Abstract: A driving apparatus allowing two motors to drive a same driving shaft is provided. When a voltage command value is less than a predetermined threshold, a control unit outputs driving command values based on one control pattern such that a direction of a torque of one of the motors becomes different from a driving direction of the driving shaft. Also, when the voltage command value becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the control unit outputs the driving command values based on another control pattern, such that the direction of the torque of the one of the motors becomes the same as the driving direction of the driving shaft when the voltage command value is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, and does not become different from the driving direction of the driving shaft when the voltage command value drops below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus designed to cancel at least one postage or franking mark on a surface of a mailpiece moving on edge in a belt conveyor, said apparatus comprising: a conveyor portion with a plurality of small superposed belts and a plurality of superposed print heads; and control means for controlling the print heads in such a manner as to cause a print head to print one or more cancellation marks over the franking mark(s) detected on the mailpiece. Each print head is suitable for operating selectively with a plurality of superposed inkjets so as to print only a portion (¾, ½, ¼) of said cancellation mark or a scaled-down version thereof over the franking mark when said franking mark is positioned in such a manner as to be off-center between two belts.

Abstract: In a printer, a first section is sized to accommodate a rolled sheet therein. A printing head is horizontally movable along a moving path extending in a first direction and operable to perform printing on a part of the rolled sheet which is drawn out from the first section. A second section is provided on a first side of the first section relative to the first direction. A third section is provided on a second side of the first section relative to the first direction opposite to the first side. A control board on which a circuit operable to control an operation of the printer is mounted is disposed in the first section so as to extend vertically. An ink supplying member is disposed in the third section that supplies ink to the printing head. The moving path is longer than a dimension of the first section in the first direction.

Abstract: A stamp apparatus having a conveying belt pair for conveying a mail matter in an arrow T direction, sensor for detecting the conveyed mail matter, a stamp hub which roll-contacts a postage stamp portion of the mail matter, rotates, and stamps the portion with a postmark, and a backup roller for pressing the conveyed mail matter onto the stamp hub. The stamp hub is directly connected to the AC servo motor, and is rotated at a speed equal to a conveying speed of the mail matter, when a effective region contacts the mail matter.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an image reader for reading an image on a printed paper sheet to obtain image data, and a controller for controlling the image reader to obtain image data about a color chart including solid patches once for every predetermined number of printed sheets or at every predetermined time interval which is inputted and set. The controller processes the image data to compute a printed density of each solid patch. Measurement data including the printed density are sequentially stored in a storage section in association with the number of printed sheets or time. The measurement data stored in the storage section may be displayed by a display section or outputted to a print section in the form of history data indicating measurement data transitions. Thus, the printing apparatus including a device for measuring printed sheets can perform history management on the measurement data for every predetermined number of printed sheets or at every predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A process and image formation apparatus with an enhanced loading of printable media onto a path of conveyance through the apparatus during the practice of the process by feeding paper for an image forming apparatus by setting a predetermined pickup time of a pickup roller; detecting wether a paper is picked up by the pickup roller when a printing order is received; wherein if the paper is detected, a printing operation is performed, if the paper is not detected, a pickup time of the pickup roller is counted and attempting to pick up the paper by the pickup roller until the counted pickup time is not less than the predetermined pickup time or until the paper is detected.

Abstract: A collator apparatus is disclosed for assembling a plurality of continuous forms into a sequence of multi-layer forms. The apparatus includes a numbering device which is disposed adjacent to the sequence of forms for applying a number to a first form of the sequence. The device includes a numbering wheel having an axis of rotation disposed normal to a direction of movement of the sequence of forms past the wheel, the wheel defining a peripheral surface. A printing device is secured to the peripheral surface for printing the number of the first form when the printing device contacts the first form during mutual movement of the printing device and the first form. A locking mechanism is operably connected to the wheel for selectively locking the wheel against rotation thereof. The locking mechanism locks the wheel in a first rotational disposition of the printing device until the first form reaches a first location relative to the first disposition.

Abstract: A control device for on the fly printing machines, especially machines for franking envelopes, comprises a printing device comprising a rotary print head actuated by a first motor and carrying on a portion of its surface a printing active part. A conveyor device for conveying the envelopes is actuated by a second motor and feeds the envelopes into contact with the printing device at a given conveyor speed and evacuates franked envelopes. The rotation speed of the first motor is optimized so that the tangential speed of the print head is held equal to the conveyor speed during a printing phase corresponding to the period during which an envelope is in contact with the active printing part and as close as possible to the conveyor speed during a complementary catch-up phase. The conveyor speed is optimized so that the conveyor speed is as low as possible whilst preventing overlapping of envelopes arriving on the conveyor device.

Abstract: An envelope positioning assembly for a postage meter. A typical postage meter includes a registration wall, a deck and a printing apparatus for printing a postage indicia on an envelope. The envelope positing assembly includes: (1) a pin fixably mounted to the registration wall and generally aligned perpendicular to the deck, (2) a stop having an obstructing surface and a cutout, (3) positioning apparatus and (4) a microcontroller in communication with the positioning apparatus. The stop is slidably mounted on the pin to move between a first position where the obstructing surface extends above the deck and provides an obstruction to the envelope and a second position where the cutout extends above the deck and does not obstruct the envelope. The microcontroller means causes the positioning apparatus to move the stop to the second position upon initiation of a print cycle.

Abstract: An intermittent motion rotary printing press in which the inking cylinder and pressure cylinder are mounted in spaced apart relation on a single common bracket assembly which pivots between an inking step position and a print step position. The range of bracket assembly pivot motion is adjustable to define a first stop point at which the inking cylinder transfers ink to a printing plate and a second stop point at which the pressure cylinder confines a web in printing contact with the printing plate. One or more pneumatic cylinders operate to shift the bracket assembly between first and second stop points and hold the assembly at the selected stop point for inking or printing operations respectively.

Abstract: A mailing machine, comprising a base including a deck, a postage meter removably mounted on the base, the postage meter including a rotary postage printing drum overhanging the deck, the base including means for feeding an envelope in a downstream path of travel to the drum, the base including means for selectively driving the drum for printing postage on an envelope fed thereto, envelope deflecting means including an elongate substantially rectangularly-shaped member having a predetermined length, the member including a substantially horizontally-extending first portion of the length thereof fixedly attached to the drum, the member including a second portion of the length thereof inclined downwardly from the first portion, the member including a third portion of the length thereof inclined upwardly from the second portion, the member including a fourth portion of the length thereof extending substantially horizontally from the third portion and disposed between and in sliding engagement with the drum and the

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two levers (80, 81), which are rotatable around rigid axles (86, 87). Added to this is a third rigid axle (85), which carries the one lower infeed roller (21.2). The upper infeed roller (21.1) is supported at a lever (80) and is springingly pressed against the lower infeed roller (21.2). The apparatus permits letters to be postage metered run in direction of the arrow (52) and thereby press the two infeed rollers (21.1, 21.2) apart from each other up to a maximum width D.In operation one lever (80) carries a bolt (95) at an arm (94), where the bolt (95) engages into a curved slot (98) of the other lever (81). The bolt (95) freely moves in the curved slot (98) between zero and a with of, for example, 3 mm. In case of a larger width, the bolt (95) impacts at the edge of the slot and presses the other lever (81) in direction of the dashed illustrated deflection position. Other lever (81) has a release hole (99).

Abstract: A rotary stamp mechanism includes a drive wheel with a curved stamp holding housing held thereon by a sheet metal band to enable replacement and adjustment of the stamp housing. A stamping sequence is selected by a machine operator and the leading edge of the next succeeding copy sheet triggers rotation of the drive wheel and during one complete revolution of the drive wheel the copy sheet is stamped with a desired logo. A pawl on the drive wheel is lifted by the copy sheet for stamping purposes and gravity returns the pawl to its home position which in turn stops the drive wheel in its initial position for succeeding stamping.

Abstract: A position sensor system for controlling accurately the movement of a print head so that printing occurs on a series of products at the same location independent of product speed, changes in speed and mechanical delays includes a product or product mark sensor, a speed sensor, an integrator, and a comparator. The product mark sensor detects the presence of a product mark on each product to be printed upon to generate sensed signals. The speed sensor detects the speed of the product to be printed upon to generate a speed signal. The integrator is responsive to the speed signal and the sensed signals for generating a ramp signal indicative of the actual position of the product to be printed upon. The comparator compares the ramp signal with a reference signal compensating for mechanical delays and generates a clutch-on signal to activate a print head clutch to cause movement of the print head into a printing position.

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: In a mailing machine including a postage meter, wherein the postage meter includes rotary structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, wherein the machine includes structure for driving the printing structure, wherein the machine includes apparatus for feeding a sheet fed thereto downstream in a path of travel through the machine, the sheet feeding apparatus includes an impression roller rotatably mounted beneath the rotary printing means, and wherein the impression roller has an inner end and an outer end, an improvement comprising: trip apparatus including an elongate trip lever and a shaft on which the lever is pivotally mounted, the trip lever extending into the path of travel; the driving apparatus including a trip switch actuatable for starting operation of the driving apparatus; the trip apparatus including a spring connected to the trip lever for normally holding the trip lever in actuating engagement with the trip switch to actuate the trip switch for maintaining the driving apparatu

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter and a housing for supporting the postage meter, wherein the mailing machine includes means for individually feeding sheets in a path of travel through the machine, wherein the postage meter includes rotary means for printing indicia on the sheets; and wherein the postage meter includes a roller spaced downstream in the path of travel from the rotary printing means, an improvement in the sheet feeding means, the improvement comprising: an impression roller and a shaft on which the impression roller is mounted for rotation therewith; an ejection roller and a shaft on which the ejection roller is mounted for rotation therewith; an elongate carriage including a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other, one end of each of the side walls including an arcuately-shaped portion pivotally attaching the carriage to the housing and forming a generally C-shaped bearing bushing; the ejection roller shaft rotatably mounted with the bearing bushings for supporting the eje

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter, wherein the postge meter includes rotary structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, wherein the machine includes apparatus for driving the printing structure, wherein the machine includes apparatus for feeding a sheet fed thereto downstream in a path of travel through the machine, wherein the sheet feeding apparatus includes an impression roller rotatably mounted beneath the rotary printing structure, and wherein the impression roller has an inner end and an outer end, an improvement comprising: apparatus for aligning a sheet fed to the machine with the path of travel, the aligning apparatus including a registration fence aligned with the path of travel, the aligning apparatus including an elongate stop lever and a shaft on which the lever is pivotally mounted outboard of the outer end of the impression roller, the stop lever extending into the path of travel for pivoting a sheet fed thereto toward the registration fence, the aligning apparatu

Abstract: In a mailing machine including a postage meter and means for feeding a sheet through and from the machine, wherein the postage meter includes rotary printing structure for printing indicia on a sheet fed through the machine, and the machine includes apparatus for driving the printing structure, wherein the driving apparatus includes a drive gear for rotating the printing structure, the driving apparatus includes a shutter bar movable into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear, the driving appartus includes an actuating member for moving the shutter bar, and wherein the machine includes trip structure for sensing a sheet, an improvement comprising: a source of supply of d.c.

Abstract: A mailing machine for conveying envelopes seriatim along a feed path toward a postage meter operatively connected to said mailing machine. The mailing machine includes a housing frame, a deck secured to the frame for supporting the envelopes, the deck having a longitudinal slot therein, a lower, driven, feed roller rotatably mounted on the frame, and an electro-mechanical tripper mounted on the frame for actuating the postage meter, the tripper projecting upwardly through the deck slot adjacent and downstream of the lower feed roller.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which includes a single revolution clutch. The clutch includes first and second cam sections which comprise the output member of the clutch. When the clutch is released, a spring accelerates the output member to bring a control surface on the second cam section into operative engagement with a cylindrically-shaped, rotating, input member. An abutment member on the first cam section cooperates with a follower arm to stop the rotation of the output member after a single revolution. A solenoid and linkage are used to raise the follower above the abutment stop to release the clutch for another single revolution of the output member.

Abstract: The processor has a "U"-shaped transport path with input and output slots in closely situated parallel planes. An overrunning clutch forms part of the transport drive between the reader and the printer to shorten the transport path by permitting the leading edge of the ticket to enter the printer while the ticket is being read by the higher speed reader. The processor can be either horizontally or vertically oriented. When vertically oriented, the input and output slots can be situated on opposite sides of a glass partition to permit customer insertion of a pre-marked ticket.

Abstract: A printer which comprises a printing roll mounted upon a main shaft for rotation, an ink roll presented in axial parallel relationship to said printing roll and having heat-soluble ink, a clutch brake unit operatively connected to said printing roll and ink roll for controlling rotation thereof consonant with the printing interval of material to be printed responsive to a feeding mechanism, an encoder for translating the rate of speed of said material into a pulse of unit length. A heat sleeve is concentrically disposed upon said main shaft for rotation therewith; there being a heater element provided within said heat sleeve. A printing type holder is removably mounted on the outer periphery of said heat sleeve for receiving ink from said ink roller. A power supply shaft cooperates with said feed mechanism, and a quill shaft is provided for operative connection to said power supply shaft to transmit rotation to said printing roll and ink roll.

Abstract: An endorsement printer for document processing systems is driven in a printing operation cycle by two separate motors. One motor, which may be of the stepping type, drives the endorsement printer in acceleration and deceleration modes before and after the actual operation of imprinting endorsement data on the document being processed. The second motor, which may be of the AC induction type, drives the endorsement printer at substantially constant velocity during the actual imprinting portion of the operation cycle. Cooperating disc and cam elements control the transmission of power from the second motor to the endorsement printer during the constant velocity portion of the cycle, during which the first motor is turned off. A data processing system receives information from a document sensor and a timing disc coupled to the first motor, and controls the operation of said motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stand-alone electronic mailing machine that includes a postage metering device. The invention has particular utility when utilized in a mailing machine of the reciprocating platen type. The entire drive mechanism, setting mechanism, and control devices as well as the postage metering mechanisms are all contained in one housing so that there is no need for a separate base. In the mailing machine of this invention, a single central processing unit is utilized along with memory for the purpose of accounting for the postage value that has been charged into the mailing machine as well as the amount that has been used. Non-volatile memory is provided for permanent storage in case of power failure. A pair of stepper motors is used for the purpose of adjusting the print dies with the amounts that are to be imprinted. One of the stepper motors is also used to trip a single revolution clutch which is utilized to affect the printing operation.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mailing machine is provided which includes a housing having a slot into which an envelope may be inserted, a platen movably connected to said housing, a print head overhanging said platen, and structure for moving the platen into engagement with an envelope inserted into the slot for urging the envelope into imprinting engagement with the print head. In addition there is provided a computer, for controlling the platen moving means, and switching apparatus including a member movably connected to the housing and extending into said slot for movement by an envelope inserted into the slot. The switching apparatus includes an optical sensing device mounted within the housing and electrically connected to the computer. The sensing device is responsive to movement of the member for signalling the computer. And the computer is responsive to the signalling for causing the platen moving structure to move the platen.

Abstract: A postage meter system having a rotary printing drum for printing fixed data is disclosed. Disposed entirely within the drum is an internal print head for printing variable data. The rotary drum contains an opening therein through which the internally located print head prints variable data on a mailpiece. The print head reciprocates between a printing position and a non-printing position. The reciprocation of the print head between these positions is synchronized with and controlled automatically by the position of the rotary drum during its cycle of rotation. The print head operates to print on a mailpiece only when the opening in the drum is between the print head and the mailpiece. The print head may be an impact matrix print head which together with an associated inked ribbon is placed adjacent the mailpiece in a printing position only during the printing portion of the drum's cycle.

Abstract: An endorser for document processing machines is provided with means for controlling the application of an endorsement in a manner which reduces the deleterious effects of impaction previously encountered when printing endorsements and at the same time affords certain other advantages. The system employs camming means operating through lever means to control the impact in a manner which converts a point load to a shear load while reducing power requirements to a driving motor and making it possible to cope with documents of varied thicknesses. The system makes it possible to convert some of the energy otherwise wasted in the system to accelerate the platen and thus reduce motor power requirements.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed which permits the printing of indicia on a continuously moving web at a fixed position offset from previously printed, evenly spaced web marks. The fixed position of the printed indicia relative to the web marks is independent of the velocity of the web. A web mark sensor, which may be part of the system to which the present invention is retrofitted, detects the passage of each previously printed web mark past a detection position. A registration circuit controls the timing of the printing of the indicia on the moving web and provides START signals for a servomotor-driven rotary print head which includes one or more peripherally mounted printing elements. A tachometer is mechanically coupled to a web transport mechanism to produce an output voltage which provides the velocity command for the servomotor drive of the rotary print head to match the rotational velocity of the print head to the linear velocity of the web during the printing interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a drive system having an intermittently rotating output shaft. In operation, the output shaft is caused to accelerate to a constant rotational velocity, held at that velocity for a predetermined portion of its rotation, then decelerated to zero velocity. The acceleration and deceleration values are caused to be low in magnitude so that components of the system are subjected to reduced shock loadings and generate reduced noise as compared to a rapid acceleration and deceleration system. Particular applicability for the system is found in document endorsers having an endorsing plate connected to the output shaft and rotated such that the endorsing plate contacts and imprints documents in an endorsing area on command.

Abstract: As documents are moved serially past a servo motor-driven endorser, it endorses a stamp upon each. A transport signal dependent on document speed, and an endorser signal generated by an optical tachometer mounted to the servo motor, provide input to a frequency comparator. The output of the comparator is a control signal which controls the servo motor speed to adjust the endorser rotational surface velocity to equalization with the document speed. Logic circuitry sets the endorser at a zero angular position. Responsive to an endorse command, the endorser is accelerated to document speed, receives ink from a supply roller, then endorses the passing document. A counter and a digital comparator in cooperation with the tachometer signal completion of the endorsement whereupon the endorser is decelerated and placed in the zero position.

Abstract: A modular high speed printing system for printing alphabetic and numerical information upon individual items or documents fed individually or in series through the modules. A feeder module performs accounting functions as to the number of documents processed, provides multiple or single mode document feeding and is adjustable to accommodate different size documents. The system also includes one or more printing modules for printing machine readable repetitive data, machine readable consecutive data, repetitive alphanumeric information and consecutive numeric information. A document receiver module adjustable to different size forms is also provided. The printing modules employ common document drive systems including an adjustable document end stop to permit horizontal placement of the information on the document. Vertical positioning of the information on the document is accomplished by means of adjusting the print mechanisms.

Abstract: High speed printing endorsing apparatus of modular construction capable of automatically printing both fixed and variable information simultaneously upon items fed to said apparatus in a continuous uninterrupted stream of items. Differential gearing and a wrap spring clutch in combination with a cam and follower concentric with the main drive shaft of the apparatus provide means for automatic item batch consecutive number advance by means of relative motion between the cam the printing apparatus. The item batch printing device is demountably removable permitting alteration of the fixed information while the vertical position of the batch printing relative to the item information field format is alterable at will. Automatic means is provided for loading and unloading the print head inking assembly against the print head so as to avoid any bleeding of the inking mechanism when not in use.

Abstract: An endorser for use in document processing apparatus is provided with a matrix wire printer for printing variable information on documents as they are transported at a controlled speed along a transport path forming part of an endorsing station, and with a rotatable ink stamp driven by a controlled speed motor for printing fixed information on the documents in predetermined relationship with the variable information. A rotatably mounted endorser head assembly comprised of a velocity control member and an interrupted curvilinear platen, in addition to the ink stamp, is drivably rotated by the controlled speed motor to initially intercept and decelerate a document entering the endorsing station, and to thereafter print the fixed and variable information on the document. Deceleration of the document is accomplished by the velocity control member of the endorser head assembly in cooperation with a first biased back-up roller.

Abstract: To place a driven shaft in accurate angular alignment with respect to a continuously rotating driving shaft or, selectively, with respect to a fixed reference, the fixed reference is formed as a housing, the driving shaft has a disk with a cam track attached thereto, and the housing likewise has a disk with a cam track. The driven shaft has an engagement pin connected thereto, axially slidable and engageable, respectively, with the cam tracks of the driving shaft, or of the housing,.

Abstract: Imprinters or stampers for imprinting or stamping numerals, letters or symbols into the top of pieces of dough prior to baking, which includes means for individually sensing each piece of dough to insure that the imprinting device is properly timed for imprinting the dough pieces.

Abstract: Paper is carried on an apertured platen and is rotated past a slowly moving printing head so as to scan in a raster fashion from top to bottom and from left to right over the surface of the paper. The paper is held to the platen drum by a vacuum that is applied to the inside of the platen. A valve is located at the entrance of the vacuum system of the platen in order to rapidly dissipate the vacuum so as to release or remove the paper from the still rapidly rotating platen. To facilitate inserting and releasing paper, a shroud system is placed very close to the periphery of the drum and guides the paper during insertion to close proximity with the vacuum. An exit door is provided in the shroud at a convenient location to permit the paper to exit from the drum once the vacuum has been dissipated. The size of the drum is made such that its circumference is slightly less than the length of the paper so as to provide overlap of the top and bottom edges of the paper.

Abstract: A single revolution mechanism is disclosed in which a feed roll is mounted on a print lever which is attached rotatably to a pivot. By rotating the lever, the feed roll can be brought into contact with an external driving shaft. The feed roll is coupled to a ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl and ratchet. The pawl is engaged with a spring urged pressure lever so that when the feed roll is driven, the ratchet pushes itself away from the second lever to latch the print lever and roll in the operative position during a full revolution. After performing the revolution, the print lever reengages the ratchet to unlatch the device from the driving roll in preparation for another actuation.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a plurality of movable flexible endless belts incorporated in a plate drum which are aligned side by side, each of the endless belts being provided with spaced printing type on its outer peripheral surface and arranged side by side in at least on row within the plate drum. The endless belt has power transmitting means including an electromagnetic clutch which is coupled to a slip ring segment for feeding current to the clutch. A plurality of slip ring segments are arranged on substantially concentric circular lines. Every time each of the belts is displaced by a distance corresponding to one spacing between adjacent type, the displacement is detected as an electric pulse by a detecting means. A selected type can be brought to a specified position by the use of means for selectively determining the duration of energization of the electromagnetic clutch based on the detection effected as above.

Abstract: A transfer-printing process and apparatus for transfer-printing from a master card onto a work piece. The process starts by manual insertion of the master card into a gap provided between press rollers. By the insertion of the master card, the work piece is fed into a work piece path and the surface thereof is wetted during its movement along the path. The work piece thus fed and the master card sustained between the gap are registered with each other as desired and pressed for transfer-printing by the rotation of the press rollers. The work piece and the master card are then delivered to the insertion inlet of the master card.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding, separating, counting and stacking documents at high speed. Documents are stacked in the infeed conveyor and are bottom fed preferably by closed loop belts and an eccentric wheel which continuously jogs the stack. Drive rollers support the closed loop belts which serve to feed the bottom-most documents beneath cooperative stripper means which assures the feeding of only one document at a time towards acceleration rollers and a cooperating platen roller for accelerating documents fed therebetween to provide a gap between succeeding documents to enable a sensor to accurately count the documents. Counted documents are driven from an outfeed location into a stacker having a floor positioned beneath the outfeed location by a distance selected to prevent incoming documents from being interleaved in their improper order and from interfering with the documents being fed into the stacker. The platen roller also serves as a backing roller for endorsing means.

Abstract: A rotatable anvil is capable of being rotated from a rest position to engage the interior of each empty box moved on a conveyor in sequence adjacent a blank area on a selected side panel of the empty box adjacent a leading side panel perpendicular to the selected side panel to place the anvil and the empty boxes in a printing position. A printer is disposed at the printing position and adjacent the exterior of the empty boxes moved into the printing position. A control arrangement is provided to control the rotation of the anvil from the rest position to the printing position and back to the rest position and to actuate the printer when the anvil is in the printing position to print the unit price, date, total price and the like in the blank area of the empty boxes moved into the printing position.

Abstract: A duplicating machine has an impression roll positioned to press copy sheets against a master sheet on a drum which is rotatable by an electric drive motor through a coil spring type clutch. The clutch consists of a coil spring having an interference fit with cylindrical friction surfaces on driving and driven clutch members which are connected respectively to the motor and drum. The coil spring is helically wound in a direction to tighten the interference fit when the motor rotates the driving clutch member to turn the drum in a printing direction; conversely, the interference fit loosens when the driving end of the coil spring is held, enabling the driving clutch member to rotate freely. A tang on the driving end of the spring is positively connected to a cylindrical release collar surrounding the spring. The driven end of the spring has a positive tang connection to the driven clutch member and drum.

Abstract: A moving web is marked at spaced locations by a rotatable print head that is intermittently displaced into contact with the web during angular displacement between two rest positions by means of a signal controlled clutch drivingly connecting the print head to a driver driven by the movement of the web. In the rest positions of the print head, a print face is momentarily engaged by an ink storing device that is displaced from a retracted position.

Abstract: Electrical control circuitry for driving a rotational print head to initiate an endorsement on a single side of paper checks traveling past the print head at a relatively constant velocity, including a bistable device operatively connected to control a ramp generator for accelerating the print head at a relatively constant rate from a stopped position to a present printing velocity and then decelerating the print head to a rest state at the same relatively constant rate after completion of document endorsement. The circuitry responds to closely-spaced documents entering the endorser by interrupting the head during its deceleration mode and maintaining the head at its interrupted velocity for a certain time delay in order to reaccelerate the head back to printing velocity at the same relatively constant rate in time for proper endorsement.

Abstract: A servodrive apparatus is disclosed for a postage meter having a postage printing drum mounted for rotation from and to a home position in single revolution increments and a conveyor for transporting individual pieces of mail into operative engagement with the incrementally rotating drum to be printed with postage. The servodrive apparatus drives the printing drum and controls the angular velocity of the drum to be substantially equal to a preselected angular velocity so that noise generated by the meter is decreased and its operating life is increased. This servodrive apparatus includes a motor for driving the printing drum and means for sensing the angular displacement of the printing drum. A signal generator produces a signal proportional to the preselected angular velocity and a comparator compares the sensed angular velocity of the drum and the preselected angular velocity.

Abstract: A rotary marking tool in which a marking wheel having raised characters for marking a workpiece is rotatably connected to one face of a block, is disclosed. Cooperating with the marking wheel is a pawl pivotally connected likewise to the block adjacent to the marking wheel. A tension spring is anchored at its opposite ends to a portion of the pawl and to a stop-pin affixed to the marking wheel, the spring acting to urge a beak of the pawl against the periphery of the marking wheel, whereby the stop-pin on the marking wheel is urged into contact with an abutment on the block to, thereby, define an at-rest position of the marking wheel. Upon rotation of the marking wheel in a direction away from its at-rest position, the beak of the pawl is adapted to penetrate a notch formed in the periphery of the marking wheel remote from the stop-pin. Once the beak penetrates the notch, the wheel is prevented from continuing its rotation away from its at-rest position.

Abstract: Integral with a high speed, computer control banking machine is a depository system to provide a fully automatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entry gate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordance with computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through the entry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a belt transport extending to a printing station. Positioned along the belt transport is a second sensor, which in combination with the first sensor, determines the length of an inserted envelope to insure acceptance by the depository stacker pockets. After an envelope has been transported to the printing station, a numeric print machine is actuated to imprint on the envelope identifying data. A sensor responsive to the completion of the printing cycle actuates a transverse transport for delivering the envelope into one of two stacker pockets.

Abstract: For printing continuous woven label stock (i.e. a web consisting of a plurality of woven labels connected together end-to-end) a printing machine comprises a support which supports the label stock and progresses it past a printing station having a printing head including a printing roller adapted to be rotated in synchronism with the moving stock sufficiently for a single printing operation upon passage of each label, driving of the printing head being initiated by a sensor which senses a datum mark on each label. For printing a plurality of colors, there may be a number of such printing heads, driving of each successive one of such printing heads being initiated by rotation of the preceding printing head.

Abstract: A strip of label material is fed from a supply roll to a preprint unit which incorporates a set of strip feed rolls driven by an electric motor-reducer drive unit. The drive unit is adapted to be stopped by a rotary solenoid actuated brake controlled by a photocell which senses the advancement of the strip. A print drum is rotatably supported above the generally horizontal path of the strip and has peripherally spaced axially extending rows of printing characters. A set of hammer members are positioned under the print drum and are selectively actuated by a corresponding set of solenoids. The print drum is indexed at a high speed by an electric stepping motor which automatically returns to a start position, and the printing characters are inked by a ribbon which is advanced by another electric motor-reducer drive unit pivotally supported to provide for automatically reversing the feed direction of the ribbon.