The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 1991
Filed:
Apr. 25, 1990
Christopher A Baker, West Lafayette, IN (US);
M.A.I.L. Code, Inc., Lafayette, IN (US);
Abstract
Mail handling or processing systems are disclosed wherein the entire lot or batch of mail pieces is loaded into a bin for processing. Each mail piece is individually removed by an operator while the computer monitors the weight of the bin and simultaneously produces serial numbers for affixing to each mail piece. In an alternative embodiment a postage meter provides postage imprinting and labelling for each mail piece removed. By monitoring the tare weight difference of the bin prior to and after removal of each mail piece, the mail piece weight is determined from the difference between the two tare weights. The weight of each mail piece is required in order to determine postage cost or mail charges for each mail piece. After all pieces of mail are removed from the bin, an operator can optionally key the system to produce a postal service form complying with manifest mailing requirements. The computer also produces a manifest including serial numbers and mail charges related to each serial number marked mail piece and a manifest summary. In an alternate embodiment, the bin is loaded one by one with each mail piece while a computer simultaneously monitors the weight of the bin as each mail piece is added, serial numbers are produced for affixing to each mail piece, and the computer links each serial number with a weight deviation thereby calculating mail charges for each mail piece and storing the information for reproduction in summary form in a mailing manifest.