Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a ribbon printing system includes a base support and an insert. The base support has a receiving area configured to receive a cleaning pad and the insert is configured to secure the cleaning pad in the receiving area of the base support. The base support is shaped to fit between a printer and a backup platen of the ribbon printing system when the insert secures the cleaning pad in the base support so that a thermal print head of the printer engages the cleaning pad in order to clean the print head.

Abstract: An ink removal device for an inkjet printer with a cartridge carrier and a print head. The ink removal device comprises a base, a wiper holder, a rotating member and a scraper. The wiper holder is movably disposed on the base and comprises a wiper disposed thereon to remove residual ink from the print head. The rotating member is disposed on the base. The scraper is rotatably disposed on the rotating member and rotates between a first position and a second position to remove residual ink from the wiper. The wiper moves relative to the scraper by means of the wiper holder sliding on the base.

Abstract: In a coating film transfer tool, a cassette including a tape supply reel, a transfer head, and a take-up reel, is removably disposed in a case. The cassette is approximately symmetric, and can therefore be installed it the case in either of two alternative positions. An alternate action push-button mechanism is provided for extending and withdrawing the transfer head. The cassette includes a mechanism for reducing the inter-axis distance between the supply and take-up reels to prevent, or at least reduce, the increase in tension on the tape as the tape supply is depleted.

Abstract: A recording apparatus removes foreign objects adhering to a recording medium over a long period of time, so that images having no defects caused by foreign objects are obtained over a long period of time. The recording apparatus includes a recording medium supply section, a recording medium conveyance section, a record medium cutting section, and a recording section. An adhesive rubber roller containing TiOx (titanium oxide) and a hydrocarbon compound, having a functional group of C—O or Si—O and not containing Ba (barium), is used in at least one of the recording medium supply section, recording medium conveyance section, recording medium cutting section and recording section.

Abstract: There is disclosed a release-coated linerless label web which includes a cleaner and a printable portion. The web can be threaded into contact with a thermal print head and the cleaner can clean the print head and thereafter the web is advanced to printed on a series of labels. The cleaner can be comprised in one embodiment of a plurality of lines of perforation cuts which roughen the surface of the web sufficiently to clean the print head upon many contact of the web with the print head. In another embodiment the cleaner is provided by embossments. In yet another embodiment the cleaner is provided by straining the web. Methods of making and using the web are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cleaning the print head of a baggage tag printer used for printing passenger identification and destination indicia thereon. The print head cleaner comprises a plurality of baggage tags secured to one another in end-to-end relation forming an elongated strip of baggage tags. The cleaner is secured to the last of the tags for automatic advancement into the printer upon completion of the printing of the final tag. The cleaner includes a quantity of print head cleaning fluid enclosed in a pouch which bursts upon passage through the printer. A paper tail may be fastened to the pouch for frictional engagement with the print head facilitating the cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is usable with a recording head having an ejection outlet. The recording head is carried on a carriage. The apparatus includes a cap for capping the ejection outlet of the recording head and a suction device for suctioning ink through the ejection outlet of the recording head and through the cap. The cap is unified with a cylinder of the suction device and the ejection outlet is capped in accordance with movement of the cylinder together with movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer in which when a printing head is soiled, the debris on the printing head can be removed automatically. The printing head movable to and from a platen is mounted on a carriage capable of being reciprocated along the platen, and a cleaning pad is disposed on an extension line of the platen downsteam or upstream in the printing column direction of the platen.

Abstract: A mail handling apparatus having a printing mechanism; a device for moving the printing mechanism along a path of travel between a printing mechanism printing position and a printing mechanism maintenance position; a maintenance station positioned lateral to the path of travel; and a device for rotating the printing mechanism along the path of travel to align the printing mechanism for engagement with the maintenance station as the printing mechanism moves into the maintenance position.

Abstract: A thermal printer has a sheet cassette for containing plural stacked thermosensitive recording sheets, which are advanced one after another out of the sheet cassette toward a platen drum. During a printing step, a thermal head is pressed against a recording sheet set on the platen drum. While the recording sheet is pressed, the platen drum is moved relative to the thermal head, which thermally records an image on the recording sheet. A protective sheet for protecting the recording sheets is laid on the stacked recording sheets in the sheet cassette. The protective sheet is advanced to and set on the platen drum. The thermal head is pressed against the protective sheet. While the protective sheet is pressed, heat energy is generated through the thermal head. At the same time, the platen drum is driven for moving the protective sheet, to remove dust from the thermal head with the protective sheet.

Abstract: Cleaning method for a thermal head used in thermal transfer printers, wherein said cleaning method uses a cleaning solution comprising at least one organic solvent having in pure state a vapour pressure above 25 mbar at 20.degree. C. and a lubricant selected from the group consisting of paraffins, polyolefin waxes, fluor compounds, phosphate compounds, phosphonate compounds, polysiloxanes, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid amides, fatty acids salts and polyalkyleneoxides.

Abstract: A resistive sheet thermal transfer printer includes a plurality of recording electrodes in in contact with a resistance layer of a current sensitized ink sheet, a common electrode in contact with the resistance layer of the current sensitized ink sheet, and a power supply for applying a voltage across the common electrode and each of the recording electrodes in accordance with image data. The resistive sheet thermal transfer printer also includes, a detection circuit for detecting an electrical current passing through each of the recording electrodes when a predetermined voltage is supplied to each of the recording electrodes, a control circuit for determining, based on a detected electric current obtained by the detection circuit, whether or not a deposit has accumulated on at least one of the recording electrodes, and an abrasive mechanism for abrading ends of the recording electrodes when the control circuit determines that the deposit has accumulated on at least one of the recording electrodes.

Abstract: A facsimile machine and paper cartridge system wherein the facsimile machine is convertible by accepting disposable cartridges having either plain paper or paper coated with a thermal transfer coating, either cartridge having a paper flow path which reverses the natural curl of the paper to provide generally flat facsimile printouts. Each type of cartridge may also be provided with a wiping surface for cleaning the facsimile machine print head upon the insertion and removal of the cartridge from the machine.

Abstract: A thermal paper cartridge for a facsimile machine, the cartridge including an internal supply of thermal paper, a facsimile machine print head cleaning surface, and an internal paper flow path which reverses the natural curl of the paper to provide generally flat facsimile printouts.

Abstract: A plain paper cartridge for a facsimile machine, the cartridge having an internal supply of plain paper and thermal transfer ribbon, a wiping surface for cleaning the facsimile machine print head upon the insertion and removal of the cartridge from the machine, and an internal paper flow path which reverses the natural curl of the paper to provide generally flat facsimile printouts.

Abstract: A printer for performing recording successively while a recording head moves backwards and forwards in a predetermined direction with respect to a recording medium such as paper. A paper hold roller for pressing the recording medium against a platen in the vicinity of a recording area opposite to a print head is detachable from the platen in relation to the movement of a carriage for carrying the recording head. The presence and absence of paper is detected to control the paper feed. An ink ribbon is provided which has color zones and an ink absorption zone in the direction of the ribbon width for multi-color printing by shifting the ribbon in the width direction by means of the carriage movement so that a selected color zone faces the recording head. The printer further includes a ribbon cassette, means for controlling paper insertion and feeding and means for cleaning the recording head. Also included are a paper bail control, color zone selector and paper detector.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus in which a recording head transfers a color agent from a transfer material in accordance with a latent image so as to form an image on a sheet, and which has a cleaning device for cleaning the recording head. The cleaning device includes a cassette case which is detachable at a position opposing the recording head, and a cleaning member which is stored in the cassete case and, at a time of cleaning the recording head, is opposed thereto to clean the head to clean it.

Abstract: A cleaning system for removing ink, dirt, and the like from impact-type printing devices, such as dot matrix printers, daisy wheel printers, and typewriters. The cleaning system includes a cartridge body adapted to replace the inked ribbon cartridge of the device to be cleaned, and a flexible and absorbent ribbon retained within the cartridge body such that when the cleaning cassette is inserted in the printer device, the cleaning ribbon is interposable between the print head and the platen. The cleaning cartridge also includes, in a region of the cassette body adjacent a portion of the cleaning ribbon about to be advanced along the print head, a hole for dispensing a solvent onto the cleaning ribbon. When the printer is operated with the cleaning cassette, the ribbon drive of the printer advances the solvent-wetted portion of the cleaning ribbon between the print head and the printer platen so that the print head strikes the cleaning ribbon. Further advancement of the ribbon dries the print head.

Abstract: A multi-strike (typewriter) ribbon comprising a web of synthetic resinous material having top and bottom surfaces with an ink coating on the top surface of the web and a back layer on the bottom surface of the web, the back layer providing a clean, frictional surface which provides good contact with the drive apparatus which drives the printing ribbon as it performs a printing function.

Abstract: A portable electro-mechanical printer has a platen (1) over which electro-sensitive paper is advanced, relative to a print head (6) having a few row of selectively energizable needles (8) which is movable by an electric motor transmission (18,19,21,24) parallel to the platen in a scanning direction transverse the row of needles. A timing disc (25) is driven by the drive transmission, the disc being subdivided into sectors and cooperating with two relatively displaced photocells (26,27) which produce two periodic signals upon rotation of the disc, these signals being utilized to provide clock pulses controlling successive energizations of the print head needles as the latter is scanned across the paper.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a removable typewriter type head has an elongated stem with a platform thereon for snugly securing the type head to the stem. The stem terminates in a cover which is internally threaded for mating with a liquid container which carries a scouring element on the interior thereof through which the type head is moved when the cover is placed back on the container, together with a liquid type cleaner for dissolving ink and other accumulations on the type head.