Housing Or Mounting Patents (Class 347/222)
  • Patent number: 8754916
    Abstract: A label printer is provided. The label printer comprises a stationary housing (100) and a side cover (200) which are rotationally connected; a mechanism set is fixed in the stationary housing; at least two fixed shafts are set between a first side plate (800) and a second side plate (801) of the printer module frame; a pinch plate (5) used to support the second side plate is rotationally installed at the side of the mechanism base; a printer set (10,2,1) between the first side plate and the second side plate. The label printer in the invention is convenient to change or assemble the consumable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Postek Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Gaoren Lv, Yueqin Zheng, Senbing Zhao, Haiyun Deng, Rong Xie, Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20140160219
    Abstract: A direct thermal printer including a latch assembly, a media storage assembly, a media centering assembly, a print assembly, and a temperature sensing member. The latch assembly includes a single latch lever in mechanical communication with latch tabs disposed in the cover of the printer that are received by openings in the base of the printer to engage and disengage the cover from the base. The media storage assembly includes media guides with removable tabs having more than one available position to provide storage of different size media. The media centering assembly includes pulley assemblies that bias the media guides towards each other to secure media between the media guides. The print assembly includes a platen disposed in the base of the printer having cams on each end that are rotatable and positioned to adjust printing characteristic of a printhead disposed in the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation
    Inventors: Dwayne Steven Tobin, William M. Bouverie, William C. Bouverie
  • Patent number: 8736646
    Abstract: A printing unit for a weighing device, which has a housing and a load plate, includes an interior configured to hold a print medium. A front panel has a printer opening communicating with the interior for passage of the print medium therethrough. A top cover is disposed above the front panel and extends in an opening direction from the housing of the weighing device, past an edge of the load plate of the weighing device and to the front panel. A side edge cover is disposed at each side of the top cover. The top cover, front panel and side edge covers are shaped so as to direct a liquid from the load plate toward at least one of a bottom region and a drain of the printing unit without entering into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Albert Wang Keng Meng, Harald Blocher
  • Patent number: 8723904
    Abstract: A mobile printer comprising a printer body and a printer door is provided. The printer body has a recessed area that is sized to receive a media roll. The media roll has a void interior portion that is sized to receive one or more batteries that provide power to the mobile printer. Further, the printer door is operatively coupled to the printer body. When in an open position, the printer door allows for placement of a media roll from a side of the mobile printer into the recessed area. When closed, however, the media roll is retained in place relative to the printer body and the media from the media roll is captured for printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Marty, Dean Jeffrey Bidwell, John S. Bandringa, Bruce Morton
  • Patent number: 8711194
    Abstract: A printer includes a printer main body, a lid part including a lid main body, a block unit, and a first rotation shaft providing a connection between the lid main body and the block unit, the block unit being rotatable around the axis of the first rotation shaft, a print head attached to one of the printer main body and the block unit, a platen roller attached to the other one thereof, and a second rotation shaft situated on one of two opposite side faces of the printer main body and the lid part, the second rotation shaft providing a connection between the printer main body and the lid part, and lid part being rotatable around the axis of the second rotation shaft, wherein the first rotation shaft is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the print head, and the second rotation shaft is perpendicular to the first rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuchiya, Yukihiro Mori, Sumio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8696225
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Publication number: 20140085395
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electronic device comprising an opening/closing cover. One of the opening/closing cover and a housing includes a shaft portion, and the other thereof includes a bearing hole portion. The shaft portion includes a first protruding portion. The bearing hole portion includes a second protruding portion. The first and the second protruding portions are configured, to be separated away from each other when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state, to become closer to each other along with rotation from the closed state, to be in contact with each other when the opening/closing cover arrives at a first rotation position, and configured to release an engagement of the shaft portion and the bearing hole portion by the manner that one of the first and second protruding portions overrides the other thereof to overlap each other when the opening/closing cover arrives at a second rotation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro TAKAHASHI, Keiji SEO, Hidenori JO, Yuki NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 8675033
    Abstract: An ink jet printer includes an openable/closable scanner unit which is provided in an upper portion of a recording unit configured to execute recording on a sheet. A shaft is formed on a main frame which constitutes a base of the recording unit. The scanner unit is enabled to tilt in relation to the recording unit when the bearing provided to the scanner unit engages the shaft. A restricting portion is provided at a location opposing the outer periphery of the bearing. The restricting portion restricts the deformation of the bearing in a direction of expansion of an opening of the bearing within the range of tilt of the scanner unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naomi Kimura, Tetsuya Miyagawa, Kenji Oshima
  • Patent number: 8657284
    Abstract: A sheet conveyer, including a body, a processing unit, a conveyer roller, a control board, and a board cover, is provided. The body includes a conveyer path and a lower chute with an opening. The conveyer path and a lower area lower than the lower chute are connected with each other through the opening. The processing unit executes a process with the sheet being conveyed. The conveyer roller is partially exposed from the conveyer plane to the conveyer path through the opening. The control board is arranged in the lower area and controls the processing unit to execute the process. The board cover is arranged in a position between the conveyer plane and the control board and covers at least an upper part of the control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatsugu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8648891
    Abstract: A printer comprises a body, a display pivotally coupled to the body, and a cover pivotally coupled to the body. The display and the cover can be positioned relative to each other such that the cover overlaps the display when the display is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew B. Terrill, David N. Woods, Matthew T. Woerpel, John Grosz, Michael Brock
  • Patent number: 8634113
    Abstract: A multifunction printer includes a) a printing apparatus having: i) a printer chassis having a media input region, a printing region, and a media support element; ii) a carriage configured to move a printhead in a carriage scan direction along the printing region; and iii) a plurality of rollers configured to transport a recording medium from the media input region, across the media support element and to the printing region; and b) a scanning apparatus to convert an image into digitized data, the scanning apparatus including a base that is affixed to the printer chassis, wherein the base of the scanning apparatus comprises a guide for the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Murray
  • Patent number: 8623583
    Abstract: A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a fabricating method of organic light emitting diodes using the same, which laminate an acceptor substrate and a donor film using a magnetic force in vacuum, and are used to form a pixel array on the acceptor substrate. A substrate stage includes a magnet or magnetic substance. The acceptor substrate has a pixel region for forming first, second, and third sub-pixels, and the donor film has an organic light emission layer to be transferred to the pixel region. A laser oscillator irradiates a laser to the donor film. A contact frame is adapted to be disposed between the substrate stage and the laser oscillator, and is used to form a magnetic force with the substrate stage. The contact frame includes an opening through which the laser passes. A contact frame feed mechanism moves the contact frame in a direction of the substrate stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sok Won Noh, Seong Taek Lee, Mu Hyun Kim, Myung Won Song, Sun Hoe Kim, Jin Wook Seong
  • Publication number: 20130335502
    Abstract: A marking head of a marking device comprises: at least one marking pin; a heater that heats the marking pin; a support base that supports a first marking tape and a second marking tape in such a manner that the first marking tape and the second marking tape line up in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the marketing pin; a driving device that is capable of moving the support base to a first position at which the first marking tape faces the marking pin, and a second position at which the second marking tape faces the marking pin; and extrusion devices that extrude the marking pin out toward the marking tape facing the marking pin in order to press the marking tape facing the marking pin against a tire and print on the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventor: Takehiko Wakazono
  • Patent number: 8610752
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a head cover configured to be movable from a secured position which is secured to cover at least a part of a thermal head in a direction away from the thermal head in a state in which at least a part of the head cover is supported by a printer main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tsugaru
  • Patent number: 8585305
    Abstract: A printer includes a rocking member with a rotary shaft and a bearing portion for axially supporting a platen roller, and a latch member having a protrusion. The latch member is rotatably connected to the rotary shaft portion of the rocking member so as to be rotatable about a rotary axis that is non-coaxial with and parallel to a platen axis. The rotary shaft portion of the rocking member projects along the rotary axis from an inner side surface of the rocking member. A stationary frame supports a recording head and includes a first recess into which the bearing portion of the rocking member is disengageably fitted and a second recess into which the protrusion of the latch member is disengageably fitted after the bearing portion is fitted in the first recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Akio Naito
  • Patent number: 8562231
    Abstract: A thermal printer in which an upper lid portion and a printing unit can be opened off a main body of the printer by a single operation and the upper lid portion is not closed even when a closing direction force is exerted on the printing unit during ink ribbon replacement. The upper lid portion has a stopper 34 that supports an upper lid portion 30 in a predetermined rotative position relative to a main body 20 and releases support of the upper lid portion 30 when the upper lid portion 30 is closed. A unit stopper 44 supports a printing unit 40 relative to the main body 20 at a smaller rotation angle than the upper lid portion 30 and releases support of the printing unit 40 when the printing unit 40 is closed. A connecting member 35 connects the upper lid portion 30 and the printing unit 40 in a fitted state where the printing unit 40 is fitted to the upper lid portion 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sato Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Maeda, Hiroshi Kokuta
  • Patent number: 8537185
    Abstract: A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a fabricating method of organic light emitting diodes using the same, which laminate an acceptor substrate and a donor film using a magnetic force in vacuum, and are used to form a pixel array on the acceptor substrate. A substrate stage includes a magnet or magnetic substance. The acceptor substrate has a pixel region for forming first, second, and third sub-pixels, and the donor film has an organic light emission layer to be transferred to the pixel region. A laser oscillator irradiates a laser to the donor film. A contact frame is adapted to be disposed between the substrate stage and the laser oscillator, and is used to form a magnetic force with the substrate stage. The contact frame includes an opening through which the laser passes. A contact frame feed mechanism moves the contact frame in a direction of the substrate stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sok Won Noh, Seong Taek Lee, Mu Hyun Kim, Myung Won Song, Sun Hoe Kim, Jin Wook Seong
  • Patent number: 8537652
    Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus having a label printer for printing labels on an optical disk and a method for printing labels on an optical disk. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes an optical disk drive unit recording and reproducing information on a recording surface of an optical disk, a label printer module printing labels on a label surface of the optical disk using thermal transfer, and a controller controlling a label printing operation of the optical disk drive unit and the label printer module, wherein the label printer module includes a ribbon cartridge in which a thermal transfer ribbon to which dyes are attached is wound and which is disposed to face the label surface of the optical disk mounted in the optical disk drive unit, and a thermal printhead transferring the dyes attached to the thermal transfer ribbon onto the label surface of the optical disk using thermal transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Korea Corporation
    Inventors: Won-Ik Cho, Ki-won Yoon, Young-won Lee
  • Patent number: 8525858
    Abstract: Printers and methods of printer operation are disclosed for detecting print line loss. Embodiments include at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element; and at least two optical elements mounted on one or more of the stable frame element and the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, Kevin H. Vorhees
  • Patent number: 8500351
    Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a media guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media. a bottom housing having a top cover coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Colonel, Raul Palacios, Ching-Yang Chou, Dick Feng Yi Tai
  • Patent number: 8482587
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable printer wherein provisions are made to prevent rain drops or dust particles from entering the interior of a body case through a paper exit port of the printer when a person carrying the portable printer in an exposed manner, for example, on his or her waist, is caught in rain or passes through a dusty area, and provisions are also made to ensure that power to the portable printer is turned off when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Sakaino
  • Patent number: 8469507
    Abstract: A medium holding apparatus includes: a medium holding conveyance device which has a plurality of suction grooves for suctioning a sheet-shaped medium, and conveys the medium in a prescribed direction while holding the medium on a medium holding surface; and a suction pressure generating device which is connected to the plurality of suction grooves, and generates suction pressure in each of the suction grooves, wherein: the plurality of suction grooves include a leading end suction groove provided at a position where a leading end region of the medium is held, and the leading end suction groove has a structure so as to be separated from other suction grooves of the plurality of suction grooves, and is connected to the suction pressure generating device via a flow channel which is not connected to the other suction grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Fukui
  • Publication number: 20130135418
    Abstract: An open-close cover assembly of an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining an open angle of an open-close cover even when sheets of large quantity are stacked on the cover and preventing the cover and an apparatus main unit from being damaged even when the cover is applied with an excessive force acting in a cover opening direction. When the cover is in open state, first stopper portions of the cover are engaged with first receiving portions of the main unit, thereby maintaining the cover open angle. When an excessive force is applied to the cover, shaft portions of the main unit are disengaged from bearing portions of the cover through openings formed in the bearing portions after the first stopper portions have been disengaged from the first receiving portions and second stopper portions of the cover have been engaged with second receiving portions of the main unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8441510
    Abstract: A printing apparatus that receives a supply of an image receiving medium and includes a platen arranged to feed the image receiving medium selectively in one of a forward and reverse direction. A print head arranged to print an image on the image receiving medium while the medium is fed in the forward direction and an arcuate guide portion partially encasing the platen and movable relative to the surface of the platen. The guide portion having an inoperative position in which it is spaced from the print head to permit a supply of image receiving medium to be received and an operative position wherein the guide portion is moved to be proximate to the print head whereby the guide portion in the operative position restricts movement of the image receiving medium in a direction perpendicular to the forward and reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: DYMO
    Inventors: Kris Vandermeulen, Erwin Vereecken
  • Patent number: 8425132
    Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation
    Inventors: William M Bouverie, Kenneth Colonel, Christopher Roy Christensen, Dwayne Tobin, Jay Huberty, Ron Consiglio, Fred Scofield, Mary Hitz, George Vazac, Richard Hatle
  • Patent number: 8411119
    Abstract: A printer module for use in a printer apparatus having a rotationally openable lid includes a fixed blade module having a fixed blade, a movable blade module having a movable blade and configured to be joined to the fixed blade module such that the movable blade and the fixed blade face each other, and a positioning unit configured to position the movable blade module relative to the fixed blade module such that an angle between the movable blade and the fixed blade becomes optimum upon joining the movable blade module to the fixed blade module, wherein the movable blade module is configured to be movable relative to the rotationally openable lid upon being mounted on the rotationally openable lid of the printer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuchiya, Yukihiro Mori, Sumio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8403286
    Abstract: A three-dimensional printing device includes a top bracket, a side bracket, and a pivoting member. The top bracket includes a pair of sidewalls cooperatively defining a receiving space to receive an inkjet head. The side bracket includes a pair of sidewalls cooperatively defining a receiving space to receive the top bracket. The pivoting member includes a pair of sidewalls cooperatively defining a receiving space to receive an inkjet head. The pivoting member is rotatably mounted in the receiving space of the side bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsing Cheng, Hsing-Yi Hu, Wuu-Jyi Lin
  • Patent number: 8390850
    Abstract: A toy mailbox for children includes a storage unit and a media processing mechanism. The storage unit includes a door member for closeably opening the storage unit and an ejection slot configured on a portion of the storage unit. The media processing mechanism is coupled to the storage unit, such that the media processing mechanism is capable of dispensing a media sheet having data content printed thereon, into the storage unit through the ejection slot. Opening the storage unit enables children to access the media sheet from within the storage unit. The media processing mechanism is also capable of printing the data content on the media sheet prior to dispensing the media sheet into the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Writt
  • Publication number: 20130050385
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a printer configured to perform desired printing, comprising a substantially box-shaped housing, a partition wall that partitions an internal structure of the housing into a first area positioned on a first side, and a second area positioned on a second side opposite to the first side, a control substrate provided to the first area, a medium storage chamber configured to store the print-receiving medium and provided to the second area, an opening/closing lid configured to expose the medium storage chamber to the outside and provided to the housing and configured to open and close between an open position and a closed position, and a print processing mechanism configured to perform desired printing while feeding the print-receiving medium supplied from the medium storage chamber based on control by the control substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsugi TANAKA, Toshiyuki FURUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8371763
    Abstract: A mobile image forming apparatus is provided that comprises a casing, a support frame to surround a printing medium roll from which a printing medium is supplied and to guide the printing medium, an image forming unit to form an image on the printing medium guided by the support frame and a printing medium receiving portion disposed between the casing and the support frame to receive therein the printing medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. The mobile image forming apparatus may further comprise a roll support core disposed in the support frame to rotatably support the printing medium roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sin-ae Kim, Yong-duk Lee, Ho-gun You, Dong-hun Han
  • Publication number: 20130027497
    Abstract: A printer comprises a body, a display pivotally coupled to the body, and a cover pivotally coupled to the body. The display and the cover can be positioned relative to each other such that the cover overlaps the display when the display is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew B. Terrill, David N. Woods, Matthew T. Woerpel, John Grosz, Michael Brock
  • Patent number: 8350881
    Abstract: A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruyuki Ochiai, Hiroyasu Ishii, Osamu Watanabe, Yukihiro Tamura, Yoshimi Urushibata, Kazuhiro Fushimi
  • Patent number: 8348415
    Abstract: A recording paper transportation path structure suppresses sagging of the recording paper fed from the nipping part of a pair of rollers to the platen surface of a vacuum platen, and can prevent a drop in paper feed precision. In a roll paper printer 1, the recording paper fed through the nipping part 52 of a paper feed roller 22 and a paper pressure roller 23 is fed along the contact plane P2 of the outside surface of the rollers 22 and 23 toward the platen surface 8a of the vacuum platen 8 at a slightly lower position. An inclined surface part 12b that slopes along the contact plane P2, an up-lifting surface part 12c that slopes down, and a protruding surface part 12d are formed contiguously to the upstream side at the upstream end part 8b of the platen surface 8a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Nagata
  • Patent number: 8342763
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for a portable printer are provided. Personnel utilize features of the printer to manage products, store information on labels, and aid in shipping. A low battery shut-off feature shuts down the printer at a set battery power percentage; a battery charge control feature controls battery charging to stay within a set range of state of charge values to ensure longer battery life; a ribbon cartridge insertion feature allows for easy replacement of the ribbon cartridge; ribbon cartridge locating features lock the ribbon cartridge into place for printing; a ribbon guiding feature adjusts the ribbon during printing to reduce wrinkles; an RFID coupler mounting feature mounts and shields an RFID coupler inside the printer; a media guide locking feature fixes the media position to prevent misalignment; and a media alignment feature allows the user to properly align the media with the printhead during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Huy Vo, Hussam E. Eassa, Michael L. Lamontagne, Brian Stormont, Gregory J. Klein, Michael E. Leclerc, Richard J. Preliasco, Roy P. Lyman, David F. Beck, Craig A. Horrocks
  • Publication number: 20120274723
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: NCR CORPORATION, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Publication number: 20120274721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the quick coupling of reels (1, 2) to a rotating shaft (3) especially suitable for the unwinding or winding in reels of a consumable of thermal transfer printing or direct thermal printing machines, which consists of a rotating shaft (3) provided with a plurality of housings (4) each of which is suitable for the firm but removable coupling of a rod (5), a single rod being able to be selectively coupled in any one of the mentioned housings; and a set of reels (1, 2) of a different width, provided with respective tubular bodies for the winding of the consumable provided with at least one respective slot (7, 8, 9) suitable for the bayonet mount thereof with the shaft through the rod coupled in said shaft, the arrangement of the housings and of the slots being such that the coupling of any of the reels such that it is centred with respect to one and the same plane (11) transverse to the shaft is always possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Girnet Internacional, S.L.
    Inventor: Ezequiel Giro Amigo
  • Publication number: 20120274722
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: NCR CORPORATION, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Patent number: 8274542
    Abstract: The exposure device is provided with: an exposure unit that has one end and a different end, that includes plural light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction along a direction of a rotational axis of a rotating image carrier, and that exposes the image carrier; a one-end-side holding portion that holds a one end part, on the one end side, of the exposure unit; a first reference part that is formed in the one-end-side holding portion, and that serves as a reference for aligning the exposure unit in the first direction by bringing the one end part of the exposure unit into contact with the first reference part; and an application portion that applies, to the one end part of the exposure unit, force with which the one end part of the exposure unit is pressed against the first reference part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20120212562
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a head cover configured to be movable from a secured position which is secured to cover at least a part of a thermal head in a direction away from the thermal head in a state in which at least a part of the head cover is supported by a printer main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroyuki TSUGARU
  • Patent number: 8231291
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Publication number: 20120176461
    Abstract: A mobile printer comprising a printer body and a printer door is provided. The printer body has a recessed area that is sized to receive a media roll. The media roll has a void interior portion that is sized to receive one or more batteries that provide power to the mobile printer. Further, the printer door is operatively coupled to the printer body. When in an open position, the printer door allows for placement of a media roll from a side of the mobile printer into the recessed area. When closed, however, the media roll is retained in place relative to the printer body and the media from the media roll is captured for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: INTERMEC IP CORP.
    Inventors: William A. Marty, Dean Jefffrey Bidwell, John S. Bandringa, Bruce Morton
  • Patent number: 8212851
    Abstract: A portable printer includes: a housing; a platen roller configured to convey a label sheet having a base sheet; a pinch roller configured to rotate following the platen roller via the base sheet; a supporting shaft configured to support the pinch roller; a shaft holder configured to hold the supporting shaft; a removing and inserting section configured to hold the shaft holder to be removable therefrom and insertable thereinto; a pawl section provided in the shaft holder, configured to resiliently hook to the removing and inserting section; a member holding section provided in the housing; and an urging member detachably attachable to the member holding section, nipped by the member holding section and the supporting shaft, and configured to apply pressing force on the platen roller to the pinch roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohito Tsuchiya, Hiroyasu Ishii
  • Patent number: 8189025
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a thermal head, a platen roller configured to press the thermal head, an engaging part configured to engage the platen roller provided at a side part of a main part where the thermal head is provided, and a spring part provided at a part of the side part so as to engage the platen roller with the engaging part. The spring part forms a part of a side surface of the engaging part. The spring part is made of a material the same as a material of the side part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Yukihiro Mori, Yoshinari Takabatake
  • Patent number: 8154574
    Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held portable printer having an internal antenna, convertible to an RFID printer capable to receiving RFID data from a scanner coupled to the printer. The printer preferably shares a common RFID reader/writer with an RFID scanner. The scanner has an external antenna which can be coupled to and preferably attached to the printer. The scanner preferably includes the RFID reader/writer. The internal antenna is close to but separate from the printer's print head and the internal antenna is movable as a unit with the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Lance D. Neuhard, Clyde N. Tharp
  • Publication number: 20120050448
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable printer wherein provisions are made to prevent rain drops or dust particles from entering the interior of a body case through a paper exit port of the printer when a person carrying the portable printer in an exposed manner, for example, on his or her waist, is caught in rain or passes through a dusty area, and provisions are also made to ensure that power to the portable printer is turned off when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: CITIZEN SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO.,LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Sakaino
  • Patent number: 8085647
    Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus having a label printer for printing labels on an optical disk and a method for printing labels on an optical disk. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes an optical disk drive unit recording and reproducing information on a recording surface of an optical disk, a label printer module printing labels on a label surface of the optical disk using thermal transfer, and a controller controlling a label printing operation of the optical disk drive unit and the label printer module, wherein the label printer module includes a ribbon cartridge in which a thermal transfer ribbon to which dyes are attached is wound and which is disposed to face the label surface of the optical disk mounted in the optical disk drive unit, and a thermal printhead transferring the dyes attached to the thermal transfer ribbon onto the label surface of the optical disk using thermal transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Korea Corporation
    Inventors: Won-ik Cho, Ki-won Yoon, Young-won Lee
  • Patent number: 8072476
    Abstract: A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruyuki Ochiai, Hiroyasu Ishii, Osamu Watanabe, Yukihiro Tamura, Yoshimi Urushibata, Kazuhiro Fushimi
  • Patent number: 8068127
    Abstract: A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruyuki Ochiai, Hiroyasu Ishii, Osamu Watanabe, Yukihiro Tamura, Yoshimi Urushibata, Kazuhiro Fushimi
  • Patent number: 8049768
    Abstract: A disc processor such as a disc burner and printer, is provided in a housing. A drawer is slidably mounted on the bottom wall of the housing and is positionable in a retracted position in a recess with a portion underneath the processor and is slidably extendable from the processor. The disc output storage drawer carries ramps that will, when the disc output storage drawer is extended move to a position to provide a guide surface to guide a disc dropped thereon into a storage bin on the disc output storage drawer, and when the disc output storage drawer is in its retracted position, the ramps are automatically pivoted to a folded position and stored underneath the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Primera Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Erick Hagstrom
  • Patent number: 8022973
    Abstract: An inward deformation of one side wall of a main body is corrected, since a shaft serving as a rotatable shaft of a door is in contact with ribs of a side wall. Additionally, an inward deformation of another side wall of the main body is corrected, since ribs of a side wall of door are in contact with side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Akio Takeda