Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-08
2001-08-28
Yockey, David F. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Fluid or fluid source handling means
C347S108000, C222S088000, C222S325000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280025
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mailing machines including an ink jet printing system. More particularly, this invention is directed to a mailing machine including a pocket assembly for receiving a disposable ink cartridge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ink jet printers are well known and have been adapted to a variety of applications, such as: general office printers, point of sale terminals, scientific recording devices and postage metering systems. Generally, ink jet printers include a print head and a supply of ink. In order to print, a series of ink drops are ejected from the print head onto paper until a desired image is achieved. To keep the print head supplied with ink, a variety of ink delivery systems have been developed. In applications where the print head has a long life and the printer exhibits high volume usage, it is desirable to provide a disposable ink cartridge for supplying ink. In this manner, when the ink has been exhausted, a new ink cartridge may be conveniently installed.
There are several important considerations for ink jet printers employing disposable ink cartridges. A few of the considerations are described generally below in no particular order of importance. One consideration is ease of use. The ink cartridge must be easily inserted into and removed from the ink jet printer. That is, even an inexperienced operator must find this process intuitive and quick so that time is not wasted. Another consideration is assurance of a proper mating relationship between the ink cartridge and the ink jet printer. In this manner, ink may be properly delivered from the ink cartridge to the print head. Otherwise, poor quality printing may result. Yet another consideration is operator safety. Replacing ink cartridges must not put the operator at risk of injury due to exposure to sharp objects or moving parts.
Typically, a mailing machine includes a postage metering system. Because postage metering systems store and dispense postage, print quality takes on an even greater significance. The ink jet printer must operate reliably so that the operator does not experience a loss of postal funds (money). Therefore, proper delivery of ink from the ink cartridge to the print head is critical.
Therefore, there is a need for a cost effective mailing machine including an ink jet printer having a pocket assembly for receiving a disposable ink cartridge that is both easy and safe to install/remove and is designed to provide a proper mating relationship between the ink cartridge and the pocket assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mailing machine that addresses those issues described above.
In accomplishing these and other objects there is provided a pocket assembly for use in a mailing machine. The pocket assembly is adapted to receive an ink cartridge and includes: a housing defining a pocket for receiving the ink cartridge, a needle, a door and a door mechanism. The housing has an open end and a closed end and includes a recess extending away from the pocket. The needle is mounted to the housing closed end and protrudes into the pocket. The door is movably mounted to the housing and is located within the pocket. The door mechanism is operatively coupled with door for repositioning the door between a closed position blocking access to the needle and an open position allowing access to the needle. The door is seated in the recess when in the closed position so that the door is less likely to be manually repositioned to the open position.
Therefore, it should now be apparent that the invention substantially achieves the objects and advantages discussed above. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Moreover, the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Beckstrom David W.
Ono Akehiro
Chaclas Angelo N.
Melton Michael E.
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Yockey David F.
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