Abstract: A method is provided for automatically printing a unique serial number on MICR documents wherein the serial number may be used to identify the source of the document. If problems occur during subsequent processing of the document, the serial number may be decoded to identify the source of the document for repair, etc., or to identify the source of printing fraudulent checks or if the document was printed on stolen equipment. The unique codes are preferably embedded within character fonts used to print the MICR documents. In this manner, no further modification to MICR printing systems is required. Rather, by modifying MICR fonts to each include a unique serial number, the serial number is automatically printed on all documents printed using the font.

Abstract: A transfer film comprised of an inert backing coated with a transfer layer comprising a mixture of a resin, a filler, a magnetic pigment, a nondrying oil and an oil soluble dye provides security against fraudulent alteration of Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) symbols. Upon impact this film acts like an ordinary MICR transfer film: a portion of the transfer layer transfers to a document surface forming a magnetically readable character image. After transfer, the nondrying oil contained in the transferred layer begins to diffuse into the matrix of the document paper. The oil carries the visible oil-soluble dye. Soon an image of the MICR characters appears on the reverse surface of the document. If any of the characters do not show through on the reverse surface as a visible dye image, alterations have been made to the MICR characters.

Abstract: A novel presentation board has a body of molded plastic which forms a strong, hollow, lightweight unit with a projecting tray and grip on a front surface and a corresponding recesses on a rear surface so the units can be conveniently stacked. The front surface of the body bears an extruded track for insertion and replacement of a whiteboard or other writing surface. The whiteboard is secured at a top edge of the body by two metal pegs, sized and spaced apart to accept a prepunched pad of flip chart paper, that pass through the whiteboard into threaded inserts in the plastic body. The grip protrudes from a top edge of the whiteboard and is slidably mounted on the pegs. When slid into a lower position, the grip hides the pegs and locks the pad in position. A pair of U-shaped tubular metal legs can be slid into channels in a rear surface of the body. The channels are covered, at all but part of their lower ends, by cover plates. Grasping the lower leg ends allows one to slide the legs from the unit.

Abstract: A lightweight portable podium is provided for use in lectures and other speaking events. The podium rests on a table or desk and has an inclined shelf which forms the upper surface on which notes and papers can readily repose. The shelf is screened from public view and protected from wind by a main panel that forms the front of the podium and two side panels. The four pieces that comprise the podium are substantially flat and can be readily disassembled into a flat unit for storage or transit. The upper edge of the shelf is captured by two channels formed between the main and side panels. For disassembly the shelf is first pivoted to be parallel to the main panel. It is then slidden in the channels in a downward direction into contact with the main panel. The two side panels are then folded in over the shelf/main panel combination to form a flat, thin unit for storage or transit.

Abstract: A ring-based sheet retainer can be removably attached to a blackboard or a presentation board. At least two sheet retainers are attached to a support member that is an elongate planar member equipped with mechanical fasteners designed to engage a complementary structure on a presentation board or the like. Each sheet retainer comprises an ring and a ring closure. The ring has the form of flattened oval: straight midportions connected by semicircular end portions. There is a gap in the midportion of the ring whereby sheets are inserted into the ring. The ring closure is a straight hollow cylinder sized to slide over the straight midportion of a gaped side of the ring. The closure is attached to the support member with an end overhanging the edge of the support member so as to receive punched sheets when the ring is open. Sliding the ring into the closure opens the ring by revealing the gap at the overhanging end of the closure.

Abstract: A collapsible display easel is provided which can be easily extended into a sturdy, erect easel for holding display material, and easily retracted and folded into a compact configuration for transport. The display easel includes a two-legged supporting stand, a vertical brace, and one or more crossbar members. The display material is held against the vertical brace between the crossbar members. The legs are provided with extending support feet for securely supporting the easel in an upright position. The various components are connected by sliding or pivoting attachment mechanisms which allow the components to be easily extended or retracted. The sliding and pivoting connection mechanisms are manually operable and do not require the use of any tools or special equipment. The display easel is retracted into a compact configuration solely by pivoting or sliding the various components with respect to each other, and does not require the disassembly of any of the components.

Abstract: A display easel for placement on a desk or table functions as an erasable writing board, an easel to hold display placards, and a loose paper clipboard. The loose papers are held to the display easel by a self-adjusting clamp mechanism which automatically adjusts itself to the thickness of the paper pad and grips the papers to be held. The clamp mechanism comprises a cylindrical rod that slides up and down in a slot within a housing that receives the pad of loose papers. The pad is held fast to the display board by the cylindrical rod. The cylindrical rod slides up and down the housing, as needed, to accommodate the thickness of the pad.

Abstract: In medium to high volume printers using more than one print head, multiple documents may be printed side by side in one pass. Multiple rolls of ribbon are utilized on the ribbon mandril to accommodate the documents. The ribbon is kept taut across its print head by the feed system controller. When the outside diameters of the two rolls of ribbon vary, the system keeps one ribbon taut and the other tends to go slack at the print head. A split sleeve mandril with a differential mechanism connecting the two sleeves of the mandril assures that both ribbons are maintained taut. The preferred differential mechanism may be a planetary gear arrangement, or a thrust bearing arrangement. A unique ribbon roll holding mechanism, to hold the ribbon roll at the selected place on the mandril is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preventing smudging of indicia printed on a surface by selective application of an amount of coating material to lubricate the contact with surfaces abrading the printed indicia or to provide physical separation from abrading surfaces, and thus prevent smearing. The coating material is preferably a Teflon micropowder that is applied by dispensing controlled amounts through a plurality of apertures adjacent the surface of a piece of paper on which indicia has just been printed by a non-impact printer such as a laser printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing smudging of indicia printed on a surface by selective application of an amount of coating material to lubricate the contact with surfaces abrading the printed indicia or to provide physical separation from abrading surfaces, and thus prevent smearing. The coating material is preferably a "Teflon" micropowder that is applied by using impulse devices to dispense controlled amounts of the micropowder from a container, with the dispensed micropowder being transferred to, and passing through a plurality of apertures adjacent the surface of a piece of paper on which indicia has just been printed by a nonimpact printer such as a laser printer.