EP1371023B1 - Franking machine - Google Patents

Franking machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1371023B1
EP1371023B1 EP02701143A EP02701143A EP1371023B1 EP 1371023 B1 EP1371023 B1 EP 1371023B1 EP 02701143 A EP02701143 A EP 02701143A EP 02701143 A EP02701143 A EP 02701143A EP 1371023 B1 EP1371023 B1 EP 1371023B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
franking machine
air duct
vicinity
machine
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP02701143A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1371023A1 (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
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Frama AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1371023A1 publication Critical patent/EP1371023A1/en
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Publication of EP1371023B1 publication Critical patent/EP1371023B1/en
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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, with a printhead associated, a conveyor having guide assembly over which the shipping objects with the printing unit facing flat side pass the printhead.
  • 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 printhead associated, a conveyor having guide assembly over which the shipping objects with the printing unit facing flat side pass the printhead.
  • the pre-published US Pat. No. 6,017,111 relates to an inkjet printing direction for printing images on a web of fabric. It consists of means that prevent the ingestion of a liquid, the Einftusslose on the print quality of the ink mist generated by the printing process.
  • the pressure device has a suction device provided next to the pressure region.
  • the former EP-A-0 416 849 teaches a postage meter having a printhead having a plurality of ink jet nozzles arranged in a row.
  • the nozzles are connected to an ink receptacle and selectively actuatable to eject the ink from the nozzles. Furthermore, supply means for transporting packages at a distance and across the row of nozzles are provided.
  • the object of the present invention is to design a franking machine of the type mentioned above so that it can always, ie with each use, create a foreign-free, document-true, the postal requirements sufficient print image of consistent and high quality.
  • inkjet technology is increasingly being used, with special care being taken to ensure that the dust carried by the transport of shipping objects does not lead to encrustation or clogging of the nozzles on the print heads.
  • the above object is achieved in that at least in the approximate region of the print head on this dust-like foreign matter or the like.
  • Acting acting suction or Druckbuch devisvoriques is provided with a arranged in an air duct blower and that preferably nozzle formed at the end of the approach range of the print head facing Heilleitkanals viewed in the conveying direction of the shipping objects is arranged in front of the print head.
  • the proximity region to the print head is the closest spatial environment of the print head, in which the operation of the print head can not be affected by the discharged suction air or the supplied compressed air.
  • suction air has proven to be advantageous over compressed air, because the dust particles to be removed are selectively discharged via an air flow.
  • the suction or compressed air conveying device has a blower arranged in an air duct, so that a space-saving arrangement manner can arise due to the limited space available or an optimal approach to the critical surrounding area can be achieved by the air duct.
  • a preferably nozzle-like trained the approximate region of the print head facing the end of the air duct, which 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 approach region of the print head at least partially a conveying ineffective region of at least one in the conveying direction of the shipping objects upstream of the print head surrounds, whereby the adhering to the transport roller dust particles or the paper dust dissolved by the shipping objects are removed.
  • the spatial conditions allow it, it makes sense if the proximate region of the print head facing the end of the air duct at least partially on the effective conveying width of a transport roller he stretches.
  • the end of the air duct may be formed as a collecting container sucked foreign matter.
  • the fan may be drive-connected to at least one of the driven transport rollers of the conveyor.
  • a gearbox for the translation of the rotational speed between transport rollers and blower can be provided.
  • Fig. 1 shows in part a franking machine 1 in the proximity region of a print head 2 of an inkjet printing unit 3, respectively. Ink-jet printing unit. Furthermore, driven transport rollers 4, 5 and opposite counter-pressure rollers 6, 7 of a conveyor are shown, between which a support roller 8 is arranged. The passage direction of the shipping objects, in particular letters, is indicated by arrow F.
  • the printhead 2 is preceded by a Saugluft devisvoriques 9 in the transport direction F, which consists of a so-called.
  • Centrifugal fan 10 to the air upstream an air duct 11 connects. This runs according to Fig. 1 via a conveyor ineffective area of the transport roller 4 and over the width and ends in the Schaufelradgepatuse 12 of the rotary blower 10.
  • the mounted around a horizontal axis of rotation paddle 13 sucks air from the environment of the print head 2 and the transport rollers axially and promotes them upwards away.
  • the suction opening 14 of the air channel 11 is formed like a nozzle and thus produces a high suction force with which foreign matter from the proximity region of the print head 2 and the transport roller 4 are removed.
  • Fig. 1 conveys impressively the action of the suction on continuous shipping objects and the transport roller. 4
  • an unspecified transmission gearbox is interposed, through which the blade wheel 13, a greater speed is imposed.
  • 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.
  • Fig. 3 is a produced in modular design Saug Kunststoffestvortechnik 9 shown.
  • a chamber could be provided (not shown), in which a replaceable dust bag is installed.
  • the sucked air would flow through a filter fabric of the dust bag, while the dust particles are collected in the polluted air in the bag.
  • the dust bag could be controlled via an optical control (window) or a differential pressure measurement. If the dust formation within the franking machine is relatively low, it is possible to dispense with the insertion of a dust bag, ie the air containing only slightly dust can be blown directly into the open air.
  • the proposed constructional measures make it possible to produce a franking machine which allows significantly longer maintenance intervals, produces a high-quality printed image and does not require post-processing of the printed images on the mailing objects.
  • the economy of a franking machine can thus be significantly improved.

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  • 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)

Description

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.
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.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 printhead associated, a conveyor having guide assembly over which the shipping objects with the printing unit facing flat side pass the printhead.
These are, for example, franking machines, as they by the WO 01 62503 . WO 01 62504 . WO 01 62505 . WO 01 62506 mediated.

Bei Frankiermaschinen werden heute nebst der klassischen Rotationsdrucktechnik vermehrt neue Stempelaufbringvertahren, 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 Verkrustungen an den Druckköpfen, die das Bedrucken der Versandobjekte bis zur Unbrauchbarkeit bzw. Unlesbarkeit der Druckbilder bzw Frankaturwerte beeinträchtigen 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 today, in addition to the classic rotary printing technique, more and more new stamping processes are used, such as, for example, thermal or inkjet printing. The practice has shown that especially the delicate inkjet technology is very susceptible to contamination in the printhead area. The pollution originates primarily from dust particles which adhere to the transported shipping objects and detach from the latter during loading or transport by the franking machine. As a result, encrustations on the print heads, the printing of the shipping objects to the usability or illegibility of the printed images or franking values can affect. Since such franking imprints often include barcodes, which are used in mail distribution centers for the automatic processing of the mailing objects, the above-mentioned defects often result in high consequential damages. Since a subsequent secondary franking is not accepted, insufficient franking images on shipping objects must be reworked by hand, which requires a lot of effort and causes considerable costs.

Die vorveröffentlichte US-A-6 017 111 betrifft eine Tintenstrahl-Druckelnrichtung zum Druck von Bildern auf eine Gewebebahn. Sie besteht aus Mitteln, die beim Ausstoss einer Flüssigkeit die Einftussnahme auf die Druckqualität des durch das Druckverfahren erzeugten Tintennebels verhindern. Zu diesem Zweck weist die Druckeinrichtung eine neben dem Druckbereich vorgesehene Absaugvorrichtung auf.The pre-published US Pat. No. 6,017,111 relates to an inkjet printing direction for printing images on a web of fabric. It consists of means that prevent the ingestion of a liquid, the Einftussnahme on the print quality of the ink mist generated by the printing process. For this purpose, the pressure device has a suction device provided next to the pressure region.

Die frühere EP-A-0 416 849 vermittelt eine Frankiermaschine mit einem Druckkopf, der eine Mehrzahl von in einer Reihe angeordneten Tintenstrahldüsen aufweist. Die Düsen sind mit einem Tintenaufnahmebehälter verbunden und selektiv betätigbar, um die Tinte aus den Düsen auszustossen. Weiterhin sind ZUführmittel zum Transport von Versandstücken im Abstand und quer zur Reihe der Düsen vorgesehen.The former EP-A-0 416 849 teaches a postage meter having a printhead having a plurality of ink jet nozzles arranged in a row. The nozzles are connected to an ink receptacle and selectively actuatable to eject the ink from the nozzles. Furthermore, supply means for transporting packages at a distance and across the row of nozzles are provided.

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 above so that it can always, ie with each use, create a foreign-free, document-true, the postal requirements sufficient print image of consistent and high quality. In modern franking machines, inkjet technology is increasingly being used, with special care being taken to ensure that the dust carried by the transport of shipping objects does not lead to encrustation 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.In other printing techniques, dust also leads to impairment of the printed image, so that here too the dust control is of great importance.

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 mit einem in einem Luftleitkanal angeordneten Gebläse vorgesehen ist und dass ein vorzugsweise düsenortig Ausgebildetes Ende des dem Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes zugewandten Luftleitkanals in Förderrichtung der Versandobjekte betrachtet vor dem Druckkopf angeordnet ist.
Damit wird es möglich sein, die Zuverlässigkeit einer Frankiermaschine zu verbessem, die Serviceintervalle zu verlängern und die gute Qualität eines Druckbildes aufrechtzuerhalten.According to the invention the above object is achieved in that at least in the approximate region of the print head on this dust-like foreign matter or the like. Acting acting suction or Druckluftfördervorrichtung is provided with a arranged in an air duct blower and that preferably nozzle formed at the end of the approach range of the print head facing Luftleitkanals viewed in the conveying direction of the shipping objects is arranged in front of the print head.
Thus, it will be possible to improve the reliability of a postage meter, to extend the 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 Druckkopfes durch die abgeführte Saugluft bzw. die zugeführte Druckluft nicht beeinträchtigt werden kann.
Die Anwendung von Saugluft hat sich gegenüber Druckluft als vorteilhaft erwiesen, weil die zu entfernenden Staubteilchen über einen Luftstrom gezielt abführbar sind.The proximity region to the print head is the closest spatial environment of the print head, in which the operation of the print head can not be affected by the discharged suction air or the supplied compressed air.
The use of suction air has proven to be advantageous over compressed air, because the dust particles to be removed are selectively discharged via an air flow.

Die Saug- oder Druckluftfördervorrichtung weist ein in einem Luftleitkanal angeordnetes Gebläse aufweist, sodass aufgrund der engen Platzverhältnisse eine raumsparende Anordnungsweise entstehen kann bzw. eine optimale Annäherung an den kritischen Umgebungsbereich durch den Luftleitkanal erreicht werden kann.The suction or compressed air conveying device has a blower arranged in an air duct, so that a space-saving arrangement manner can arise due to the limited space available or an optimal approach to the critical surrounding area can be achieved by the air duct.

Es ist weiterhin ein vorzugsweise düsenartig ausgebildetes, dem Näherungs-bereich des Druckkopfes zugewandtes Ende des Luftleitkanals vorgesehen, das in Förderrichtung der Versandobjekte vor dem Druckkopf bzw. vor dem Druckwerk angeordnet ist.It is further provided a preferably nozzle-like trained, the approximate region of the print head facing the end of the air duct, which 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 a franking machine with a conveying device which has circulating transport rollers arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the shipping objects, it is advantageous if the air duct with the end facing the approach region of the print head at least partially a conveying ineffective region of at least one in the conveying direction of the shipping objects upstream of the print head surrounds, whereby the adhering to the transport roller dust particles or the paper dust dissolved by 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 er streckt.If the spatial conditions allow it, it makes sense if the the proximate region of the print head facing the end of the air duct at least partially on the effective conveying width of a transport roller he stretches.

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.Expediently, the end of the air duct which faces away from the proximity region of the print head ends outside the machine housing of the franking machine, so that a simple disposal of the discharged foreign matter can take place and thus no additional space within the machine housing is claimed.

Hierbei kann das Ende des Luftleitkanals als Auffangbehälter abgesaugter Fremdstoffe ausgebildet sein.Here, the end of the air duct may be formed as a collecting container sucked foreign matter.

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 fan may be drive-connected to at least one of the driven transport rollers of the conveyor.

Zur Erzielung einer höheren Drehzahl als diejenige der Transportwalzen kann ein Getriebe zur Uebersetzung der Drehzahl zwischen Transportwalzen und Gebläse vorgesehen sein.To achieve a higher speed than that of the transport rollers, a gearbox for the translation of the rotational speed between transport rollers and blower can be provided.

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:

Fig. 1
einen Längsschnitt durch eine Frankiermaschine im Näherungsbereich eines Druckkopfes,
Fig. 2
eine Draufsicht auf den Näherungsbereich des Druckkopfes gemäss Fig. 1,
Fig. 3
eine Seitenansicht einer Saugfördervorrichtung in Modulbauweise und
Fig. 4
eine Teilansicht einer Frankiermaschine von aussen.
Subsequently, the invention will be explained with reference to the drawing, to which reference is made with respect to all unspecified details in the description, based on an embodiment. In the drawing show:
Fig. 1
a longitudinal section through a postage meter in the proximity of a printhead,
Fig. 2
a plan view of the approximation of the printhead according Fig. 1 .
Fig. 3
a side view of a suction conveyor in modular design and
Fig. 4
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 Saugluftfördervorrichtung 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 in part a franking machine 1 in the proximity region of a print head 2 of an inkjet printing unit 3, respectively. Ink-jet printing unit. Furthermore, driven transport rollers 4, 5 and opposite counter-pressure rollers 6, 7 of a conveyor are shown, between which a support roller 8 is arranged. The passage direction of the shipping objects, in particular letters, is indicated by arrow F. The printhead 2 is preceded by a Saugluftfördervorrichtung 9 in the transport direction F, which consists of a so-called. Centrifugal fan 10, to the air upstream an air duct 11 connects. This runs according to Fig. 1 via a conveyor ineffective area of the transport roller 4 and over the width and ends in the Schaufelradgehäuse 12 of the rotary blower 10. The mounted around a horizontal axis of rotation paddle 13 sucks air from the environment of the print head 2 and the transport rollers axially and promotes them upwards 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 channel 11 is formed like a nozzle and thus produces a high suction force with which foreign matter from the proximity region of the print head 2 and the transport roller 4 are removed.

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 Uebersetzungsgetriebe zwischengeschaltet, durch welches dem Schaufelrad 13 eine grössere Drehzahl auferlegt wird. Fig. 1 conveys impressively the action of the suction on continuous shipping objects and the transport roller. 4
The drive of the paddle wheel 13 via a pulley 15, which is drivingly connected to the transport roller 4. For this purpose, an unspecified transmission gearbox is interposed, through which the blade wheel 13, a greater speed is imposed.

Das Ausstossende 17 des Luftleitkanals 11 befindet sich an der Aussenwand des Maschinengehäuses, welches die Frankiermaschine 1 umschliesst.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.

In Fig. 3 ist eine in modulbauweise hergestellte Saugluftfördervorrichtung 9 dargestellt.In Fig. 3 is a produced in modular design Saugluftfördervorrichtung 9 shown.

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, a plurality of individual slots or hole-shaped intake openings are 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.
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.In the air duct 11, a chamber could be provided (not shown), in which a replaceable dust bag is installed. The sucked air would flow through a filter fabric of the dust bag, while the dust particles are collected in the polluted air in the bag.
The dust bag could be controlled via an optical control (window) or a differential pressure measurement.
If the dust formation within the franking machine is relatively low, it is possible to dispense with the insertion of a dust bag, ie the air containing only slightly dust can be blown directly into the open air.

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 make it possible to produce a franking machine which allows significantly longer maintenance intervals, produces a high-quality printed image and does not require post-processing of the printed images on the mailing objects. The economy of a franking machine can thus be significantly improved.

Claims (8)

  1. Franking machine (1) comprising at least one print head (2) of a printing unit (3) for printing flat postal items, such as letters, postcards, printed products or the like, inserted into or passing through the machine, and comprising a guide arrangement associated with the print head (2) and provided with a conveyor, via which the postal items pass by the print head (2) with one flat side directed towards the printing unit (3), characterised in that a suction-air or compressed-air conveyor (9) having a blower (10) arranged in an air duct (11) is provided at least in the vicinity of the print head (2) in order to protect the latter from foreign substances in the form of dust or the like and that a preferably nozzle-like end of the air duct (11) directed towards the vicinity of the print head (2) is arranged upstream of the print head (2) as viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the postal items.
  2. Franking machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising a conveyor having transport rolls (4, 5, 6, 7) rotating about axes arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the postal items, characterised in that the end of the air duct (11) directed towards the vicinity of the print head (2) at least partially surrounds a non-working region of at least one transport roll (4) disposed upstream of the print head (2) in the conveying direction (F) of the postal items.
  3. Franking machine (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the end of the air duct (11) directed towards the vicinity of the print head (2) extends at least partially over the working width of a transport roll (4).
  4. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a machine housing (16) surrounding the franking machine (1), characterised is that the end of the air duct (11) directed away from the vicinity of the print head (2) ends outside the machine housing (16).
  5. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the end of the air duct (11) directed away from the vicinity of the print head (2) is designed as a container for collecting extracted foreign substances.
  6. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the blower (10) is operatively connected to at least one of the driven transport rolls (4, 5) of the conveyor.
  7. Franking machine (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the blower (10) is driven at a higher speed than the transport rolls (4, 5, 6, 7) by means of gearing.
  8. Franking machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a filter bag-like container designed to collect dust particles is arranged in the air duct (11).
EP02701143A 2001-03-13 2002-03-10 Franking machine Expired - Lifetime EP1371023B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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

Publications (2)

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

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EP02701143A Expired - Lifetime EP1371023B1 (en) 2001-03-13 2002-03-10 Franking machine

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

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8328444B2 (en) * 2005-12-28 2012-12-11 Pitney Bowes Inc. Apparatus and method for printing on irregular surfaces
JP4719606B2 (en) * 2006-03-30 2011-07-06 富士フイルム株式会社 Inkjet head recording device
FR2911813B1 (en) * 2007-01-31 2009-04-24 Neopost Technologies Sa DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THE INJECTION OF THE INJECTION EJECTION NOZZLES OF A POSTAGE MACHINE
JP6459594B2 (en) * 2015-02-13 2019-01-30 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Droplet discharge device

Family Cites Families (9)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2364564A1 (en) 1972-12-29 1974-07-11 Dick Co Ab INK DROP PEN
GB8919917D0 (en) 1989-09-04 1989-10-18 Alcatel Business Systems Franking machine
US5296873A (en) * 1992-05-01 1994-03-22 Hewlett-Packard Company Airflow system for thermal ink-jet printer
JP3205674B2 (en) 1994-11-30 2001-09-04 キヤノン株式会社 Liquid ejection device
DE19726643C1 (en) 1997-06-18 1998-07-23 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Arrangement for cleaning an ink print head
US6340225B1 (en) * 1999-01-19 2002-01-22 Xerox Corporation Cross flow air system for ink jet printer
NL1011065C2 (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-07-20 Stork Digital Imaging Bv Print head with air extraction.
DE19914563A1 (en) 1999-03-31 2000-10-05 Eastman Kodak Co Method and apparatus for cleaning the outer surface of an endless conveyor belt of non-recording ink ejected from an ink jet recording apparatus
EP1183156B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2004-09-29 Frama AG Franking machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002073541A1 (en) 2002-09-19
AU2002234474A9 (en) 2008-07-03
US20030167940A1 (en) 2003-09-11
AU2002234474A1 (en) 2002-09-24
AU2002234474A2 (en) 2003-06-05
AU2002234474B2 (en) 2007-11-29
EP1371023A1 (en) 2003-12-17
AU2002234474B9 (en) 2008-07-10
US6758560B2 (en) 2004-07-06

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