Abstract: The printer comprises a first receptacle (11) for the sheets to be printed, a sheet feeding path (27) with a printing zone (14) and a second receptacle (15) for the printed sheets. The latter is integral with an intermediate storing device having storage trays (42, 43) thus forming a group (44) which can be pivoted about a shaft (45). The sheets printed on a first face are fed by conveying members (57) into the storage trays, retained for drying, fed again into the feeding path (27) where they are reversed for printing on their second face and then arranged in the second receptacle (15). Accordingly a duplex printer is obtained, which can be used reliably with ink jet printheads, and which works dependably, has low overall dimensions and is simple and inexpensive to build.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having selectively two distinct working positions (P1, P2), respectively a vertical working position (P1) and a horizontal working position (P2), comprising an external casing provided with a first and a second side, both flat, with a common edge and reciprocally inclined at an obtuse angle; a feeding tray for accommodating at the entrance the sheets to be fed to the printer; and a collecting tray, arranged to the front of the feeding tray, for collecting the sheets at the outlet after they have been printed. In the vertical working position (P1), the printer sits on a horizontal plane on its first side, and has the feeding and collecting trays directed upwardly; whereas, in the horizontal working position (P2), the printer sits on the horizontal plane on its second side, and has the feeding and collecting trays disposed horizontally to the operator.

Abstract: The printer comprises a maintenance assembly station (18) in the form of a compact module with a support (30) upon which two maintenance assemblies (27, 28) are mounted, each comprising a sealing member (20) suitable for being applied against a printhead, a wiping member (22) for wiping the printhead and a cleaning member (24) for removing the ink from the wiping members (22). A suction member (26) is arranged between the two assemblies (27, 28) and connected by flexible pipes (41, 42) to the sealing members, in which it enables a sucking effect to be created. A camshaft (31) is fitted centrally in the support (30) parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage, is driven by a motor and controls the entire range of movements and functions of all the movable members of the maintenance assembly station.

Abstract: The sheet feeding device comprises a frame with a fixed receptacle for the sheets and pick-up rollers mounted on a first shaft which is pivotingly fitted on the frame by means of a rocking support device. A second shaft is linked to a motor and bears, by means of two pivotingly mounted support members, the first shaft and the rollers. Two pinions integral with the shafts and an intermediate pinion provided with a braking member allow the rollersto be brought into rotation starting from the shaft. Accordingly, the latter commands rotation of the entire support device and presses the rollers against the uppermost sheet with a surface force which increases when the resistance to movement of the uppermost sheet increases. Extremely reliable paper feeding operation is achieved as a result, with a simple construction method and at low cost.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head (12) for a dot printer, in which the drops of ink are expelled from one or more expulsion chambers (16) through corresponding pluralities of nozzles (30), each plurality communicating with each individual chamber. The nozzles (30) communicating with each chamber may be three to nine in number and are suitably arranged so as to obtain a high print quality in particular for the printing of characters with straight edges free from irregularities.

Abstract: A parallel thermal ink jet printing device is produced by assembling a plurality of modules on a frame or base plate. Each of the modules is tested beforehand both from the electrical point of view and from the hydraulic point of view. In order also to allow for testing from the hydraulic point of view, each module is provided with an associated respective reservoir capable of being filled with a certain quantity of ink before the said module is assembled with the rest of the device. The reservoir preferably forms an appendix to the module capable of being inserted in a corresponding opening formed in the frame of the device so as to allow for precise alignment of the ink ejection nozzles provided on the various modules.

Abstract: A device (21) for selectively feeding sheets (24, 28) contained in two separate trays (22, 26) by means of a pick-up unit (31), wherein the latter is located between the two trays (22,26). The latter-named (22, 26) are fulcrum-mounted on a structure (33) and are driven alternatively by a motor (61) depending on the latter's direction of rotation so as to be brought selectively into sliding engagement with the pick-up unit (31), and accordingly result in one sheet at a time being picked up and fed from one or the other of the two trays (22, 26). The device (21) is particularly suitable for incorporation in an office machine, such as for example a facsimile system (20) or a printer, for selectively feeding sheets of different types.

Abstract: The printer (10) has an ink jet printhead (12) suitable for printing single sheets (14) and a control device (40) adapted to delay expulsion of the same to a collection tray (16), with the purpose of extending the drying time of the ink ejected by the printhead (12) on each sheet, before a following sheet is stacked thereon. The device (40) is suitable for controlling means (17, 25) for feeding of the sheets (14) through the printer (10) so as to temporarily stop the feeding of a first sheet (14a) after it has been printed on, then to feed a second sheet (14b) until it comes to a predetermined minimum distance (D) from the first sheet (14a), and finally to simultaneously feed the first sheet (14a) and the second sheet (14b), so as to expel the first sheet (14a) to the collection tray (16) and to further feed the second sheet (14b) so that it can be printed on.

Abstract: The printhead according to the present invention is mechanically and electrically interchangeable on an ink jet dot printer with a known head, from which it differs substantially by having a different geometrical disposition of the nozzles, arranged in two parallel vertical rows at a constant pitch of 1/150.sup.th of an inch, where the corresponding nozzles of the two rows are staggered by 1/1600.sup.th of an inch in order to allow printing with a definition of at least 600.times.600 dots/inch by performing two consecutive print passes spaced apart by a line feed movement of value equal to 1/300.sup.th of an inch.

Abstract: A holder (10) for refilling an ink jet printhead (11) comprises a box (21) and two covers (22, 23), pivoted upwardly on the box (21) for being rotatable reciprocally and with respect to the box (21). A first cover (22) is provided for positioning and locking the printhead (11) into the box (21). A second cover (23) is superimposable to the first cover (22) and is provided with a seat (30) for being coupled with a refill cartridge (34) so as to refill the printhead (11). A short tube (31) is mounted in the second cover (23) inside the seat (30) to allow ink to pass from the cartridge (34) to the printhead (11) for refilling the latter. Pivoting of the two covers (22 and 23) allows simple and exact positioning of the same covers with respect to the printhead (11), first to lock it into the box (21) and then to fill the printhead (11) with ink. According to another embodiment (20), an upper cover (123) provides sliding support for a sliding member (60) bearing a short tube (131).

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (11) for the feeding of a printing ribbon (12), comprising a train of three gears having a first gear (13) arranged centrally in the train and meshed with the second (14) and with the third gear (20). The gears (13, 14, 20) are provided for being made to rotate by a driving shaft (17) integral with the second gear (14). In order to increase the feeding force for the printing ribbon (12), the latter is interposed both between the first (13) and second gear (14), and between the first (13) and the third gear (20), in such a way as to follow the profile of the meshed teeth of the gears (13, 14, and 20) and consequently to assume a form with windings. The diameter of the third gear (20) is greater than the diameter of the second gear (14), so that in an intermediate portion (27) between the third gear (20) and the second gear (14) the ribbon (12) is constantly tight.