Abstract: JP920000407US128 A printer includes a printing head for performing printing while moving over a printing medium, a gap roller capable of rolling along a direction of moving of said printing head, and a platen bar placed so as to face said printing head and said gap roller. The printer further includes a controller for controlling a pressing force of said platen bar applied to said gap roller according to a printing end position of said printing head on the printing medium.

Abstract: Substantially uniform spacing between a printhead and a platen throughout a print zone associated with said printhead in an ink jet printer is provided. The ink jet printer includes a printer frame, and the platen is slideably coupled to the printer frame. A first carrier guide rod is attached to the printer frame, and a second carrier guide rod has at least one end adjustably attached to the printer frame. A position of the second carrier guide rod is adjusted to provide parallelism between the first carrier guide rod and the second carrier guide rod. The platen is biased to a position relative to a position of at least one of the first carrier guide rod and the second carrier guide rod.

Abstract: A platen together with a frame supporting the platen is rotatably mounted on a shaft and a platen gap is regulated by rotary movement of the frame about that shaft to detect thickness of a printing sheet at a first printing position. The mechanism for setting the platen gap is simplified and precise and the present printer can accommodate even printing sheets whose thickness is partially different. Further, it is detected platen temperature by a simple temperature detecting means and to change the platen position according to the detected temperature by a predetermined value ±&Dgr;d for a standard value d0 of the gap.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus provides a machine frame including a first side frame and a second side frame. A first plurality of platen mounting members is provided which are spaced apart and extend from the first side frame. A second plurality of platen mounting members is provided which are spaced apart and extend from the second side frame. A platen is positioned to extend between the first side frame and the second side frame. The platen has a first end including a first plurality of engagement members and has a second end including a second plurality of engagement members. A biasing assembly is coupled to the machine frame, wherein the biasing assembly applies a biasing force to the platen to move the first plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with the first plurality of platen mounting members and to move the second plurality of engagement members into respective engagement with the second plurality of platen mounting members.

Abstract: A platen together with a frame supporting the platen is rotatably mounted on a shaft and a platen gap is regulated by rotary movement of the frame about that shaft to detect thickness of a printing sheet at a first printing position. The mechanism for setting the platen gap is simplified and precise and the present printer can accommodate even printing sheets whose thickness is partially different. Further, it is detected platen temperature by a simple temperature detecting means and to change the platen position according to the detected temperature by a predetermined value ±&Dgr;d for a standard value d0 of the gap.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a method and apparatus for adjusting the height of a platform having a substrate thereon in order to adjust the distance between the substrate and an ink-jet print head located above is provided. In other embodiments, an apparatus for the step-wise conveyance of materials is provided. It comprises a support structure for the material being conveyed and movable and fixed elements for applying forces for temporarily engaging the conveyed material to the support structure.

Abstract: The technique of producing a printing on a foil in a thermal printing operation during a packaging operation in which the foil is used as a packaging foil or as an information foil sheet to be applied to or below a wrap around or packaging foil for packaging a product being an organic or inorganic product. The examples of products relevant in the present context are unlimited ranging from toys, cosmetics, consumer products, foodstuffs, drugs etc. In general, any product which is to be packed in a foil or to be applied with an information printing after the product has been included in a separate package may be relevant in the present context. High speed printing and packaging operations in which the foil on which the printing is to be applied is moved at a speed up to several hundred millimeters per second.

Abstract: An apparatus and method technique to secure a smooth transporting of a recording medium in a printing device of the type in which a gap between the print head and the platen is included in a transport path for another purpose, e.g., reading of magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) characters on the recording medium, through use of a platen which is rotatable between two positions: a support position and a guide position, and which minimizes the gap adjacent the platen in the guide position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method technique to secure smooth transporting of a recording medium in a printing device. A gap between the print head and the platen is included in a transport path for another purpose, e.g., reading of magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) characters on the recording medium, through use of a platen which is rotatable between two positions: a support position and a guide position. The gap adjacent the platen is minimized in the guide position.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia at a precise location called the amount field. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a transaction printer at a point-of-sale, to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. A clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage two MICR read heads with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer in a single, sequential operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are printers capable of easy and precise head gap adjustment. In the printer, a cam mechanism 61 consisting of a fixed cam 62 and a rotatable cam 63 put between each end of a platen 10 and a swing frame 4. The platen 10 is normally biased to the swing frame 4 by a torsion coil spring 14. A driving gear 64 rotatably supported on the swing frame 4 is engaged with a driven gear 63a formed on the rotatable cam 63. The driving gear 64 is rotated by an operating tool 66 inserted from above, whereby the rotatable cam 63 is rotated by gear drive. In accordance with the rotation of the rotatable cam 63, the platen 10 vertically moves with the fixed cam 62, whereby head gap with respect to a printing head is adjusted. The driving gear 64 can be unrotatable by securing a screw 65 as a rotatable axis thereof by operation from above, whereby the platen 10 is secured.

Abstract: According to the type of paper sheet specified through an operation unit (111) by the user, the environmental temperature detected by a thermistor (110), and the spacing between the paper sheet and a paper sensor, detected by a lift height sensor (113), respectively, the correction values for the start and end positions where the printing heads start and end the printing in a horizontal direction are beforehand stored in a memory (112). Before printing, a CPU (104) detects the paper edge positions of the paper sheet on the basis of the output from a paper sensor (303), and reads the corresponding correction values from the memory (112) according to the type of paper sheet, the environmental temperature and the lift height. A window control unit (106) corrects the paper edge position with the correction values, thereby generating a window signal which controls the side margins of the paper sheet.

Abstract: A printer is provided wherein printing can be executed continuously after the rear end of printing paper comes off a paper feeding roller without loss in print image quality. Specifically, the position of a point nipped by a paper ejecting roller is placed higher than the position of the top face of a record medium regulating part, and the surface of the paper located upstream of the paper ejecting roller is pressed downward. The position of the top face of the record medium regulating may be varied and backed up. As a result, the rear end of the paper being pressed downward may be caused not to touch the print head. The printer is also provided with a driving controller, that executes an interlace recording method, and the end on the upstream side of the flat top face of the record medium regulating part is located within a range of the array of dot formation elements.

Abstract: An adaptive method for handling media is provided for an inkjet printing mechanism having a printhead that prints on media in a printzone. A drive motor, a spacing adjuster, a controller storing a tolerance adjust value, and a media support member are provided, with the support member defining a printhead-to-media spacing in the printzone. The tolerance value is summed with a value selected for the type of media or image to determine a total motor drive value. In a coupling step, the motor is operatively coupled to the support member using the spacing adjuster. Following the coupling step, in an adjusting step, the printhead-to-media spacing is selectively adjusted by the driving spacing adjuster with the motor for the total drive value. A method is provided of accommodating manufacturing tolerance variations accumulated during assembly of an inkjet printing mechanism having a printhead that prints on media in a printzone.

Abstract: Both a printing-medium support (such as a platen) and a printhead-carriage slide-rod are supported and located in common from a single chassis. Preferably a pair of positive stops is used to locate the slide-rod, and a biasing retainer forcibly abuts the rod against, selectively, either stop of the pair of positive stops. Alternatively the two positive stops are instead used to locate the print-medium support--or separate pairs of such stops are used to locate both the slide-rod and the print-medium support respectively. A respective biasing retainer forcibly engages each located support element against one or the other of its stops. In another facet of the invention, an accurate system establishes and adjustably controls printhead-to-print-medium spacing without an assembly fixture. An adjustable mechanism (such as the biasing retainer mentioned above), distinct from both support elements, locates one of the two supports relative to the other.

Abstract: Printing apparatus is disclosed for printing on articles of non-uniform thickness. The printing apparatus includes a thermal transfer print head to print on the article and the article is pressed toward thermal printing elements of the thermal print head by a line of individual impression rollers each individually resiliently biased toward the print head.

Abstract: A point-of-sale printer including a facility for encoding MICR indicia at a precise location called the amount field. A single stepper motor in combination with a unique bi-direction clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer.

Abstract: A sheet to be printed on can be transported along a sheet feed path to a printing position. The sheet feed path extends along a first direction. A thermal print head is located on one side of the sheet feed path and is provided for printing onto a sheet which has been transported to the printing position along the sheet feed path. A print platen is located on an opposite side of the sheet feed path and is provided for printing onto a sheet which has been transported to the printing position along the sheet feed path. A spring mechanism is provided for biasing the head and the platen towards each other to contact the sides of a sheet in the printing position to allow printing on the sheet in the printing position. A drive mechanism is provided for moving the head and the platen in a second direction which is transverse to the first direction to allow printing on a sheet in the printing position to occur while the head and the platen are contacting the sheet in the printing position.

Abstract: A printer with paper stacker activation. A platen is mounted on the drive roller for both rotation and translation. When fully to the right end of its travel, the platen is engaged with rotation stops which position the platen a fixed distance from the print cartridge, and disengaged from the roller, which can rotate for paper advancement during printing. When translated to the left, the platen is disengaged from the rotation stops and allowed to rotate. A clockwise rotation of the drive roller brings a roller shoulder into contact with a platen tab, urging the platen downwardly, clearing the way for the paper to fall into the output tray. Platen translation from right to left is driven by the carriage. A flag and a key are mounted on the roller, and engage the platen by the pen carriage. The key has a friction pinch on the roller, such that a torque is produced when the roller turns. The flag is adjacent the key, and the torque produced by the key urges rotation of the flag.

Abstract: A print head assembly for use in a printer which includes a platen roller positioned adjacent a paper path and a first positioning member associated with the platen roller includes a print head and a support for the print head. The support is positioned for sliding along a longitudinal member. A second positioning member extends from one of the print head and the support for movement therewith. The second positioning member slides into contact with the first positioning member to position the print head relative to the platen roller. A cam follower arrangement urges the print head into engagement with the platen roller.

Abstract: A dot-matrix line printer includes a printing shuttle which moves reciprocally to carry out a printing operation, and a balancing shuttle which moves in a direction opposite Lo the direction of the movement of the printing shuttle. The balancing shuttle is partly inserted in the printing shuttle so as not to interfere with the latter upon printing and so that the center of gravity of the balancing shuttle is located as close to the center of gravity of the printing shuttle as possible.

Abstract: A printer with paper stacker activation. A platen is mounted on the drive roller for both rotation and translation. When fully to the right end of its travel, the platen is engaged with rotation stops which position the platen a fixed distance from the print cartridge, and disengaged from the roller, which can rotate for paper advancement during printing. When translated to the left, the platen is disengaged from the rotation stops and allowed to rotate. A clockwise rotation of the drive roller brings a roller shoulder into contact with a platen tab, urging the platen downwardly, clearing the way for the paper to fall into the output tray. Platen translation from right to left is driven by the carriage. A flag and a key are mounted on the roller, and engage the platen by the pen carriage. The key has a friction pinch on the roller, such that a torque is produced when the roller turns. The flag is adjacent the key, and the torque produced by the key urges rotation of the flag.

Abstract: A compression tool embossing die having a frame and a movable embossing pad. The frame has a U-shaped member and two side plates attached to opposite ends of the U-shaped member. The side plates have slots therein. The embossing pad has an embossing pad member, a dowel and a backstop. The dowel has its ends movably located in the slots of the side plates. The pad member has two wedge shaped slots in its bottom surface. The die further comprises two springs located in the wedge shaped slots and biasing the embossing pad at a first position on the frame.

Abstract: In a head mechanism according to the present invention, a thermal head 36 is secured to a main body 20 and a platen roller 24 is mounted on the main body 20 in a freely detachable manner. The platen roller 24 is urged by a head spring 40, which is attached to the main body 20, whereby the platen roller 24 is brought into pressured contact with the thermal head 36.

Abstract: A platen assembly is provided for use with a printing system which uses ink jet technology to produce images on a substrate. A platen and the substrate move together as a unit. One or more print rollers deflect the substrate under tension to maintain a stable substrate, critical for maintaining print quality. A pivot point is provided from which the rollers can be cantilevered away. A lifting mechanism is then used to raise and lower the platen and the substrate to and away from a print position.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus in a printing device having a printhead displaceable along a record carrier. The record carrier is supported beneath the printhead by a platen. The improved apparatus includes a mechanism for spacing the printing distance between the printhead and the record carrier. The spacing mechanism is positioned to bear upon the record carrier in advance of the printhead. A mechanism urges the platen away from the printhead and the spacing mechanism so as to permit a ribbon mechanism to be inserted between the printhead and the platen.

Abstract: In a printing machine such as an impact printer, the printing gap between a print head and a platen is appropriately adjusted to cope with a variety of paper sheets. For adjusting the printing gap, the platen (or print head) is moved toward the print head (or platen) to press a paper sheet and then the platen (or print head) is moved to an origin position. Thereafter, the platen (or print head) is moved closer to the print head (or platen) by an appropriate pressing distance obtained by subtracting an appropriate value for the printing gap from the distance between the pressing position and the origin position.

Abstract: To provide a printing apparatus in which a mechanical portion that is heavy in weight and needs a high precision is fixed to simplify a structure and to perform a high speed operation with a high quality printing. A piece of printing paper P is guided between a printing head 1 and a platen 2 for printing. A pair of stationary frame plate 20 are mounted to face each other on a base frame for supporting the printing head, and a platen driving unit 3 for contacting the platen 2 against the printing head 1 and separating the platen 2 away from the printing head 1 is mounted on the base frame. A guide shaft 4 for guiding a carrier 7, that carries thereon the printing head, in a printing direction, a carrier the 5 for driving the carrier in the printing direction, and stoppers 6 that face the platen around the printing head with their ends protruding toward the platen beyond a front surface of the printing head are fixed to the stationary frame plates 20.

Abstract: A leaf plate is disposed in abutment, through a guide path of printing paper, with a feed roller whose peripheral surface is in contact with the guide path. The printing paper is transported by the feed roller rotationally driven while the printing paper is pressed against the feed roller by the leaf plate. In the course of transportation of the printing paper, the printing paper fed by the feed roller is guided along a flat paper guide surface, and printing is performed by having ink jetted from a nose portion of an ink jet head to the printing paper being guided as described above. Immediately before the printing position in the guide path, there are disposed a plurality of projections in contact with the guide path and at predetermined intervals in the direction transverse to the printing paper. By bringing the transported printing paper into contact with the projections, the amplitude of undulations continuously produced in the printing paper in the direction transverse to the paper is reduced.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording device for depositing ink onto a recording medium with relative movement therebetween to effect recording on the recording medium; a shaft engageable with a part of the recording device and rotatable about an eccentric axis; and a member for supporting the shaft adjacent longitudinal ends thereof for eccentric rotation of the shaft to change relative positional relation between the recording device and the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for use in an ink-jet printer having a printhead and an opposing platen capable of movement toward and away from the printer's printhead to define a record media gap therebetween. The system is effective to selectively restrict movement of a printer's platen to effect adjustment of the record media gap upon detection of record media having a characteristic which warrants such a change. The system is provided with a detector capable of recognizing the characteristic, and with a stop mechanism which acts in concert with the detector to effect the desired change. In its nominal configuration, the stop mechanism limits movement of the platen at a first position so as to define a first record media gap. However, upon detection of record media having the characteristic, the stop mechanism is automatically reconfigured so as to allow movement of the platen to a second position defining a second record media gap.

Abstract: A printing device which employs a platen frame mounted on a resin or plastic base frame with a pivoting joint and a rocker spring which biases the frames together which creates a floating platen frame. A main guide shaft is mounted on the base frame and supports a print head. A clearance member fixed to the platen frame extends toward the main guide shaft and is pressed against a clearance adjustment member attached to at least one end of the main guide shaft. The clearance adjustment member allows adjustment of the platen gap while the clearance member and bias spring automatically adjust the paten gap under various printing conditions. Using this gap fixing device, the platen gap can be maintained constant even if the frame expands due to heat, thus facilitating the use of resin frames. At the same time, by using a floating platen frame and positioning a feed motor and other components on the platen frame, noise and vibrations are decreased.

Abstract: An apparatus for control of a sheet of paper in a printer mechanism includes a single motor drive mechanism, a frame, a platen, a roller assembly for advancing the sheet of paper over the platen, and a kicker element for selectively contacting only an edge of a sheet of paper and for urging the sheet of paper in a forward direction once it is forwardly disengaged from the roller assembly.

Abstract: A printer includes a platen roller and a print head for printing information on a recording medium moving between the platen roller and the head in a predetermined direction. The platen roller is supported by a supporting frame which is rotatably mounted on a supporting shaft so that the platen roller is rockable in directions to touch and leave the head. The platen roller is pressed against the head by an urging member. The platen roller is shifted in a direction in parallel to the moving direction by a shifting mechanism as the roller rocks, so that the position of the roller relative to the head is kept constant with respect to the moving direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: A frame plate is movably mounted on a guide shaft erected from a base for movement upward and downward, a space formed between the base and the frame plate being served as the insertion passage for the typing sheet. The frame plate is provided thereon with a printer adapted to print such data as time and serial numbers on the inserted typing sheet, a cam shaft adapted to move the printer forward and backward, and a motor for rotating the cam shaft. A spring is disposed between the frame plate and the base in order to normally pull the frame plate toward the base side, a rubber stopper being disposed to a bottom surface of the frame plate in order to normally maintain the distance between a printer head and the surface of the typing sheet constant.

Abstract: A printer includes a print head and a platen roller facing the head. The platen roller is supported by supporting frames. The frames are rotatably supported by a stationary shaft. A second set lever is mounted on the supporting frame to be movable integrally with the frames, and includes a pressing portion facing a paper guide. The paper guide is pressed against a feed roller for feeding a paper sheet passing between the head and the platen roller. When the supporting frames are rotated in a direction to leave the platen roller from the head by a first set lever, the pressing portion pushes the paper guide so as to leave it from the feed roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a print head which is used in conjunction with a floating platen. The print head is mounted on a carriage which has a forms compensation member secured to it to contact the top surface of a document to be printed upon. The forms compensation member causes the print surface of the platen to tilt somewhat causing ink smears or uneven printing by the print head. A stabilizer is used to offset the tilting caused by the forms compensation member to thereby maintain the printing surface of the platen in parallel relationship with print face of the print head, which in the embodiment described, is a wire matrix printer. The stabilizer includes first and second leaf springs which are secured to the platen and cooperate with a channel in which the platen is mounted.

Abstract: An impact printer having a platen, an impact printing member such as a printing wire, a driver such as a driving coil for driving the impact member, a controller for controlling the driver and a temperature detector. Before printing data is printed, the temperature detector compares the temperature of the printer to a set point. If the temperature is too low, a warm-up signal is provided and the driver displaces the printing member to such an extent that printing does not occur. The warm-up signal can also cause the gap between the platen and the printing member to widen to such an extent that printing cannot occur.

Abstract: Document handling apparatus 10 includes a reception platen 32 disposed below and movable with respect to a dot-matrix printer 28 having a printer head 30. A document placed on the platen 32 can therefore be brought into register with the printer head 30 by the raising and/or lowering of the platen 32 which is caused by a solenoid 48 linked to an eccentric cam 40 disposed below the platen 32. Rubber stoppers 38, 39 act as spacing means to ensure that a document in contact with the platen 32 and the stoppers 38 is at a distance from the printing head 30 pre-determined to allow the head 30 during its operation to contact the document's surface. Rollers 52 cause the document to be moved over the platen 32 and a sensor is provided to sense the presence of the document and actuate the solenoid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a recording head and a platen for contacting and holding a rear surface of a recording medium. The platen is elastically pressed against the recording head, thus preventing a blurred recording even if the apparatus is subjected to vibrations during a recording operation.

Abstract: A platen-yoke apparatus for a printer using a "floating platen". The platen for a wire matrix printer is mounted in a U-shaped channel. When the printer is moved to one side of a document feeding surface, a ramp on one end of the platen cooperates with a roller secured to the print head to depress that end of the platen to cause it to be moved below the feeding surface. A yoke member pivotally secured to the underside of the feeding surface and coupled to the ends of the platen causes the platen to be moved parallel to the feeding surface to lower the platen below the feeding surface to facilitate the insertion of a document to a printing station associated with the printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information on a web of material utilizing a roller platen located on the opposite side of a web feed path from a printhead. The roller platen has an outer arcuate surface which presses the printing material against the head and draws the material and a printing ribbon past the printhead in a printing operation. The roller platen has flattened surfaces on its circumference that facilitate feeding of the web of material between printing operations.

Abstract: A thermal printer which includes a thermal print head (15) which is displaceable in the line direction and a print bar (6) which extends in the line direction, the print bar being located opposite the print head and being pivotable about an axis parallel to the line direction. A supporting part (19) of the print bar constitutes an abutment for the print head, and is connected by an elongated resilient hinge part (20) to a mounting part (21) of the print bar.

Abstract: A printing apparatus wherein a platen for supporting a recording medium printed by a print head is pivotally supported by a support member. The support member, which extends between left and right side frames of the printer, includes a first and a second engaging portion at its opposite ends. These engaging portions respectively engage an aperture and a cutout formed through the respective side frames, so that the support member and the platen are pivotally supported by the side frames. The cutout is aligned with the aperture, and is open at an edge of the corresponding side frame. This side frame includes a detent portion disposed adjacent to the cutout. The support member further includes a third engaging portion which engages the detent portion, thereby preventing the second engaging portion from being disengaged from the cutout through the open end of the cutout.

Abstract: A printer mechanism including a frame, a platen, a printhead, a compensator mechanism supported on a frame and movable relative thereto to compensate for print media of various thicknesses, a drive motor for driving the printhead rotatable in the first direction to drive the printhead and rotatable in the second direction and a sector gear connected to the compensator mechanism for effecting movement of the compensator mechanism to move the platen supported thereby away from the printhead. The drive motor when rotated in the second direction is effective to drive the sector gear to move the compensator mechanism to move the platen to a position in which it is spaced apart from the printhead.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating for different thicknesses of record media at a printing station utilizes a platen assembly which is coupled with a pivotable arm structure to move the platen assembly toward and away from the print head. The pivotable arm structure is swung in an eccentric manner relative to the center of the platen assembly to move the platen in a linear path to accommodate the record media.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed in which a platen is mounted on a forms compensation device which is pivotally mounted so as to enable record media of varying thicknesses to be placed between the platen and associated printing elements to enable printing thereon. The forms compensation device is held in printing position by latch elements thereon which cooperate with complementary elements on the printer frame. The latch elements are associated with oppositely acting axially positioned armatures of a single-coil solenoid mounted on the forms compensation device, so that the solenoid is energized only when it is desired to move the latch elements out of engagement with the complementary elements on the printer frame, to enable the forms compensation device to be moved to a remote non-printing position in which record media may readily be inserted between the platen and the associated printing elements.

Abstract: An arrangement of a paper guide trough supporting pressure rollers to guide paper about the platen of a typewriter is used in conjunction with a platen having an elastic bearing to effect an automatic adjustment of the platen according to the thickness of paper inserted to maintain the same printing plane without additional components.

Abstract: The thickness compensation means includes an upper and lower reaction roller. The upper reaction roller is rotatably mounted to a mailing machine is fixed location. A bracket is pivotally mounted to the mailing machine for rotatably supporting the lower reaction roller in tangential radial alignment with the upper reaction roller. The bracket is biased in a first direction to urge the lower reaction roller through an accommodating opening in the mailing machine platen into tangential communication with the upper reaction roller. The bracket further rotatably supports an impression roller in tangential alignment to the print drum of a postage meter coupled to the mailing machine.

Abstract: A slip/receipt printer is provided with a separator bracket attached at one side thereof to a forms compensating arm in cantilever manner. The separator bracket is biased by magnetic means toward the arm to provide a precise path for receipt paper. A slip or form is inserted into the printer on the top surface of the separator bracket. The separator bracket separates the receipt paper from the slip or form. Openings are provided in the separator bracket and other record medium supports.