Abstract: There is an envelope deskewing device provided with a mailing machine having a horizontal feed deck, with an elongate registration guide which extends along one side edge. Mail is fed along a feed path determined by the registration guide and a postage meter located downstream from the deskewing device. A support is mounted over the upper surface of the feed deck with a first rotary frictional drive mounted on the support for feeding the envelopes parallel to the registration guide along the feed path. A second rotary frictional drive is mounted upstream from the first rotary drive for receiving the envelopes in a random orientation ranging from parallel to the registration guide to a predetermined angle with respect to the registration guide. An abutment device mounted on the support adjacent to the second rotary drive prevents an envelope from being fed by the second rotary drive if the envelope is placed on the feed deck at an angle greater than the predetermined angle.

Abstract: An improvement to a facsimile system which enables the simulation of 240 and 300 DPI feedwise scan resolutions in a system designed to operate at 200 and 400 DPI feedwise scan resolutions. The simulation is accomplished by feedwise advancing a document past a horizontal image scanner in defined sequences of half and full steps, half steps causing the document to be feedwise advanced by one four-hundredth of an inch (as in 400 DPI mode), full steps causing the document to be feedwise advanced by one two-hundredth of an inch (as in 200 DPI mode). The scan resolution errors introduced by the simulation are non-cumulative since the system comes back into feedwise synchronization with true 240 and 300 DPI scan resolutions each time one of the defined three operation sequences is completed. Also, a method of operating a document feeding system to approximate 240 and 300 DPI feedwise scan resolutions.

Abstract: An improved electrostatic ink jet system is disclosed which provides ink upon demand to print upon plain paper. The demand signal is the application of an increased voltage level over an existing or bias level. The termination of this increased voltage level, of course, stops the ink flow to end the printing operation. The ink jet assembly includes an ink jet of reduced length by the inclusion of a conductive surface at a predetermined point along the ink jet length. The assembly therefore has a unique physical shape which provides improved electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: A constant head magnetic actuated ink jet cartridge is disclosed wherein a magnetically actuated piston is utilized to raise ink over a fixed height controlling wall and thereby maintain the ink at a constant head in the area of the ink jet nozzle.

Abstract: The assembly includes a stylus board which comprises an insulating board which carries a plurality of styli, and a backplane board which is made up of a plurality of electrode strips carried by an insulating sheet and positioned to contact the array of styli with a sheet of paper between them for receiving electrostatic charge as a result of electrical signals applied to the styli and the backplane electrodes. To provide intimate and uniform contact between the stylus board and the backplane board, the backplane board has a rubber backing strip, by means of which pressure is applied thereto to cause the desired close and uniform contact between it and the stylus board.

Abstract: The disclosure is of electrostatic recording apparatus including a plurality of groups of printing electrodes on one side of a sheet of printing paper and a plurality of base or counter electrodes on the other side of the paper. Corresponding electrodes in each group of printing electrodes are connected together to form sub-groups of printing electrodes. Data signals, to be printed, are connected to electrodes in all of the sub-groups of printing electrodes at the same time, and selected base electrodes are energized to select the associated printing electrodes which actually perform a printing operaion.According to the invention, the counter electrodes are operated in pairs, with two adjacent counter electrodes being energized at any instant. However, the counter electrodes are not operated sequentially in pairs, buy they are paired randomly in the series, with favorable spacing being provided between sequentially operated pairs.

Abstract: The machine, which may be a facsimile machine, stands on the floor and includes a roll of paper which runs over a stylus assembly, by means of which a pattern of electrostatic charges are formed on the paper, after which the paper is cut and fed downwardly toward the lower end of the machine where it is treated with toner, which is then fused to provide a fixed visible message thereon. The printed document is driven generally upwardly by a roller assembly onto a generally vertically oriented document-receiving tray which is elevated somewhat above the lowest level of the machine at a level which is comfortable for the operator. The tray has a V-shaped document-supporting base, and the apex of the V provides a ridge on which the documents are bent slightly to render them rigid and easy to stack. The roller assembly at the base of the tray is arranged to stiffen the document and facilitate its movement into the tray.