Abstract: A web printer for printing digital information on print media the web printer comprising a cabinet a plurality of ink reservoirs mounted in a releasable manner within the cabinet and storing respective types of ink to be printed a print media cartridge mounted in a releasable manner within the cabinet and carrying a wound length of print media a platen extending away from the print media cartridge to support print media provided from the print media cartridge a stationary printhead mounted within the cabinet to extend transverse to the print media and configured to print digital information with the ink and upon print media provided from the platen and a dryer module configured to blow air toward the printed print media and dry the printed ink.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a protective case, a media source disposed in the protective case, the media source supplying an image receptive media, an encoder configured to detect an advancement of the image receptive media, and a pen coupled to the protective case, the pen including an immovable print head configured to deposit ink onto the image receptive media.

Abstract: A container for receiving printed wallpaper from a wallpaper printing system, the wallpaper printing system including a winding area adapted to receive the container, the container comprising: a casing able to be closed to envelope the printed wallpaper; a core about which printed wallpaper is wound; two support members that each associate with opposite distal ends of the core, the support members bearing the load of the printed wallpaper against at least one interior surface of the casing; and, at least one of the support members including a hub which protrudes through an opening in an end of the casing, the hub adapted to engage with a drive spindle provided in the winding area of the printing system, the drive spindle rotating the hub which results in rotation of the core and consequent winding of the printed wallpaper about the core.

Abstract: A method and system for determining whether a first one of a plurality of labels on a roll of label stock is a full label. The method includes sensing a leading edge of the roll of label stock, sensing a location of a first one of a plurality of indicator marks that are printed on the back side of the roll of label stock, sensing a location of second one of the plurality of indicator marks, sensing a location of one of a plurality of top of form marks that are printed on the back side of the roll of label stock. The method further includes determining whether the first one of the plurality of labels is a full label based on the leading edge of the roll of label stock, the location of the first one of the plurality of indicator marks, the location of the second one of the plurality of indicator marks, and the location of the one of the plurality of top of form marks.

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: A printing apparatus comprises supports for holding a roll of print media during printing, said supports being accessible from one side of the printer to insert a roll of print media, and an auxiliary media tray suitable for holding in a stable position a roll of print media placed with its outer surface resting on the tray, said auxiliary tray being attached to the printer on the same side of the printer from where the supports for the roll of print media are accessible.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a printing portion (12) for performing printing on a printing layer of a sheet material (5) including a sheet-like base having one surface provided with the printing layer and another surface provided with a heat-sensitive adhesive layer; a thermal activation portion (15) for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the sheet material (5) and generating an adhesive force; a temporary stock portion (14), which is disposed in a transport path for the sheet material (5) between the printing portion (12) and the thermal activation portion (15), for temporarily stocking the sheet material (5); and a casing (19) covering the temporary stock portion (14).

Abstract: A wireless tag circuit element 25 is arranged at a center position in the height direction of a tape cassette 21 of an outer peripheral wall surface 24 of the tape cassette 21. Information on the tape cassette 21 are stored in an IC circuit part 67 of the wireless tag circuit element 25. The IC circuit part 67 is connected to an antenna 68 so as to transmit and receive information on the tape cassette 21 to or from the outside. On the other hand, the antenna 26 of the tape printer 1 is provided on a side wall part 8A of a cassette housing part 8 so as to be opposed to the wireless tag circuit element 25, creating a space 49 therebetween. The antenna 26 is connected to a control circuit 80 via read/write module 93.

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 tape printer includes a roll sheet holder storage part of which a bottom is formed with a positioning recess which is rectangular in plan view and long sideways and has a predetermined depth. A discrimination recess rectangular in plan view is provided between the positioning recess and an inner base end of a holder support member). The discrimination recess fittingly receives a sheet discrimination part extending in a predetermined length from a lower end of the positioning holding member inward at substantially right angle thereto. The sheet discrimination part is formed with sensor holes arranged in an L-shaped pattern. In the discrimination recess, there are provided sheet discrimination sensors arranged in an L-shaped pattern.

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: A portable printer includes a housing having a cavity defined therein which supports a roll of stock material for printing indicia thereon. The housing has a drive motor assembly configured to move the stock material through a paper path defined in the housing. A battery is loadable within a battery compartment disposed in the cavity and a cover assembly is pivotably supported on the housing and moveable from an open configuration for loading the roll of stock material to a closed configuration to enable printing. A selectively adjustable media support assembly supports the roll of stock material and includes a paper tray having a cam-shaped stanchion which is slideable within a media support tray from a first position for supporting a roll of stock material of a first size to a second position for supporting a roll of stock material of a second size.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable printer and a method of selectively printing on any one of a plurality of label rolls housed in the printer, or on a wide roll housed in the printer.

Abstract: A roll media printer is provided having a printhead for printing on a media web conveyed along a path defined between a loading area and a winding area to produce printed media, and a handling apparatus removably retained in the winding area. The handling apparatus has a core located within a container configured so that printed media produced by the printhead is wound onto the core and packaged in the container as printed roll media.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mounting assembly for mounting and securely latching a printer and a label supply roll. The mounting assembly is almost entirely constructed of fabricated sheet metal by cutting and bending. The mounting assembly is well suited to mount the printer and a supply roll in any attitude for example on a table, or on a wall or overhead in a forklift truck.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a holder support member at one side end in a roll sheet holder storage part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. In the holder support member, a mounting piece which is substantially rectangular in section and formed protruding outward on a positioning holding member of a roll sheet holder is fitted. The tape printer further includes a flat portion formed substantially horizontally between a rear edge of an insertion opening through which a roll sheet is inserted into the tape printer. On the flat portion, a front portion of a guide member is placed. At a rear edge of the flat portion in the feeding direction, at plural positions corresponding to various kinds of the roll sheets having different widths, there are formed four second positioning grooves in which part of the guide member is fitted.

Abstract: A print media and ink supply cartridge includes an outer housing in which there is located a roll of print media located about a cylindrical former. The former includes a number of internal longitudinal ink storage volumes that are filled with hydrophobic sponges. One end of the former has winding airways formed into it that communicate with the internal ink storage volumes. An opposing end of the former includes a number of ink outlet ports that communicate with corresponding outlets in the housing. The cartridge includes a pair of print media transport rollers arranged to be driven by a power source external to the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that relates to paper waste reduction with a point of sale printer. The method comprising, establishing a length of paper available (PA) estimate during loading of paper into a point of sale printer and tracking a length of paper used (PU). The method further comprising, continuously updating the PA by subtracting the PU from the PA, and alerting an operator to replenish paper in the printer in response to the PA being less than a desired length of paper wasted (DPW). Additionally, the method updates the new roll paper available (NRPA) to ensure that the difference between actual paper wasted (APW) and the desired length of paper wasted (DPW) is minimal.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer includes a main body which contains a paper roll container where a paper roll is loaded, a lid for closing an opening section of the main body through which opening section the paper roll is loaded in the paper roll container, a letter printing mechanism which is formed when the lid is closed, and a detecting arm disposed on a rear surface of the lid for detecting a near-end state of the paper roll. When the paper roll is loaded in the paper roll container and the lid is closed, an arm main body of the detecting arm contacts an outer circumferential surface of the paper roll. When the paper roll reaches the near-end state, the detecting arm does not contact the outer circumferential surface of the paper roll and is moved, and a switch disposed at the main body becomes OFF.

Abstract: In a printer, a sheet discharge port for discharging a sheet therefrom is provided on the upper surface of an exterior case, and a recess portion for preventing invasion of a foreign material into the sheet discharge port is formed in the neighborhood of the sheet discharge port. The recess portion passes by the sheet discharge port, and at least one of the ends thereof is opened to the side surface of the exterior case. The side surface of the exterior case to which the open end of the recess portion is adjacent forms a foreign material discharging passage along which a foreign material discharged from the open end of the recess portion falls down without invading the printer.

Abstract: A cutting edge of a movable blade mounted to a cutter holder is inclined at an oblique cross angle. The cutting edge of the movable blade obliquely intersects a roll sheet placed on a cutter plate in its cutting direction. This ensures that the cutting edge cuts the roll sheet sharply. On this regard, this oblique cross angle has an influence on the number of times that the cutting edge is capable of cutting. An appropriate range of the oblique cross angle is 24° and 34°. The oblique cross angle is an angle formed between an upper surface of the cutter plate and the cutting edge in the cutting direction of the movable blade.

Abstract: A label printer comprising a cassette-receiving bay, said cassette-receiving bay having a base, a top opening opposite the base, a locking mechanism, and an ejector mechanism extending from said base, said ejector mechanism having an ejector part having an upper surface for cooperation with a cassette, said ejector part being movable in a first direction towards said base and biased in a second direction towards said top opening such that a force on the ejector part directed towards said base causes the ejector part to move in the first direction and wherein said ejector part is biased to move in said second direction when the force is removed, said ejector mechanism being arranged whereby when a cassette is inserted into the cassette receiving bay, said ejector part extends through an opening in a base of the cassette.

Abstract: A printer using a paper supply roll is provided with a capability for conversion between snap-in loading of the paper roll, in which the roll is snapped into place with the tubular core of the paper roll being held to rotate between a pair of bearing members, and drop-in loading, in which the roll is dropped onto a support surface, against which the periphery of the roll then turns. In a first version, each of the bearing members has a flat side and a spherical side, which is turned inward for snap-in loading and outward for drop-in loading. In another version, the bearing members are moved inward for snap-in loading and outward for drop-in loading.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a housing that defines a print media entrance opening and a print media exit opening. A support frame is arranged in the housing between the openings. A print media feed roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximal the entrance opening and a print media exit roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximal the exit opening. A print engine is mounted on the frame downstream of and adjacent to the feed roller assembly. A belt-loading mechanism is mounted on the frame and is interposed between the print engine and the exit roller assembly to load an initial portion of a sheet of print media between the roller assemblies prior to a printing operation to be carried out by the print engine.

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: A spool, such as supply for a wide-format printer, is provided. The spool comprises a spindle for slidingly receiving an outer shaft, which is typically the core of a roll of print media. A first resiliently deformable gripping ring is circumferentially mounted about the spindle, and a compression mechanism is provided for axially compressing the gripping ring. The axial compression causes radial expansion of the gripping ring, thereby urging the gripping ring into gripping engagement with the outer shaft received on the spindle.

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: In a label printer, a top cover made of transparent resin is attached to a housing at a rear upper edge to cover a roll sheet holder storage part and to be freely opened and closed. A roll sheet of a roll sheet holder removably mounted in the roll sheet holder storage part is visible through the transparent resinous top cover. The roll sheet is provided with a plurality of medium information marks by printing. The medium information marks are visible through the top cover.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.

Abstract: A tape printer includes a holder support member at one side end in a roll sheet holder storage part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a feeding direction. In the holder support member, a mounting piece which is substantially rectangular in section and formed protruding outward on a positioning holding member of a roll sheet holder is fitted. The tape printer further includes a flat portion formed substantially horizontally between a rear edge of an insertion opening through which a roll sheet is inserted into the tape printer. On the flat portion, a front portion of a guide member is placed. At a rear edge of the flat portion in the feeding direction, at plural positions corresponding to various kinds of the roll sheets having different widths, there are formed four second positioning grooves in which part of the guide member is fitted.

Abstract: A printer including a print unit, a supply unit for holding a web of receiving material wound into a roll, a system for unwinding the web and transporting it for printing to the print unit, which supply unit is adapted to carry an elongate member on which the roll is fixed, substantially concentrically, the elongated member being provided at its peripheral edge with a pattern of sensorially perceptible discrete transitions, which pattern is substantially symmetrical with respect to a reference position on the elongated member and extends from this position to the vicinity of the ends of the elongated member.

Abstract: A label printer has an on-board peeling mechanism that easily replaces label paper and removing paper jams with limited space for opening and closing the printer. The label printer has a printing mechanism for printing labels while conveying label paper having a plurality of label affixed to a continuous web liner, and a peeling unit for peeling printed labels from the web liner conveyed through a curved transport path by bending the printed label paper acutely from the back side of the web liner. The peeling unit is attached to a printer cover which is mounted openably and closably to the label paper compartment in the printer housing.

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: A printer which prints to a roll paper medium under the control of the printer and to a printer control method for maintaining consistently in high quality printing even at the end of a roll paper print medium. The printer conveys roll paper 11 through a paper transportation path and prints to the roll paper 11 using a print head 21 carried on a carriage 23 that moves transverse to the transportation path. When the trailing end 11a of the roll paper is detected, the printer advances and then stops the print medium so that the trailing end 11a of the roll paper is positioned on the transportation path outside of the carriage path 53.

Abstract: A photofinishing system comprising a processor, a printer, means for feeding print media to the printer from a roll of the print media, and slitter means located in series with the printer; the processor being arranged to generate a drive signal that is representative of a photographic image, the printer being coupled to the processor and being arranged to process the drive signal and effect printing of the photographic image on the print media, and the slitter means being arranged to receive printed media following its passage through the printer, to transport the printed media in a direction away from the printer and, in use, to slit the printed media in the longitudinal direction of transportation of the media.

Abstract: A method of producing on-demand wallpaper for sale to a consumer, the method including the steps of: providing a printing system for producing wallpaper comprising: at least one media cartridge containing a blank media web; a printhead extending at least the width of the media web; at least one processor to control printing by the printhead of a wallpaper pattern on the blank media web to form the wallpaper; an input device in communication with the at least one processor; and, a slitter module to cut the media web to a selected width; receiving, from the consumer via the input device, data indicating the consumer selected wallpaper pattern and width; printing the selected wallpaper pattern on the blank media web; cutting the printed wallpaper according to the consumer selected width; and, charging the consumer for the wallpaper.

Abstract: In a magazine, when a lid is opened for loading a recording material, a discrimination pin is unlocked and shifted from a first position to a second position. When a magazine is set to a printer processor, a positioning pin presses the discrimination pin to shift to the first position, at which the discrimination pin is locked. After removal of the magazine from the printer processor, the discrimination pin is in the first position. When the lid is opened to load fresh recording material in the magazine, the discrimination pin is in the second position. It is discriminated by detecting the position of the discrimination pin whether the magazine is a partially used one. When the partially used magazine is set to the printer processor, a forward edge of the recording material is not cut.

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: A print medium web comprising a tag printing area, an insertion tab area, and a perforation extending along a length of said print medium web, said perforation dividing said print medium web into said tag printing area and said insertion tab area.

Abstract: The tag-label producing device includes: a cartridge holder for selectively installing a first roll and a first roll; a tape feed roller, a ribbon take-up roller, and a switching mechanism that impart a drive force in the tape length direction to this tape; an antenna for performing transmission/reception of information through wireless communication to/from an IC circuit part of an RFID circuit element, upon the installation of the first roll; a cartridge sensor for detecting which one of the first rolls has been installed; and a control circuit including a tag tape mode and an ordinary-tape mode, for controlling a drive unit by switching between the modes.

Abstract: A tape printer (100) capable of, as necessary, installing, therein, a print medium cartridge for storing print medium of different lengths, wherein a cartridge storage area (120) is formed in the tape printer (100) by recessing inward the surface of the printer. The size of the cartridge storage area (120) is so formed that a larger cartridge (200) in a contour shape wider than a standard cartridge (1) can be installed therein. A fixed print head (102) and drive shafts (100a, 100b) are disposed on the bottom surface of a cartridge installation part (140).

Abstract: A print cassette comprises a double-sided adhesive tape composing a print tape. The double-sided adhesive tape from which a release paper is removed so that a second-sided adhesive layer is exposed, can be adhered to an adherend. The second-sided adhesive layer which is in contact with the adherend is made of an acid-free adhesive (containing no unsaturated carboxylic acid).

Abstract: A printing cartridge is releasably engageable with a printing device having a linear reader for reading a barcode (1232) and a central processor capable of interpreting data carried on a barcode. The printing cartridge (1100) includes a housing (1104). Media and media colorant supply arrangements are positioned within the housing and contain a supply of media and a supply of media colorant, respectively. Feed mechanisms are positioned in the housing for feeding the media and the media colorant to a printing mechanism. A barcode (1232) is depicted on the housing, the barcode being readable by the linear reader (1236) and defining a code representing data relating to the media and the media colorant.

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: A printer having a main printer unit 1 an image recording unit 3 and a base unit 2. The image recording unit 3 includes a carriage 25 having an ink head for discharging ink to paper and a guide shaft 26 for slidably guiding the carriage 25. The base unit 2 is disposed opposite the image recording unit 3 and supports the image recording unit 3.

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: Franchising an on-demand wallpaper printing business comprises a number of steps. Franchisees are provided with an on-demand printer. The printer is built into a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a printhead and from the printhead to a dispensing slot. The printer has one or more printer input devices which communicate with a processor to capture data regarding one or more customer requirements such as a customer selected pattern, or roll length or width. The franchisee may be provided with patterns in a digital storage medium that can be read by the printer, in lieu of new inventory. This enables the franchisee to print a roll of wallpaper, onto a web of blank media, on demand.

Abstract: A consumer tote for a roll of wallpaper is disclosed. The tote has a disposable exterior with a main access flap and a pair of core access openings, one at each end. The tote has an interior in which may be located a disposable core. The core aligns with the access openings. In some embodiments there is a gap between the access flap and an adjacent edge of the exterior, when the flap is closed. In preferred embodiments, the core is supported at each end by a molding having a hub which engages the core.