Pitney Bowes Inc.

Joan T Doutney

David W Beckstrom

Donald T Dolan

Richard P Schoonmaker

Sungwon R Moh

Roger J Ratzenberger, Jr

Yakup J Igval

James R West

Christina S Park

Joseph H Marzullo

Cormac O'Prey

Jean-Hiram Coffy

Charles W Klein

Steven M Kaye

Sandra J Graveson

Peter John Watson

Walter Wolog

Carl R Chapman

Richard D Boughton

Michael P Swenson

David K Asano

Barry W Simkins

Carlos L DeFiguerido

Mark D Lee

Alexandra Mack

Jacky Y Igval

Rodney Hallgren

Sarah Jurta

Joseph Briggs, Deceased

Beth A Kroczaleski

The present invention includes methods for operating a mailing machine. A permit mail imprint is generated in the mailing machine on the basis of input signals entered into the mailing machine via a user interface of the mailing machine. At least some of the input signals may represent alphanumeric characters. For example, the permit number may be entered via a keypad or keyboard in the form of numeric characters.

Permit creation and tracking in a mailing machine

Systems and methods for dimensionally rating mail pieces including cards, letters, flats, mailers, packages and parcels using a pointing device such as a digital pen are described. In one illustrative configuration the system includes a digital pen, a three dimensional digital pen pattern device, a computer and a printer for printing evidence of postage payment. A mail piece such as a small parcel is placed on the opened three dimensional digital pen pattern device. The user may select a digital pen pattern command box or may otherwise engage or be prompted to begin measurements. For a rectangular parcel, the user selects a bottom right and then a top left measurement point. The system then calculates the dimensions of the parcel, dimensionally rates it and then accounts for and prints a corresponding postage indicium.

System and method for dimensional rating of mail pieces

A postage metering system includes a base and a user interface mounted to the base. The user interface includes a micro controller, an internal socket for receiving an integrated circuit chip and a smart card reader interface connector for interfacing with an external smart card. The micro controller is configurable to address either the internal socket or the smart card reader interface connector to access postage metering functionality.

Postage metering system having multiple postage meter configuration capability

A moistener for applying liquid to an envelope, for use in sealing the latter, comprises a liquid storage tank () and means, such as wicks () for transporting the liquid to the envelope (not shown). The level of liquid in the tank is visible to a user through a window (). In use of the moistener it is fully inserted into a housing (not shown) but with the window visible to the user. Partial removal of the moistener from the housing permits the tank to be filled with liquid via an opening ().

Apparatus for moistening an envelope

The present invention provides an improvement for a document feeder comprising a feed deck, a separator assembly for separating and feeding individual documents, the separator assembly including a separator wheel disposed above the feed deck, drive structure for driving the separator wheel, and structure for adjustably positioning the separator wheel assembly to a position relative to the feed deck commensurate with the material being fed. The improvement comprises structure for pivotally coupling the document feeder to vertical frame members. The coupling structure is located at one end of the document feeder near the separator assembly. There are a pair of leg members extending below the feed deck, each of the leg members resting on a horizontal frame member at opposite sides of the document feed path. The leg members are laterally spaced so as not to interfere with documents being conveyed by the underlying document transport.

Pivoting feeder assembly for jam access

Growing community of inventors

Sandy Hook, CT, United States of America

Joan T Doutney