Patents by Inventor Donald T. Dolan
Donald T. Dolan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5190115Abstract: A mailing machine comprised of a plurality of modules, each of the modules a particular process function on a delivered envelope. The modules are arranged with in a single process station. The comprising modules include a load cell type scale module having means for weighing a envelope, a transport module having means for positioning the envelope in the process station and ejecting the envelope from the process station, a meter module having printing means for imprinting an indicia on the envelope, a platen module having means for causing the envelope to contact the printing means of the meter module, and a inking module having means for causing printing ink to be deposited on the printing means of the meter module. The modules operate in a manner functionally independent of any other module and in a manner. A tape module is included having means for positioning a tape for indicia printing between the meter module.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Dolan, Robert T. Durst, Jr., Seymour Feinland, Gerald C. Freeman, Morton Silverberg
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Patent number: 5148015Abstract: A computerized system for displaying menu selections, and a touch switch comprising an array of reflective sensors paralleling the menu selections for highlighting a menu choice in response to a user touch, cooperating with a spacebar type switch paralleling the array for depression by the user to execute the highlighted function.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1990Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 5103225Abstract: A low cost, high resolution optical encoder for a brushless DC motor comprises reflective sensors, and a movable disk cooperating with a stationary pattern to provide a pattern of reflective and non-reflective areas for the sensors that can be used to generate motor positional information as well as commutation drive signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1990Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Dolan, Norman J. Bergman
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Patent number: 5098734Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening the flaps of envelopes comprising a guide path for guiding envelopes, a moistener, an arrangement for moving the moistener transversely of the guide path, a first drive for moving envelopes at a first speed onto the guide path, a detector for detecting the first speed, and a second drive for moving envelopes away from the guide path at a second speed. The first and second drives are spaced apart a distance less than the lengths of the envelopes. A sensor arrangement senses the widths of the flaps of envelopes at a determined position between the first and second drives, and a control arrangement is provided for controlling the position of the moistener as a function of the speed of an initial portion of the envelope, and as a function of the speed of a final portion of the envelope.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1990Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. O'Dea, Norman J. Bergman, Peter C. DiGiulio, Donald T. Dolan, James L. Vanderpool
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Patent number: 5082072Abstract: A mailing machine comprised of a plurality of modules, each of the modules a particular process function on a delivered envelope. The modules are arranged with in a single process station. The comprising modules include a scale module having means for weighing a envelope, a transport module having means for positioning the envelope in the process station and ejecting the envelope from the process station, a meter module having printing means for imprinting an indicia on the envelope, a platen module having means for causing the envelope to contact the printing means of the meter module, and a inking module having means for causing printing ink to be deposited on the printing means of the meter module. The modules operate in a manner functionally independent of any other module and in a manner. A tape module is included having means for positioning a tape for indicia printing between the meter module.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1990Date of Patent: January 21, 1992Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Dolan, Robert T. Durst, Jr., David W. Hubbard, Morton Silverberg
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Patent number: 5060741Abstract: A platen module is fixably mounted to the base of a modular mailing machine. A support wall is fixably mounted to the base. Also fixably mounted to the base of the mailing machine is a drive motor having an output shaft and plurality of gears fixably mounted to the respective ends of the output shaft. A guide rod is slidably mounted vertically to the support wall and a platen plate fixably mounted to the guide rod. A plurality of rack post are fixably mounted at one end to the platen plate and in constant mesh with a respective one of the gears.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1989Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jovito Abellana, Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 5014797Abstract: A mailing machine comprised of a plurality of modules, each of the modules a particular process function on a delivered envelope. The modules are arranged with in a single process station. The comprising modules include a scale module having means for weighing a envelope, a transport module having means for positioning the envelope in the process station and ejecting the envelope from the process station, a meter module having printing means for imprinting an indicia on the envelope, a platen module having means for causing the envelope to contact the printing means of the meter module, and a inking module having means for causing printing ink to be deposited on the printing means of the meter module. The modules operate in a manner functionally independent of any other module and in a manner. A tape module is included having means for positioning a tape for indicia printing between the meter module.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1989Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Dolan, Robert T. Durst, Jr., David W. Hubbard, Morton Silverberg
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Patent number: 5007371Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening the flaps of envelopes comprising a guide path for guiding envelopes, a moistener, an arrangement for moving the moistener transversely of the guide path, a first drive for moving envelopes at a first speed onto the guide path, a detector for detecting the first speed, and a second drive for moving envelopes away from the guide path at a second speed. The first and second drives are spaced apart a distance less than the lengths of the envelopes. A sensor arrangement senses the widths of the flaps of envelopes at a determined position between the first and second drives, and a control arrangement is provided for controlling the position of the moistener as a function of the speed of the first means for an initial portion of the envelope, and as a function of the speed of the second means for a final portion of the envelope.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1988Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. O'Dea, Norman J. Bergman, Peter C. Digiulio, Donald T. Dolan, James L. Vanderpool
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Patent number: 4982202Abstract: A printing cartridge adapted for use with thermal transfer printing apparatus. The cartridge includes a frame defining first and second printing stations, a ribbon supply spool, and a ribbon take-up spool, both of the spools being rotatably mounted on the frame. The ribbon has a backing layer and an ink donor layer and is guided in a feed path extending from the supply spool through the first and second printing stations, again through the first station, then to the take-up spool. The frame of the cartridge is adapted to receive a thermal printing head for engaging the ribbon at each of the first and second printing stations. The feed path has a first leg extending from the supply spool, through the first printing station, to the second printing station; a second leg extending through the second printing station to the first printing station; and a third leg extending through the first printing station to the take-up spool.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1988Date of Patent: January 1, 1991Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Danilo P. Buan, Albert C. Chiang, Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 4953842Abstract: In a mail handling machine, mail thickness measuring apparatus associated with a singulator mechanism for measuring mail thickness as soon as individual mail pieces are separated by the singulator from a stack of mail pieces.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1988Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Tolmie, Jr., Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 4947333Abstract: A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. The mail sender purchases postage from a central station thereby authorizing him to send mail equal to the amount of postage purchased. The mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1989Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Ronald P. Sansone, Richard A. Connell, Patricia Corsetti, Donald T. Dolan, George G. Gelfer
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Patent number: 4935078Abstract: A mailing machine for high-speed processing of mixed mail, capable of high throughput, and of compact size. It includes mail piece processing at four main stations in a straight-through manner, under positive control at all times by separate drive units at each station, with the sequential processing actions timed to optimize mail piece throughput.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1988Date of Patent: June 19, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Norman J. Bergman, Donald T. Dolan, Peter C. DiLiulio, Morton Silverberg
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Patent number: 4929106Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided which includes a molded piece-part having a substantially rectangularly-shaped plate portion including opposed surfaces. The piece-part also includes a pair of elongate parallel-spaced rack gear portions depending from one of the surfaces of the plate portion. The article further includes a member made of a resilient material having an inner surface facing the other of the surfaces of the plate portion and fixedly attached thereto. Moreover, the member includes a plurality of intersecting channels extending into the member from the inner surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1988Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Danilo P. Buan, Jovito N. Abellana, Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 4924804Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening the flap of an envelope moving in a first direction in a given plane, includes a nozzle directed to spray a liquid at an envelope flap along a given locus in the plane. A source of first signals that are a function of the position of the edge in the plane is provided. An arrangement responsive to the first signals moves the nozzle in a direction substantially parallel to the plane for moistening the flap at positions thereof. The source comprises a source of first signals corresponding to the edge positions of the flap at a position spaced a given distance from the locus in a second direction opposite the first direction. A source of a second signal corresponding to the velocity of the envelope is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1988Date of Patent: May 15, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. O'Dea, Donald T. Dolan, Norman J. Bergman
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Patent number: 4923023Abstract: A mailing machine comprised of a plurality of modules, each of the modules a particular process function on a delivered envelope. The modules are arranged within a single process station. The comprising modules include a scale module having means for weighing a envelope, a transport module having means for positioning the envelope in the process station and ejecting the envelope from the process station, a meter module having printing means for imprinting an indicia on the envelope, a platen module having means for causing the envelope to contact the printing means of the meter module, and an inking module having means for causing printing ink to be deposited on the printing means of the meter module. The modules operate in a manner functionally independent of any other module and in a manner. A tape module is included having means for positioning a tape for indicia printing between the meter module.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1989Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Dolan, Robert T. Durst, Jr., David W. Hubbard, Morton Silverberg
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Patent number: 4892162Abstract: The input station of a mailing machine includes an inclined tray for feeding vertically extending mail pieces. The thickness of the mail pieces is sensed, and a separator is responsive to sensed thickness to control the feed of the lowest mail piece on the tray to a weighing device. The mail pieces are transported vertically upwardly from the weighing device, to an upper roll, with the bottoms of the mail pieces being carried over the roll to start their descent to an output stacker. A postage meter may be provided at the weighing station, or adjacent the top roll. A flap moistener may be provided upstream of the top roll, and the flaps may be sealed adjacent the top roll.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1989Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 4872521Abstract: A platen module is fixably mounted to the base of a modular mailing machine. A support wall is fixably mounted to the base. Also fixably mounted to the base of the mailing machine is a drive motor having a output shaft and a plurality of gears fixably mounted the respective ends of the output shaft. A guide rod is slidably mounted vertically to the support wall and a platen plate fixably mounted to the guide rode. A plurality of rack post are fixably mounted at one end to the platen plate and in constant mesh with a respective one of the gears.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1988Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jovito N. Abellana, Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 4739343Abstract: The electronic postage meter includes a microcomputer controlled thermal head opposite a scavenging roller and suitable means of cleaning the scavenging roller. A cassette containing a thermal transfer tape coated on one side with a thermal sensitive ink is received within a cartridge slot in the postage meter. The thermal tape is threaded within the cartridge to journal from a feed reel beyond a guide roller, between a thermal head and scavenging roller, to a transfer roller and be received by a take-up reel, the scavenging roller and thermal head being constituent of the postage meter. The mailing machine includes a back-up roller bias peripherally opposite the transfer roller. An image is traced on the thermal tape by the thermal head in response to a microcomputer constituent to the postage meter.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1986Date of Patent: April 19, 1988Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Donald T. Dolan
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Patent number: 4728999Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for electronically recording using a xerographic machine and, more particularly, to an assembly of monoliths containing light emitting diodes (LED's) that yields a relatively long array of LED's with high light density and a contiguous set of light centers. A fiber optic cover is placed over the exposed surfaces of the LED's to counter the effects of the divergent angle of light emitting from the LED's and to protect the LED's from damage. A gel having a relatively high refractive index is applied between the LED's and the fiber optic cover to further counter the effects of the divergent angle of light.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1983Date of Patent: March 1, 1988Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Hugh St. L. Dannatt, Donald T. Dolan, Henry Stalzer
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Patent number: 4605937Abstract: A postage meter which includes a thermal print head for printing indicia, postal value, and the like is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, thermal elements in the thermal print head are electronically pulsed in appropriate serially timed patters to provide a complete thermally transferred image on a strip moving past the thermal head.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1984Date of Patent: August 12, 1986Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Dolan, William A. Ross, Kenneth A. Terry