Sony Chemicals Corporation of America

Dataprint Technology, Inc.

Cartec International, Inc.

John A Pomfret

Doug Jackson

Richard Crooks

Ernest L Woosley

Katsuhisa Orihara

Kiichi Sugasawa

Ernie L Woosley

Postage meter printer module

A module for mounting and use in a postage meter for printing postage includes a housing and two ink cartridges for ink-jet printing, each of the cartridges having a flexible electrical circuit member operatively attached thereto, with one of the electrical circuits including a microprocessor. The housing consists of two lateral components, each containing one of the ink cartridges, a central panel component interposed between the lateral components, and elements for maintaining the components in assembly. The ink cartridges are placed into cavities formed by the lateral components, which are then assembled on opposite sides of the central component with the flexible circuit members suitably arranged, to produce the inking module. The central panel includes features for applying laterally outward biasing force upon the seated ink cartridges, and structure is provided on the module to facilitate mounting and retention in a postage printing machine.

Postage meter printer module and housing therefor

Postal meter ink-jet cartridge

A thermal ink ribbon cassette for a mailing machine has an anti-reverse spring for preventing rotation of the take-up spindle in the unwinding direction; a constant-tension drag arrangement, including an expansible stub axle, a cooperating expansion member, and a drag gear mounted on the stub axle in meshing engagement with an array of gear teeth surrounding the base of the ribbon supply spindle; and a guide bar for defining an optimal ribbon path between the entrance opening of the cassette housing and the take-up spindle.

Ribbon cassette for mailing machine

An inked ribbon core is formed with interference structure, providing an internal cylindrical contact surface, and a longitudinal rib, the interference structure and rib frictionally engaging corresponding spindle structures to secure the core on the spindle.

Inked ribbon core with ribs

An improved detectable spool for use with a ribbon includes an improved hub which includes a core and an indication member. The indication member is a generally planar metallic member that is substantially embedded in or is otherwise mounted to the core, with the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs. In at least one embodiment the indication member is a monolithically formed single-piece member, while in another embodiment the indication member is a multi-component member.

Hub and detectable spool

An inked ribbon core has an internal collar and a longitudinal rib which frictionally engage corresponding spindle structures to thereby secure the core in its fully mounted position, as determined by a stop ring.

Inked ribbon core

An improved detectable spool for use with a ribbon includes an improved hub which includes a core and an indication member. The indication member is a generally planar metallic member that is substantially embedded in the core, with the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs. In at least one embodiment the indication member is a monolithically formed single-piece member, while in another embodiment the indication member is a multi-component member.

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East Lyme, CT, United States of America

John A Pomfret