Abstract: A sheet feeding, folding and accumulating machine has an integral sheet storing and feeding mechanism, and a plurality of feeding inputs from which sheets are fed to a path of travel through the machine from the sheet storing and feeding mechanism or from an external source. A pair of buckle chutes are mounted in the machine, and suitable feeding and folding rollers are mounted adjacent the input ends of the buckle chutes for folding sheets that are fed into the buckle chutes. A movable buckle chute bypass gate is mounted adjacent the input end of each buckle chute, the gates being movable between opposite positions to cause sheets either to enter one or both of the buckle chutes or to bypass the buckle chutes and proceed directly to an accumulating mechanism that is mounted adjacent an outlet end of the machine to control whether each sheet will be folded or not folded before being deposited in the accumulating device.

Abstract: A document registration apparatus for use with a conveying device for transporting a document along a path from an upstream position to a downstream position through a document registration position, the document registration apparatus including an urge roller positioned adjacent to the path, the urge roller being moveable between a first urge roller position contacting the document and a second urge roller position out of contact with the document; apparatus for biasing the urge roller toward the conveying device; and a registration stop positioned adjacent to the urge roller and the path, the registration stop being moveable between a first registration stop position where the registration stop blocks transport of the document along the path and a second registration stop position away from the path where the registration stop does not block transport of the document along the path; wherein at times when the urge roller is in the first urge roller position and the registration stop is in the first registrat

Abstract: An envelope throat opening mechanism for an envelope inserting machine includes a pair of envelope throat opening claw assemblies mounted adjacent an envelope inserting position for opening the outer ends of an envelope disposed in the envelope inserting position to permit insert material to be inserted into the envelope. An envelope throat opening tongue assembly is also disposed adjacent the envelope inserting position and in substantial alignment with the center of an envelope, the tongue assembly having a tongue mounted therein for movement into the throat of the envelope adjacent the center thereof to ensure that the center portion of the throat is opened sufficiently to permit the insert material to be inserted into the envelope.

Abstract: A method for controlling a tape motor using a microcontroller for feeding tape in correspondence to printing of an indeterminate length of printing on the tape by a print drum utilizes a sensor for indicating a tape condition which changes in accordance with the engagement of a printing portion of the print drum with the tape. An optical sensor and slotted disk provide signals indicative of the rotation of a motor shaft of the tape motor. At least first and second counters are provided for counting signal pulses from said optical sensor corresponding to the passage of slots during rotation of the motor. From these counts and the indication of printing by the print drum, the micro controller can develop the timing of control signals for controlling the motor in correspondence to the length of printing on the tape.

Abstract: A tape roll rewind device includes a rotatable tape spool with tape wound thereon; and a device for 1) storing energy in response to rotation of the tape spool in a first direction, 2) storing a maximum amount of energy regardless of the amount of rotation of the tape spool in the first direction, and 3) utilizing the stored energy to rotate the tape spool in a second direction to rewind tape onto the tape spool upon the ending of rotation of the tape spool in the first direction.

Abstract: A mailing machine for printing a postage indicia with or without an advertisement on envelopes and varying lengths of postage tape. Also, a method of feeding, printing and cutting postage tape in a mailing machine. The mailing machine includes: an elongate feed deck; a postage meter mounted in the mailing machine and having a printer downstream of the feed deck for printing a postage indicia with or without an advertisement on successive envelopes as they are fed along the feed deck or on postage tape; and a tape feeding and cutting apparatus mounted in the mailing machine for feeding postage tape to the postage meter for printing of the postage indicia with or without advertisement and for cutting the postage tape into finite lengths and ejecting the lengths of tape from the mailing machine. The cut, printed portion includes only the amount of tape necessary for the printing of the indicia with or without advertisement regardless of the length of any advertisement printed.

Abstract: In a machine including driving apparatus and structure for feeding a sheet through and from the machine, and wherein the machine includes structure for sensing a sheet, an improvement comprising: a rotary timing cam; an actuating member movable into and out of locking engagement with the cam; a source of supply of d.c. power; a circuit for controlling the driving apparatus, the circuit including a trip switch actuatable in response to the sensing structure sensing a sheet fed to the machine; the driving apparatus responsive to actuation of the trip switch for causing the actuating member to move out of locking engagement with the cam and then causing the cam to rotate; and the circuit including structure for disabling the trip switch for a predetermined time period after the driving apparatus commences rotating the cam.

Abstract: An improved closed-loop hydrostatic transmission system is provided of the type including a pump (11), a motor (13), and a pair of conduits (15 and 17). The system includes a main control valve (43) and a charge pump (23) which is the sole source of make-up fluid to the closed-loop system and the sole source of control fluid for varying the pump. The system includes a power limiting means comprising first and second pressure relief valve means (75 and 77) operable to provide fluid communication from whichever side of the closed-loop is at high pressure to the system reservoir whenever system pressure exceeds the predetermined maximum pressure. The motor is adapted to transmit drive torque to a reversible load (37) of the type having a known inertia and a predeterminable time of deceleration from maximum speed operation in one direction to a standstill condition.

Abstract: In a machine including driving apparatus and structure for sensing a sheet fed to the machine; an improvement comprising: a rotary timing cam; an actuating member movable into and out of locking engagement with the cam; a source of supply of d.c. power; a first circuit connected across the power supply and including a solenoid and a trip switch actuatable for energizing the solenoid; a second circuit connected across the power supply and including a d.c. motor and a motor switch actuatable for energizing and deenergizing the motor; and the trip switch actuated in response to the sensing structure sensing a sheet fed to the machine, and the driving apparatus causing the actuating member to move out of locking engagement with the cam and actuate the motor switch for energizing the motor to drive the cam when the solenoid is energized.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for sensing a sheet fed to the machine, an improvement comprising: a rotary timing cam, an actuating member movable into and out of locking engagement with the cam; apparatus for controlling the actuating member, the controlling apparatus including resilient structure for urging the actuating member to move into and out of locking engagement with the cam; and the sensing structure including structure for normally latching the controlling apparatus for preventing the resilient structure from moving the actuating member out of locking engagement with the cam, and the latching structure unlatching the controlling apparatus for permitting the resilient structure to move the actuating member out of locking engagement with the cam when the sensing structure senses a sheet fed to the machine.

Abstract: Fluid supply apparatus comprising: a hollow container made of a resilient plastic material, the container including an upper wall, the upper wall including first and second wells formed therein and extending into the interior of the container, one of said wells forming a fluid inlet opening; a pad made of a wicking material, the other of said wells forming a fluid outlet opening, said pad mounted within the other of said wells and extending from said container via said fluid outlet opening; and the container including a side wall having a generally S-shaped transverse cross-section.

Abstract: In a machine including rotary structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, wherein the machine includes apparatus for driving the rotary printing structure, wherein the driving apparatus includes a drive gear having a home position, wherein driving apparatus includes a locking member movable into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear when the drive gear is in its home position, and wherein the machine includes trip structure for sening a sheet fed to the machine, an improvement comprising: an actuating member for moving the locking member into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear; apparatus for controlling the actuating member, the controlling apparatus including resilient structure for urging the actuating member to move the locking member into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear; and the trip structure including structure for normally latching the controlling apparatus for preventing the resilient structure from moving the actuating member to move the

Abstract: A mailing machine system, including a mailing machine base and a feeder module secured to the base for conveying envelopes toward a postage meter secured to the base. The feeder module includes a horizontal feed deck and a vertical registration wall adjacent the feed deck and forming a right angle therewith. The system also includes an automatic override circuit for turning the mailing machine system on and off at particular times depending upon the presence or absence of an envelope on the feed deck, and a sensing device having an emitting element and a receiving element. One of the elements is situated in the feed deck and the other of the elements is situated in the registration wall. The sensing device is operatively connected to the on-off circuit, wherein the detection by the sensing device of the presence of an envelope causes the mailing machine system to be turned on and the lack of detection by the sensing device for a predetermined period of times causes the mailing machine system to be turned off.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 time patters to provide a complete thermally transferred image on a strip moving past the thermal head. A reversible stepper motor and cam arrangement are utilized to provide a drive mechanism and a means for relieving pressure on the strip at the end of each print cycle. With the pressure relieved, a particularly simplified loading of a thermal ribbon cassette may be effected.

Abstract: 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 patterns to provide a complete thermally transferred image on a strip moving past the thermal head. The meter tape is cut prior to the strips moving past the thermal head.

Abstract: 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. A reversible stepper motor and cam arrangement are utilized to provide a drive mechanism and a means for relieving pressure on the strip at the end of each print cycle.