Abstract: A method of binding a stack of papers having a plurality of holes with a binding element having a plurality of fingers insertable in the holes. The method includes clamping the stack of papers with a paper clamp; moving at least one of the paper clamp and a binding element applicator relative to the other; and binding the stack of papers with a binding element held by the binding element applicator by operating the binding element applicator to insert the fingers of the binding element into holes of the stack of papers.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A spool for a supply of printing material includes a first part having a shaft on which the supply of printing material is mountable, and a second part having an opening and being arranged to retain the supply of printing material mounted on the first part. The opening is arranged to engage the shaft. One or the other of the opening and the shaft is resilient and the other of the opening and the shaft has at least one part which extends towards the said one of said opening and the shaft more than at least one other part thereof to thereby cause the second part having the opening to engage with the shaft.

Abstract: A printing apparatus using a consumable associated with an identifier the apparatus comprising, printing means for printing an image onto an image receiving substrate reading means for reading the identifier: storage means for holding a list of any previously used identifiers associated with empty consumables, and a processor arranged to compare the identifier read by the reading means with the list of any previously used identifiers and to generate an invalid indication if there is a match.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels comprising: 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; wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and maintaining activation of the character selection key for a predetermined time period selects the associated additional character.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: A method of printing an image on a composite medium is described. A composite medium comprises a thermally sensitive image receiving layer and a protective layer. The image receiving layer is activated through the protective layer whereby to generate an image in the image receiving layer which is protected by the already present protective layer. A tape and cassette comprising the composite medium are also described, as it is a printing device for use with the composite medium, and a method of producing a printed label from the composite medium.

Abstract: The invention refers to a tape printing device (2) 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 (6) for inputting desired characters to be printed onto an image receiving tape (80), the surface having a breadth which is larger than a thickness of the first part of the housing, preferably a multiple thereof, and the second part of the housing comprises a cassette receiving bay (54) for accomodating a tape cassette (100) holding a supply of the image receiving tape (80), the second part of the housing further enclosing a print mechanism (26) arranged to print the desired characters onto the image receiving tape (80). Further a tape cassette (100) with an angled peel slot (110) is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape printing system for printing an image on an image receiving tape comprising means for receiving a supply of image receiving tape; means for generating a plurality of labels from a data source, said generating means comprising means for receiving said data, means for processing said data to identify individual label data to be printed on said plurality of labels and means for generating label date from the identified individual label data; and means for printing said plurality of labels.

Abstract: A label for applying to a support in a flag-type mode and a tape printer for printing the label to provide the correct size of printed and unprinted areas is described, wherein the label has a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area. The first area and the second area are arranged in use to provide a flag portion. The label further comprises a third area arranged on the other side of the second area to the first layer. The third area is sized to be wound around a periphery of the support.

Abstract: A label printer for printing a label, the printer comprising: input means for inputting data defining labels to be printed; storage means for storing a plurality of labels, labels being separated in said storage means by label indicators; selection means for selecting at least one of said labels to be displayed at a display of the label printer; and means for controlling only said selected label to be displayed in dependence on the location of label indicators defining the limits of said selected label.