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US 5,325,773 AGranted
Multi-value dispensing apparatus
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorFlavio M. Manduley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is concerned with a low cost postage value generating apparatus wherein the number of postage imprints are determined rather than an accounting of the postage value. The apparatus has two movable print heads each having a single value font. This device is able to print multi-values by using multiple impressions of the two print heads. Because of this, the number of imprints gives a representation of the total postage value dispensed.
Claims11
A value dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a housing,
- a plurality of printheads each having a single fixed value font supported in said housing,
- a pair of counters supported within said housing,
- a platen,
- said printheads spaced from and movable relative to said platen for contact therewith,
- a plurality of activators, each activator being supported by one of said printheads, each of said activators having means for communicating with one of said counters for incrementing each of said counters one unit so as to count the number of contacts between each one of said printhead and said platen, and disabling means in communication with said counters and said printheads for rendering a printhead in a non-printable state upon its respective counter attaining a zero value.
3 more elements
A value dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion movable relative to one another and forming a housing slot therebetween,
- a pair of printheads movably supported by said upper portion of said housing and having a single fixed value font receivable within said housing slot,
- a pair of counters supported with said housing one of said counters in communication with one of said printheads,
- a platen,
- said printheads spaced from and movable relative to said platen for contact with said value fonts, and
- a pair of activators, each activator being supported by one of said printheads, each of said activators having means for communication with one of said counters for incrementing a counter one unit upon its respective printhead contacting said platen, and disabling means in communicating with said counters and said printheads for rendering a printhead in a non-printable state upon its respective counter attaining a zero value.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.