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: A device for inserting bundles into envelopes comprises a table fastened to a drive carriage for receiving the bundle and inserted with it into the envelope. A pair of retractable pusher fingers on support arms fastened to the carriage push the bundle on the table during the forward stroke of the carriage and retract during the return stroke of the carriage. The device is usable in automatic mail processing systems.

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.