Pitney Bowes Inc.

Michael S Doery

James A Salomon

Arnold T Eventoff

Francesco Porco

Robert J Allen

Thomas M Lyga

Richard A Sloan, Jr

Jason P Paradis

In one embodiment the present invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a matched mailing, the apparatus comprising: an input means for feeding a document downstream to a scanner station; a scanner for scanning the document to obtain information, the scanner providing the information to a controller; an printer for printing information obtained from the controller onto the envelope, whereby the information obtained from the controller comprises information obtained by the scanner and corresponding to the document matched to the envelope.

Apparatus and method for matched mailing

A sheet accumulator has a circular paper path and a compact design. Individual sheets of paper moving along a main linear path are diverted into the accumulator one by one, and each sheet enters a gripper having jaws that grip the sheets of paper. The gripper jaws pull the sheets along the circular paper path until the gripper returns to a home location, at which point the gripper stops, opens, accepts another sheet, closes, and makes another rotation. When the accumulation is complete, the gripper jaws open to release an accumulated stack of sheets, and a roller is then engaged to exit the sheets out of the accumulator and into the main linear paper path.

Recirculating gripper accumulator having a circular paper path

This device reduces the size of the gap between the apex of the flap opener blade and the drive roller. The above increases the probability that the flap of the envelope would be opened. The foregoing was accomplished by removing segments of the apex of the flap opener blade to allow clearance for the envelope and/or drive roller. Thus, the nominal position of the apex of the flap opener blade was moved closer to the drive roller which reduced the gap between the apex of the flap opener blade and drive roller. Consequently, the chance that the envelope flap would be closed was reduced.

Envelope flap opening device

A sheet separating and feeding device for use as a component of a sheet processing apparatus is disclosed in which a first feeding device acts on the top of a stack of sheets to feed the top sheet toward a take away feeder for removal from the stack, during which a retaining force is applied to the upper surface of the exposed trailing edge portion of the next to top sheet to apply a retaining force thereto and to the rest of the stack, and simultaneously lifts the first feeding device off of the top sheet to remove the normal force from the weight of this device from the stack. When the top sheet is entirely removed from the stack, the first feeding device is lowered to engage the new top sheet and the retaining force is removed therefrom so that it can be fed to the take away feeder.

Sheet separating and feeding device

The drive system for a mailing flat bed postage printing apparatus includes a postage meter cartridge having an indicia plate mounted in the base of the printing apparatus. An inking system is included for inking the indicia plate. The inking system includes a drive motor mounted to the base in driving communication with a first shaft rotatively mounted in the base. A cam is mounted to the first shaft having a cam surfaces. An ink tray is positionable by a linkage system wherein the linkage system includes cam followers in communication with the cam surface to position the ink tray in response to the rotational position of the cam. A platen is reciprocally positionable between a first and print position in the base. The cam is rotated in a first range wherein the cam surface positions the linkage system and a second range of rotation wherein the linkage system is in a dwell mode. An intermediate gear system is provided for positioning the platen between the first and print position only when the cam is rotated in the second range.

Ink tray and platen drive train for a flat bed postage printing apparatus

An automatically settable date printing apparatus adapted particularly for use in postage meters which print an indicia on envelopes as they are fed seriatim past a rotary printing drum in the postage meter in which a plurality of print wheels print the day, month and year successively for each day. The apparatus includes a date print wheel assembly having individual print wheels for printing the unit day, the decade day, the month and the year for any given date. A drive wheel assembly includes a plurality of independent drive wheels for driving the date print wheels an appropriate amount, the drive wheel which is connected to the unit day print wheel being the sole source of input drive for the other drive wheels which rotate the other date print wheels by an appropriate amount through transfer components on the drive wheels. An actuating mechanism which is operated by the microprocessor of an electronic calendar controls the movement of the input drive wheel in such a manner that the print wheels are positioned to print the proper data for each successive date.

Growing community of inventors

Monroe, CT, United States of America

Michael S Doery