Pitney Bowes Inc.

Christian A Beck

William A Ross

Marc C Breslawsky

Hans R Forster

Alton B Eckert, Jr

David W Beckstrom

David W Hubbard

Carl A Miller

John H Winkelman

Yakup J Igval

Paul J Macaluso

Walter J Jurkowski

Alberta A Vitale

Melissa Cacace-Bailey

Charles E Pegg

James E Burke

David A Beckstrom

Robert L Wardwell

Martin D Wittstein

According to some embodiments, a method of operating a postal indicia printing apparatus comprises storing, in the apparatus, a first indicia image format comprising a first dimension, storing, in the apparatus, a second indicia image format comprising a second dimension that differs from the first dimension, prompting a user of the apparatus to select one of the first and second indicia image formats, receiving a signal indicative of a selection of one of the first and second indicia image formats, and printing, on a mail piece, an indicia image in accordance with the selected indicia image format.

Systems and methods for selecting postal indicia image formats

The invention disclosed herein relates generally to mailpieces and more particularly, a hazardous material detector for detecting hazardous material in a mail stream. The present invention is directed, in general to detector for collecting sample(s) of hazardous materials from a mail processing device. The mailpiece generally comprises an envelope comprising a front side and a back side; holes formed in at least one of the front side or the back side of the envelope; a hazardous material test strip for detecting the presence of hazardous material in contact with the test strip; whereby when hazardous materials are detected by the hazardous material test strip a physical change occurs to the hazardous material test strip and the physical change can be viewed through at least one hole formed in the at least one of the front side or the back side of the envelope. The detector helps to quickly determine whether hazardous materials are present in the mail stream.

Hazardous material detector for detecting hazardous material in a mailstream

The invention disclosed herein relates generally to mailpieces and more particularly, a hazardous material detector for detecting hazardous material in a mail stream. The present invention is directed, in general to detector for collecting sample (s) of hazardous materials from a mail processing device. The mailpiece generally comprises an envelope comprising a front side and a back side; holes formed in at least one of the front side or the back side of the envelope; a hazardous material test strip for detecting the presence of hazardous material in contact with the test strip; whereby when hazardous materials are detected by the hazardous material test strip a physical change occurs to the hazardous material test strip and the physical change can be viewed through at least one hole formed in the at least one of the front side or the back side of the envelope. The detector helps to quickly determine whether hazardous materials are present in the mail stream.

An embodiment of the system of the present invention generally comprises an automated mailpiece sorting apparatus and method and more particularly, the system generally comprises a pre-feeding apparatus, a diverter, a collection module, a mailpiece sorting apparatus. The pre-feeder apparatus comprises a pre-feeder and a singulator including a detection module. The pre-feeder apparatus is connected to the mailpiece sorting apparatus via a diverter. The diverter diverts hazardous mailpieces to the collection module and non-hazardous mailpieces to the mailpiece sorting apparatus. The mailpiece sorting apparatus comprises a feeder, an OCR system, a mailpiece transporter, bins for receiving sorted mailpieces, an OCR system for reading addressee information, an addressee database, a sort plan and a personal computer (PC) or microprocessor based control system. In an alternate embodiment a sanitizer is included downstream from the diverter and upstream from the sorting apparatus. The system provides for sanitization of mailpieces so as to help deter delays in incoming mail delivery caused by the presence of life harming material and sanitize the mail so as to protect the intended recipients from harm and protect the mail sorting apparatus from contamination.

System and method for pre-feeding mailpieces, detecting the presence of harmful materials in the mailpieces and sorting the mailpieces

A method and system for determining if envelopes are properly exiting a mailing machine, and if not, halting operation of the mailing machine before a jam occurs inside the mailing machine is provided. A guide member is placed at the output of the mailing machine. The guide member includes a conductive fiber brush that mates with a corresponding conductive brush to complete a conductive circuit that is monitored by a controller in the mailing machine. An envelope exiting the mailing machine will pass between the conductors, thereby opening the conductive circuit. The controller, by monitoring the status of the circuit, determines if an envelope has properly exited the mailing machine. If an envelope has not properly exited the mailing machine, the controller will halt operation of the mailing machine, thereby preventing a jam from occurring in the mailing machine.

Method and system for determining if a mailpiece has properly exited from a mailing machine

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of removing mail from the mail stream using a mail sorting apparatus. The foregoing is accomplished by providing a method that can determine whether mail is wanted or unwanted. Thus, the present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of removing unwanted mail from a mail stream using an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: obtaining information from a mailpiece using the mail sorting apparatus; evaluating the information obtained from the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece should be delivered; delivering the mailpiece if it is determined that the mailpiece should be delivered to an intended recipient or out-sorting the mailpiece if it is determined that the mailpiece should not be delivered to the intended recipient. The method may also include the steps of collecting data regarding the mailpiece including data regarding mailpieces that should not be delivered and associating the data with the intended recipient. Additionally, the data collected could be used for calculating a cost of sorting the mailpiece. The method may also include the steps of determine whether future mailpieces from the mailer should be delivered; updating the database to include information obtained regarding delivery of the future mailpieces from the mailer.

Method of removing mail from a mailstream using an incoming mail sorting apparatus

An apparatus for forming one or more folds in a sheet having a trailing edge and a leading edge. The apparatus including: a device for forming a buckle in the sheet, a mechanism for folding the sheet along the buckle, and an auxiliary feed path for directing the leading edge of the sheet out of contact with the folding mechanism and returning the sheet back to the buckle forming device. In the preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a first folder roller and a second fold roller and the auxiliary feed path is race track shaped. Additionally, the auxiliary feed path may include: a first pathway, a second pathway which is longer in length than the first pathway and a gate for controlling whether the sheet enters the first pathway or the second pathway depending upon the length of the sheet.

Folder with recycling feed path

Apparatus for folding and sealing sheets comprises means for feeding a sheet, means for bulging a portion of the sheet, means for folding the bulged portion, and means for adhering a sheet portion face to face to a portion thereof trailing the fold. Apparatus for enhancing the security of information on a front side of a sheet comprises said apparatus for folding and sealing sheets, where a plurality of folds are provided and the front side of said sheet is concealed from view inside said folds, said folds being sealed along the lateral side edge portions thereof. Address information may be applied adjacent the trailing edge of said sheet, and the trailing edge portion is folded to expose the address information to view.

Device for folding and sealing sheets

A method for folding and sealing sheets comprises feeding a sheet forward along a path, bulging a portion of the sheet, folding said bulged portion, adhering a portion of the sheet face to face to a portion thereof trailing backward of the fold, and passing the formed fold forward. Apparatus for folding and sealing sheets comprises means for feeding a sheet, means for bulging a portion of the sheet, means for folding the bulged portion, and means for adhering a sheet portion face to face to a portion thereof trailing the fold. Apparatus for enhancing the security of information on a front side of a sheet comprises said apparatus for folding and sealing sheets, where a plurality of folds are provided and the front side of said sheet is concealed from view inside said folds, said folds being sealed along the lateral side edge portions thereof. Address information may be applied adjacent the trailing edge of said sheet, and the trailing edge portion is folded to expose the address information to view.

Method for folding and sealing sheets

A xerographic copying machine is adapted to receive toner supplied from an inverted toner supply bottle having a frangible seal member covering its outlet. The toner bottle is inserted by an operator through an access receptacle within the copier which normally covers a toner developing apparatus and toner supply container. During insertion, mutually engaging components of the toner bottle and a cooperating connecting apparatus are aligned to enable operative association of the components when the toner bottle is manually turned. In addition, during insertion the frangible seal member normally sealing the toner bottle dispensing opening is punctured by a piercing member associated with an actuating device including a cutting device rotatably mounted on the connecting apparatus. When the bottle is turned, the piercing member is caused to rotate within the neck opening of the bottle, thereby helping the toner to be dumped through the toner loading apparatus and into the toner supply container.

Toner loading apparatus

A printing machine such as a postage meter has the capability of printing value indicia on material by means of a printing device having a plurality of selectably positioned printing wheels with a plurality of spaced apart numerical printing members arranged about the periphery of each wheel. The printing wheels are mounted for rotation on a common axis and each wheel has a concentrically located gear mounted on one side. The number of gear teeth in each printing wheel gear corresponds to the number of printing members and tooth spaces located in drivem members which mesh with the printing wheel gears in a predetermined synchronous relationship associated with the drive members. The printing wheel gears further have non-disfigured gear teeth as well as at least one disfigured gear tooth which meshes with correspondingly shaped spaces on each drive member so that any forced change in the synchronous relationship will render the postage meter inoperative.

Anti theft device for a printing machine print wheel assembly

This invention relates to a drive system for the moving optics of the cable and drum type scanner that may be used in an electrostatic copier. A one piece cable is driven alternately by a pair of drums which are coupled to electromagnetic clutches so that linear document scanning and retracing by an optical carriage is achieved.

Document scanning apparatus for an electrostatic copier

An improvement in an electrophotocopying machine having a photoconductive surface and a retractable, pivotably mounted developer unit for developing an electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface. The improvement comprises at least one eccentric cam for moving said developer unit into and out of developing engagement with said photoconductive surface, said cam having a curved, cantilevered arm extending therefrom, said arm increasing the effective radius of said cam starting from the junction of the arm with the cam to the end of the arm remote from said junction, and means for reciprocally rotating said cam whereby said cam moves said developer unit into and out of developing engagement with said photoconductive surface.

Eccentric cam for electrophotocopier developer unit

Within the sump of a dry developing, magnetic brush system in an office copier machine, twisted strips of aluminum sheet metal are used to form an auger blade mixing arrangement for the purpose of mixing dual component developer. Each auger blade is formed from strip sheet metal into a single, elongated helical convolution and is appropriately journaled at each end for the application of rotative power. In addition, the auger blades have smooth, rounded, axial edges which provides extended useful life to the carrier constituent due to reduced shearing effects.

Magnetic brush mixing augers

A heated fuser member for use in an electrostatic copying machine formed of a roll structure whose outer surface comprises graphite is disclosed.

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Ridgefield, CT, United States of America

Christian A Beck