Abstract: A scanner apparatus comprises a first device for scanning bank checks and a second device for scanning other paper documents. The first device includes a first input receptacle for receiving checks to be scanned, a first image-scanner unit for scanning a check, a first output receptacle for receiving the check after it has been scanned, and a first conveyor mechanism for conveying checks from the first input receptacle to the first output receptacle, passing in front of the first scanner unit. The second device includes a second input receptacle for receiving paper documents to be scanned, a second image-scanner unit for scanning a paper document, a second output receptacle for receiving the paper document after it has been scanned, and a second conveyor mechanism for conveying a paper document from the second input receptacle to the second output receptacle, passing in front of the second scanner unit.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an input receptacle for receiving one or more checks to be scanned, an image-scanner unit for scanning a check, an output receptacle for receiving a check after it has been scanned, a conveyor mechanism for conveying checks, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a path extending in front of the scanning unit, and a casing containing the scanner unit and the conveyor mechanism. The scanner unit is mounted so as to be movable relative to the casing between a normal operative position in which it faces the path of the checks, and a position to which it is moved away from the path of the checks to permit cleaning of the scanner unit or removal of jammed checks.

Abstract: A parison of thermoplastic resin to be particularly used to be subsequently blow molded to become a plastic bottle has an upper portion (H), a middle portion (L) and an end portion (N). The middle portion has, on its lower side near the terminal portion, a lower sub-portion (M) which has a thickness that is variable and smaller with respect to the wall thickness of the parison in the middle portion, with a profile in the shape of a downward narrowing frustum of a cone. Preferably, the thickness in the lower sub-portion (M) is decreased by at least 12% with respect to the thickness of the remaining middle portion of the parison, and the angle between the sides of the profile in the shape of a frustum of a cone and the axis of symmetry is between 5° and 10°. The advantages are broader process tolerances, elimination of heat conditioning treatments, reduction in resin usage.

Abstract: A method of producing parisons of thermoplastic material, which includes the steps of injection of plasticized resin into a plurality of multiple-cavity molds, removal of the parisons from the respective injection molds and transferring parisons to conditioning stations to go through a temperature conditioning phase. The parisons are held in the conditioning stations for a pre-determined length of time, and then the parisons are transferred into appropriate blow molding tools in order to blow the conditioned parisons. Further, during the conditioning phase, the temperature of the surface of the collar of the parison is caused to increase, while the temperature of the parison body is allowed to decrease, so that at the end of the conditioning phase the temperature of the surface of the collar of the parison exceeds by approximately 15 to 20° C. the temperature of the parison body.

Abstract: A printer, in particular of the type used for printing cheques with magnetic ink, comprises a control device for advancing a ribbon at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of documents. The velocity of documents and the ribbon are controlled by an electronic unit which drives respectively a first motor and a second motor. The control device includes a presser means comprised of a pair of rollers urged against a motor driven roller. This arrangement enables the precise control of the velocity at which the ribbon is advanced. Downstream of the control device, the combined action of a first temporary take up device outside the cartridge and a second permanent take up device inside the cartridge assures the insertion of used ribbon into the cartridge and its winding around a reel by means of a third motor timely controlled by the electronic unit.

Abstract: A dot-matrix print head comprising a pin guide body including:a first array of pin guide holes having respective centers aligned on a first longitudinal straight line and spaced from one another longitudinally by a constant distance equal to one pitch; anda second array of pin guide holes having respective centers aligned on a second longitudinal straight line parallel to the first and spaced from one another along the second longitudinal straight line by a constant distance equal to the said pitch. The center of each of the holes of the second array is disposed on a respective transverse straight line which intersects the first longitudinal straight line at a point equidistant between the centers of two adjacent holes of the first array.