Abstract: A printing apparatus having a first zone for receiving a supply of image receiving tape and a second zone for receiving a supply of thermal transfer ribbon, means for identifying the nature of the image receiving tape and the thermal transfer ribbon located in the first and second zones, and means for implementing a compatibility check to determine whether said image receiving tape and said thermal transfer ribbon are compatible, and to generate an incompatibility indication if the the compatibility check fails.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying roller to convey a paper, a guide member to guide the paper conveyed by the conveying roller, a pressurizing roller to pressurize the paper guided by the guide member, and a heat transferring unit faced towards the pressurizing roller, the heat transferring unit being contacted with the paper to sequentially heat a surface of the paper. Thus, the image forming apparatus prevents a front end of the paper which is conveyed in an image forming unit from being caught during the conveyance.

Abstract: A rotary-torque adjuster that adjusts rotary torque of a rotational member includes a rotary shaft, the rotational member secured to the rotary shaft and rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, a plurality of clutch disks rotatably attached to the rotary shaft, a driver that drives the clutch disks, a plurality of presser components attached to the rotary shaft and rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, the presser components sandwiching opposite surfaces of the clutch disks by a predetermined pressure, and a drive transmission unit that makes a selection from among the plurality of clutch disks so as to transmit a driving force from the driver to the selected one or more clutch disks. The drive transmission unit changes the selection of the clutch disks to which the driving force from the driver is to be transmitted so as to change the rotary torque of the rotational member.

Abstract: A method for controlling the media feed of a print media sheet in an imaging apparatus having a media feed roller includes selecting between using absolute positioning of the media feed roller and relative positioning of the media feed roller for various media feed roller moves.

Abstract: A thermal activation device has a thermal activation head that thermally activates a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a sheet material having a printing layer on one surface of a sheet-like base material and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the other surface thereof. A platen roller conveys the sheet material and is disposed in pressure contact with the thermal activation head so that the platen roller and the thermal activation head apply a holding force on the sheet material. A pair of conveyor rollers hold and convey the sheet material and are disposed on a downstream side of the thermal activation head in a conveying direction of the sheet material. A holding force applied on the sheet material by the pair of conveyor rollers being larger than a holding force applied on the sheet material by the platen roller and the thermal activation head.

Abstract: A roll paper printer comprising a roll paper storage unit having a bottom surface on which a roll paper is held and rolls, an operable cover unit for opening and closing a roll paper loading opening to the roll paper storage unit, a roll paper size detection mechanism comprising a detection lever that can move in a direction protruding into the roll paper storage unit and a direction retracting from the roll paper storage unit, and an urging member for urging the detection lever in the protruding direction, wherein the detection lever separates from the roll paper and is pushed in the protruding direction when an outside diameter of the roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit decreases to a predetermined size or less, and a detection lever retraction mechanism for moving the detection lever protruding into the roll paper storage unit in the retracting direction against the urging force of the urging member in conjunction with the operable cover unit opening.

Abstract: Selectively printing full and fractional sized images with a donor ribbon. A first print order and indicia are printed while the donor ribbon is advanced through the printer. Printing is performed using donor material on a first fraction of the patch set when the print order requests a fractional sized image, or on a full patch when the print order requests a full sized image. When a second print order requests a fractional sized image, a determination is made whether the second fraction of the patch set is available for printing. An image based upon the second print order is printed using donor material from the second fraction of the patch set when it is available, or the donor ribbon is advanced to the next patch set when it is determined that the second fraction of the patch set is not available.

Abstract: A print control module for a thermal printer includes a housing, a transmission device, a first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism, and a power switching mechanism all installed in the housing. The transmission device includes a motor, and a transmission gears set for transmitting power of the motor. When the motor rotates in a first direction, the power switching mechanism transfers power of the motor to the first driving mechanism, and when the motor rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction, the power switching mechanism fixes the first driving mechanism and transfers power of the motor to the second driving mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet material cutting unit has a movable blade mounted to undergo reciprocal movement relative to a stationary blade for cutting a sheet material, and a movable blade holder that reciprocates with the movable blade. A sheet material retaining structure retains the sheet material on a sheet material transfer path during cutting of the sheet material and comprises oppositely disposed stationary and movable holding portions, with the movable holding portion being mounted on the movable blade holder for reciprocal movement therewith. A transmitting structure transmits reciprocation of the movable blade to the movable holding portion to maintain the sheet material in a sandwiched state between the movable holding portion and the stationary holding portion during cutting of the sheet material.

Abstract: A movable blade unit is fixed to a cutter release lever. The cutter release lever is attached to an upper frame by a cutter supporting point shaft so as to freely oscillate. A latch lever holding the upper frame at a closed position and a cutter lock lever locking the cutter release lever are integrated, and are coupled by an opening and closing lever. If the opening and closing lever is pushed down, the cutter lock lever cancels the lock of the cutter release lever while keeping a state in which the latch lever latches the upper frame. Accordingly, in the movable blade unit, a driving force transmission path between the movable blade unit and a cutter driving motor is disconnected, and a movable blade is returned to a home position by a return spring.

Abstract: A new and improved roller press for embellishing media includes a pair of spaced apart roller press members having convex shaped radially outer press surfaces. A handle having a ratchet mechanism is connected to a first roller for turning the roller during pressing. A gear set connects the rollers for turning a second roller in a rotational direction opposite of the first roller for moving the media between the rollers for pressing. A feed bed and exit bed slope away from the rollers to provide a stable base for supporting the press.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette structure is provided. The provided ribbon cassette structure includes a cartridge having at least a rotating structure. The rotating structure includes a first actuating element, a first connecting element, a second actuating element and a support shaft. The first connecting element is located between the first actuating element and the second actuating element, and the second actuating element is located between the first actuating element and the support shaft.

Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.

Abstract: Replacement time for the cutting board used in the sheet cutting apparatus is detected. A sheet cutting apparatus has a cutting blade to cut a set of sheets by moving in an oblique direction which includes first component of a perpendicular direction to a face of the set of sheets and as second component of a parallel direction to the face, a cutting board to receive the cutting blade, a movable unit to move the cutting board to a face of the cutting blade, and an end detector to detect a movable end of the cutting board.

Abstract: Methods of forming images on an outer surface of a golf bag are provided. A method can include the step of obtaining a photographic-type image to be formed onto a substantially flat side outer surface portion of a golf bag having a main bag body including an open end, a closed end, a club chamber positioned between the open and closed ends, and the substantially flat side outer surface portion. The method can also include controlling image production by sending the photographic-type image to a printer and activating at least one printer motor to form the photographic-type image onto the flat side outer surface portion of the golf bag, and printing the photographic-type image onto the substantially flat side outer surface portion of the golf bag so that the photographic-type image is readily visible and substantially permanently affixed.

Abstract: A tape printer capable of separating a print head and a platen when the print head and the platen adhere to each other while the tape printer is stored with a tape cassette uninstalled, keeping a holding member at a pressing position. A cassette cover has a pressing cam part which comes into contact with a roller holder to press the roller holder to a pressing position in a closed state of the cassette cover, and a withdrawing cam part which presses a withdrawing cam receiver to return the roller holder to a withdrawing position in the process of shifting from the closed state to an opened state of the cassette cover. Accordingly, the withdrawing cam part forces the withdrawing cam receiver provided in the roller holder, so that the thermal head and the platen roller which have adhered to each other can be surely separated even after the tape printer is stored for a long period with the tape cassette uninstalled, keeping the roller holder at the pressing position.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement and/or stand for supporting a print feed mechanism relative to a printer. The mounting arrangement includes first and second support members defining first and second mating surfaces, respectively. The first support member is adapted to support the print feed mechanism and the second support member is adapted to support the first support member. Furthermore, the first and second mating surfaces define a mating interface or plane which is inclined relative to a horizontal plane. The relative position of the first and second support members is maintained by a means for coupling the first and second segments along the inclined mating plane. The coupling means is, furthermore, operative to selectively position the first support member relative to the second support member so as to separate the print feed mechanism segment from the printer by a fixed separation distance.

Abstract: The rocker machine of the invention can be worked to produce uniformly engraved plates of any size and suitable for mezzotint engraving. The rocker machine includes a table, a rocker assembly and a guide assembly. The table can be rotatable or fixed, and is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. The rocker assembly includes one or more rockers, one or more lateral members and a cross arm. Each rocker has a curved lower edge along which protrude a plurality of teeth. The lateral members are adapted for reciprocal translation along a horizontal axis, and are moveable along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rocker. The lateral members are attached at the proximal end to the rocker or to the cross arm and at the distal end are moveable along lateral guides.

Abstract: A method for operating a printer for printing a print job requiring at least one color ink. At least one printer operating parameter is chosen which may include a remaining ink volume of the at least one color ink. A first print density for one color ink is obtained for at least one future print job without regard to the obtained printer operating parameter(s). A different second print density for the one color ink is obtained for the at least one future print job based on at least the obtained printer operating parameter(s). A user prompt is issued for user approval or non-approval to use the second print density for the one color ink when printing the at least one future print job. The second print density is used upon receiving a user reply of approval. The first print density is used upon receiving a user reply of non-approval.

Abstract: A washable switch that may be used in a keyboard is disclosed. In an embodiment, a housing of the keyboard may include a key opening and a support layer may be mounted in the housing. Key silos may be mounted on the support layer and input keys with support legs may be mounted in the key silos. In an embodiment the key silos may comprise an internally lubricated resin. An actuation unit and a keyboard circuitry may be in communication and encapsulated in a first and second barrier layer so as to provide a keyboard that may be safely placed in a dishwasher. If the keyboard is configured for wireless use, a sealable power source compartment sealably coupled to the keyboard circuitry may be provided with a removable door so as to allow the user, in operation, to access and replace a power source. The keyboard may include an externally exposed connector that may be sealed with a plug that may be attached to the housing by a tether.