Including Web Rewind Patents (Class 400/614)
  • Patent number: 10730323
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes first and second supplying portions, a printer, and a winding unit. The first supplying portion can supply a recording medium on a conveyance route to the printer for first surface printing. The winding unit then rotates in a first direction to wind the printed recording medium. A wound recording medium edge is located at a specific location and then guided to a conveyance route opening portion if the wind direction is a second direction. After the edge is at the specific location, the recording medium is supplied through the opening portion to the printer for second surface printing. If the second supplying portion supplies the recording medium for first surface printing, then it supplies the medium for second surface printing. If a user sets a wound-in-advance recording medium to the second supplying portion, the second supplying portion supplies the set recording medium to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Harigae, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Itaru Wada
  • Patent number: 8956063
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a spool that holds a roll of print medium; an image forming device that forms an image on the medium; a transporting device including a transport rotary member that transports the medium to the image forming device, and a drive source that generates drive force; and a drive force transmission device which transmits the drive force to the spool when the transport rotary member rotates in a medium rewinding direction, and which includes a first gear train for rotating the spool in the same direction as the transport rotary member when the transport rotary member and the spool rotate in the same direction during the transport of the medium and a second gear train for rotating the spool in an opposite direction to the transport rotary member when the transport rotary member and the spool rotate in opposite directions during the medium transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuzoh Obata, Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Norikazu Yanase, Kazuyoshi Kondo, Makoto Kikura, Gaku Hosono, Yoshinori Uchino
  • Patent number: 8870479
    Abstract: A printer is configured which includes, a printing head; a first transport mechanism which transports a printing medium along a transport path; a second transport mechanism which transports the printing medium along the transport path between the printing head and the first transport mechanism; a forward transport control unit which executes a forward transport control transporting the printing medium to the printing head side using the second transport mechanism while applying a load to the printing medium using the roller, and printing a coloring agent to the printing medium using the printing head; and a reverse transport control unit which executes a reverse transport control transporting the printing medium to the first transport mechanism side using the second transport mechanism while applying a load which is smaller than that in the forward transport control to the printing medium using the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8840329
    Abstract: A conveyance device including a drive roller that feeds a sheet medium from a media roll having the sheet medium wound in a roll that can rotate on a center axis of the roll, a drive roller that supplies the sheet medium from the media roll, a roll rotating unit that rotates the media roll and rewinds the supplied sheet medium, and first and second brake devices that apply a load to rotation of the media roll and are disposed to the roll rotating unit, wherein the first brake device is controlled to apply the load when not energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Okada, Hiroyuki Kato, Norio Horaguchi
  • Patent number: 8834045
    Abstract: A printer capable of printing two surfaces of a medium is disclosed in the present invention. The printer includes a base, a holder rotatably disposed on the base for holding webs, and a rotary mechanism for rotating the holder relative to the base. The rotary mechanism includes a wheel disposed on the holder, and a gear crank disposed on the base. A plurality of slots is formed on the wheel, and the gear crank includes an actuating pin. The actuating pin can slide into one of the slots when the gear crank rotates, so as to rotate the wheel, and the holder can rotate relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: HiTi Digital, Inc.
    Inventor: Kai-Chieh Yen
  • Patent number: 8821048
    Abstract: An image recording device includes: a conveyor unit for conveying a recording medium; a drum for rotating under force of friction against the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit, the recording medium being wound around the drum; and a recording unit for recording an image onto a portion, wound around the drum, of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor unit; the conveyor unit starting the conveyance of the recording medium in a state where a first tension has been applied to the recording medium, but executing a switching operation for switching the tension applied to the recording medium after the conveyance of the recording medium has been started, to a second tension that is lower than the first tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Imamura, Yujiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 8764328
    Abstract: The PB Reader solves the problem that the e-reader presents: the e-reader has a non-paper screen and printed documents need assembly, binding, and page turning via hands. This is an electronic, mechanical device that can quickly search, review and print documents and that has text-to-speech and remote control functionality. The unit is rectangular in shape similar as a traditional book, including a viewing window for reading and printing. The unit is fed by two paper-belt rollers, across which images and printed text are displayed. The two paper-belt rolls, which are held by two square axles that are driven by the stepping motor through multiple reduction gears. A pattern of round dots is printed on the bottom side of the paper belt, which can be decoded by a photoelectric sensor to take action of reeling pages. The signals control the stepper motor, allowing the reader to reel the page forward or backward, or jump directly to a specific position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Tianlan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120213570
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed that provide a vertical configuration for tandem printing. A printer rack allows for one printer to be stacked above another printer in a vertical configuration. When the printers are installed on the printer rack, the printers face in opposite directions so that an output of one of the printers is vertically aligned with an input of the other printer. A paper web may then be fed through one printer for front side printing, and then through the other printer for back side printing. The printer rack includes a web reversing mechanism that reverses a direction of travel of the paper web as the paper web is fed between the printers and eliminates the need for a traditional turning station as commonly used in horizontal tandem printing system configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Harry R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8233835
    Abstract: This is a take-up roller assembly that is connected to paper exiting a scanner and collects this exiting paper. The take-up roller assembly is moved by movement of paper entering the scanner together with a paper pulling structure that is located in the scanner. This take-up roller assembly is uniquely suitable for use in a wide format imaging system that uses a scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Martin, Mark A. Nenni, Guido Dimateo, Ronald Dews, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8205548
    Abstract: There is provided a method of winding up a transfer film and a device for performing transfer printing on printed sheets of paper, capable of eliminating the need to frequently replace the transfer film, thereby allowing the transfer film to be used over a prolonged time. According to the method of winding up a transfer film, the transfer film fed from a feed roll through a feed path is pressed onto a fed printed sheet to transfer patterns of the transfer film, and then the transfer film is wound up onto a windup roll through a windup path. During the rewind of the transfer film from the windup roll to the feed roll, a lateral position of the transfer film running along the feed path is detected, and the feed roll is moved in its axial direction to follow a lateral positional change of the transfer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ryobi Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamashita, Katsushi Hirokawa, Takahiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8075209
    Abstract: A method of printing a plurality of images on a length of media comprises feeding the media from an input roll of media to a printing device where images are printed on the media. After images are printed on the media, the media is delivered to an output roll. The method further comprises determining a pile height differential on the printed media for at least one initial image. Based on the determined pile height differential, subsequent images printed on the media are modified. The subsequent images are modified in a manner designed to compensate for the determined pile height differential. Accordingly, a method of roll-to-roll printing is disclosed that may be used to balance the ink layer across the width of the roll of media and maintain the cylindrical shape of the output roll in various printing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Shriram V. Revankar
  • Patent number: 8029201
    Abstract: A rewinding reel for rewinding a carbon ribbon or a label carrier in a label printer is provided, including a shaft, a gear, at least two sliding bases, at least two outer casing members, a resilient element, and a knob. The gear is mounted to the shaft to mate a transmission of the label printer for driving rotation of the shaft. The sliding bases are mounted to the shaft and are rotatable by the shaft. The sliding bases include movable portions that form camming projections and follower projections respectively in camming engagement with follower projections and camming faces formed on the outer casing members to radially move the outer casing members away from and toward the sliding bases for expanding and contracting the outer casing members in order to selectively loosen the carbon ribbon or the label carrier wound around the outer casing members. The knob is fixed to the movable portions and is manually depressible to move the movable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8029202
    Abstract: A printer, which prints by repeatedly reciprocating a rolled recording paper and ejects a printed recording paper, has therein a recording paper storage unit in which the recording paper is temporarily stored. The recording paper storage unit has a configuration formed by at least a part of the periphery of the rolled recording paper or a configuration provided in a space between the rolled paper holder and an ejection slot. This configuration eliminates the need for separately providing a configuration in which a recording paper is set aside when printing a long sheet of printed material and, at the same time, makes the printer smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Takahashi, Yuichi Taguchi, Yutaka Inokuchi
  • Publication number: 20110211897
    Abstract: A device includes a winding rotary member having a cylindrical shape; a holder having a rotating member, which is provided in the vicinity of a cylindrical surface of the winding rotary member, capable of nipping and conveying the sheet; a first driving mechanism configured to rotate the winding rotary member; and a second driving mechanism configured to rotate the rotating member. The winding rotary member rotates with the sheet is nipped with the rotatable holder, whereby the sheet is wound around the winding rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Uchida, Manabu Kanazawa, Masahito Yoshida, Tetsuhiro Nitta, Takayuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7986420
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for detecting printer conditions. A set of signals are received from a sensor in a printer. A current state of the printer from a plurality of states is detected within the set of signals. Responsive to the current state being a selected state, a response signal is sent to the printer based on a policy. The response signal is a printer condition, which may be a paper jam, out-of-paper, or a cover open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Hunter Harris
  • Patent number: 7976233
    Abstract: A winding apparatus for use in a copier, a printer, and other devices for ejecting a printed sheet in a rolled form of a cylinder without having a core includes a gripping mechanism for gripping the leading end of a sheet when the sheet is rolled into cylindrical form. The gripping mechanism is disposed on a cylindrical member provided to each of both ends of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet and moving with the conveyance of the sheet. The on and off states of gripping to the leading end of the sheet can be controlled. The gripping mechanism is turned to the off state, and the cylindrical member is retracted from the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Onuki
  • Publication number: 20110135372
    Abstract: A both-side recording apparatus that enables both-side recording on continuous paper using a single recording head, without cutting the continuous paper at an intermediate position, is provided. Reduction in size and costs of the apparatus is achieved by eliminating a conveying path dedicated to both-side recording. The apparatus includes a paper-feeder that feeds continuous paper, a recording head that records an image on the continuous paper, a reversing unit that reverses the continuous paper such that a recording surface of the continuous paper facing the recording head is reversed, and a rewinding mechanism that rewinds the fed continuous paper to the paper-feeder. During both-side recording, recording is performed on the back side of the continuous paper by rewinding the continuous paper by the rewinding mechanism, setting the back side of the continuous paper to oppose the recording head by the reversing unit, and feeding the continuous paper from the paper-feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryosuke Sato, Yasuhiko Ikeda, Masahito Yoshida, Koichiro Kawaguchi, Kenji Shigeno, Toshiki Takeuchi, Masato Izumi, Kengo Nieda
  • Patent number: 7708483
    Abstract: An unbacked transport and conditioning printing system for printing a pattern on a fabric is disclosed. The system includes a fabric characterization and tension control subsystem for gathering information on variations in the fabric and an irregularity detection subsystem for detecting irregularities in the fabric, as well as, crease detection and removal. The fabric passes through a fabric drying and conditioning subsystem for characterization of the fabric. The system also includes a fabric control subsystem for advancing the fabric through a print zone, where a pattern is printed on an unbacked fabric. The fabric is transported through a drying and post-processing subsystem and a closed-loop color control subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammad M Samii, Mark A. Van Veen, Jack H Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7695204
    Abstract: A wide format printer having an alternative print zone arrangement is provided. The printer comprises a printhead having a corresponding print zone, the print zone being defined by a plane adjacent the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The printer is characterized in that the web is unsupported in the print zone, which obviates the need for a platen and advantageously maintains a constant distance between the printhead and the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Nagesh Ramachandra, Jan Waszczuk
  • Patent number: 7674055
    Abstract: A label printing apparatus having a label peeling mechanism determines the appropriate time to run a process for setting the paper. Paper having a plurality of labels continuously affixed to a web liner is loaded inside the label printing apparatus when a main cover is open. A peeling mechanism cover is attached and openable from the main cover. When opened, the paper is routed through one path or another to exit the printer from one or another exit depending on whether or not the peeling mechanism is used. A control method for this printer has a step of waiting for a switch to be pressed by an operator after the operator puts the paper inside the label printer and closes the main cover, and a step of executing a paper setup process when the switch is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Go Hiroike, Toshihiro Tsukada, Toru Takami
  • Patent number: 7588381
    Abstract: A method for printing wallpaper onto a web of media is provided. In the method one or more collections of patterns are provided, a selection of a pattern from the one or more collections by an operator is captured, the selection being communicated by input of a symbol of the selected pattern, and the wallpaper is produced, on demand, according to the captured pattern selection by utilizing an printer configured to print onto the web of media to produce the wallpaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Faye Lee
  • Publication number: 20090226235
    Abstract: A roll recording material transport device includes a driving side roll holder, a driven side roll holder, a driving side spindle, a driven side spindle, a spindle driving source, a driving side support mechanism, a driven side support mechanism, a transport roller, and an assist executing section. The assist executing section executes assist control in which a rotating force in the direction of transporting the roll of recording material is applied by the spindle driving source through the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder in an engaged state to the roll portion. The frictional force between the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder is set smaller than the frictional force between the driven side spindle and the driven side support mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kiyoto Komuro
  • Patent number: 7484841
    Abstract: A mobile wallpaper printer for producing wallpaper, the printer comprising: a vehicle adapted to hold and transport the printer; input means for a consumer to select a wallpaper pattern to be printed on a media web to form the wallpaper; at least one media cartridge containing the media web; a printhead extending at least the width of the media web; drive means to drive the media web past the printhead; and, at least one processor to receive and process the selected wallpaper pattern and to control printing of the selected wallpaper pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7322761
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Nagesh Ramachandra, Jan Waszczuk
  • Patent number: 7191978
    Abstract: A media web cartridge for storing a media web to be introduced into a wallpaper printing system, the wallpaper printing system including a region to receive the media web cartridge and feed the media web past a printhead at least as wide as the width of the media web, the media web cartridge comprising: a casing which envelopes the media web; a fixed shaft about which the media web is wound and is free to rotate; two support members that each hold an opposite end of the shaft, the support members adapted to be supported by the casing and to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the casing; at least two feed rollers to draw the media web from about the shaft and force the media web through an exit region of the casing; and, at least one of the feed rollers including a coupling which protrudes through an opening in an end of the casing and is adapted to engage with a drive spindle provided in the printing system, the drive spindle adapted to rotate the at least one feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7097372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refillable tape cassette for accomodating a supply of printable tape. In order to avoid the need for different tape cassettes for different tape widths the tape cassette is capable of selectively housing supplies of tapes of different widths. Alternatively or additionally, the tape cassette can have a housing comprising a base on which the tape supply can be releasably fixed, and a lid fixed to the base, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the base by means of a hinge, Further, according to the invention, the windings of refill tape units are held together by means of a strip of adhesive or by means of wax on the axial ends of the units, or by scuffing the backing layer of an image receiving tape which is broader than the image receiving layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Esselte N.V.
    Inventors: Geert Heyse, Robert Day, Charles Robert Sims
  • Patent number: 6637959
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Baitz, Wilfried Dobring, Wolfgang Malke
  • Patent number: 6511240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 6439786
    Abstract: A printer including a single motor which provides rotary motion to a feed drum having an outer surface which frictionally engages and pulls a web material from a roll rotatably mounted on a supply shaft. First and second pendulum systems, each including two pendulums independently mounted to the frame, pivotally mount a take-up shaft and a tension roller to tension the web as it comes off the feed drum and the roll, respectively. A print head carriage assembly is moveable along a pivot beam which extends orthogonally across the linear path from a first end position to a second end position. The single motor is coupled to the print head carriage assembly for reciprocally pushing and pulling the print head carriage assembly between first and second end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Scanvec Garment Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Hasiuk
  • Patent number: 6412992
    Abstract: An aligning device is provided in a paper transport path in a printer, for correcting a recording paper to be parallel to the paper transport path. The aligning device has a pair of guide members (17, 18) that are shifted in a lateral direction to the paper transport path by a drive mechanism (21), to push side edges of the recording paper, and a stopping plate (19) for stopping the guide members at an aligning position. The drive mechanism is constituted of a cam shaft (28) rotated by an aligning motor, a pair of swing levers (29, 30) for converting rotational movement of the cam shaft into swinging movement, and a pair of sliding levers (31, 32) that slide in the lateral direction with the swinging movement of the swing levers. The guide members are mounted on pivot pins (31d, 32d) of the sliding levers, so the guide members may incline relative to the parallel direction to the paper transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shusuke Mogi
  • Publication number: 20020054781
    Abstract: A method and system for printing on a dimensionally-unstable substrate, such as textile is provided. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the method comprising pressing the substrate onto an adhesive surface of a dimensionally-stable film, thus forming a unified dimensionally-stable substrate and substantially immediately thereafter advancing the unified dimensionally-stable substrate in a predetermined direction while printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Aharon Korem
  • Patent number: 6238113
    Abstract: A media supply cassette is disclosed for use in an imaging system for processing a web of imageable media. The media supply cassette includes a first roller and a second roller for providing a nip through which the media exits the supply cassette through rotation of the first roller. The supply cassette also includes a third roller coupled to the first roller such that rotation of the third roller causes the first roller to rotate. The third roller is positioned to contact a fourth roller in the imaging system such that rotation of the fourth roller causes the third roller to rotate thereby providing rotation of the first roller which causes the media to exit the cassette and enter the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6186684
    Abstract: A rewinding apparatus is configured to accommodate linerless labels. The apparatus includes a thermal printer for processing an unprinted roll of labels, a rewinder disposed in the vicinity of the thermal printer for rewinding the printed roll after the unprinted roll is processed by the thermal printer, and a base plate supporting the rewinder to position the rewinder in a predetermined position relative to the thermal printer. With linerless labels, the roll of processed labels is wound spaced from a rewinder main body to avoid catching the media adhesive on a side guide, thereby preventing bubbles and wrinkles from being induced in the rewound roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Bane, Jeffrey J. Boreali
  • Patent number: 6123475
    Abstract: A document-printing arrangement (8) having one or more paper paths (10, 110), via which one or different continuous paper webs (20, 120) can be fed to a printing station (14) equipped with a thermoprinting strip (32) and a backing roll (34). In order to compensate for transport speed tolerances, a paper bulge (66) is built up upstream of the printing station (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Brings, Richard Duesterhus, Bernd Reimer, Pamela Szlezys
  • Patent number: 5788384
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved thermal printer with a rigid frame made from a main frame plate with compound bends and a base plate, record member supply roll mounting and guide devices, an ink ribbon and record member web feed control system, a print head assembly, and improved ink ribbon cores and spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent E. Goodwin, Thomas P. Keller, John D. Mistyurik, Mark W. Moore, David R. Wisecup, Jan M. Watson, Ronald L. Fogle
  • Patent number: 5779379
    Abstract: A receipt form handling system for an automated banking machine includes a printer (30) which prints indicia on paper extending in a paper path (151). Paper is moved in the paper path by engagement with a drive mechanism (157,159). Paper sheets are delivered by the drive mechanism to a delivery area, which includes a nip (114) of a sheet transport (26). The transport removes the sheets from the delivery area. A cutter (153) is positioned in the paper path and operates to selectively cut the paper. A sensor (155) is positioned at a location in the paper path upstream from the cutter. A controller (112) is in operative connection with the sensor and the cutter. The controller operates the cutter so that the paper is cut to produce a form sheet after indicia is printed on a portion of the paper. Upon the sensor detecting an approaching end of the paper, the controller ceases operation of the cutter. This avoids producing forms that are of insufficient length to be handled by the drive or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: InterBold
    Inventors: Thomas S. Mason, Jeffrey A. Brannan, Timothy R. Hoover
  • Patent number: 5607245
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for pulling the web backward through a thermal print station between prints. A web advance mechanism is adapted to move web in opposed forward and reverse directions past the print station. A core upon which a web supply roll is spiral wound with an end of the web extending from the roll to the print station rests on a support having a high friction inclined surface. The inclined surface is oriented such that (i) advancement of the web past the print station in the forward direction tensions the web resulting in rotation of the core such that it climbs up the inclined surface and (ii) advancement of the web past the print station in the reverse direction causes the tension in the web to relax, resulting in rotation of the core by gravity such that it rolls down the inclined surface, whereby slack in the web is taken up by the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Siwinski
  • Patent number: 5490735
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer in which, after positioning of a paper web for printing and the printing of the web, the last printed sheet is removed and the leading edge of the web is retracted in a park position. The retraction of the leading edge of the web from this proper printing position until it passes a sensor is detected and this difference in displacement of the drive is stored for correction of advance of the same web from the parking position subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: PSI Printer Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Brandenburg, Klaus-Peter Kluge, Kurt-Hermann Richter, Wendelin Weber
  • Patent number: 5395174
    Abstract: An apparatus for printing labels can have a printing area, a deflector area designed as a shaft or an edge located behind the printing area in the transport direction of the labels, around which deflector the carrier strip can be guided, and where the labels, on account of their stiffness, can be detached from the carrier strip, while the adhesive glue remains on the underside of the label. In addition, the printing apparatus can also have a supporting apparatus with a contact area near the output opening for the labels, against which supporting area the labels, output via the output opening, come into contact with their underside. The contact area of the support apparatus can preferably be formed by the exposed surfaces of balls mounted so that they can rotate in at least one retaining strip, so that during the label output, the labels preferably do not stick to the support apparatus, as such sticking would significantly interfere with the output of the labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Esselte Meto International GmbH
    Inventors: Ulf Koch, Peter Schneider
  • Patent number: 5351071
    Abstract: A thermal printer of the type printing an image on a printing paper wound in the form of a roll. Curling of the printing paper wound in the roll form occurs when the thermal printer is placed in its standby mode over more than a predetermined period of time while the printing paper is held between a platen roller and a thermal head. In order to prevent curling of the printing paper, the printing paper is rewound when the standby mode lasts over more than the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Matsuda, Takashi Yoshida, Isao Shimizu, Katsumi Watanabe, Akira Shimizu, Masashi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5251988
    Abstract: The thermal transfer printer is an on-line printer to print on a web in packaging apparatus adapted to print either when the web is in motion or during a stop cycle. The printer is configured to interface with a computer having a RS 232C serial port to permit changing messages or product identifications using stored data, fonts and graphics. Thousands of product identifications and descriptions can be stored and called up in minutes. The inker incorporates a web tensioning device which permits feeding a middle portion of the web through a printing nip at a speed different from the speed of the remainder of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Burford Corporation
    Inventor: Jimmy R. Frazier
  • Patent number: 5223940
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium, includes an: image recording device for recording an image on a recording medium, a conveying device for conveying the recording medium, and a cutter for cutting the recording medium. A detecting device is provided for detecting an amount of movement of the cutter, a control circuit is included for causing a leading edge of the recording medium to be retracted from a cutting position by a predetermined amount in response to the detection by the detecting device after the recording medium has been cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4823694
    Abstract: In order to accommodate a relatively large number of paper storage reels (11-17) with diameters of relatively large size in correspondence with a relatively large paper reservoir in a space of relatively small dimensions, storage reels (12-15) are also arranged in side-by-side relationship, i.e. laterally offset with respect to the paper feed slots (21-27) of the printer (20). The path segments of the paper webs (2-5) extending in this case in part skewed with respect to the paper feeding direction of the printer are made possible by rerouting members (52/62, 53/63, 54/64, 55/65, 42-45) at which the paper webs are guided on a rerouting path extending along part of a helical winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Autelca AG.
    Inventor: Fritz Siegenthaler
  • Patent number: 4765765
    Abstract: The label printer of the present invention comprises a label cassette containing an elongate label sheet and removably loadable in the printer unloadably, a memory for storing print parameters of label formats relative to print contents, and a parameter selection means for detecting the states of a plurality of selective elements incorporated in the label cassette correspondingly to the individual print parameters and selecting a print parameter conforming to the result of such detection. In this structure, mere loading of the label cassette in the printer prescribes the label format relative to the print content that corresponds to the loaded label cassette, thereby facilitating the operation to prescribe the desired label format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futakata
  • Patent number: 4700906
    Abstract: An improved control unit is provided in the form of a compact and relatively simple add-on kit for use with calculators, adding machines and the like requiring use of paper tape in roll form. The paper tape control unit supplies the paper tape to the associated machine and rewinds that tape in a continuously controlled manner while permitting relatively easy periodic reversal of tape motion for review purposes. The control unit includes supply and take-up reels driven together by a drive belt adapted for sufficient slipping motion to accommodate diametric size changes in the reels as the tape is unwound and wound with respect thereto. An adjustable platen is supported by the control unit in a position for passage of imprinted tape thereover to facilitate placement of manual edits or notations prior to winding of the tape onto the take-up reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Inventor: Theodore P. Lapadakis
  • Patent number: 4494708
    Abstract: The device includes a spool and a mounting structure for mounting the spool on a machine which uses paper tape. The mounting structure rotatably mounts the spool in a manner that the spool can rest on the paper tape roll of the machine and includes elements which rest against the back of the machine. The mounting structure is adjustable so that the axis of rotation of the spool is disposed between the axis of rotation of the paper tape roll and the surface of the machine such that the spool and the mounting structure are wedged between the surface of the machine and the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventors: James A. Stubbs, Eugene L. Gumplo
  • Patent number: 4492345
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for allowing a paper tape to be unwound from a first roll by a printing unit, and for simultaneously rewinding the paper tape on a second roll. Each roll includes a hollow cylindrical core. The apparatus includes a low friction cylindrical axle means for positioning within the hollow core of the second roll, and alignment means for maintaining the axle means such that its axis remains parallel with the axis of the second roll, and for keeping the two rolls laterally aligned. Retention means are also provided for keeping the two rolls together, the retention means preferably including an elastic cord member adapted to pass in a closed loop through the hollow core of the first roll and through a central opening in the axle means positioned in the hollow core of the second roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Inventor: William J. Bakker
  • Patent number: 4322044
    Abstract: A continuous paper web-moving mechanism has a supply roll on which the paper is wound and pulled from the supply roll by a drive roll that engages the paper on its surface by a pressure exerted against the paper at that point. In this preferred embodiment the pressure is exerted by a thermal printhead resiliently mounted to force the paper against the drive roll. A leaf spring is mounted at one end of the drive roll, bearing against the edge of the wound paper, providing a friction drag on the drive roll. Also, the drive roll is kept in a fixed lateral position by the force of the leaf spring, aiding in aligning the paper. The tension between the supply roll and the drive roll is such that the paper is stiffened, providing a contact with the surface of the drive roller in a tangential line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: F. Thomas Bilek
  • Patent number: 4168038
    Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to a recording machine of the type in which a printed record is made on a continuous strip of paper, such as a paper tape, traveling over a rotating platen wherein the tape is fed into the machine from a tape roll. The apparatus comprises a support frame having a pair of laterally spaced frame members which are interconnected in such a manner that the distance between the members may be selectively adjusted to accommodate tapes of varying widths. The frame members have spaced spindles which mount a feed roll that supplies the paper tape to the recorder machine, while a second pair of spaced spindles are carried by the frame members for rotatably mounting a take-up reel. The end of the tape passing through the recording machine is attached to the take-up reel in such a manner that the tape may be rewound thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Inventor: Robert W. Nims
  • Patent number: 4145146
    Abstract: A recording medium feeding apparatus for printer is disclosed wherein a web of a recording medium is fed and taken up by a take up reel. A web feeding mechanism and a reel driving mechanism are operated through a coupling means by a spring means in which energy is stored by a common driving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ohkawara, Nagao Mizutani, Toshio Kurihara, Masamitsu Nojima