Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a pictorial cancellation mark that may be applied to the postage indicia on a mailpiece. The pictorial cancellation originates as a digital image that is then printed through a printer on the mailpiece. This invention takes advantage of the technology now available in digital printing techniques to vary the pictorial cancellation through a variety of color, sizes, shapes, and images. Pictorial cancellations may thus be individualized for markets, applications, and unique purposes.

Abstract: The franking machine has a clamping device which can be driven via a drive device and which securely clamps an item of mail to be franked against a stop element. The clamping device has a clamping unit, which is provided for interacting with the item of mail, and a gearing device which is connected to the clamping unit and the drive device. The gearing device displaces the clamping unit in the direction of the stop element. The clamping unit and/or the gearing device have at least one compensation section which is configured elastically such that, in the case of a predetermined drive displacement of the drive device, compensation for different thicknesses of the item of mail is provided by elastic deformation of the compensation section.

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: In franking machines (1), the printing head (2) of a printing mechanism (3) is susceptible to interference by dust particles, which are introduced by the transport of the objects to be mailed such as letters, postcards, and printed matter and by the objects themselves. It is therefore proposed that a suction air or compressed air device (9) be installed in the franking machine (1) at least in the area near the printing head (2) to protect it from dust-like foreign materials, etc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mail processing machine, comprising a recto-verso printer adapted to receive data to be printed and to produce printed documents based on said data, said documents being designed to be enclosed and franked; the processing machine comprises means upstream of the printer to optimize the process for franking the cover by recto-verso printing the documents at will in case a value related to the weight of said documents exceeds a postal threshold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mailing-ready printed products, that consist of at least one sheet printed on at least one side and mailed in a closed state, printing data, originating from a client, are transmitted through a network to a printing facility. The transmitted printing data are printed onto the at least one sheet. A mailing-ready printed product is produced from the at least one printed sheet. The envelope for the mailing-ready printed product is produced from at least one printed sheet folded so as to form an envelope without producing waste portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information, such as postal indicia and other information, on a medium. The system is implemented by detecting a type of medium and entering a printing mode as a function of the type of medium detected. The printing mode is either an envelope printing mode or a tape/label printing mode. When in the envelope printing mode, a print module is positioned at a first position, and prints postal indicia data on a first area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a second position. Additional data is obtained and the additional data is printed on a second area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a third position and recipient address data is obtained and printed on a third area of the envelope. The print module is positioned at a fourth position, and sender address information is obtained and printed on a fourth area of the envelope.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to micro-stencil devices and methods. A micro-stencil, in accordance with this invention, comprises a patterned stencil membrane formed from a polymeric layer patterned with stencil features preferably having lateral dimensions in a range of 10 micron to 100 nanometers or less. The micro-stencil preferably includes a porous backing membrane coupled to the stencil membrane to control the flow of print fluids, to allow for two-way flow of print fluids and/or curing gases during a printing operation. The stencil membrane is preferably configured to directly print the stencil features onto a suitable print medium surface. The micro-stencil of the instant invention, is preferably utilized for printing structures comprising interconnected layers, such as micro-circuits, and/or structures comprising polymer arrays.

Abstract: A method for generating, providing, and utilizing time controlled date sensitive pre-paid postage on an item to be delivered, including a desired delivery amount and personalized postage mark, with the intention of causing action prior to a chosen date. An Issuer would send prepaid postage to a Recipient with a chosen effective date and a chosen expiration date. Said effective date and expiration date would allow Issuer to encourage Recipients to initiate action within a predetermined time window. After effective expiration date, postage would expire requiring new postage/delivery fees to be added to the item for it to be mailed/delivered.

Abstract: A rubber blanket is provided with reinforcement rails on one or both of its ends. These reinforcement rails are positionable in a narrow channel in a rubber blanket cylinder. The reinforcement rail or rails extend beyond the ends of the channel. Rubber blanket cylinder tensioning devices engage the extending ends of the rubber blanket reinforcement parts.

Abstract: In a postage meter, funds are requested from an accounting unit and transferred to a print buffer when a print registration sensor detects a mailpiece at a location that is sufficiently downstream of the printing mechanism in order to enable the meter sufficient time to compose the indicia. A presentation sensor detects the presence of the mailpiece just prior to printing the indicia; and a printing mechanism prints the indicia if the mailpiece is properly aligned with the printing mechanism, or stores the indicia data in a secure register if the mailpiece is not properly aligned with the printing mechanism to enable the operator to obtain a refund.

Abstract: This machine for postage metering a flat object (6) such as an envelope or a label comprises a horizontal opening for inserting an object, leading to two stops (8, 9) at right angles, a device for holding the object by gripping it between a fixed upper ceiling (2) comprising a window (2′) and a lower plate (3) vertically movable by means of a drive mechanism, an ink jet printing device (1) whose nozzles are disposed inside the window (2′) of said ceiling, and a sensor (10) of the presence of an object in the vicinity of the corner of the stops (8, 9), which starts the drive mechanism of the plate (3) for gripping the object (6) and the printing cycle. A motorized transverse rake (4) moves the object (6), while it is gripped, in front of the printing device (1).

Abstract: A rotary marking device for use in a multi-spindle screw machine to mark a rotating work piece. The marking device has a rotating marking wheel with marking indicia on a portion of its circumfrence. When the marking device is in marking position adjacent the rotating work piece a rack and pinion operates to initiate the rotation of the marking wheel in its rotating marking direction.

Abstract: The imprint printing system allows imprinter head changes on the run. A printing roller, either an offset or a flexo printing roller, has an axial channel in which one or more imprinter heads are disposed. The imprinter heads can be selectively raised out of the channel so that the print surface projects radially above the periphery of the printing roller. In a variation of the basic concept, the imprinter heads are also axially movable along the axial channel. The individual heads can thereby be brought into a printing section defined by the location at which the product is to be imprinted. The respective imprinter head is raised for printing only in the printing section, while the other heads are withdrawn into the channel.

Abstract: A device in a postage meter that uses dot or drop printing to enhance security. Security is achieved by counting the number of signal pulses that are used to produce ink drops or ink dots that are required to produce the entire document or specific regions of the document. The aforementioned may be accomplished by adding a smart module to digital print head modules. The smart module would capture driver pulses from the print head module and interpret the pulses associated with regions of the image. Thus, the smart module would take data from the printer controller that is used to cut off printing when the ink is consumed and relate “set” values to the drops produced during the production of the document or portions of the document, thereby linking the document to the actual volume of ink produced.

Abstract: A method of reissuing digital tokens in an open system meter includes the steps of calculating a digital token using the predetermined postal information including addressee information, postage amount and piece count; debiting postal funds by the postage amount; issuing the digital token for generation of an indicia; storing the digital token and the predetermined postal information as part of a transaction record in a transaction record file indexed according to addressee information; determining that an indicia generated from the digital token has not been successfully printed on a mailpiece for a particular addressee; and reissuing the digital token from the transaction record in the transaction file to generate the indicia for another attempt to print the indicia on the mailpiece.

Abstract: A configuration for depositing media, particularly envelopes, transported in a franking and/or addressing machine standing on edge and butting against an inclined guide plate. The configuration is disposed downstream of the franking machine and includes a single-piece insert laterally attached and releasably coupled to the franking machine and an angled depositing box. A depositing box front wall is laterally and slidably coupled to the insert through a slit. The insert has a channel to receive recording media travelling on edge from the franking machine. The channel has a nose at an upstream end and formed as a slanting plane sloping downward in the travelling direction and projecting beyond a side of the insert and into the franking machine guide plane, and a supporting plate at an upstream end and a rear region adapted to a guide plate inclination. The depositing box has three slopes having a wedge-shaped cross-section that is bent on one side and defining a depositing region.

Abstract: A postage meter machine has a digital printer device with a guide plate and a transport mechanism for print media controlled by a control unit that generates print control signals for a printhead in order to print the print medium surface with a corresponding print format while the print medium is being transported past the printhead. A print sensor is arranged in the guide plate before a recess for the printhead. A preparation sensor is arranged in the guide plate at a predetermined distance upstream, preceding the print sensor. The control unit includes a microprocessor to which an encoder for determining the belt travel path of the conveyor belt and the aforementioned sensors are connected. The microprocessor, together with a memory, forms a belt counter that is updated on the basis of the signals supplied by the encoder.

Abstract: In a printer device and method for printing on a print medium with a print head and with a transport device for the print medium, wherein the print head is not moved during printing, a controller is connected to sensors and actuators of a displacement device and the transport device. The transport device and the displacement device are mechanically coupled to a displaceable transport device in the printer device that is controllable by the controller for at least one alternative printing position. The transport device transports the print medium downstream in the alternative printing position during printing. The print medium is transported downstream in the X-direction and orthogonally thereto in the Y-direction, the displaceable transport device is returned into a first printing position with reference to the Y-coordinate of a Cartesian coordinate system when all printing jobs have been processed.

Abstract: A postage meter has a locking cam follower so that locking arms on the print wheels of the postage meter are able to lock the wheels from unintended movement when the print rotor is out of its home position. Stiff runners are provided below guide rods of setting racks in the rotor so that the racks cannot be displaced away from the value wheels. A sensor is placed on the rotor cover with the meter software set up to keep a print cycle from starting if the cover is open. A cam on the rotor makes it impossible to open the cover when the rotor is out of the home position. A latch holds the cover shut, and the only way the latch can be released is if the meter software releases it, for example by sliding a rack to a position that triggers the latch. Cogs and cog teeth are used instead of gears and gear teeth to reduce the possibility of unintended movement of the value wheels. Rotating disks lock the racks when the rotor is not in the home position.

Abstract: A machine for printing flat objects of various thicknesses successively fed the length of a table by means of a feed mechanism and printed by means of a printing mechanism is provided. The feed mechanism includes at least two feed rollers between which the objects pass. Each of the at least two feed rollers is rotatable about an axis of rotation and at least one of the feed rollers is motorized. The printing mechanism includes a revolving printing drum and a motorized counter-printing roller rotatable about an axis of rotation. The machine also includes a lever having a first end, a second end, and a middle. The lever is pivotable at its middle and joined at its middle by a stop joint.

Abstract: In a method for a digitally printing postage meter machine and for generating and checking a security imprint, critical franking information together with a signature are printed on a mail piece in the machine-readable area of the franking format. A print head having a standard printing width can be utilized for the imprint, which is human-readable and also reliably machine-readable, because the machine-readable information set to be printed is reduced by a modified public key method, with the private write key and the algorithm for encryption being stored at the postage meter machine site in a security device. The public read key and its certificate can be taken from a data base at the postal site, allocated to the postage meter machine identifier. The public key method modified for postage meter machines makes use of a simple key generation and encryption of the message at the postage meter machine site and a simple decrypting of the message at the postal site.

Abstract: In a print head of a postage meter of the type having a rotary drum, said print head being provided with a set of engraved printing surfaces, which set has at least first print wheels for printing a postage value and second print wheels for printing a current date, and said postage meter including an inking support on which an inking roller is mounted for the purpose of inking the print head, firstly the inking roller is replaced with the cleaning roller, then the motor of the print head is actuated for a determined duration, and, at the end of said determined duration, the inking roller is put back into place after the cleaning roller has been removed. The invention also relates to a a corresponding cleaning system, and to a postage meter incorporating such a system.

Abstract: An apparatus for canceling postage on individual mailpieces of a stack of mixed mail includes an apparatus for separating individual mailpieces from the stack of mixed mail; structure for feeding the separated individual mailpieces along a feed path; a mechanism, positioned along the feed path, for detecting the presence of stamps on individual mailpieces; a printing mechanism having a plurality of digital printheads; a control, in communication with the detecting mechanism, for operating the printing mechanism to print a cancellation mark over stamps on individual mailpieces in response to detection by the detecting mechanism of the presence of stamps on individual mailpieces; and apparatus for determining the number of rows of stamps on individual mailpieces and for selectively energizing only the individual ones of the plurality of digital printheads needed to ensure that the cancellation mark is printed over each of the sensed number of rows of stamps on individual mailpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing images. An ink jet printhead forms an image on a transfer roller for transfer to a substrate. The substrate can be an envelope and the image can be a postal indicia. Portions of the image can be interleaved during successive revolutions of the transfer roller to increase the horizontal and/or vertical resolution of the image. A mechanism is provided to deflect the substrate away from the transfer roller after the image is printed so that formation of a new image can begin before the substrate has cleared the print station.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a transfer roller in an ink jet printer. In an ink jet printer having a transfer roller on which an image is formed by an ink jet printhead, the printhead is periodically purged to prevent clogging. During purging the ink discharged by the printhead is used to wet the entire surface of the roller to dissolve residual dried ink and the transfer roller is then cleaned with a wipping pad or roller.

Abstract: An ink jet transfer printer including an ink jet print head and a print drum, the ink jet print head for printing ink onto the print drum which transfers the ink to a print medium during a print cycle. The ink jet transfer printer comprising: a print surface defining a print plane located on the print drum, the print surface raised above the peripheral surface of the print drum; and wherein the ink jet print head prints onto the print surface and the ink on the print surface forms a contact angle substantially in a range of 20 to 60 degrees. The ink jet transfer printer further comprising: a wiper blade in engagement with the print surface during the print cycle for wiping waste ink from the print surface; and a cleaning device in engagement with the print surface during the print cycle for absorbing waste ink from the print surface; and wherein, following transfer of the ink from the print surface to the print medium, the cleaning device absorbs waste ink prior to the wiper blade wiping waste ink.

Abstract: A postage metering apparatus including a postage meter having a housing, a printing device disposed in the housing, an aperture in the housing exposing the printing device, a shutter bar mounted to the postage meter housing for movement from a closed position in which the shutter bar is disposed to cover the aperture and an open position in which the shutter bar is disposed away from the aperture, the shutter bar preventing access to the printing device through the aperture when the shutter bar is in the closed position and permitting access to the printing device when the shutter bar is in the open position; a base into which the postage meter is removeably inserted, the base including engaging structure for engaging the shutter bar; and driving structure for driving the engaging structure to move the cover between the closed and open positions, the driving structure including a motor, a drive shaft coupled to and driven into rotation by the motor and having a worm gear at one end thereof, a first pinion gea

Abstract: Secure printing apparatus, for example printing apparatus of a postage meter, is disclosed in which an ink jet print head with integral ink supply is removable by a user of the apparatus. In order to maintain security of the apparatus, a parking station remote from a printing station is provided for the print head and removal of the print head can be effected only at the parking station through an aperture in a secure housing at the parking station. When the print head is moved to the parking station electrical connection to the print head are disengaged from the print head and means are provided to prevent access to those electrical connections at the parking station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for two-sided printing on items such as mail pieces. A printing station includes an ink jet printhead which is spaced from a transfer roller. As the roller rotates the printhead forms a first image on the surface of the roller. A mail piece or other item to be printed is feed through the printing station to pass between the printhead and the roller with the timing control so that the mail piece makes tangential, rolling contact with the transfer roller just as the image is completed on the roller and the image is then transferred from the roller to one side of the mail piece as the mail piece continues through the printing station by an offset printing process. As the mail piece passes between the roller and the printhead the printhead is controlled to print a second image on the opposite side of the mail piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the text portion of logos for postage meters includes a printer module for a fully electronically produced postage meter imprint having an advertising logo, at least one input, a display unit, an input/output control module, a nonvolatile memory for at least unchanging parts of the postage meter imprint, a control device, and a printer control for producing a printed pattern having been formed by a microprocessor-controlled printing process immediately prior to printing of fixed data and current data and being available in buffer-stored form. A first memory region is provided for storing data for the unchanging parts of the postage meter imprint applying at least to a frame of an advertising logo, and an associated name identifying the logo frame. A second memory region is provided for storing data for variable parts of the postage meter imprint applying to at least one logo text portion, and an associated name identifying the logo text portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing postal indicia and similar images. The apparatus includes two print stations and an ink jet printhead transportable between the stations. The printhead forms images on a transfer roller located at each of the stations and the image is then transferred from the roller to a substrate. At the second station the transfer roller is incorporated in a detachable roller and is used to print remotely located substrates.

Abstract: A perforating device for the representation of letters and numbers with adjustable perforating gearwork and with a drive for the perforating gears for rapid shifting of letters and numbers and to a process for setting perforating devices. The perforating device provides for the representation of letters and numbers. The device is constructed compactly and assures a simple manipulation and an exact setting of the letters and numbers, as well as an uncomplicated electronic control. Drives for perforating gears are arranged in recesses arranged on the periphery of perforating gear uptake.

Abstract: This invention prevents the accounting unit of a postage meter from deducting funds when a mailpiece has been removed. The foregoing is achieved by giving the postage meter the intelligence to stop printing the postal indicia and deducting the value of the postal indicia just before the indicia is printed. This would eliminate the loss of funds due to problems between trip command and actual indicia printing. The apparatus of this invention utilizes a sensor to detect the presence of a mailpiece at a printing position and a detector to determine the location of the indicia printing plate or the time that an ink jet printer is going to print so that the system will be able to prevent the printing of a postal indicia and deducting the value of the postal indicia just before the indicia is printed.

Abstract: In a printing machine with a rotary drum (1) for franking envelopes (4), each print operation is performed at a constant rotational speed in a given direction, whereafter the direction of rotation of the drum (1) is reversed so that for the next print operation, the rotational speed of the drum (1) may be increased in said direction over a greater angle to achieve said constant speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a mailpiece. The apparatus comprises an assembly for feeding the mailpieces in a path of travel; a sensor assembly for determining the length of the mailpieces; and a controller in operative communication with the sensor assembly and the feeding assembly, the controller for adjusting the gap between a first mailpiece having a measured length and a second mailpiece to: (i) establish a fixed pitch between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the measure length is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or (ii) establish a fixed gap between the first mailpiece and the second mailpiece if the measure length is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An postage printer including a print drum for printing a postage indicia having a fixed portion and a variable portion, the print drum including a first print surface and a second print surface, the postage printer comprising: an ink jet print head for printing the variable portion of the postage indicia on the second print surface; a print head cap; mechanism for bringing the ink jet print head and the print head cap into a capped relationship and a spaced apart relationship; wherein the ink jet print head prints while the ink jet print head and the print head cap are in the spaced apart relationship and the print drum passes between the print head and the print head cap.

Abstract: A method for printing a high resolution postal indicia image includes printing with a printing mechanism a first low resolution indicia image on a mailpiece during a first pass between the printing mechanism and the mailpiece; printing with the printing mechanism a first portion of a second low resolution indicia image on the mailpiece during a second pass between the printing mechanism and the mailpiece; and printing with the printing mechanism a second portion of the second low resolution indicia image on the mailpiece during at least a third pass between the printing mechanism and the mailpiece, the second portion being complementary to the first portion to create therewith the second low resolution image, the second low resolution image being complementary to the first low resolution image to create therewith the high resolution postal indicia image. An apparatus incorporates the above method.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the insertion and removal of a numbering cylinder of a numbering and imprinting unit for a rotary printing press is taught. The numbering and imprinting unit has a retractable inking unit. The numbering cylinder is removable from between the printing press side frames. The numbering cylinder is removably mounted in bearing and drive parts disposed in the printing press side frames.

Abstract: A date-setting method for use in a postage meter having date wheels includes the steps of setting the date wheels, printing a date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging a record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action, printing another date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging another record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action; and annunciating the records indicative of negative responses.

Abstract: A mailing machine comprising a control system, a print head having individual print elements which are selectively energizable for printing on an envelope and a transport system for feeding the envelope past the print head. The transport system including a first pulley, a second pulley in proximate location to the print head, an endless belt extending between the first and second pulley, the endless belt engaging the envelope and feeding the envelope past the print head, a drive system for causing the endless belt to rotate and an encoder system operatively coupled to the second pulley for providing signals indicative of the position of the second pulley. The control system in operative communication with the print head, the encoder system and the drive system for synchronizing the feeding of the envelope with energizing of the elements of the print head.

Abstract: Diagnosis of servo motor driven drive train problems based upon changes in the rotational velocity of the servo motor as electrically operable drive line components are selectively engaged. The unloaded (unloaded) rotational velocity of a servo motor is determined, a drive train component that couples a load to the servo motor is energized, the change in the rotational velocity of the servo motor caused by engaging the drive train component is determined, and, if the servo motor rotational velocity falls outside of a predetermined limit the drive line fault that causes that rotational velocity to fall outside of that limit is identified. Beneficially, the status of the drive train is sent to a remote location using a data link.

Abstract: A mailing machine includes structure for transporting a mailpiece at a constant speed through the mailing machine in a processing direction; structure for continuously determining a position of the mailpiece in the mailing machine; a first printhead having first nozzles aligned transverse to the processing direction; a second printhead having second nozzles aligned adjacent to the first nozzles and transverse to the processing direction; structure for coordinating the selective energizing of the first and second nozzles in synchronism with each other and the position of the mailpiece so that the first printhead only prints first predetermined columns of ink dots of an indicia image on the mailpiece and the second printhead only prints second predetermined columns of ink dots of the indicia image on the mailpiece, the second predetermined columns of ink dots being in interlaced relationship in the processing direction with the first predetermined columns of ink dots whereby the first and second columns of ink

Abstract: A postage meter has a secure housing, an accounting register within the secure housing, and a print rotor the rotation of which defines a paper path. The rotor axle is formed of two halves, and within the two haves is a lengthwise cavity along which setting racks are capable of axial movement. The racks engage with print wheels at one end and are accessible to the main body of the postage meter at the other end. Each rack engages with its value wheel in a rack-and-pinion engagement. The axle halves are made of plastic and they snap together. The racks slide within grooves, and are held in place with pins. The axle has journal bearings and a thrust bearing defining its movement relative to the secure housing. A worm gear in the housing engages a worm wheel in the rotor to bring about rotation of the rotor for the printing of postage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape cutter and self-adhesive label peeler which associates a tape cutter stand with an engaging arm assembly so that it may not only cut an ordinary adhesive tape but also peel self-adhesive labels off from an under layer thereof. To use the device as a self-adhesive label peeler, put a roll of such tape into the cutter stand with a length of the tape from a front end thereof pulled beyond a front stop member, push the engaging arm assembly backward to attach to the cutter stand so that the front stop member is shifted upward to be between a front shaft and a leading member. At this position, an under layer of the tape is bent down to pass beneath the leading member while the harder self-adhesive labels on the under layer are not bent and are conveniently and quickly separated from the under layer.

Abstract: A postage meter has the print rotor and platen within a single secure housing, with a letter detection lever along the paper path downstream from the rotor. The letter detection lever is in a spring-loaded coupling relationship with the trigger that triggers franking. If a letter remains in the meter due to a paper jam, the detection lever continues to be actuated and the spring-loaded coupling keeps the trigger in the triggered position. The meter further comprises a platen carrier moving the platen toward and away from the rotor; when the rotor is in its home position a radial cam on the rotor and cam follower keep the carrier away from the rotor. When franking of a letter begins and the rotor begins to rotate, the rotor cam releases the cam follower, permitting the carrier to move up in spring-loaded relation toward the rotor. A letter stopper is in the paper path downstream from the rotor and helps to align the letter so that the postage imprint is optimally oriented on the letter.

Abstract: A franking machine system is disclosed in which a signal is transmitted for reception only in a predetermined location. A franking machine intended to be operated at the predetermined location is inoperative to carry out franking operations unless it receives the signal transmitted to the predetermined location. Accordingly a franking machine intended for operation at the predetermined location cannot be operated for franking mail if it is moved away from that location.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention utilizes a cam-driven mechanism to convert a single rotary input driven by a single motor to two or more output motions each having its distinct cycle and profile of motion. This multiplicity of outputs often times requires a separate motor for each output motion. Each distinct cycle of motion is capable of driving its end effector a complete revolution, a fraction of a revolution, multiple revolutions, or a non-integer number of revolutions. Thus, the apparatus of this invention utilizes, a single motor to provide motion to activate the shutter bar mechanism and at the same time, rotate the printing drum of a postage meter one revolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for ensuring proper registration of a mailpiece in a feed path of a postage meter prior to printing includes a printing mechanism; detecting structure which detects first and second edges of the mailpiece in the feed path, the detecting structure initiating printing by the printing mechanism on the mailpiece at times when the first and second edges are concurrently detected in the feed path by the detecting structure and inhibiting printing by the printing mechanism at times when the first and second edges are not concurrently detected in the feed path by the detecting means. A method accomplishes the function of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing mail pieces. The apparatus includes a first printer for printing documents and a second printer for printing envelopes and a mail finishing unit for receiving the printed documents from the first printer and the envelopes printed with corresponding addresses from the second printer and inserting the documents into the envelope to form a mail piece. The apparatus operates under the control of a single stream of job data from a host computer, where the job data includes a job header defining default mail piece attributes and mail piece records which include document data and address data, and which may include specific mail piece attribute data for each corresponding mail piece. The apparatus control mechanism partitions the data stream and controls the first printer to print the documents while controlling the second printer to separately print the envelopes which are moved along a separate path to an insert station where the mail piece is formed.