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US 4,412,491 AGranted
System for sensing an inking member in a value printing device
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsDanilo P. Buan, Alton B. Eckert, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A value printing device, such as a postage meter, is provided with a switch for automatically signaling when a new inking member unit has been inserted into the device. The switch has a piercing member that closes the switch when a membrane or cover over an opening in the inking member is overcome by the piercing member.
Claims7
In a value printing device, a system for electronically sensing the presence of a new inking member, comprising:
- (a) a cartridge having a housing containing an inking member, the housing having an opening with a detachable member therein;
- (b) sensing means comprising:
- i. contacting means mounted in said device substantially in alignment with said housing opening;
- and
- ii. electrical sensing means mounted stationary within the device and activatible by said contact means for generating signals;
- and
- (c) means for moving said cartridge with respect to said sensing means such that said contact means is caused to enter said housing opening upon movement of said cartridge;
- wherein when said contacting means contacts said detachable member is displace the same from said opening;
- said electrical sensing means is caused to generate at least one of said signals in response to the force exerted on said contacting means by said detachable means.
6 more elements
In a value printing device, a system for electronically sensing the presence of a new inking member, comprising:
- (a) a cartridge having a housing containing an inking member, the housing having an opening in a surface thereof, the opening being covered by a pierceable membrane;
- (b) sensing means comprising:
- i. piercing means mounted in said device substantially in alignment with said housing opening;
- and
- ii. electric sensing means activatible by said contact means for generating signals;
- and
- (c) means for causing relative movement between said cartridge and said sensing means such that said piercing means is caused to enter said housing opening during said relative movement;
- wherein when said piercing means enters said opening and pierces said membrane, said electrical sensing means is caused to generate at least one of said signals in response to the piercing force exerted on said piercing means.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.