Abstract: An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A system prevents solenoids from overheating. The solenoid circuit has solenoids connected across a power supply. Control switches energize the solenoids by controllably connecting the solenoids to and from the power source. The protection system includes a master switch connected between the power source and the solenoids for simultaneously connecting and disconnecting all of the solenoids with the power source. A current sensor is positioned between the supply terminal of the power supply and the solenoids for detecting a current flowing between the supply and any of the solenoids and for producing a current-sensed signal. A controller detects abnormalities based on the current-sensed signal and responsively opens the master switch to disconnect all of the solenoids from the power source.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A method of printing an image onto a substrate including the steps of providing a substrate, a print head, and a carrier between the print head and the substrate; providing a backing roller; urging the print head towards the roller so as to urge the print head against the carrier, the carrier against the substrate, and the substrate against the roller; then selectively energizing print head heating elements while moving the print head in a first direction so as to move the print head along the substrate and transfer print medium from the carrier to the substrate to print a portion of the image on a respective area of the substrate; and after printing image portion, if there is at least one further image portion to be printed, moving the head, substrate, and carrier in a second direction, opposite to the first, in preparation for printing the next portion in a series of portions.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an inkjet printer printhead in a working state, the printer defining an array of orifices from which in use jets of ink are projected. The apparatus may have a means for applying a pressure pulse to ink with the printhead sufficient to discharge ink from each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse may have a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slow falling trailing edge.

Abstract: A liquid supply system comprising a liquid reservoir and a liquid container for supplying liquid to the reservoir. Connection means connects the reservoir to a position within the container that is immersed in the contained liquid. Means for alternately pressurising and depressurising the reservoir are provided. The arrangement is such that when the reservoir is pressurised gas is forced into the container through the connection means and accumulates above the liquid in the container. When the reservoir is depressurised accumulated gas in the container forces liquid through the connection means to the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring an image of predetermined length onto a substrate by selective energisation of a row of printing elements in a printhead of a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus may be arranged with a print ribbon located between the printhead and the substrate such that ink is selectively transferred from the ribbon to the substrate as a result of energisations of the printing elements. The image to be printed is rendered in memory as a series of rows of pixels and the apparatus is set up to download the rendered rows of pixels to the printhead successively. The relative positioning of successively printed rows of pixels on the substrate is determined by relative displacement between the printhead and the substrate. The apparatus is set up to control the positioning of the rows of pixels by controlling the delay between successive energisations of the printing elements.

Abstract: An inkjet printer in which a printhead defines an elongate array of orifices from which jets of ink are projected into a space within which substrates to be printed are presented. An air curtain generator fixed in position relative to the printhead extends along one side only of the array of orifices so as to direct a curtain of air across the array a of orifices and across an open portion of the printhead on the side of the array of orifices remote from the air curtain generator. The air curtain cleans the printhead. A pressure pulse may be applied to ink within the printhead sufficient to discharge ink form each orifice when not in use to project ink. The pressure pulse has a relatively rapidly rising leading edge and a relatively slowly falling edge. An ink reservoir is coupled to the printhead for supplying ink to the orifices.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A method of printing an image onto a substrate including the steps of: providing a substrate, a print head, and a carrier between the print head and the substrate; providing a backing roller; urging the print head towards the roller so as to urge the print head against the carrier, the carrier against the substrate, and the substrate against the roller; then selectively energizing print head heating elements whilst moving the head from a first position on the roller's circumference to a second position so as to move the head along the substrate and transfer print medium from the carrier to the substrate to print at least a portion of an image on an area of the substrate.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.