POSTAGE PRINTING APPARATUS HAVING A MOVABLE PRINT HEAD IN A PRINT DRUM

摘要

A postage meter system having a rotary printing drum for printing fixed data. Disposed in the drum is an internal print head for printing variable data. The rotary drum contains an opening therein through which the internally located variable data print head prints on a mailpiece. The print head for variable data reciprocates between a printing position and a non-printing position. The reciprocation of the print head between these positions is synchronized with and controlled automatically by the position of the rotary drum during its cycle of rotation. The print head operates to print on a mailpiece only when the opening in the drum is between the print head and the mailpiece. The print head may be an impact matrix print head which together with an associated inked ribbon is placed adjacent the mailpiece in a printing position only during the printing portion of the drum's cycle.