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:
Aug. 01, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 24, 1997
Daniel F Dlugos, Shelton, CT (US);
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for processing mail pieces by a mailer for mailing by a postal facility utilizes a manifesting system to evidence payment by the mailer to the postal facility for the cost of the mailing. A discrete batch of mail is identified, and each piece in the batch is weighed in succession by a scale which includes a first data processing means and a first data base, and the weight is entered in the first data base, optionally together with other information that is pertinent to the cost of mailing. A first printer collocated with the scale prints a unique number for each mail piece. A second data processing means having a second data base receives the information from the first data base and generates a compilation of the unique numbers, the weight, other optional pertinent information, if any, and the compilation is converted into a user functional form which can be delivered to a postal facility as evidence of payment by the mailer for the cost of mailing the mail pieces in the batch by the postal facility.