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: A device for folding over the flaps of envelopes received separately with the flap open at the entry to a guide path comprises a feed system for moving the envelopes along the guide path and a deflector system for folding the flaps of the envelopes over from an open position to a closed position. The deflector system comprises first and second pulley wheels with parallel rotation axes disposed with respect to the entry to the guide path and one on each side of this path so as to receive the envelopes between them. The first pulley wheel faces towards the front of the envelopes and has a stepped peripheral surface formed by a cylindrical first portion adapted to bear on at least that portion of each envelope adjoining the flap and a frustoconical second portion running on from this first portion and widening towards the flaps of the envelopes.

Abstract: A franking machine comprising a microprocessor (5), control memories (6, 7) and a working memory (8), together with at least one first non-volatile memory (9) for recording the meters of the machine, said memory being a machine state memory, characterized in that it further includes a second non-volatile memory (10) for recording at defined time intervals successive machine state trails in a plurality of compartments, said trail memory being updated and consulted under the control of the control memories (6, 7). The machine state trail can thus be consulted and optionally printed out.

Abstract: An electronic franking machine uses a first set of messages for normal franking operations and a second set of messages for special operations. The first set of messages includes a "ceiling value exceeded" message, with franking at a value greater than the ceiling value requiring an additional operator action (confirmation), and a "limit value exceeded" message which prevents any franking at a value greater than the limit value. The second set of messages includes a "change of ceiling value" message and a "change of limit value" message, with these two messages enabling the operator to set the ceiling value and the limit value independently, and to change them if so desired, by means of the machine's keyboard.

Abstract: The machine comprises a 16-key keyboard (1), an alpha-numeric display (2), a calendar clock (3), a microprocessor (4), a program memory (5), a text memory (6), and a working memory (7), interconnected by a bus (B). A first set of messages enables normal franking operations to be performed, and a second set of messages which are accessible by means of a menu key (M) on the keyboard enable special operations to be performed. The messages are stored in the text memory, with each message being constituted by screens each of which has the same capacity as the display. Each screen is transferred from the text memory to the working memory prior to being displayed. Each message is controlled by the microprocessor which runs a program relating to each message. All of the programs are stored in the program memory.

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: The invention relates to a circuit for coupling volatile memories to a microprocessor or to a test tool having a test connector suitable for connection to a second complementary connector which is connected to the links between the memories and the microprocessor. The circuit is characterized in that the second connector (17) is mounted as a terminal connector on the links going to the memories (11, 12), and in that it further includes a third connector (18) mounted as a terminal connector on the links going to the microprocessor (13), together with a removable connection circuit (20) for providing connections between said second and third connectors. The invention is particularly suitable for a franking machine.

Abstract: A franking machine comprises a plurality of auxiliary meters designated by name and stored in alphabetical order of meter name in a Meter space of a battery backed-up working memory. Each meter comprises a service zone, a name zone, a date zone, a money meter zone, and a piece count meter zone. A meter is found by scanning through meter names. A meter is created by entering a name, and by storing a meter in the Meter space. This takes place by finding the appropriate alphabetical position for the new meter in the Meter space, and then shifting all subsequent meters in said space to make room for the new meter. A meter is closed by shifting all meters following the meter being closed down one place in the Meter space, starting with the meter immediately following the meter to be closed.

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 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 invention relates to a franking machine comprising a keyboard (1), a display (2), a calendar clock (3), a microprocessor (4), a program memory (5), a text memory (6), and a working memory (7), interconnected by a bus (B). Messages enabling normal franking operations and special operations are provided in the text memory, and each message has a corresponding program in the program memory. The machine includes an operator-warning alarm buzzer (8) operated by the message program whenever the message is a warning message. Alarm indications contained in the program are loaded into the working memory (7) which is read cyclically by a specific audible alarm program.

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: A machine for franking short labels or long labels cut from a continuous tape is characterized in that it includes a first pair of detector cells (20-21) for positioning the tape relative to a cutter (6) for obtaining a short length of label, and a second pair of detector cells (22-23) for positioning the tape relative to the cutter for obtaining a long length of label, and for presenting the label, be it short or long, beneath the print drum (3), said second pair of detector cells being mounted offset from the drum and from the tape path and being controlled by a shutter tab (42) which is fixed to a pivoting lever (25) having a tooth or feeler (39) which is retracted by the tape or a label arriving beneath the drum.

Abstract: The machine of franking labels includes means (5, 7) for ejecting printed labels to a dry label outlet (8), a switching flap (12) for switching labels towards a second outlet for wet labels (9), said flap being mounted to pivot on the axis of pressure wheels (7) belonging to the ejector means, and a moistening roll (23) mounted between the ejector means and the second outlet and driven at a speed greater than that of the ejector means in order to receive and wipe the labels which are deflected towards the second outlet, said labels engaging the moistening roll beneath a separator plate (10) between the outlets.

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.