Patent US3597076A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3597076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Label-making system
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-17
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A deck of tabulating cards having names and addresses printed thereon in legible form is used as a master mailing list. The cards are passed through a photocopying machine which, in addition to the usual document copying facilities, has equipment for tabulating card handling. The cards are copied automatically in rapid sequence and in overlapping relationship, so that a series of names and addresses is printed on a continuous strip of copy paper with a minimum of blank space between. Various aspects of the operation of a conventional photocopying machine are altered to achieve a continuous card copying cycle. A continuous output strip emerges from the photocopying machine, and is subsequently processed by conventional labeling machinery which severs the strip into individual address labels and glues these to respective pieces of mail.
Inventors
- 👤 David W Hubbard
- 👤 Andrew W Rastorguyeff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:34
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/28; B; B41; B41L; B41L45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In a photocopy machine having an illuminating station, a document entrance to said illuminating station, means for moving material through said illuminating station, and a document exit from said illuminating station, the improvement comprising: a record card supply hopper on said machine, means for delivering record cards sequentially from said hopper to said illuminating station, a record card exit means from said illuminating station, a docUment exit means from said illuminating station separate from said record card exit means, and means for selectively directing said material through said record card exit means or said document exit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a photocopy machine having an illuminating station, a document entrance to said illuminating station, means for moving material through said illuminating station, and a document exit from said illuminating station, the improvement comprising: a record card supply hopper on said machine, means for delivering record cards sequentially from said hopper to said illuminating station, a record card exit means from said illuminating station, a docUment exit means from said illuminating station separate from said record card exit means, and means for selectively directing said material through said record card exit means or said document exit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a photocopy machine as in claim 1, the additional improvement comprising: a gate member moveable between a position in which to divert to said document exit means any material issuing from said illuminating station, and a position in which to divert said material to said record card exit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a photocopying machine having a station for copying material, means for moving said material through said copying station, means for storing an elongated strip of copy paper, printing means, means for feeding said copy paper strip longitudinally through said printing means, means for correlating the operation of said copy paper feeding means with the passage of an original document through said machine, and means including a knife for severing said copy paper strip to the length of said original document; the improvement comprising: a record card supply hopper on said machine; means for delivering cards sequentially from said hopper to said station for copying; card mode selecting means; means responsive to said card mode selecting means for disabling said correlating means to keep said copy paper feeding means operating while a plurality of cards are copied whereby to distribute the copies of said cards along the length of said copy paper strip; and means responsive to said card mode selecting means for disabling said severing means during the copying of said cards whereby to create a continuous strip of said copies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a photocopying machine having a station for copying material, means for moving said material through said copying station, means for storing an elongated strip of copy paper, printing means, means for feeding said copy paper strip longitudinally through said printing means, means for correlating the operation of said copy paper feeding means with the passage of an original document through said machine, and means including a knife for severing said copy paper strip to the length of said original document; the improvement comprising: a record card supply hopper on said machine; means for delivering cards sequentially from said hopper to said station for copying; card mode selecting means; means responsive to said card mode selecting means for disabling said correlating means to keep said copy paper feeding means operating while a plurality of cards are copied whereby to distribute the copies of said cards along the length of said copy paper strip; and means responsive to said card mode selecting means for disabling said severing means during the copying of said cards whereby to create a continuous strip of said copies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a machine as in claim 3 including means for driving said copy paper feed means, and an exit through which said continuous copy paper strip emerges from said machine after printing, the additional improvement comprising: means adjacent said exit for reeling up said continuous strip, said real-up means being driven by said copy paper feed drive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 3 further comprising: means for disabling said machine, and means for sensing at least one of the following materials; said record cards in said hopper or said copy paper supply; said sensing means being conditioned by said card mode selecting means to actuate said machine-disabling means whereby to interrupt said card copying operation when said material is not sensed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 5 further comprising: means responsive to said sensing means to actuate said severing means notwithstanding said disabling means, said sensing means being arranged to sense said record cards in said hopper, whereby to sever said copy paper strip when copying of the record cards in said hopper is completed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said machine-disabling means is effective to interrupt said record card delivery means, and said sensing means is arranged to sense said copy paper in said storage means, whereby to stop feeding cards when said copy paper supply is exhausted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said machine-disabling means is also effective to terminate the operation of said paper feeding means when said copy paper supply is exhausted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said sensing means comprises a first device for sensing said record cards in said hopper and a second device for sensing said copy paper supply, said machine-disabling means being connected to both said first and second sensing devices to interrupt said record card delivery means when either said record cards are exhausted or said copy paper supply is exhausted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a machine as in claim 9 wherein said severing means includes electrically actuated means for operating said knife, and said machine includes respective electrically actuated means for interrupting said record card delivery means and for operating said copy paper feed means, the additional improvement comprising: respective circuits for energizing said knife operator, a first switCh responsive to said first sensing device, a second switch in parallel with said first switch and responsive to said second sensing device, said switches being connected to interrupt said copy paper feed operator circuit and energize said knife operator circuit when either said record cards or said copy paper are exhausted, a circuit for energizing said record card delivery interrupter, and a third switch responsive to said second sensing device to energize said interrupter circuit whereby to interrupt the delivery of said record cards when said copy paper is exhausted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a photocopy machine having a copying station, means for advancing document material through said copying station and continuously operating drive means connected to said advancing means for driving the latter, the improvement comprising: a record card supply hopper on said machine, card feed means for removing said cards from said hopper and transporting them toward said copying station, a shaft connecting said card feed means to said drive means for normally continuously driving said card feed means, and clutch means interposed between said shaft and said drive means for engaging and disengaging said shaft with said drive means whereby to start and stop the feeding of said record cards independently of operation of said document material advancing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a photocopy machine having a copying station, means for advancing document material through said copying station and continuously operating drive means connected to said advancing means for driving the latter, the improvement comprising: a record card supply hopper on said machine, card feed means for removing said cards from said hopper and transporting them toward said copying station, a shaft connecting said card feed means to said drive means for normally continuously driving said card feed means, and clutch means interposed between said shaft and said drive means for engaging and disengaging said shaft with said drive means whereby to start and stop the feeding of said record cards independently of operation of said document material advancing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said card feed means comprises rollers rotatably driven by said shaft and cooperating to propel said record cards toward said copying station, picker means reciprocating to remove successive record cards from said hopper and deliver them to said rollers, and a crank mechanism for reciprocating said picker means, said crank mechanism including wheel means rotatably driven by said shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
122 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said clutch means comprises a driving hub on said shaft rotatable relative thereto and engaged with said drive train, a driving hub affixed to said shaft for rotation therewith, a coil spring surrounding said driving and driven hubs, means anchoring one end of said coil spring relative to said driven hub, said coil spring normally clutching said driving hub for rotation therewith, means moveable between a position for blocking the free end of said coil spring to prevent it from rotating with said driving hub whereby to disrupt said clutching relationship, and a position for freeing said spring end whereby to restore said clutching relationship, and an actuator for moving said blocking means between said positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention of claim 13 comprising first stop means fixed relative to said shaft, second stop means movable toward and away from a position of engagement with said first stop means at a fixed angular position relative to said shaft to stop rotation of said shaft at said angular position, and means responsive to the movement of said blocking means to its declutching position to move said second stop means into engagement with said first stop means upon declutching.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said declutching responsive means includes a spring biasing said second stop means into engagement with said first stop means during declutching, said blocking means being operative to drive said second stop means out of said engagement in opposition to said spring when moving to its clutching position, and to release said second stop means when moved to its declutching position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said machine further comprises means pivotally supporting said hopper whereby said hopper may be rotated to provide access to said card feed means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention of claim 16 further comprising a copying station, means for feeding documents through said copying station, means positioned for guide said record cards from said card feeding means to said document feeding means for subsequent delivery to said copying station, and means pivotally supporting said guide means and pivotally connecting it to said hopper for movement therewith to provide aCcess to said card feed means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a photocopying machine having a copying station, the improvement comprising: means for supplying a continuous series of record cards to said copying station, an exit channel from said copying station for said record cards, an output bin to collect record cards emerging from said exit channel, and a vertically floating card catcher mechanism in said bin comprising a card catcher tray, vertical rail means disposed eccentrically of said tray, paired wheels rotatably mounted on said tray and arranged to clasp said rail means therebetween in response to the weight of said tray whereby to mount said tray for vertical wheeled movement on said rail means, and a counterbalancing spring mechanism biasing said tray upwardly and yielding in proportion to the increasing weight of record cards thereon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a photocopying machine having a copying station, the improvement comprising: means for supplying a continuous series of record cards to said copying station, an exit channel from said copying station for said record cards, an output bin to collect record cards emerging from said exit channel, and a vertically floating card catcher mechanism in said bin comprising a card catcher tray, vertical rail means disposed eccentrically of said tray, paired wheels rotatably mounted on said tray and arranged to clasp said rail means therebetween in response to the weight of said tray whereby to mount said tray for vertical wheeled movement on said rail means, and a counterbalancing spring mechanism biasing said tray upwardly and yielding in proportion to the increasing weight of record cards thereon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a photocopying machine having means for retaining a supply of copy paper in continuous strip form, printing means, a copy paper exit, and motor driven means for conveying said copy paper from said retaining means through said printing means to said exit, the improvement comprising: a takeup reel near said exit, and a drive mechanism operated by said motor driven means for rotating said takeup reel to wind up said continuous copy paper strip, said conveying means comprising a plurality of rollers at least one of which is driven, means connecting said driven roller to drive the remainder, said connecting means including belts looped over said roller for conveying said copy paper strip to said exit, said takeup reel being secured to a shaft for rotation thereby, means rotatably supporting said shaft and reel, said shaft having an enlarged rim drivingly secured thereto, said rim having a substantially larger diameter than said takeup reel and being in driving engagement with one of said rollers, whereby said rim drives said reel and supports it above the roller which engages said rim.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a photocopying machine having means for retaining a supply of copy paper in continuous strip form, printing means, a copy paper exit, and motor driven means for conveying said copy paper from said retaining means through said printing means to said exit, the improvement comprising: a takeup reel near said exit, and a drive mechanism operated by said motor driven means for rotating said takeup reel to wind up said continuous copy paper strip, said conveying means comprising a plurality of rollers at least one of which is driven, means connecting said driven roller to drive the remainder, said connecting means including belts looped over said roller for conveying said copy paper strip to said exit, said takeup reel being secured to a shaft for rotation thereby, means rotatably supporting said shaft and reel, said shaft having an enlarged rim drivingly secured thereto, said rim having a substantially larger diameter than said takeup reel and being in driving engagement with one of said rollers, whereby said rim drives said reel and supports it above the roller which engages said rim.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 19 wherein said shaft supporting means comprises a bracket having spaced arms extending therefrom to support opposite ends of said shaft, said arms slanting so that said shaft rolls downwardly thereon to bring said rim into gravity biased driving engagement with said roller, and means for supporting said bracket.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a photocopying machine having a copying station, a document feed channel terminating upstream of said copying station, document feed rollers positioned to receive documents emerging from said channel and deliver them to said copying station, and drive means for said document feed rollers, the improvement comprising a card supply hopper on said machine means driven by said drive means for extracting successive cards from said hopper, including card feed rollers positioned to grip said successive cards and driven by said drive means to convey said successive cards toward said document feed rollers, and a plate for guiding said cards into engagement with said document feed rollers for subsequent transportation through said copying station, said card feed rollers being driven at a higher linear speed than said document feed rollers, whereby said cards reach said copying station in overlapped relationship for the production of a more compact copy thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a photocopying machine having a copying station, a document feed channel terminating upstream of said copying station, document feed rollers positioned to receive documents emerging from said channel and deliver them to said copying station, and drive means for said document feed rollers, the improvement comprising a card supply hopper on said machine means driven by said drive means for extracting successive cards from said hopper, including card feed rollers positioned to grip said successive cards and driven by said drive means to convey said successive cards toward said document feed rollers, and a plate for guiding said cards into engagement with said document feed rollers for subsequent transportation through said copying station, said card feed rollers being driven at a higher linear speed than said document feed rollers, whereby said cards reach said copying station in overlapped relationship for the production of a more compact copy thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 21 further comprising means pivotally mounting said card supply hopper and guide plate on said machine for rotation thereof to provide access to said card extracting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 22 comprising further means pivoting said guide plate to said card supply hopper for joint pivotal movement relative to said machine and relative to each other.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a photocopying machine including means for storing copy paper, a printing station, clutched means for feeding said copy paper to said printing station, a solenoid for controlling the clutching of said paper feed means, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, a copying station, a channel for inserting a document into said copying station, and means incLuding an electrical switch for sensing said document in said channel and completing the energizing circuit of said solenoid to feed said paper only during the passage of said document, the improvement comprising manual feed control means arranged to close said document sensing switch indefinitely whereby to feed an indeterminate length of said copy paper, a record card supply hopper on said machine, and means for feeding a stream of record cards from said supply hopper to said copying station to create an elongated photocopy of successive cards on said length of copy paper.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
150 words
In a photocopying machine including means for storing copy paper, a printing station, clutched means for feeding said copy paper to said printing station, a solenoid for controlling the clutching of said paper feed means, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, a copying station, a channel for inserting a document into said copying station, and means incLuding an electrical switch for sensing said document in said channel and completing the energizing circuit of said solenoid to feed said paper only during the passage of said document, the improvement comprising manual feed control means arranged to close said document sensing switch indefinitely whereby to feed an indeterminate length of said copy paper, a record card supply hopper on said machine, and means for feeding a stream of record cards from said supply hopper to said copying station to create an elongated photocopy of successive cards on said length of copy paper.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a machine as in claim 24 including electrically actuated copying means and means including an electrical switch responsive to said document sensing switch for turning on said copying means after said document is sensed thereby, the additional improvement comprising a clutch for engaging said card feed means, and a solenoid for engaging said clutch, said clutch solenoid being connected for energization under control of said copying means switch whereby to feed said cards only when said copying means is turned on.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 24 further comprising means for latching said manual feed control means in position to lock said document sensing switch in its closed condition, and means for thereafter unlatching said manual feed control means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 25 further comprising a solenoid and means connecting said solenoid to release said latching means to terminate copy paper feed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
121 words
The invention of claim 27 wherein said sensing switch has a feeler arm interposes in said channel, said manual feed control means comprises a lever for manual operation, an actuator, means on said actuator extending toward said channel for engagement with said feeler arm to close said switch, and means movable in response to said lever to move said actuator so that said means engages said feeler arm, said latching means comprises a segment moveable with said moveable means and formed with detents, and spring-loaded means engaging said detents to latch said segment and said moveable means in position to lock said switch, and said solenoid has an armature responsive thereto and a linkage connecting said armature to dislodge said segment.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 27 further comprising means for sensing at least one of the following materials; said copy paper supply or said cards in said supply hopper; and for energizing said latch release solenoid in the absence of said sensed material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |