Abstract: A method for sending electrically stored data on flat information carriers requiring postal franking includes transmitting communication data from a personal computer into a memory of an information carrier with a read-write module. Associated shipping data are transmitted from the personal computer to a postage meter device synchronously with the transmission of the communication data. Postal charges for sending the information carrier are accounted for with the postage meter device on the basis of the shipping data. Control data are transmitted from the postage meter device to a printer for printing a postage imprint on each item intended for sending the information carrier.

Abstract: A disposable postage meter assembly for printing charges and captions on envelopes and/or postage strips includes a base unit and a non-rechargeable disposable module. The base unit and the disposable module have devices for setting variable information.

Abstract: A device for processing mail and charging required postage includes a standardized mail depositing device having a transport catch. A charging unit is connected to the mail depositing device for charging postage after mail has been inserted in the mail depositing device and for unlocking the transport catch. Secured storage containers receive mail from the mail depositing device. A method for processing mail and charging required postage includes inserting mail into a standardized mail depositing device having a transport catch. Postage is charged after the mail has been inserted in the mail depositing device and then the transport catch is unlocked, with a charging unit connected to the mail depositing device. The mail is fed into secured storage containers from the mail depositing device.

Abstract: A personal computer has a housing, a drive bay in the housing with a slot for a disk drive, and an internal information and power supply network in the housing. A franking module assembly has a franking module disposed in the slot of the drive bay for franking mail. The franking module includes a printing mechanism, and a processor system for controlling the printing mechanism, for storing information to be printed and for accounting of charges. Lines in the housing connect the processor system to the internal information and power supply network.

Abstract: A method for franking postal matter uses an apparatus of a postage user having franking functions and being coupled through telecommunication devices with a remote data processing center for recording and releasing postage. A terminal device of a telecommunication system installed at a location of a user is coupled with a data processing center associated with a postage service for settling postage through telecommunications connections. Data is transmitted to the data processing center in one direction for requesting a central recordation of postage and for generating franking data. At least essential portions of a franking image corresponding to the requested franking are transmitted in another direction. The franking image is completed in the terminal device with stored image portions. A device for franking postal matter includes a terminal device of a postage user. The terminal device performs franking functions.

Abstract: A franking and value stamping machine includes an inking system with a housing, inking rollers, and inlet and return necks. A pump assembly includes tube or hose connections communicating with the inlet and return necks. An ink supply tank that communicates with the tube or hose connections has two ink containers. A guide tube provides communication between the ink containers. A threaded spindle is supported in the guide tube and driven by an electric motor through a coupling as a pumping unit.

Abstract: A method for identifying postage meter and monetary value stamping machines from printed patterns thereof includes performing microprocessor-controlled printing processes in the machine for forming a printing pattern including a monetary value stamp, a data stamp and a printing block from stored data and current data only immediately prior to being printed and temporarily storing the printing pattern until being printed. An identification characteristic is imprinted in the open in addition to the pattern to be printed. The temporarily stored printing pattern and the identification characteristic are supplied together to a printer control for generating a final printing pattern.

Abstract: A device for lifting flaps of envelopes at feed inlets of an envelope sealing machine includes a perforated suction plate having edges, and a separating plate having edges and being disposed downstream of the suction plate in an envelope feed direction. The suction plate and the separating plate are associated with a feed inlet of an envelope sealing machine. One of the edges of the suction plate is underneath one of the edges of the separating plate.

Abstract: A moistening device for the application of a liquid to gummed surfaces of envelope or letter flaps includes a reservoir for liquid. A sponge is disposed on a support. A brush holder is resiliently disposed above the reservoir. A brush is held by the brush holder and has bristles resting on the sponge for soaking with the liquid. An absorptive strip is disposed above the brush for storage of the liquid.

Abstract: In order to distinguish originals from copies, a method adds substances to printing medium that produces markings, which are not visible to the naked eye and are only recognizable by using special scanners.

Abstract: An inking mechanism for postage meters and price stamping machines includes an ink transport roller, an intermediate roller and an inking roller being operatively connected to one another and having surfaces. The surface of the intermediate roller transfers ink from the ink transport roller to the inking roller and the surface of the inking roller is formed of porous material. An ink supply container in the form of a tank has a slit-like opening formed therein. Porous material substantially fills the tank as a storage medium for stamp ink. The porous material protrudes out of the slit-like opening in the tank and contacts the surface of the ink transport roller in the form of a squeegee.

Abstract: An inking system of postage and valuation stamping machines has an inking unit with an ink chamber and a portion covering the ink chamber. An inking unit cover has a stepped shape and a drip edge at a step thereof with a wedge-shaped cross section. The inking unit cover has a funnel disposed on the portion of the inking system covering the ink chamber for refilling the ink chamber with stamp ink. A stamp ink container is provided in the form of a cartridge. The funnel guides, retains and empties the cartridge.

Abstract: Non-slipping clutch disposed between the drive and transport mechanism and between the drive and control cylinder for triggering printing in franking machines, including a shaft, a locking wheel being mounted on the shaft and engaged by the drive, internal gearing having an odd number of teeth formed on the locking wheel, a bushing being disposed on the shaft and connectible to the transport mechanism and control cylinder, a locking gear disposed on the bushing opposite the locking wheel, teeth disposed on part of the periphery of the locking gear, two pawls being disposed in the locking gear and extended into the locking wheel for engaging the internal gearing, a lever rotatably disposed on the bushing adjacent the locking gear, fingers being integral with the lever and engageable with the pawls, a torsion spring for rotating the lever and fingers to push the pawls into the internal gearing and couple the locking wheel and locking gear, and an electro-magnetically controlled latch for preventing the lever fr

Abstract: A configuration for a franking machine includes a central control in the form of a processor. A drive of the franking machine, a printing drum, an interface component for connection to drives of peripheral devices disposed upstream and downstream of the franking machine and a common keyboard are all connected to the processor. The common keyboard enters an amount to be printed and controls the franking machine for reducing mechanical wear and noise and for saving energy. Another control in the form of a timing member is associated with the processor. The timing member places the drive of the franking machine into a standby position by generating a switch-off signal if no material to be stamped is touching the printing drum and no value has been entered through the keyboard during a given monitoring time period preset by the timing member. The timing member also controls the drives of the peripheral devices through the interface component.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette, such as in inked ribbon for a printing machine, has a supply spool and a take-up spool. An unwinding force is applied to the ribbon and the take-up spool is driven from the supply spool through a slip coupling. The configuration of the driving connection between the spools is such as to lead to a theoretical speed of the take-up spool which is always geater than is actually needed to match the speed of unwinding from the supply spool. Slip however occurs to match the speeds and to maintain tension in the ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring letter closing devices in mail handling machines in mail handling lines includes transport rollers receiving envelopes. A holding-down device is downstream of the transport rollers in envelope transport direction. A plow plate is downstream of the holding-down device. A deflector is disposed between the holding-down defice and the plow plate. A closing device is downstream of the plow plate. A relection light gate is disposed underneath the plow plate. The plow plate has a reflecting surface forming part of the reflection light gate.

Abstract: An automatic feed device for postal franking machines includes a feed tray, a device for transporting mail on the feed tray and a drive of the transporting device. A separating head in the form of a structural unit includes brake levers separating mail and pressure rollers, holding-down devices and a manual actuating lever transporting mail. Guide shafts support the separating head during displacement of the separating head into a housing from an operating position outside the housing. A detent shaft and a slide lock the separating head in the operating position. A microswitch coupled with the slide controls the drive of the transporting device.

Abstract: A cassette for tape dispensers of mail processing machines includes a housing having a dispenser opening formed therein. Stop beads are formed on the housing at the dispenser opening. A tape box is disposed in the housing for receiving tapes. A bearing plate is disposed in the tape box. A magazine spring presses the bearing plate against tapes in the tape box and presses the tapes against the stop beads. A parallel guidance device having upper and lower scissors members and connecting rods guides the bearing plate parallel to the dispenser opening.

Abstract: An arresting support for type wheels of printing mechanisms in franking and postage machines and in portable postage and numbering devices includes a bearing shaft having pins disposed thereon. The bearing shaft has a blind bore formed therein extended in axial direction of the pins. An elastic insert is disposed in the blind bore. The bearing shaft also has a given number of stepped bores formed therein extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the bearing shaft. Two resilient arresting spheres of different diameter are disposed in each respective stepped bore. The given number of type wheels are disposed next to each other on the bearing shaft. The spheres rest in cup-shaped indentations formed in the type wheels. The type wheels are retained in a selected position by the resilient arresting spheres and the type wheels are adjusted against pressure provided by the resilient arresting spheres.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette, such as in inked ribbon for a printing machine, has a supply spool and a take-up spool. An unwinding force is applied to the ribbon and the take-up spool is driven from the supply spool through a slip coupling. The configuration of the driving connection between the spools is such as to lead to a theoretical speed of the take-up spool which is always greater than is actually needed to match the speed of unwinding from the supply spool. Slip however occurs to match the speeds and to maintain tension in the ribbon.