Printing of franking and the like on mail items

(19)

(11)

EP 0 305 211 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	13.09.1989 Bulletin 1989/37

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	01.03.1989 Bulletin 1989/09

(21)	Application number: 88307948.5

(22)	Date of filing: 26.08.1988

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁴: G07B 17/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB

(30)

Priority:

27.08.1987 GB 8720277

(71)	Applicant: ALCATEL BUSINESS SYSTEMS LIMITED
	Romford Essex, RM1 2AR (GB)

(72)	Inventor:
	Herbert, Raymond John Leigh-on-Sea Essex, SS9 3PP (GB)

(74)	Representative: Loughrey, Richard Vivian Patrick et al
	HUGHES CLARK & CO 63 Lincoln's Inn Fields London WC2A 3JU London WC2A 3JU (GB)

(56)

References cited: :

(54)	Printing of franking and the like on mail items

(57) A franking machine system is disclosed in which mail items (24) such as envelopes or labels are treated with heat sensitive material and the franking machine 910,11) is provided with a thermal print head (18) to apply selectively heat to the sensitive material to produce a change in colour of the material and thereby print a franking impression (26) on the mail item (24). The thermal print head (18) may also print a destination address (23). The entire face or only predetermined areas (25) of the mail item (24) may be treated with sensitive material and if desired different areas (25a,25b) of the mail item (24) may be treated with material which is changed to different colours by the application of heat in order to produce images of different colours.

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