Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for continuous high speed digital metering using multiple print heads

US6988842B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
4References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 2003
Grant dateJan 24, 2006
Priority date—
Expiry dateSep 30, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07B2017/00564
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A printing apparatus and method to for use in a continuous high velocity mail production system, preferably for printing postal indicia. A transport path conveys a series of mail pieces at a print velocity. At least two ink jet print heads are available to perform printing operations. During normal operation, only one print head is operating at a time. To allow continuous uninterrupted operation, when a first print head is removed from service for a maintenance operation, a second print head is automatically brought into service. Adjustments to the triggering of the print cycle are made to account for the different print heads at different locations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.