Patent US4947333A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4947333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Batch mailing system
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1989-11-14
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for processing batch mail in which the need for on-site inspection is unnecessary. The mail sender purchases postage from a central station thereby authorizing him to send mail equal to the amount of postage purchased. The mail sender processes batches of mail each of which is accompanied by a statement summarizing the type and number of mail pieces sent and amount of postage for each batch. The statement contains data that allows mail payment verification.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald P. Sansone
- 👤 Richard A. Connell
- 👤 Patricia Corsetti
- 👤 Donald T. Dolan
- 👤 George G. Gelfer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:56
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00733; G07B2017/00048; G07B2017/00056; G07B2017/00088; G07B2017/00096; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00169; G07B2017/00177; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07B2017/00201; G07B2017/00225; G07B2017/00483; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00596; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for processing a batch of mail pieces wherein at least some said mail pieces are comprised of a combination of an envelopes and an insert; said system comprising: means for accounting; first means, in communication with said accounting means, for printing postage data on a statement sheet to print a verifiable statement on said statement to enable verification of payment of postage for said batch of mail pieces; means for generating mail data; second means for printing, in communication with said mail data generating means and said accounting means, for printing postage data and said mail data upon each mail piece of said batch of mail pieces; and means for inserting an insert into at least one of said envelopes, said inserting means being in communication with said accounting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for processing a batch of mail pieces wherein at least some said mail pieces are comprised of a combination of an envelopes and an insert; said system comprising: means for accounting; first means, in communication with said accounting means, for printing postage data on a statement sheet to print a verifiable statement on said statement to enable verification of payment of postage for said batch of mail pieces; means for generating mail data; second means for printing, in communication with said mail data generating means and said accounting means, for printing postage data and said mail data upon each mail piece of said batch of mail pieces; and means for inserting an insert into at least one of said envelopes, said inserting means being in communication with said accounting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second printing means includes a first printer for printing mail data on said insert and a second printer for printing postage data upon said envelope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said accounting unit includes a descending register for storing postage value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said accounting unit contains a memory having an identification number stored therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 further including means, in communication with said accounting unit, for adjusting the postage value amount in said descending register.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first printer is a secure printer and said second printer is a high speed printer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said first printer is a dot matrix printer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said accounting unit is operable to receive a recording medium and write postage data thereon.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for processing a batch of mail pieces, wherein at least some of said mail pieces are comprised of a combination of an envelope and an insert, comprising; a central station operative to dispense and receive postage data; a user location having means for accoutring in communication with said central station; first means for printing a verifiable statement on a statement sheet to enable verification of payment of postage for said batch of mail pieces, said first printing means being in communication with said accounting means; a processor operative to generate mail data; a second means for printing, said second printing means being in communication with said processor and said accounting means for printing mail and postage data; means for supplying a plurality of inserts to said second printing means; and means for inserting said inserts into an envelope, said inserting means being in communication with said accounting means such that data relative to said inserts being processed may be supplied to said accounting means and to said central station.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for processing a batch of mail pieces, wherein at least some of said mail pieces are comprised of a combination of an envelope and an insert, comprising; a central station operative to dispense and receive postage data; a user location having means for accoutring in communication with said central station; first means for printing a verifiable statement on a statement sheet to enable verification of payment of postage for said batch of mail pieces, said first printing means being in communication with said accounting means; a processor operative to generate mail data; a second means for printing, said second printing means being in communication with said processor and said accounting means for printing mail and postage data; means for supplying a plurality of inserts to said second printing means; and means for inserting said inserts into an envelope, said inserting means being in communication with said accounting means such that data relative to said inserts being processed may be supplied to said accounting means and to said central station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said accounting unit includes a descending register for storing postage value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said accounting unit includes a memory having an identification number stored therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said central station includes means for resetting the postage value of aid descending register in said accounting unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said second printing means includes a first printer in communication with said processor for printing mail data on one of said inserts and a second printer in communication with said accounting means for printing postage data on said envelope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said second printer is incorporated into said inserting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said first printer is a secure printer and said second printer is a high speed printer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said first printer is a dot matrix printer.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of processing mail, the steps comprising: storing postage value in an accounting means; generating mail and postage data; printing said mail and postage data on mail pieces; calculating the value of postage required for mailing said mail pieces; printing the calculate value on a statement sheet; and subtracting the printed value from the postage value stored in said accounting means;
Claim 20
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of processing mail, the steps comprising: storing postage value in an accounting means; generating mail and postage data; printing said mail and postage data on mail pieces; calculating the value of postage required for mailing said mail pieces; printing the calculate value on a statement sheet; and subtracting the printed value from the postage value stored in said accounting means;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the printing of the mail postage data includes the steps of printing mail data on an insert, printing postage data on an envelope and inserting said insert into said envelope.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for processing batch mail with a verifiable statement of postage and mail information relating to the batch; said system comprising: an accounting means operative to receive and write information upon a recording medium; first means for printing, said first printing means being in communication with said accounting means for printing information relating to said batch on a statement; means for generating mail data, said means being in communication with said accounting means; and second means for printing, said second printing means being in communication with said mail data generating means for printing mail and postage data on individual pieces of said batch.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for processing batch mail with a verifiable statement of postage and mail information relating to the batch; said system comprising: an accounting means operative to receive and write information upon a recording medium; first means for printing, said first printing means being in communication with said accounting means for printing information relating to said batch on a statement; means for generating mail data, said means being in communication with said accounting means; and second means for printing, said second printing means being in communication with said mail data generating means for printing mail and postage data on individual pieces of said batch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising a central station for receiving postage and mail information, said central station being in communication with said accounting unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said recording medium is a magnetic floppy disc.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for processing a batch of mail pieces, wherein at least some of said mail pieces is comprised of a combination of an envelope and an insert, comprising: a central station; a user location having an accounting means in communication with said central station, said accounting means begin operative to receive and write information upon a recording medium; a first printer for printing postage information upon a statement sheet in communication with said accounting means to provide a verifiable statement on said statement sheet to enable verification of payment of postage for said batch of mail pieces; a processor in communication with said accounting means for generating mail information; a second printer in communication with said processor and operative to receive mail information therefrom; means for supplying inserts to said second printer; and means for inserting said inserts into said envelope;
Claim 27
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for processing a batch of mail pieces, wherein at least some of said mail pieces is comprised of a combination of an envelope and an insert, comprising: a central station; a user location having an accounting means in communication with said central station, said accounting means begin operative to receive and write information upon a recording medium; a first printer for printing postage information upon a statement sheet in communication with said accounting means to provide a verifiable statement on said statement sheet to enable verification of payment of postage for said batch of mail pieces; a processor in communication with said accounting means for generating mail information; a second printer in communication with said processor and operative to receive mail information therefrom; means for supplying inserts to said second printer; and means for inserting said inserts into said envelope;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said recording medium is a magnetic floppy disc.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for processing a batch mail with a verifiable statement of postage and mail information relating to the batch of mail comprising; accounting means operative to receive and output postage and mailing information relative to said batch of mail. a first printing means in communication with said accounting means for printing said postage and mailing information relating to said batch of mail; a mail information generating means in communication with said accounting means; a postage information generating means in communication with said accounting means; and a second printing means in communication with said mail information generating means and said postage information generating means for printing mail and postage information on individual pieces of said batch of mail.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for processing a batch mail with a verifiable statement of postage and mail information relating to the batch of mail comprising; accounting means operative to receive and output postage and mailing information relative to said batch of mail. a first printing means in communication with said accounting means for printing said postage and mailing information relating to said batch of mail; a mail information generating means in communication with said accounting means; a postage information generating means in communication with said accounting means; and a second printing means in communication with said mail information generating means and said postage information generating means for printing mail and postage information on individual pieces of said batch of mail.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 24 further comprising a central station for receiving postage and mail information, said central station being in communication with said accounting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |