With Web Supply Or Takeup Or Mount Therefor (e.g., Web Cartridge, Etc.) Patents (Class 400/613)
-
Patent number: 6848779Abstract: A label making inkjet printer applies print imaging directly to the adhesive side of a media provided in sheet-form and in reel-form. Because inkjet printing is a non-contact printing method, print imaging may be applied to the adhesive side of the media According to one embodiment, a user manually pulls tape-form media through the printer while encoding signals detect linear movement of the media and provide basis for synchronizing operation of an inkjet print head. According to another embodiment, a motorized media transport carries tape-form media on a pair of media transport belts past an inkjet print head. The resulting adhesive label when applied to a contact surface substantially disappears due to its transparent nature leaving visible only print imaging applied thereto and captured between the protective tape media and contact surface therebelow.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Clement C. Lo, Thomas A. Saksa, Andrew S. P. Chiu
-
Patent number: 6837634Abstract: There is disclosed a lightweight portable printer having a frame or housing with a print head and a cooperable platen roll mounted in the housing. The housing pivotally mounts a subassembly. The subassembly mounts an electric motor and gearing driven by the motor for driving the platen roll. The subassembly is resiliently urged to press the print head against the platen roll. The printer has a front door which provides access to the inside of the housing. The front door mounts the platen roll, a label delaminator, a pressure roll, a holder for mounting a supply roll of labels or tags, and a latch for latching the door to the housing and for camming the pressure roll into and out of cooperation with the platen roll.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Paxar Americas, Inc.Inventors: Orville C. Huggins, Thomas P. Keller, Dennis S. Prows, David R. Wisecup
-
Publication number: 20040234316Abstract: A printer having a roll paper compartment 8 for housing a recording paper roll and a movable divider 83 for adjustably setting one side of the roll paper compartment 8 to adjustably accommodate different widths of roll paper and to facilitate placement of a remaining paper detector 90 in the roll paper compartment 8 for detecting how much paper remains on the paper roll. The divider facilitates installation of an after market remaining paper detector in the printer. The remaining paper detector can be positioned at a plurality of different angular positions around an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the widthwise direction of the printer. The roll paper compartment 8 of the printer 1 has a bottom 81 and a fixed side panel 82 for defining the other side of the roll paper compartment. The divider 83 is removably connected to the bottom 81, and can be selectively fixed to any one of a multiple number of positions along the width of the printer parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Toshiya Matsuse
-
Patent number: 6817795Abstract: A device for imprinting a strip or labels adhering to a strip in which the strip is unwound from a supply roll held by a receiving device and fed to a printing unit. The printing unit can be opened for loading and closed for printing the strip. The printing unit has an automatic actuating device which opens the printing unit as a function of a signal. A holding device securing the supply roll to the receiving device is actuated by an automatic actuating device as a function of a signal so that the holding device releases the supply roll.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Espera-Werke GmbHInventor: Manfred Korthäuer
-
Patent number: 6814515Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a paper roll containing part containing a paper roll; a printer unit provided side by side with the paper roll containing part, the printer unit printing information on paper pulled from the paper roll and cutting a piece off the pulled paper on which piece the information is printed; and a presenter unit. The presenter unit includes a reception opening formed on an upper side thereof and receiving the cut piece of paper delivered from the printer unit, first and second ejection openings formed on opposite ends of the presenter unit and ejecting the cut piece of paper, and a conveying mechanism conveying the cut piece of paper between the first and second ejection openings. The presenter unit is provided below the paper roll containing part and the printer unit so that the cut piece of paper is delivered into the reception opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Nagano Fujitsu Component LimitedInventors: Masahiro Tsuchiya, Masaru Kihara, Fumio Sakurai, Sumio Watanabe
-
Patent number: 6808327Abstract: A printer unit for facilitating maintenance such as repair/replacement of a printer paper winding mechanism and reducing a work time required for the maintenance. The printer unit is mounted removably on a device that requires the printer unit. It comprises a journal printer 4 and a pulley 8 that winds paper P printed by the printer. The printer unit also comprises a body 110 to which the printer is fixed and having a paper shed 3 in which the paper is stored, and a turning arm 140 assembled at one end rotatably with the body 110. The turning arm 140 has thereon the winding pulley 8 and a platen 143 that is bringable to a position opposite to the printer.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshikiki Iwata
-
Publication number: 20040208682Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicants: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, KING JIM CO., LTD.Inventors: Masao Akaiwa, Nobuyuki Horii
-
Patent number: 6805049Abstract: Drying equipment for a printer for aiding drying of a printed image on a web of print media includes a feed path through which the print media containing the printed image is fed after printing of the image on the print media. A drive arrangement drives the web through the feed path at a predetermined rate. A fluid supply duct is in communication with the feed path for supplying drying fluid over at least one surface of the web.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LTDInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 6802603Abstract: The invention concerns a device for unlocking a compartment of an opening mechanism, comprising a frame, the compartment being designed to receive a paper roll, and being closed with a cover (10). The invention is characterised in that a lever (22) is mounted rotating on the cover (10) and comprises a manoeuvring part (24), the lever (22) comprising stop elements (30) capable of co-operating with the sides of the frame to cause the cover (10) to rotate relative to the frame when the lever (22) is rotated relative to the cover (10). The invention is applicable to opening mechanisms for thermal printing machines.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Societe A.P.S. Engineering S.A.R.LInventor: Denis Montagutelli
-
Patent number: 6799507Abstract: A web printer has a buffer for adjusting the traveling position of the web under its slack status, a tension assigning unit for assigning fixed tension to the web delivered from the buffer, a device for detecting the traveling position of the web delivered from the tension assigning unit, a sew correction unit for adjusting the skew of the web according to the output from the detection device, and an image forming unit that forms images on the web.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Ohba, Akitomo Kuwabara
-
Patent number: 6793419Abstract: A printer unit comprises a first positioning mechanism and a second positioning mechanism for positioning a platen with respect to a print head when a cover frame is closed. The first positioning mechanism is constituted to restrict a change in the position of the platen to a rotation around a first positioning fulcrum, such as a lock pin. The second positioning mechanism is constituted to restrict the rotation of the platen around a first positioning fulcrum by abutment on a second positioning fulcrum, such as a lock lever spindle.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Mitsuhiko Nebashi
-
Patent number: 6789969Abstract: A printer retracts the platen and transportation rollers when a cover is opened while avoiding interference with parts inside the printer without hindering smooth opening and closing of the cover, increasing printer size, or requiring a large space around the printer. The printer 10 has a frame (cover 12 and unit frame 27) having a paper storage unit 13 for storing a paper roll P1, a cover 28 for opening and closing an opening 26 to the paper storage unit 13, a print head 16 for printing on the roll paper from the paper roll P1, a movable platen 17 freely rotatably coupled to the cover 28 for guiding the back of the roll paper at a proximal position opposite the print head 16, and an abutment 35 for engaging a engagement lever 36 and rotating the movable platen 17 in a contrary direction in conjunction with opening and closing the cover 28.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kenichi Hirabayashi, Kazuya Oshida, Norio Nagata
-
Patent number: 6789963Abstract: A packaging apparatus for feeding and loading a continuous strip of bags that includes an integrated printer assembly for printing information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is pivotally mounted to a support frame and receives the continuous strip of bags from a bag feed assembly. The packaging apparatus includes a bag feeding assembly having a drive roller and a platen roller driven from a common motor. The drive roller advances the continuous strip of bags through the apparatus, while the platen roller is in contact with the print head and printer ribbon to advance the printer ribbon when the bags are being printed. The packaging apparatus includes a bag tensioning assembly that supports the supply roll of bags and maintains tension on the bags as the bags are advanced through the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Sharp Packaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Brahier, James W. Gleesing
-
Publication number: 20040175221Abstract: A printer comprising a printing section which performs a printing operation for receipt paper, a slider whose surface forms a paper conveying path for the conveyance of the receipt paper after printing, and a conveyance section which conveys the receipt paper after printing by means of a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt being stretched between and entrained on a driving pulley which is rotationally driven and a driven pulley and located at a position at which it comes into abutment against the slider through the paper conveying path, wherein the slider is formed so as to make almost uniform a pressing force applied from the conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt slips relative to the receipt paper when the movement of the receipt paper being conveyed is obstructed. According to this construction, when the movement of the receipt paper is obstructed, the receipt paper stands by between the conveyor belt and the slider, so that occurrence of paper jam can be surely prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshiharu Sekino
-
Patent number: 6764235Abstract: The present invention relates to a label dispenser for franking machine comprising, on the one hand, a delivery roller on which a continuous tape of labels is wound and a drive means for conveying this tape along a dispenser conveying path from this delivery roller towards a label inlet of the franking machine, and, on the other hand, first means for measuring a displacement of the drive means, second means for measuring a displacement of the delivery roller and processing means for determining a remaining length of the continuous tape of labels from the first and second displacement measuring means.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Neopost IndustrieInventors: Francis Coret, Thierry Le Jaoudour
-
Patent number: 6755583Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Masahide Maruyama
-
Patent number: 6749353Abstract: The office machine comprises a paper roll printer within a chassis (1), with a housing (10) for the paper roll (12), means (4) for driving the roll (12) and a lid (3), for closing the housing (10), upon which the drive means (4) are mounted.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Sagem SAInventors: Patrick Favre, Laurent Brac de la Perriere
-
Patent number: 6739777Abstract: A printer that uses a roll-shaped printing medium comprising a printing surface on which images are printed, a releasably adhered printing portion, and a release portion holding the adhered printing portion includes a conveying device conveying the printing medium while pulling out the printing medium by a predetermined amount every time an image is to be printed; a printing member printing an image with respect to the printing medium conveyed by the conveying device; a half-cutting unit cutting off the printing portion of the printing medium except for the release portion, along the conveying direction of the image printed by the printing member, at the interval corresponding to the dimension of the image in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; and a cutting unit cutting the printing medium along the width direction, at the positions corresponding to the dimension of the aforementioned image in the conveying direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hikaru Kobayashi, Masahiro Uehara
-
Patent number: 6698959Abstract: A loading lid is provided with a roll holding mechanism. The roll holding mechanism is constituted of a holder plate, a first position regulate section and a second position regulate section. The holder plate and the loading lid are attached to a same shaft. The holder plate is biased by a spring toward the loading lid. After the printing paper roll is put on the loading lid, it is closed. On closing the loading lid, as it relatively moves to the holder plate, an open angle between the loading lid and the holder plate becomes smaller gradually. When first and second positioning plates and the holder plate contact to a periphery of the paper roll, the loading lid stops relatively moving to the holder plate. Thereafter, the loading lid and the holder plate move together while they keep the open angle in accordance with the largeness of the radius of the paper roll. When the loading lid is perfectly closed, a center of a roll core is set at a predetermined position, regardless of the largeness of the paper roll.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akimasa Kaya
-
Patent number: 6698958Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for sublimating at least one sublimation dye on at least one side of a web. The sublimation station includes a plurality of sensors which senses a web temperature and controls a plurality of heating elements, such as infrared lamps to control the web temperature so that it is maintained within a desired sublimation temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Paxar CorporationInventors: Monti Emery, Scott Chilson, David Whitley
-
Patent number: 6695500Abstract: Disclosed is a paper holding device for a label printer. The paper holding device comprises left and right holders for supporting both ends, respectively, of a paper roll; left and right guide links respectively locked to lower ends of the left and right holders; a rotation link for operatively connecting the left and right guide links with each other and moving them in leftward and rightward directions; a bottom panel secured with respect to a floor of a printer body, for rotatably installing thereon the rotation link; and a pair of elastic members having one ends connected to the left and right guide links and the other ends connected to the bottom panel, to apply elastic force to the left and right guide links.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin-Gwan Kim, Jang-Hwan Kim
-
Patent number: 6688787Abstract: A roller device includes a motor and a speed reducer inside a cylindrical roller or arranged coaxially, and an electronic apparatus includes a printer using the roller device. This roller device comprises a motor (5) disposed on a cylindrical roller (2), a sun gear (7), planet gears (8), a first inner tooth gear (10) provided inside of the cylindrical roller (2), and a second inner tooth gear (11) provided inside of a bearing element (12). The rotation of the bearing element (12) is suppressed by a predetermined force. Thus the rotation of the motor (5) is decelerated, and the cylindrical roller is rotated at a reduced speed. By rotating the bearing element with a force greater than a predetermined force, the cylindrical roller can be rotated manually.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., LtdInventors: Toru Arakawa, Masaaki Matsui, Kenji Nakasono, Toshio Tanaka
-
Patent number: 6648533Abstract: A label making inkjet printer applies print imaging directly to the adhesive side of a media provided in sheet-form and in reel-form. Because inkjet printing is a non-contact printing method, print imaging may be applied to the adhesive side of the media. According to one embodiment, a user manually pulls tape-form media through the printer while encoding signals detect linear movement of the media and provide basis for synchronizing operation of an inkjet print head. According to another embodiment, a motorized media transport carries tape-form media on a pair of media transport belts past an inkjet print head. The resulting adhesive label when applied to a contact surface substantially disappears due to its transparent nature leaving visible only print imaging applied thereto and captured between the protective tape media and contact surface therebelow.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Clement C. Lo, Thomas A. Saksa, Andrew S. P. Chiu
-
Patent number: 6644876Abstract: A cartridge identification system for identifying a characteristic of a cartridge inserted in a printer. The cartridge identification system comprises an identification circuit which is triggered by an electrical connection between a printed circuit board coupled to the cartridge and a plurality of spring contacts in a cartridge receptacle in the printer. An electrical logic signal is read by an internal processing unit, which determines a characteristic of the cartridge based on the logic signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Carriere, Peter G. Ross, Kevin L. Wilken
-
Patent number: 6637959Abstract: Printing device with means for conveying paper A printing device (10) comprises a lower part (12) and an upper part (14) that is mounted on said lower part (12) such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (16). A print head (18) and a holding trough. (62) for a recording medium supply roll (64) are arranged in the lower part (12) , and a conveying device (24, 30) for a recording medium (66), and a print backing support (36) spatially associated with the print head (18) are arranged in the upper part (14). The upper part (14) has two side walls (42) which laterally enclose a recording medium supply roll (64) put into the holding trough (62).Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Günter Baitz, Wilfried Dobring, Wolfgang Malke
-
Patent number: 6634817Abstract: In an image forming apparatus mountable a detachable unit mounting a memory in a main body of the apparatus, a memory-access-reservation control unit for accepting a request of an access with respect to a nonvolatile memory provided in a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a toner and the like are integrated is provided in an engine control unit. When there is a request of an access with respect to the nonvolatile memory from a printer controller, the memory-access-reservation control unit accesses the nonvolatile memory in accordance with the request of the access. Upon completion of the access, the fact is notified to the printer controller. In response to the notification, the printer controller requests transmission of read information or confirms that a writing operation has been normally ended, by communicating with the engine control unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoji Serizawa
-
Publication number: 20030180081Abstract: A printing device for printing labels comprises a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; user input means having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means, The first actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and a subsequent activation of the character selection key in a predetermined time frame selects the associated additional character.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventor: Michel Woodman
-
Patent number: 6609678Abstract: A core includes a tubular body for supporting a wound sheet roll on a spindle. The body includes an annular outer surface for receiving the sheet roll, and an annular inner surface defining a bore for receiving the spindle. A plurality of ribs project inwardly from the body inner surface and extend axially between opposite first and second openings for nesting in the corresponding slots in the spindle. Each of the ribs includes a beveled fork for frictionally engaging a corresponding one of the spindle slots to frictionally retain the core axially thereon.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: James M. Seybold, Richard D. Puckett
-
Patent number: 6609677Abstract: A core includes a tubular body for supporting a wound sheet roll on a spindle. The body includes an annular outer surface for receiving the sheet roll, and an annular inner surface defining a bore for receiving the spindle. A plurality of ribs project inwardly from the body inner surface and extend axially between opposite first and second openings for nesting in the corresponding slots in the spindle. Each of the ribs includes a beveled fork for frictionally engaging a corresponding one of the spindle slots to frictionally retain the core axially thereon.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: NCR CorporationInventors: James M. Seybold, Richard D. Puckett
-
Patent number: 6609844Abstract: A portable printer for printing on a roll of paper or label stock is provided having automatic print alignment with the width of the roll. The portable printer has a housing having a compartment for receiving the roll, a cover to access the roll, and a centering mechanism for the roll. The centering mechanism has two rotatable spindle members in the compartment engageable with the opposing ends of the roll's tubular core, and a pair of racks each coupled to one of the spindle members, and to each other by a gear, to enable each of the spindle members to move in opposite directions with respect to a center between the spindle members. The position of centering mechanism is optically, magnetically, or electro-mechanically encoded and a sensor reads the encoded position of the centering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Steven F. Petteruti, Majid Amani, Gregory J. Klein, Richard J. Preliasco, Anna H. Doyle, Robert A. Petteruti
-
Publication number: 20030156881Abstract: A printer unit for facilitating maintenance such as repair/replacement of a printer paper winding mechanism and reducing a work time required for the maintenance. The printer unit is mounted removably on a device that requires the printer unit. It comprises a journal printer 4 and a pulley 8 that winds paper P printed by the printer. The printer unit also comprises a body 110 to which the printer is fixed and having a paper shed 3 in which the paper is stored, and a turning arm 140 assembled at one end rotatably with the body 110. The turning arm 140 has thereon the winding pulley 8 and a platen 143 that is bringable to a position opposite to the printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiki Iwata
-
Patent number: 6607322Abstract: A printer unit 20 has a base frame 24 and a moving frame 26 supported thereon for rotation relative thereto so that the upper part of the moving frame can be inclined to the front of an installation-type transaction device. The moving frame 26 is provided with a bearing member 40 that supports a shaft of the rolled paper, a print mechanism section 46, an edge of paper insertion slot 44 for introducing the rolled-paper end into the print section, and an edge of paper discharge port 50a. The bearing member 40 has a rolled-paper-shaft acceptance port 40b that is opened to the rear of the moving frame, and the edge of paper insertion slot 44 is oriented to the rear of the moving frame. At maintenance and inspection time, the moving frame 26 is inclined forward, whereby the shaft acceptance port 40b and the edge of paper insertion slot 44 are oriented to the worker.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kotoya Aruga, Hiroshi Takizawa, Yoshihiro Shikano
-
Patent number: 6604874Abstract: A printer mechanism having a receptacle for receiving a printer cartridge therein. A print head is disposed in the receptacle, and a platen roller is rotatable about a roller axis. The platen roller is movable between a printing position in close proximity to the print head for urging labeling media and ink ribbon toward the print head and a nonprinting position in which the roller platen is spaced a distance from said print head to allow the labeling media and ink ribbon to be slipped therebetween. A platen roller gear is coaxial with said platen roller, and is engaged with a drive gear when the platen roller is in the printing position and disengaged from the platen roller gear when the platen roller is in the nonprinting position. A lever is linked to the platen roller, and is movable between a lock position and an unlock position.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Carriere, Kevin L. Wilken, Jeffery J. Brickl, Edward A. Raleigh
-
Patent number: 6592277Abstract: A printing labeler having a label restraining and guiding system with a deflection member for turning back only the backing sheet of a continuous label strip composed of a backing sheet having a label peel-off layer and a plurality of labels provisionally attached to the backing sheet to thereby peel the labels from the backing sheet, a platen that supports lateral end portions of the deflection member, a pair of left and right side plates that support the platen and a label guide piece that faces the platen and guides the continuous label strip toward the deflection member and the label guide piece integrally has a pair of left and right engagement flange portions engageable with a pair of left and right engagement grooves formed in the pair of left and right side plates, a stop portion that connects upstream ends of the engagement flange portions and a deflection guide portion that connects downstream ends of the engagement flange portions and that a surface of the platen faces a vacant space enclosed by thType: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SatoInventors: Tadao Kashiwaba, Tadashi Sasaki
-
Patent number: 6584896Abstract: A core holding device and a cover for roll-shaped label of a label sticking machine capable of assuredly holding a roll-shaped label or a core thereof, simplifying an operation for installation and removal thereof and forming it simple and compact, characterized in that core holding members for holding the roll-shaped label are of a rotating type. Each of the core holding members is energized by a spring, a pair of spring plates and the pair of core holding knob members comprises a rotating shaft part, a core holding part and a knob part which is located on the opposite side of the core holding part and projected outward from the sides of the plates and the spring plates can energize the core holding part of each of the core holding knob members in the core holding positional direction thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SatoInventors: Tadao Kashiwaba, Tadashi Sasaki
-
Patent number: 6585438Abstract: There are provided a tape printing apparatus and a tape printing method, which are capable of setting or determining whether or not half-cutting should be carried out, based on the detected type of a tape set for use, as well as a cutting device capable of detecting the type of a tape-shaped member, and setting whether or not the tape-shaped member should be cut, based on the detected type of the tape-shaped member, a tape printing apparatus incorporating the device, and a method for the cutting device. The tape printing apparatus has a half-cutting function of cutting only a peel layer of a tape-shaped member formed of an image-receiving layer and the peel layer and by using a half-cutting tape cutter in the direction of the width of the tape-shaped member. The type of the tape-shaped member is detected. Whether or not the half-cutting tape cutter is driven, based on a result of the detection. Printing is carried out on the tape-shaped member.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, King Jim Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Hosokawa, Tomoki Nakamura
-
Patent number: 6580446Abstract: A thermal transfer printer includes a thermal transfer recording web roll having a bore and obtained by rolling a thermal transfer web. The segment of the thermal transfer recording web forming the innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll is fixed to a part of a segment of the same forming the second innermost layer of the thermal transfer recording web roll. A holding device is inserted in the bore of the thermal transfer recording web roll to hold the thermal transfer recording web roll. The thermal transfer recording web roll and the holding device rotate in a unit to feed the thermal transfer recording web to a thermal transfer recording unit that forms images on the thermal transfer recording web. The thermal transfer recording web roll can be prepared at a low cost without requiring much time and effort.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Yamakawa, Hitoshi Saito, Hiroaki Inoue, Hisaki Ota, Junichi Hiroi
-
Patent number: 6579021Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for franking mailpieces or labels, comprising a base and a franking module connected to this base, the base comprising first transport means for conveying the mailpieces along a mailpiece-conveying path, from a mailpiece inlet towards said franking module, and second transport means for conveying the labels along a label-conveying path, from label dispensing means towards said franking module, the dispensing means comprising at least a first delivery roll for supplying a band of self-adhesive labels of linerless type. These dispensing means preferably further comprise a second delivery roll for supplying a band of self-adhesive labels of linerless type provided with transponders.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Neopost IndustrieInventors: Xavier Deshayes, Arsène Paul
-
Patent number: 6572290Abstract: A tape printer comprising a tape receiving portion for receiving a supply of tape on which an image is to be printed; printing means for printing an image on said tape; cutting means for cutting at least partially said tape; and a cutter operation arrangement for manually operating said cutting means, said cutter operation arrangement comprising a first operating portion and a second operating portion, at least one of said first and second operating portions being movable toward the other, said operating portions being such that in use a user contacts both of said portions in order to move the at least one moveable portion towards the other.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Esselte N.V.Inventors: Chris McCleave, Michel Woodman
-
Publication number: 20030081977Abstract: A printer mechanism having a receptacle for receiving a printer cartridge therein. A print head is disposed in the receptacle, and a platen roller is rotatable about a roller axis. The platen roller is movable between a printing position in close proximity to the print head for urging labeling media and ink ribbon toward the print head and a nonprinting position in which the roller platen is spaced a distance from said print head to allow the labeling media and ink ribbon to be slipped therebetween. A platen roller gear is coaxial with said platen roller, and is engaged with a drive gear when the platen roller is in the printing position and disengaged from the platen roller gear when the platen roller is in the nonprinting position. A lever is linked to the platen roller, and is movable between a lock position and an unlock position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Richard L. Carriere, Kevin L. Wilken, Jeffery J. Brickl, Edward A. Raleigh
-
Patent number: 6547464Abstract: An automated transaction machine (10) includes a thermal printing apparatus for printing account statements for a user. A paper drive (36) moves a paper web (44) from a paper roll (42) through a printer (40). After indicia is printed on the paper, the paper is cut by a cutter (37) into sheets and delivered to a user by a presenter drive (30). After paper cutting, the paper is moved a short distance in a direction opposed to the direction that the paper normally moves during printing. A paper control device (49) operates to maintain a relatively constant resistance force to movement of the web in the printing direction after the paper has been retracted. The paper control device limits application of resistance forces to below a threshold as well as sudden fluctuation of resistance forces on the paper web which may otherwise cause the paper to slip relative to the drive and cause distortion of printed indicia or damage to the web.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Diebòld, IncorporatedInventors: Kim R. Lewis, Jeffrey A. Hill, Richard C. Lute, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20030068185Abstract: A printing cartridge includes a housing. An array of switch actuators is positioned on the housing. The array of switch actuators represents data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant so that when a switch array is actuated by the array of switch actuators, a signal carrying such data can be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2001Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 6536696Abstract: A point of sale printer includes a paper supply mechanism rotatably mounting a paper supply roll within a frame through a resiliently mounted bearing member extending into each end of a central hole in the roll. The frame is manually pivoted between an open position, in which the roll is installed and removed by moving the bearing members outward with movement of the roll, and a closed position, in which the roll is rotatably held in place, with outward movement of the bearing members being prevented by stops within the printer. With the frame in its closed position, a paper web is pulled from the roll for printing. An alternate configuration allows the printer to use a narrow paper roll.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Melissa Ann Fiutak, Richard Hunter Harris, Robert Andrew Myers, Kevin Hunter Vorhees
-
Patent number: 6524022Abstract: A paper cutter includes a blade extending in the width of a rolled paper, the blade having a linear edge and a serrated edge formed at an end of the linear edge. A paper guide for discharging the paper is disposed downstream from the cutter, the paper guide having an upper and a lower member and a discharge port at the downstream end thereof. A cutout section is formed at the upper member of the paper guide, and the position of the cutout section corresponds to the serrated blade edge in the width direction of the paper. The cutout section permits the paper to be grasped with fingers by the operator. When the paper is pulled, a force acts on the paper in a direction to press it against the serrated blade edge, cutting the paper from the edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masahiro Minowa, Naoki Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 6511240Abstract: A miniaturized rolled-paper holding mechanism is capable of detecting the residual quantity of rolled-paper in both horizontally and vertically installed states of a printer. The rolled-paper holding mechanism includes a rolled-paper holder, a holder cover, a positioning member, and a residual-paper-quantity sensor. The positioning member is structured such that, as the holder cover is opened or closed, the inclination angle of the positioning member is varied with respect to a second-bottom-portion inclined surface formed in the rolled-paper holder. Further, a second positioning groove—which, when the holder cover is closed, can be contacted with rolled-paper R having a given diameter—is formed between the positioning member and the second-bottom-portion inclined surface of the rolled-paper holder.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Masahiko Yamada
-
Patent number: 6503008Abstract: A print media roll holder includes a multi-diameter core adapter for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes. The roll holder comprises a ring-shaped frame having a base portion provided with a guide rack which is used for positional adjustment. The multi-diameter core adapter is pivotally mounted inside the ring-shaped frame on two opposing lateral pins inserted through the frame and through the core adapter for 180 degree rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending on the size of core being used. The guide rack is part of a rack and pinion gear system used to vary the spacing between the roll holders in a reciprocal linear fashion.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Thomas Michael Zevin, Joe Dufrain Rodriguez
-
Patent number: 6503005Abstract: The present invention refers to a tape printing device for hand-held operation, having a housing with a first part and a second part, wherein the first part of the housing comprises a surface with a keyboard with keys for inputting desired characters to be printed onto an image receiving tape, the surface having a breadth which is larger than a thickness of the first part of housing, preferably a multiple thereof, The second part of the housing comprises a cassette receiving bay for accomodating a tape cassette holding a supply of the image receiving tape, the second part of the housing further enclosing a print mechanism arranged to print the desired characters onto the image receiving tape. Further the tape cassette can have an angled peel slot.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Esselte N.V.Inventors: Sam Cockerill, Costa Panayi, Francois Lecomte, Anthony Roy Dunn, Jonathan Tremlett
-
Publication number: 20020192001Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a photo album page. The apparatus includes a first supply of a media having a front and back side, a first print head located adjacent the front side of the media; a first transport mechanism for advancing the first supply of media in a first processing path; a second supply of a second media having a front and back side, the front side of the second media is such that digital images may be printed thereon; a second print head for providing images on the front side of the second media; a second first transport mechanism for advancing the first media along a first processing path, the first path and second path being positioned such that initially the paths are initially separated and later combined to form a single processing path such that the back sides of first media and second media will be co-extensive with each other; and a securing mechanism for bringing together and securing the first media and second media so as to form a substantially integral web.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Dale F. McIntyre, Joseph A. Manico
-
Patent number: 6491460Abstract: A tape printing apparatus has a tape exit having a slit defined by a pair of opening edges opposed to each other. The slit includes a tape setting space facing a cutter and a tape guide space defined on the tape setting space in a manner continuous with the tape setting space, for guiding a leading end portion of a printing tape to be inserted into the tape setting space from above. The tape guide space is formed such that said tape guide space extends in a curved manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hideo Sodeyama, Hiroshi Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 6491459Abstract: A printer having an opening provided on an accommodating portion for a recording rolled paper, wherein the opening is covered by first and second swing covers which pivot in opposite directions when moving from a closed position in which they are relatively close to each other. The first swing cover has a first guide member, and the second swing cover has a second guide member. After loading the recording rolled paper into the accommodating portion, the first swing cover is firstly closed. Then, the second swing cover is closed so that the label sheet is automatically arranged to curve by passing around the first guide member and the second guide member.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hiroaki Hosomi