotary drum, rotated by a second motor and carrying a plurality of selectable plates, for printing auxiliary postage data on said mail item, and control means for actuating the second motor so as to print the imprint of a selected plate at a chosen position on the mail item.

Abstract: A device for positively locking the printwheels (2) fitted to the print drum (1) of a postage meter. A tilting bail (5) locks the printwheels (2) against the force of a return spring (8). A sliding pull rod (26) provided with a yoke (30) that co-operates with a fixed collar (31) disposed coaxially with the rotary drum (1) ensures that locking is secure by preventing an arm (11) of the bail (5) from moving whenever the drum (1) is rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus for statistically monitoring the flow of mail through an electronic postage meter system, the apparatus including a memory used for recording statistical readings, said apparatus being characterized in that a saved region of the read/write portion of the memory contains at least one statistics counter and, in association with said statistics counter, at least one sorting criterion related to postage value, the counter corresponding to a specific category of mail or mode of posting.

Abstract: A rotary print drum in combination with a postage meter comprises at least one print wheel rotatably mounted on the print drum, a motor and a gear train for rotating the print wheel, an electronic circuit in a form of a printed circuit being fixed to one end of the drum in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the print drum, and detecting device operatively connecting the gear train and the electronic circuit for controlling the print position of the print wheel.