Abstract: An improved mailing machine has a switch for incrementally changing the magnitude of a time interval during which ink is applied to the applicator roller. The magnitude of the time interval for ink application is both stored and displayed. The magnitude of the change in the stored and displayed values is incremented by one unit for each unit of time that the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A computing system having a non-volatile memory with locations with store data and are physically accessible such that the locations can be human visually readable to determine the data values stored therein. The non-volatile memory is operatively coupled to the computing system so that the computing means can write data into the non-volatile memory.A postage meter employing this system is adapted to be energized by an external source of operating power and includes a postage printing mechanism for printing postage and a computing system coupled to said postage printing mechanism for accounting for postage printed by the printing mechanism. A non-volatile memory for storing data is operatively coupled to the computing system and includes locations for storing data, critical postage accounting and other data when the postage meter is not energized by the external source of operating power.

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 electrophotographic copier, which incorporates an endless web style photoconductor, has a copy sheet deflector strategically mounted above the detaching web idler roller, and over the prescribed path of travel leading to the fixing station. The sheet deflector provides a means of protection for the copier instrumentalities otherwise damaged by those copy sheets unaccepted to the fixing station due to irregular shape, or mishandling during transport leading to the fixing station.

Abstract: An improvement in an electrophotocopying machine utilizing a two component developer material and having a reciprocating carriage for carrying an original document across the illuminating means, an endless, reusable photoconductor, the photoconductor rotating through two cycles for each copy produced of an original document and having a seam extending across the width thereof and a total length less than the length of the document to be imaged and the length required for the physical location of all the photocopying process elements other than the transfer apparatus, a corona device for discharging electrical charge that may remain on the photoconductor after the developed image has been transferred from the photoconductor, a magnetic brush developing device for developing the latent image on the photoconductor and removing untransferred developer material from the photoconductor, and a common source of internally generated voltage for both the discharging corona and the magnetic brush developing device bias

Abstract: A fusing apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine in which heat fusible developing material is deposited in image-wise configuration on a sheet of paper and fixed thereto by the application of heat. The fusing apparatus has a conveyor system for conveying the sheet of paper past a source of heat for fusing the developing material into the paper. The fusing apparatus includes a secondary driving means to maintain operation of the conveying system in the event of any failure of the normal source of driving power to the conveying system so that the conveying system does not stop with the sheet of paper still adjacent the source of heat, which would allow the sheet of paper to catch fire. The secondary driving means includes stored energy means which becomes automatically operable to maintain operation of the conveying system for a period of time sufficient to eject the copy sheet from the fusing apparatus in the event of an electrical power failure in the copying machine.