For Feeding Web Record-medium Patents (Class 400/611)
  • Patent number: 11806996
    Abstract: In a printer, an accommodating portion accommodates roll paper. A supply roller pair is disposed upstream of a recording unit in a transport direction, and nips the roll paper. The intermediate roller pair is rotatably disposed between the supply roller pair and the accommodating portion, and nips the roll paper. A second motor and a third motor apply tension to the roll paper between the intermediate roller pair and the accommodating portion. A control unit can switch between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, first tension is applied to the roll paper between the intermediate roller pair and the accommodating portion. In the second mode, second tension smaller than the first tension is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Haruna Takahashi, Shun Ito, Keiichi Yato
  • Patent number: 11633971
    Abstract: A ribbon reeling mechanism includes: a gear supporting member that supports a clutch gear rotatably and is configured to move between a mesh position at which the clutch gear supported by the gear supporting member is in mesh with a first reeling-side gear and a non-mesh position at which the clutch gear supported by the gear supporting member is not in mesh with the first reeling-side gear; a clutch impeding spring that causes a clutch impeding force of impeding movement from the mesh position to the non-mesh position to act on the gear supporting member when a feed motor starts rotating in the second rotation direction; a drive member engaged with the gear supporting member; and a clutch drive mechanism that causes the gear supporting member to move to the non-mesh position against the clutch impeding force when the feed motor rotates in the second rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taishi Sasaki, Kenichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11407548
    Abstract: An automatic, high speed labeling machine is provided for applying individual labels to large and variable size produce items. The label strips used are much larger and heavier than known label strips used for small produce such as apples and pears. The increased weight causes label strip overrun when the labeler is paused and also causes slippage of the label strip. A label strip deflector is provided which causes the larger and heavier label strip to fold back on itself rather than to overrun and foul the application of labels. The drive rollers are modified to eliminate slippage of the heavier label strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Sinclair Systems International, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Graham, Samuel Aaron Greer, Russell Alan Jensen, Kevin Guadagnini, Jeremy Benjamin Isch
  • Patent number: 11173727
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing portion that performs printing on a printing medium, a heating portion that heats the printing medium, which is performed downstream of the printing portion in transport of the printing medium, and a controller. The heating portion is disposed in a position facing a back surface, on which the printing is performed. The controller executes first control for putting the heating portion in a first state in which the heating portion is in contact with the back surface during a transport stop period, in which transport of the printing medium is stopped, and executes second control for putting the heating portion in a second state in which the heating portion contacts the back surface at a lower degree than in the first state during a transport period, in which the transport of the printing medium is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Toyama, Satoru Katagami
  • Patent number: 11104161
    Abstract: Provided is a tape cutter including a full-receiving portion having a full-receiving blade and a positioning hole, and a full-movable portion having a full-movable blade and a positioning pin, and that comes into contact with or separates from the full-receiving portion. The full-receiving blade and the full-movable blade overlap and rub against each other to cut a tape, and when the full-movable portion moves toward the full-receiving portion, the positioning hole and the positioning pin are engaged with each other, so that the full-receiving blade is positioned with respect to the full-movable blade in a direction in which the full-receiving blade and the full-movable blade overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsaku Kosuge, Hirosuke Yasuki, Hideki Sakano
  • Patent number: 11102360
    Abstract: A controller of an information processing apparatus is configured to receive image data representing a first size image, the first size being a size within which a first number of first objects can be printed, extract second image data included in the first image data, the second image data representing the first object, create first print data used to print the second number of first objects on the second size sheet in an arranged manner based on the extracted second image data, the second number being less than the first number, the first size being a size of a sheet on which the first number of first objects can be arranged, the second size being a size of a sheet on which the first number of first objects cannot be arranged but the second number of first objects can be arranged, the first print data being transmitted to a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10911616
    Abstract: A controller of an information processing apparatus is configured to receive image data representing a first size image, the first size being a size within which a first number of first objects can be printed, extract second image data included in the first image data, the second image data representing the first object, create first print data used to print the second number of first objects on the second size sheet in an arranged manner based on the extracted second image data, the second number being less than the first number, the first size being a size of a sheet on which the first number of first objects can be arranged, the second size being a size of a sheet on which the first number of first objects cannot be arranged but the second number of first objects can be arranged, the first print data being transmitted to a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10875327
    Abstract: A printer includes a first blade configured to be movable between a standby position and a cutting position, a second blade configured to contact the first blade located in the cutting position, a drive mechanism configured to drive the first blade, and a first elastic member configured to pull the first blade located in the cutting position. When the first blade is located in the cutting position, the first elastic member pulls the first blade in a direction in which the first blade moves to the standby position, and pulls the first blade in a direction in which the first blade approaches the second blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Inoue, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Patent number: 10538112
    Abstract: Examples described herein include a print media edge repair system that includes a first repair element disposed adjacent to a media handling path to repair a leading edge of a sheet of print media as the sheet of print media moves into a position relative to a printing system associated with the print media edge repair system. The print media repair system may also include a second repair element disposed opposite the first repair element across the media handling path to repair a trailing edge of the sheet of print media as the sheet of print media moves into the position relative to a printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HP SCITEX LTD.
    Inventors: Yuval Dim, Alex Veis
  • Patent number: 10479113
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate a thermal printer apparatus that includes a media sensor. The sensor generates an input signal indicative of a measure of a media transmissivity/reflectivity. Further, the thermal printer includes a processor that is configured to receive the input signal from the sensor, while the media is stationary with respect to a print head. The processor further determines one or more characteristics of the input signal. Thereafter, a first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold is determined based on the one or more characteristics in the input signal. Further, the processor receives the input signal from the sensor, while the media traverses with respect to the print head. Subsequently, the processor determines one or more current characteristics of the input signal while the media traverses with respect to the print head. A media jam condition is detected based on the one or more current characteristics and the first transmissivity/reflectivity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Hatle, Ronald Schwallie, Jose Fernando Sanchez Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 10167103
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a printing apparatus comprises a conveyance path, a detection section and a control section. The conveyance path conveys a mount to which labels are attached. The detection section detects the existence of the label peeled off by a peeling bar which peels off the label attached to the mount. The control section controls start time of back feed of the mount in a case in which it is detected that the label is taken away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiromasa Harashina
  • Patent number: 10093501
    Abstract: A winding device includes a winding shaft that rotates and winds a print medium conveyed from a printing device having a conveyance roller that conveys the print medium, a gear, and a motor driving the conveyance roller and the gear. The winding device also includes a power transfer mechanism to connect to the gear and transfer power to the motor, and a lever disposed between the winding shaft and the conveyance roller in a conveyance path in a configuration in which the winding device is connected to the printing device. The lever may be moved between a first position in which the print medium bends and a second position in which the print medium bends at a shallower angle than at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawajiri, Toru Takami
  • Patent number: 10048630
    Abstract: A printer includes: a first roller feeding a liner; a print unit printing information on a print medium temporarily adhering to the liner fed by the first roller; a second roller located at a first position when performing a print operation in a first print mode, and a second position when performing the print operation in a second print mode, at which second position the second roller rotates by the rotation of the first roller to separate the print medium from the liner; a reflective optical sensor including a light emitting part and a light receiving part arranged in an upward and downward direction defined when the printer is placed on a horizontal surface, and that is used to determine a position of the second roller; and a sensor housing containing the light receiving part. The sensor housing has a surface opposite to the light receiving part. The surface has an opening on a side of the light emitting part, and a light blocking part on a side opposite to the side of the light emitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nuttawuth Buthrath
  • Patent number: 9884697
    Abstract: A printer for label printing includes a cutter to cut a continuous label after printing at a position inside of the surface with respect to the outer case of the printer. A separation sensor is disposed between the cutter and the thermal head. A sheet detection sensor is disposed downstream of the cutter in the feeding direction. The sensors are mounted in two stages on a common circuit board. The circuit board is disposed vertically along the feeding direction of the continuous label within the region where a cover-open button to open an opening and closing cover of the printer is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Hirose
  • Patent number: 9498998
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path to the tape feed exit, a recess formed on the front wall extending from a bottom surface of the housing towards a top surface of the housing, and a first tape type indicator aperture on a bottom edge of the front wall. The first tape type indicator aperture is positioned downstream, in a tape feed direction, of the recess. The tape feed direction is a direction in which the tape is configured to be fed along a portion of the tape feed path proximate to the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Teruo Imamaki, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago, Yasuhiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9469142
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path to the tape feed exit, a recess formed on the front wall extending from a bottom surface of the housing towards a top surface of the housing, and a first tape type indicator aperture on a bottom edge of the front wall. The first tape type indicator aperture is positioned downstream, in a tape feed direction, of the recess. The tape feed direction is a direction in which the tape is configured to be fed along a portion of the tape feed path proximate to the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Teruo Imamaki, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago, Yasuhiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9463943
    Abstract: A transporting device which transports a belt-shaped base material by considering a longitudinal direction of the base material as a transporting direction, includes a first driving roller which transports the base material in the transporting direction; a second driving roller which is disposed to be closer to a downstream side of the transporting direction than the first driving roller, and transports the base material in the transporting direction; an inter-roller transporting path which is provided between the first driving roller and the second driving roller, and through which the base material is transported in a state where the base material is suspended in a direction of gravity and bent; and a tension applying portion which suctions a bent part of the base material from a lower side in the direction of gravity, and applies tension to the base material on the inter-roller transporting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9440813
    Abstract: The winding device has a winding shaft 205 that rewinds roll paper S conveyed from a printer 100, which has a conveyance unit 115 that conveys the roll paper S; a power input unit 206 to which power from the conveyance unit 115 is input; a winder-side power transfer mechanism that transfers power input to the power input unit 206 to the winding shaft 205; and a lever 208 that can move between a first position P1 where the lever 208 bends the conveyance path of the roll paper S from the printer 100 to the winding shaft 205, and a second position P2 where the lever 208 bends the conveyance path a shallower angle than at the first position P1, and to which is applied a force moving the lever 208 toward the first position P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawajiri, Toru Takami
  • Patent number: 9302861
    Abstract: A sheet feed tray to stack a sheet to be conveyed to an image forming apparatus includes a platen on which a first portion of the sheet is placed; a pair of first support portions to support a second portion of the sheet folded back upward at a trailing end of the first portion; and a pair of second support portions to support a third portion of the sheet folded back upward at a trailing end of the second portion. In the sheet feed tray, the first support portions and the second support portions are reciprocally movable toward each other, and a distance between the second support portions is wider than a distance between the first support portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, LTD.
    Inventors: Munekazu Hirata, Mitsutaka Nakamura, Takashi Fujimoto, Kozo Yamazaki, Toshio Yamaki
  • Patent number: 9266366
    Abstract: A printer including a roll supporting part, a feed roller, a printing head, and an urging device. The roll supporting part rotatably supports a print-receiving tape roll including a print-receiving tape in a rolled shape. The feed roller pulls out and feeds the print-receiving tape and the printing head prints on the print-receiving tape. The urging device slides to and contacts an outer peripheral surface of the print-receiving tape in the rolled shape and elastically presses the print-receiving tape roll supported by the roll supporting part while the print-receiving tape is fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Nagashima, Minoru Yamamoto, Takamine Hokazono, Kumiko Uchino, Hidenori Jo, Keiji Seo
  • Patent number: 9162458
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a support member having a plurality of ribs and supporting the sheet; a head disposed above the support member and ejecting ink to the sheet supported by the support member; and at least one contact portion disposed upstream of the head and configured to come in contact with the sheet so as to make the sheet a waved shape. The support member includes a first support portion comprising at least one first guide portions disposed corresponding to the at least one contact portion, and a plurality of second guide portions disposed corresponding to the plurality of ribs and disposed above the plurality of first guide portions. The support member further comprises a second support portion comprising a third guide portion disposed downstream of the first support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Mimoto, Yasuhira Ota, Jie Xiu, Noriyuki Kawamata, Keisuke Wakakusa, Iwane Sano, Shingo Ito
  • Patent number: 9129204
    Abstract: A card reader may include a card conveying mechanism structured to convey the card; a conveying passage; a magnetic head to abut a magnetic stripe formed on a card and read or record data on the card; a head moving mechanism to move the magnetic head; and an abutting part abutting with one end of the card. The card conveying mechanism may include a drive source, and a first conveying roller and a second conveying roller. The first conveying roller is disposed on one end side of the conveying passage. The second conveying roller is disposed on the other end of the conveying passage. The card conveying mechanism may include a first torque limiter disposed in a power transmission path from the drive source to the first conveying roller, and a second torque limiter disposed in a power transmission path from the drive source to the second conveying roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Ishikawa, Kazunori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9039311
    Abstract: A label printer enables drop-in loading of linerless label paper rolls and prevents print defects caused by variation in the label paper transportation and the readhesion of chaff to the label paper. A pair of roll guiding members 37 and 38 limit the position of the outside of the label paper roll 5 to a position separated a predetermined distance from the label paper entrance 11 by contacting the outside of the label paper roll 5 inside the roll paper compartment 7 of the label printer 31 at a position offset from the label paper entrance 11 toward the center of the roll paper compartment 7. The roll guiding members 37 and 38 are members with low friction resistance when in contact with the outside of the label paper roll 5, and thus reduce the friction that can cause inconsistent paper transportation and chaff from wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9011030
    Abstract: A platen support mechanism of a printer moves a platen unit of the printer. When moving the platen unit from a closed position to an open position, the platen support mechanism of the printer first moves the platen unit along a straight first path, and then moves the platen unit along a curved second path. A posture of the platen unit is held constant during this time by a six joint linkage mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsugo Ishida
  • Patent number: 9002257
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a sheet roll supporter disposed below a main body of the image forming apparatus to support a sheet roll such that a sheet is fed from the sheet roll, an image forming unit to form an image on the sheet fed from the sheet roll, a sheet discharger disposed downstream from the image forming unit in a direction of conveyance of the sheet to discharge the sheet having the image thereon in a sheet discharging direction, a guide unit to guide the sheet discharged from the sheet discharger to the front of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a stacking unit on which the sheet passing the guide unit is stacked. Upper and front parts of the sheet roll are covered with the guide unit and the stacking unit across a width direction of the sheet perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Soichi Saiga
  • Patent number: 8998516
    Abstract: A tandem printing system for imaging a continuous web of material includes a first printer serially coupled to a second printer wherein the speed of the web can be adjusted to maintain image quality and to compensate for a change in a diameter of a driver drum. The change in the diameter of the driver drum can be derived from characteristics of the printing system including the amount of sag of the continuous web of material moving between the first printer and the second printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Song-Feng Mo, Yongsoon Eun
  • Patent number: 8992104
    Abstract: Fiducials having substantially continuous portions made on a substrate allow the position of the substrate to be determined. An approach for making fiducials involves moving first and second fiducial devices together back and forth across the substrate along a trajectory having a component along the lateral axis of the substrate while the substrate and the first and second fiducial devices are in relative motion along the longitudinal axis of the substrate. The first fiducial device operates to make one fiducial on the substrate during the movement along the trajectory and the relative motion. The second fiducial device operates to make another fiducial on the substrate during the movement along the trajectory and the relative motion. The fiducials may be formed so that they have a constant spatial frequency with the first fiducial being out of phase with respect to the second fiducial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel H. Carlson, Daniel J. Theis, Brian K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8979406
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a label producing apparatus. The label producing apparatus includes a cartridge holder, a feeder, a movable blade, a driving roller configured to contact and discharge the label tape, a driven roller provided so that it can advance and retreat between a contact position and a separated position, a motor configured to rotate in a single direction only and generate a driving force of the movable blade, and a rotational movement of the driving roller, a gear mechanism configured to transmit the driving force to the driving roller, and an advancing and retreating adjustment device configured to adjust an movement of the driven roller and the movable blade, associated with a rotation of the motor, the adjustment device advancing and retreating the driven roller and the movable blade so that the driven roller is in the contact position for a predetermined time period after cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kasugai, Akira Sago, Toshiyuki Ohmori
  • Patent number: 8974052
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsugi Tanaka, Toshiyuki Furuyama
  • Patent number: 8973498
    Abstract: There is provided a roll paper storage cassette and a recording apparatus which do not need a roll paper storage cassette according to the size of roll papers, and prevent a roll paper, a roll-paper shaft, and a roll paper storage cassette from being erroneously loaded. A roll paper storage cassette for housing a roll paper wound around the core portion of a roll paper shaft includes a pair of openable and closable cases, an attachment which can be attached and detached to and from the inside of both ends of the case according to the size of the roll paper, and a regulation member configured to prevent the roll paper shaft of a specific type from entering and allow the roll paper shaft of another specific type to enter in a state where the attachment is detached and configured to be moved from a position where the roll paper shaft of the specific type is prevented from entering in a state where the attachment is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Kawashima
  • Patent number: 8967891
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a motor which drives a shaft of a roll body around which a medium is wound, in the feeding direction of the medium; a transport roller which transports the medium fed from the roll body; and a control section which supplies electric power for rotating the roll body to the motor, wherein the electric power that the control section supplies to the motor at the time of the start of the feeding of the medium is larger when the diameter of the medium that is wound around the roll body is R2 (<R1) than when the diameter of the medium that is wound around the roll body is R1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8961046
    Abstract: A paper discharge device and an image forming apparatus include a holding unit 101 which is rotatably mounted to a frame and is configured to hold a recording medium P discharged from an image forming unit 110 in a rolled state. The paper discharge device 100 performs a holding operation before a discharge operation. When the recording medium P is discharged, the paper discharge device 100 allows the holding unit 101 to be rotated to reach the discharge position so that the recording medium P is discharged. When the recording medium P is collected, the paper discharge device 100 allows the recording medium P to be held again within the holding unit 101, and then allows the holding unit 101 to be rotated to reach the collecting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Eoka
  • Patent number: 8956064
    Abstract: A label printer comprising a cassette-receiving bay, the cassette-receiving bay having a base, a top opening opposite the base, and a locking mechanism extending from said base, the locking mechanism having a locking part, the locking part being movable in a first direction and biased in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the locking part having one or more projections such that a force thereon directed towards the base causes the locking part to move in the first direction and wherein said locking part is biased to move in the second direction when the force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: DYMO
    Inventors: Kris Vandermeulen, Erwin Vereecken
  • Patent number: 8956062
    Abstract: A roll paper supply device has a roll paper compartment that stores roll paper with the axis of rotation transverse so that the roll paper can roll thereinside; supply rollers that feed the roll paper from the roll paper compartment in a sheet; and pair of side pressure plates that cover substantially all of the sides of the roll paper and contact part of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8956063
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a spool that holds a roll of print medium; an image forming device that forms an image on the medium; a transporting device including a transport rotary member that transports the medium to the image forming device, and a drive source that generates drive force; and a drive force transmission device which transmits the drive force to the spool when the transport rotary member rotates in a medium rewinding direction, and which includes a first gear train for rotating the spool in the same direction as the transport rotary member when the transport rotary member and the spool rotate in the same direction during the transport of the medium and a second gear train for rotating the spool in an opposite direction to the transport rotary member when the transport rotary member and the spool rotate in opposite directions during the medium transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuzoh Obata, Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Norikazu Yanase, Kazuyoshi Kondo, Makoto Kikura, Gaku Hosono, Yoshinori Uchino
  • Patent number: 8944706
    Abstract: The first image which is a continuous image divided into pages is printed on the first surface of web by the first printer, and the start mark is printed at the head of each page. The second image which is a continuous image is printed on the second surface by the second printer in synchronization with recording synchronization pulses. In printing of the second image, obtained is a difference between the number of pulses inputted to the second printing mechanism between detections of preceding and succeeding start marks, and the number of pulses estimated to be inputted thereto in the case where expansion or shrinkage of web doesn't occur, to adjust the frequency of pulses on the basis of the difference. Therefore, the second image is printed in accordance with the first image on the web without being affected by expansion or shrinkage of web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakamoto, Toshio Maeda, Hiroshi Tomiya
  • Patent number: 8939664
    Abstract: A medium transport apparatus includes: a transport unit transporting a belt-shaped medium having plural marks formed in line at predetermined intervals in a transport direction; a detection unit detecting the marks on the medium; and a determining unit determining that a splice exists at a position on the medium if an interval of the marks detected from the medium by the detection unit differs from the predetermined intervals, the position being identified by the marks having the interval different from the predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 8939666
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a first support unit which is disposed at an intermediate location of a transport path of the target and supports the target; a second support unit which is disposed at a location of a downstream side of the transport path of the target further than the first support unit and supports the target; a tension applying member which is disposed at a location of the target transport path between the first support unit and the second support unit and pressures the target from one side thereof to apply a tension to the target; and an optical detection unit which is disposed at a location corresponding to the tension applying member to face the other side of the target and irradiates detection light to a surface of the other side of the target to which the tension is applied by the tension applying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Tamai, Satoshi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8931970
    Abstract: A ticket printer includes a housing having a frame and a front panel concurrently formed as a single unit. A printer unit is positioned in the housing and includes a print body and swing assembly having a print roller head. The swing assembly can be selectively rotated away from the print body for maintenance and cleaning. A paper guide, located at an outlet side of the printer unit, is positioned within the housing. Paper is routed between the print roller head and the print body of the printer unit. The paper guide directs the paper along a paper pathway and out of a ticket outlet in the front panel. The paper guide may be transparent to visualize jammed paper in the paper pathway. Paper directing ramps formed in the swing assembly and the paper guide direct the paper into the paper pathway and downwardly to the ticket outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Pyramid Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Mays, Leif J. Strom
  • Patent number: 8920051
    Abstract: A state of a print head is checked by printing a plurality of images in order on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit, and reading the printed images. A region that is inappropriate for performing printing on the fed sheet is detected. When the inappropriate region has been detected, printing the images is stopped and the sheet is cut. Of the cut sheets, the sheet at an upstream is sent back to the sheet feeding unit. Subsequently, the sheet is again fed to perform printing and conduct a test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Shishido, Sho Nakamura, Ruriko Mikami, Atsushi Hirahara, Takayoshi Noguchi, Akiteru Naka, Tatsuhiko Tomita
  • Patent number: 8920054
    Abstract: There is provided a roll tape including a core main body portion having a double cylinder construction made up of an outer core portion and an inner core portion, a pair of shaft portions each having an insertion portion which can be fittingly inserted in the inner core portion, an outer shaft which can be fittingly inserted in the outer core portion and a bearing shaft that is thinner than and concentric with the outer shaft and which extends longer in one direction than the outer shaft and a printing tape which is wound around a tape core which has the pair of shaft portions disposed individually on both sides of the core main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8905660
    Abstract: A printer and a method of controlling a printer in order to print out a report relating to data recorded by a tachograph are disclosed, the printer having a supply of printing medium and being equipped with a medium transport device. In the disclosed printer, rest state transport of the printing medium is carried out at periodically repeating intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Harry Kiemele, Andreas Lindinger
  • Patent number: 8905664
    Abstract: A cutter device includes: a first cutter provided on a front surface side of a medium being fed to be cut; a second cutter that is provided on a back surface side opposite the front surface side and cuts the medium in cooperation with the first cutter; a carriage that retains the first and second cutters and moves in a width direction of the medium; a guide portion that guides the carriage in the width direction; and a post-cut guide portion that is provided on the carriage and comes into contact with the back surface to guide the medium on the downstream side of the first and second cutters in a medium feed direction after cutting to the front surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Kumai
  • Patent number: 8905661
    Abstract: A medium feeder includes a first rotation body; a second rotation body which engages with the first rotation body while overlapping with the first rotation body, and disengages from the first rotation body in response to the presence of the feed target medium nipped between the first and second rotation bodies; a rotation body support member which supports the second rotation body, and is configured to be movable between an advancing position where the second rotation body engages with the first rotation body and a retreating position where the second rotation body disengages from the first rotation body; and a detection unit which detects migration of the rotation body support member to the retreating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsaku Kosuge, Hideo Sodeyama, Kenichi Nakajima, Tadashi Inaba
  • Patent number: 8899853
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes: a supply unit rotatably supporting a roll member around which a sheet is wound in form of a roll and configured to supply the sheet from the roll member; a motor for rotating the roll member; a roller pair configured to convey the sheet supplied from the supply unit while pinching the sheet; and a control unit configured to set the torque of the motor according to sheet information related to the sheet when taking up the sheet on the roll member by driving the motor while the sheet is pinched by the roller pair being stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kikuchi, Ryoya Shinjo, Yuki Igarashi, Haruhiko Tanami, Ryohei Maruyama, Shin Genta, Naoki Wakayama
  • Patent number: 8873117
    Abstract: A sheet transport device includes a shaft member that extends in an axial direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction, and a roller that includes plural components which are assembled together so as to surround the shaft member. The components have a shape such that a joint between the components is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the roller which is formed by assembling the components together. The joint extends from one end to another end of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction while bending or curving at least at a portion in the middle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiichirou Arikawa, Hiroko Furukata
  • Patent number: 8857336
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for transporting a web through a press are disclosed. The web has a first print zone on a first side and a second print zone on a second side opposite the first print zone. The first print zone is fed past a first print station and then in an inward spiraling direction around and toward a second print station. The second print zone is fed past the second print station and then in an outward spiraling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark H Berg
  • Patent number: 8858104
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a heating section which is located further on the downstream side of a transport pathway than an image recording area, but further on the upstream side of the transport pathway than a transport roller which is rotated by a motor; and a control section which lowers the suction power of a suction section to a medium from a first suction power to a second suction power lower than the first suction power during a recording operation and makes a first torque which is generated at the motor in a period which is during the recording operation and in which the suction power of the suction section is a suction power lower than the first suction power, be lower than a second torque which is generated at the motor during a transport operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahito Sanekata, Daiki Tokushima
  • Patent number: 8851772
    Abstract: According to the embodiment, a printing apparatus includes: a printing unit that forms an image on a web; a first feeding unit that feeds the web; a second feeding unit downstream of the printing unit in a feed direction; a buffer unit that has a buffer plate and absorbs flexure of the web generated by the two feeding units by operating the buffer plate; a first feeding control unit that causes the first feeding unit to execute a first deceleration operation; and a second feeding control unit that causes the second feeding unit to execute the first deceleration operation when a trigger for stopping the feed of the web has occurred, measures a feed amount of the web fed by the second feeding unit, and changes the first deceleration operation to a second deceleration operation based on the feed amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Gouda, Katsumi Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 8851770
    Abstract: A control unit includes a memory storing correction data obtained by associating information acquired by a first acquisition unit (rotary encoder) with information acquired by a second acquisition unit (direct sensor) with respect to, at least one rotation of a conveying roller. When a plurality of images are sequentially printed on a first surface and a second surface of a continuous sheet, the control unit reads the correction data corresponding to the rotation information acquired by the first acquisition unit from the memory and corrects at least one of driving control of a print head and driving control of the roller. The correction data used in printing on the first surface of the sheet is different from that used in printing on the second surface of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ikeda, Masahito Yoshida, Koichiro Kawaguchi, Kenji Shigeno, Toshiki Takeuchi, Masato Izumi, Ryosuke Sato, Kengo Nieda