Robert A Manna

US Patent:

7121544, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Sep 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/938666

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
William J. Wright - Killingworth CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Charles C Fuller - Shelton CT, US
John W. Sussmeier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 31/00

US Classification:

271209, 271182, 271184, 271 319, 271233, 271243, 271245, 4147907

Abstract:

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region. Preferably the guide deck and ramp are adjustable for different sized sheets.

US Patent:

7451979, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Sep 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/525439

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
William J. Wright - Killingworth CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Charles C Fuller - Shelton CT, US
John W. Sussmeier - New York NY, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 31/00

US Classification:

271209, 271182, 271184, 271 319, 271233, 271243, 271245, 4147907

Abstract:

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path. The accumulator includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Preferably, snap-down belts are provided between ramp structures snap transported sheets quickly into place on the stack and to hold them there. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region. Preferably the guide deck and ramp are adjustable for different sized sheets.

US Patent:

7976019, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Oct 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/255327

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
William J. Wright - Killington CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Charles C. Fuller - Shelton CT, US
John W. Sussmeier - Cold Spring NY, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 31/00

US Classification:

271209, 271182, 271184, 271 319, 271233, 271234, 271245, 4147907

Abstract:

An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.

US Patent:

8317190, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Dec 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/296620

Inventors:

John R. Masotta - Bethel CT, US
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT, US
Daniel J. Williams - Woodbury CT, US

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65H 5/00

US Classification:

271225, 271254, 27126501

Abstract:

A right angle turn module having a first transport that transports side-by-side sheets in a first direction. Downstream of the first sheet transport a barrier is positioned to stop the sheets. A sensor device detects an arrival of the side-by-side sheets at the stop arrangement. Then, an actuated second sheet transport, triggered by the sensor device, is activated to transport the sheets serially in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, a horizontal guide plate is positioned at a downstream end of the first sheet transport. With the guide plate thus positioned, a sheet traveling in the first direction and a sheet traveling in the second direction can temporarily be overlapped and a collision can be avoided. In a further preferred embodiment, the first transport further comprises overhead belts to urge the side-by-side pair of sheets in the first direction. The overhead belts may be tensioned so as to slip over a top surface of the side-by-side pair of sheets while urging the pair of sheets towards the stop arrangement.

US Patent:

41100387, Aug 29, 1978

Filed:

Jun 13, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/805801

Inventors:

Robert Irvine - Riverside CT
Harry E. Luperti - Wilton CT
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Pitney-Bowes, Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G03B 2748
G03B 2750

US Classification:

355 50

Abstract:

For use with a copier of the type which includes a document illuminating station, a platen at the illuminating station and instrumentalities for flash illuminating respective documents at the illuminating station, there is provided a document feeder which includes a plurality of document feeding instrumentalities. A first feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding respective documents to the platen, a second feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding documents from the platen, and a third feeding instrumentality is provided for feeding documents both to and from the platen. Apparatus is provided for moving the third feeding instrumentality out of document feeding engagement with respective documents fed to the platen to permit such documents to settle on the platen prior to illumination. In addition, apparatus is provided for holding documents fed to the platen in document feeding relationship with respect to the second feeding instrumentality to, for example, prevent movement of the respective documents out of such feeding relationship while settling on the platen.

US Patent:

45594449, Dec 17, 1985

Filed:

Feb 14, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/701717

Inventors:

Timothy R. Erwin - West Redding CT
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G07G 100

US Classification:

235101

Abstract:

A postage meter having a fixed coplanar printing die is provided with security means to prevent making of fraudulent impressions. This security means involves the use of interposers extending upward and through the space into which an envelope or other workpieces may be inserted. During the legitimate cycling operation these interposers are moved out of guarding position and the postage meter carries out its normal function.

US Patent:

41100417, Aug 29, 1978

Filed:

Jun 13, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/805634

Inventors:

Harry E. Luperti - Wilton CT
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Pitney-Bowes, Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G03B 2762

US Classification:

355 75

Abstract:

Apparatus for self-positioning a platen covering device of a copier having a platen. The apparatus includes a linkage assembly for movably supporting the platen covering device; resilient means biased for moving the covering device from a predetermined position for feeding respective documents to respective non-document feeding positions and means for maintaining the covering device at said predetermined position and said respective positions to which the covering device is moved.

US Patent:

40971457, Jun 27, 1978

Filed:

Jan 3, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/756348

Inventors:

Harry E. Luperti - Wilton CT
Robert E. Manna - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Pitney-Bowes, Inc. - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G03B 2762

US Classification:

355 75

Abstract:

Self-positioning apparatus for a platen covering device is provided for a copier of the type which includes a platen, instrumentalities for flash illuminating a document placed by an operator on the platen, and a platen covering device such as a document feeder or a flat, opaque sheet of material or the like. The apparatus includes a linkage assembly for movably supporting the platen covering device; a manually releasable latch for holding the covering device at a predetermined position for holding respective documents of minimal thickness in contact with the platen; and resilient means including at least one torsion bar for urging the covering device away from said predetermined position, when said latch is released, for holding respective documents of greater thickness in contact with said platen.