Abstract: A medium unit, having a tray, a casing, and a pullback assembly, is provided. The tray stores a roll of medium, in which a continuous medium is rolled. The casing supports the tray detachably attached thereto. The pullback assembly pushes the continuous medium from a lower side to pull a loose end of the continuous medium unrolled from the roll of medium in conjunction with a detaching action to move the tray to detach from the casing in an orthogonal direction intersecting orthogonally with a rotation axis of the roll of medium.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a supporting unit that rotatably supports a roll sheet formed by winding a continuous sheet into a roll shape, a conveying path forming member that is placed in a position spaced apart from the roll sheet supported by the supporting unit, and forms a conveying path of the sheet, and a displacing unit that includes a guide portion capable of being displaced between a guide position and a retracting position set farther from a start position than the guide position. The guide portion is displaced from the retracting position to the guide position when a leading edge of the sheet separated from the roll sheet supported by the supporting unit is positioned between the guide portion in the retracting position and the start position.

Abstract: A medium receiving tray is configured to switch between a first state in which the medium receiving tray is accommodated in a device main body and a second state in which the medium receiving tray most protrudes, and the device main body includes a support member that is configured to be support the medium receiving tray. The device main body includes a rail that supports the first tray constituting the medium receiving tray. The support member is at a position protruding from an end portion of the rail in a protruding direction of the first tray from the device main body. The support member is at the retracted position when the medium receiving tray is in the first state, is at the advanced position when the medium receiving tray is in the second state, and supports the first tray constituting the medium receiving tray from below.

Abstract: Provided herein is a printing apparatus including a printhead movable between a first position and a second position. The printhead includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate define at least a first burn line and a second burn line, respectively, of heating elements disposed adjacent to a first edge and a second edge, respectively of the printhead. A printhead bracket receives the printhead in one of the first position or the second position. In the first position, the heating elements of the first burn line perform a printing operation and the printhead bracket is configured to preclude operation of the heating elements of the second burn line. In the second position, the heating elements of the second burn line perform a printing operation, and the printhead bracket is configured to preclude operation of the heating elements of the first burn line.

Abstract: A calibration system for an electric power steering system includes a hardware-in-loop (HIL) test fixture, and an electric power steering system mounted to the HIL test fixture. The electric power steering system includes a power steering rack, and an intermediate shaft (I-shaft) mechanically connected to the power steering rack. An electric motor is operatively connected to the HIL test fixture. A clutch assembly is operatively connected between the electric motor and the I-shaft. The clutch assembly is operable to selectively connect the electric motor with the I-shaft.

Abstract: To provide a medical printer (100) that can cut a roll sheet (P) by pulling the roll sheet (P) in any of an up direction and a down direction. There is provided a medical printer including: a main body (102) that accommodates a roll sheet; a movable section (104) including a front panel (104A) that covers a front face, the movable section being capable of opening and closing against the main body; a first cutting section (130) provided on the movable section, and configured to cut the roll sheet ejected from an ejection port (110) defined by the main body and the movable section; and a slide section configured to slide the front panel or the first cutting section in a radial direction with respect to a rotation center of the movable section in accordance with open and closed states of the movable section.

Abstract: A printer includes: a housing, a print space within the housing, a print head, a replaceable ink ribbon cassette, a receiving device for a printable object which is to be printed, a control and evaluation unit, and an input and display apparatus. The receiving device can travel between a loading and unloading position outside the print space and a print position within the print space. A print head holder on whose bottom the print head is attached is pivotably mounted in the housing. In the closed position of the print head holder the print head is located in a working position above the ink ribbon cassette. In a swung-up position of the print head holder an ink ribbon cassette can be inserted into the housing or can be removed from the housing. At least one spring arm is formed on the top of the ink ribbon cassette or on the bottom of the print head holder.

Abstract: An indicator device for motor vehicles includes a dial, an indicator unit with needle, and a motor device. The indicator device with needle is capable of being rotationally driven around an axis of rotation of the indicator device. The indicator unit with needle is designed to be rotationally driven by a torque generated by the motor device. The indicator device is capable of being operated with a motor device of a first type and with a motor device of a second type. The indicator device includes minimum time information matched with the motor device of the first type and with the motor device of the second type such that the position of the indicator unit with needle is identical for cases where the motor device of the first type or the motor device of the second type is used, and for different preceding displacements of the indicator unit with needle.

Abstract: A plurality of marks (11) equidistantly provided on both side edge parts (1a) of a long medium (1), a plurality of first indicator holes (12) equidistantly given on at least one of the side edge parts (1a), and a plurality of second indicator holes (13) given on at least one of the side edge parts (1a) on a straight line different from a row of the first indicator holes (12) at spacings shorter than spacings of the first indicator holes (12) are provided, and the second indicator holes (13) are each provided to a side of a trailing-end mark (11b), and each gradually comes closer to a leading-end mark (11a) as the long medium (1) runs toward a trailing end.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one battery cell, a protection circuit module electrically connected to the at least one battery cell, and a frame including the at least one battery cell and the protection circuit module. The battery pack also includes a label adjacent to the at least one battery cell, protection circuit module, and frame. The label includes a noise preventing portion in a direction different from a lengthwise direction of the frame.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a housing, a conveying unit configured to unwind a portion of a rolled sheet and convey the unwound sheet, a printing unit configured to print an image on the unwound sheet, a cutter configured to cut off a portion of the unwound sheet, and a sheet sensor configured to detect a portion of the unwound sheet conveyed out of the housing and, upon detecting the portion, output a detection signal that causes the cutter to cut off the unwound sheet.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a coating apparatus that can prevent distortion of the shape of a coating area on a sheet member. [Solution Means] A coating apparatus 50 includes a suction roller peripheral wall 114a (base plate 70) on which a flexible electrolyte membrane 21 shaped like a thin film (sheet member 60) is placed, drawing unit 80 that draws the electrolyte membrane on the suction roller peripheral wall, and a coating mechanism 90 that applies catalyst ink 91 (material) onto the electrolyte membrane drawn on the suction roller peripheral wall by the drawing unit. The electrolyte membrane has, in a range from a center portion to a portion on an inner side of an outer peripheral edge 61, a coating area 62 where the catalyst ink is applied.

Abstract: A label paper processing apparatus includes a paper supply unit for supplying and feeding label paper, a digital printing unit for printing the label paper, a laser processing unit, and a pair of loop forming unit disposed between the paper supply unit and the digital printing unit, and between the digital printing unit and the laser processing unit, respectively, each forming a loop of the label paper. The laser processing unit is designed to half-cut the printed label paper and to form cutouts of a shape along a printed cutting locus with a laser beam so as to scan and trace the printed cutting locus, thereby facilitating control in half-cutting of the label paper. The loop forming unit is designed to form a loop of the label paper and to hold a length of the loop substantially constant so as to control feeding of the label paper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a characteristic of a surface layer of a fuser element for fusing a marking material on a recording medium in a printing system. The printing system comprises a capacitive probe, which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is arranged adjacent to the first electrode in order to form a capacitor. The first electrode and the second electrode are in operation both arranged adjacent to and opposing the surface layer of the fuser element. The method comprises the steps of performing a capacitive measurement on the surface layer by the first electrode and the second electrode of the capacitive probe and determining a characteristic of the surface layer based on the capacitive measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printer for forming a phase change inkjet image. The printer comprises a platen comprising a print surface, an advancing mechanism adapted for moving a print substrate in a transport direction over the print surface and a print station adapted for providing the phase change inkjet image on a first surface of the print substrate in a print area of the print surface. The advancing mechanism comprises a plurality of feed nips, said plurality of feed nips being arranged upstream of the print surface. Each of said plurality of feed nips comprising a feed roller which comprises a main rotational axis, wherein each main rotational axis of said plurality of feed nips is aligned with respect to each other in a second direction, which second direction is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. The advancing mechanism further comprises a star wheel. Said star wheel is arranged in between two adjacent feed nips in the second direction and faces a support surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, an image forming device, a transporting device, a first medium holding device, and a second medium holding device. The image forming device forms an image on a print medium unwound from a roll. The transporting device is configured to transport the unwound print medium on a transport path facing the image forming device. The first medium holding device is disposed upstream of the image forming device in a medium transporting direction, and configured to hold the print medium on the transport path and retract to an open position for opening the transport path. The second medium holding device is disposed downstream of the image forming device in the medium transporting direction, and configured to hold the print medium on the transport path and retract to an open position for opening the transport path.

Abstract: A medium transportation device includes a transportation section that transports a recording medium in a transport direction; a winding section that winds the recording medium transported by the transportation section; and a medium support section that is disposed between the transportation section and the winding section and has a medium support section supporting the recording medium. The medium support section has a support sliding section including a first surface and a second surface. A coefficient of friction of the first surface with the recording medium is greater than a coefficient of friction of the medium support surface with the recording medium and a coefficient of friction of the second surface with the recording medium is lower than the coefficient of friction of the first surface with the recording medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing a substrate using an inkjet printer which includes a holder to rotatably receive a roll on which the substrate is wound, a downstream print zone and an inkjet printhead for printing the substrate at the print zone, a transport means for engaging and transporting the substrate to the print zone during which transport the substrate is unwound from the roll, and a guide element which is situated downstream of the roll in front of the transport means to guide the substrate from the roll to the transport means, the method including the steps of transporting the substrate over a predetermined distance with control of the transport means, during which transport the guide element is moved from a first position which the guide element occupies prior to the transport, to a second position such that the distance over which the substrate extends between the roll and the transport means is smaller as a result of the movement and after the substrate has been transported over th

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises a plurality of drums for holding a recording medium on their perimeter faces and for being able to rotate the recording medium, and printing unit, which are arranged as opposed to the perimeter faces of the drums, for being able to make printing on the recording medium. A tension generating unit for applying a tension to the recording medium is arranged in the upstream and the downstream of the drums on the conveyance path of the recording medium. A drum in the downmost stream side of the conveyance path is used as a driving drum, and the other drums are used as driven drums.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of creating and maintaining a calibrated bi-metallic element assembly configuration in a strip chart recorder including a housing having top and bottom portions. The method includes acts of positioning a bi-metallic element assembly on the bottom portion of the housing while the housing is in an open configuration, closing the housing, and attaching the bi-metallic element assembly to the top portion of the housing when the housing is closed. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a strip chart recorder, including a housing comprising top and bottom portions, the top portion of the housing having a first mating feature, a bi-metallic element assembly having a second mating feature, and a strip chart positioned on the bottom portion of the housing. The first and second mating features are adapted to engage each other upon closing of the housing.

Abstract: A portable printer device is capable of holding a plurality of paper rolls. The portable printer device comprises a single printing portion which is provided for printing of each of the plurality of paper rolls. A paper roll hold device includes a plurality of paper roll hold portions each of which holds one of the plurality of paper rolls, and includes a plurality of paper passages each of which is provided to deliver a paper from one of the plurality of paper roll hold portions to the printing portion.

Abstract: Improved label printing and applying apparatus (10) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface. The overall apparatus (10) also includes a downstream label cutting and application assembly (14) having an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and a label applying device. In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form images on the web (16), which may be identical or varied. Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied, the individual images are laser cut, and the labels are thereupon applied to products (54).

Abstract: A printer has a web handling unit that includes a web conditioning device for providing fixed control of the moisture within the web being fed, a skew correction device for adjusting the traveling position of the web which has passed through the web conditioning device, and a tension assigning device for assigning fixed tension to the web. The printer also includes an image forming device that forms an image on the web transported from the web handling unit.

Abstract: The invention enables even further improvement in quality of a recording image. A recording method for recording on a recording paper comprises the steps of: carrying the recording paper for a predetermined amount, based on a first carrying amount for which the recording paper is to be carried; executing recording on the recording paper that has been carried for the predetermined amount; executing an addition process of adding an amount obtained by subtracting the predetermined amount from the first carrying amount to a second carrying amount for which the recording paper is to be carried; and carrying the recording paper based on the second carrying amount to which the addition process has been executed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic recording arrangement for the recording of photographic images onto a band-shaped medium, with a medium source which a supplies a band-shaped medium, with a clamping arrangement which provides a clamping track and a band-shaped medium output at the beginning of the track through which the band-shaped medium is supplied by the medium source along which clamping track the band-shaped medium is guided and tightened and at the end of which track the guided band-shaped medium is clamped by a first holding mechanism for tightening, with at least one recording apparatus for the recording of images onto the tightened band-shaped medium.

Abstract: Various methods for laminating a high quality transparency which consist of the steps: creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) with a first support layer (150); laminating an imageless second receiver sheet (160) with an second support layer (170) to the imaged receiver sheet (140) thereby encapsulating the image (290); removing the first support layer (150) thereby forming an image sheet (180); laminating the image sheet (180) to a clear plastic base (190), and removing the second support layer (170).

Abstract: There are provided a printing method and an ink jet printer which are capable of attaining the energy saving and reduced installation space as well as implementing high speed printing, and a tape cartridge for use with the ink jet printer. Printing is sequentially carried out on a printing tape having a printing area whose width is sufficiently larger than a length of nozzle arrays of an ink jet head, along the width of the printing tape by the nozzle arrays extending in the direction of the width of the printing tape. The printing tape is fed such that it is reciprocatingly moved, and at the same time the ink jet head facing the printing tape is intermittently moved in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed of the printing tape, thereby printing on the printing tape by the ink jet head.

Abstract: There are provided a printing method and an ink jet printer which are capable of attaining the energy saving and reduced installation space as well as implementing high speed printing, and a tape cartridge for use with the ink jet printer. Printing is sequentially carried out on a printing tape having a printing area whose width is sufficiently larger than a length of nozzle arrays of an ink jet head, along the width of the printing tape by the nozzle arrays extending in the direction of the width of the printing tape. The printing tape is fed such that it is reciprocatingly moved, and at the same time the ink jet head facing the printing tape is intermittently moved in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed of the printing tape, thereby printing on the printing tape by the ink jet head.

Abstract: A printing media cartridge for a drum-type hard copy apparatus has printing media supply within the drum. Printable sheet lengths of printing medium are extracted from the interior of the drum through a slot such that individual prints can be produced using the drum outer surface as a platen. Removing a print from the platen extracts the next sheet length from within the drum which is then automatically wrapped back onto the drum's outer surface and aligned for the next print cycle. Printer control encoding is provided with the cartridge.

Abstract: To provide a printing device capable of automatically detecting the type of the roll paper, the printing device comprises a movable flange abutting member adapted to be pressed against an outer periphery of said flange of the holder of the paper roll supported in said paper roll support mechanism, said flange having an outer diameter set in correspondence with the type of said roll paper; a detection unit of paper type adapted to be subjected to positioning by said outer periphery of the flange for detecting said type of the roll paper; a detection unit of paper presence/absence provided at a printing portion in facing relation to said platen to detect the presence of said roll paper without contact thereto; a detection unit for detecting the leading end of said roll paper arranged between said printing portion and: a cutting portion to be subjected to a printing operation; and control means for controlling actions of the relevant portions on the basis of the detection result of each detection unit.

Abstract: A printing media cartridge for a drum-type hard copy apparatus has printing media supply within the drum. Printable sheet lengths of printing medium are extracted from the interior of the drum through a slot such that individual prints can be produced using the drum outer surface as a platen. Removing a print from the platen extracts the next sheet length from within the drum which is then automatically wrapped back onto the drum's outer surface and aligned for the next print cycle. Printer control encoding is provided with the cartridge.

Abstract: A guide method and apparatus is provided for use in an imaging system in which media is moved through the system in a first direction. The guide apparatus includes a roller unit for contacting a surface of the media and maintains contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction, and a retraction unit for separating the roller unit from the media. In an embodiment, the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves radially toward and away from an internal drum so that the leading portion of media may be held against the internal drum. In other embodiments the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves along the inner surface of an internal drum together with the leading portion of media. The method guides media in an imaging system in which media having a curled leading edge is moved through the system in a first direction along an inner surface of a cylindrical drum.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous medium printing apparatus which can exert a transporting force to act upon a continuous medium without additional provision of a new tractor mechanism or some other transport mechanism. In the continuous medium printing apparatus, upon automatic loading of a continuous medium, a control section controls a charging operation of a charging section so that a leading end portion of the continuous medium may be electrostatically attracted to an image forming drum. The image forming drum to which the continuous medium is attracted is rotated in a printing transporting direction to exert a transporting force to act upon the continuous medium to transport the continuous medium in the printing transporting direction. The present invention is applicable to an apparatus which prints on a continuous medium such as continuous recording paper (continuous paper), for example, by electrophotography.

Abstract: An extension guide unit 30 is provided on a side portion of a recording medium conveying passage. An extension guide 36 is held in a wound state in an extension guide holder 31 of the extension guide unit 30. In order to convey a recording medium, the extension guide 36 is drawn out, by which the recording medium is guided. This enables the recording medium to be smoothly conveyed.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus comprising a main roller and an outputting mechanism for moving a medium outside the hardcopy apparatus, said outputting mechanism being characterised by including a vacuum holddown output unit for holding at least a portion of media down onto a surface of the outputting mechanism. In addition, a method of outputting a medium from a hardcopy apparatus including a vacuum source, a main driving roller and a secondary roller, includes the steps of: advancing the medium up to contact said secondary roller; generating a negative pressure, by means of the vacuum source, capable of engaging the back of the medium with the surface of the secondary roller: by rotating the main roller and the secondary roller, disengaging the medium from the main roller; and by rotating the secondary roller, advancing the medium towards the outside of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a receiver from a micro-fluidic contact print head after ink image pixels have been printed by the print head on the receiver, including a print head having a plurality of ink channels for delivering ink to the receiver when the receiver is in ink transfer contact with the print head; air plenums which are associated with each ink channel and a member defining an air channel for conducting air to the air plenum; and the apparatus is effective after the ink has been transferred from the plurality of ink channels to the receiver for causing air to be delivered from the air channel into the air plenum to exert a pressure which causes the separation of the receiver from the print head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a store level marketing system and a unique printer to be used in the system. The store level marketing system includes an activation device for initiating use of the system and for providing the system with information about the consumer using it, a network interface or computer for selecting a series of offers/discounts to be printed on a piece of paper, and a printer for printing a paper document containing the selected offers/discounts. The system further includes a checkout station which communicates with the network interface or the computer to provide it with information about the purchases made by the consumer. In a preferred embodiment, the printer is a thermal printer provided with a mechanism for substantially eliminating any curl in the paper being fed into the printer. The curl eliminating mechanism includes a tube which is pressed against the paper to impart a reverse curl to the paper which is opposite to the natural curl of the paper.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus for printing graphic images on sheet material, such as a vinyl sheet, utilizes a platen drive to move the sheet material between a roller platen and thermal print head. The thermal print head presses the sheet material into engagement with the roller platen along a linear zone of contact, and a drive motor is drivingly connected to the roller platen through a series of drive gears to rotatably drive the roller platen, and in turn move the sheet material between the platen and print head. A pair of registration sprockets are mounted on opposite ends of a common sprocket shaft, and engage corresponding feed holes formed in the marginal edges of the sheet material. The registration sprockets guide and steer the sheet material as it is driven between the roller platen and the print head, and substantially prevent buckling or like distortion of the sheet material.

Abstract: A media guidance system for substantially reducing media jamming as the leading (head) end of a web of recording media is directed over the drum surface of an internal drum type laser imagesetter during a media loading procedure. The media guidance system includes a hollow shield, at least one outrigger extending laterally away from the hollow shield, and at least one retractable plate assembly for selectively applying a pressure load against the leading end of the recording media as it approaches the exit aperture of the internal drum.

Abstract: A method and related compositions for preparing a substrate for printing are described. The invention comprises coating a non-paper substrate with an adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top coat. The base coat adheres to the substrate and the top coat, which is applied to the base coat and adheres to it, provides an ink receptive surface on which ink pigment can be deposited. A base coating composition comprises a type-A gelatin and an acrylic polymer. A top coating composition comprises a type-A or type-B gelatin and a hydrophilic organic polymer. A base- and top-coated substrate of the invention is particularly suited for use with ink-jet printers that employ aqueous-based inks. Printing substrates include such materials as canvas, leather, polymeric films and sheets, and the like.

Abstract: A virtual-drum capstan-driven device for outputting images from electronic files onto paper, film or plate material has increased output speed and reduced cost compared to an internal drum device. A capstan drive moves web type image recording media through a curved media platen having an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface which form the media into a virtual drum. The optical system has a rotating reflective spinner at the center of curvature of the virtual drum to scan modulated image date across media while being continuously driven. A tensioning mechanism maintains the media in a taught configuration and works in cooperation with the capstan drive to accurately control the motion of the media during imaging.

Abstract: An ink printer for printing on a recording medium using a liquid ink includes at least one rotatable member arranged in a region of a transport path of the recording medium. The rotatable member is located so as to be capable of contacting liquid ink for forming an image on the recording medium. The rotatable member includes a radially outermost perimeter portion which serves as a recording medium contacting peripheral surface. The outermost perimeter portion has an outermost edge which is continuously contactable with the printing surface of the recording medium. The bonding force with respect to the ink on the outermost edge is less than the sum of a bonding force between the recording medium and the ink on a surface of the recording medium, and the cohesive force of the ink itself on the surface of the recording medium. As a result adherence of the ink to the contacting peripheral surface of the at least one rotatable member is prevented.

Abstract: In an apparatus for intermittently advancing a web, only one surface of the web contacts moving parts of the apparatus. The apparatus includes, in a direction of movement of the web, a device for supplying the web, a first dancer roller arrangement, an intermittently driven drive roller, a second dancer roller arrangement, and a take-up device. The first and second dancer roller arrangements function to isolate a portion of the web from inertia in other portions of the web, and to provide substantially constant tension on opposite sides of the drive roller to prevent slippage and ensure accurate intermittent advancement of the web by the drive roller. A method for intermittently advancing a web is also disclosed.

Abstract: A unique system and method for directly feeding sheets into a printing device having a moving image conducting element with a plurality of images placed thereon for transfer to sheet paper and having a wait station for controlling the timing of paper transfer to the image conducting element provides a feeding table to transfer sheets from a source to a printer stack deshingler while bypassing and, thus, eliminating any need for sheet stacks. The movement of each sheet by the wait station into the image transfer element signals the cutting of a sheet from a roll of continuous web on the input side of the feeding table. Once the sheet has moved into the image transfer element the absence of a sheet at the detector signals transfer by the feeding table of the cut sheet to the stack deshingler. Simultaneously, a source of web presents and end of the web representing another sheet to a cutting unit. This sheet is (out when the current sheet at the wait station begins movement into the image transfer element.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus for performing a printing operation on both obverse and reverse surfaces of a continuous web paper with an ink jet printing machine, there is a construction having a first printing unit for printing on one surface of the continuous web paper and a second printing unit for printing on the other surface of the continuous web paper, in which the first printing unit and the second printing unit are arranged at an identical position in respective paths of travel of a first portion and a second portion of the continuous web paper as oriented in parallel to each other, as facing downwards and as shifted to each other in the direction perpendicular to directions in which the first portion and the second portion of the continuous web paper are traveling, and the path of travel of the first portion of the continuous web paper which is printed by the first printing unit and the path of travel of the second portion of the continuous web paper which is printed by the second printing unit are made c

Abstract: In reproducing medical images which are supplied in digital form and which vary in size, a web-like reproducing material is used. The reproducing material is cut at variable lengths in correspondence with the sizes of the images.

Abstract: A modular high volume digital color printing system uses a drop on demand printing mechanism. Each of plural printing modules contains two heads to allow simultaneous printing of both sides of the paper. Bi-level page image memories are provided. The pages to be printed can be altered by changing the contents of the bi-level page memories. The heads are supplied with ink by a gravity feed mechanism from a single ink reservoir for each color. Paper transport into and out of a printing module is achieved by a modular conveyor belt. Blank paper to be printed is supplied on a roll mounted on a frame with wheels to allow it to be simply rolled into or out of the printing module. The paper roll is at floor level, with the paper transport mechanisms being mounted above the roll. The modularity of the system allows all of the sheets in a color publication to be printed and collated simultaneously.

Abstract: A printing device for objects, which are continuously moved forward, in particular for parcels, wrapped magazine piles or the like, comprises a transport path, alongside of which the objects can be transported at a defined rate of feed. By means of an adjustable matrix printing head the surface to be printed of the objects can be printed in contactless manner when they pass the printing head. A scanning member, related to the transport direction of the objects, is arranged at a distance before the printing head. The scanning member scans the position of the surface to be printed of the objects and tracks the printing head according to the position of the surface to be printed of the objects by a corresponding control of an adjustment drive of the printing head.

Abstract: A unique system and method for directly feeding sheets into a printing device having a moving image conducting element with a plurality of images placed thereon for transfer to sheet paper and having a wait station for controlling the timing of paper transfer to the image conducting element provides a feeding table to transfer sheets from a source to a printer stack deshingler while bypassing and, thus, eliminating any need for sheet stacks. The movement of each sheet by the wait station into the image transfer element signals the cutting of a sheet from a roll of continuous web on the input side of the feeding table. Once the sheet has moved into the image transfer element the absence of a sheet at the detector signals transfer by the feeding table of the cut sheet to the stack deshingler. Simultaneously, a source of web presents and end of the web representing another sheet to a cutting unit. This sheet is cut when the current sheet at the wait station begins movement into the image transfer element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically calibrating a media sensor configured to detect advancing print media in a printing device. In some embodiments, the apparatus selects a first light intensity level and a second light intensity level greater than the first light intensity level. A light source unit, such as a light emitting diode or laser diode is activated to emit light at the second light intensity level. The light passes though print media, for example, a roll of self-adhesive labels, that is advanced along a print path of the printing device. The amount of light transmitted through the print media is measured as the print media advances. If the measured light increases decreases, the light source unit is reactivated to emit light at the first light intensity level. In some embodiments, the apparatus identifies whether print media has changed or an out-of-stock condition exists.