EP1371023A1 - Franking machine - Google Patents

Franking machine

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Publication number
EP1371023A1
EP1371023A1 EP02701143A EP02701143A EP1371023A1 EP 1371023 A1 EP1371023 A1 EP 1371023A1 EP 02701143 A EP02701143 A EP 02701143A EP 02701143 A EP02701143 A EP 02701143A EP 1371023 A1 EP1371023 A1 EP 1371023A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
franking machine
proximity
air
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP02701143A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1371023B1 (en
Inventor
Werner Haug
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.)
Frama AG
Original Assignee
Frama AG
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 Frama AG filed Critical Frama AG
Publication of EP1371023A1 publication Critical patent/EP1371023A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1371023B1 publication Critical patent/EP1371023B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/17—Cleaning arrangements
    • 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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/1714—Conditioning of the outside of ink supply systems, e.g. inkjet collector cleaning, ink mist removal
    • 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
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00233—Housing, e.g. lock or hardened casing
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00532—Inkjet
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a franking machine with at least one print head of a printing unit for printing insertable or continuous flat shipping objects such as letters, postcards, printed products or the like.
  • a guide arrangement assigned to the printing head and having a conveying device via which the shipping objects have a flat side facing the printing unit pass the printhead.
  • franking machines such as those conveyed by WO 01 62503, WO 01 62504, WO 01 62505, WO 01 62506.
  • the object of the present invention is to design a franking machine of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it always, i.e. with each use, can create a document-free, document-safe, consistent and high quality print that is free of external influences and meets the postal requirements.
  • Inkjet technology is increasingly being used in modern franking machines, in which special care must be taken to ensure that the dust carried by the transport of shipping objects does not lead to incrustations or clogging of the nozzles on the print heads.
  • the above object is achieved in that, at least in the proximity of the print head, a suction or compressed air conveying device acting on it against dust-like foreign substances or the like is arranged.
  • the area of proximity to the printhead is the closest spatial surroundings of the printhead, in which the mode of operation of the printhead head can not be affected by the exhaust air or compressed air supplied.
  • suction air has proven to be advantageous over compressed air because the dust particles to be removed can be removed in a targeted manner via an air stream.
  • the suction or compressed air conveying device has a blower arranged in an air duct, so that a space-saving arrangement can arise due to the limited space available or an optimal approach to the critical surrounding area can be achieved through the air duct.
  • a nozzle-like design has proven particularly effective; end of the air guide channel facing the proximity of the print head if it is arranged in the conveying direction of the shipping objects in front of the print head or in front of the printing unit.
  • the air duct with the end facing the proximity of the print head at least partially has a non-conveying area of at least one transport roller upstream of the printing object in the conveying direction of the shipping objects surrounds, whereby the dust particles adhering to the transport roller or the paper dust detached from the shipping objects are removed.
  • the spatial conditions allow, it makes sense if the end of the air guide channel facing the proximity of the print head extends at least partially over the effective conveying width of a transport roller.
  • the end of the air guide channel facing away from the proximity of the print head expediently ends outside the machine housing of the franking machine, so that the discharged foreign matter can be easily disposed of and thus no additional space is required within the machine housing.
  • the end of the air duct can be designed as a container for foreign matter extracted from the container.
  • the blower can be drive-connected to at least one of the driven transport rollers of the conveyor.
  • a gear can be provided to translate the speed between the transport rollers and the blower.
  • FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a franking machine in the vicinity of a print head
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the proximity of the print head according to FIG. 1,
  • Fig. 3 is a side view of a suction conveyor device in modular design and Fig. 4 is a partial view of a franking machine from the outside.
  • Fig. 1 shows parts of a franking machine 1 in the vicinity of a printhead 2 of an inkjet printing unit 3 or. Ink-jet printing unit. Furthermore, driven transport rollers 4, 5 and opposing counter-pressure rollers 6, 7 of a conveyor device are shown, between which a support roller 8 is arranged.
  • the direction of flow of the shipping objects, in particular letters, is indicated by arrow F.
  • a suction air conveying device 9, which consists of a so-called centrifugal blower 10, is connected upstream of the print head 2 in the transport direction F, to which an air duct 11 connects upstream of the air. 1 runs over an ineffective area of the transport roller 4 and across its width and ends in the paddle wheel housing 12 of the centrifugal blower 10.
  • the paddle wheel 13, which is mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation, sucks air from the surroundings of the print head 2 and the transport rollers axially and conveys them up away.
  • the suction opening 14 of the air duct 11 is designed like a nozzle and thus generates a high suction force with which foreign substances are removed from the proximity of the print head 2 and the transport roller 4.
  • FIG. 1 astonishingly conveys the effect of the suction opening on continuous shipping objects and the transport roller 4.
  • the paddle wheel 13 is driven by a pulley 15 which is drive-connected to the transport roller 4.
  • a transmission gear not specified, is interposed, by means of which a higher speed is imposed on the impeller 13.
  • the ejection end 17 of the air duct 11 is located on the outer wall of the machine housing, which encloses the franking machine 1.
  • 3 shows a suction air conveying device 9 which is produced in a modular design.
  • a chamber (not shown) could also be provided in the air guide duct 11, in which a replaceable dust bag is installed.
  • the sucked-in air would flow out through a filter fabric of the dust bag, whereas the dust particles in the polluted air would be collected in the bag.
  • the dust bag could be checked via an optical control (window) or a differential pressure measurement.
  • the proposed constructional measures enable a franking machine to be manufactured which allows significantly longer maintenance intervals, produces a high-quality printed image and does not require any post-processing of the printed images on the shipping objects.
  • the economy of a franking machine can thus be significantly improved.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The printing head (2) of a printing gear (3) in franking machines (1) is susceptible to dust particles, transmitted by objects to be sent, such as letters, postcards or printed products and introduced by the same. A franking machine (1) is thus disclosed, with a suction or compressed air supply device (9) which acts in a protective manner against particulate contaminants, at least in the vicinity of the print head, on the same.

Description

Frankiermaschinefranking machine
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Frankiermaschine mit wenigstens einem Druckkopf eines Druckwerks zum Bedrucken von einlegbaren oder durchlaufenden flachen Versandobjekten wie Briefe, Postkarten, Druckprodukte oder dgl., mit einer dem Druckkopf zugeordneten, eine Fördereinrichtung aufweisenden Führungsanordnung, über die die Versandobjekte mit einer dem Druckwerk zugewandten Flachseite den Druckkopf passieren.The invention relates to a franking machine with at least one print head of a printing unit for printing insertable or continuous flat shipping objects such as letters, postcards, printed products or the like. With a guide arrangement assigned to the printing head and having a conveying device, via which the shipping objects have a flat side facing the printing unit pass the printhead.
Hierbei handelt es sich beispielsweise um Frankiermaschinen, wie sie durch die WO 01 62503, WO 01 62504, WO 01 62505, WO 01 62506 vermittelt werden.These are, for example, franking machines such as those conveyed by WO 01 62503, WO 01 62504, WO 01 62505, WO 01 62506.
Bei Frankiermaschinen werden heute nebst der klassischen Rotationsdrucktechnik vermehrt neue Stempelaufbringverfahren, wie beispielsweise Thermo- oder Inkjetdruck eingesetzt. Dabei hat die Praxis gezeigt, dass insbesondere die heikle inkjet- Technologie sehr anfällig auf Verschmutzung im Bereich des Druckkopfes reagiert. Die Verschmutzung entsteht primär von Staubpartikeln die an den transportierten Versandobjekten anhaften und sich von letzteren während dem Einlegen oder dem Transport durch die Frankiermaschine lösen. Als Folge davon entstehen Verkrus- tungen an den Druckköpfen, die das Bedrucken der Versandobjekte bis zur Un- brauchbarkeit bzw. Unlesbarkeit der Druckbilder bzw. Frankaturwerte beeinträchti- gen können. Da solche Frankaturaufdrucke oft Barcodes mitumfassen, die in Postverteilzentren zur automatischen Verarbeitung der Versandobjekte dienen, entstehen durch die genannten Mängel oft hohe Folgeschäden. Da eine nachträgliche Zweitfrankierung nicht akzeptiert wird, müssen unzureichende Frankaturbilder auf Versandobjekten von Hand nachbearbeitet werden, was einen hohen Aufwand in Anspruch nimmt und erhebliche Kosten verursacht.In franking machines, new stamp application processes, such as thermal or inkjet printing, are increasingly being used in addition to classic rotary printing technology. Practice has shown that the delicate inkjet technology in particular is very susceptible to contamination in the area of the print head. The pollution is primarily caused by dust particles that adhere to the transported shipping objects and detach from the latter during insertion or transport through the franking machine. As a result, there are incrustations on the print heads, which affect the printing of the shipping objects up to the point of uselessness or illegibility of the printed images or franking values. can. Since franking imprints of this type often include barcodes that are used in the mail distribution centers for automatic processing of the shipping objects, the deficiencies mentioned often result in high consequential damage. Since a subsequent second franking is not accepted, inadequate franking images on shipping objects must be reworked by hand, which takes a lot of effort and causes considerable costs.
Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht darin, eine Frankiermaschine der eingangs genannten Art so zu gestalten, dass sie stets, d.h. bei jedem Einsatz, ein von fremden Einflüssen freies, dokumentechtes, den postalischen Anforderungen genügendes Druckbild von gleichbleibender und hoher Qualität erstellen kann. Bei modernen Frankiermaschinen wird vermehrt die Inkjet-Technologie angewandt, bei der besonders darauf zu achten ist, dass der durch den Transport von Versandobjekten mitgeführte Staub nicht zu Verkrustungen bzw. nicht zum Verstopfen der Düsen an den Druckköpfen führt.The object of the present invention is to design a franking machine of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it always, i.e. with each use, can create a document-free, document-safe, consistent and high quality print that is free of external influences and meets the postal requirements. Inkjet technology is increasingly being used in modern franking machines, in which special care must be taken to ensure that the dust carried by the transport of shipping objects does not lead to incrustations or clogging of the nozzles on the print heads.
Auch bei anderen Drucktechniken führt Staub ebenfalls zur Beeinträchtigung des Druckbildes, sodass auch hier der Staubfreihaltung eine große Bedeutung zukommt.With other printing techniques too, dust also affects the print image, so keeping dust free is also very important here.
Erfindungsgemäss wird die vorstehende Aufgabe dadurch gelöst, dass zumindest im Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes eine auf diesen vor staubförmigen Fremdstoffen oder dgl. bewahrend einwirkende Saug- oder Druckluftfördervorrichtung angeordnet ist.According to the invention, the above object is achieved in that, at least in the proximity of the print head, a suction or compressed air conveying device acting on it against dust-like foreign substances or the like is arranged.
Damit wird es möglich sein, die Zuverlässigkeit einer Frankiermaschine zu verbessern, die Serviceintervalle zu verlängern und die gute Qualität eines Druckbildes aufrechtzuerhalten.This will make it possible to improve the reliability of a franking machine, to extend service intervals and to maintain the good quality of a printed image.
Bei dem Näherungsbereich zum Druckkopf handelt es sich um die nächstliegende räumliche Umgebung des Druckkopfes, in welcher die Arbeitsweise des Druck- kopfes durch die abgeführte Saugluft bzw. die zugeführte Druckluft nicht beeinträchtigt werden kann.The area of proximity to the printhead is the closest spatial surroundings of the printhead, in which the mode of operation of the printhead head can not be affected by the exhaust air or compressed air supplied.
Die Anwendung von Saugluft hat sich gegenüber Druckluft als vorteilhaft erwiesen, weil die zu entfernenden Staubteilchen über einen Luftstrom gezielt abführbar sind.The use of suction air has proven to be advantageous over compressed air because the dust particles to be removed can be removed in a targeted manner via an air stream.
Es erweist sich als zweckmässig, wenn die Saug- oder Druckluftfördervorrichtung ein in einem Luftleitkanal angeordnetes Gebläse aufweist, sodass aufgrund der engen Platzverhältnisse eine raumsparende Anordnungsweise entstehen kann bzw. eine optmale Annäherung an den kritischen Umgebungsbereich durch den Luftleitkanal erreicht werden kann.It proves to be expedient if the suction or compressed air conveying device has a blower arranged in an air duct, so that a space-saving arrangement can arise due to the limited space available or an optimal approach to the critical surrounding area can be achieved through the air duct.
Als besonders wirksam erweist sich ein vorzugsweise düsenartig ausgebildetes; dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes zugewandtes Ende des Luftleitkanals, wenn es in Förderrichtung der Versandobjekte vor dem Druckkopf bzw. vor dem Druckwerk angeordnet ist.A nozzle-like design has proven particularly effective; end of the air guide channel facing the proximity of the print head if it is arranged in the conveying direction of the shipping objects in front of the print head or in front of the printing unit.
Bei einer Frankiermaschine mit einer Fördereinrichtung, die um quer zur Förderrichtung der Versandobjekte angeordnete Achsen umlaufende Transportwalzen aufweist, ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der Luftleitkanal mit dem dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes zugewandten Ende einen förderunwirksamen Bereich wenigstens einer in Förderrichtung der Versandobjekte dem Druckkopf vorgelagerten Transportwalze wenigstens teilweise umgibt, wodurch die an der Transportwalze haftenden Staubteilchen oder der von den Versandobjekten gelöste Paperstaub abgetragen werden.In the case of a franking machine with a conveying device which has transport rollers rotating about axes arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the shipping objects, it is advantageous if the air duct with the end facing the proximity of the print head at least partially has a non-conveying area of at least one transport roller upstream of the printing object in the conveying direction of the shipping objects surrounds, whereby the dust particles adhering to the transport roller or the paper dust detached from the shipping objects are removed.
Sofern die räumlichen Verhältnisse es erlauben, ist es sinnvoll, wenn sich das dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes zugewandte Ende des Luftleitkanals wenigstens teilweise über die förderwirksame Breite einer Transportwalze erstreckt. Zweckmässigerweise endet das dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes abgewandte Ende des Luftleitkanals ausserhalb des Maschinengehäuses der Frankiermaschine, sodass eine einfache Entsorgung der abgeführten Fremstoffe stattfinden kann und somit kein zusätzlicher Raum innerhalb des Maschinengehäuses beansprucht wird.If the spatial conditions allow, it makes sense if the end of the air guide channel facing the proximity of the print head extends at least partially over the effective conveying width of a transport roller. The end of the air guide channel facing away from the proximity of the print head expediently ends outside the machine housing of the franking machine, so that the discharged foreign matter can be easily disposed of and thus no additional space is required within the machine housing.
Hierbei kann das Ende des Luftleitkanals als Auffang behälter abgesaugter Fremdstoffe ausgebildet sein.Here, the end of the air duct can be designed as a container for foreign matter extracted from the container.
Zur Meidung eines zusätzlichen Antriebsmotors kann das Gebläse mit wenigstens einer der angetriebenen Transportwalzen der Fördereinrichtung antriebsverbunden sein.To avoid an additional drive motor, the blower can be drive-connected to at least one of the driven transport rollers of the conveyor.
Zur Erzielung einer höheren Drehzahl als diejenige der Transportwaizen kann ein Getriebe zur Uebersetzung der Drehzahl zwischen Transportwalzen und Gebläse vorgesehen sein.In order to achieve a higher speed than that of the transport rollers, a gear can be provided to translate the speed between the transport rollers and the blower.
Anschliessend wird die Erfindung unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung, auf die bezüglich aller in der Beschreibung nicht näher erwähnten Einzelheiten verwiesen wird, anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels erläutert. In der Zeichnung zeigen:Subsequently, the invention is explained with reference to the drawing, to which reference is made with regard to all details not mentioned in the description, using an exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows:
Fig. 1 einen Längsschnitt durch eine Frankiermaschine im Näherungsbereich eines Druckkopfes,1 shows a longitudinal section through a franking machine in the vicinity of a print head,
Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf den Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes gemäss Fig. 1 ,2 is a plan view of the proximity of the print head according to FIG. 1,
Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht einer Saugfördervorrichtung in Modulbauweise und Fig. 4 eine Teilansicht einer Frankiermaschine von aussen.Fig. 3 is a side view of a suction conveyor device in modular design and Fig. 4 is a partial view of a franking machine from the outside.
Fig. 1 zeigt auszugweise eine Frankiermaschine 1 im Näherungsbereich eines Druckkopfes 2 eines Tintenstrahldruckwerkes 3 resp. Ink-Jet-Druckwerkes. Weiterhin sind angetriebene Transportwalzen 4, 5 sowie gegenüberliegende Gegendruckwalzen 6, 7 einer Fördereinrichtung dargestellt, zwischen denen eine Stützrolle 8 angeordnet ist. Die Durchlaufrichtung der Versandobjekte, insbesondere Briefe, ist durch Pfeil F vermerkt. Dem Druckkopf 2 ist in Transportrichtung F eine Saugluft- fördervorrichtung 9 vorgeschaltet, die aus einem sog. Kreiselgebläse 10 besteht, an das luftstromaufwärts ein Luftleitkanal 11 anschliesst. Dieser verläuft gemäss Fig. 1 über einen förderunwirksamen Bereich der Transportwalze 4 sowie über deren Breite und endet im Schaufelradgehäuse 12 des Kreiselgebläses 10. Das um eine horizontale Drehachse gelagerte Schaufelrad 13 saugt Luft aus der Umgebung des Druckkopfes 2 sowie der Transportwalzen axial an und fördert sie nach oben weg.Fig. 1 shows parts of a franking machine 1 in the vicinity of a printhead 2 of an inkjet printing unit 3 or. Ink-jet printing unit. Furthermore, driven transport rollers 4, 5 and opposing counter-pressure rollers 6, 7 of a conveyor device are shown, between which a support roller 8 is arranged. The direction of flow of the shipping objects, in particular letters, is indicated by arrow F. A suction air conveying device 9, which consists of a so-called centrifugal blower 10, is connected upstream of the print head 2 in the transport direction F, to which an air duct 11 connects upstream of the air. 1 runs over an ineffective area of the transport roller 4 and across its width and ends in the paddle wheel housing 12 of the centrifugal blower 10. The paddle wheel 13, which is mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation, sucks air from the surroundings of the print head 2 and the transport rollers axially and conveys them up away.
Die Ansaugöffnung 14 des Luftkanals 11 ist düsenartig ausgebildet und erzeugt so eine hohe Saugkraft, mit welcher Fremdstoffe aus dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes 2 und der Transportwalze 4 entfernt werden.The suction opening 14 of the air duct 11 is designed like a nozzle and thus generates a high suction force with which foreign substances are removed from the proximity of the print head 2 and the transport roller 4.
Fig. 1 vermittelt auf eindrückliche Weise die Einwirkung der Ansaugöffnung auf durchlaufende Versandobjekte und die Transportwalze 4. Der Antrieb des Schaufelrades 13 erfolgt über ein Pulley 15, welches mit der Transportwalze 4 antriebsverbunden ist. Hierzu ist ein nicht näher bezeichnetes Uebersetzύngsgetriebe zwischengeschaltet, durch welches dem Schaufelrad 13 eine grössere Drehzahl auferlegt wird.FIG. 1 impressively conveys the effect of the suction opening on continuous shipping objects and the transport roller 4. The paddle wheel 13 is driven by a pulley 15 which is drive-connected to the transport roller 4. For this purpose, a transmission gear, not specified, is interposed, by means of which a higher speed is imposed on the impeller 13.
Das Ausstossende 17 des Luftleitkanals 11 befindet sich an der Aussenwand des Maschinengehäuses, welches die Frankiermaschine 1 umschliesst. In Fig. 3 ist eine in modulbauweise hergestellte Saugluftfördervorrichtung 9 dargestellt.The ejection end 17 of the air duct 11 is located on the outer wall of the machine housing, which encloses the franking machine 1. 3 shows a suction air conveying device 9 which is produced in a modular design.
Anstelle einer durchgehenden schlitzartigen Ansaugöffnung des Luftleitkanals sind auch mehrere einzelne Schlitze oder lochförmige Ansaugöffnungen denkbar.Instead of a continuous slot-like suction opening of the air duct, several individual slots or hole-shaped suction openings are also conceivable.
Im Luftleitkanal 11 könnte auch eine Kammer vorgesehen sein (nicht dargestellt), in der ein auswechselbarer Staubsack eingebaut ist Die angesaugte Luft würde dabei durch ein Filtergewebe des Staubsackes ausströmen, wogegen die Staubteilchen in der verschmutzten Luft im Sack aufgefangen werden. Der Staubsack könnte über eine optische Kontrolle (Fenster) oder eine Differenzdruckmessung kontrolliert werden.A chamber (not shown) could also be provided in the air guide duct 11, in which a replaceable dust bag is installed. The sucked-in air would flow out through a filter fabric of the dust bag, whereas the dust particles in the polluted air would be collected in the bag. The dust bag could be checked via an optical control (window) or a differential pressure measurement.
Falls die Staubbildung innerhalb der Frankiermaschine relativ gering ist, kann auf das Einlegen eines Staubsacks verzichtet werden, d.h., die nur leicht staubhaltige Luft kann direkt ins Freie geblasen werden.If the dust formation inside the franking machine is relatively low, it is not necessary to insert a dust bag, i.e. the air, which is only slightly dusty, can be blown directly outside.
Durch die vorgeschlagenen konstruktiven Massnahmen kann eine Frankiermaschine hergestellt werden, die deutlich längere Wartungsintervalle erlaubt, ein qualitativ hochstehendes Druckbild erzeugt und keine Nachbearbeitung der Druckbilder an den Versandobjekten erfordert. Die Wirtschaftlichkeit einer Frankiermaschine kann damit erheblich verbessert werden. The proposed constructional measures enable a franking machine to be manufactured which allows significantly longer maintenance intervals, produces a high-quality printed image and does not require any post-processing of the printed images on the shipping objects. The economy of a franking machine can thus be significantly improved.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E PATENT CLAIMS
1. Frankiermaschine (1) mit wenigstens einem Druckkopf (2) eines Druckwerks (3) zum Bedrucken von einlegbaren oder durchlaufenden flachen Versandobjekten wie Briefe, Postkarten, Druckprodukte oder dgl., mit einer dem Druckkopf (2) zugeordneten, eine Fördereinrichtung aufweisenden Führungsanordnung, über die die Versandobjekte mit einer dem Druckwerk (3) zugewandten Flachseite den Druckkopf (2) passieren, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest im Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes (2) eine auf diesen vor staubförmigen Fremdstoffen oder dgl. bewahrend einwirkende Saug- oder Druckluftfördervorrichtung (9) angeordnet ist.1. franking machine (1) with at least one print head (2) of a printing unit (3) for printing insertable or continuous flat shipping objects such as letters, postcards, printed products or the like, with a guide arrangement assigned to the print head (2) and having a conveying device, Via which the shipping objects with a flat side facing the printing unit (3) pass the print head (2), characterized in that at least in the vicinity of the print head (2) a suction or compressed air conveying device (9) acting on it against dust-like foreign substances or the like. is arranged.
2. Frankiermaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Saug- und Druckluftfördervorrichtung (9) durch ein in einem Luftleitkanal (11) angeordnetes Gebläse (10) ausgebildet ist.2. Franking machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction and compressed air delivery device (9) is formed by a fan (10) arranged in an air duct (11).
3. Frankiermaschine (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das vorzugsweise düsenartig ausgebildete Ende des dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes (2) zugewandten Luftleitkanals (11) in Förderrichtung (F) der Versandobjekte betrachtet vor dem Druckkopf (2) angeordnet ist.3. Franking machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that that the preferably nozzle-like end of the air guide channel (11) facing the proximity of the print head (2) is arranged in front of the print head (2) in the conveying direction (F) of the shipping objects.
4. Frankiermaschine (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, mit einer um eine quer zur Förderrichtung der Versandobjekte angeordnete Achsen umlaufende Transportwalzen (4, 5, 6, 7) aufweisenden Fördereinrichtung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Luftleitkanal (11 ) an dem dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes (2) zugewandten Ende einen förderunwirksamen Bereich wenigstens einer in Förderrichtung (F) der Versandobjekte dem Druckkopf (2) vorgelagerten Transportwalze (4) wenigstens teilweise umgibt.4. franking machine (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, having a conveyor device (4, 5, 6, 7) rotating around an axis arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the shipping objects, characterized in that the air duct (11) on the the end facing the proximity of the print head (2) at least partially surrounds an ineffective area of at least one transport roller (4) upstream of the print head (2) in the conveying direction (F) of the shipping objects.
5. Frankiermaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich das dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes (2) zugewandte Ende des Luftleitkanals (11) wenigstens teilweise über die förderwirksame Transportbreite einer Transportwalze (4) erstreckt.5. franking machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the proximity of the print head (2) facing end of the air duct (11) extends at least partially over the effective transport width of a transport roller (4).
6. Frankiermaschine (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 5, mit ei- nem die Frankiermaschine (1) umgebenden Maschinengehäu- se(16), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das von dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes (2) abgewandte Ende des Luftleitkanals (11) ausserhalb des Maschinengehäuses (16) endet.6. franking machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, with egg In addition to the machine housing (16) surrounding the franking machine (1), characterized in that the end of the air guiding channel (11) facing away from the proximity area of the print head (2) ends outside the machine housing (16).
7. Frankiermaschine (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das von dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes (2) abgewandte Ende des Luftleitkanals (11) als Auffang- behälter abgesaugter Fremdstoffe ausgebildet ist.7. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the end of the air guide channel (11) facing away from the proximity area of the print head (2) is designed as a collecting container for foreign substances extracted.
8. Frankiermaschine (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gebläse (10) mit wenigstens einer der angetriebenen Transportwalzen (4, 5) der Fördereinrichtung antriebsverbunden ist.8. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the blower (10) is drive-connected to at least one of the driven transport rollers (4, 5) of the conveyor.
9. Frankiermaschine (1) nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gebläse (10) mittels Getriebe mit einer höheren Drehzahl als die Transportwalzen (4, 5, 6, 7) angetrieben ist.9. franking machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the blower (10) is driven by a gear at a higher speed than the transport rollers (4, 5, 6, 7).
10. Frankiermaschine (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass im Luftleitkanal (11) ein für Staubteile bestimmter, filtersackähnlicher Auffangbehälter angeordnet ist. 10. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that in the air guide channel (11) is intended for dust parts, filter bag-like collecting container.
EP02701143A 2001-03-13 2002-03-10 Franking machine Expired - Lifetime EP1371023B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH460012001 2001-03-13
CH4602001 2001-03-13
PCT/CH2002/000143 WO2002073541A1 (en) 2001-03-13 2002-03-10 Franking machine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1371023A1 true EP1371023A1 (en) 2003-12-17
EP1371023B1 EP1371023B1 (en) 2012-08-29

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US (1) US6758560B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1371023B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002234474B9 (en)
WO (1) WO2002073541A1 (en)

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JP6459594B2 (en) * 2015-02-13 2019-01-30 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Droplet discharge device

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002234474A1 (en) 2002-09-24
AU2002234474A9 (en) 2008-07-03
US20030167940A1 (en) 2003-09-11
WO2002073541A1 (en) 2002-09-19
AU2002234474B2 (en) 2007-11-29
EP1371023B1 (en) 2012-08-29
AU2002234474A2 (en) 2003-06-05
AU2002234474B9 (en) 2008-07-10
US6758560B2 (en) 2004-07-06

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