Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device for positioning of a sheaf of documents during the heating and/or cooling phase in a thermal binding apparatus, whereby the thermal binding apparatus at its (upper) cover portion is provided with an opening which extents into the interior of the thermal binding apparatus and which consists of a base plate, two side walls and at least one front and/or rear wall. One of the clamping elements is provided having an at least partially curved surface, the clamping element is designed in such a way that clamping area of its curved surface is in contact with the sheaf of documents during the working phase and presses it against the rear and/or front wall of the opening and that it at least partly covers the base plate of the opening during the stand by phase of the binding apparatus.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an item and an apparatus for authenticating an item. The items which can be authenticated are typically located in a sales room or other commercial establishment where goods are typically sold. There has been an increasing trend wherein manufacturers are providing items typically on display in sales showrooms with a tag or marking which can serve to authenticate the item or product. The consumer can then determine if the item is genuine or counterfeit by means of the tag or other identifying marking.

Abstract: A printing device (2) for printing an image on an image receiving medium which includes a controller for generating a control signal defining the value of at least one parameter for controlling the device which has at least one characteristic in accordance with which a desired value of the parameter is selected. A keyboard matrix having a plurality of key connectors arranged in rows and columns with keys (6) arranged at intersections of the rows and columns is provided. The keys (6) can be actuated by a user to input to the controller data for controlling the printing device. Intersections each have an activated state when the associated key (6) is actuated and an inactive state when the associated key (6) is not actuated. An addiitional connector is provided which defines a set of intersections with said rows or said columns of key connectors so that at least one of said set of intersections is maintained in an activated state.

Abstract: Quick-assembly picture frames constructed from mitered frame sections (2) have unsightly join lines (6) at their corners. The appearance of such frames is enhanced by fitting a decorative corner unit (8) onto the frame corners which conceals join line (6). The corner unit is secured to the frame e.g. by tightening a grub-screw threaded through a wall (12) of the unit (8) against the rear surface (5) of the frame.

Abstract: A label printing device is disclosed in which font data for a plurality of characters is stored. Characters are derived from the font data for displaying and printing in sizes determined by appropriate scaling factors. In this way, characters derived for printing have the same proportion and appearance as characters derived for displaying. Moreover, a large variety of character sizes can be produced both for printing and displaying.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for a printing apparatus is described. The cutting mechanism is particularly suitable for tape printers. In the cutting mechanism, one of a cutting blade and an anvil is mounted for rolling motion with respect to the other so that as the rolling motion occurs a cut is made through the tape. Moreover, the cutting mechanism can be actuated by a handle which lies flush with the printer casing and which can be actuated externally of the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing device having a baseplate with a flat base portion and upstanding elements. The flat base portion and upstanding elements are provided as a unitary part which may be formed from die casting, injection molding, outsert molding, or similar construction techniques.

Abstract: A printing device is described which can provide extended functions while nevertheless remaining portable and inexpensive. This is achieved by providing an interface which is connected to a controller of the printing device and which is adapted to be connected to one of a selection of external cartridges to support a wider variety of functions of the printing device.

Abstract: There is described a blade assembly particularly for performing a tab cut in a label. The blade assembly comprises a blade received in an injection moulded 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 mould for accurate injection moulding.

Abstract: An antipilferage tag is disclosed which includes a resonant circuit adapted to receive an RF signal and to transmit a response signal when interrogated by said RF signal. The tag includes circuit components constituted by or fabricated from a metallized layer supported by a dielectric material.

Abstract: A printing device includes a portable body having support means within which is defined a print face. The support means is capable of abutment against a surface on which an image is to be printed so that the print face is exposed to the surface and defines a region over which print is to be distributable without relative movement of the print face and said surface. The support means is arranged to support spaced from the surface to be printed an ink jet print head for distributing said print, and the ink jet print head is selectively operable at a plurality of locations within the print face to print an image onto the surface to be printed. The device has an electronic control device including a buffer for holding data defining at least part of the image and print actuating means controlled by the control device for operating the ink jet print head to print an image.

Abstract: A label printer, or a printer in general, can have a processor which can be connected to a data storage medium as well as to data input and data output connections for external devices. Such a printer could include a thermal printer for printing labels on self-adhesive materials. To expand the usability of such a printer, and to increase the printing speed, a common interface can be provided, which interface can be activated by the processor and can be configured in a manner such that both the storage medium and the data input and data output connections for external devices can be connected thereto.

Abstract: A cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).

Abstract: Marking tags for marking items are generally supplied in the form of a strip of a large number of consecutive, separable units. Such marking tags commonly have at least one surface for the display of information thereon relating to the particular product, i.e., product name, manufacturer, use or care instructions, price, etc., and are generally used by retail stores for marking of the goods available for sale. Such marking tags can be formed by feeding the components thereof in a continuous stream to the strip as the strip moves along a path of travel.

Abstract: A tape holding case is described for use with a thermal printing device which allows for more efficient cutting and feeding of tape. The cassette has a slot into which a cutting blade can pass which avoids the use of an anvil for cutting. Moreover, the cassette can have a stepped portion for providing a so-called "peel cut" at the end of the tape.

Abstract: A holder for an auxiliary nib is disclosed which is intended to be fitted on the body of a main marker pen when a finer line is to be drawn. The auxiliary nib holder has as its outer end a cavity in which fits a length of ink-permeable material in ink-transfer contact or relationship with a projecting fine nib. Also seated with the cavity is an axially-movable preferably globular wick which is prevented from falling out of the inner end of the cavity, e.g. by means of an end rib. The globular wick is of controlled and known permeability, so that ink is able to flow at a known and acceptable rate to the fine nib when the auxiliary nib holder is in position in the marker pen and the globular wick is engaged by the marker nib.

Abstract: A portable hand-held labelling device can generally have a printing mechanism, which in the case of an embodiment with printing belts and print-side guide wheels, can have the guide wheels rotationally mounted on a shaft which is fixed to the housing. The shaft can be fabricated as a single piece with the housing or a part of the housing, and the free end of the shaft can be centered and laterally fixed in a blind locator in another part of the housing. The shaft can be provided with a longitudinal groove into which a locking strip with a number of guide channels for locking elements, corresponding to the number of guide wheels, can be inserted, and in particular, inserted and locked into place. The locking elements are preferably components of a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism also includes locking locators in the bearing hole of each guide wheel, which locking locators interact with the locking elements to rotationally position the guide wheels on the shaft.

Abstract: A felt-tip pen (1) for writing on posters or the like is inserted into an ink pot for refilling and keeping. In order to prevent the outer sides of the felt-tip pen from becoming soiled with ink, the felt-tip pen has an axial groove (12) parallel to the felt-tip (10) entered by a collar (22) that surrounds the opening (21) of the ink pot (20) when the felt-tip pen is inserted through the opening. This groove is designed in an intermediate piece (5) that bears the felt-tip and that is in turn inserted onto the cup-shaped end (3) of the handle with a second groove (11 ) of the same size as the first but oriented in the opposite direction. The felt-tip may thus be inserted on both sides onto the handle (2) and into the ink pot and at the same time it is well sealed in the ink pot.