Abstract: The limited write non-volatile memory is characterized in that it is constituted by a limited memory space (1)in an EEPROM which is organized as a first zone (5) for recording the more significant bits of successive data sets at fixed addresses, and a second zone (6) for recording at least the remaining less significant bits of said data sets at addresses which change around a closed loop of addresses, said less significant bits being recorded with at least one redundancy bit which is common both to the more significant bits recorded in the first zone and the less significant bits recorded in the second, said memory being under the control of a programmed circuit for processing and addressing control. Said memory space constitutes the meter memory (CA, CD, CT) of a franking machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic franking machine having a keyboard, a display, and using a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for special operations. In a machine in accordance with the invention, the first set of messages includes a stamp value message confirmed in one-off mode or in burst mode, and a stamp value message confirmed in limited burst mode. The second set of messages includes a beginning-of-menu message including an option for changing mode, a message for selecting operating mode including a one-off option for one-by-one franking operations, a burst option for an unlimited number of franking operations, and a limited burst option for performing a number N of franking operations, a message for confirming the selected mode, and a message for selecting the number N of pieces applicable to limited burst mode.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the advance and the positioning of envelopes in an insertion machine includes a stepper motor (27) coupled in common both to means (20) for transferring empty envelopes towards said insertion station, and to means (40) for transferring filled envelopes to be ejected, and a circuit (70) for controlling and governing the speed of the motor, causing said motor to be driven on the basis of clock signals generated by a clock circuit (62) synchronously with mechanical commands within the machine, and governing the speed of the motor on the basis of defined numbers of motor steps as detected counting from the moment that an envelope ceases to go past an intermediate point on the transfer path, as determined by a detector (29). The invention is applicable to automatic mail processing.

Abstract: A device for inserting sheets into envelopes has a fixed insertion station receiving empty envelopes and a fixed sheet inlet station, which stations are spaced apart from each other, together with a carriage for transferring sheets therebetween and driven between a retracted position beneath the sheet inlet station and an engaged position in an envelope present at the insertion station. The sheet insertion device is characterized in that it includes sheet grasping and pushing fingers (35) fixed to the carriage (33) and projecting slightly above the sheet inlet station (32), together with holding-down fingers (37) mounted above the inlet station and actuated to move between a retracted position and a holding-down position in which they hold a sheet down against the inlet station. The invention is applicable to automatically processing mail.

Abstract: The device comprises control evacuation means (40) mounted substantially level with the envelope inlet into the insertion station (1) and tilting means (43, 44) for tilting the filled envelope, with the tilting means being controlled to take up a low tilting position in which they push down said filled envelope around the inlet to the insertion station, after which it is evacuated. The resulting insertion machine is made compact and is accurately controlled during each insertion cycle by a single driving cam shaft (52, 55) including a coding disk for determining successive angular positions.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting objects in the form of strip segments while causing them to rotate through up to at least 90.degree. about the axis along which said objects are being transported. The device comprises two walls (50) disposed parallel to each other, with means (51) for holding these walls spaced apart from each other in such a manner as to allow the objects to be transported to pass therebetween, and in that said walls are twisted together about their longitudinal axis so that the slot between them at one of their ends (52) is oriented in a direction of up to at least 90.degree. relative to the direction of the slot (53) at their other end.

Abstract: The label dispenser comprises a cutter (11) for cutting a label from a continuous tape (1), with first and second means (10, 12) disposed on either side of said cutter for holding and for driving said tape. The dispenser further includes cells (25, 26) for detecting tape advance relative to the cutter in order to place the tape in an initial position at a desired label length from said cutter, together with ejector means (30) for ejecting a label cut from said tape, said ejector means causing said label to advance at a higher speed than the tape advance speed. A franking machine fitted with the detector includes a detector for detecting the position of a lever which controls the printing of an optional slogan on the label, and the length label selected in said dispenser is controlled as a function of the detected position of said slogan conrolling lever.

Abstract: A device for holding flat objects comprises a motor on the output shaft of which is mounted a rotatable terminator assembly. A turbine is rotatable by the motor within the terminator assembly, which is partly partitioned forwardly of the turbine. The terminator assembly comprises a flat suction chamber open laterally and containing the turbine and a flat holding chamber forward of and communicating with the suction chamber. This has an open holding surface facing forwardly which is closed off by an object to be held. A separate motor-gearbox unit coupled to the terminator assembly controls its orientation relative to the turbine drive motor.

Abstract: A control system for a set of franking machines (1) under the surveillance of a control center (2) for managing them and containing, to this end, as does each of the machines, a logic circuit organized about a processor (24) and memories (26). The data to be transmitted from the control center to the machines and vice-versa are interchanged by means of "smart" cards (3) having incorporated memory (7) and microprocessors (6) which are placed alternately in read/write terminals (5 or 4) of the control center or of the machines.

Abstract: The device for moistening the flaps of envelopes as they are driven along a substantially horizontal plane comprises a substantially vertical brush (1) caused to rotate with a peripheral speed substantially equal to the speed at which the envelopes are driven, and fed with moistening liquid taken from a tank (3) by means of a peristaltic pump (4), with the envelope flaps being pressed against the brush by means of a deflector (2).

Abstract: The envelope opening device comprises a substantially horizontal chute (1) receiving envelopes separate from one another, with the top edges of the envelopes running along the bottom of the chute, an extraction roll (35) mounted above the chute substantially level with the bottom edges of envelopes present in the chute, an associated roll (36) mounted facing the extraction roll on a pivot arm (37) controlled to apply pressure against the extraction roll or to move away therefrom, and a blade (42) mounted beneath the extraction roll and having one end extending beyond a pressure zone defined by the rolls. This device is used in mail processing machines.

Abstract: A remote control system for a set of machines (1) for franking mail, which machines are geographically dispersed in accordance with user requirements and include franking heads whose use is monitored by a distant central organization. Each franking head is connected to a local concentrator station (4) via a data transmission link (11), and each local station is in turn connected via a telephone channel (3) to a central remote monitoring station (2) belonging the central organization. Each local station monitors the machines connected thereto and collects operating information supplied by their heads, and it interchanges data with the central station in differed time.

Abstract: A device wherein optoelectronic componentry and circuitry is carried on a single component board (70) mounted in a one-piece case (1) having a main section (10) with a compartment (20) therein for accommodating and holding the board and having at the back thereof a hinged flap (16) defining an opening for inserting the board into the compartment and adapted to lock the board in place when closed, and opposite from the flap, a front end terminal part (50) bounding the front of the compartment and provided with passages therethrough issuing into the compartment for insertion of optical fibers (6, 7) and a clamp (68, 8) for holding the fibers. The device is particularly applicable to equip automatic mail sorting machines.

Abstract: The unstacking device comprises an object magazine (2), an object transport conveyor (7) for removing objects from the magazine, an object separator assembly (20) mounted in front of the object outlet from the magazine above the transport conveyor and comprising firstly a retaining element constituted by at least one flexible end tongue (34) mounted on a deflector flap (31) carried by a pivoting arcuate arm (32) which is resiliently urged by a spring (38), and secondly a part constituting a separator shoe (40) carried by a second pivoting arm (41) which is resiliently urged by a second spring (45), an object extractor (50), and detector for (55, 56) for detecting when objects are engaged in said object extractor in order to stop said conveyor (7).

Abstract: A machine for producing labels from tape is equipped with tape guide means defining a tape path between an entry point and exit point on the machine and tape drive means comprising at least a first roller, a first shaft on which the first roller is mounted and manual means for rotating the first shaft. A device for loading and positioning the tape in this machine comprises a control arm incorporating a finger having an end adapted to constitute an obstacle on the tape path. It is selectively retractable by the end of the tape when the tape is driven along the tape path. This finger thus constitutes a control lever for the control arm. The device also comprises a claw having an end adapted to immobilize the first shaft when the finger is retracted.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting material in tape form comprises a movable blade of circular segment shape in cross-section and a fixed blade. The movable blade is coupled to a rotating shaft so as to move it in front of the fixed blade. A first support carrying the fixed blade is U-shaped in cross-section, the inside of its bottom being semi-circular. A longitudinal first opening intersects the bottom of the first support and a groove opens laterally into this first opening in its inside surface, the groove accommodating the fixed blade. An auxiliary support is generally trough-shaped and has a bottom which is semi-circular on the inside. A second opening intersects the bottom of the auxiliary support, the edges of which are inserted between the sides of the U shape of the first support. A substantially cylindrical housing for the movable blade is defined between the first and auxiliary supports.

Abstract: A franking machine has a control lever (7) which is operable between a first position and a second position to cause a slogan to be printed or not to be printed respectively. When said franking machine is being fed with labels, the label selector selects a short label or a long label depending on whether the label is to receive a slogan. The label selector comprises an emitter (E) and a receiver (R) which are mounted in an opto-electronic detector head (41) at a distance from said lever (7) and which are coupled to each other by means of a mirror (42) mounted on the lever (7), but only when the lever is in one of its two specified positions.

Abstract: In an optical mark reader head comprising a light source (57) and two photosensors (58, 59) coupled to light transmission means forming a light emitting head (7) bracketed by two receiving heads (8, 9), all facing the document, and further comprising an analog processing circuit board (50) for the photosensor signals, supporting the light source and the photosensors. The invention provides transmission means in the form of rigid, preformed optical conduits (27, 28, 29) individually assembled and arranged relative to one another and together with the other reader head components in a single, flat case (1).

Abstract: The mechanism allows a document of various thicknesses and indeed variable thickness to be franked. Said mechanism includes a frame (11) which supports a pressure roll (5) and a lower feed roll (4) and urged towards the chassis by means of three springs (14) so as to allow the shafts of said rolls (4) and (5) to move in any direction.