EP1814087A1 - Optimised transport device for mail-handling machine - Google Patents

Optimised transport device for mail-handling machine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1814087A1
EP1814087A1 EP07100953A EP07100953A EP1814087A1 EP 1814087 A1 EP1814087 A1 EP 1814087A1 EP 07100953 A EP07100953 A EP 07100953A EP 07100953 A EP07100953 A EP 07100953A EP 1814087 A1 EP1814087 A1 EP 1814087A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mail
pulleys
drive
belts
guide plate
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
EP07100953A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1814087B1 (en
Inventor
Régis Desire
Hervé Duval
Stéphane Legallo
Philip Torres
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.)
Quadient Technologies France SA
Original Assignee
Neopost Technologies SA
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 Neopost Technologies SA filed Critical Neopost Technologies SA
Publication of EP1814087A1 publication Critical patent/EP1814087A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1814087B1 publication Critical patent/EP1814087B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0035—Handling copy materials differing in thickness
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/007—Conveyor belts or like feeding devices
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/20—Platen adjustments for varying the strength of impression, for a varying number of papers, for wear or for alignment, or for print gap adjustment
    • 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
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00524—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 present invention relates to the exclusive field of mail processing and it relates in particular to a device for transporting and guiding mail items, such as documents, folds, envelopes, labels, under a print head to inkjet of a franking machine.
  • the present invention relates to a transport and guiding device that eliminates the disadvantages of prior devices.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a device capable of treating envelopes regardless of their thickness or size.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which avoids shocks and blows in the transport of the envelopes of the devices of the prior art.
  • a device for transporting and guiding mail items in a franking machine equipped with an inkjet printing head in which machine each mail piece having an upper face and a lower face passes under the print head between an upper reference surface defined by the lower surface of a fixed guide plate and a lower reference surface, characterized in that it comprises at least two drive assemblies mounted side transversely side and vertically movable independently of each other, so that the upper surface of the mail items is constantly pressed against said fixed guide plate regardless of the thickness of the mail piece and especially when this is variable over the width of mail items.
  • each of said drive assemblies comprises a belt whose upper surface forms said lower reference surface and which is mounted on a set of pulleys of which only one is driving, the other pulleys being left free and simply rotated by the intermediate of said belt connecting them to said drive pulley.
  • the drive pulleys of the drive assemblies are connected to a common drive shaft rotated by a single motor.
  • each of said sets of pulleys form a parallelogram system whose arms connect the axes of the different pulleys forming each drive assembly and which acts against an elastic means, so that the belts remain constantly in contact with the underside of the mail piece during the entire movement of the mail item through the franking machine.
  • said belts cooperate with against-rollers facing them and mounted idle on their respective axis of rotation and flush with just below said lower surface of the fixed plate of guide.
  • one of said arms of each of said parallelogram systems is connected to a motor shaft so as to allow a controlled vertical displacement of each of said belts.
  • Figures 1 to 4 show a device 10 according to the invention for transporting and guiding mail items such as an envelope 12 under an ink jet print head 14 of a franking machine.
  • Figures 1 and 2 correspond to a rest position of the device in the absence of envelopes.
  • Figures 3 and 4 correspond to an operating position in the presence of an envelope of variable thickness and therefore the irregular profile (the dimensions are exaggerated for a better understanding of the invention).
  • This device comprises, as is known, below a fixed guide plate 16 (which is integral with the body of the franking machine) for a higher reference of these mail items, several training sets arranged in planes parallel to the direction D of movement of the mail items through the machine including at least a first drive assembly 20 and a second drive assembly 22, each preferably formed of a belt 200, 220 mounted on a set of pulleys and forming a lower reference surface for these mail items.
  • the two sets of drives are spaced apart from each other by a space substantially corresponding to the width of a postage stamp. Note, of course, that it is possible, with the device of the invention, to add one or more training sets similar to each of the previous training sets depending on the type of franking machine or for a better maintenance of very large mail items, for example in A4 format.
  • the two belts of the drive assemblies each cooperate with a set of counter-rollers 30A, 30B, 32 arranged, upstream and downstream of the print head 14, above these belts. traversing in place the fixed guide plate 16 (they are flush just below this plate, to allow the training of the mail item).
  • These against-rollers freely rotatable about their respective axes are freely rotated during the advance of the mail items which are themselves driven in translation by the two belts.
  • the vertical displacements of the first and second drive assembly are made independently of one another by means of a parallelogram system 38, 40 whose arms connect the axes of the different pulleys of each drive assembly.
  • the parallelogram system further ensures that the surface of the belts always remains parallel to the guide plate.
  • Each parallelogram system acts against an elastic means (not shown) so that the belts can remain in constant contact with the underside of the mailpiece during its movement along the guide path.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show the exit of a mail item from the device according to the invention in the two positions of FIGS. 1 (respectively 2) and 3 (respectively 4).
  • This mail article for example a fold formed of an envelope a wad of documents of a constant thickness, will engage in a guide and transport path formed between the upper surface of the belts 200, 220 of the drive assemblies and the lower surface of the fixed guide plate 16.
  • the fold Under the action of these motorized belts by the common motor shaft 24 actuated by the motor 26, the fold will be driven in the direction D of displacement and will move the belts from their initial high position, a distance corresponding to the thickness of the fold. Then, still pushed by these belts, it will pass under the print head 14 and once the impression made to be evacuated to a shipping module (not shown).
  • the distance between the ejection surfaces of the nozzles of the print head and the upper surface of the conveyed fold is kept constant, at a predetermined optimal value and depending on the characteristics of the head, whatever the thickness of this fold, due to the action of the parallelogram system which exerts a permanent stress on the lower surface of the fold, under the effect of the elastic means (return springs not shown), and the fixed guide plate which serves as a reference stop for its upper surface.
  • the first and second drive assemblies will move vertically in a different manner to transport this fold to the zone of impression then evacuate it.
  • the entry of this fold into the guide path will cause the belt 200 of the first drive assembly to be spaced apart from that 220 of the second one. training unit which will have the effect of engaging the fold in a rectilinear movement.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)

Abstract

The device has drive assemblies (20, 22) placed in planes parallel to a displacement direction (D) of a mail item e.g. cover, via a franking machine. The assemblies are mounted side by side in a transversal and vertically movable manner independent of each other, so that an upper surface of the mail item remains supported against a fixed guide plate. The assemblies form respective belts (200, 220) mounted on a pulley assembly and form respective lower reference surfaces for the mail item. The assemblies are spaced from each other by a space corresponding to a width of the mail item.

Description

Domaine de l'inventionField of the invention

La présente invention concerne le domaine exclusif du traitement de courrier et elle se rapporte en particulier à un dispositif pour le transport et le guidage d'articles de courrier, tels que des documents, plis, enveloppes, étiquettes, sous une tête d'impression à jet d'encre d'une machine à affranchir.The present invention relates to the exclusive field of mail processing and it relates in particular to a device for transporting and guiding mail items, such as documents, folds, envelopes, labels, under a print head to inkjet of a franking machine.

Art antérieurPrior art

Avec la technologie à jet d'encre, se pose, dans le domaine de l'affranchissement postal, le problème critique du maintien, à une valeur constante, de l'écartement entre les faces d'éjection des buses de la tête d'impression et la face supérieure de l'article de courrier devant recevoir l'empreinte postale. En effet, en matière postale, cette empreinte qui constitue une valeur monétaire doit impérativement présenter une qualité maximale d'impression et cela d'autant plus que, avec les nouvelles normes postales actuellement en vigueur, les informations présentes dans cette empreinte postale sont de plus en plus nombreuses (intégration de données de services, de publicité, etc.) et complexes (présence de codes à deux dimensions).With inkjet technology, there is a critical problem in the field of postage franking of maintaining, at a constant value, the gap between the ejection faces of the nozzles of the print head. and the upper face of the mailpiece to receive the postal stamp. Indeed, in postal matters, this impression which constitutes a monetary value must imperatively present a maximum quality of printing and all the more so that, with the new postal standards currently in force, the information present in this postal imprint are moreover more numerous (integration of service data, advertising, etc.) and complex (presence of two-dimensional codes).

La demanderesse a proposé avec la demande FR2 742 693 un dispositif de guidage qui améliore sensiblement la qualité d'impression des machines à affranchir à jet d'encre. Toutefois, dans certains cas particuliers, par exemple lorsque des enveloppes renferment des documents ou des inserts aux profils irréguliers, il apparaît que ces enveloppes ne sont pas sur toute leur largeur, comme le montre schématiquement la figure 7, correctement plaquées contre la surface de référence supérieure et la distance (d1, d2) de la tête d'impression à la surface supérieure des enveloppes est donc variable. En outre, il se produit avec ces enveloppes un phénomène de louvoiement et de patinage qui en perturbant leur déplacement normalement rectiligne lors du passage sous la tête d'impression, affecte la qualité de l'empreinte postale imprimée.The plaintiff has proposed with the application FR2 742 693 a guiding device which substantially improves the print quality of the inkjet franking machines. However, in some special cases, for example when envelopes contain documents or inserts with irregular profiles, it appears that these envelopes are not over their entire width, as shown schematically in Figure 7, correctly pressed against the reference surface higher and the distance (d1, d2) of the print head to the upper surface of the envelopes is variable. In addition, it occurs with these envelopes a phenomenon of swaying and skidding which disrupting their normally straight motion when passing under the print head, affects the quality of the printed postal imprint.

Définition et objet de l'inventionDefinition and object of the invention

Aussi, la présente invention a pour objet un dispositif de transport et de guidage qui supprime les inconvénients des dispositifs antérieurs. Un autre but de l'invention est de réaliser un dispositif à même de traiter les enveloppes quelles que soient leur épaisseur ou leur taille. Encore un autre but de l'invention est de proposer un dispositif qui évite les chocs et les à coups dans le transport des enveloppes des dispositifs de l'art antérieur.Also, the present invention relates to a transport and guiding device that eliminates the disadvantages of prior devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a device capable of treating envelopes regardless of their thickness or size. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which avoids shocks and blows in the transport of the envelopes of the devices of the prior art.

Ces buts sont atteints par un dispositif pour le transport et le guidage d'articles de courrier dans une machine à affranchir munie d'une tête d'impression à jet d'encre, machine dans laquelle chaque article de courrier ayant une face supérieure et une face inférieure passe sous la tête d'impression entre une surface supérieure de référence définie par la surface inférieure d'une plaque fixe de guidage et une surface inférieure de référence, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins deux ensembles d'entraînement montés côte à côte transversalement et mobiles verticalement indépendamment l'un de l'autre, de telle sorte que la surface supérieure des articles de courrier reste constamment plaquée contre ladite plaque fixe de guidage quelle que soit l'épaisseur de l'article de courrier et notamment lorsque celle-ci est variable sur la largeur des articles de courrier.These objects are achieved by a device for transporting and guiding mail items in a franking machine equipped with an inkjet printing head, in which machine each mail piece having an upper face and a lower face passes under the print head between an upper reference surface defined by the lower surface of a fixed guide plate and a lower reference surface, characterized in that it comprises at least two drive assemblies mounted side transversely side and vertically movable independently of each other, so that the upper surface of the mail items is constantly pressed against said fixed guide plate regardless of the thickness of the mail piece and especially when this is variable over the width of mail items.

Ainsi, par cette structure particulière, il est possible de rattraper les variations d'épaisseurs pouvant exister au niveau d'une même enveloppe.Thus, by this particular structure, it is possible to make up for variations in thickness that may exist at the level of the same envelope.

De préférence, chacun desdits ensembles d'entraînement comporte une courroie dont la surface supérieure forme ladite surface inférieure de référence et qui est montée sur un ensemble de poulies dont une seule est motrice, les autres poulies étant laissées libres et simplement mises en rotation par l'intermédiaire de ladite courroie les reliant à ladite poulie motrice. Les poulies motrices des ensembles d'entraînement sont reliées à un arbre moteur commun entraîné en rotation par un moteur unique.Preferably, each of said drive assemblies comprises a belt whose upper surface forms said lower reference surface and which is mounted on a set of pulleys of which only one is driving, the other pulleys being left free and simply rotated by the intermediate of said belt connecting them to said drive pulley. The drive pulleys of the drive assemblies are connected to a common drive shaft rotated by a single motor.

Avantageusement chacun desdits ensembles de poulies forment un système à parallélogramme dont les bras relient les axes des différentes poulies formant chaque ensemble d'entraînement et qui agit à l'encontre d'un moyen élastique, de telle sorte que les courroies restent constamment en contact avec la face inférieure de l'article de courrier pendant tout le déplacement de celui-ci au travers de la machine à affranchir.Advantageously each of said sets of pulleys form a parallelogram system whose arms connect the axes of the different pulleys forming each drive assembly and which acts against an elastic means, so that the belts remain constantly in contact with the underside of the mail piece during the entire movement of the mail item through the franking machine.

Pour assurer le transport des articles de courrier au travers de la machine à affranchir, lesdites courroies coopèrent avec des contre-rouleaux leur faisant face et montés fous sur leur axe de rotation respectif et affleurant juste au dessous de ladite surface inférieure de la plaque fixe de guidage.To ensure the transport of mail items through the franking machine, said belts cooperate with against-rollers facing them and mounted idle on their respective axis of rotation and flush with just below said lower surface of the fixed plate of guide.

Dans un mode de réalisation avantageux, l'un desdits bras de chacun desdits systèmes à parallélogramme est relié à un arbre moteur de façon à permettre un déplacement vertical commandé de chacune desdites courroies.In an advantageous embodiment, one of said arms of each of said parallelogram systems is connected to a motor shaft so as to allow a controlled vertical displacement of each of said belts.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront mieux de la description suivante, faite à titre indicatif et non limitatif, en regard des dessins annexés, sur lesquels:

  • les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues respectivement en perspective et en coupe, dans une première position de repos, d'un dispositif de transport et de guidage d'articles de courrier selon l'invention associé à une tête d'impression à jet d'encre de machine à affranchir,
  • les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues respectivement en perspective et en coupe dans une seconde position d'un dispositif de transport et de guidage d'articles de courrier selon l'invention associé à une tête d'impression à jet d'encre de machine à affranchir,
  • la figure 5 montre, dans la position des figures 1 et 2, une enveloppe en sortie du dispositif de transport et de guidage d'articles de courrier selon l'invention,
  • la figure 6 montre, dans la position des figures 3 et 4, une enveloppe en sortie du dispositif de transport et de guidage d'articles de courrier selon l'invention, et
  • la figure 7 montre une enveloppe en sortie d'un dispositif de transport et de guidage d'articles de courrier de l'art antérieur.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are views respectively in perspective and in section, in a first rest position, of a device for transporting and guiding mailpieces according to the invention associated with a jet print head; postage meter ink,
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are views respectively in perspective and in section in a second position of a device for transporting and guiding mailpieces according to the invention associated with a machine inkjet printing head; to frank,
  • FIG. 5 shows, in the position of FIGS. 1 and 2, an envelope at the exit of the device for transporting and guiding mailpieces according to the invention,
  • FIG. 6 shows, in the position of FIGS. 3 and 4, an envelope at the exit of the device for transporting and guiding mailpieces according to the invention, and
  • Figure 7 shows an envelope at the output of a device for transporting and guiding mail items of the prior art.

Description détaillée d'un mode préférentiel de réalisationDetailed description of a preferred embodiment

Les figures 1 à 4 montrent un dispositif 10 selon l'invention pour le transport et le guidage d'articles de courrier tels qu'une enveloppe 12 sous une tête d'impression à jet d'encre 14 d'une machine à affranchir. Les figures 1 et 2 correspondent à une position de repos du dispositif en l'absence d'enveloppes. Les figures 3 et 4 correspondent à une position de fonctionnement en présence d'une enveloppe d'épaisseur variable et donc au profil irrégulier (les dimensions sont exagérés pour une meilleure compréhension de l'invention).Figures 1 to 4 show a device 10 according to the invention for transporting and guiding mail items such as an envelope 12 under an ink jet print head 14 of a franking machine. Figures 1 and 2 correspond to a rest position of the device in the absence of envelopes. Figures 3 and 4 correspond to an operating position in the presence of an envelope of variable thickness and therefore the irregular profile (the dimensions are exaggerated for a better understanding of the invention).

Ce dispositif comporte, comme il est connu, au dessous d'une plaque fixe de guidage 16 (qui est solidaire du corps de la machine à affranchir) servant à une mise en référence supérieure de ces articles de courrier, plusieurs ensembles d'entraînement disposés dans des plans parallèles à la direction D de déplacement des articles de courrier au travers de la machine dont au moins un premier ensemble d'entraînement 20 et un deuxième ensemble d'entraînement 22, chacun de préférence formé d'une courroie 200, 220 montée sur un ensemble de poulies et formant une surface inférieure de référence pour ces articles de courrier.This device comprises, as is known, below a fixed guide plate 16 (which is integral with the body of the franking machine) for a higher reference of these mail items, several training sets arranged in planes parallel to the direction D of movement of the mail items through the machine including at least a first drive assembly 20 and a second drive assembly 22, each preferably formed of a belt 200, 220 mounted on a set of pulleys and forming a lower reference surface for these mail items.

Les deux ensembles d'entraînement sont espacés l'un de l'autre d'un espace correspondant sensiblement à la largeur d'une empreinte postale. On notera, bien entendu, qu'il est possible, avec le dispositif de l'invention, d'adjoindre un ou plusieurs ensembles d'entraînement similaires à chacun des ensembles d'entraînement précédentes en fonction du type de machine à affranchir ou pour un meilleur maintien des articles de courrier de très grandes dimensions, par exemple au format A4.The two sets of drives are spaced apart from each other by a space substantially corresponding to the width of a postage stamp. Note, of course, that it is possible, with the device of the invention, to add one or more training sets similar to each of the previous training sets depending on the type of franking machine or for a better maintenance of very large mail items, for example in A4 format.

Pour un ensemble d'entraînement donné 20 ou 22, seule une poulie 202 ou 222 sur les quatre existantes est motrice (de préférence la poulie la plus en amont par rapport au sens de déplacement des articles de courrier) et reliée à un arbre moteur commun 24 entraîné en rotation par un moteur unique 26. Les trois autres poulies 204, 206, 208 ou 224, 226, 228 qui ne sont pas solidaires de l'arbre moteur sont laissées libres et simplement mises en rotation par l'intermédiaire de la courroie 200 ou 220 les reliant à la poulie motrice. Des rouleaux tenseurs 28A, 28B sont également prévus comme il est connu pour assurer une tension constante des courroies.For a given drive assembly 20 or 22, only one pulley 202 or 222 out of the four existing ones is driving (preferably the pulley furthest upstream with respect to the direction of movement of the mailpieces) and connected to a common drive shaft 24 The three other pulleys 204, 206, 208 or 224, 226, 228 which are not integral with the drive shaft are left free and simply rotated by means of the belt. 200 or 220 connecting them to the driving pulley. Tensor rollers 28A, 28B are also provided as it is known to ensure a constant tension of the belts.

Pour convoyer les articles de courrier, les deux courroies des ensembles d'entraînement coopèrent chacune avec un ensemble de contre-rouleaux 30A, 30B, 32 disposés, en amont et en aval de la tête d'impression 14, au dessus de ces courroies en traversant par endroit la plaque fixe de guidage 16 (ils affleurent juste au dessous de cette plaque, afin de permettre l'entraînement de l'article de courrier). Ces contre-rouleaux pouvant tourner librement autour de leur axe respectif sont entraînés librement en rotation lors de l'avancé des articles de courrier qui sont eux mêmes entraînés en translation par les deux courroies.To convey the mail items, the two belts of the drive assemblies each cooperate with a set of counter-rollers 30A, 30B, 32 arranged, upstream and downstream of the print head 14, above these belts. traversing in place the fixed guide plate 16 (they are flush just below this plate, to allow the training of the mail item). These against-rollers freely rotatable about their respective axes are freely rotated during the advance of the mail items which are themselves driven in translation by the two belts.

Selon l'invention, pour épouser au mieux les différences d'épaisseur pouvant exister au niveau d'un même article de courrier, les déplacements verticaux des premier et deuxième ensemble d'entraînement sont réalisés indépendamment l'un de l'autre au moyen d'un système à parallélogramme 38, 40 dont les bras relient les axes des différentes poulies de chaque ensemble d'entraînement. Le système à parallélogramme permet en outre de garantir que la surface des courroies reste toujours parallèle à la plaque de guidage. Chaque système à parallélogramme agit à l'encontre d'un moyen élastique (non représenté) de telle sorte que les courroies puissent rester constamment en contact avec la face inférieure de l'article de courrier pendant tout le déplacement de celui-ci le long du chemin de guidage.According to the invention, to best match the differences in thickness that may exist in the same mail piece, the vertical displacements of the first and second drive assembly are made independently of one another by means of a parallelogram system 38, 40 whose arms connect the axes of the different pulleys of each drive assembly. The parallelogram system further ensures that the surface of the belts always remains parallel to the guide plate. Each parallelogram system acts against an elastic means (not shown) so that the belts can remain in constant contact with the underside of the mailpiece during its movement along the guide path.

Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif peut être décrit très simplement comme suit au regard des figures 5 et 6 qui montrent la sortie d'un article de courrier du dispositif selon l'invention dans les deux positions des figures 1 (respectivement 2) et 3 (respectivement 4).The operation of this device can be very simply described as follows with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 which show the exit of a mail item from the device according to the invention in the two positions of FIGS. 1 (respectively 2) and 3 (respectively 4).

Considérons un article de courrier 12 provenant d'un module d'alimentation (non représenté) situé en amont du dispositif 10. Cet article de courrier, par exemple un pli formé d'une enveloppe une liasse de documents d'une épaisseur constante, va s'engager dans un chemin de guidage et de transport formé entre la surface supérieure des courroies 200, 220 des ensembles d'entraînement et la surface inférieure de la plaque fixe de guidage 16. Sous l'action de ces courroies motorisées par l'arbre moteur commun 24 actionné par le moteur 26, le pli va être entraîné suivant la direction D de déplacement et va écarter les courroies de leur position initiale haute, d'une distance correspondant à l'épaisseur du pli. Puis, toujours poussé par ces courroies, il va passer sous la tête d'impression 14 et une fois l'impression réalisée être évacué vers un module d'expédition (non représenté).Consider a mail article 12 from a power supply module (not shown) located upstream of the device 10. This mail article, for example a fold formed of an envelope a wad of documents of a constant thickness, will engage in a guide and transport path formed between the upper surface of the belts 200, 220 of the drive assemblies and the lower surface of the fixed guide plate 16. Under the action of these motorized belts by the common motor shaft 24 actuated by the motor 26, the fold will be driven in the direction D of displacement and will move the belts from their initial high position, a distance corresponding to the thickness of the fold. Then, still pushed by these belts, it will pass under the print head 14 and once the impression made to be evacuated to a shipping module (not shown).

Durant tout le transport, la distance entre les surfaces d'éjection des buses de la tête d'impression et la surface supérieure du pli convoyé est maintenu constante, à une valeur optimale prédéterminée et dépendant des caractéristiques de la tête, quelle que soit l'épaisseur de ce pli, du fait de l'action du système à parallélogramme qui exerce une contrainte permanente sur la surface inférieure du pli, sous l'effet des moyens élastiques (ressorts de rappel non représentés), et de la plaque fixe de guidage qui fait office de butée de référence pour sa surface supérieure.During the entire transport, the distance between the ejection surfaces of the nozzles of the print head and the upper surface of the conveyed fold is kept constant, at a predetermined optimal value and depending on the characteristics of the head, whatever the thickness of this fold, due to the action of the parallelogram system which exerts a permanent stress on the lower surface of the fold, under the effect of the elastic means (return springs not shown), and the fixed guide plate which serves as a reference stop for its upper surface.

Par contre, lorsque le pli introduit dans le dispositif selon l'invention présente une épaisseur non constante sur toute sa largeur, les premier et deuxième ensembles d'entraînement vont se déplacer verticalement de façon différente pour transporter ce pli jusqu'à la zone d'impression puis l'évacuer. Dans l'exemple illustré à la figure 6 (voir aussi les figures 3 et 4), l'entrée de ce pli dans le chemin de guidage va provoquer un écartement de la courroie 200 du premier ensemble d'entraînement différent de celle 220 du deuxième ensemble d'entraînement qui aura pour effet d'engager le pli dans un déplacement rectiligne. L'inévitable louvoiement dans le guidage du pli par les ensembles d'entraînement uniques de l'art antérieur est évité par cet entraînement indépendant qui, en outre en rétablissant une surface supérieure plane à ce pli assure une meilleure mise en référence et en rendant maintenant constante le distance d à la tête d'impression garanti ainsi une parfaite qualité de l'impression.On the other hand, when the fold introduced into the device according to the invention has a non-constant thickness over its entire width, the first and second drive assemblies will move vertically in a different manner to transport this fold to the zone of impression then evacuate it. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4), the entry of this fold into the guide path will cause the belt 200 of the first drive assembly to be spaced apart from that 220 of the second one. training unit which will have the effect of engaging the fold in a rectilinear movement. The inevitable sway in the ply guide by the unique drive assemblies of the prior art is avoided by this independent drive which, in addition by restoring a planar upper surface to this fold ensures better referencing and rendering now constant distance d to the print head thus guarantees a perfect print quality.

On notera également que pour, lors de l'arrivée des enveloppes, éviter les chocs entre le front de ces enveloppes et les poulies 204, 224, il est prévu une motorisation verticale des ensembles par des moteurs séparés 34, 36 destinés à provoquer individuellement un déplacement vertical commandé des courroies. Il suffit pour cela d'entrouvrir le chemin de guidage en abaissant les courroies d'une distance correspondant au plus (pour éviter tout patinage) à l'épaisseur maximale de l'enveloppe, déterminée préalablement en amont, par exemple au niveau du dispositif de sélection de ces enveloppes.It will also be noted that, when the envelopes arrive, avoid shocks between the front of these envelopes and the pulleys 204, 224, there is provided a vertical motorization of the assemblies by separate motors 34, 36 intended to individually cause a controlled vertical movement of the belts. To do this, it suffices to partially open the guide path by lowering the belts by a distance corresponding at most (to prevent slippage) to the maximum thickness of the envelope, determined beforehand upstream, for example at the level of the device. selection of these envelopes.

Claims (6)

Dispositif pour le transport et le guidage d'articles de courrier dans une machine à affranchir munie d'une tête d'impression à jet d'encre, machine dans laquelle chaque article de courrier (12) ayant une face supérieure et une face inférieure passe sous la tête d'impression (14) entre une surface supérieure de référence définie par la surface inférieure d'une plaque fixe de guidage (16) et une surface inférieure de référence, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins deux ensembles d'entraînement (20, 22) montés côte à côte transversalement et mobiles verticalement indépendamment l'un de l'autre, de telle sorte que la surface supérieure des articles de courrier reste constamment plaquée contre ladite plaque fixe de guidage quelle que soit l'épaisseur de l'article de courrier et notamment lorsque celle-ci est variable sur la largeur des articles de courrier.Device for transporting and guiding mail items in a franking machine with an inkjet print head, in which machine each mail piece (12) having an upper face and a lower face passes through under the print head (14) between an upper reference surface defined by the lower surface of a fixed guide plate (16) and a lower reference surface, characterized in that it comprises at least two sets of driving (20, 22) mounted side by side transversely and movable vertically independently of each other, so that the upper surface of the mail items is constantly pressed against said fixed guide plate regardless of the thickness of the the article of mail and in particular when it is variable on the width of the mail items. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits ensembles d'entraînement comporte une courroie (200, 220) dont la surface supérieure forme ladite surface inférieure de référence et qui est montée sur un ensemble de poulies dont une seule (202, 222) est motrice, les autres poulies (204, 206, 208 ; 224, 226, 228) étant laissées libres et simplement mises en rotation par l'intermédiaire de ladite courroie les reliant à ladite poulie motrice.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said drive assemblies comprises a belt (200, 220) whose upper surface forms said lower reference surface and which is mounted on a set of pulleys of which only one (202, 222 ) is driving, the other pulleys (204, 206, 208, 224, 226, 228) being left free and simply rotated through said belt connecting them to said drive pulley. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les poulies motrices des ensembles d'entraînement sont reliées à un arbre moteur commun (24) entraîné en rotation par un moteur unique (26).Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive pulleys of the drive units are connected to a common drive shaft (24) driven in rotation by a single motor (26). Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits ensembles de poulies forment un système à parallélogramme (38, 40) dont les bras relient les axes des différentes poulies formant chaque ensemble d'entraînement et qui agit à l'encontre d'un moyen élastique, de telle sorte que les courroies restent constamment en contact avec la face inférieure de l'article de courrier pendant tout le déplacement de celui-ci au travers de la machine à affranchir.Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said sets of pulleys form a parallelogram system (38, 40) whose arms connect the axes of the different pulleys forming each drive assembly and which acts against a elastic means, so that the belts are constantly in contact with the underside of the mail piece during the entire movement of the latter through the franking machine. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que pour assurer le des de courrier au travers de la machine à affranchir, lesdites courroies coopèrent avec des contre-rouleaux (30A, 30B, 32) leur faisant face et montés sur leur axe de rotation et affleurant juste au dessous de ladite surface inférieure de la plaque fixe de guidage.Device according to claim 2, characterized in that to ensure the mail through the franking machine, said belts cooperate with against-rollers (30A, 30B, 32) facing them and mounted on their axis of rotation and flush just below said lower surface of the fixed guide plate. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que l'un desdits bras de chacun desdits systèmes à parallélogramme est relié à un arbre moteur (34, 36) de façon à permettre un déplacement vertical commandé de chacune desdites courroies.Device according to claim 4, characterized in that one of said arms of each of said parallelogram systems is connected to a driving shaft (34, 36) so as to allow a controlled vertical displacement of each of said belts.
EP07100953A 2006-01-31 2007-01-23 Optimised transport device for mail-handling machine Active EP1814087B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0650334A FR2896722A1 (en) 2006-01-31 2006-01-31 OPTIMIZED TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR MAIL PROCESSING MACHINE

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EP1814087A1 true EP1814087A1 (en) 2007-08-01
EP1814087B1 EP1814087B1 (en) 2010-08-18

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US (1) US7419243B2 (en)
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DE (1) DE602007008483D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2896722A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3859688A1 (en) * 2020-01-29 2021-08-04 Neopost Technologies Envelope printing device
EP4375076A1 (en) * 2022-11-22 2024-05-29 Canon Production Printing Holding B.V. A method and printer for printing on print media

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FR2742693A1 (en) 1995-12-20 1997-06-27 Neopost Ind Mechanism for transport and guidance of postal articles past print head e.g. for franking machine
FR2788506A1 (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-07-21 Neopost Ind Conveyor system for postal packets includes drive rollers which are independently spring mounted to accommodate variations in thickness
FR2790997A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2000-09-22 Secap DEVICE FOR PRINTING A SIGN AND MACHINE FOR POSTAGE THE BEARING
EP1431925A2 (en) 2002-12-19 2004-06-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Transport mechanism for a mailing machine and method to register a mail piece in a mailing machine

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US6484475B1 (en) * 1999-02-02 2002-11-26 Kisters Kayat, Inc. Modular packaging machine

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4821049A (en) * 1987-12-02 1989-04-11 Pitney Bowes Inc. Substrate transport apparatus, especially for mail handling
FR2742693A1 (en) 1995-12-20 1997-06-27 Neopost Ind Mechanism for transport and guidance of postal articles past print head e.g. for franking machine
FR2788506A1 (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-07-21 Neopost Ind Conveyor system for postal packets includes drive rollers which are independently spring mounted to accommodate variations in thickness
FR2790997A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2000-09-22 Secap DEVICE FOR PRINTING A SIGN AND MACHINE FOR POSTAGE THE BEARING
EP1431925A2 (en) 2002-12-19 2004-06-23 Pitney Bowes Inc. Transport mechanism for a mailing machine and method to register a mail piece in a mailing machine

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FR2896722A1 (en) 2007-08-03
US20070208675A1 (en) 2007-09-06
US7419243B2 (en) 2008-09-02
EP1814087B1 (en) 2010-08-18
DE602007008483D1 (en) 2010-09-30

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