EP1244066A1 - Machine à affranchir avec dispositif de serrage pour un pli postal - Google Patents

Machine à affranchir avec dispositif de serrage pour un pli postal Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1244066A1
EP1244066A1 EP02090095A EP02090095A EP1244066A1 EP 1244066 A1 EP1244066 A1 EP 1244066A1 EP 02090095 A EP02090095 A EP 02090095A EP 02090095 A EP02090095 A EP 02090095A EP 1244066 A1 EP1244066 A1 EP 1244066A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clamping
franking machine
section
machine according
compensation section
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02090095A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Iain Ansell
Steven Roland Brace
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Original Assignee
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Francotyp Postalia GmbH filed Critical Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Publication of EP1244066A1 publication Critical patent/EP1244066A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • 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
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00556—Ensuring quality of print
    • 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
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00685—Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a franking machine with a drive device drivable clamping device for clamping a piece of mail to be franked against a stop element, the clamping device one for cooperation provided with the mail piece and a clamping unit with the clamping unit and Drive device connected gear device for moving the clamping unit in the direction of the stop element
  • Conventional franking machines can be based on the volume of mail to be processed can be roughly divided into two groups.
  • the ones designed for a larger volume of mail Franking machines are usually equipped with a transport mechanism for the equipped for processing letter.
  • the letter must be sent to franking machines for a smaller volume of mail, for example in the range of less than 20 to 30 letters per day, usually manually inserted and removed.
  • Letter feed In order to reliably position a letter in relation to the printhead when Ensuring that the franking is printed is manual with the franking machines Letter feed usually provided a clamping device that the letter during of the print clamps against a stop plate in order to fix it.
  • a print window is provided through which the print head carries the letter can print on the franking.
  • a generic franking machine is known from EP 0 825 563 A2, in which this thickness compensation is achieved in that the letter against the stop plate pressing clamping plate through two on the foundation of the franking machine supporting spiral springs is pressed against the letter. Depending on the thickness of the Briefes results in a corresponding spring travel of the coil springs.
  • the drive device via which the clamping device can be opened or closed can, is coupled to the clamping plate via a rocker arm, the End facing away from the clamping plate on an end connected to the drive device Cam disc is running.
  • the drive device does not apply the clamping force, but rather the force to open the clamping device against the spring force of the coil springs. at each time the letter is clamped, the drive device always passes one predetermined drive path, which corresponds to half a turn of the cam disc
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of a franking machine to provide the type mentioned above, which the above Does not have disadvantages, or at least to a lesser extent, and in particular one configuration as small as possible with little variation in the clamping force.
  • This task is based on a franking machine according to the preamble of claim 1 by those specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 Features solved.
  • the invention is based on the technical teaching that a small-scale Franking machine receives when the clamping unit and / or the gear device has at least one compensation section which is designed to be elastic, compensation for a given drive path of the drive device different thicknesses of the mail item due to elastic deformation of the compensation section he follows.
  • the clamping unit or the gear mechanism can be compared to the known franking machine to be saved considerably in installation space, which is then used for the arrangement other functional units of the franking machine is available, which in a smaller franking machine is advantageously achieved.
  • the compensation section can thus easily have a sufficiently large length have a soft characteristic of its elastic deformation behavior leads, which in turn leads to a slight variation in the clamping force even with larger ones Thickness variations d. H. leads to larger variations in the clamping path. Furthermore can the compensation section also far away from the clamping device in one Area to be arranged, which is only relative anyway in the entire clamping movement experiences small deflections, so that the one mentioned is sufficiently soft Characteristic of its elastic deformation behavior comparatively less variations result in the clamping force.
  • Another advantage of the design according to the invention is that through the integration of the compensation mechanism in the clamping unit or the transmission device always a positive or positive connection between the links of the Knitting chain can exist, while interacting with the cam disc End of the rocker arm of the known franking machine depending on the thickness of the to be processed Mail piece when clamping more or less far from the cam takes off. This has an advantageous effect on the noise behavior as well favorably on the wear behavior of the clamping mechanism.
  • the arrangement of the compensation section can be anywhere within or on the Clamping unit and additionally or alternatively the transmission device.
  • the gear device comprises a first lever arm, wherein a first compensation section is then arranged on the lever arm is.
  • the first compensation section can seamlessly change the contour of the first lever arm continue and only from a correspondingly more elastic material consist.
  • the required for the low clamping force variation or soft characteristic To achieve length, it can preferably be provided that the compensation section extends over at least approximately the entire first lever arm or forms this.
  • the first compensation section is preferably of a leaf spring-like design Spring section of the first lever arm formed, since such a configuration can be realized particularly easily.
  • the spring section has at least one bending section has a U-shaped course.
  • a compensation section can also be arranged in the region of the clamping unit his.
  • the clamping unit can interact with the mail item Include clamping plate that is movable in or on a clamping plate carrier is arranged and depending on the thickness of the mail piece to be clamped has a more or less large distance from the clamping plate carrier. Between these both can then have a compensation section, for example a spring, a elastic liner or the like, may be arranged depending on the distance between the clamping plate and the clamping plate carrier more or less elastic is deformed.
  • the clamping unit has a clamping plate, a second compensation section is arranged on the clamping plate.
  • the clamping plate itself consist entirely or in sections of a correspondingly elastic material
  • the gear device and at least a first gear element comprises a second transmission element coupled to it via a coupling element, wherein a third compensation section is arranged on the coupling element.
  • simple components such as lever arms, Gears or the like with each other via a coupling element connected between them to couple with each other, which then the elastic deformation Thickness compensation causes.
  • the first gear element comprises or the second gear element, preferably both gear elements, a lever arm.
  • the compensation section consists of different components, Layers or layers or elements can be composed, because the desired properties of the compensation section with regard to the deformation characteristic, the service life etc. can be set within wide limits.
  • any sufficiently elastic materials can be used for the compensation section are used, which ensure a sufficiently long service life.
  • the compensation section is at least partially made of one or more spring materials, since these materials usually meet this requirement particularly well fulfill.
  • the compensation section is provided in other inexpensive variants at least partially of an elastic plastic or plastic mixture. This can be brought into any shape particularly easily and with appropriate reinforcement inserts or reinforce the like.
  • Figure 1 shows a partial view of a preferred embodiment of the invention Franking machine 1, namely its clamping device 2 for clamping one too franking mail piece, for example a letter.
  • the clamping device 2 has one intended for cooperation with the mail item Clamping unit in the form of a clamping plate 3.
  • This clamping plate 3 is over a transmission device 4 is connected to a drive device in the form of a motor 5.
  • the transmission device 4 comprises a gear transmission 6, which one Drives cam 7, which in turn has a first free end 8.1 of a interacts first lever arm in the form of a rocker arm 8, on the second Free end 8.2, the clamping plate 3 is arranged.
  • the rocker arm 8 is pivotable in the housing 1.1 of the franking machine 1 Pillow blocks 1.2 stored.
  • the free end 8.1 of the rocker arm 8 is by a - Not shown - spring device biased against the cam 7, so that always contact between the contact element 8.3 at the first free end 8.1 of the Rocker arm 8 and the cam surface 7.1 of the cam disc 7.
  • the clamping plate 3 presses a piece of mail, for example a letter 9 against a stop plate 10 in which there is a printing window 11.
  • This print window 11 is a - including perpendicular to the plane of the drawing - movable print head 12 assigned, with which the franking imprint by the Printing window 11 can be printed on the letter 9 through.
  • the rocker arm 8 For clamping the through an insertion slot 13 in the housing 1.1 of the franking machine 1 introduced letter 9, the rocker arm 8 with the clamping plate 3 of one indicated by the contour 14 in the first position shown in the second position pivoted.
  • the cam disk 8 carries out driven by the motor 5 to which it is connected via the gear transmission 6, half a turn about its Axis 7.2.
  • This travel path of the cam disc 7 and the associated drive path or angle of rotation the motor 5 are identical for each mail item, regardless of the thickness of the respective mail item inserted through the insertion slot 13.
  • the compensation Different thickness dimensions of the imported mail pieces are made by elastic Deformation of a first compensation section in the form of a leaf spring trained spring section 15 of the rocker arm 8.
  • This spring section 15 becomes more or more depending on the thickness of the mail piece being inserted less deformed, as can be seen in Figure 3, which the same partial section as Figure 2 shows.
  • the contour 16 is the deformation of the spring section 15 indicated that this when clamping through experiences the contour 17 indicated mail piece with maximum thickness to be processed.
  • the spring section 15 is arranged and designed such that it is also minimal Thickness of the inserted mail piece in the second position of the rocker arm 8 also undergoes a certain deformation.
  • the deformation is so great that a predetermined one minimal clamping force is ensured. This ensures that too then a sufficiently high clamping force is achieved if, for example, only one single sheet, for example a franking strip for a package, etc., can be printed should.
  • the spring section 15 also has a bending section 15.1 with a U-shaped Course on.
  • This bending section 15.1 is not only one from the point of view of deformation favorable force introduction into the spring section 15 guaranteed. Created also ensure that the spring section 15 despite the small distance between the Clamping plate 3 and the fastening point 15.2 of the spring section 15 on the Rocker arm 8 has a relatively large length. This has a beneficial effect in so far the deformation characteristic of the spring section 15, as a special one soft deformation characteristic is achieved, which ensures that when clamping of mail pieces of different thickness only a comparatively small one Variation of the clamping force that arises.
  • Another advantage of the U-shaped design of the spring section 15 is that that the clamping plate 3 when clamping the letter 9 due to the progressive deformation increasing reduction in the radius of curvature of the Bending section 15.1 moves in the insertion direction 18 towards the letter stop 19. hereby the letter 9 is pressed against the letter stop 19 in an advantageous manner or even pulled against this.
  • the spring section 15 consists of a conventional spring steel.
  • any other, materials or material mixtures which have a corresponding elasticity or Material combinations can be used.
  • the entire or approximately the entire rocker arm consist of such a spring section can, whereby a particularly high length of the spring section with the described beneficial effects can be achieved.
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 show a partial section through a further preferred embodiment of the Franking machine 1 'according to the invention, which in its basic structure our basic function of the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 1 to 3 is the same, so only the differences will be dealt with here. Accordingly, are otherwise identical components with the same reference numerals as in the figures 1 to 3.
  • clamping plate 3 formed by a U-shaped, elastic plastic component is provided at the second free end 8.2 'of the rocker arm 8' .
  • This clamping plate 3 ' represents a second compensation section, which ensures that with the end position always constant, i.e. H. with always the same second position of the second end 8.2 'of the rocker arm 8' mail items 9, 17th different thickness can be clamped.
  • the elastic clamping plate 3 ' becomes Thickness compensation deformed more or less, as can be seen in Figure 4 is indicated by the contour 20, the deformation of the elastic clamping plate 3 ' is which this is indicated by the contour 17 when clamping Experiences mail piece with maximum thickness to be processed.
  • FIG. 5 shows a section through part of a further variant of the invention Franking machine, namely by an articulated at the second end 8.2 "one essentially rigid rocker arm 8 "arranged clamping unit 21.
  • This Rocker arm 8 is described in the same manner as in the previous examples actuated to clamp a mail item 9 "against a stop plate 10", so that this will not be discussed in more detail.
  • the clamping unit 21 comprises a bowl-shaped clamping plate 22 and one with it connected, also bowl-shaped carrier 23, which define a cavity 24.
  • leaf springs 25 are arranged, which are fixed at one end are connected to the carrier 23 while being freely movable at their other end press against the inside of the clamping plate 22.
  • stops 22.1 and 23.1 are provided.
  • the clamping plate 22 becomes a thickness compensation with more or less strong deformation of the second in this case Compensating section leaf springs 25 more or less strongly on the Carrier 23 moves to, as can be seen in Figure 5, in which by the contour 26 Deflection of the clamping plate 22 is indicated, which this when clamping a indicated by the contour 27 mail piece with maximum to be processed Experiences thickness.
  • the length of the leaf springs 25 ensures that it is sufficiently soft Deformation characteristic of the clamping unit 21 results in the smallest possible variation the clamping force guaranteed over the thickness range of the mail pieces to be processed.
  • FIGS 6 and 7 show views of part of a further variant of the invention Franking machine, namely in the area of the bearing blocks 1.2 "', over the a rocker arm 8 '' 'shown in its second position on the housing 1.1' '' of the franking machine is pivotally mounted.
  • This rocker arm 8 "' is made in the same way as described in the previous examples for clamping a mail piece actuated so that this will not be discussed in more detail.
  • Compensation section representing spring 30 for thickness compensation more or less deformed. This creates a more or less obtuse angle between the two lever arms 28 and 29, as can be seen in FIG. 6, in which by the contour 31, the angular position between the two lever arms 28 and 29 is indicated, which this when clamping a mail piece with maximum Take thickness to be processed.
  • the length of the spring wire used overall for the spring 30 ensures that there is a sufficiently soft deformation characteristic of the spring 30, which has the smallest possible variation of the clamping force over the thickness range of the guaranteed mailpieces to be processed.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
EP02090095A 2001-03-21 2002-03-01 Machine à affranchir avec dispositif de serrage pour un pli postal Withdrawn EP1244066A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10114530 2001-03-21
DE10114530A DE10114530A1 (de) 2001-03-21 2001-03-21 Frankiermaschine mit Klemmeinrichtung für ein Poststück

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1244066A1 true EP1244066A1 (fr) 2002-09-25

Family

ID=7678885

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02090095A Withdrawn EP1244066A1 (fr) 2001-03-21 2002-03-01 Machine à affranchir avec dispositif de serrage pour un pli postal

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US6692166B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1244066A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE10114530A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003303344A1 (en) * 2002-12-23 2004-07-22 Polaroid Corporation Roller assembly
US6966711B2 (en) * 2003-12-18 2005-11-22 Pitney Bowes Inc. Dynamic registration device for mailing system
US8062010B2 (en) * 2005-09-20 2011-11-22 Teleflex Canada Inc. Thermal expansion chambers for airtight containers
DE202014102698U1 (de) 2014-06-11 2014-06-26 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Druckergerät
DE202014102699U1 (de) 2014-06-11 2014-06-24 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Druckergerät

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4227819A (en) * 1978-11-24 1980-10-14 International Computers Limited Printer platen
US4872521A (en) * 1987-12-18 1989-10-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Platen module for a modular mailing machine
US5427025A (en) * 1994-10-14 1995-06-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Compliant platen for high speed flat bed printer
DE19605015C1 (de) * 1996-01-31 1997-03-06 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken eines auf einer Kante stehenden Druckträgers

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2519583A1 (fr) * 1982-01-12 1983-07-18 Smh Alcatel Mecanisme d'entrainement et d'impression pour machine a affranchir
US4739343A (en) * 1986-05-09 1988-04-19 Pitney Bowes Inc. Thermal printing system for postage meter mailing machine application
US4763575A (en) 1987-04-06 1988-08-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Envelope pressure plate for mailing machine
FR2649231B1 (fr) * 1989-06-30 1991-09-13 Alcatel Satmam Machine de bureau d'expedition d'articles postaux
US5339733A (en) * 1993-10-08 1994-08-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus for sensing mail piece surface contour
JP2791350B2 (ja) * 1994-01-28 1998-08-27 セイコープレシジョン株式会社 印字装置
US5640903A (en) * 1995-12-29 1997-06-24 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for initiating printing and registering a mailpiece in a stand alone postage meter
DE19645363C1 (de) 1996-01-31 1998-01-22 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken eines auf einer Kante stehenden Druckträgers
US6007178A (en) 1996-08-23 1999-12-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Drive gear system using a single motor for a priming operation and driving a platen in a postage meter
US5899615A (en) * 1996-12-16 1999-05-04 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus and method for two-sided printing
US5988057A (en) * 1997-10-03 1999-11-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postal cancellation machine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4227819A (en) * 1978-11-24 1980-10-14 International Computers Limited Printer platen
US4872521A (en) * 1987-12-18 1989-10-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Platen module for a modular mailing machine
US5427025A (en) * 1994-10-14 1995-06-27 Pitney Bowes Inc. Compliant platen for high speed flat bed printer
DE19605015C1 (de) * 1996-01-31 1997-03-06 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken eines auf einer Kante stehenden Druckträgers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020136580A1 (en) 2002-09-26
US6692166B2 (en) 2004-02-17
DE10114530A1 (de) 2002-10-02

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