Pitney Bowes Inc.

Stanley Rydzak

Arthur H DePoi

Richard F Stengl

James P Maher

Richard Rochford

A method and corresponding system for assembling collation sets from a split web consisting of two webstreams, each providing a series of collations of connected sheets. The method includes the steps of: alternately selecting the two webstreams and from the selected webstream drawing a sheet to a cutting or bursting station; cutting or bursting the sheet to separate it from the webstream; conveying the sheet to an accumulating station where sheets are accumulated; monitoring the sheet for determining whether the sheet is a beginning or an end of a collation; and ejecting the sheets accumulated from the selected webstream based on the determining of whether the sheet is the beginning or the end of a collation. In some applications, the step of determining whether the sheet is the beginning or the end of a collation is performed based on a barcode on the sheet indicating that the sheet is the last sheet in a collation, and in some other applications based on a barcode on the sheet indicating that the sheet is the first sheet in a next collation.

System for assembling collation sets from a split web

A postal scale having a programmable capability to automatically select inscriptions to be included in a postage meter indicia. The postal scale includes a CPU and memory, a load cell for determining the weight of a mail piece, a keyboard for input of postal information and a display for output of information to an operator; and determines postage value data for a mail piece in a conventional manner. In an inscription selection mode the postal scale outputs inscription selection data to a postage meter to select an appropriate inscription to be included in the meter indicia. The scale determines the inscription selection data as a prioritized function of postal information input by an operator to determine postage value data. In a programming mode an operator may program the function as a table stored in the scale memory.

Apparatus for controlling a postage meter and selecting an inscription

A transport apparatus for a weighing module includes a scale which has a deck connected to a scale base for weighing an object placed on the deck. The deck has slots for accommodating dual thickness belts which are arranged below the deck to be in substantial registration with the slots. The belts are positioned with respect to the slot such that in a home position a thinner section of the belt does not protrude through the slot whereby the transport means does not interfere with weighing of the object on the deck. When the belts are actuated, the dual thickness belts move so that a thicker section of each belt protrudes through the slot as the belts are being driven to thereby lift the object from the deck onto the thicker section of the belt to transport the object on the belt. In order to provide a safety factor in the event that something is caught in the belts in order to detect problems in the operation of the belts, the belts are monitored using a photodetector for measuring the actual travel time of the belt and comparing it to an expected time. The detector makes use of the slots in the belt to check the transitions between slot and tooth.

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, CT, United States of America

Stanley Rydzak