Mailing machine utilizing ink jet printer

Claim 1

A mailing machine for printing postage indicia on mail pieces which are fed through the mailing machine or on a predetermined length of tape which is stored in the mailing machine, said mailing machine comprising: A. means defining a first elongate feed path which extends through the mailing machine and along which mail pieces are adapted to be fed, B. means defining a first printing position in said first feed path at which a postage indicia is printed on the mail pieces, C. first feeding means for feeding the mail pieces seriatim along said first feed path and past said first printing position, D. means defining a second elongate feed path which extends through a portion of the mailing machine and along which a strip of tape stored in the mailing machine is adapted to be fed, E. means defining a second printing position in said second feed path at which a postage indicia is printed on a predetermined length of the tape, F. second feeding means for feeding the tape along said second feed path and past said second printing position, G. a printing device for printing said postage indicia on the mail pieces and on said tape, H. means mounting said printing device for movement in a direction lateral to the direction of said first and second feed paths so that said printing device can be disposed at either of said first and second printing positions, I. means for moving said printing device in said lateral direction, and J. control means for controlling the operation of said moving means for moving said printing device between said first and second printing positions depending on whether the postage indicia is to be printed on mail pieces fed along said first feed path or on tape fed along said second feed path, whereby postage indicia can be printed on mail pieces or on tape selectively while the mail pieces or the tape move in their respective feed paths.