Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer including a scanning mechanism provided in a housing, a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting a print head to the scanning mechanism, and an aperture. The scanning mechanism is arranged to move within the housing. The aperture is provided within the housing and arranged to be placed on, or adjacent to, an image receiving medium such that the print head, when mounted, is operable to print onto the image receiving medium through the aperture. In order to engrave an image into the image receiving medium, it is proposed that the mounting mechanism is arranged to accommodate a holding mechanism which holds a machining device for machining a medium. The printer may be provided with an ink supply containing a security ink, especially for printing entry receipts onto the hand of as customer entering a discotheque, concert, or other event.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stapler comprising a base part (14) and a staple magazine (22) which is situated on a bracket of the base part (14) and which can pivot around a cross axis (16) in a limited manner. The stapler also comprises a spring-supported stable slide (28) which is guided to the head part (20) of the staple magazine in a sliding direction of said staple magazine. The invention device has a cap part (32) which carries a driver (30) that engages in the head part of the staple magazine. The cap part forms or comprises a limited manner. In order to refill the stapler with staples, the invention provides that the staple magazine (22) is connected to the base part (14) in a displaceably fixed manner, whereas the cap part (32) can be displace together with the magazine covering (34) along a slide guide with regard to the staple magazine (22) on the base part (14).

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels that includes a display; a user input means for inputting an image to be printed by the printing device and for selecting a required label length; and a control means operable to determine the length of the image input via the user input means, and if 10 the length of the image input is greater than the required label length, the control means is arranged to cause the display to display an error message indicating the difference between the length of the image and the required label length, which may be the minimum length of the inputted image, the difference between a preselected length and the minimum length of the inputted image, or both.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminating apparatus for sealing or sealing in flat material with the aid of at least one plastic laminating film coated with an adhesive. The laminating apparatus includes a laminating unit and a deposition unit. Lamination is performed as the material passes through a laminating unit, which has at least one pair of rolls with transport rolls driven in opposite senses in the pass direction. To obtain laminates free from curvature, the invention proposes that the transport rolls of the at least one pair of rolls are arranged in pairs at the same height and delimit a nip which can be supplied in a vertically downward pass direction, and in that the deposition unit is arranged underneath the laminating unit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In order to improve and facilitate the peeling operation of a tape printing device of the type employing a tape cassette, a tape cassette (100) with an angled peel slot (110) is disclosed. The corresponding peel plunger (76) of the tape printing device is moving into the peel slot (110) during a peeling operation and the longitudinal axis of the peel slot (110) and the longitudinal axis of the tape (80) enclose a non-perpendicular angle, as well. Thus, only an edge (84) of the tape (80) is peeled, what reduces the forces required for peeling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a binding element for binding a stack of documents comprised of loose sheets, having a spine piece and two side pieces, the side pieces being arranged essentially perpendicular to the spine piece. The binding element is made of a shape memory material or has at least part of the binding element made of a shape memory material.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape printing apparatus for printing an image on an image receiving tape. In order to detect characteristics of the tape thus avoiding representation means on a tape cassette, it is proposed to have detecting means for detecting-markings provided on the image receiving tape, which provide information on a characteristic of the tape; and the tape printing apparatus is controlled in accordance with the detected characteristics. Alternatively, it is proposed to have monitoring means for monitoring the speed of the image receiving tape, which detect marking on the image receiving tape whereby the printing means is controlled in dependence on the detected speed. Consequently, the exact tape speed is considered for printing purposes, even when slippage between driving means and tape occurs.

Abstract: A portable printer is provided which provides active cooperation between a computer and the portable printer unit. A number of different features are introduced into the printing unit which allow greater responsiveness from the computer responsive to actions taken at the printer unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape holding case housing a supply of image receiving tape and includes an angled surface to bend the surface of the tape approximately 90°, the angled surface being provided upstream of the printing position of the tape. The tape holding case also includes a casing that is designed to attach the tape holding case to an identically shaped tape holding case.

Abstract: A printing device comprising user input means having function setting means for selectively instigating a background text state and an edit state and character selection means for selecting characters or symbols to be printed, a label memory for holding label data in the form of characters or symbols selected as background text and characters or symbols selected as foreground text, a printing mechanism for printing images based on said label data and a controller responsive to the user input means and the label data to control the printing mechanism, wherein the controller is operable to generate print data for the printing mechanism to print said selected background characters or symbols as grey shaded background.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism having a movable carriage and two cutters. Each cutter has an anvil that opposes a blade, and one of these is a roller that rolls against the other for progressively biasing material against the blades, producing cuts through the material. The rollers are rotatably mounted to the carriage, which is mounted to a lead screw that controls the position of the carriage. As the carriage moves across the material, the rollers roll, and the material is cut. The space between the anvil and the blade of at least one of the cutters can be varied to disengage that cutter so that the rolling of the roller will not cut the material. The engagement and disengagement of the cutter is dependent on the position of the carriage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape holding case housing a supply of image receiving tape and includes an angled surface to bend the surface of the tape approximately 90°, the angled surface being provided upstream of the printing position of the tape. The tape holding case also includes a casing that is designed to attach the tape holding case to an identically shaped tape holding case.

Abstract: A plastic tab for indexing or marking a folder or an edge portion of an article such as an organizer or storage system. The lower portion of the tab has two downwardly extending walls, between which an edge of the folder or other article may be placed. The downwardly extending walls are configured and adapted to create an interference fit when the folder or other article is inserted between the walls of the tab. The interference fit enables the tab to remain securely in the desired position along the edge portion. The tab is made of a flexible polymeric material so that it may be mounted, re-positioned or removed easily. Removal of the tab from a wall edge causes the walls to flex apart and thereby eliminate or minimize the interference fit between the tab lower walls and the article on which the tab is mounted. Removal of the tab is therefore a smooth and simple operation that minimizes breakage of the tab or damage to the folder, organizer or storage medium.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: A blade assembly particularly for preforming a tab cut in a label. The blade assembly comprises a blade received in an injection molded plastics holder. The holder has shoulders on either side of the blade to assist in locating it and spacing it from a label to be cut. During manufacture, the blade is located within the mold for accurate injection molding.