JPS5812879B2 - postal meter - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to the printing of postal postmarks.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a postal postmark meter incorporating an electronically controlled ink jet printing device adapted to operate in conjunction with the operation of other devices within the postmark meter. Regarding postmark meters.

Postmark meters are well known to those skilled in the art and typically include an alphabetic printing means that is selectively operable to print a postal indicator on an envelope or the like.

Two types of printing means are typically employed.

One template is designed to print fixed information such as town and state, and the other is configurable and is designed to print variable information such as date and postage. It is a printing method.

Variable printing means usually include a type wheel that projects through suitable openings formed in a curved template supported on the periphery of a drum.

As the drum rotates, the printing template and type wheel are suitably inked and ready to print composite postal indicators on envelopes.

A keyboard or similar setting means is usually provided to selectively change the operative position of a typewheel mounted for rotation with the drum in order to change the postage and date.

A setting linkage between the type wheel and the keyboard is such that the type wheel is first set to a selected rotational position from the keyboard and then moved through a rotary printing path determined by the movement of the print drum. In order to be able to oscillate as a unit, a fairly elaborate and mechanically complex arrangement is required.

In an improved postal postmark meter in accordance with the present invention, the variable type wheel and associated setting link mechanism are eliminated and an electronically controlled and actuated ink jet printing device is provided in its place. There is.

As described below in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention:
The drum supports an apertured printing template adapted to cooperate with a fixed ink jet printing device to form a postmark.

The opening for the date and the opening for the postage in the template are filled with ink. When passing under the flow printing device, a plurality of ink drops are ejected sequentially through the openings onto an envelope or label 1 placed in the printing area of the meter.

An ink jet printing device is temporally related to the movement of the template so as to eject the ink droplets in the required number and at the required location on the envelope, thereby forming the required date and/or postage index. An electronic control unit is provided for the current operation.

A drum position detector is used to determine when the template opening is properly aligned with the ink jet printing device and the portion of the envelope or label that receives the postmark.

A printing signal is then generated by the detector 2 and sent to an electronic control unit for initiating and ordering the ejection of ink drops.

By incorporating the jet printing device inside the postmark meter, the construction of the meter is greatly simplified and the mechanical complexity is reduced, allowing for relatively simple and effective electronically controlled postmark printing. machine becomes possible.

Furthermore, if desired, all parts of the postmark indicia can be produced by electronically controlled first-class printing means, in which case the mechanical elements required in the machine are further reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an effective electronically controlled postal postmark printing device with reduced number of parts, faster printing cycles, and increased control flexibility. It is.

These and other objects and advantages of the improved postmark printing apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Other than as described below, the postal postmark meter system of the present invention is similar in construction and arrangement to postmark meter systems and associated devices known today.

Since the meter control is intended as an intermediary for the cooperation of the present jet printing device and the other printing means of the present meter, the following description will generally describe the nature of the meter control.

1 and 2, some of the elements of a postmark meter 10 having a postmark printing device 11 according to the invention are shown on an envelope 1 passing through the printing area of the postmark meter 10.
Shown with 2.

The measuring shaft 18, on which the printing drum 16 is fixed, is rotatably driven by a motor 20, and is received in a suitable bearing 22 (FIG. 2) mounted on the machine frame 23. The drum 16 is then rotated in the direction of arrow 24 (FIG. 1).

The drum 16 supports an arcuate printing template 26.

The printing plate 26 is provided with a printing element 28.30 which functions to print a fixed or unchangeable postal indicator, such as that shown in the postmark area 32 of the envelope 12 in FIG.

A spring-biased, swingable impression cylinder 34 is conventionally supported in a machine frame and is located beneath the lower edge of the drum 16, so that the drum 16 rotates in printing contact with the envelope 12. It operates to ensure that the envelope is in contact with the drum when the envelope is in contact with the drum.

The envelope 12 is slidably supported on an envelope support plate 35 having a suitable opening 36 (FIG. 1) for bringing the impression cylinder 34 into contact with the envelope 12.

The printing template 26 has a pair of circumferentially spaced apertures or windows 37, 38 and a fixed ink jet printing device 40.
can emit ink droplets through these openings onto envelope 12.

The front opening 37 is for the passage of postage-forming ink drops from the device 40 to the envelope 12, and the rear opening 38 is for the passage of date-forming ink drops from the device 40 to the envelope.

The ink jet printing device 40 is located at least partially within an enlarged, axially extending recess 42 formed in the end of the drum 16, and the ink jet printing device 40 is positioned at least partially within an enlarged, axially extending recess 42 formed in the end of the drum 16. Openings 37, 38 pass close to the nozzle end face 44 and are fixedly located in the recess so as to open and close the passage for the ink drops to reach the envelope.

The ink flow printing device 40 is formed by a plurality of precisely aligned, closely spaced ink conducting capillaries or channels 46.

The ends 43 of each capillary tube are arranged in a straight line on the lower end face 44 of the printing device, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The capillary tubes are selected and operated to produce the appropriate number and sequence of ink drops to form an alphanumeric postmark character on the envelope.

The general configuration and operation of this type of ink jet printing device is:
Gould In, Chicago, Illinois
c. ), so a detailed explanation is unnecessary here.

It is sufficient to show that the piezoelectric crystal 48 is located in communication with each of the capillary channels 46.

When the crystal is energized by an electrical pulse,
A slight physical deformation occurs in the crystal, sufficient to cause a small drop of ink to be ejected through the end 43 of the channel 46 connected to the crystal.

These piezoelectric crystals 48 can be placed on either side of the ink jet printing element 40 so that the ends 43 of the channels 46 can be closely spaced along the channel end centerline 49 (FIG. 3).

The ink jet printing device 40 includes individual piezoelectric elements 48
It is mounted on the machine frame by a bracket 50 (FIG. 1) supporting appropriate electrical control leads 52 leading to the machine frame.

1 and 2, five crystals 48 are mounted on the visible side of the jet printing device 40, while four other crystals (not shown) are mounted on the opposite side. It is being

The channel 46 is connected to a machine printing area 51 (FIG. 1) located below the lower end face 44 of the ink jet printing device 40.
It ends with

An ink supply tube 156 (FIG. 1) is supported by the bracket 50 and communicates with the ink capillary tube 46 to supply ink.

The arrangement of the ink jet printing device 40 is such that the ink droplets ejected from the channel end 43 are oriented radially away from the axis of rotation 53 of the drum 16 and in a vertical plane that includes the drum axis 53 and the centerline 49. The light is emitted downward along the envelope 12.

Although the end surface 44 of the jet printing device 40 is actually substantially perpendicular to the plane of the drum 16, as shown in FIG. 1, the end surface 44 of the printing device is shown in FIG. It is shown generally parallel to the plane of the drum 16.

Rotation of shaft 18 is detected by operation of drum position detector 56.

Detector 56 operates the ink jet printing device in relation to the rotation of print drum 16 in time.

Although an optical position transducer is shown here, it is clear that other conventional types of rotary position transducers, such as magnetic devices or the like, could be used instead.

Detector 56 includes a timing disk 58 fixed to shaft 18 .

The disk 58 is provided with a pair of rotational position indicating apertures or slots 60,62.

Detector 56 also includes a conventional type photodetector 64 whose axis of motion is coincident with light source 66 .

Each disc slot 60.6 is connected between the light source 66 and the detector 64.
It will be apparent that one signal is generated on the detector output line 68 each time 2 passes.

The arrangement on the periphery of the slot is such that the drum opening 37.3
8 pass under the lower end surface 44 of the ink jet printing device 40, the output signals at lines 68 are respectively generated.

The apertured peripheral cylindrical wall of drum 16 includes a movable shielding member to prevent ink from reaching envelope 12 when neither aperture 37 or 38 is present between ink jet printing device 40 and envelope 12. It has the effect of composing.

In this way, the cylindrical wall of the drum 16 serves as a safeguard for the meter and prevents the false printing of postmark indicators at any time other than the aforementioned times during the meter's valid operating cycle. prevent.

As shown in FIG. 3, when template 26 is secured to drum 16, an opening is formed in the outer circumferential wall of the drum that corresponds to opening 37,38.

Suitable electrical control means are used to effect synchronization between the rotation of the printing drum 16 and the sequential pulse operation of the jet printing press 40.

A typical control type is shown in FIG.

That is, the output print signal on line 68 is output to timing amplifier 7.
0, and its output line 72 drives logic circuit 74.

Activation of logic circuit 74 provides the current keyboard 76 signal to matrix character generator circuit 78 and meter storage circuit 80.

Outputs resulting from operation of the keyboard and/or other setting means to produce varying date and postage information are sent by logic circuit 74 to matrix 78.

Matrix 78 then appropriately converts the keyboard data into codes corresponding to the nine ink dot generation channels 46.

A nine-channel amplifier amplifies the signals generated by matrix 78 and sends them to piezoelectric elements 48 for each channel.

In this way, matrix 78 determines which piezoelectric crystals to activate to produce the keyboard setting postmark character.
Decide in what order they should be activated.

When logic circuit 74 is activated by the print signal on line 72, keyboard data is stored in permanent meter storage circuit 80.

Furthermore, a clutch interlock circuit 84 coupled to the motor 20
An interlock signal is produced on line 82 leading to.

Once a machine print cycle has begun, a clutch interlock circuit completes the machine print cycle.

The timing disc 58 may further include a suitable cycle termination device 8.
6 (Fig. 3).

The cycle termination device 86 is coupled to the motor 20 to terminate rotation of the drum 16 at the desired home position.

A cycle termination device 88 is configured to sense a flux element 88 mounted on the periphery of the timing disc 58 and passing the flux element 88 on the side of and slightly spaced from the timing disc 58 . magnetic detector 90
including.

The position of detector 90 is selected such that when detector 90 detects the passage of flux element 88, first aperture 37 is approximately in the home position shown in FIG. 3 by line 37a.

When detector 90 detects the passage of flux element 88, a signal is sent to amplifier 96 over lines 94-94'.

The output 98 of amplifier 96 is coupled to a suitable electromagnetic relay 99 for terminating rotational drive of motor 20.

The operation of the postmark meter 10 is as shown in FIG.
2 is inserted from the left side, and its tip 100 is attached to the drum 16.
It starts when the plane that passes through the center of the impression cylinder 34 is almost reached.

The keyboard and/or other setting controls for the various postage rates and data dates to be printed are then actuated, and a normal mechanical cycle begins to begin operation of the motor 20. Means (not shown) are activated.

The printing template 26 on the drum 16 driven in this way
first contacts the appropriate inking roller 102.

Ink roller 102 is supplied with ink in conventional manner from transfer rollers 104 and 106 coupled to an ink supply (not shown).

When the template 26 subsequently contacts the envelope 12, the envelope 12 is sandwiched between the radially projecting peripheral portion of the plate 26 and the cooperating impression cylinder 34, so that the drum 16 is shown in FIG. When driven in the counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow 24, it is fed longitudinally to the right as shown in FIG.

During this longitudinal movement of the envelope, an inked printing plate sequentially transfers the fixed postal indicia 28, 30, etc. onto the envelope.

At the same time, various variable postage and date indicators are also printed sequentially by the jet printing device 40 as the windows 37 and 38 respectively pass through the printing area 51, thereby forming a complete composite postal indicator on the envelope 12. Ru.

The timing of printing these variation indicators is controlled by a disk detector 56.

Now, when the first aperture 37 reaches a coincident position between the ink jet printing element 40 and the envelope 12, the print signal from the detector 56 (corresponding to the notch 60 in the disk) is transmitted to the line 68.
arise above.

This causes the jet printing device to operate to print the postage set on the keyboard or other input control device.

When the next opening 38 reaches between the ink jet printing device 40 and the envelope 12, another printing signal (corresponding to the notch 62 in the disc) is generated from the detector 56, which prints the matrix 78. controls the pulsing of the jet printing device so that a date indicator is printed on the envelope.

When the postmark printing operation is completed during one rotation of the drum 16,
The machine cycle is ended by the action of the termination device 86 so that the opening 37 is again in the home position 37a.

The postmark meter device described above is essentially electronically controlled with respect to the printing of the variable indicator and does not require the many complex mechanical linkages typically associated with postmark meters.

The device may also incorporate and/or incorporate the postmark meter into various types of electronic control devices or systems.

Although the embodiments described above illustrate the use of a conventional template and an ink jet printing device to form a postmark, the ink jet printing device can also be used to form an entire postmark.

Obviously, it is also possible to print the postmark indicator on a label rather than on the envelope, in which case this printed label is affixed to the package or other item being mailed.

For the sake of clarity, many of the conventional mechanical safety and protection devices typically included within postmark meters have not been described here, but as they do not form part of this invention, There's no need to argue.

As mentioned above, the drum motor 205 and the jet printing device 4
0 is described above in a very general sense in the sense that it is representative of suitable control means that can be used to obtain the above-described interaction in the operation of the printing drum 16 and the ink jet printing device 40. explained.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described as follows.

1) A postmark meter having a printing area and means for supporting a document, such as an envelope or label, on which a postmark indicator is to be printed, in the printing area, such as city and state of the postmark indicator. a first printing means for printing fixed information of the postmark index; and a second printing means for printing variable information of the postmark index, such as postage, forming the variable information of the postmark index. the second ink jet printing device adapted to emit ink droplets onto the document in a manner that
printing means; and at least a period during operation of the first printing means, effective operation of the jet printing device is prevented from occurring;
and protection means adapted to cause effective operation of the jet printing means only for a limited period of time shorter than the period of operation of the printing means.

2) A device according to paragraph 1, wherein the protection means is a shielding member mounted such that the meter can be moved, and when in a first operating state allows the ink drops to reach the document, and in a second operating state; including a shielding member adapted to prevent said ink droplets from reaching said document when in this condition.

3) The apparatus of paragraph 1, wherein the first printing means includes a template supported by a drum rotatably mounted to the meter, and wherein at least a portion of the jet printing device is attached to the drum. mounted therein and provided with mutually coincident apertures in the template and the peripheral wall of the printing drum, each of the apertures being positioned between the jet printing device and the document; the ink droplets are allowed to reach the document, and the protection means includes an aperture-free portion of the peripheral wall, and the aperture is not located between the jet printing device and the document. Something that sometimes prevents the ink droplets from reaching the document.

4) In a postal postmark meter having a printing area and means for supporting a document such as an envelope or label or the like on which a postmark indicator is to be printed on the printing area, the method comprises: an ink jet printing device adapted to eject onto the document in order to thereby form at least a portion of the postmark indicia; protection means attached to the meter, and the protection means includes a movable member having a wall having at least one aperture formed therethrough, the wall opposite the ink jet printing device. a remaining portion of the postmark indicia is printed by laterally supported means, the member being adapted to print the remainder of the postmark indicia when the aperture is positioned between the jet printing device and the document; passing an ink drop onto the document and preventing the ink drop from passing onto the document when the aperture is not located between the jet printing device and the document. Postmark meter for postal service.

5) The apparatus of paragraph 4, wherein said member is formed by a peripheral portion of a drum rotatably mounted within said meter.

6) The apparatus of paragraph 4, wherein the member supports a template on which fixed information of the postmark indicator is printed, and the template includes the opening formed in the member. having at least one aperture located so as to coincide with the

7) In a postal postmark meter having a printing area and means for supporting a document, such as an envelope or label, etc. on which a postmark indicator is to be printed, in the printing area, for printing the postage portion of the postmark indicator; an ink jet printing device adapted to emit ink droplets in a predetermined sequence onto the document; and an ink jet printing device mounted on the meter for movement in an area between the document and the ink jet printing device. protection means, the protection means being movably mounted on the meter to allow the ink drops to reach the document when in a first operating state and to direct the ink droplets to the document when in a second operating state. A postal postmark meter comprising a shielding member adapted to prevent drops from reaching the document.

8) The apparatus of paragraph 7, with a printing drum rotatably mounted in the meter, having an aperture, and having a corresponding aperture adapted to print fixed information of the postmark indicator. The shielding member is formed by a printing drum supporting a template.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1' is a perspective view of relevant parts of a postmark printing device with ink printing means and a control device arranged according to the invention, some of which are shown schematically. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the arrangement of the postmark printing device shown in FIG. 1, and a portion thereof is a sectional view. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of control elements employed in a postmark printing device according to the invention. 10... Postmark meter, 11... Postmark printing device, 12...
Envelope, 16...printing drum, 26...template, 35...envelope support plate, 37 and 38...opening, 40...ink jet printing device, 56...drum position detector.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A printing area, a support for supporting a document such as an envelope or a label on which a postal indicator is to be printed, and a printing device adapted to print a portion of the postal indicator. and a movable member having an aperture disposed so as to be movable between the document and the printing device, the movable member comprising:
a first position that allows the printing device to print on the document through the aperture; and a second location that prevents the printing device from printing on the document.
A postal meter characterized in that it can be moved between positions. 2. a printing area, a support for supporting a document, such as an envelope or a label, on which a postal indicator is to be printed, in the printing area, and a printing device adapted to print at least a part of the postal indicator; a movable member movable between the document and the printing device and having a wall formed with at least one aperture, the printing member printing the remaining portion of the postal indicia; If the movable member is supported on the side of the wall remote from the printing device and is in a position such that the hole is located between the printing device and the document, the printing device inserts the document into the mailbox. If the movable member is capable of printing said part of the indicia and the i-hole is not located between the printing device and the document, the printing device prints said part of the postal indicia on the document. A postal meter characterized in that it prevents printing.