Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Schulz

Kenneth A. Schulz 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).

  • Patent number: 7567431
    Abstract: A mailing machine is provided with a removable control panel device that is repositionable thereby enabling the operator to position the control panel device to face in different directions with respect to the mailing machine. The repositioning of the control panel device allows an operator to clearly view a display on the device from any work area of the mailing machine. For example, if an operator is standing near an input end of the mailing machine, the control panel device can be rotated such that it can be viewed by the operator while standing near the input end of the mailing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Brooks, Jr., Ania Mastriano, Howard M. Stevens, Kenneth A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6860090
    Abstract: An envelope stripping apparatus is disclosed for opening and holding open the flaps of envelopes or mail processed in a mailing machine or other envelope-processing machine. The flaps of the envelopes are held down against a vacuum plenum during transport of the envelope. The envelopes are fed along the feeding path towards a moistening device while the flap is stripped and held by the vacuum plenum. An arrangement of the plenum apertures is such that stiffer portions of the flaps have more vacuum applied than those that are of lesser area, or at the extreme end of the flap. A second arrangement of the envelope flaps will cause additional holding of the end of the flap if it is a larger envelope with a greater area at the end such as a square flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin J. Buckley, Christopher D. Clark, Robert P. Rebres, Kenneth A. Schulz, Steven A. Supron, Geoffrey S. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6832213
    Abstract: A mailing machine comprising a device for feeding an envelope having a width in a path of travel; a device for determining the width of the envelope; and a control device in operative communication with the determining device for using the width of the envelope to ascertain a proper amount of postage to be applied to the envelope. According to a first embodiment, the determining device includes a sensor array located transverse to the path of travel for detecting the presence of the envelope where the sensor array includes an inner plurality of sensors and an outer plurality of sensors located further away from a registration wall than the inner plurality of sensors. According to a second embodiment, the determining device includes a first sensor for detecting a lead edge of the envelope and a sensor line located downstream in the path of travel from the first sensor and at an angle to the path of travel so as to detect a lead corner of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald C. Freeman, Edilberto I. Salazar, Richard P. Schoonmaker, Kenneth A. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20030056476
    Abstract: An envelope stripping apparatus is disclosed for opening and holding open the flaps of envelopes or mail processed in a mailing machine or other envelope-processing machine. The flaps of the envelopes are held down against a vacuum plenum during transport of the envelope. The envelopes are fed along the feeding path towards a moistening device while the flap is stripped and held by the vacuum plenum. An arrangement of the plenum apertures is such that stiffer portions of the flaps have more vacuum applied than those that are of lesser area, or at the extreme end of the flap. A second arrangement of the envelope flaps will cause additional holding of the end of the flap if it is a larger envelope with a greater area at the end such as a square flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Franklin J. Buckley, Christopher D. Clark, Robert P. Rebres, Kenneth A. Schulz, Steven A. Supron, Geoffrey S. Coleman
  • Patent number: 6530192
    Abstract: An envelope stripping apparatus is disclosed for opening and holding open the flaps of envelopes or mail processed in a mailing machine or other envelope-processing machine. The flaps of the envelopes are held down against a vacuum plenum during transport of the envelope. The envelopes are fed along the feeding path towards a moistening device while the flap is stripped and held by the vacuum plenum. An arrangement of the plenum apertures is such that stiffer portions of the flaps have more vacuum applied than those that are of lesser area, or at the extreme end of the flap. A second arrangement of the envelope flaps will cause additional holding of the end of the flap if it is a larger envelope with a greater area at the end such as a square flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin J. Buckley, Christopher D. Clark, Robert P. Rebres, Kenneth A. Schulz, Steven A. Supron, Geoffrey S. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20020198852
    Abstract: A mailing machine comprising a device for feeding an envelope having a width in a path of travel; a device for determining the width of the envelope; and a control device in operative communication with the determining device for using the width of the envelope to ascertain a proper amount of postage to be applied to the envelope. According to a first embodiment, the determining device includes a sensor array located transverse to the path of travel for detecting the presence of the envelope where the sensor array includes an inner plurality of sensors and an outer plurality of sensors located further away from a registration wall than the inner plurality of sensors. According to a second embodiment, the determining device includes a first sensor for detecting a lead edge of the envelope and a sensor line located downstream in the path of travel from the first sensor and at an angle to the path of travel so as to detect a lead corner of the envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: GERALD C. FREEMAN, EDILBERTO I. SALAZAR, RICHARD P. SCHOONMAKER, KENNETH A. SCHULZ
  • Patent number: 6435353
    Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient refeeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Ryan, Jr., Kenneth A. Schulz, Lyle W. Shaw, John H. Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20020083687
    Abstract: An envelope stripping apparatus is disclosed for opening and holding open the flaps of envelopes or mail processed in a mailing machine or other envelope-processing machine. The flaps of the envelopes are held down against a vacuum plenum during transport of the envelope. The envelopes are fed along the feeding path towards a moistening device while the flap is stripped and held by the vacuum plenum. An arrangement of the plenum apertures is such that stiffer portions of the flaps have more vacuum applied than those that are of lesser area, or at the extreme end of the flap. A second arrangement of the envelope flaps will cause additional holding of the end of the flap if it is a larger envelope with a greater area at the end such as a square flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Franklin J. Buckley, Christopher D. Clark, Robert P. Rebres, Kenneth A. Schulz, Steven A. Supron
  • Patent number: 6347710
    Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Ryan, Jr., Kenneth A. Schulz, Lyle W. Shaw, John H. Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20010042706
    Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an apparatus that will assist in sorting mailpieces which increases the efficiency of the mail sorting apparatus, provides an organized space for intermediate storage of mailpieces and provides ergonomic features that reduce injury to the mail sorting apparatus operator and increases productivity. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a mailpiece storage rack. The storage rack is used to hold partially sorted mailpieces between sorting passes in multiple pass sorting of mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus or stores mailpieces after sortation and prior to delivery. The storage rack maintains the grouping, sequence and stack quality or alignment of partially sorted mailpieces which provides for more efficient re-feeding. The rack is designed ergonomically for easy transferring of mail into and out of storage and also provides for organized workflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: William E. Ryan, Kenneth A. Schulz, Lyle W. Shaw, John H. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 6006210
    Abstract: A mailing machine comprising a device for feeding an envelope having a width in a path of travel; a device for determining the width of the envelope; and a control device in operative communication with the determining device for using the width of the envelope to ascertain a proper amount of postage to be applied to the envelope. According to a first embodiment, the determining device includes a sensor array located transverse to the path of travel for detecting the presence of the envelope where the sensor array includes an inner plurality of sensors and an outer plurality of sensors located further away from a registration wall than the inner plurality of sensors. According to a second embodiment, the determining device includes a first sensor for detecting a lead edge of the envelope and a sensor line located downstream in the path of travel from the first sensor and at an angle to the path of travel so as to detect a lead corner of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald C. Freeman, Edilberto I. Salazar, Richard P. Schoonmaker, Kenneth A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5562399
    Abstract: A stacker for stacking paper documents seriatim is disclosed. The stacker includes: a platform, a helix extending upwardly from the platform; and a device for rotating the helix, whereby a paper document placed at the bottom of the helix can be driven upwardly to the top of the helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5233531
    Abstract: A system and method for the recharge of postage meters. A request for recharge of a postage meter is transmitted to a remote location as a facsimile image. The information in the request is extracted using OCR or similar techneques and transmitted to a data processing center which verifies the request and, if verified, returns a unique code which will recharge the requesting meter. The code is transmitted to the requesting meter as a second facsimile image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5154413
    Abstract: An accessing guide in combination with the paper path of a deck for transporting paper documents. The combination includes: a deck for supporting and transporting paper documents seriatim; and an adjustable side guide mounted on the deck for movement perpendicular to the direction of the paper path for guiding the flow of documents along the deck. The guide has a pivotable rail which can pivot away from the paper path in order to allow access to the paper path by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Boughton, Joan T. Wagner, Kenneth A. Schulz, Robert D. Lynch, Jr., Joseph H. Marzullo
  • Patent number: 4740164
    Abstract: Insertion and extraction of a circuit board (40) into and from a car guide (10) is aided by a lever-like, rigid, elongated member (66) hingedly attached at one hinged end (62) thereof to one side (22) of the card guide (10). The other nonhinged end (64) of the member (66) is manipulatable so that the member (66) may be moved between an open and a closed position. A bump (70) on the member (66) contacts the trailing edge (44) of the circuit board during insertion as the member (66) is moved to its closed position. In the closed position, the member (66) extends from one hinge side (22) of the card guide (10) to the other nonhinge side (12) thereof. A locking device (94) on the nonhinge side (12) of the card guide (10) releasably engages the nonhinge end (64) of the member (66) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Schulz, David H. Brooks, Jr., George H. Woods
  • Patent number: D310640
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Woods, Richard Rumsey, Kenneth A. Schulz