CA1237335A - Postal franking machines - Google Patents
Postal franking machinesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1237335A CA1237335A CA000459466A CA459466A CA1237335A CA 1237335 A CA1237335 A CA 1237335A CA 000459466 A CA000459466 A CA 000459466A CA 459466 A CA459466 A CA 459466A CA 1237335 A CA1237335 A CA 1237335A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- envelope
- ribbon
- printing
- ink
- postal franking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41K—STAMPS; STAMPING OR NUMBERING APPARATUS OR DEVICES
- B41K3/00—Apparatus for stamping articles having integral means for supporting the articles to be stamped
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
- G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
- G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
- G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
- G07B2017/00524—Printheads
- G07B2017/0054—Thermal printhead
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Title: Improvements in and relating to postal franking machines Postal franking apparatus is described in which the information to be printed onto an envelope (14) is stored electrically in a memory and is read out to form printing control signals for controlling a thermal printer (24) containing thermally activable inking means at a printing station into which the envelope is placed.
The inking means may comprise a ribbon (28) carrying or impregnated with ink.
A resiliently deformable backing member (30) is located at the printing station to accommodate variation in thickness of an envelope and content. In addition or alternatively a resiliently deformable printing head is employed.
Title: Improvements in and relating to postal franking machines Postal franking apparatus is described in which the information to be printed onto an envelope (14) is stored electrically in a memory and is read out to form printing control signals for controlling a thermal printer (24) containing thermally activable inking means at a printing station into which the envelope is placed.
The inking means may comprise a ribbon (28) carrying or impregnated with ink.
A resiliently deformable backing member (30) is located at the printing station to accommodate variation in thickness of an envelope and content. In addition or alternatively a resiliently deformable printing head is employed.
Description
~2~33~
Improvements in and relating to postal franking machines.
Field of invention This invention concerns franking machines by which envelopes and the like can be overprinted to indica-te postal prepaylnent and the date and town or city -to which 5 I the envelope is to be posted. Such overprinting often includes advertising or promotional material which may be in the form of words and or pictures or combinations thereof.
Background to the invention Conventionally postal franking machines have included a printing cylinder which bears the permanent information to be applied by overprinting to an envelope together with a plurality of selectable printing devices for printing variable insertions into the permanent information such as i the date and the amount of the prepaid postage applicable.
A relatively complex mechanism has consequently been needed to effect variation of the selectable printing 20 devices which have had to be located within the cylinder.
Furthermore any change in the permanent information (for example to introduce current advertising material into the i data to be printed on the envelope) has necessitated major 2S I changes to the cylinder and the replacement of at least part of the latter with fresh sectors containing the new typeface.
._ . .. . . _ _ _ . _, _ . . _ _ . _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _, . ~ _ . _ . .. . .. . . . _ . . .. . . . . .
1~37:33~ii It is an ob~ect of the present invention to provide an improved postal franking machine in which changes in the content of the printed material can be made more easily than hitherto.
A further difficulty associated with the franking of envelopes concerns the frequently very uneven thickness of the latter across the width of the region to which the printed matter is to be applied.
Accordingly, it is a subsidiary feature of the invention to provide an improvement in the design of postal ~ranking machines which wlll allow for such uneveness in envelopes to be printed.
Summary of the invention According to the present invention there is provided postal franking apparatus comprising: (a) memory means in which all the information to be printed onto an envelope is stored electrically; (b) means for reading out information rom the memory to form printing control signals; (c) a printing station through which an envelope (as herein defined) to be franked can be moved; (d) thermal printing means including a backing device which together with the thermal printing means forms a nip between which an envelope passes during printing, and thermally activable inking means; and (e) means for conveying the printing control signals to the thermal printing means to selectively apply ink to an envelope in the prin~ing station so as to rank the envelope, (f) said thermal printing means either itself being flexible so as to be deformable along its length dimension to accommodate uneveness in the surace to be printed, and/or the backing ~23~33S
device thereof being resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the surface thereof differentially along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of an envelope through the apparatus.
As used herein the expression envelope is intended to mean any packet or generally flat parcel or label for use thereon and may Eor example be a postal packet, envelope bag or container or label for attachment thereto and may be of paper or plastic or fabric or metal foil or any combination thereof.
Inking may be carried out by a rihbon or like sheet member carrying or impregnated with ink and adapted to pass between the thermal printing means and the envelope. The ribbon or like member may be pre-inked and after use discarded and replaced with a fresh ribbon or the ribbon or like member may be an endless loop and an ink reservoir may be provided for transferring ink thereto.
Alternatively, an offset process may be employed in which an inked impression of what is to be printed on the envelope is formed on a transfer device which passes through the printing station so as to leave the inked impression on an envelope located thereat. In this case an ink reservoir may be provided in the form of a porous roller loaded with thermally activated ink.
Thus where an offset mechanism is required, one preferred means for achieving this comprises:
~' ~23~33~
(1) a length o~ ribbon material adapted to carry albeit temporarily, the inking medium,
Improvements in and relating to postal franking machines.
Field of invention This invention concerns franking machines by which envelopes and the like can be overprinted to indica-te postal prepaylnent and the date and town or city -to which 5 I the envelope is to be posted. Such overprinting often includes advertising or promotional material which may be in the form of words and or pictures or combinations thereof.
Background to the invention Conventionally postal franking machines have included a printing cylinder which bears the permanent information to be applied by overprinting to an envelope together with a plurality of selectable printing devices for printing variable insertions into the permanent information such as i the date and the amount of the prepaid postage applicable.
A relatively complex mechanism has consequently been needed to effect variation of the selectable printing 20 devices which have had to be located within the cylinder.
Furthermore any change in the permanent information (for example to introduce current advertising material into the i data to be printed on the envelope) has necessitated major 2S I changes to the cylinder and the replacement of at least part of the latter with fresh sectors containing the new typeface.
._ . .. . . _ _ _ . _, _ . . _ _ . _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _, . ~ _ . _ . .. . .. . . . _ . . .. . . . . .
1~37:33~ii It is an ob~ect of the present invention to provide an improved postal franking machine in which changes in the content of the printed material can be made more easily than hitherto.
A further difficulty associated with the franking of envelopes concerns the frequently very uneven thickness of the latter across the width of the region to which the printed matter is to be applied.
Accordingly, it is a subsidiary feature of the invention to provide an improvement in the design of postal ~ranking machines which wlll allow for such uneveness in envelopes to be printed.
Summary of the invention According to the present invention there is provided postal franking apparatus comprising: (a) memory means in which all the information to be printed onto an envelope is stored electrically; (b) means for reading out information rom the memory to form printing control signals; (c) a printing station through which an envelope (as herein defined) to be franked can be moved; (d) thermal printing means including a backing device which together with the thermal printing means forms a nip between which an envelope passes during printing, and thermally activable inking means; and (e) means for conveying the printing control signals to the thermal printing means to selectively apply ink to an envelope in the prin~ing station so as to rank the envelope, (f) said thermal printing means either itself being flexible so as to be deformable along its length dimension to accommodate uneveness in the surace to be printed, and/or the backing ~23~33S
device thereof being resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the surface thereof differentially along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of an envelope through the apparatus.
As used herein the expression envelope is intended to mean any packet or generally flat parcel or label for use thereon and may Eor example be a postal packet, envelope bag or container or label for attachment thereto and may be of paper or plastic or fabric or metal foil or any combination thereof.
Inking may be carried out by a rihbon or like sheet member carrying or impregnated with ink and adapted to pass between the thermal printing means and the envelope. The ribbon or like member may be pre-inked and after use discarded and replaced with a fresh ribbon or the ribbon or like member may be an endless loop and an ink reservoir may be provided for transferring ink thereto.
Alternatively, an offset process may be employed in which an inked impression of what is to be printed on the envelope is formed on a transfer device which passes through the printing station so as to leave the inked impression on an envelope located thereat. In this case an ink reservoir may be provided in the form of a porous roller loaded with thermally activated ink.
Thus where an offset mechanism is required, one preferred means for achieving this comprises:
~' ~23~33~
(1) a length o~ ribbon material adapted to carry albeit temporarily, the inking medium,
(2) means for loading inking medium onto the ribbon selectively from the reservoir, and
(3) heating means for transferring ink from the inked regions of the ribbon onto an envelope.
A reusable endless loop of ribbon material may be employed, in which case means are provided for removing any surplus ink from the ribbon aEter printing, before the relevant region of ribbon is returned to the loading means~
An alternative arrangement, which avoids the need for removing surplus ink, is to provide a length of inter-mediate ribbon which is used once only. Instead of an endless loop, A spool of initially inked ribbon is provided with used ribbon being fed to a take-up spool, to be thrown away when fully used.
An ink can be employed which will melt and form a liquid or will change its phase from a solid (or liquid) into a vapour phase on being heated. An advantage of using ink which is transferred as a vapour is that the vapour can pass across a small gap, so that good contact between ribbon and envelope is then not quite so critical.
~L23~733~
In all printing processes, printing onto an uneven surface is in practice difficult. Often the thickness of an envelope will vary across the printing zone width (i.e.
that dimension of the zone which is perpendicular to the direction oE movement of the envelope through the printing station).
To this end the backing device is employed which together with a printing head forms a nip between which the envelope passes during printing, which backing device is different-ially resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the envelope along a line perpendicular to the direction oE movement oE the envelope through the zone.
In one embodiment the backing device may comprise a plurality of separate but axially touching discs or annuli of resiliently deEormable material such as rubber or foamed plastics material such as foamed polyurethane, mounted as a unitary cylindrical member on a shaft, for rotation.
As an alternative to the employment of a differentially resiliently deformable backing device, the thermal printing means may itself be flexible, so as to be deformable along its length dimension to accommodate uneveness in the surface to be printed.
A flexible thermal printing means may be used in con-junction with a rigid or a resiliently deformable backing roller.
il23733~i The features of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:
Fig l is a cross section through a postal franking machine envelope guiding and printing head, embodying the S invention, and Fig lA a detail of part thereof;
Fig 2 is a plan view partly in cross sect-ion of the head shown in Fig l, shown in relation to the body of the franking machine;
Fig 3 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative spool arrangement;
Fig 4 is a diagrammatic view of a further alterna-tive spool arrangement, Detailed description of the drawings ~ Figs 1 and 2 show one embodiment of franking machine embodying the invention and comprising a housing lO having a flat face 12 against which an envelope 14 slides as it is moved through the machine.
Within the housing 10 are mounted two spools 16, 18 the former spool having thermal transfer tape 28 wound thereon and the latter spool serving as a take-up spool. To this end the take-up spool 18 is driven by a slipping clutch drive from a motor (to be described) and the tape passes around two rollers 20 and 22 the former rotating as the envelope moves thereagainst.
The housing lO is adapted to fit around a thermal print head 24 which includes associated electronic circuits `~
~Z37335 which upon receipt of appropriate control signals from microprocessor control means (not shown) will produce localised heating of small regions in a plate member 26 which makes CQntact with the tape 28.
To ensure reliable deposition of ink onto the envelope the transfer tape 28 is sandwiched between the plate member 26 and the envelope 14, and the envelope is slipped forward between the plate member 26 and a resiliently deformable roller 30.
In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention the roller 30 is formed from a plurality of annular discs 32 (see Fig lA) of foamed plastics material such as foamed polyurethane sandwiched between end plates of which one is shown at 34 and mo~unted in a spindle 36. The spindle is grooved and formed with a pulley and is driven from a motor 38 by a belt drive 40.
Upon the insertion of an envelope 14 into the guide and printing head, the envelope is gripped by the resiliently . deformable roller 30 and pulled through the nip between ' the roller 30 and the plate member 26. The forward . passage of the envelope through the nip causes a length of impregnated tape to be drawn off the roller 16 and the combination of local heating of selected regions of the plate member 26 and the pressure in the nip, causes ink from the tape to be deposited on the envelope at points corresponding to the points of localised heating across ` the width of the plate member 26.
By feeding the appropriate control signals to the electric circuits associated with the printing head 24, and synchroni 7i ng the delivery of -the signals with the ~3733~i rotation of roller 20, so a pattern of words and numerals can be formed on the envelope.
The characteristics of the impregnated tape 28 are such that ink is not transferred to the envelope except in those areas where the plate member 26 is heated by electric currents and it is characteristic of the plate ` member 26 that the thermal capacity of the plate is very small so that the heating effect of a localised electric current which lasts for only a very short period of time is limited to the same short period time for which the current lasts (or substantially so).
Fig 2 shows the housing 10 in relation to the remainder of the machine, the base of which is shown in detail outline at 42. That regi~n of the housing containing the spools 16, 18 overlies the base 42 and although not shown in Fig , 1 the roller protrudes through a slot (not shown) in the upper surface of the base 42 to form with the printing ~ head plate member 26l the nip through which the envelope passes as it is franked.
Although not shown the roller 30 is spring loaded in an upward direction, towards the head plate member 26 and the upward loading is preferrably introduced after the envelope has been loaded, for which purpose one or more sensors (not shown) are provided to detect when the envelope is just in position to enter the nip. In this way the impregnated tape will only be drawn off spool 16 after the envelope has entered the nip and consequently 30 ~ the tape will be conserved and will only run whilst the envelope is being franked.
~LZ~335i g When the frdnking has been completed, as determined by the microprocessor which detects when all of the electronic signals have been printed, the resilient roller 30 is lowered at that point, thereby stopping the further withdrawal of tape from the spool 16 despite the fact that the envelope can continue to pass through the nip. In this way tape is further conserved.
The view of Fig 2 also shows how a section 44 of the housing 10 overhangs the base 42 and serves to house the motor 38 and drive belt 40.
In addition the relative positions of the rollers 20 and 22 and spools 16 and 18 and printing head plate mernber 26 can more easly be adjudged from a study of Fig 2.
In Fig 3 an alternative spool arrangement is shown which if incorporated will allow the overall height of the housing 10 to be considerably reduced and will also allow 20 1 arger spools to be utilised. In this arrangement the spools 16, 18 are replaced by spools 16', 18' which are ` mounted about axes of rotation 46, 48 which are perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the spools 16, 18. The height of the housing 10 is thus now dictated by 25 the width of the tape 28 rather than the diameter of the spools 16, 18 as is the case in the Fig 1, 2 embodiment, and this normally allows a low profile to be ob-tained for the overal machine but also allows larger diameter spools to be used.
The tape 28 n~ust of course be presented to the envelope with the plane of the tape parallel to the envelope surface and to this end the tape path includes tape rollers 50, 52 and tape deflecting pins 54, 56 on either ~LZ3733~
side of the printing head 30.
In the alternative arrangement shown in Fig 4 the tape 28 is replaced by an endless belt of tape 28' which passes around rollers 20, 22 (corresponding to the rollers having the same numerical designation in Fig 1) and around further rollers 58, 60.
Roller 58 is driven by a slipping clutch drive (not shown) and forms with an inking roller 63 a nip through which the tape 28' passes. The roller 63 is adapted to coat the tape with thermaly activable ink from a reservoir. The roller 63 may constitute the reservoir, eg being in the form of a porous ink loaded roller.
The roller 60 is a~cted on by spring means 62 to tension the endless belt 28'.
The printing head follows the same pattern as the head of Fig 1 and includes a resiliently deformable roller 30 movable into engagement with an envelope 12 positioned in the apparatus to form with the printing head 24, a nip at which ink from the tape 28' will be transferred to the envelope.
~5
A reusable endless loop of ribbon material may be employed, in which case means are provided for removing any surplus ink from the ribbon aEter printing, before the relevant region of ribbon is returned to the loading means~
An alternative arrangement, which avoids the need for removing surplus ink, is to provide a length of inter-mediate ribbon which is used once only. Instead of an endless loop, A spool of initially inked ribbon is provided with used ribbon being fed to a take-up spool, to be thrown away when fully used.
An ink can be employed which will melt and form a liquid or will change its phase from a solid (or liquid) into a vapour phase on being heated. An advantage of using ink which is transferred as a vapour is that the vapour can pass across a small gap, so that good contact between ribbon and envelope is then not quite so critical.
~L23~733~
In all printing processes, printing onto an uneven surface is in practice difficult. Often the thickness of an envelope will vary across the printing zone width (i.e.
that dimension of the zone which is perpendicular to the direction oE movement of the envelope through the printing station).
To this end the backing device is employed which together with a printing head forms a nip between which the envelope passes during printing, which backing device is different-ially resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the envelope along a line perpendicular to the direction oE movement oE the envelope through the zone.
In one embodiment the backing device may comprise a plurality of separate but axially touching discs or annuli of resiliently deEormable material such as rubber or foamed plastics material such as foamed polyurethane, mounted as a unitary cylindrical member on a shaft, for rotation.
As an alternative to the employment of a differentially resiliently deformable backing device, the thermal printing means may itself be flexible, so as to be deformable along its length dimension to accommodate uneveness in the surface to be printed.
A flexible thermal printing means may be used in con-junction with a rigid or a resiliently deformable backing roller.
il23733~i The features of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:
Fig l is a cross section through a postal franking machine envelope guiding and printing head, embodying the S invention, and Fig lA a detail of part thereof;
Fig 2 is a plan view partly in cross sect-ion of the head shown in Fig l, shown in relation to the body of the franking machine;
Fig 3 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative spool arrangement;
Fig 4 is a diagrammatic view of a further alterna-tive spool arrangement, Detailed description of the drawings ~ Figs 1 and 2 show one embodiment of franking machine embodying the invention and comprising a housing lO having a flat face 12 against which an envelope 14 slides as it is moved through the machine.
Within the housing 10 are mounted two spools 16, 18 the former spool having thermal transfer tape 28 wound thereon and the latter spool serving as a take-up spool. To this end the take-up spool 18 is driven by a slipping clutch drive from a motor (to be described) and the tape passes around two rollers 20 and 22 the former rotating as the envelope moves thereagainst.
The housing lO is adapted to fit around a thermal print head 24 which includes associated electronic circuits `~
~Z37335 which upon receipt of appropriate control signals from microprocessor control means (not shown) will produce localised heating of small regions in a plate member 26 which makes CQntact with the tape 28.
To ensure reliable deposition of ink onto the envelope the transfer tape 28 is sandwiched between the plate member 26 and the envelope 14, and the envelope is slipped forward between the plate member 26 and a resiliently deformable roller 30.
In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention the roller 30 is formed from a plurality of annular discs 32 (see Fig lA) of foamed plastics material such as foamed polyurethane sandwiched between end plates of which one is shown at 34 and mo~unted in a spindle 36. The spindle is grooved and formed with a pulley and is driven from a motor 38 by a belt drive 40.
Upon the insertion of an envelope 14 into the guide and printing head, the envelope is gripped by the resiliently . deformable roller 30 and pulled through the nip between ' the roller 30 and the plate member 26. The forward . passage of the envelope through the nip causes a length of impregnated tape to be drawn off the roller 16 and the combination of local heating of selected regions of the plate member 26 and the pressure in the nip, causes ink from the tape to be deposited on the envelope at points corresponding to the points of localised heating across ` the width of the plate member 26.
By feeding the appropriate control signals to the electric circuits associated with the printing head 24, and synchroni 7i ng the delivery of -the signals with the ~3733~i rotation of roller 20, so a pattern of words and numerals can be formed on the envelope.
The characteristics of the impregnated tape 28 are such that ink is not transferred to the envelope except in those areas where the plate member 26 is heated by electric currents and it is characteristic of the plate ` member 26 that the thermal capacity of the plate is very small so that the heating effect of a localised electric current which lasts for only a very short period of time is limited to the same short period time for which the current lasts (or substantially so).
Fig 2 shows the housing 10 in relation to the remainder of the machine, the base of which is shown in detail outline at 42. That regi~n of the housing containing the spools 16, 18 overlies the base 42 and although not shown in Fig , 1 the roller protrudes through a slot (not shown) in the upper surface of the base 42 to form with the printing ~ head plate member 26l the nip through which the envelope passes as it is franked.
Although not shown the roller 30 is spring loaded in an upward direction, towards the head plate member 26 and the upward loading is preferrably introduced after the envelope has been loaded, for which purpose one or more sensors (not shown) are provided to detect when the envelope is just in position to enter the nip. In this way the impregnated tape will only be drawn off spool 16 after the envelope has entered the nip and consequently 30 ~ the tape will be conserved and will only run whilst the envelope is being franked.
~LZ~335i g When the frdnking has been completed, as determined by the microprocessor which detects when all of the electronic signals have been printed, the resilient roller 30 is lowered at that point, thereby stopping the further withdrawal of tape from the spool 16 despite the fact that the envelope can continue to pass through the nip. In this way tape is further conserved.
The view of Fig 2 also shows how a section 44 of the housing 10 overhangs the base 42 and serves to house the motor 38 and drive belt 40.
In addition the relative positions of the rollers 20 and 22 and spools 16 and 18 and printing head plate mernber 26 can more easly be adjudged from a study of Fig 2.
In Fig 3 an alternative spool arrangement is shown which if incorporated will allow the overall height of the housing 10 to be considerably reduced and will also allow 20 1 arger spools to be utilised. In this arrangement the spools 16, 18 are replaced by spools 16', 18' which are ` mounted about axes of rotation 46, 48 which are perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the spools 16, 18. The height of the housing 10 is thus now dictated by 25 the width of the tape 28 rather than the diameter of the spools 16, 18 as is the case in the Fig 1, 2 embodiment, and this normally allows a low profile to be ob-tained for the overal machine but also allows larger diameter spools to be used.
The tape 28 n~ust of course be presented to the envelope with the plane of the tape parallel to the envelope surface and to this end the tape path includes tape rollers 50, 52 and tape deflecting pins 54, 56 on either ~LZ3733~
side of the printing head 30.
In the alternative arrangement shown in Fig 4 the tape 28 is replaced by an endless belt of tape 28' which passes around rollers 20, 22 (corresponding to the rollers having the same numerical designation in Fig 1) and around further rollers 58, 60.
Roller 58 is driven by a slipping clutch drive (not shown) and forms with an inking roller 63 a nip through which the tape 28' passes. The roller 63 is adapted to coat the tape with thermaly activable ink from a reservoir. The roller 63 may constitute the reservoir, eg being in the form of a porous ink loaded roller.
The roller 60 is a~cted on by spring means 62 to tension the endless belt 28'.
The printing head follows the same pattern as the head of Fig 1 and includes a resiliently deformable roller 30 movable into engagement with an envelope 12 positioned in the apparatus to form with the printing head 24, a nip at which ink from the tape 28' will be transferred to the envelope.
~5
Claims (12)
1. Postal franking apparatus comprising:
(a) memory means in which all the information to be printed onto an envelope is stored electrically;
(b) means for reading out information from the memory to form printing control signals;
(c) a printing station through which an envelope (as herein defined) to be franked can be moved;
(d) thermal printing means including a backing device which together with the thermal printing means forms a nip between which an envelope passes during printing, and thermally activable inking means; and (e) means for conveying the printing control signals to the thermal printing means to selectively apply ink to an envelope in the printing station so as to frank the envelope;
(E) said thermal printing means either itself being flexible so as to be deformable along its length dimension to accommodate uneveness in the surface to be printed, and/or the backing device thereof being resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the surface thereof differentially along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of an envelope through the apparatus.
(a) memory means in which all the information to be printed onto an envelope is stored electrically;
(b) means for reading out information from the memory to form printing control signals;
(c) a printing station through which an envelope (as herein defined) to be franked can be moved;
(d) thermal printing means including a backing device which together with the thermal printing means forms a nip between which an envelope passes during printing, and thermally activable inking means; and (e) means for conveying the printing control signals to the thermal printing means to selectively apply ink to an envelope in the printing station so as to frank the envelope;
(E) said thermal printing means either itself being flexible so as to be deformable along its length dimension to accommodate uneveness in the surface to be printed, and/or the backing device thereof being resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the surface thereof differentially along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of an envelope through the apparatus.
2. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermally activable inking means comprises a ribbon or like sheet member carrying or impregnated with ink and adapted to pass between the thermal printing head and the envelope.
3. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ribbon or like member is pre-inked and after use discarded and replaced with a fresh ribbon.
4. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ribbon or like member is an endless loop and an ink reservoir is provided for transferring ink thereto.
5. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ink reservoir is provided in the form of a porous roller loaded with the thermally activated ink.
6. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an offset process is employed in which an inked impression of what is to be printed on an envelope is formed on a transfer device which passes through the printing station in synchronism with an envelope so as to leave the inked impression on the envelope located thereat.
7. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 6, in which said printing means is an offset printing device comprising:
(a) a length of ribbon material adapted to carry, at least temporarily, the inking medium, (b) means for loading inking medium onto the ribbon selectively from a reservoir, and (c) heating means for transferring ink from the inked regions of the ribbon onto an envelope (as herein defined).
(a) a length of ribbon material adapted to carry, at least temporarily, the inking medium, (b) means for loading inking medium onto the ribbon selectively from a reservoir, and (c) heating means for transferring ink from the inked regions of the ribbon onto an envelope (as herein defined).
8. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein a reusable endless loop of ribbon material is employed and means is provided for removing surplus ink from the ribbon after printing, before the relevant region of ribbon is returned to the loading means.
9. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 6, wherein there is a length of intermediate ribbon which is used once only, and a spool of initially inked ribbon is provided with used ribbon being fed to a take-up spool, to be thrown away when fully used.
10. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal printing means comprises an elongate conductive element having relatively high electrical resistivity, to which a plurality of electrical connections are made along its length, and means is provided for applying electrical currents to selected ones of the connections for producing localised heating element for melting or otherwise causing ink to be deposited onto an envelope in contact therewith.
11. Postal franking apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ink is adapted to melt and form a liquid or change its phase from a solid (or liquid) into a vapour phase on being heated.
12. Postal franking machines apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the backing device comprises a plurality of separate but axially touching discs or annuli of resiliently deformable material mounted as a unitary cylindrical member for rotation on a shaft.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8319921 | 1983-07-23 | ||
| GB08319921A GB2144081B (en) | 1983-07-23 | 1983-07-23 | Postal franking machines |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1237335A true CA1237335A (en) | 1988-05-31 |
Family
ID=10546217
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000459466A Expired CA1237335A (en) | 1983-07-23 | 1984-07-23 | Postal franking machines |
Country Status (16)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4746234A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0132471B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS6042090A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR920000973B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE44418T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU568665B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8403639A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1237335A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD233101B5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3380153D1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2144081B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX160247A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL147602B1 (en) |
| SG (2) | SG108187G (en) |
| SU (1) | SU1671157A3 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA845549B (en) |
Families Citing this family (72)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3574635D1 (en) * | 1984-06-19 | 1990-01-11 | Pitney Bowes Inc | HEAT PRINTER AND MACHINE WITH SUCH A HEAT PRINTER. |
| GB2169853B (en) * | 1985-01-19 | 1988-11-02 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Improvements in movement monitoring devices |
| US4831554A (en) * | 1986-04-10 | 1989-05-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage meter message printing system |
| GB8621335D0 (en) * | 1986-09-04 | 1986-10-15 | Roneo Alcatel Ltd | Printing devices |
| GB8623061D0 (en) * | 1986-09-25 | 1986-10-29 | Roneo Alcatel Ltd | Franking machine |
| GB8722622D0 (en) * | 1987-09-25 | 1987-11-04 | Halo Retail Systems Ltd | Dot-matrix printers |
| US5139351A (en) * | 1987-10-22 | 1992-08-18 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Thermal recording apparatus having a movable platen roller |
| GB8725619D0 (en) * | 1987-11-02 | 1987-12-09 | Roneo Alcatel Ltd | Feed for thermal printing ribbon |
| GB2222114A (en) * | 1988-08-12 | 1990-02-28 | Scient Generics Ltd | Improvements relating to bar code printing |
| GB2223454A (en) * | 1988-08-12 | 1990-04-11 | Scient Generics Ltd | Printers and ancillary systems |
| GB8830421D0 (en) * | 1988-12-30 | 1989-03-01 | Alcatel Business Systems | Postage stamp machine |
| JP2501475B2 (en) * | 1989-10-13 | 1996-05-29 | 株式会社テック | Thermal printer |
| GB8928990D0 (en) * | 1989-12-22 | 1990-02-28 | Alcatel Business Systems | Thermal transfer printing |
| US5293319A (en) * | 1990-12-24 | 1994-03-08 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage meter system |
| DE4221270A1 (en) | 1992-06-26 | 1994-01-05 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement and method for changing the cliché text part for franking machines |
| DE69308710T2 (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1997-06-26 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Control of the thermal tape tension of a cassette for a franking machine with thermal printer |
| US5339280A (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-08-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Platen roller and pressure roller assemblies for thermal postage meter |
| US5325114A (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-06-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Thermal printing postage meter system |
| EP0589714A3 (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-12-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Envelope position sensing assembly for a thermal postage meter. |
| EP0589716A3 (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-12-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Positioning assembly for a thermal postage meter. |
| US5300953A (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1994-04-05 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Thermal ribbon cassette tension control for a thermal postage meter |
| GB9226811D0 (en) * | 1992-12-23 | 1993-02-17 | Neopost Ltd | Franking machine |
| US5337661A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1994-08-16 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Thermal postage meter drive system |
| US5383732A (en) * | 1993-12-20 | 1995-01-24 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Thermal printing postage dispensing device having security features and method of using |
| US5425586A (en) * | 1993-12-20 | 1995-06-20 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Apparatus and method of creating pre-formed images on a thermal ribbon used in a postage dispensing device |
| US5393148A (en) * | 1993-12-20 | 1995-02-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage dispensing apparatus having a thermal printer and method of using the same |
| US5805711A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1998-09-08 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. | Method of improving the security of postage meter machines |
| DE4344476A1 (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-06-22 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Process for improving the security of franking machines |
| DE4344471A1 (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-08-17 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method and device for generating and checking a security impression |
| DE4445053C2 (en) | 1994-12-07 | 2003-04-10 | Francotyp Postalia Ag | Interface circuit internal to the franking machine |
| DE4446667C2 (en) | 1994-12-15 | 1998-09-17 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Process for improving the security of franking machines when transferring credit |
| GB9501851D0 (en) * | 1995-01-31 | 1995-03-22 | Neopost Ltd | Franking machine |
| DE19549376A1 (en) * | 1995-03-07 | 1996-09-26 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | System for thermotransfer printing procedure |
| US5706727A (en) * | 1995-03-14 | 1998-01-13 | Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems Ag | Postage meter with improved paper path |
| DE19534528A1 (en) * | 1995-09-08 | 1997-03-13 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method for changing the data of an electronic franking machine loaded in memory cells |
| US5953426A (en) * | 1997-02-11 | 1999-09-14 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. | Method and arrangement for generating and checking a security imprint |
| DE19711997A1 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 1998-09-17 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement for communication between a base station and other stations of a mail processing machine and for their emergency shutdown |
| DE19711998A1 (en) | 1997-03-13 | 1998-09-17 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Mail processing system with a printing machine base station controlled by a personal computer |
| US5959652A (en) * | 1997-07-11 | 1999-09-28 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Thermal ink ribbon cassette for mailing machines |
| DE19731304B4 (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 2005-02-24 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Statistical mode reload and statistical statistics acquisition method when storing a data set |
| DE29716523U1 (en) | 1997-09-05 | 1997-11-20 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Franking machine |
| DE19748954A1 (en) * | 1997-10-29 | 1999-05-06 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Producing security markings in franking machine |
| US5913627A (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 1999-06-22 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Guide and support structure for a mailing machine |
| DE19757648B4 (en) | 1997-12-15 | 2005-03-10 | Francotyp Postalia Ag | Postage meter machine with a chip card write / read unit |
| DE19757649B4 (en) | 1997-12-15 | 2005-10-20 | Francotyp Postalia Ag | Arrangement and method for data exchange between a franking machine and smart cards |
| DE19757651B4 (en) | 1997-12-15 | 2005-06-23 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Postage meter with a chip card read / write unit |
| DE19757652B4 (en) | 1997-12-15 | 2005-03-17 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Postage meter with a chip card read / write unit |
| DE19757653C2 (en) | 1997-12-15 | 2003-07-17 | Francotyp Postalia Ag | Method and postal device with a chip card read / write unit for reloading change data by chip card |
| DE19912780A1 (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2000-09-14 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement for a security module |
| DE50015220D1 (en) * | 1999-03-12 | 2008-08-07 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement for protecting a security module |
| DE19912781A1 (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2000-11-23 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method for protecting a security module and arrangement for carrying out the method |
| DE19913066A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-09-21 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Method and arrangement for entering stamps into a franking machine |
| DE10021250A1 (en) | 2000-04-22 | 2001-10-25 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement for mail item detection |
| DE10230678A1 (en) | 2002-07-04 | 2004-03-25 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Arrangement for controlling printing in a mail processing device |
| DE10230679A1 (en) * | 2002-07-04 | 2004-01-22 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Method for controlling printing in a mail processing device |
| DE10250820A1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2004-05-13 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Arrangement for printing a print image with areas of different print image resolution |
| DE20314910U1 (en) * | 2003-09-26 | 2003-12-24 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Arrangement for generating a print image for franking and postmark machines |
| DE102004014428A1 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2005-10-13 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Method and arrangement for controlling the use of a service provided by the postal system for tracking and monitoring mailpieces |
| DE102004027517B4 (en) * | 2004-06-03 | 2007-05-10 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Arrangement and method for controlling a thermal transfer print head |
| DE202004015279U1 (en) * | 2004-10-01 | 2005-01-13 | Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg | Arrangement for a printing mail processing device |
| DE102005007220B4 (en) * | 2005-02-15 | 2007-08-16 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Method and arrangement for controlling the printing of a thermal transfer printing device |
| DE102006009334A1 (en) | 2006-03-01 | 2007-09-20 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | A process for improving the quality of printing with a thermal transfer printhead and apparatus for carrying out the process |
| JP4169060B2 (en) * | 2006-07-28 | 2008-10-22 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Paper bundle printing system |
| JP4867528B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2012-02-01 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Paper bundle printer and paper bundle printing system |
| EP2072272B1 (en) | 2007-12-17 | 2014-09-17 | Francotyp-Postalia GmbH | Transport device for flat goods that are to be printed |
| DE102008032804B4 (en) | 2007-12-17 | 2018-07-05 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Transport device for flat goods to be printed |
| DE102007060734B4 (en) | 2007-12-17 | 2017-05-04 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Device for pressing flat goods on a transport module |
| DE102007060787A1 (en) | 2007-12-17 | 2009-06-18 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Transport device for flat goods to be printed |
| US8567779B2 (en) | 2007-12-17 | 2013-10-29 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Apparatus for pressing flat materials onto a transport module |
| DE102007060789A1 (en) | 2007-12-17 | 2009-06-18 | Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh | Device for pressing flat goods on a transport module |
| CN104527239B (en) * | 2015-01-20 | 2016-09-07 | 上海迪凯标识科技有限公司 | Thermal transfer coder prints drive system and controls devices and methods therefor |
| US20220105740A1 (en) * | 2020-10-02 | 2022-04-07 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Multi-Color Retransfer Single Stamping System And Method |
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| DE1046379B (en) * | 1956-07-30 | 1958-12-11 | Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag | Device for marking documents |
| AT252282B (en) * | 1963-07-11 | 1967-02-10 | Peter Zimmmer | Device for clamping a stencil cylinder |
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| DE1800261B2 (en) * | 1968-10-01 | 1971-06-03 | Philips Patentverwaltung Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg | MULTI-PIECE PRINTING PLATE FOR THE UNIFORM AND IN ONE LEVEL ALIGNED CLAMPING OF FORMS FOR N NEEDLE PRINTING UNITS OF BOOKING AND INVOICING MACHINES |
| JPS4967722A (en) * | 1972-10-26 | 1974-07-01 | ||
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| US3963340A (en) * | 1975-04-18 | 1976-06-15 | Xerox Corporation | Imaging apparatus for typewriter employing electrostatic printing process |
| US4023184A (en) * | 1975-10-06 | 1977-05-10 | Mfe Corporation | Thermal matrix type printing head |
| JPS52141526A (en) * | 1975-10-27 | 1977-11-25 | Seiko Epson Corp | Voltage and temperature compensating control of thermal printer |
| GB1566341A (en) * | 1976-01-14 | 1980-04-30 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Micro computerized postage meter |
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| JPS5581163A (en) * | 1978-12-13 | 1980-06-18 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Recorder |
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| JPS57210878A (en) * | 1981-05-29 | 1982-12-24 | Toshiba Corp | Transfer printer |
| JPS5853747A (en) * | 1981-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | Hitachi Kyowa Kogyo Kk | Automatic analyzer for fluorine in urine |
| JPS5853474A (en) * | 1981-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Transfer type heat-sensitive recorder |
| US4513298A (en) * | 1983-05-25 | 1985-04-23 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Thermal ink jet printhead |
| US4581616A (en) * | 1984-06-19 | 1986-04-08 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage meter thermal printer tape drive system |
| US4580144A (en) * | 1984-08-20 | 1986-04-01 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postal fixed and variable data thermal printer |
-
1983
- 1983-07-23 GB GB08319921A patent/GB2144081B/en not_active Expired
- 1983-09-06 AT AT83305150T patent/ATE44418T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-09-06 DE DE8383305150T patent/DE3380153D1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-09-06 EP EP83305150A patent/EP0132471B1/en not_active Expired
-
1984
- 1984-07-18 AU AU30787/84A patent/AU568665B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1984-07-18 ZA ZA845549A patent/ZA845549B/en unknown
- 1984-07-19 DD DD26544884A patent/DD233101B5/en active IP Right Maintenance
- 1984-07-20 BR BR8403639A patent/BR8403639A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-07-20 JP JP59151960A patent/JPS6042090A/en active Pending
- 1984-07-20 SU SU843767648A patent/SU1671157A3/en active
- 1984-07-21 KR KR1019840004344A patent/KR920000973B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-07-23 PL PL1984248897A patent/PL147602B1/en unknown
- 1984-07-23 CA CA000459466A patent/CA1237335A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-07-23 MX MX202122A patent/MX160247A/en unknown
-
1986
- 1986-02-06 US US06/826,557 patent/US4746234A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-12-09 SG SG1081/87A patent/SG108187G/en unknown
-
1988
- 1988-02-05 SG SG81/88A patent/SG8188G/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0132471A3 (en) | 1986-10-01 |
| EP0132471B1 (en) | 1989-07-05 |
| PL248897A1 (en) | 1985-03-26 |
| GB2144081A (en) | 1985-02-27 |
| BR8403639A (en) | 1985-07-02 |
| KR850001085A (en) | 1985-03-14 |
| JPS6042090A (en) | 1985-03-06 |
| ATE44418T1 (en) | 1989-07-15 |
| AU568665B2 (en) | 1988-01-07 |
| GB2144081B (en) | 1987-10-28 |
| KR920000973B1 (en) | 1992-01-31 |
| DD233101B5 (en) | 1995-10-19 |
| EP0132471A2 (en) | 1985-02-13 |
| SG108187G (en) | 1988-05-20 |
| DE3380153D1 (en) | 1989-08-10 |
| ZA845549B (en) | 1985-03-27 |
| US4746234A (en) | 1988-05-24 |
| GB8319921D0 (en) | 1983-08-24 |
| MX160247A (en) | 1990-01-12 |
| SG8188G (en) | 1988-07-01 |
| SU1671157A3 (en) | 1991-08-15 |
| AU3078784A (en) | 1985-01-24 |
| PL147602B1 (en) | 1989-07-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |