Abstract: A cartridge with switch activation/deactivation members for automatically facilitating adjustment of print parameters to match tape supply upon insertion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A thermal printing device having a print mechanism which includes a platen roller assembly in combination with a movable print head assembly. Further aspects of the present invention include a switch mechanism and a tape supply cartridge with switch activation/deactivation members for automatically facilitating adjustment of print parameters to match tape supply upon insertion of the cartridge.

Abstract: An X-ray label includes a substrate that is transparent to X-ray radiation and X-ray absorbing pigment deposited on the substrate in images that provide identification data under visible light and that create corresponding images in an X-ray film emulsion layer when the film is exposed to X-ray radiation. Preferably, the X-ray absorbing pigment is deposited on the substrate using a thermal print process to quickly and consistently transfer X-ray absorbing pigment characters from the ribbon to the X-ray transparent substrate.

Abstract: A tape supply including a replaceable tape supply cartridge for a portable, hand held thermal printing or transfer device having a receiving pocket, a supply of tape, a tape pathway aligned with the printhead and the mechanism for sensing relative movement between the device and the substrate and a structure to facilitate manual advancement of tape by pulling the tape past the printhead. The invention also relates to a thermal device having a self contained tape supply cartridge wherein the tape is advanced by manually pulling the tape past the printhead.

Abstract: A rasterization system is provided to control the formatting and manipulations of font and character information to perform real-time rasterization of images of selected characters to be output to a column-oriented printing or display apparatus. The rasterization system is comprised of a programmable data processor for receiving input data and font data and for generating print data and control signals for outputting the selected characters. The programmable data processor performs the real-time rasterization of the input data (representing the desired characters to be printed) and the font data (representing the outlines of the particular size and font of the selected character set) by creating an intermediate edge list data base before completing the fill or rasterization process required to generate the pixel output data used to print the selected characters on the tape.

Abstract: A thermal printing device or the like and a tape or tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape drive system for driving the tape or tape and ribbon through the thermal printing device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: A thermal printing device and tape supply cartridge therefor which includes a printing mechanism having a print head incorporated within the machine and a separate printing platen embodied within the cartridge. An alignment mechanism is also provided for insuring printing alignment between the cartridge embodied platen and the print head. The cartridge also includes a mechanism for laminating a film of protective material over the printed tape and a fully incorporated, manually operated tape cut-off mechanism.

Abstract: A thermal printing device or the like and a tape or tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape drive system for driving the tape or tape and ribbon through the thermal printing device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: A thermal printing device or the like and a tape or tape-ribbon supply cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device includes a print station for forming a selected image onto a tape and a replaceable tape or tape-ribbon cartridge having a tape cut-off mechanism embodied within the cartridge and actuated by a cut-off actuator arm within the machine. The cartridge of the present invention includes a self-contained, internal tape cut-off mechanism comprising a pair of cut-off blades positioned in side by side shearing relationship and actuated by an actuator arm extending into the cartridge from the machine.

Abstract: A pixel preheat system for a thermal transfer device in which a selected image is transferred from a strip of color carrying ribbon to a strip of image carrying tape achieves precise control of the temperature of the individual pixel heating elements in a thermal printhead by combining the pixel data values just printed with the pixel data values to be printed to generate a pixel preheat value whenever either of the pixel data values is off or white. The present invention maintains the temperature of the individual pixel heating elements closer to the transition temperature of the thermal transfer ribbon and uses fewer circuit components.

Abstract: A unitary tape-ribbon cartridge having an improved ribbon rewind feature for use in a lettering system. The cartridge includes both a tape supply and a ribbon supply provided from tape and ribbon supply housing portions, a guide member for guiding the ribbon toward a lettering station and reversing its direction of movement from a supply path to a rewind path into a ribbon rewind housing portion which is laterally spaced from, but generally parallel to, the tape and ribbon supply housing portions. The ribbon rewind mechanism includes a ribbon rewind spool having a rewind portion and peripheral gear teeth for rotating the same.

Abstract: A control system for a thermal transfer device in which a selected image is transferred from a strip of color carrying ribbon to a strip of image carrying tape and precise alignment between adjacent columns of vertical print is achieved by monitoring and controlling the rotational speed of the drive means for the thermal transfer device and activating the printing of each column of pixel data based upon positional information of the tape and ribbon determined in relation to the rotational speed of the drive means so that each column of pixel data is of a uniform and consistent width.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device or the like and a tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device and cartridge of the present invention includes a tape-ribbon drive system for driving the tape and ribbon through the thermal transfer device including a drive roller connected with the machine and a corresponding drive roller mounted within the cartridge and biased toward the machine drive roller. The device and cartridge of the present invention also includes an alignment system comprising a floating alignment member for insuring proper transfer alignment between the platen and the printhead.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device or the like and a tape-ribbon cartridge designed for operative insertion into and use with such device. The device includes a transfer station for transfering a selected image from a ribbon to a tape and a replaceable tape-ribbon cartridge having a tape cut-off mechanism embodied within the cartridge and actuated by a cut-off actuator arm within the machine. The cartridge of the present invention includes a self-contained, internal tape cut-off mechanism comprising a pair of cut-off blades positioned in side by side shearing relationship and actuated by an actuator arm extending into the cartridge from the machine.

Abstract: A tape-ribbon alignment and delivery system for a thermal transfer device or the like of the type having a device housing and a transfer station including a printhead and a platen for transferring a selected image from a ribbon to a tape. The system further includes a replaceable tape-ribbon cartridge, a cartridge receiving tray connected with the device housing, a cam mechanism associated with the receiving tray for moving the cartridge into transfer alignment with the transfer station and a retaining member for retaining the cartridge in the transfer alignment position.