Abstract: A drying rack assembly for drying and storing baby bottles and other component parts of baby bottles thereon including a base housing having an air duct inlet and a fan associated therewith, and at least one trunk module having at least one branch associated therewith, each trunk module having a passageway extending therethrough in communication with the air duct inlet and each branch having a passageway extending therethrough in communication with a trunk passageway. The fan is positioned in the vicinity of the air duct inlet for directing the flow of air through said at least one trunk module and through said at least one branch to assist in drying an item positioned on said branch. A plurality of trunk modules can be assembled in a modular configuration to increase the storage capacity of the overall assembly.

Abstract: A brush assembly for use in cleaning baby bottles and component parts associated therewith including a handle and top brush portion, the top brush portion having a plurality of cleaning elements and a recessed cavity, the handle being releasably attachable to the top brush portion and including a nipple brush, the nipple brush being receivable within the recessed cavity when the top brush portion is releasably attached to the handle. The handle further includes an ergonomic outer grip surface allowing for secure, comfortable gripping when the brush assembly is in use. When the top brush portion is removed from the handle, the nipple brush is exposed and available for use. The cleaning elements may include at least one scrubbing element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media guide system for guiding media unwound from a roll of a roll assembly along a direction of roll feeding in a printer. The guide system includes a guide base including a datum edge guide surface and a plurality of edge guide receivers. The datum edge guide surface is aligned along a direction of roll feeding. The plurality of edge guide receivers is formed in the guide base and extends along the direction of roll feeding. When the roll assembly is loaded into the guide base by engaging an edge guide of the roll assembly into at least one of the plurality of edge guide receivers, the datum edge guide surface of the guide base and the edge guide of the roll assembly serve as edge guides to guide the roll through the printer during a printing operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge providing ribbon tension. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having walls. A first spool and a second spool are contained in at least in part in the cartridge and have a ribbon extending therebetween. The first spool and the second spool extend between a pair of ends with at least one of the pair of ends having a driving portion. At least one resistance-applying part extends around a portion of each of the first spool and the second spool. The first spool and the second spool have a loaded and an unloaded position. In the loaded position, at least one of the resistance applying part is disengaged from the walls of the cartridge. In the unloaded position, at least one resistance-applying part engages the walls of the cartridge.

Abstract: A drive train for a printer is disclosed that provides and maintains a desired tension in the ribbon during transfer of the ribbon between a supply spool and a take-up spool. The drive train is configured to pre-tension the ribbon proximate the driven spool prior to driving the drive roller. During operation, the drive train provides and maintains the requisite tension in the ribbon proximate the driven spool with use of a slip-overdrive assembly. Additionally, the drive train induces a drag on the spool from which ribbon is being unwound with the use of a drag-overrun assembly.

Abstract: A cup system including a lid, a liner, an outer cup, and an optional valve. The liner includes first and second mating surfaces. The liner first mating surface is selectively attachable to a corresponding mating surface associated with the outer cup and the liner second mating surface is selectively attachable to a corresponding mating surface associated with the lid. The mating surface of the lid is also selectively attachable to the mating surface of the outer cup such that present cup can be utilized as either an insulated or a non-insulated cup. The optional valve assembles to the lid by pressing the boss of the valve into a valve receiver associated with the lid.

Abstract: An improved print head assembly is disclosed that provides even pressure over the width of a print face across a platen roller. Accordingly, the print head assembly can perform edge-justified printing operations without portions of the print being faint or skewing due to uneven pressure across the print head.

Abstract: Label media for use in a label media printer to form wide labels is disclosed. The label media includes a releasable liner that has a first side and a second side joined by a longitudinal edge. A first side of a substrate adheres to the first and the second sides of the releasable liner. At least a portion of the substrate is ink-receiving.

Abstract: A drive train for a printer is disclosed that provides and maintains a desired tension in the ribbon during transfer of the ribbon between a supply spool and a take-up spool. The drive train is configured to pre-tension the ribbon proximate the driven spool prior to driving the drive roller. During operation, the drive train provides and maintains the requisite tension in the ribbon proximate the driven spool with use of a slip-overdrive assembly. Additionally, the drive train induces a drag on the spool from which ribbon is being unwound with the use of a drag-overrun assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge providing ribbon tension. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having walls. A first spool and a second spool are contained in at least in part in the cartridge and have a ribbon extending therebetween. The first spool and the second spool extend between a pair of ends with at least one of the pair of ends having a driving portion. At least one resistance-applying part extends around a portion of each of the first spool and the second spool. The first spool and the second spool have a loaded and an unloaded position. In the loaded position, at least one of the resistance applying part is disengaged from the walls of the cartridge. In the unloaded position, at least one resistance-applying part engages the walls of the cartridge.

Abstract: An improved print head assembly is disclosed that provides even pressure over the width of a print face across a platen roller. Accordingly, the print head assembly can perform edge-justified printing operations without portions of the print being faint or skewing due to uneven pressure across the print head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media guide system for guiding media unwound from a roll of a roll assembly along a direction of roll feeding in a printer. The guide system includes a guide base including a datum edge guide surface and a plurality of edge guide receivers. The datum edge guide surface is aligned along a direction of roll feeding. The plurality of edge guide receivers is formed in the guide base and extends along the direction of roll feeding. When the roll assembly is loaded into the guide base by engaging an edge guide of the roll assembly into at least one of the plurality of edge guide receivers, the datum edge guide surface of the guide base and the edge guide of the roll assembly serve as edge guides to guide the roll through the printer during a printing operation.