Abstract: A direct thermal printer including a latch assembly, a media storage assembly, a media centering assembly, a print assembly, and a temperature sensing member. The latch assembly includes a single latch lever in mechanical communication with latch tabs disposed in the cover of the printer that are received by openings in the base of the printer to engage and disengage the cover from the base. The media storage assembly includes media guides with removable tabs having more than one available position to provide storage of different size media. The media centering assembly includes pulley assemblies that bias the media guides towards each other to secure media between the media guides. The print assembly includes a platen disposed in the base of the printer having cams on each end that are rotatable and positioned to adjust printing characteristic of a printhead disposed in the cover.

Abstract: A system to determine the presence and width of a media within a printing system is disclosed which includes a pair of adjustable media guides is provided about a carriage and is axially spaced apart along the length of the carriage. The guides may be manipulated along a horizontal axis in a sliding, synchronized manner and such that the center line of media is maintained along the centerline of the print station. A sensor is provided and affixed to the carriage, the sensor being operable for emitting an optical signal through an aperture located in the carriage. At least one of the guides includes an obstruction which may protrude into the path of the optical signal at defined locations. As the guides move about the horizontal axis, the obstruction may block or otherwise interrupt the optical signal, thereby signaling the sensor and the printer of the media's presence and width.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer including a latch assembly, a media storage assembly, a media centering assembly, a print assembly, and a temperature sensing member. The latch assembly includes a single latch lever in mechanical communication with latch tabs disposed in the cover of the printer that are received by openings in the base of the printer to engage and disengage the cover from the base. The media storage assembly includes media guides with removable tabs having more than one available position to provide storage of different size media. The media centering assembly includes pulley assemblies that bias the media guides towards each other to secure media between the media guides. The print assembly includes a platen disposed in the base of the printer having cams on each end that are rotatable and positioned to adjust printing characteristic of a printhead disposed in the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer including a latch assembly, a media storage assembly, a media centering assembly, a print assembly, and a temperature sensing member. The latch assembly includes a single latch lever in mechanical communication with latch tabs disposed in the cover of the printer that are received by openings in the base of the printer to engage and disengage the cover from the base. The media storage assembly includes media guides with removable tabs having more than one available position to provide storage of different size media. The media centering assembly includes pulley assemblies that bias the media guides towards each other to secure media between the media guides. The print assembly includes a platen disposed in the base of the printer having cams on each end that are rotatable and positioned to adjust printing characteristic of a printhead disposed in the cover.

Abstract: A print station system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the print station system.

Abstract: A printing system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly encoded with at least one feature module and being in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the printing system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining and adjusting printhead pressure of a thermal printer. The apparatus includes a printhead support housing operable for placement in a print station of a printer. A motor housed within the printhead support housing and being operable for driving a plurality of synchronized rotating gears, the gears being mounted about posts wherein the posts are configured to cause the gears to compress or decompress a set of biasing mechanisms mounted below the gears and connected to the printhead. A sensor unit operable for monitoring the thickness of a print media and in communication with a control circuit operable for adjusting the printhead pressure being applied to the print media during a print operation, wherein the printhead pressure corresponds to a pre-defined level relative to the thickness of the print media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer including a latch assembly, a media storage assembly, a media centering assembly, a print assembly, and a temperature sensing member. The latch assembly includes a single latch lever in mechanical communication with latch tabs disposed in the cover of the printer that are received by openings in the base of the printer to engage and disengage the cover from the base. The media storage assembly includes media guides with removable tabs having more than one available position to provide storage of different size media. The media centering assembly includes pulley assemblies that bias the media guides towards each other to secure media between the media guides. The print assembly includes a platen disposed in the base of the printer having cams on each end that are rotatable and positioned to adjust printing characteristic of a printhead disposed in the cover.

Abstract: A print station system (1) having a drive-stepper motor (2), platen rollers (3, 4) in operative communication with the drive-stepper motor (2), a pinch roller (10) in operative communication with the drive-stepper motor (2), a top-of-form sensor (11) located between the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10), a rocker arm (12) in operative communication with the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10), and a printhead assembly (5), a media guide (12a, 12b). A radio-frequency identification antenna (16) or a receptacle (15) for holding same may be located between the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon.

Abstract: A printing system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly encoded with at least one feature module and being in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the printing system.

Abstract: A print station system having a chassis for housing a modular print station; a power source in communication with the print station; a controller circuit card assembly in communication with the print station; a display panel in communication with the print station; a media rewind hub; a pair of adjustable media guides connected about a base of the print station; and at least one sensor affixed to the print station base and being operable for detecting the presence and position of media passing through a media feed path of the print station system.

Abstract: A print station system (1) having a drive-stepper motor (2), platen rollers (3, 4) in operative communication with the drive-stepper motor (2), a pinch roller (10) in operative communication with the drive-stepper motor (2), a top-of-form sensor (11) located between the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10), a rocker arm (12) in operative communication with the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10), and a printhead assembly (5), a media guide (12a, 12b). A radio-frequency identification antenna (16) or a receptacle (15) for holding same may be located between the platen roller (3, 4) and the pinch roller (10).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining and adjusting printhead pressure of a thermal printer. The apparatus includes a printhead support housing operable for placement in a print station of a printer. A motor housed within the printhead support housing and being operable for driving a plurality of synchronized rotating gears, the gears being mounted about posts wherein the posts are configured to cause the gears to compress or decompress a set of biasing mechanisms mounted below the gears and connected to the printhead. A sensor unit operable for monitoring the thickness of a print media and in communication with a control circuit operable for adjusting the printhead pressure being applied to the print media during a print operation, wherein the printhead pressure corresponds to a pre-defined level relative to the thickness of the print media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of securing and maintaining the integrity of desired information on a ribbon and media subsequent to a printing operation is provided. The apparatus and method includes a thermal transfer printer having a print station and a printhead operable for performing a printing operation. The printhead is capable of performing an initial print operation and then being raised from the media, thereby allowing the used ribbon to be rewound a predetermined distance about a supply spindle. Thereafter, a second print operation is performed on the space previously printed upon using characters, designs or block-out patterns and the used ribbon is then wound onto a take-up spindle. In exemplary embodiments, the used ribbon can also be reprinted with a waste media several times thus further obscuring the image on the used ribbon.

Abstract: A system to determine the presence and width of a media within a printing system is disclosed which includes a pair of adjustable media guides is provided about a carriage and is axially spaced apart along the length of the carriage. The guides may be manipulated along a horizontal axis in a sliding, synchronized manner and such that the center line of media is maintained along the centerline of the print station. A sensor is provided and affixed to the carriage, the sensor being operable for emitting an optical signal through an aperture located in the carriage. At least one of the guides includes an obstruction which may protrude into the path of the optical signal at defined locations. As the guides move about the horizontal axis, the obstruction may block or otherwise interrupt the optical signal, thereby signaling the sensor and the printer of the media's presence and width.

Abstract: A media hanger/guide including a base plate having a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface, a guide extending into the second surface, a first support member and a second support member adapted for sliding movement along the guide relative to the base plate second surface, and a clamp secured to the base plate second surface and engaged with the support members and such that the clamp is movable between a first position adapted for permitting insertion of a media between the first support member and the second support member and a second position adapted for providing force on the first support member and the second support member. A slot may also extend into the second surface. An optional lock may be movably secured to the base plate for locking the first and second support members and in a predetermined position along the base plate.