EP0405356B1 - Office machine for expediting postal articles - Google Patents

Office machine for expediting postal articles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0405356B1
EP0405356B1 EP19900111867 EP90111867A EP0405356B1 EP 0405356 B1 EP0405356 B1 EP 0405356B1 EP 19900111867 EP19900111867 EP 19900111867 EP 90111867 A EP90111867 A EP 90111867A EP 0405356 B1 EP0405356 B1 EP 0405356B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
print head
mail item
machine according
office machine
data
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
EP19900111867
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0405356A1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Michel
Gilbert Sancenot
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
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—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
    • G07B2017/00564—Ensuring correct position of print on mailpiece
    • 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
    • G07B2017/00572—Details of printed item
    • G07B2017/0058—Printing of code

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to machines ensuring in particular the franking of postal articles. More specifically, it relates to an office machine, of small dimensions, of low weight and of low cost, ensuring the final so-called shipping operations, such as franking in particular, on postal articles. Such a machine can then be used instead of making mail, then made ready for dispatch. It is also perfectly suited to be used by companies and individuals who send only a small volume of mail.
  • franking machines are widespread in companies that send large volumes of mail. These machines ensure the printing on the various postal items of a postage stamp at the appropriate value, and a sticker of the home office with the date of shipment, which are possibly accompanied by an additional advertising flame . Whether they operate in prepayment or postpaid postage operations, they include means of recording the amount of postage paid and, if applicable, the amount of credit remaining available.
  • a rotary printing drum In a large number of existing franking machines processing average volumes of mail, a rotary printing drum is used, with which a printing head is associated. The drum is driven on one revolution for each postage.
  • This drum has on its periphery an engraved plate intended for the printing of the fixed data of the stamp and the home office.
  • the print head itself comes, through two windows in this plate, ensure the printing of variable data, namely the postage value and the date of shipment.
  • a second engraved plate, retractable on the periphery of this drum ensures the printing of the advertising flame, during the same rotation of the drum, when this flame is desired.
  • variable data print head can consist of two sets of rollers, for these two types of data.
  • the sets of wheels are rotatable with the drum. Their wheels are individually positionable and are flush with the periphery of the drum.
  • the print head of this variable data can also be constituted by an ink jet head.
  • Patent FR-No. 2 257 964 describes a franking machine comprising such an ink jet print head.
  • the print head is fixedly mounted inside the print drum. It has a row of ejection nozzles opening near the periphery of the drum and facing the path of the articles driven under the drum.
  • This print head is controlled from a data source, for printing variable postage and date data, through one of the two windows of the data printing plate fixed, when these windows are on the item to be franked.
  • the patent FR-n ° 2 561 992 describes a machine of this type.
  • This machine has a window base in which the head is slidably mounted.
  • the base is positioned on the article with its window on the surface to to mark.
  • the head is driven by hand along the window and controlled from a data source defining the marks.
  • Means for detecting the position of the head along the window make it possible to trigger and control the printing.
  • Patent FR 2 145 343 describes another machine of this type.
  • the machine comprises a casing carrying the head mounted fixed just above its open bottom.
  • the housing is fitted with rollers on the surface to be marked.
  • the head has a limited number of nozzles, with a small pitch between them on a column transverse to the scan line of the article. It is ordered from a data source defining the characters or marks in matrix form.
  • a coding wheel driven by one of the rollers controls the printing in synchronism with the movement of the casing and therefore of the head.
  • Each of these two known machines therefore ensures the printing of symbols defined in the data source, over the height of the line scanned by the head.
  • the use of such a machine as a franking machine leads to a franking mode produced by printing a line of symbols, and no longer to the franking mode produced by printing the franking stamp and the sticker of the home office with the date of shipment, accompanied if desired by an advertising flame.
  • Document GB-A-2 206 082 describes a franking machine without a rotating drum for the fixed part of the printing.
  • the postage stamp, the sticker and the advertising flame are printed by an inkjet print head.
  • transport rollers serve as means for introducing the articles under the head and the inkjet printing is done in a single line and simultaneously with the transport of an article.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an office machine for dispatching postal articles, in particular but not exclusively for franking these articles, which uses a printhead with a limited number of elements for franking. individually aligned, movable mounted relative to an article franking area which it scans in several lines.
  • the relative movement of the head on the article does not exclude that the article moves and the head remains fixed during printing.
  • the machine comprises the aforementioned first head, which consists of a first inkjet print head assigned to the printing of the franking stamp and the sticker of the home office on the area called the first area it scans, and a second print head identical printing to the first, coupled to a second data source and assigned to the printing of the advertising flame on a second zone which it scans simultaneously while the first head scans the first zone.
  • said first and second heads are selectively coupled for these two heads to the first and second data sources for printing the first and second areas or for the second head alone to memories of the machine's financial accounts. or to a source of address data for printing an account slip or an address area, while the first head is isolated from the first source then inhibited under the control of means for selecting modes of use of the machine and a microprocessor.
  • the machine comprises two motors for driving the heads, one for driving them in the X direction and the other for driving them in a Y direction transverse to X, above the item kept fixed in the machine during the processing cycle.
  • the machine shown has two ink jet print heads 1 and 2.
  • the machine is small, around 240 x 180 x 110 mm; she is an office machine.
  • print heads 1 and 2 are components with a defined limited printing time and are disposable. They are identical to each other, only the ink contained in their internal reservoir is preferably different from one to the other.
  • Head 1 seen to the far right in the machine, is in red ink and head 2 in black ink, for the main use of the machine as a franking machine.
  • print heads 1 and 2 are as such known; these are, for example, heads sold under the name THINK JET from the company HEWLETT-PACKARD. They each have a limited number of low-pitched nozzles between them and aligned in a row on one face, called the base, of the head.
  • the base is identified by the reference 1A or 2A, depending on the head considered.
  • a network of control elements is associated with the individual nozzles.
  • the two heads 1 and 2 are fixed on a support slide 3.
  • the slide 3 is itself mounted on a pair of horizontal guide rods 4. It is driven along the guide rods 4 by a cable 5.
  • This cable 5 is stretched between a driving pulley 6 and a deflection pulley 7 and at its ends fixed to the slide 3, on one side and on the other of the two printheads 1 and 2.
  • the heads 1 and 2 are vertical.
  • the row of nozzles on each base is illustrated in dotted lines and designated by the reference 1B for the head 1 and 2B for the head 2.
  • the two rows of nozzles 1B, 2B are parallel to each other and transverse to the rods of guide 4.
  • the guide rods 4 define a first direction X of movement of the heads with the slide.
  • the rows of nozzles 1B and 2B define a second direction Y, transverse to the first direction X, of movement of the heads with the slide 3.
  • the positions of the heads on the slide are such that the distance between their rows of nozzles is equal to the distance between the right edges of the stamp and the advertising flame to be printed.
  • the two guide rods 4 are mounted in spacers on two vertical flanges 8 and 9, between first end portions of these flanges coming from the front of the machine. These flanges thus support the slide 3 made mobile between them, in the front part of the machine. They also support the two pulleys 6 and 7 receiving the cable 5 for driving the slide 3.
  • the motor 10 is a reversible motor, for driving the slide 3 and therefore the heads 1 and 2 in one direction and the other in the direction X.
  • This motor 10 is preferably a stepping motor. It is housed and is held in an intermediate recess 8A on the flange 8 which corresponds to the driving pulley 6.
  • each of these flanges is mounted, in the rear part of the machine, on a guide column, such as the only guide column 12 for the flange 9, which is visible.
  • a guide column such as the only guide column 12 for the flange 9, which is visible.
  • These guide columns are carried by a rear vertical support 13. They are transverse to the guide rods 4.
  • Each of the flanges 8 and 9 has, in addition, the lower edge of its second end portion coming from the rear of the machine which constitutes a rack.
  • the rack of the flange 8 is referenced 14, that of the flange 9 is referenced 15.
  • a flat spacer 16 connects the upper edges of the second end portions of the flanges, for their maintenance with a spacing from one another.
  • the two racks 14 and 15 correspond opposite. They are both meshed on two pinions, such as the pinion 17 for the rack 15, which is the only visible. These two pinions are mounted at one and the other of the ends of a control shaft 18.
  • the control shaft 18 also carries a third pinion 19. This intermediate pinion 19 drives the shaft. It is coupled to a second motor 20, through a motor pinion 21 engaged on it.
  • This control shaft 18 extends between the two flanges 8 and 9, with its terminal pinions engaged on the racks 14 and 15. It is mounted on bearings such as the only bearing 22, which is visible.
  • the motor 20 is held by the vertical support 13. It allows the flanges 8 and 9 and therefore the slide 3 to be driven with the heads 1 and 2 in the direction Y. It is said to be the Y control motor.
  • the motor 20 is a reversible motor, for driving the slide with the heads 1 and 2, in one direction and the other in the direction Y. This motor 20 is preferably a stepping motor.
  • This same control shaft 18 carries, in addition, a cam 25.
  • This cam 25 controls in particular the progress of a cycle for processing articles for its execution in two successive phases. It is specified below.
  • the assembly constituted by the slide 3 with the heads 1 and 2 on the flanges 8 and 9 forms the upper part of the machine. It is mounted movable above a horizontal sole 30, defining with elements that it carries the fixed lower part of the machine.
  • the rear vertical support 13 is mounted on the sole 30 and assembles the upper and lower parts of the machine.
  • the sole 30 On the sides of the machine, in particular facing the flanges 8 and 9, the sole 30 has non-referenced shoulders which come to marry the lower profile of the upper part, without discomfort for the mobile elements.
  • a frame 31 mounted on the sole contains the two parts of the machine.
  • This slot 32 extends, in depth, slightly beyond the row of nozzles, 1A, 1B, of one and the other of the heads 1 and 2 considered in their innermost position, in the direction Y, in the machine, which is their rest position.
  • This slot 32 is limited in height between a lower plate 33 called the article introduction plate and a plate upper 34 called printing plate.
  • These two plates 33 and 34 are fixed on the sole 30, with a spacing from one another equal to the maximum possible thickness of the articles to be introduced into the machine and to be treated.
  • the printing plate 34 also comes substantially against the base 1A and the base 2A of the heads 1 and 2. It makes it possible to ensure a limited and constant spacing between each row of nozzles and the surface of the article to receive an impression. , during a treatment cycle, whatever the thickness of the article concerned.
  • This slot 32 is limited in depth by a vertical stop 35, just on the rear of the heads 1 and 2, when they are in the rest position. This stop is carried by the sole, it constitutes the bottom of the slot.
  • This slot 32 is, furthermore open at one of its ends, that on the left in FIG. 1. It is, on the other hand, closed at its other end by the lateral lateral shoulder on the sole 30, which constitutes another stop 36 for the article.
  • the stops 35 and 36 which are orthogonal to each other allow precise positioning of each article under the heads, regardless of the spacing between the rows of nozzles and the surface of the article.
  • the chassis of the machine flares the opening of the slot on the front face of the machine, as shown in Figure 2.
  • the introduction of an article into the slot is facilitated.
  • a contact finger 37 is interposed through the stop 35 or on a truncated portion of this stop, in the vicinity of the heads 1 and 2 and near the other stop 36.
  • Another finger of analog contact can be associated with this other stop 36.
  • the finger 37 alone, or with the other finger detects the presence of an article in position under the heads for the treatment cycle, it controls the placing of the heads in a position of work next to the article to be treated.
  • the printing plate 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to a processing for franking the article.
  • An envelope 40 has been illustrated in position under the heads 1 and 2 which produce its franking.
  • the printing plate 34 is shown with two windows 41A and 41B, assigned to the printing to be made through them by the head 1, and another window 42 assigned to the printing to be made through it by the head 2.
  • the windows 41A and 41B correspond to respective formats of the home office stamp and sticker; window 42 corresponds to the maximum possible format of an advertising flame.
  • This printing plate 34 is specific to the postage processing. It can be replaced by another plate for another treatment carried out by the machine. It can alternatively have only one large window per head or for both heads and thus be retained whatever the treatment to be carried out.
  • the presser assembly 50 is shown constituted by two plates 51A, 51B extending on one side and the other of a common axis 52, forming a movable hinge bearing on the control lever 60.
  • the plates pivot in opposite directions to each other around this axis 52 when the hinge is driven by the lever. They are also assembled and equipped identically to each other. Each of them is articulated around a fixed axis 53, substantially median on the plate concerned and parallel to the common axis 52. They are carried by support lugs 54 fixed below the introduction plate and defining the fixed axis of articulation 53 of each of them. They each carry two pressing fingers 55 and 56 at the ends of their edge opposite the common axis 52. These pressing fingers project towards the printing plate. 33 through holes such as 57 in the printing plate. Pressure springs 58 between the sole 30 and each plate 51A or 51B urge the plates so that their projecting fingers are inserted as far as possible through the introduction plate 33 against the action of the lever 60.
  • the lever 60 is shown shown constituted by two arms not referenced coupling the cam 25 and the plates 51A, 51B on the axis 52 forming a hinge.
  • the lever 60 carries an end roller 61 under the cam 25, which bears against it, and at least one other end roller 62 under the hinge which bears against it. It is carried by an intermediate roller 63, defining its fixed axis of articulation 64. This intermediate roller is itself held between two bearings 65.
  • the cam 25 has on its periphery a protruding part 25A of short length, which is assigned to maintaining the retracted position of the pressing fingers 55, 56 under the introduction plate for the introduction of an article into the slot 32.
  • the another part 25B of its periphery is assigned to keeping the pressing fingers 55, 56 in the projecting position through the introduction plate 33. It allows the envelope 40 or any other different article to be held against the printing plate, throughout the treatment cycle. It defines the working position of the print heads facing the surface of the envelope or article, during this treatment cycle, with a limited and constant spacing between the row of nozzles of each head and the surface of the article.
  • a finger 66 and an associated cell 67 are assigned to the detection of heads 1 and 2 in an initial reference position, for the start of printing.
  • This finger 66 is carried by the slide 3.
  • the cell is fixed above the sole 30.
  • the cell 67 authorizes the start of printing when the contact finger 37 has itself detected the presence of the article under the heads and caused the heads to be placed in the working position relative to the article.
  • the machine further comprises a control circuit 70, a keyboard 71 and a display screen 72, seen in FIG. 2.
  • the keyboard 71 and the screen 72 are mounted on the front, inclined part of the upper wall of the machine. They are coupled, as are the heads 1 and 2, the motors 10 and 20, and the sensors 37 and 67, to the control circuit 70.
  • the display screen 72 makes it possible to display the digital or alphanumeric data entered by the keyboard or previously stored pictograms which each indicate a selected mode of use.
  • This interface circuit 87 is itself connectable to a device external fund loading control, known as such and not illustrated.
  • control circuit 70 opposite the interface circuit 83 with the heads, there is associated with the reference 2 designating the ink jet print head used in the machine according to FIG. 1, a reference 2 ′ designating the analysis head which can replace it for the orderly preparation of advertising flame definition or addressing data. These data from analysis provided by the head 2 ′ are then loaded into the corresponding memory 78 or 79, while the other memories are inhibited.
  • the processing carried out on an article results from the selection of the mode of use of the machine by the keyboard.
  • the treatment cycle takes place after a preliminary stage which triggers it. Its course is identical whatever the treatment carried out by the machine.
  • the preliminary stage corresponds to the introduction of the article into the machine.
  • the machine is initially at rest, with the projecting part 25A of the cam 25 against the roller 61 of the lever 60 and with the pressing fingers 56, 57 retracted under the introduction plate 33 for the free insertion of the article into the slot 32.
  • the heads 1 and 2 are in the rest position and at a considerable distance relative to the article.
  • the end of the introduction step is given by the contact finger 37 when it detects the presence of the article, then under the heads. It triggers the treatment cycle.
  • This processing cycle takes place under the control of the microprocessor in two successive phases called processing phases for the first and return phase for the second.
  • the treatment phase starts with the control carried out by the contact finger 37.
  • this finger When this finger has detected the article, it excites the control motor at Y 20.
  • the control shaft 18 is driven counterclockwise. a watch.
  • the cam 25 which it carries has its projecting part 25A which escapes the roller 61 of the lever 60.
  • the pressing fingers 56, 57 are raised under the action of the springs 58.
  • These pressing fingers 56 , 57 come through the introduction plate 33 in the slot and press the article against the printing plate 34.
  • the motor 20 remains controlled until the part 25A of the cam has completely escaped from the roller 61 of the lever 60.
  • This command corresponds to a step of placing the heads in their working position relative to the article and in their initial reference position according to X and Y at the start of treatment.
  • the heads remain in the working position relative to the article.
  • this step of placing the heads in the working position is followed by the treatment step.
  • the processing step is carried out by alternating control of the motors 10 and 20, in one direction then the other for the motor 10 and in the same direction for the motor 20.
  • the controls of the motor X allow the scanning of successive lines according to the direction X of two areas to be printed by both heads simultaneously.
  • the Y motor controls allow passage from one scan line to the next; each advance in direction Y corresponds to the length of each row of nozzles.
  • the number of steps of the motor 10 makes it possible to detect the end of each line and to control the passage to the next line. Its evolution makes it possible to control the printing or possibly analysis processing, in synchronism with the movement along each line.
  • the number of steps of the motor 20 makes it possible to detect the passage from one line to the next, the number of lines scanned and the end of this processing phase.
  • the heads thus simultaneously scan the two zones which are individually assigned to them on the article.
  • the trace of their movements corresponds to two curves in the form of an elongated Greek.
  • the printing or possibly analysis processing is carried out during the scanning of the lines in the direction X traversed alternately in one direction and the other.
  • the end of the processing step directly triggers the return phase. This phase is ensured by reversing the direction of the control motor in Y until the projection 25A of the cam 25 returns against the roller 61 of the presser.
  • the motor 20 can be controlled only, for a direct return of the heads to the initial reference position when an even number of scanning lines have been traversed during the processing step; the motor 10 can also be controlled to allow this return to the initial reference position when the number of scanning lines is an odd number.
  • the motor 10 and the motor 20 can be controlled alternately and ensure reverse scanning of all the lines scanned during the processing step.
  • the return of the heads to the initial reference position is directly followed by the return of the heads to the rest position relative to the article.
  • the corresponding terminal stage of this return phase is provided by the motor 20 which brings the projecting part 25A of the cam 25 against the roller 61 of the lever 60.
  • the treatment cycle is fully executed at the end of this terminal stage of the treatment phase.
  • the machine is at rest and the withdrawal of the treated article is made free by the pressing fingers 56, 57 then retracted.
  • the successive scanning lines along X of the heads on their respective zones are made contiguous to each other, in advance along Y from one line to the other equal to the length of the rows of nozzles.
  • the printing or analysis of an area is thus carried out over the entire surface of the area.
  • the data defining the amount of franking are entered by the keyboard; the shipping date data are given by an internal clock not shown on the control circuit or entered daily by the keyboard, when the machine is first started. They are associated with the definition data for the graphics of the stamp and the sticker of the home office from the corresponding memory 77, during printing.
  • the latter memory is advantageously a ROM memory.
  • the machine according to the invention is simple and safe to operate. It is inexpensive to make. According to a preferred embodiment, its heads are removable on their support. They are changed and discarded by the user machine when their internal ink supply is depleted. Possible checks at any time of the duration of use of the print head 1 in place on the machine, with regard to the number of frankings made and recorded in the memory 76, can allow anti-fraud checks.

Description

La présente invention porte sur les machines assurant en particulier l'affranchissment d'articles postaux. Elle a plus précisément pour objet une machine de bureau, de petites dimensions, de faible poids et de faible coût, assurant les opérations finales dites d'expédition, telles que d'affranchissement en particulier, sur des articles postaux. Une telle machine est alors utilisable au lieu même de confection du courrier, alors rendu prêt pour l'expédition. Elle est aussi tout à fait adaptée à être utilisée par des entreprises et particuliers n'émettant qu'un faible volume de courrier.The present invention relates to machines ensuring in particular the franking of postal articles. More specifically, it relates to an office machine, of small dimensions, of low weight and of low cost, ensuring the final so-called shipping operations, such as franking in particular, on postal articles. Such a machine can then be used instead of making mail, then made ready for dispatch. It is also perfectly suited to be used by companies and individuals who send only a small volume of mail.

L'utilisation de machines à affranchir est largement répandue dans les entreprises émettant des volumes importants de courrier. Ces machines assurent l'impression sur les différents articles postaux d'un timbre d'affranchissement à la valeur convenable, et d'une vignette du bureau d'attache avec la date d'expédition, qui sont éventuellement accompagnées d'une flamme publicitaire supplémentaire. Qu'elles fonctionnent en prépaiement ou en postpaiement des opérations d'affranchissement, elles comportent des moyens d'enregistrement du montant des affranchissements réalisés et, le cas échéant, du montant du crédit restant disponible.The use of franking machines is widespread in companies that send large volumes of mail. These machines ensure the printing on the various postal items of a postage stamp at the appropriate value, and a sticker of the home office with the date of shipment, which are possibly accompanied by an additional advertising flame . Whether they operate in prepayment or postpaid postage operations, they include means of recording the amount of postage paid and, if applicable, the amount of credit remaining available.

La rentabilité de ces machines à affranchir est justifiée par l'économie de temps et la commodité des opérations. Pour des raisons de rentabilité, ces machines sont utilisées avec des installations de traitement automatique de courrier ou à poste fixe où sont centralisés des différents lots de courrier d'une entreprise.The profitability of these franking machines is justified by the time savings and the convenience of the operations. For reasons of profitability, these machines are used with automatic mail processing or fixed station installations where different batches of mail from a company are centralized.

Lorsque les volumes de courrier sont très réduits, leur affranchissement, à la valeur convenable pour chaque article, reste réalisé à l'aide de timbres postaux.When the volumes of mail are very reduced, their franking, with the value suitable for each article, remains carried out using postal stamps.

Dans un grand nombre de machines à affranchir existantes traitant des volumes moyens de courrier, on utilise un tambour d'impression rotatif, auquel est associée une tête d'impression. Le tambour est entraîné sur un tour pour chaque affranchissement. Ce tambour a sur sa périphérie une plaque gravée destinée à l'impression des données fixes du timbre et du bureau d'attache. La tête d'impression proprement dite vient, à travers deux fenêtres dans cette plaque, assurer l'impression des données variables, à savoir la valeur d'affranchissement et la date d'expédition. Une deuxième plaque gravée, rétractable sur la périphérie de ce tambour, assure l'impression de la flamme publicitaire, au cours de la même rotation du tambour, lorsque cette flamme est souhaitée.In a large number of existing franking machines processing average volumes of mail, a rotary printing drum is used, with which a printing head is associated. The drum is driven on one revolution for each postage. This drum has on its periphery an engraved plate intended for the printing of the fixed data of the stamp and the home office. The print head itself comes, through two windows in this plate, ensure the printing of variable data, namely the postage value and the date of shipment. A second engraved plate, retractable on the periphery of this drum, ensures the printing of the advertising flame, during the same rotation of the drum, when this flame is desired.

La tête d'impression des données variables peut être constituée par deux jeux de molettes, pour ces deux types de données. Les jeux de molettes sont rotatifs avec le tambour. Leurs molettes sont positionnables individuellement et affleurent sur la périphérie du tambour.The variable data print head can consist of two sets of rollers, for these two types of data. The sets of wheels are rotatable with the drum. Their wheels are individually positionable and are flush with the periphery of the drum.

La tête d'impression de ces données variables peut aussi être constituée par une tête à jet d'encre. Le brevet FR-n° 2 257 964 décrit une machine à affranchir comportant une telle tête d'impression à jet d'encre. La tête d'impression est montée fixe à l'intérieur du tambour d'impression. Elle a une rangée de buses d'éjection débouchant à proximité de la périphérie du tambour et en regard du chemin des articles entraînés sous le tambour. Cette tête d'impression est commandée à partir d'une source de données, pour l'impression des données variables d'affranchissement et de date, à travers l'une et l'autre des deux fenêtres de la plaque d'impression des données fixes, quand ces fenêtres sont sur l'article à affranchir.The print head of this variable data can also be constituted by an ink jet head. Patent FR-No. 2 257 964 describes a franking machine comprising such an ink jet print head. The print head is fixedly mounted inside the print drum. It has a row of ejection nozzles opening near the periphery of the drum and facing the path of the articles driven under the drum. This print head is controlled from a data source, for printing variable postage and date data, through one of the two windows of the data printing plate fixed, when these windows are on the item to be franked.

Ces machines sont relativement lourdes et encombrantes, leur coût ne permet pas leur utilisation rentable pour l'affranchissement d'un petit nombre d'articles, par exemple allant de 0 à une vingtaine d'articles.These machines are relatively heavy and bulky, their cost does not allow their profitable use for franking a small number of articles, for example ranging from 0 to twenty articles.

Parmi les machines d'impression de caractères ou de marques sur des articles, on connaît certaines machines de petites dimensions, qui sont portatives et entraînées à la main sur chaque article pour y imprimer une ligne de caractères ou de marques. Ces machines utilisent une tête d'impression à jet d'encre, rendue mobile sur l'article, sans contact avec l'article, le long de la ligne à imprimer.Among the machines for printing characters or marks on articles, certain small-scale machines are known, which are portable and driven by hand on each article in order to print a line of characters or marks there. These machines use an inkjet print head, made mobile on the article, without contact with the article, along the line to be printed.

Le brevet FR-n° 2 561 992 décrit une machine de ce type. Cette machine comporte une embase à fenêtre dans laquelle la tête est montée coulissante. Pour le marquage d'un article, l'embase est positionnée sur l'article avec sa fenêtre sur la surface à marquer. La tête est entraînée à la main le long de la fenêtre et commandée à partir d'une source de données définissant les marques.The patent FR-n ° 2 561 992 describes a machine of this type. This machine has a window base in which the head is slidably mounted. For marking an article, the base is positioned on the article with its window on the surface to to mark. The head is driven by hand along the window and controlled from a data source defining the marks.

Des moyens de détection de la position de la tête le long de la fenêtre permettent de déclencher et de contrôler l'impression.Means for detecting the position of the head along the window make it possible to trigger and control the printing.

Le brevet FR 2 145 343 décrit une autre machine de ce type. La machine comporte un carter portant la tête montée fixe juste au dessus de son fond ouvert. Le carter est équipé de galets de roulement sur la surface à marquer. La tête est à nombre limité de buses, à faible pas entre elles sur une colonne transversale à la ligne de balayage de l'article. Elle est commandée à partir d'une source de données définissant les caractères ou marques sous forme matricielle. Une roue codeuse entraînée par l'un des galets de roulement contrôle l'impression en synchronisme avec le déplacement du carter et donc de la tête.Patent FR 2 145 343 describes another machine of this type. The machine comprises a casing carrying the head mounted fixed just above its open bottom. The housing is fitted with rollers on the surface to be marked. The head has a limited number of nozzles, with a small pitch between them on a column transverse to the scan line of the article. It is ordered from a data source defining the characters or marks in matrix form. A coding wheel driven by one of the rollers controls the printing in synchronism with the movement of the casing and therefore of the head.

Chacune de ces deux machines connues assure donc l'impression de symboles définis dans la source de données, sur la hauteur de la ligne balayée par la tête. L'utilisation d'une telle machine en tant que machine à affranchir conduit à un mode d'affranchissement réalisé par impression d'une ligne de symboles, et non plus au mode d'affranchissement réalisé par impression du timbre d'affranchissement et de la vignette du bureau d'attache avec la date d'expédition, accompagnés si souhaité d'une flamme publicitaire.Each of these two known machines therefore ensures the printing of symbols defined in the data source, over the height of the line scanned by the head. The use of such a machine as a franking machine leads to a franking mode produced by printing a line of symbols, and no longer to the franking mode produced by printing the franking stamp and the sticker of the home office with the date of shipment, accompanied if desired by an advertising flame.

Le document GB-A- 2 206 082 décrit une machine à affranchir sans tambour rotatif pour la partie fixe de l'impression. Le timbre d'affranchissement, la vignette et la flamme publicitaire sont imprimés par une tête d'impression à jet d'encre.Document GB-A-2 206 082 describes a franking machine without a rotating drum for the fixed part of the printing. The postage stamp, the sticker and the advertising flame are printed by an inkjet print head.

Dans GB-A- 2 206 082, des rouleaux de transport servent de moyens d'introduction des articles sous la tête et l'impression jet d'encre est faite en une seule ligne et simultanément avec le transport d'un article.In GB-A-2 206 082, transport rollers serve as means for introducing the articles under the head and the inkjet printing is done in a single line and simultaneously with the transport of an article.

La présente invention a pour but de réaliser une machine de bureau d'expédition d'articles postaux, en particulier mais non exclusivement pour l'affranchissement de ces articles, qui utilise pour l'affranchissement une tête d'impression à nombre limité d'éléments individuels alignés, montée mobile relativement à une zone d'affranchissement d'article qu'elle balaie en plusieurs lignes.The object of the present invention is to provide an office machine for dispatching postal articles, in particular but not exclusively for franking these articles, which uses a printhead with a limited number of elements for franking. individually aligned, movable mounted relative to an article franking area which it scans in several lines.

Elle a donc pour objet une machine de bureau d'expédition d'articles postaux, comme définie dans la revendication 1.It therefore relates to an office machine for dispatching postal articles, as defined in claim 1.

Le déplacement relatif de la tête sur l'article n'exclut pas que l'article bouge et la tête reste fixe pendant l'impression.The relative movement of the head on the article does not exclude that the article moves and the head remains fixed during printing.

Selon un forme de réalisation préférée de l'invention, pour l'affranchissement des articles, la machine comporte la première tête précitée, qui est constituée par une première tête d'impression à jet d'encre affectée à l'impression du timbre d'affranchissement et de la vignette du bureau d'attache sur la zone dite première zone qu'elle balaie, et une deuxième tête d'impression identique à la première, couplée à une deuxième source de données et affectée à l'impression de la flamme publicitaire sur une deuxième zone qu'elle balaie simultanément pendant que la première tête balaie la première zone.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, for franking articles, the machine comprises the aforementioned first head, which consists of a first inkjet print head assigned to the printing of the franking stamp and the sticker of the home office on the area called the first area it scans, and a second print head identical printing to the first, coupled to a second data source and assigned to the printing of the advertising flame on a second zone which it scans simultaneously while the first head scans the first zone.

Selon un autre forme de réalisation, lesdites première et deuxième têtes sont couplées sélectivement pour ces deux têtes aux première et deuxième sources de données pour l'impression des première et deuxième zone ou pour la deuxième tête seule à des mémoires des comptes financiers de la machine ou encore à une source de données d'adresses pour l'impression d'un bordereau de compte ou d'une zone d'adressage, tandis que la première tête est isolée de la première source alors inhibée sous la commande de moyens de sélection de modes d'utilisation de la machine et d'un microprocesseur.According to another embodiment, said first and second heads are selectively coupled for these two heads to the first and second data sources for printing the first and second areas or for the second head alone to memories of the machine's financial accounts. or to a source of address data for printing an account slip or an address area, while the first head is isolated from the first source then inhibited under the control of means for selecting modes of use of the machine and a microprocessor.

Selon une autre forme de réalisation préférée, la machine comporte deux moteurs d'entraînement des têtes, l'un pour leur entraînement selon la direction X et l'autre pour leur entrainement selon une direction Y transversale à X, au-dessus de l'article maintenu fixe dans la machine pendant le cycle de traitement.According to another preferred embodiment, the machine comprises two motors for driving the heads, one for driving them in the X direction and the other for driving them in a Y direction transverse to X, above the item kept fixed in the machine during the processing cycle.

D'autres caractéristiques et les avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description donnée ci-après d'un exemple de réalisation illustré dans les dessins annexés. Dans ces dessins :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective de la machine selon l'invention montrée non capotée,
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe partielle de la machine selon la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 représente sous forme d'un schéma-bloc le circuit de commande de la machine selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the machine according to the invention shown not covered,
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view in partial section of the machine according to FIG. 1,
  • Figure 3 shows in the form of a block diagram the control circuit of the machine according to the invention.

En regard de la figure 1, on voit que la machine représentée comporte deux têtes d'impression 1 et 2, à jet d'encre. La machine est de petites dimensions, voisines de 240 x 180 x 110 mm ; elle constitue une machine de bureau. Ses têtes d'impression 1 et 2 sont des composants à durée d'impression limitée définie et sont jetables. Elles sont identiques l'une à l'autre, seule l'encre contenue dans leur réservoir interne est de préférence diffèrente de l'une à l'autre. La tête 1, vue la plus à droite dans la machine, est à encre rouge et la tête 2 à encre noire, pour l'utilisation principale de la machine en tant que machine à affranchir.With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the machine shown has two ink jet print heads 1 and 2. The machine is small, around 240 x 180 x 110 mm; she is an office machine. Its print heads 1 and 2 are components with a defined limited printing time and are disposable. They are identical to each other, only the ink contained in their internal reservoir is preferably different from one to the other. Head 1, seen to the far right in the machine, is in red ink and head 2 in black ink, for the main use of the machine as a franking machine.

Ces têtes d'impression 1 et 2 sont en tant que telles connues ; ce sont par exemple des têtes commercialisées sous l'appelation THINK JET de la Société HEWLETT-PACKARD. Elles ont chacune un nombre restreint de buses à faible pas entre elles et alignées en une rangée sur une face, dite base, de la tête. La base est repérée par la référence 1A ou 2A, selon la tête considérée. Un réseau d'éléments de commande est associé aux buses individuelles. Un réseau de liaisons de commande, pour ce réseau d'éléments de commande, aboutit sur l'une des faces de chaque tête ; il est raccordé au porte-tête associé à la tête considérée.These print heads 1 and 2 are as such known; these are, for example, heads sold under the name THINK JET from the company HEWLETT-PACKARD. They each have a limited number of low-pitched nozzles between them and aligned in a row on one face, called the base, of the head. The base is identified by the reference 1A or 2A, depending on the head considered. A network of control elements is associated with the individual nozzles. A network of control links, for this network of control elements, terminates on one of the faces of each head; it is connected to the head holder associated with the head in question.

Dans la machine, les deux têtes 1 et 2 sont fixées sur un coulisseau support 3. Le coulisseau 3 est lui même monté sur une paire de tiges horizontales de guidage 4. Il est entraîné le long des tiges de guidage 4 par un câble 5. Ce câble 5 est tendu entre une poulie motrice 6 et une poulie de renvoi 7 et a ses extrémités fixées au coulisseau 3, d'un côté et de l'autre des deux têtes d'impression 1 et 2.In the machine, the two heads 1 and 2 are fixed on a support slide 3. The slide 3 is itself mounted on a pair of horizontal guide rods 4. It is driven along the guide rods 4 by a cable 5. This cable 5 is stretched between a driving pulley 6 and a deflection pulley 7 and at its ends fixed to the slide 3, on one side and on the other of the two printheads 1 and 2.

Sur le coulisseau 3, les têtes 1 et 2 sont verticales. La rangée de buses sur chaque base est illustrée en pointillés et désignée par la référence 1B pour la tête 1 et 2B pour la tête 2. Les deux rangées de buses 1B, 2B sont parallèles l'une à l'autre et transversales aux tiges de guidage 4. Les tiges de guidage 4 définissent une première direction X de déplacement des têtes avec le coulisseau. Les rangées de buses 1B et 2B définissent une deuxième direction Y, transversale à la première direction X, de déplacement des têtes avec le coulisseau 3. Pour l'affranchissement d'articles, les positions des têtes sur le coulisseau sont telles que la distance entre leurs rangées de buses est égale à la distance entre les bords de droite du timbre et de la flamme publicitaire à imprimer.On the slide 3, the heads 1 and 2 are vertical. The row of nozzles on each base is illustrated in dotted lines and designated by the reference 1B for the head 1 and 2B for the head 2. The two rows of nozzles 1B, 2B are parallel to each other and transverse to the rods of guide 4. The guide rods 4 define a first direction X of movement of the heads with the slide. The rows of nozzles 1B and 2B define a second direction Y, transverse to the first direction X, of movement of the heads with the slide 3. For the franking of articles, the positions of the heads on the slide are such that the distance between their rows of nozzles is equal to the distance between the right edges of the stamp and the advertising flame to be printed.

Les deux tiges de guidage 4 sont montées en entretoises sur deux flasques verticaux 8 et 9, entre des premières portions terminales de ces flasques venant sur la partie avant de la machine. Ces flasques supportent ainsi le coulisseau 3 rendu mobile entre eux, dans la partie avant de la machine. Ils supportent également les deux poulies 6 et 7 recevant le câble 5 d'entraînement du coulisseau 3.The two guide rods 4 are mounted in spacers on two vertical flanges 8 and 9, between first end portions of these flanges coming from the front of the machine. These flanges thus support the slide 3 made mobile between them, in the front part of the machine. They also support the two pulleys 6 and 7 receiving the cable 5 for driving the slide 3.

Un moteur 10 dit moteur de commande en X entraîne la poulie motrice 6. Le moteur 10 est un moteur réversible, pour l'entraînement du coulisseau 3 et donc des têtes 1 et 2 dans un sens et l'autre selon la direction X. Ce moteur 10 est de préférence un moteur pas à pas. Il vient se loger et est maintenu dans un décrochement intermédiaire 8A sur le flasque 8 qui correspond à la poulie motrice 6.A motor 10, said X control motor, drives the driving pulley 6. The motor 10 is a reversible motor, for driving the slide 3 and therefore the heads 1 and 2 in one direction and the other in the direction X. This motor 10 is preferably a stepping motor. It is housed and is held in an intermediate recess 8A on the flange 8 which corresponds to the driving pulley 6.

Ces mêmes flasques verticaux 8 et 9 assurent l'entraînement du coulisseau 3 et des têtes 1 et 2 dans la direction Y. A cet effet, chacun de ces flasques est monté, dans la partie arrière de la machine, sur une colonne de guidage, telle que la seule colonne de guidage 12 pour le flasque 9, qui est visible. Ces colonnes de guidage sont portées par un support vertical arrière 13. Elles sont transversales aux tiges de guidage 4.These same vertical flanges 8 and 9 drive the slide 3 and the heads 1 and 2 in the direction Y. To this end, each of these flanges is mounted, in the rear part of the machine, on a guide column, such as the only guide column 12 for the flange 9, which is visible. These guide columns are carried by a rear vertical support 13. They are transverse to the guide rods 4.

Chacun des flasques 8 et 9 a, en outre, le bord inférieur de sa seconde portion terminale venant à l'arrière de machine qui constitue une crémaillère. La crémaillère du flasque 8 est référencée 14, celle du flasque 9 est référencée 15. Une entretoise plate 16 relie les bords supérieurs des secondes portions terminales des flasques, pour leur maintien avec un écartement l'un de l'autre.Each of the flanges 8 and 9 has, in addition, the lower edge of its second end portion coming from the rear of the machine which constitutes a rack. The rack of the flange 8 is referenced 14, that of the flange 9 is referenced 15. A flat spacer 16 connects the upper edges of the second end portions of the flanges, for their maintenance with a spacing from one another.

Les deux crémaillères 14 et 15 se correspondent en vis-à-vis. Elles sont l'une et l'autre engrenées sur deux pignons, tels que le pignon 17 pour la crémaillère 15, qui est le seul visible. Ces deux pignons sont montés à l'une et l'autre des extrémités d'un arbre de commande 18.The two racks 14 and 15 correspond opposite. They are both meshed on two pinions, such as the pinion 17 for the rack 15, which is the only visible. These two pinions are mounted at one and the other of the ends of a control shaft 18.

L'arbre de commande 18 porte, en outre, un troisième pignon 19. Ce pignon intermédiaire 19 assure l'entraînement de l'arbre. Il est couplé à un deuxième moteur 20, à travers un pignon moteur 21 en prise sur lui.The control shaft 18 also carries a third pinion 19. This intermediate pinion 19 drives the shaft. It is coupled to a second motor 20, through a motor pinion 21 engaged on it.

Cet arbre de commande 18 s'étend entre les deux flasques 8 et 9, avec ses pignons terminaux en prise sur les crémaillères 14 et 15. Il est monté sur des paliers tels que le seul palier 22, qui est visible. Le moteur 20 est maintenu par la support vertical 13. Il permet l'entraînement des flasques 8 et 9 et donc du coulisseau 3 avec les têtes 1 et 2 selon la direction Y. Il est dit moteur de commande en Y. Le moteur 20 est un moteur réversible, pour l'entraînement du coulisseau avec les têtes 1 et 2, dans un sens et l'autre selon la direction Y. Ce moteur 20 est de préférence un moteur pas à pas.This control shaft 18 extends between the two flanges 8 and 9, with its terminal pinions engaged on the racks 14 and 15. It is mounted on bearings such as the only bearing 22, which is visible. The motor 20 is held by the vertical support 13. It allows the flanges 8 and 9 and therefore the slide 3 to be driven with the heads 1 and 2 in the direction Y. It is said to be the Y control motor. The motor 20 is a reversible motor, for driving the slide with the heads 1 and 2, in one direction and the other in the direction Y. This motor 20 is preferably a stepping motor.

Ce même arbre de commande 18 porte, en outre, une came 25. Cette came 25 contrôle notamment le déroulement d'un cycle de traitement des articles pour son exécution en deux phases successives. Elle est précisée ci-après.This same control shaft 18 carries, in addition, a cam 25. This cam 25 controls in particular the progress of a cycle for processing articles for its execution in two successive phases. It is specified below.

L'ensemble constitué par le coulisseau 3 avec les têtes 1 et 2 sur les flasques 8 et 9 forme la partie supérieure de la machine. Il est monté mobile au dessus d'une semelle 30 horizontale, définissant avec des éléments qu'elle porte la partie inférieure fixe de la machine. Le support vertical arrière 13 est monté sur la semelle 30 et assemble les parties supérieure et inférieure de la machine. Sur les côtés de la machine, en particulier en regard des flasques 8 et 9, la semelle 30 a des épaulements non référencés qui viennent épouser le profil inférieur de la partie supérieure, sans gêne pour les éléments mobiles. Ainsi qu'il ressort de la figure 2, un châssis 31 monté sur la semelle renferme les deux parties de la machine.The assembly constituted by the slide 3 with the heads 1 and 2 on the flanges 8 and 9 forms the upper part of the machine. It is mounted movable above a horizontal sole 30, defining with elements that it carries the fixed lower part of the machine. The rear vertical support 13 is mounted on the sole 30 and assembles the upper and lower parts of the machine. On the sides of the machine, in particular facing the flanges 8 and 9, the sole 30 has non-referenced shoulders which come to marry the lower profile of the upper part, without discomfort for the mobile elements. As shown in Figure 2, a frame 31 mounted on the sole contains the two parts of the machine.

En se reportant à la figure 1 et/ou à la figure 2, on voit que la machine comporte à l'avant une fente 32 d'introduction des articles à traiter. Cette fente 32 s'étend, en profondeur, légèrement au delà de la rangée de buses, 1A, 1B, de l'une et l'autre des têtes 1 et 2 considérées dans leur position la plus intérieure, selon la direction Y, dans la machine, qui est leur position de repos.Referring to Figure 1 and / or Figure 2, we see that the machine has at the front a slot 32 for introducing the articles to be treated. This slot 32 extends, in depth, slightly beyond the row of nozzles, 1A, 1B, of one and the other of the heads 1 and 2 considered in their innermost position, in the direction Y, in the machine, which is their rest position.

Cette fente 32 est limitée en hauteur entre une plaque inférieure 33 dite plaque d'introduction des articles et une plaque supérieure 34 dite plaque d'impression. Ces deux plaques 33 et 34 sont fixées sur la semelle 30, avec un écartement l'une de l'autre égal à l'épaisseur maximale possible des articles à introduire dans la machine et à traiter. La plaque d'impression 34 vient par ailleurs sensiblement contre la base 1A et la base 2A des têtes 1 et 2. Elle permet d'assurer un écartement limité et constant entre chaque rangée de buses et la surface de l'article devant revevoir une impression, au cours d'un cycle de traitement, quelle que soit l'épaisseur de l'article concerné.This slot 32 is limited in height between a lower plate 33 called the article introduction plate and a plate upper 34 called printing plate. These two plates 33 and 34 are fixed on the sole 30, with a spacing from one another equal to the maximum possible thickness of the articles to be introduced into the machine and to be treated. The printing plate 34 also comes substantially against the base 1A and the base 2A of the heads 1 and 2. It makes it possible to ensure a limited and constant spacing between each row of nozzles and the surface of the article to receive an impression. , during a treatment cycle, whatever the thickness of the article concerned.

Cette fente 32 est limitée en profondeur par une butée verticale 35, juste sur l'arrière des têtes 1 et 2, lorsqu'elles sont en position de repos. Cette butée est portée par la semelle, elle constitue le fond de la fente. Cette fente 32 est, en outre ouverte à l'une de ses extrémités, celle de gauche dans la figure 1. Elle est, par contre, fermée à son autre extrémité par l'épaulement latéral terminal sur la semelle 30, qui constitue une autre butée 36 pour l'article. Les butées 35 et 36, qui sont orthogonales l'une à l'autre permettent un positionnement précis de chaque article sous les têtes, indépendamment de l'écartement entre les rangées de buses et la surface de l'article.This slot 32 is limited in depth by a vertical stop 35, just on the rear of the heads 1 and 2, when they are in the rest position. This stop is carried by the sole, it constitutes the bottom of the slot. This slot 32 is, furthermore open at one of its ends, that on the left in FIG. 1. It is, on the other hand, closed at its other end by the lateral lateral shoulder on the sole 30, which constitutes another stop 36 for the article. The stops 35 and 36, which are orthogonal to each other allow precise positioning of each article under the heads, regardless of the spacing between the rows of nozzles and the surface of the article.

Le châssis de la machine évase l'ouverture de la fente sur la face avant de la machine, comme représenté dans la figure 2. L'introduction d'un article dans la fente s'en trouve facilitée.The chassis of the machine flares the opening of the slot on the front face of the machine, as shown in Figure 2. The introduction of an article into the slot is facilitated.

Ainsi que montré dans la figure 1, un doigt de contact 37 est interposé à travers la butée 35 ou sur une portion tronquée de cette butée, au voisinage des têtes 1 et 2 et à proximité de l'autre butée 36. Un autre doigt de contact analogue peut être associé à cette autre butée 36. Le doigt 37 seul, ou avec l'autre doigt, détecte la présence d'un article en position sous les têtes pour le cycle de traitement, il commande la mise des têtes dans une position de travail en regard de l'article à traiter.As shown in FIG. 1, a contact finger 37 is interposed through the stop 35 or on a truncated portion of this stop, in the vicinity of the heads 1 and 2 and near the other stop 36. Another finger of analog contact can be associated with this other stop 36. The finger 37 alone, or with the other finger, detects the presence of an article in position under the heads for the treatment cycle, it controls the placing of the heads in a position of work next to the article to be treated.

La plaque d'impression 34 illustrée dans la figure 1 correspond à un traitement d'affranchissement de l'article. On a illustré une enveloppe 40 en position sous les têtes 1 et 2 qui réalisent son affranchissement. A cet effet, la plaque d'impression 34 est montrée avec deux fenêtres 41A et 41B, affectées à l'impression à réaliser à travers elles par la tête 1, et une autre fenêtre 42 affectée à l'impression à réaliser à travers elle par la tête 2. Les fenêtres 41A et 41B correspondent aux formats respectifs du timbre et de la vignette du bureau d'attache ; la fenêtre 42 correspond au format maximal possible d'une flamme publicitaire.The printing plate 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to a processing for franking the article. An envelope 40 has been illustrated in position under the heads 1 and 2 which produce its franking. For this purpose, the printing plate 34 is shown with two windows 41A and 41B, assigned to the printing to be made through them by the head 1, and another window 42 assigned to the printing to be made through it by the head 2. The windows 41A and 41B correspond to respective formats of the home office stamp and sticker; window 42 corresponds to the maximum possible format of an advertising flame.

Cette plaque d'impression 34 est propre au traitement d'affranchissement. Elle peut être remplacée par une autre plaque pour un autre traitement réalisé par la machine. Elle peut en variante n'avoir qu'une seule grande fenêtre par tête ou pour les deux têtes et être ainsi retenue quel que soit le traitement à effectuer.This printing plate 34 is specific to the postage processing. It can be replaced by another plate for another treatment carried out by the machine. It can alternatively have only one large window per head or for both heads and thus be retained whatever the treatment to be carried out.

En se reportant à la figure 1 et/ou la figure 2, on voit que la semelle 30 et les deux plaques 33 et 34, qui sont fixes au dessus de la semelle, sont saillantes dans la partie avant de la machine sous le coulisseau 3 et les têtes 1 et 2. La plaque d'introduction 33 et la semelle 30 ont entre elles un ensemble presseur 50, pour le positionnement relatif de l'article et des têtes, avec l'écartement limité et constant entre les rangées de buses et la surface de l'article, pour la durée du cycle de traitement. Cet ensemble 50 assure le maintien en pression de l'article contre la plaque d'impression 34 pendant tout le cycle. Il est commandé par un levier 60, lui-même commandé par la came 25.Referring to Figure 1 and / or Figure 2, we see that the sole 30 and the two plates 33 and 34, which are fixed above the sole, are projecting in the front part of the machine under the slide 3 and the heads 1 and 2. The introduction plate 33 and the sole 30 have between them a pressing assembly 50, for the relative positioning of the article and the heads, with the limited and constant spacing between the rows of nozzles and the surface of the article, for the duration of the treatment cycle. This assembly 50 maintains the pressure of the article against the printing plate 34 throughout the cycle. It is controlled by a lever 60, itself controlled by the cam 25.

L'ensemble presseur 50 est montré constitué par deux plaquettes 51A, 51B s'étendant d'un côté et de l'autre d'un axe commun 52, formant charnière mobile venant en appui sur le levier 60 de commande. Les plaquettes pivotent en sens inverse l'une de l'autre autour de cet axe 52 quand la charnière est entraînée par le levier. Elles sont par ailleurs montées et équipées identiquement l'une à l'autre. Chacune d'elles est articulées autour d'un axe fixe 53, sensiblement médian sur la plaquette concernée et parallèle à l'axe commun 52. Elles sont portées par des pattes support 54 fixées au dessous de la plaque d'introduction et définissant l'axe fixe d'articulation 53 de chacune d'elles. Elles portent chacune deux doigts presseurs 55 et 56 aux extrémités de leur bord opposé à l'axe commun 52. Ces doigts presseurs sont saillants vers la plaque d'impression 33 à travers des trous tels que 57 dans la plaque d'impression. Des ressorts de pression 58 entre la semelle 30 et chaque plaquette 51A ou 51B sollicitent les plaquettes pour que leurs doigts saillants soient insérés le plus possible à fond à travers la plaque d'introduction 33 à l'encontre de l'action du levier 60.The presser assembly 50 is shown constituted by two plates 51A, 51B extending on one side and the other of a common axis 52, forming a movable hinge bearing on the control lever 60. The plates pivot in opposite directions to each other around this axis 52 when the hinge is driven by the lever. They are also assembled and equipped identically to each other. Each of them is articulated around a fixed axis 53, substantially median on the plate concerned and parallel to the common axis 52. They are carried by support lugs 54 fixed below the introduction plate and defining the fixed axis of articulation 53 of each of them. They each carry two pressing fingers 55 and 56 at the ends of their edge opposite the common axis 52. These pressing fingers project towards the printing plate. 33 through holes such as 57 in the printing plate. Pressure springs 58 between the sole 30 and each plate 51A or 51B urge the plates so that their projecting fingers are inserted as far as possible through the introduction plate 33 against the action of the lever 60.

Le levier 60 est quant à lui montré constitué par deux bras non référencés couplant la came 25 et les plaquettes 51A, 51B sur l'axe 52 formant charnière. Le levier 60 porte un galet terminal 61 sous la came 25, qui vient en appui contre lui, et au moins un autre galet terminal 62 sous la charnière qui est appui contre lui. Il est porté par un galet intermédiaire 63, définissant son axe fixe d'articulation 64. Ce galet intermédiaire est lui-même maintenu entre deux paliers 65.The lever 60 is shown shown constituted by two arms not referenced coupling the cam 25 and the plates 51A, 51B on the axis 52 forming a hinge. The lever 60 carries an end roller 61 under the cam 25, which bears against it, and at least one other end roller 62 under the hinge which bears against it. It is carried by an intermediate roller 63, defining its fixed axis of articulation 64. This intermediate roller is itself held between two bearings 65.

La came 25 a sur sa périphérie une partie saillante 25A de courte longueur, qui est affectée au maintien en position rétractée des doigts presseurs 55, 56 sous la plaque d'introduction pour l'introduction d'un article dans la fente 32. L'autre partie 25B de sa périphérie est affectée au maintien en position saillante des doigts presseurs 55, 56 à travers la plaque d'introduction 33. Elle permet le maintien de l'enveloppe 40 ou de tout autre article différent contre la plaque d'impression, pendant tout le cycle de traitement. Elle définit la position de travail des têtes d'impression en regard de la surface de l'enveloppe ou de l'article, pendant ce cycle de traitement, avec un écartement limité et constant entre la rangée de buses de chaque tête et la surface de l'article.The cam 25 has on its periphery a protruding part 25A of short length, which is assigned to maintaining the retracted position of the pressing fingers 55, 56 under the introduction plate for the introduction of an article into the slot 32. The another part 25B of its periphery is assigned to keeping the pressing fingers 55, 56 in the projecting position through the introduction plate 33. It allows the envelope 40 or any other different article to be held against the printing plate, throughout the treatment cycle. It defines the working position of the print heads facing the surface of the envelope or article, during this treatment cycle, with a limited and constant spacing between the row of nozzles of each head and the surface of the article.

En outre, dans la machine, un doigt 66 et une cellule 67 associée sont affectés à la détection des têtes 1 et 2 dans une position initiale de référence, pour le début d'impression. Ce doigt 66 est porté par le coulisseau 3. La cellule est fixe au dessus de la semelle 30. La cellule 67 autorise le début d'impression lorsque le doigt de contact 37 a lui même détecté la présence de l'article sous les têtes et a provoqué la mise en position de travail des têtes relativement à l'article.In addition, in the machine, a finger 66 and an associated cell 67 are assigned to the detection of heads 1 and 2 in an initial reference position, for the start of printing. This finger 66 is carried by the slide 3. The cell is fixed above the sole 30. The cell 67 authorizes the start of printing when the contact finger 37 has itself detected the presence of the article under the heads and caused the heads to be placed in the working position relative to the article.

La machine comporte, en outre, un circuit de commande 70, un clavier 71 et un écran d'affichage 72, vus dans la figure 2. Le clavier 71 et l'écran 72 sont montés sur la partie avant, inclinée, de la paroi supérieure de la machine. Ils sont couplés, comme le sont les têtes 1 et 2, les moteurs 10 et 20, et les capteurs 37 et 67, au circuit de commande 70.The machine further comprises a control circuit 70, a keyboard 71 and a display screen 72, seen in FIG. 2. The keyboard 71 and the screen 72 are mounted on the front, inclined part of the upper wall of the machine. They are coupled, as are the heads 1 and 2, the motors 10 and 20, and the sensors 37 and 67, to the control circuit 70.

Le clavier 71 constitue un moyen d'accès pour l'opérateur au circuit de commande. Il permet en particulier la rentrée des données numériques de valeurs d'affranchissement. Il permet également la sélection d'un mode opératoire d'utilisation de la machine parmi plusieurs modes possibles pour lesquels la machine est conçue. Ces différents modes d'utilisation de la machine sont :

  • en affranchissement des articles, qui constitue le mode d'utilisation principal de la machine pour l'impression d'un timbre d'affranchissement et de la vignette du bureau d'attache de la machine, à l'aide de la tête à jet d'encre 1, avec simultanément l'impression d'une flamme publicitaire, lorsqu'elle est souhaitée, à l'aide de la tête à jet d'encre 2,
  • en édition d'un bordereau de compte relatif aux opérations d'affranchissement réalisées, pour l'impression sur une feuille du montant des affranchissements effectués et, éventuellement, du montant restant disponible et du nombre d'articles affranchis, à l'aide des têtes 1 et 2 ou de préférence la seule tête 2 alors que la commande de la tête 1 est inhibée,
  • en adressage des articles, pour l'impression de l'adresse complète ou partielle des destinataires ou du code postal de destination, sur les articles eux-mêmes ou sur des étiquettes à apposer sur les articles, à l'aide des têtes 1 et 2 ou de préférence la seule tête 2 alors que la commande de la tête 1 est inhibée,
  • en composition de données fixes d'expédition, en particulier des données de définition d'une flamme publicitaire, par analyse d'un graphisme original de la flamme, ou des données de définition d'adresses, par analyse des adresses initialement imprimées, à l'aide d'une tête d'analyse, montée en lieu et place de la tête à jet d'encre 2 et comportant une rangée d'éléments d'analyse correspondant à la rangée de buses 2B de la tête 2 précitée, qui assure l'élaboration ordonnée de ces données fixes pour la machine utilisées ultérieurement en affranchissement, ou en adressage, pendant que la commande de la tête 1 est inhibée.
The keyboard 71 constitutes a means of access for the operator to the control circuit. It allows in particular the re-entry of digital data of postage values. It also allows the selection of an operating mode of use of the machine among several possible modes for which the machine is designed. These different modes of use of the machine are:
  • in franking of articles, which is the main mode of use of the machine for the printing of a franking stamp and the sticker of the office of attachment of the machine, using the jet head d ink 1, simultaneously with the printing of an advertising flame, when it is desired, using the ink jet head 2,
  • by editing an account slip relating to the franking operations carried out, for printing on a sheet the amount of postage paid and, possibly, the amount remaining available and the number of items franked, using the heads 1 and 2 or preferably the only head 2 while the control of head 1 is inhibited,
  • when addressing items, for printing the complete or partial address of recipients or the destination postal code, on the items themselves or on labels to be affixed to the items, using heads 1 and 2 or preferably only the head 2 while the control of the head 1 is inhibited,
  • in the composition of fixed shipping data, in particular data for defining an advertising flame, by analysis of an original graphic of the flame, or data for defining addresses, by analysis of the addresses initially printed, on the using an analysis head, mounted in place of the ink jet head 2 and comprising a row of analysis elements corresponding to the row of nozzles 2B of the aforementioned head 2, which ensures the orderly preparation of these fixed data for the machine used later in franking, or in addressing, while the command of the head 1 is inhibited.

L'écran d'affichage 72 permet de visualiser les données numériques ou alphanumériques rentrées par le clavier ou des pictogrammes préalablement mémorisés qui indiquent chacun un mode d'utilisation sélectionné.The display screen 72 makes it possible to display the digital or alphanumeric data entered by the keyboard or previously stored pictograms which each indicate a selected mode of use.

Le circuit de commande 70 est avantageusement porté par une carte de commande montée sous la partie horizontale arrière de la paroi supérieure de la machine, comme montré dans la figure 2. Il est illustré sous forme d'un schéma-bloc dans la figure 3. Il comporte :

  • un ensemble de mémoires 75, dans lequel on a illustré séparémment une mémoire non volatile 76, constituant la mémoire des compteurs financiers et du nombre d'affranchissements de la machine, une mémoire 77 constituant une source de données de définition du timbre et de la vignette du bureau d'attache, sans le montant d'affranchissement et la date qui sont des données variables rentrées par le clavier ou un autre moyen, une mémoire 78 constituant une source de données fixes de définition d'une flamme publicitaire et une mémoire 79 constituant une source d'autres données fixes de définition d'adresses d'expédition de courrier ;
  • un microprocesseur de commande 80, couplé aux mémoires de l'ensemble 75, selon les flèches indiquées,
  • des circuits d'interface 81 à 85 couplés d'une part au microprocesseur 80 et d'autre part individuellement à l'écran d'affichage, au clavier, aux têtes, aux moteurs de commande et aux capteurs de la machine, dont les références ont été rappelées entre parenthèses en regard des différents circuits d'interfaces, avec une flèche double ou simple, selon le cas, pour traduire le sens des commandes résultantes.
The control circuit 70 is advantageously carried by a control card mounted under the rear horizontal part of the upper wall of the machine, as shown in FIG. 2. It is illustrated in the form of a block diagram in FIG. 3. It comprises :
  • a set of memories 75, in which a non-volatile memory 76 has been illustrated separately, constituting the memory of the financial meters and of the number of frankings of the machine, a memory 77 constituting a data source for defining the stamp and the sticker from the home office, without the amount of postage and the date which are variable data entered by the keyboard or other means, a memory 78 constituting a source of fixed data defining an advertising flame and a memory 79 constituting a source of other fixed data for sending mailing addresses;
  • a control microprocessor 80, coupled to the memories of the assembly 75, according to the arrows indicated,
  • interface circuits 81 to 85 coupled on the one hand to the microprocessor 80 and on the other hand individually to the display screen, the keyboard, the heads, the control motors and the sensors of the machine, the references of which have been recalled in parentheses opposite the different interface circuits, with a double or single arrow, as the case may be, to translate the meaning of the resulting commands.

Il comporte, en outre, un circuit d'interface financier 87, pour l'exploitation des données comptables enregistrées dans la mémoire 76, en vue de l'édition d'un bordereau et le cas échéant pour le chargement de fonds dans la machine, couplé au microprocesseur 80. Ce circuit d'interface 87 est lui-même raccordable à un dispositif extérieur de commande de chargement de fonds, connu en tant que tel et non illustré.It further comprises a financial interface circuit 87, for the exploitation of the accounting data recorded in the memory 76, for the edition of a slip and if necessary for the loading of funds into the machine, coupled to microprocessor 80. This interface circuit 87 is itself connectable to a device external fund loading control, known as such and not illustrated.

Dans ce circuit de commande 70, en regard du circuit d'interface 83 avec les têtes, on a associé à la référence 2 désignant la tête d'impression à jet d'encre utilisée dans la machine selon la figure 1, une référence 2′ désignant la tête d'analyse qui peut la remplacer pour l'élaboration ordonnée de données de définition de flamme publicitaire ou d'adressage. Ces données issues d'analyse assurée par la tête 2′ sont alors chargées dans la mémoire 78 ou 79 correspondante, alors que les autres mémoires sont inhibées.In this control circuit 70, opposite the interface circuit 83 with the heads, there is associated with the reference 2 designating the ink jet print head used in the machine according to FIG. 1, a reference 2 ′ designating the analysis head which can replace it for the orderly preparation of advertising flame definition or addressing data. These data from analysis provided by the head 2 ′ are then loaded into the corresponding memory 78 or 79, while the other memories are inhibited.

Le traitement effectué sur un article résulte de la sélection du mode d'utilisation de la machine par le clavier. Le cycle de traitement se déroule après une étape préliminaire qui le déclenche. Son déroulement est identique quel que soit le traitement réalisé par la machine. L'étape préliminaire correspond à l'introduction de l'article dans la machine. La machine est initialement au repos, avec la partie saillante 25A de la came 25 contre le galet 61 du levier 60 et avec les doigts presseurs 56, 57 rétractés sous la plaque d'introduction 33 pour la libre insertion de l'article dans la fente 32. Pendant cette étape préliminaire, les têtes 1 et 2 sont en position de repos et à distance importante relativement à l'article. La fin de l'étape d'introduction est donnée par le doigt de contact 37 lorsqu'il détecte la présence de l'article, alors sous les têtes. Elle déclenche le cycle de traitement.The processing carried out on an article results from the selection of the mode of use of the machine by the keyboard. The treatment cycle takes place after a preliminary stage which triggers it. Its course is identical whatever the treatment carried out by the machine. The preliminary stage corresponds to the introduction of the article into the machine. The machine is initially at rest, with the projecting part 25A of the cam 25 against the roller 61 of the lever 60 and with the pressing fingers 56, 57 retracted under the introduction plate 33 for the free insertion of the article into the slot 32. During this preliminary step, the heads 1 and 2 are in the rest position and at a considerable distance relative to the article. The end of the introduction step is given by the contact finger 37 when it detects the presence of the article, then under the heads. It triggers the treatment cycle.

Ce cycle de traitement se déroule sous le contrôle du microprocesseur en deux phases successives dites phases de traitement pour la première et phase de retour pour la deuxième.This processing cycle takes place under the control of the microprocessor in two successive phases called processing phases for the first and return phase for the second.

La phase de traitement démarre par la commande réalisée par le doigt de contact 37. Quand ce doigt a détecté l'article il excite le moteur de commande en Y 20. L'arbre de commande 18 est entraîné dans le sens contraire des aiguilles d'une montre. La came 25 qu'il porte a sa partie saillante 25A qui échappe au galet 61 du levier 60. Par sa partie 25B contre le galet 61, les doigts presseurs 56, 57 se relèvent sous l'action des ressorts 58. Ces doigts presseurs 56, 57 viennent à travers la plaque d'introduction 33 dans la fente et pressent l'article contre la plaque d'impression 34. Le moteur 20 reste commandé jusqu'à ce que la partie 25A de la came ait complètement échappé au galet 61 du levier 60. Cette commande correspond à une étape de mise des têtes dans leur position de travail relativement à l'article et dans leur position initiale de référence selon X et Y de début de traitement.The treatment phase starts with the control carried out by the contact finger 37. When this finger has detected the article, it excites the control motor at Y 20. The control shaft 18 is driven counterclockwise. a watch. The cam 25 which it carries has its projecting part 25A which escapes the roller 61 of the lever 60. By its part 25B against the roller 61, the pressing fingers 56, 57 are raised under the action of the springs 58. These pressing fingers 56 , 57 come through the introduction plate 33 in the slot and press the article against the printing plate 34. The motor 20 remains controlled until the part 25A of the cam has completely escaped from the roller 61 of the lever 60. This command corresponds to a step of placing the heads in their working position relative to the article and in their initial reference position according to X and Y at the start of treatment.

Pour le cycle de traitement les têtes restent en position de travail relativement à l'article.For the treatment cycle the heads remain in the working position relative to the article.

Au cours de la phase de traitement, cette étape de mise des têtes en position de travail est suivie de l'étape de traitement. L'étape de traitement est assurée par commande alternée des moteurs 10 et 20, dans un sens puis l'autre pour le moteur 10 et dans le même sens pour le moteur 20. Les commandes du moteur X permettent le balayage de lignes successives selon la direction X de deux zones à imprimer par les deux têtes simultanément. Les commandes du moteur Y permettent le passage d'une ligne de balayage à la suivante ; chaque avance selon la direction Y correspond à la longueur de chaque rangée de buses. Le nombre de pas du moteur 10 permet de détecter la fin de chaque ligne et de commander le passage à la ligne suivante. Son évolution permet de commander le traitement d'impression ou éventuellement d'analyse, en synchronisme avec le déplacement le long de chaque ligne. Le nombre de pas du moteur 20 permet de détecter le passage d'une ligne à la suivante, le nombre de lignes balayées et la fin de cette phase de traitement.During the treatment phase, this step of placing the heads in the working position is followed by the treatment step. The processing step is carried out by alternating control of the motors 10 and 20, in one direction then the other for the motor 10 and in the same direction for the motor 20. The controls of the motor X allow the scanning of successive lines according to the direction X of two areas to be printed by both heads simultaneously. The Y motor controls allow passage from one scan line to the next; each advance in direction Y corresponds to the length of each row of nozzles. The number of steps of the motor 10 makes it possible to detect the end of each line and to control the passage to the next line. Its evolution makes it possible to control the printing or possibly analysis processing, in synchronism with the movement along each line. The number of steps of the motor 20 makes it possible to detect the passage from one line to the next, the number of lines scanned and the end of this processing phase.

Les têtes balaient ainsi simultanément les deux zones qui leur sont individuellement affectées sur l'article. La trace de leurs mouvements correspond à deux courbes en forme de grecque allongée. Le traitement d'impression ou éventuellement d'analyse est réalisé au cours du balayage des lignes selon la direction X parcourues alternativement dans un sens et l'autre.The heads thus simultaneously scan the two zones which are individually assigned to them on the article. The trace of their movements corresponds to two curves in the form of an elongated Greek. The printing or possibly analysis processing is carried out during the scanning of the lines in the direction X traversed alternately in one direction and the other.

La fin de l'étape de traitement déclenche directement la phase de retour. Cette phase est assurée par inversion du sens du moteur de commande en Y jusqu'au retour de la partie saillante 25A de la came 25 contre le galet 61 du presseur.The end of the processing step directly triggers the return phase. This phase is ensured by reversing the direction of the control motor in Y until the projection 25A of the cam 25 returns against the roller 61 of the presser.

Pour cette phase de retour, le moteur 20 peut être commandé seul, pour un retour direct des têtes en position initiale de référence lorsqu'un nombre pair de lignes de balayage ont été parcourues lors de l'étape de traitement ; le moteur 10 peut également être commandé pour permettre ce retour en position initiale de référence lorsque le nombre de lignes de balayage est un nombre impair. Le moteur 10 et le moteur 20 peuvent être commandés alternativement et assurer le balayage inverse de toutes les lignes balayées au cours de l'étape de traitement. Le retour des têtes en position initiale de référence est directement suivi du retour des têtes en position de repos relativement à l'article. L'étape terminale correspondante de cette phase de retour est assurée par le moteur 20 qui ramène la partie saillante 25A de la came 25 contre le galet 61 du levier 60.For this return phase, the motor 20 can be controlled only, for a direct return of the heads to the initial reference position when an even number of scanning lines have been traversed during the processing step; the motor 10 can also be controlled to allow this return to the initial reference position when the number of scanning lines is an odd number. The motor 10 and the motor 20 can be controlled alternately and ensure reverse scanning of all the lines scanned during the processing step. The return of the heads to the initial reference position is directly followed by the return of the heads to the rest position relative to the article. The corresponding terminal stage of this return phase is provided by the motor 20 which brings the projecting part 25A of the cam 25 against the roller 61 of the lever 60.

Le cycle de traitement est totalement exécuté à l'issue de cette étape terminale de la phase de traitement. La machine est au repos et le retrait de l'article traité est rendu libre par les doigts presseurs 56, 57 alors rétractés.The treatment cycle is fully executed at the end of this terminal stage of the treatment phase. The machine is at rest and the withdrawal of the treated article is made free by the pressing fingers 56, 57 then retracted.

Au cours de la phase de traitement, les lignes successives de balayage selon X des têtes sur leurs zones respectives sont rendues contigués entre elles, par avance selon Y d'une ligne à l'autre égale à la longueur des rangées de buses. L'impression ou l'analyse d'une zone est ainsi réalisée sur toute la surface de la zone.During the treatment phase, the successive scanning lines along X of the heads on their respective zones are made contiguous to each other, in advance along Y from one line to the other equal to the length of the rows of nozzles. The printing or analysis of an area is thus carried out over the entire surface of the area.

Pour l'affranchissement des articles, les données définissant le montant d'affranchissement sont introduites par le clavier ; les données de date d'expédition sont données par une horloge interne non montrée du circuit de commande ou introduites chaque jour par le clavier, à la première mise en route de la machine. Elles sont associées aux données de définition des graphismes du timbre et de la vignette du bureau d'attache issues de la mémoire correspondante 77, au cours de l'impression. Cette dernière mémoire est avantageusement une mémoire ROM.For the franking of the articles, the data defining the amount of franking are entered by the keyboard; the shipping date data are given by an internal clock not shown on the control circuit or entered daily by the keyboard, when the machine is first started. They are associated with the definition data for the graphics of the stamp and the sticker of the home office from the corresponding memory 77, during printing. The latter memory is advantageously a ROM memory.

La machine selon l'invention est de fonctionnement simple et sûr. Elle est de réalisation peu coûteuse. Selon une example préférée de realisation, ses têtes sont amovibles sur leur support. Elles sont changées et jetées par l'utilisateur de la machine quand leur réserve interne d'encre est épuisée. Des contrôles possibles à tout moment de la durée d'utilisation de la tête d'impression 1 en place sur la machine, en regard du nombre d'affranchissements réalisés et enregistrés dans la mémoire 76, peuvent permettre des contrôles antifraudes.The machine according to the invention is simple and safe to operate. It is inexpensive to make. According to a preferred embodiment, its heads are removable on their support. They are changed and discarded by the user machine when their internal ink supply is depleted. Possible checks at any time of the duration of use of the print head 1 in place on the machine, with regard to the number of frankings made and recorded in the memory 76, can allow anti-fraud checks.

La machine selon l'invention a été décrite en regard de l'exemple de réalisation illustré. Il est évident que l'on peut apporter des modifications de détail et/ou remplacer certains moyens par d'autres équivalents dans cet exemple de réalisation, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, qui est defini par les revendications suivantes.The machine according to the invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiment. It is obvious that one can make detailed modifications and / or replace certain means by other equivalents in this embodiment, without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

Claims (15)

  1. Office machine for mailing mail items including a first print head (1) with a small number of unitary printing elements in a row on one side or base of the first print head, means (3, 8, 9, 10, 20) for moving the head relative to the mail item over the mail item and a first source (77) of data to be printed on the mail item connected to said first print head and operated synchronously with the relative displacement of the print head and the mail item, the machinefurther comprising:
    - means (32, 33, 34) for inserting one of the mail items under the first print head (1) mounted at a distance from the base of the first print head at least equal to the maximal thickness of the mail items to be processed to define an idle position of the first print head over the mail item being inserted,
    - first means (37) for sensing the presence of the mail item under the print head, triggering a mail item processing cycle,
    - means (25, 50, 60) for relative positioning of the print head and the mail item with a small and constant distance between the base of the first print head and the mail item, controlled by said first sensing means to define a working position of the first print head over the mail item for the mail item processing cycle,
    - second means (66, 67) for sensing a reference initial position of the first print head relative to the mail item for controlling, in conjunction with movement of the print head to the working position, the start and the end of the processing cycle, said machine being characterised in that said first data source (77) provides a dot matrix definition of a franking stamp and a postmark for a first printing area (41) and in that it further comprises:
    - control means (70) for said moving means (3; 8, 9, 10, 20) and the first data source (77) during the processing cycle to scan the first area on the mail item in successive lines in a first direction X transverse to the row of elements from said reference initial position and controlling the first source with the scanning of the successive lines during a first or processing phase of said cycle and for returning the print head to the reference initial position and isolating the first source and the print head during a second or return phase of said cycle.
  2. Office machine according to claim 1 for franking mail items characterised in that said first print head (1) is an inkjet print head with nozzles constituting said unitary printing elements assigned for printing on the mail item the franking stamp and postmark defined by first data from said first source (77).
  3. Office machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that it further comprises a second print head (2) with a row (2B) of unitary printing elements identical and parallel to that (1B) of the first print head fixedly mounted relative to the first print head and assigned to printing in a second area that it scans during the processing cycle a promotional device defined by second data from a second data source (78) connected to it.
  4. Office machine according to claim 3 for further generating an accounting schedule relating to franking operations performed and stored in accounting means of the machine, characterised in that said accounting means (76) are connected at least to said second print head (2) and in that it comprises means (71) for selecting operating modes of said machine from the franking mode for which during said processing cycle the two print heads (1, 2) are controlled by said first and second sources (77, 78), respectively, and a schedule output mode in which during said processing cycle only said second print head is controlled by said accounting means (76) and output of instructions from the first and second sources of data is disabled.
  5. Office machine according to claim 4 for additionally addressing mail items, characterised in that it further comprises a third source of data (79) assigned to definition of addresses for an addressing area also connected to said second print head (2) by said machine operating mode selection means (71), said machine also having a schedule output mode for which during said processing cycle only the second print head is controlled by said third source to print destination addresses on the mail items while output of instructions by the first and second data sources and the accounting means is disabled.
  6. Office machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5 for further entry of fixed mail item sending data, characterised in that it further comprises a scanning or third head (2′) with a row of individual scanning elements corresponding to the row of elements of the second print head mounted in place of and instead of the second print head and assigned to scanning a graphic contained in a third area corresponding to the second area and in that the machine operating mode selection means (71) further have a second data input mode for which during said processing cycle the ordered generation of the second data by said third head (2′) for loading of said second source (78) while the output of instructions from said first source (77) is disabled.
  7. Office machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6 characterised in that said selection means include a keypad (71) connected to a microprocessor (80) which is part of the control means (70) and are associated with a screen (72) displaying each operating mode.
  8. Office machine according to any one of claims 3 to 7 characterised in that said moving means are connected to the print heads only and include a slider (3) carrying the print heads (1, 2, 2′) driven in the first direction (X) and a transverse second direction (Y) above the mail item which is held fixed in position in the insertion means (32) by said positioning means (50).
  9. Office machine according to claim 8 characterised in that said insertion means include a fixed bottom plate (33) on which the mail item is inserted under the print heads and an apertured top plate (34) also fixed in position and mounted directly under the print heads, an insertion slot (32) being delimited between the two plates, and the positioning means include a presser assembly (50) with presser fingers (56, 57) selectively retracted under the insertion plate or projecting through it.
  10. Office machine according to claim 9 characterised in that it comprises interface means (60, 25) between said presser assembly (50) and said moving means (20, 18) of the slider (3) for actuating the set of presser fingers (56, 57) from their retracted position to their position in which they project through the insertion plate (33) when the mail item being inserted is sensed under the print heads.
  11. Office machine according to claim 10 characterised in that said interface means include a cam (25) mounted on a drive shaft (18) of the control means (20) of the slider (3) in the second direction (Y) and a lever (60) bearing against the cam and actuating said presser assembly (50), said cam having a tooth (25A) projecting on its periphery assigned to holding each print head in said idle position over the mail item and controlling the initiation and the end of the processing cycle.
  12. Office machine according to claim 11 characterised in that said second sensing means include a sensing finger (66) on the slider (3) and an associated fixed cell (67) initiating said processing phase.
  13. Office machine according to any one of claims 10 to 12 characterised in that said moving means include a first motor (10) for driving the slider in the X direction and a second motor (20) for driving the slider in the Y direction, energised alternately, the first motor in alternate directions and the second always in the same direction, during said processing phase, and at least the second motor being energised in the reverse direction during said return phase.
  14. Office machine according to claim 13 characterised in that said first and second motors (10, 20) are stepper motors who stepwise advances are sensed along each scanning line in the X direction for the first and from one line to the next for the second for their control one from the other by said control means (70) including a microprocessor (80).
  15. Office machine according to claim 14 characterised in that said slider (3) is mounted to move on cross-braced rods (4) between a pair of flanges (8, 9) and said flanges are mounted to move on guide columns (12) transverse to the rods, said first motor (10) driving the slider (3) on said rods and the second motor (20) driving the flanges on said columns.
EP19900111867 1989-06-30 1990-06-22 Office machine for expediting postal articles Expired - Lifetime EP0405356B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8908827 1989-06-30
FR8908827A FR2649231B1 (en) 1989-06-30 1989-06-30 MACHINE FOR POSTAL ITEMS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0405356A1 EP0405356A1 (en) 1991-01-02
EP0405356B1 true EP0405356B1 (en) 1994-11-02

Family

ID=9383355

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19900111867 Expired - Lifetime EP0405356B1 (en) 1989-06-30 1990-06-22 Office machine for expediting postal articles

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0405356B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69013768T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2649231B1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0825562A2 (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-02-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for remotely changing security features of a postage meter
US5830221A (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-11-03 United States Surgical Corporation Coil fastener applier
US6007178A (en) * 1996-08-23 1999-12-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Drive gear system using a single motor for a priming operation and driving a platen in a postage meter
US6692166B2 (en) 2001-03-21 2004-02-17 Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Franking machine with a clamping device for an item of mail
US6709087B2 (en) 2001-03-21 2004-03-23 Francotyp Postalia Ag & Co. Printing device
US6752079B2 (en) 1999-12-21 2004-06-22 Neopost Limited Mail retaining apparatus

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19644847A1 (en) * 1996-10-29 1998-04-30 Mettler Toledo Gmbh Self-service handling device for a piece of mail
FR2766757A1 (en) * 1997-08-01 1999-02-05 Secap Image printing device for franking machine
FR2783338B1 (en) * 1998-09-14 2000-11-17 Secap COMPACT POSTAGE MACHINE WITH INK JET AND MANUAL INSERTION
EP2902975B1 (en) 2014-01-31 2017-10-25 Neopost Technologies Entry-level office mailing machine

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1088371A (en) * 1977-10-11 1980-10-28 Geoff Ferguson Noise-reduced movable imprinting deck
US4319328A (en) * 1980-02-27 1982-03-09 Sabre Products, Inc. Postage cost recording system
IT1162897B (en) * 1983-07-08 1987-04-01 Telefonia Automazione Elettron STAMPING EQUIPMENT
US4580144A (en) * 1984-08-20 1986-04-01 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postal fixed and variable data thermal printer
US4705413A (en) * 1986-07-18 1987-11-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Thickness compensating means for mailing machine
GB8714192D0 (en) * 1987-06-17 1987-07-22 Roneo Alcatel Ltd Franking machine
GB2208367B (en) * 1987-07-09 1991-07-03 Alcatel Business Systems Franking machine
US4787311A (en) * 1987-08-19 1988-11-29 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing machine envelope transport system
US4831273A (en) * 1987-10-29 1989-05-16 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mailing machine sensing device

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0825562A2 (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-02-25 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for remotely changing security features of a postage meter
US6007178A (en) * 1996-08-23 1999-12-28 Pitney Bowes Inc. Drive gear system using a single motor for a priming operation and driving a platen in a postage meter
US5830221A (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-11-03 United States Surgical Corporation Coil fastener applier
US6752079B2 (en) 1999-12-21 2004-06-22 Neopost Limited Mail retaining apparatus
US6692166B2 (en) 2001-03-21 2004-02-17 Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Franking machine with a clamping device for an item of mail
US6709087B2 (en) 2001-03-21 2004-03-23 Francotyp Postalia Ag & Co. Printing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69013768D1 (en) 1994-12-08
EP0405356A1 (en) 1991-01-02
DE69013768T2 (en) 1995-03-09
FR2649231A1 (en) 1991-01-04
FR2649231B1 (en) 1991-09-13

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