Abstract: Embodiments of an improved media output paper control system are described, the improved system including a mechanical linkage between a housing door of an image forming device, such as a printer, and a media diverter that changes direction of the media exiting the print engine. The mechanical linkage provides a sure method of switching the media path from a face-down output mode to a face-up output mode, by directing media to the housing door whenever it is open, thus, allowing, the housing door to become an output tray. The preferred mechanical linkage includes a member pivotally connected to, and extending between, the door and the diverter, in such a way that pivoting the door also pivots the diverter to a lesser degree.

Abstract: A multi-color, web-fed rotary printing press provides a shortened construction. A web passes vertically downwardly through a plurality of bridge printing units which are arranged one above the other. A lowermost one of these bridge printing units has a transfer cylinder that changes the path of web travel from a generally vertical direction to a generally horizontal direction in route to a downstream located device, such as a drying device.

Abstract: The present invention automatically returns a movable cutter to its home position if the recording paper jams during cutting to cut and remove the jammed part of the recording paper. The shifting of a movable cutter away from its home position by the revolution of a drive motor causes the movable cutter to cut recording paper and, after cutting the recording paper, the return of the movable cutter to its home position causes a swinging board to be released from restraint by a locking member to enable the swinging board to swing again and the rotation of a drive gear previously transmitted to a spiral shaft to be transmitted to a recording paper feed roller.

Abstract: A key signal-generating device has a thin film circuit board to generate key signals and a plurality of hollow rubber domes set on the thin film circuit board that are compressed by their corresponding keys to activate the thin film circuit board to generate corresponding signals. The rubber domes have a predetermined space that is filled with air. The thin film circuit board has a top surface and a trench on the top surface. One end of the trench extends into the predetermined space so that the predetermined space is in communication with the atmosphere. When a key is pressed, the corresponding rubber dome is squeezedby the key, causing the air in the predetermined space to exit out to the atmosphere through the trench.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes an apparatus body and an open/close cover mounted on the apparatus body so that the open/close cover can pivot between an open position and a close position on a pivot. A roll of recording paper is rotatably supported by the open/close cover, recording paper therefrom being conveyed through a conveying path. A recording device records information on recording paper from the roll of recording paper. The open/close cover is provided with braking force applying structure for applying braking force to the roll of recording paper. The roll of recording paper is pivoted in unison with the open/close cover by an effect of the braking force applying structure when the open/close cover is pivoted toward the close position, whereby the roll of recording paper is moved in a direction for rewinding the recording paper which is pulled from the roll of recording paper.

Abstract: A transport drum in a rotary printing press, having a covering for preventing a fresh printed product from being smeared when the printed product is being transported through the press, the covering being secured to the jacket surface of the transport drum and being formed of a carrier material, includes resiliently embodied filamentary support elements secured in the carrier material of the covering, and an ink-repellent material applied to outer ends, respectively, of the support elements.

Abstract: A printing unit is disclosed which incorporates an applicator roller (66) such as anilox roller with bearer surfaces (206) at the ends thereof for positively positioning the applicator roller relative a cylinder, such as a plate cylinder (32) or a blanket cylinder (34). The bearer surfaces (206) on the applicator roller are engaged with the bearer surfaces (202, 204) of the plate or impression cylinder to precisely and consistently position the applicator roller (66) relative the cylinder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print media supply with a pair of opposite sides and a bottom for supporting a plurality of print media sheets. A paper feed assembly defines a media path through which the print media sheets travel. A sheet picker assembly includes a sheet picker positioned adjacent to one of the sides of the print media supply. The sheet picker is configured to move a picked sheet in a pick direction substantially parallel to the bottom from the print media supply into the print media path. A separator dam is positioned between the print media supply and the paper feed assembly. The separator dam includes a wall positioned at a transverse angle relative to the bottom. The separator dam includes at least one resistive strip or abutments on the wall. The resistive strip or abutment is positioned adjacent the side which is opposite the one side. The resistive strip or abutment has a resistance to paper movement which is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An embossing cylinder for embossing a foil comprising a plurality of stamping dies, where the stamping dies are mounted on the cylinder through adjustable means allowing each of the dies to be adjusted in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction of the embossing cylinder.

Abstract: A chamber doctor for inking a cylinder in a printing machine, which cylinder has depressions for receiving ink. The chamber doctor includes a chamber doctor body, at least one doctor blade, and lateral side parts, the chamber doctor body, the at least one doctor blade and the side parts being arranged to define an ink chamber that is open toward the cylinder. The doctor blade is movably supported at the chamber doctor body. The doctor blade is movable relative to the chamber doctor body so that the doctor blade is automatically readjusted to compensate for wear, and further so that parts of the doctor blade and chamber doctor body which come into contact with ink are movable away from one another.

Abstract: For keyboards, the present invention provides a method of determining suitable letter arrangements, to create an arrangement that is both user-friendly and efficient. The letters in the preferred embodiment are in the familiar alphabetical order so they are easy to find, and their locations are easy to learn and retain. The alphabetical sequence goes from left to right, row by row from top to bottom, first for the left hand, then for the right hand, like reading the pages of a book. This arrangement optimizes efficiency and user-friendliness, maximizing the separation of the most commonly used pairs of letters into the faster, two-handed sequences, while providing a logical and easily recognized layout. The usual four punctuation marks are placed within the layout so as to enhance both of these qualities.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically milking animals provided with one or more automatic milking robots, teat cups and milking compartments. The teat cups are disposed on a carrier of a milking robot arm so as to be in their inoperative position, inclined relative to the vertical and when being connected to a teat of an animal to be milked, the teat cups are moved from their inclined positions into substantially vertical positions. The carrier includes a box-shaped housing for each teat cup, and each housing contains tubes providing a passageway for the pulsating vacuum and a further passageway for milk received from a teat wherein the passageways as a whole have U-shaped configuration within their housing, the "U" portion being composed of a relatively flexible material whereas the portion of the passageways between the "U" and the teat cup is composed of a relatively stiff material and is movable so as to extend from and be drawn into the corresponding housing.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a cylinder cleaning device for use with a cleaning fabric supply roll having a cleaning fabric wound thereon. The cleaning fabric is supplied from the supply roll and pressed against the outer surface of a cylinder to clean the outer surface of the cylinder. The device comprises frame means and roll receiving means mounted on the frame means. The outer surface of the supply roll is engaged with and received by the receiving means. The device further comprises roll stabilizing means for stabilizing the supply roll on the receiving means when the supply roll is rotated on the receiving means to supply the cleaning fabric and have a diameter correspondingly decreasing.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system including a replaceable printing component for use in the printing system. The replaceable printing component includes a memory portion associated therewith for storing information that does not relate directly to normal operation of the printing system. Also included is a control portion for providing information to the memory portion associated with the replaceable printing component.

Abstract: A paper width detecting apparatus and method for an inkjet printer includes a right paper support integrally formed with a right home position detecting rib; a paper feeding portion for receiving paper sheets and supplying them for printing with the left paper guide movable left and right to tightly fix the paper at the reference of the right paper support; a paper feeding roller for supplying the paper sheets received from the paper feeding portion; a carrier that reciprocates for printing on the paper sheets supplied through the rotation of the paper feeding roller; a photosensor for detecting a light signal output from a light emitting device mounted on the left paper end detecting rib to determine a paper width.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining tension on a ribbon in a printer used for transferring an image, e.g., thermally, from a print head through the ribbon to a print medium. By maintaining ribbon tension and thus keeping the ribbon essentially without wrinkles, print quality is enhanced. This tension maintenance apparatus uses a pair of torqued reel subassemblies with the ribbon extending between and is of particular significance when used in conjunction with a label stock as a printer medium when the printer mechanism bidirectionally moves the label stock to assist removal of labels from its backing. These torqued reel assemblies are sufficiently loaded such that ribbon tension is maintained between these reel assemblies despite this bidirectional movement.

Abstract: A printer (10) is modified to effectively remove the center tension rollers (154', 254', or 354') so as to avoid adversely impinging on edible paper (14) along the paper path (32) of the printer (10). A tray (282) may provide a wall (290) to define an offset from an outboard edge (232) of the paper path (32) so as to align a substrate (18) supporting the edible paper (14) with a paper-free margin (22) under an outboard tension roller (154, 254, 354) rather than the edible paper (14). A portion (O) of an outboard roller (354) may be thickened to elevate an inwardly portion (I) thereof off from adversely impinging on edible paper (14) passing thereunder.

Abstract: A tail edge side part 50b of a plate 50 disposed on a cylinder surface of a plate cylinder 1 is pushed in a direction of an arrow 100 with a blade 39 rotated in a direction of an arrow 91. At that time, a tail edge side lower plate 6 maintains an initial position. And the tail edge side part 50b is clamped by closing a tail edge side upper plate 7 with a condition that the tail edge side part 50b is in contact with the tail edge side lower plate 6 by the rotation of the blade 39.

Abstract: The connecting apparatus has a plurality of probes, each having a deformed portion, a needle front portion with a tip end to be pressed against an electrode portion of a device to be tested and continuous with the deformed portion, and a needle tail portion continuous with the other end portion of the deformed portion, assembled in parallel into a base plate by assembling equipment with the tail end portions brought into contact with a retraction preventive portion. Thereby, when device to be tested is pressed against the probe, the probe is prevented from retracting according to the curved state of the deformed portion.

Abstract: A printer has a control circuit to stop a print head from printing when paper runs out or when the cover of the printer is opened is disclosed. Only one switch is used to detect the absence of paper and the position of the cover.