Abstract: A device and method for detecting nozzle malfunction in an ink jet printhead having a predetermined number of nozzles. The printhead is first controlled whereby each of the nozzles is activated once in a manner which is required to print on a print medium a line having a number of ink dots equal to the predetermined number. Then a photodetector detects whether each location on the print medium which opposed one of the nozzles at the time of activation of that one nozzle has an ink dot printed thereat. Each location is photodetected in time sequence by scanning. The photodetector outputs a signal having a first level in response to each photodetected location which has no ink dot thereat and a signal having a second level in response to each photodetected location which has an ink dot thereat. The output of the photodetector is then processed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted tray. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the tray which is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the tray, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. The tray is supported by a plurality of flexible members having parallelogram configuration that eliminates bending stresses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a postage meter having a plurality of worm gears for adjusting the rotational position of postage print wheels. Each worm gear selectively moves a rack which is an engagement with a postage print wheel so as to provide rotational movement to the print wheel. Sensors are provided so that the rotational position of each worm gear can be determined thereby indicating the position of the print wheels. A sleeve is located within the housing to provide support to the worm gears and maintain alignment of the racks during printing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted tray. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the tray which is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the tray, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. The tray is supported by a plurality of flexible members having parallelogram configuration that eliminates bending stresses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a postage meter having a plurality of worm gears for adjusting the rotational position of postage print wheels. Each worm gear selectively moves a rack which is an engagement with a postage print wheel so as to provide rotational movement to the print wheel. Sensors are provided so that the rotational position of each worm gear can be determined thereby indicating the position of the print wheels.

Abstract: Transport and drive apparatus and method for use in determining the weight of an article. An article whose mass is to be determined is transported upon the plan of a weighing scale by a combination of rollers attached to the tray and drive rollers received within an opening of the tray. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor rollers for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for withdrawing the rollers upon reverse drive for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: Oscillating and alternatively locking apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article. A reversible motor is used to provide drive to a conveyor for transporting mail pieces onto the tray and for causing oscillation of the tray for purposes of weighing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining the mass of an article by the shift of the period of oscillation of a flexibly mounted platform. An article whose mass is to be determined is placed upon the platform. The platform is caused to oscillate and the period of harmonic motion is calibrated. This period is compared against the period of harmonic motion when there is no article upon the platform, and the difference, or shift, in frequency, allows a determination of the mass of the article.

Abstract: An impulse ink jet print head of the type in which a plurality of plates are held together in a superposed relationship to form an array. Nozzles for ejecting ink droplets towared a printing surface are located near an of the array and have axes which extend transversely to the planes of the plates. A frame holds a plurality of the arrays in a shingled relationship inclined with respect to the printing surface. The axes of the nozzles are all parallel. They are inclined in the direction of movement of the printing surface and at an angle from a perpendicular to the receiving surface whose sine is the ratio of the velocity of the printing surface divided by droplet velocity. With this arrangement, the droplets are travelling relatively in a direction perpendicular as they strike the printing surface.

Abstract: An impulse ink jet print head and method of fabricating same. The print head comprises a plurality of superposed, contiguous plates including a nozzle plate with at least a pair of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the plates. Another plate is a channel plate defining at least a pair of coplanar axially aligned elongated chambers, each connected to an ink supply and having an outlet communicating with an associated nozzle. A diaphragm plate overlies the channel plate and has transducers thereon for displacing ink in each of the chambers to eject discrete ink droplets from the nozzles. Other plates may include a manifold plate for directing ink to a plurality of pairs of chambers and a restrictor plate with restictor orifices positioned between the manifold plate and each of the chambers. The method of fabricating the print head includes forming the different plates, forming the transducers, and assembling all of the components in a particular relationship.

Abstract: The ink ejecting portion of an ink jet printer is described, wherein a single ceramic transducer is used to create the pressure for the ink droplets. Unlike prior devices, the transducer is a one-piece member as opposed to use of a crystal and diaphragm. The one-piece member is practical because of the generally spherical configuration of the crystal.

Abstract: An ink jet printing head comprising an array of successive pairs of cavity plates and transducer plates. The transducer plates are one-piece elements composed of piezo-ceramic material and can have multiple diaphragms on opposing faces matching with cavities in the cavity plates. Many such pairs of cavity plates and transducer plates can be joined together to form a printing head which can achieve a very high density of nozzles, specifically, on the order of 150 to 200 nozzles per inch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for starting a running length of yarn to wind at a given point on a rotating bobbin during yarn stringup of a bobbin winder with a thrustable tail forming stringup aid are provided. The method features actuating a sensor to sense the presence of a moving yarn guide to operate a solenoid for thrusting a stringup aid to an operative, tail forming position, thereby causing the yarn to start winding on the bobbin at the desired given point. The apparatus comprises a sensor, actuated by the moving yarn guide, and a solenoid, operated by the actuated sensor to thrust a stringup aid into operative position. The method and apparatus ensure consistent formation of good transfer tails.

Abstract: A pair of tamper proof postage meter doors which remain closed and locked until the proper combination of numbers is entered using the normal postage keyboard. The doors will not function if there is insufficient postage in the accounting registers. Means are also provided which will cause the ascending and descending registers in the postage meter to indicate zero postage remaining in the meter if an attempt is made to tamper with or force open the doors.

Abstract: A weighing device is disclosed which comprises a frame, a pan element for supporting a load to be weighed, a channel member connected to the pan for retaining a plurality of weight elements in a vertically movable manner, a motor supported within the frame and a shaft member operatively connected to and extending from the motor, the shaft member including a spring for supporting the pan element. A plurality of collapsible support members are secured at one end thereof to the frame and each have at their opposite ends a device that is adapted to receive and lift one of the weight elements when the support member is in an extended and non-collapsed position. A camming arm is secured to the shaft member and extends in a direction toward the support members. A switch is provided for energizing the motor when the pan is depressed by a load.

Abstract: A mounting system for a developer unit in an electrophotocopier having a photoreceptor mounted on a drum for assuring proper alignment and pressure between the developer unit and the photoreceptor drum. The mounting system comprises a fixed platform having a rectangular slot located midway between the ends thereof, said slot having a length extending perpendicular to the axis of the photoreceptor drum, a developer unit slidably mounted at either end on said fixed platform, the developer unit having a base plate with an aperture in alignment with the rectangular slot, a pair of spacer wheels coaxial to and slightly larger in diameter than the applicator shell on the developer unit rotatably mounted on either end of the developer unit, means for urging the spacer wheels against the photoreceptor drum, and a locking and guiding device removably insertable in said rectangular slot in said fixed platform.

Abstract: A low cost postage applicator includes postage printing wheels which can be manually set by thumbwheels accessible through an access opening in a housing. Encoders provide electrical signals representative of the position of each printing wheel. The housing is depressed toward a letter or package to be imprinted. During an initial part of the depression stroke, an inking roller is drawn across the printing wheel face, the access opening is misaligned with the thumbwheels to prevent further setting changes and a contact switch is closed to enable a microcomputer to read and compare the printing wheel settings with the contents of an electronic descending register. If adequate postage is available and if a letter sensing switch indicates that a letter or package is in place, the microcomputer releases a mechanical interlock to allow the housing to be depressed into a printing position in which the printing wheels contact the letter or package.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite label web, method of making a composite label web and method of using a composite label web. The composite label web is fed toward a delaminator at which the supporting material for the label is caused to undergo a sharp change in direction. The supporting material is provided with two columns of slits or cuts means. The slits are disposed at longitudinally spaced apart locations, and the slits of one column are laterally offset from the slits of the other column.