Abstract: Label printers for labels without a carrier strip are problematic in that the self-adhesive coated surface (4) of the label strip to be printed is bared as it passes through the printer and is guided over a roller (10) used to transport said label strip through the printer, from which it must be released in order to be discharged at the outlet (15) of the printer. According to the invention, the label strip is transported back for a short time in the opposite direction, before the transport thereof in the printing direction, thus being reliably detached from the transport roller (10).

Abstract: A modular printer including a housing having upper and lower covers, a first side wall and a second, opposed side wall and inlet and exit roller assemblies for feeding media through the housing. Also included is a print engine having two opposed arcuate printheads each with a radius of curvature which approximates a radius of inlet rollers of the inlet roller assembly. Each roller is at least partially received in said curvature of each respective printhead, the print engine configured to print ink followed by a fixative onto the media operatively fed between the printhead, the inlet and exit roller assemblies configured to feed the media through the housing at a predetermined rate so that said media only leaves the housing when the fixative has dried.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a case formed with a front face and a top face, a first accommodating portion formed in the case, an imaging unit that forms an image on a recording medium; the imaging unit being accommodated in the first accommodating portion detachably, and a front cover provided at the front face, the front cover being movable between a first position to open the accommodating portion and a second position to close the accommodating portion, the imaging unit being attached to and removed from the accommodating portion when the front cover is at the first position. The front cover is formed with a round portion.

Abstract: In a printer, when a cover is closed, a paper issuing path, and a paper setting path are formed downstream from a cutter mechanism in a paper transport path. The paths are switched over by a movable guide. During a normal printing process, the movable guide is swung by its own weight to close the paper setting path, and guides a paper to the paper issuing path. By contrast, during a process of setting paper, the movable guide is swung by the rigidity of the paper itself toward the paper issuing path, whereby the paper is prevented from being deformed with respect to the cutter mechanism.

Abstract: A paper transporting apparatus transporting continuous paper to a paper processing part that performs designated processing on the continuous paper includes a drive roller that transports the continuous paper in a forward direction with respect to the paper processing part and a direction opposite to the forward direction by a frictional force, a pre-centering mechanism, disposed upstream of the drive roller with respect to the forward direction, that regulates a position of the continuous paper with respect to the forward direction and a direction orthogonal to the forward direction by abutting against the continuous paper, and a tension increasing mechanism, disposed upstream of the pre-centering mechanism with respect to the forward direction, that increases tension on the continuous paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable printer operable in either a strip mode or a peel mode. In the peel mode, a pressure roll cooperates with a carrier web and the platen roll to strip labels from the web. A battery-powered electric motor advances a printable web through the printer. In order to reduce drag on the motor in the strip mode, the pressure roll is held in out of pressure contact with the platen roll.

Abstract: A portable label printing system for printing on a variety of materials is disclosed. A retractable platen roller cooperates with a self-aligning print head in three planes cooperates for proper label printing registration. A display screen allows the user to view precisely what the actual label and associated indicia will look like when printed on a selected label. In addition, the printing system includes an optical sensor positioned to sense data marks on the backside of a label, located on a label supply roll, allowing the printing system to identify the label specifications and make necessary adjustments to affect print quality. Reverse feed of the label supply roll is possible. The label printing system further comprises a communication port for cooperation with various devices, such as online databases and computers.

Abstract: A printer including a printhead which is displaceable at the level of a print surface in a main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction with respect to a substrate situated in the print surface, and a supply unit for storing the substrate which is disposed on a core and delivering the substrate for transport to the print surface, said supply unit including support means for supporting the core at its end portions so that the core, while being supported, can rotate with the unwinding of substrate from the core, said support means containing an element for exerting a force on the core in the axial direction during the rotation thereof, whereby the core is pressed against a stop which occupies a substantially fixed position in the axial direction with respect to the print surface.

Abstract: A paper supply apparatus provided with a support component, a slit plate and a rotation force transmission component. The support component freely rotatably supports a winding core around which roll paper is wound. The slit plate rotates integrally or interlockingly with the support component, and causes pulses to be generated at a sensor. The rotation force transmission component transmits a rotation force of the support component to the slit plate. At the rotation force transmission component, predetermined free play in a direction of rotation of the slit plate is provided.

Abstract: An antijamming device for a printed ticket vending machine having an exit opening for exiting of a printed ticket and a control for controlling feeding of unprinted tickets to a printing mechanism for printing tickets, having a pathway through which printed tickets pass from the printing mechanism to the exit opening, and a sensor in the pathway for sensing when an occlusion occurs at the exit opening to prevent bunching of the printed tickets at the exit opening and stopping feeding of printed tickets to the exit opening.

Abstract: A tape-like object feeding device in accordance with the present invention comprises a feeding mechanism 7 for feeding a tape-like object toward an outlet and a cutting mechanism 8 for cutting the tape-like object fed by the feeding mechanism. An ejection roller 62 is placed at a position on the outlet 9 side of the cutting mechanism 8. The ejection roller 62 ejects the tape-like object cut off by the cutting mechanism 8 through the outlet by revolving while making contact with the tape-like object. The feeding device further comprises control means which controls at least one of revolving speed, revolving time and revolving timing of the ejection roller 62 in the ejection of the tape-like object depending on at least one selected from the type of the tape-like object, the thickness of the tape-like object, the width of the tape-like object and a feeding length of the tape-like object by the feeding mechanism 7.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a tape printer and a tape creating method which can achieve a high degree of accuracy and constant length of printing even when the rotational speed of a DC motor changes due to the increase of a wire-wound resistance value because of the heat generation of the DC motor under the continuous driving and the load change by the replacement of a tape. The print cycle algebra is corrected in each time when a pulse number inputted from the photo sensor reaches a control pulse number. Line printing on the surface tape is performed by means of the thermal head with this print cycle algebra as a print cycle.

Abstract: An encoder is adapted to be opposed to a scale provided with a plurality of marks or slits arranged in a first direction at predetermined intervals. A plurality of detectors is arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction while being staggered in the first direction, each of which detects a position of each of the marks or slits, and the plurality of detectors being operable to respectively output an detection signal which has a first frequency. A first signal generator is operable to generate an first output signal which has a second frequency which is 2n-times of the fist frequency based on the detection signal output from a first detector of the plurality of detectors. A second signal generator is operable to generate a second output signal which has the second frequency based on the detection signal output from a second detector of the plurality of detectors.

Abstract: A printer module for use with like printer modules to form an array of printer modules includes a housing that defines a print media inlet and a print media outlet. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A print engine is mounted on the chassis to carry out a printing operation on the print media. A feed assembly is mounted on the chassis to feed the print media through the print engine. A first locator is positioned on a first side of the housing. A second locator is positioned on a second side of the housing. The locators are configured so that the first locator is engageable with the second locator of an adjacent printer module.

Abstract: A label to be attached to a linear or bar-shaped object is created by printing on a translucent printing tape and cutting off a printed tape part in a width direction of the printing tape. For creating the label, the printed tape part is divided parallel to its longitudinal direction and a print region where printing is performed is set. Printing is performed in the print region and the printed tape part is cut off. This region setting is performed in such a manner that the print region is overlaid with a non-print region, i.e., a non-print part in attaching the label around the object from an edge portion of the printed tape part in its width direction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for driving sheets through a transaction-based printer. A sheet drive forwards a sheet through a printing station to a cutting station where the sheet is severed from a spool by a cutter. Movement of a kicker element is coordinated with that of the cutter so that the severed sheet is kicked into a bin located in the top cover of the printer. The printer can be, for example, an ink-jet, dot matrix, dye sublimation or thermal printer used to print tickets, vouchers, coupons or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, apparatus, and method for printing oversized print media which allow for the printing of a preassembled substrate or a single piece substrate without compromising the integrity of the print quality. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a series of stations, wherein a specific task is performed at each station. Prior to printing an image, in preferred embodiments, print substrate segments are preassembled into image size substrates such that upon the completion of printing, the product is complete. A preassembled print substrate is loaded onto the platform at the loading station. Once the print substrate is loaded onto the platform, the platform is linearly translated to the printing station, whereby the platform is incrementally moved under a print head. During printing, the portion of the print substrate being printed is elevated such that the substrate is taut.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a tape producing apparatus capable of printing on an appropriate printing medium with high quality based on data directly read from marks which are continuously printed on a release paper to show a type of a printing medium, with non-contact tape type identification devices. The tape producing apparatus comprises non-contact tape type discrimination sensors. Each label tape includes the adhesive and the release paper for protecting the adhesive. The release paper is provided with only one of the tape type identification marks which are printed continuously to show the types of the materials to produce the label tape. The non-contact tape type discrimination sensors read the tape type identification marks which are printed continuously to show the types of the materials to produce the label tape.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is adapted to feed a recording medium including a first medium provided as a cut-sheet form and a second medium provided as a rolled-sheet form to a recording section at which a recording operation is performed with respect to the recording medium, by ejecting ink droplets thereto. A first sheet feeder is operable to feed the first medium stacked thereon to the recording section. A second sheet feeder is adapted to be detachably attached the first sheet feeder, and operable to feed the second medium to the recording section.

Abstract: There is provided a tape printing apparatus in which characters to be printed on a recording face of a recording tape layer of a print tape are inputted, and a folding-line position of a pseudo-laminate layer of the print tape is defined. A print-width range on a recording face is defined based on the defined folding-line position to print the characters therein.

Abstract: An assembly for feeding, printing, and cutting a continuous web of material is provided. The web is fed from a roll supported in a roll feeding unit to a printer unit. The web can carry distinct image-receiving media items or can be a plain continuous web material. The assembly is particularly useful for feeding a web carrying pressure-sensitive adhesive labels to a laser printer. The printer produces printed images on each label as the web is fed through the printer. Then, the web can be cut to produce a finished roll of printed labels ready for application. The assembly includes a roll feeding unit, a printer, a controller for the roll feeding unit, and a controller for the printer which communicate with each other. The controller is responsive to sensors and signals received from the printer controller, and the printer controller is responsive to the sensors and signals received from the roll feeding unit controller. In this manner, the feeding, printing, and cutting of the web are controlled precisely.

Abstract: A modular printer includes a frame. A housing in which the frame is housed has an operatively upper and an operatively lower cover and defines a print media inlet at one end between the covers and a print media outlet at an opposite end between the covers. An inlet roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximate the print media inlet for feeding a sheet of print media into the housing. A pair of opposed inkjet printhead assemblies are mounted on the frame downstream of the inlet roller assembly to define a printing zone between the printhead assemblies. The inlet roller assembly is configured to feed the sheet of print media between the printhead assemblies. An exit roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximate the print media outlet to feed the sheet of print media from the outlet.

Abstract: To allow continuous paper to be printed a plurality of times with a time difference by ink jet printer equipment and dried each time of printing while preventing condensation from occurring on an ink discharge surface of print head at and after the second time of printing, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: a plurality of trains of printing units each of which has print heads arranged along a direction in which a continuous sheet of paper travels and which are arranged parallel to one another as shifted mutually in position in a direction of width of the continuous sheet of paper; a dryer section in which a plurality of continuous sheets of paper from the plural printing unit trains can travel as mutually shifted in position in a direction of width of the continuous sheet of paper; a cooling roller unit disposed downstream of the dryer section and having a cooling roller on which the plurality of continuous sheets of paper from the dryer section can be wound as mutually shifted in position in

Abstract: A pinch control apparatus in a printer for controlling a pinch force exerted on a medium which is being fed into a printing zone is provided. The pinch control apparatus includes a camshaft rotatably mounted across a width of the medium, at least one cam attached to the camshaft, a plunger and a biasing rod. The cam has a predefined profile and is able to rotate with the camshaft. The plunger abuts the predefined profile of the at least one cam. The biasing rod extends from a pinch plate to the plunger to bias the pinch plate to a linefeed roller for exerting the pinch force on the medium therebetween. The pinch force exerted on the medium is controllable by the rotation of the camshaft.

Abstract: A printer assembly is provided having a printhead for printing on a media web conveyed along a path defined between a loading area and a winding area, a processor for configuring the printhead to print onto the media to produce wallpaper, and a consumer tote retained in the winding area. The has a disposable core located within a disposable container configured so that wallpaper produced by the printhead is wound onto the core and packaged in the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on a continuous web of linerless tape defined by a print side for subsequent application to an article. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support for a continuous web of linerless tape; an undriven platen roller located downstream of the support; a print head associated with the undriven platen roller, wherein the undriven platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof; and a driven roller positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for pulling the web of linerless tape from the platen roller.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of supplying a media web to a wallpaper printer. The method involves opening a reusable case and placing into the case a core onto which has been located a supply roll of blank wallpaper media. The core is supported for rotation within the case before it is closed. A free edge of the roll is placed between a pair of rollers and past an edge of the open case, then with the rollers located within the case and on either side of the web the case is closed and loaded into a printer. In some embodiments, a pair of resilient bias devices hold the rollers in proximity.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed for producing rolls of wallpaper. The printer has a frame in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a winding area. A printhead located across the media path. One or more input devices are used for capturing operator instructions. A processor accepts operator inputs which are used to configure the printer for producing a particular roll. The winding area is adapted to hold a core and wind onto it, wallpaper produced by the printer, preferably on demand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held printer for printing on linerless label webs wherein a thermal print head is maintained in pressure contact with the linerless web and a platen roll throughout successive printing cycles, but wherein the pressure is automatically relieved at or shortly after each printing cycle is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head.

Abstract: A a thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.

Abstract: A printer (24) for printing upon a continuous web of print receivable media (18) is provided. The printer includes a print head (28) having a media drive assembly side and a media drive assembly for moving the media across the print head. The media drive assembly is disposed only on the media drive assembly side of the print head. The printer further includes a platen (30) disposed adjacent the print head and a controller (102) coupled to the print head, the media drive assembly, and the platen. The controller controls the printer during continuous printing and single sheet printing. During continuous printing, the media is moved in a downstream direction past the print head. During single sheet printing, the media is moved past the print head in an upstream direction one sheet at a time. Further, the printer may perform single sheet pull printing or single sheet push printing.

Abstract: A printer with automatic cutter, provided with a built-in type cutting section. The printer includes a printing section, a cutting section arranged downstream of the printing section in a paper feeding direction, a support mechanism for supporting the printing section and the cutting section, and a drive source provided in the cutting section. The printing section acts to provide a print to printing paper fed continuously thereto. The cutting section includes a fixed blade and a movable blade which cooperate with each other to cut the printing paper, the fixed blade and the movable blade being shiftable relative to each other between a cooperative mutually-adjoining position and an uncooperative mutually-remote position.

Abstract: A portable label printing system for printing on a variety of materials is disclosed. A retractable platen roller cooperates with a self-aligning print head in three planes cooperates for proper label printing registration. A display screen allows the user to view precisely what the actual label and associated indicia will look like when printed on a selected label. In addition, the printing system includes an optical sensor positioned to sense data marks on the backside of a label, located on a label supply roll, allowing the printing system to identify the label specifications and make necessary adjustments to affect print quality. Reverse feed of the label supply roll is possible. The label printing system further comprises a communication port for cooperation with various devices, such as online databases and computers.

Abstract: A conveyor unit in an image recording apparatus can convey a record medium, being unwound from a roll, in either of a first direction in which the roll is unwound and a second direction reverse to the first direction. The image recording apparatus includes first and second contact mechanisms capable of bringing the record medium into close contact with a conveyor member at positions distant in the respective first and second directions from an image recording position where an image recording head records an image on the record medium. The first contact mechanism brings the record medium, being conveyed in the first direction, into close contact with the conveyor member.

Abstract: There is provided a printer capable of accurately detecting the print positions of a printing medium and keeping print positions where data are printed constant. A printer according to this invention can accurately detect the print positions of a printing medium and keep positions where data are printed constant by the following operation. More specifically, the printer sets a gap width (PG) for the printing medium and detects the position information of the conveyed printing medium by an optical sensor arranged on a convey path. The printer compares output values (Va, Vb) from the optical sensor with a threshold value (Vth) and obtains a detected gap width (AG) corresponding to the set gap width (PG). The printer changes the threshold value (Vth) such that the detected gap width (AG) coincides with the set gap width (PG).

Abstract: A continuous media printer has a printer mechanism that prints on one or both surface of continuous print media. A media conveyor conveys media past the printer mechanism and includes rollers downstream of the printer mechanism. The rollers are located at a sufficient distance to provide a sufficient travel time from the printer mechanism to the rollers for material printed to be substantially dry when it reaches the rollers.

Abstract: A printer having a hopper without shaft which performs a print operation on a roll of continuous paper. Detection marks are provided in flanges provided in supported members removably attached to the continuous paper, and the presence/absence of the detection mark in a detection position of an optical sensor is determined. A rear end of the continuous paper in the hopper is determined if the result of determination of the presence/absence of the detection mark during conveyance of the continuous paper is the same. A passage length from the position of the determined rear end of the continuous paper to a print unit is equal to or longer than a predetermined maximum print size. By this arrangement, the rear end of the continuous paper can be detected without upsizing the apparatus and without complicating the structure, and the continuous paper can be effectively utilized without causing shortage of the continuous paper during execution of print operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, apparatus, and method for printing oversized print media which allow for the printing of a preassembled substrate or a single piece substrate without compromising the integrity of the print quality. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a series of stations, wherein a specific task is performed at each station. Prior to printing an image, in preferred embodiments, print substrate segments are preassembled into image size substrates such that upon the completion of printing, the product is complete. A preassembled print substrate is loaded onto the platform at the loading station. Once the print substrate is loaded onto the platform, the platform is linearly translated to the printing station, whereby the platform is incrementally moved under a print head. During printing, the portion of the print substrate being printed is elevated such that the substrate is taut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roll-like printing paper, a video printer using such roll-like printing paper and a method of detecting a remaining quantity of a roll-like printing paper. More specifically, this invention relates to a roll-like printing paper in which a paper spool may include a detection portion for detecting a rotation of the paper spool and a rotation of the paper spool can be detected by this detection portion. Further, this invention relates to a video printer and a printing paper remaining quantity detection method in which the rotation of the paper spool of this roll-like printing paper may be detected and an alarm may be displayed if it is determined based on the detected paper spool rotation that the remaining quantity of the roll-like printing paper approaches to its end.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a conveyance mechanism for conveying a web to a transfer unit, and a tension generating mechanism for applying a tension to the web fed to the conveyance mechanism, wherein the tension generating mechanism includes a tension generating roller for changing the tension to be applied to the web in accordance with the rotational position, a tension guide that is rotated in accordance with the magnitude of tension generated by the roller, a first sensor for sensing the rotational position of the tension guide, a second sensor for sensing the rotational position of the tension generating roller, and a driver for controlling the rotation of the motor in accordance with the outputs of the first and second sensors.

Abstract: An ink jet head is fed in a main-scan direction to record one line on a recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is fed in a sub-scan direction for one line. A corrected feeding amount A is calculated by adding a correction value C1 to a basic feeding amount B. The correction value C1 is determined by a formula, C1=2·D·(R?½), wherein p represents an interval between dots recorded on recording paper in the sub-scan direction, and k represents a range of unevenness in the feeding amount caused by structural factors of sub-scan feeding means. For example, D=(p?k)/2. R is a random number in a range between 0 and 1. Gradation unevenness and/or black and white streaks caused by periodical feeding unevenness become inconspicuous since the correction value C1 is changed on a random basis.

Abstract: A print system has a printer host and a printer. The printer host generates print data based on image data and outputs the print data to the printer. The printer interprets the received print data and prints an image based on the print data. The print system calculates a processing time for print data generation, output and interpretation. Consequently, it is possible to know the processing times for each stage in the printing process.

Abstract: A thermal transfer media printer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer selectively programs RFID transponders, and then embeds them into conventional on-demand printed media between the adhesive layer and the release liner. Selective configuration of each printed media sample by addition of value-adding elements may be performed independently for each media sample, under software control during processing of each media sample format print control program. An add-on mechanism is disclosed that can be operatively attached to a conventional media printer. This allows RFID transponder labels to be selectively applied at precise locations on the printed surface of on-demand printed media in connection with existing printers.

Abstract: A transaction-based printer has a sheet drive for forwarding a sheet through a printing station to a cutting station where the sheet is severed from a spool by a rotary cutter. A kicker element is mounted in the cutting station. Movement of the kicker element is coordinated through the cutter drive with that of the rotary cutter so that the severed sheet is kicked into a bin located in the top cover of the printer. The printer can be, for example, an ink-jet, dot matrix, dye sublimation or thermal printer used to print tickets, vouchers, coupons or the like.

Abstract: A device for guiding a continuous strip past a marking unit, which is arranged to non-mechanically provide markings on at least one strip surface, includes a longitudinal channel for receiving the strip. The channel is at least partly defined by guiding elements that are arranged for abutment against the strip from opposite sides of the channel. At least one of the guiding elements is displaceable and biased towards the channel. In this device, the strip can be positioned with high-precision without being subjected to excessive frictional forces during the marking operation, to minimize interference with the motion of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on a continuous web of linerless tape defined by a print side for subsequent application to an article. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support for a continuous web of linerless tape; an undriven platen roller located downstream of the support; a print head associated with the undriven platen roller, wherein the undriven platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof; and a driven roller positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for pulling the web of linerless tape from the platen roller.

Abstract: A roll paper curl correction device has a clamp roller for clamping and transporting roll paper, and a guide member comprising a guide face being positioned in the downstream proximity of the clamp roller and formed so that the roll paper is curved to an opposite side of a curl tendency of the roll paper for coming in contact with the non-print side of the paper roll. The guide face can be a curve face formed so as to curve to the opposite side of the curl tendency of the roll paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed a linerless label web roll wherein the label web has a patterned coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on its underside between marginal side edges and at marginal side edges of the label web. The adhesive is provided in longitudinally extending laterally spaced stripes of adhesive with intervening adhesive-free zones. The label web can be supported and/or guided by support or guide elements which contact the adhesive-free zones in a suitable utilization device such as a printer or label applicator.

Abstract: A method of printing an image on a printing portion of a printing paper using a printer so as to eliminate visible margins. The sheet of printing paper is conveyed within the printer by nipping margins of the sheet. After printing, the printing portion is detached from the printing paper along a cut line. Namely, a print having no margins and no nip markings is formed. Therefore, cutting position controlling mechanisms and paper cutting mechanisms as used in conventional printers are not necessary, and the structure of the printer is thereby made simple. Accordingly, since margins can be eliminated by using a simple structure, photographic printers and the like in particular are made compact and inexpensive.