Franking Machine Printing Sequence and Weighing Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing franking machines face challenges in achieving high printing rates and compactness while processing additional data for value-added services, requiring rapid calculation and printing of postal imprints, especially when weighing mail items 'on the fly'.

Innovation Solution

A method where the postal imprint is calculated in advance by determining the mail item's format and weight, allowing printing to start from the rear edge and incorporating a differential weighing module with sensors to detect the end of weighing, enabling efficient printing of other data before calculating and printing the postal imprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the postal imprint is calculated after weighing the mail item, then the calculation can be performed with accurate weight data, but the processing time increases and the machine size becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the mail item format and thickness in advance using sensors before the weighing operation, enabling the postal imprint calculation to start earlier. The differential weighing module measures weight while the item is in transit, and the calculation is performed anticipatorily based on pre-detected format data, reducing overall processing time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the print module is positioned far from the weighing module to accommodate conventional printing direction, then the printing process can be performed in the conventional direction, but the machine dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation convenienceVSAvoidmachine length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional printing approach by printing from the rear edge toward the front edge of the mail item, or equivalently, by conveying the mail item in reverse direction. This inversion allows the print module to be positioned directly at the outlet of the differential weighing module, eliminating the need for long conveyor paths and significantly reducing machine dimensions while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional data processing is performed for value-added services, then the functionality and versatility of the machine increases, but the processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalue-added services capabilityVSAvoidprinting rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing data processing for value-added services in advance, before the critical printing operation. The system processes additional data requirements beforehand, allowing the main printing operation to proceed at high speed without being constrained by real-time data processing delays, thus maintaining both versatility and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the mail item is conveyed in the conventional direction for printing, then the printing process follows standard procedures, but the calculation time for postal imprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting procedure standardizationVSAvoidcalculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional conveying and printing sequence by conveying the mail item in reverse direction or printing from rear to front. This inversion enables the system to perform calculations in anticipation during the conveying process, reducing calculation time while maintaining standardized operational procedures through the inverted sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in a more compact and reliable franking machine capable of high processing speeds, reducing the distance between the weighing and print modules, and enabling efficient handling of mail items with reduced calculation time and increased machine compactness.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of sensors for determining the format and the thickness of the mail items so as to enable the postal imprint to be calculated in anticipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

launching the weighing operation by conveying the mail item from the differential weighing module to the print module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential weighing:

Implementation Method 3

a presence sensor interposed between said differential weighing module and said print module so as to detect when the mail items have been weighed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPresence detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7580902B2Printing method for a compact machine and an associated machine

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES SA

AI summary

A printing method for printing a mail item in a franking machine, the mail item carrying postal-imprint data and other printed data, in which method, during the process of continuously printing on the mail item in the franking machine, the other printed data is printed first, before printing the postal imprint data.