Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus to feed or take up media comprises a drum axis, a drum connecting to the drum axis, three spindles connecting to the drum, and a reel removably connecting to one of the three spindles. The drum holds the spindles and rotates around the drum axis to position the spindles, each spindle to hold a media roll or a reel to feed or take up media.

Abstract: A media advance system for a printer, the system comprising: a drive roller for advancing the print medium, said drive roller being mounted on a first spindle, a second rotary element mounted on a second spindle for applying tension to the print medium downstream of said drive roller, a drive motor operatively connected to said first spindle, and a second motor operatively connected to said second spindle, wherein the velocity of the drive motor is constantly adjustable and the velocity of the second motor is constantly adjustable to the instantaneous velocity of the drive motor.

Abstract: A method for culturing and producing mites, such as house dust mites, comprising culturing the mites in a suitable solid growth medium, under suitable conditions and for a suitable period of time in a suitable production room, characterized in that the mites are cultured in medium comprised within a closed bag.

Abstract: A starwheel for use in a printing device includes a plurality of rounded studs disposed around a periphery of the starwheel. A method of forming a starwheel that has a plurality of rounded studs disposed around a periphery of the starwheel includes injecting plastic into a mold to form the starwheel including the rounded studs.

Abstract: A multicolor-printer has at least a first and a second print station, first and second optical sensors and a surface recordings comparator. The first and second print stations are arranged to print images on a surface of a moving recording medium. The first and second optical sensors view, at the first and second print stations, an area of the recording medium surface to obtain at least one first surface recording, in a manner related to the first print station's image printing, and second surface recordings, respectively. A storage is arranged to store the first surface recording. The surface recordings comparator is arranged to test, during the recording medium movement, for correspondence of second surface recordings with the stored first surface recording.

Abstract: A multicolor-printer has a plurality of print stations arranged to generate an image on a recording medium, and a recording medium conveyor. A plurality of similar encoding marks are associated with the conveyor. Sensor arrangements are associated with the print stations, responsive to the encoding marks. They generate signals indicating the conveyor movement with respect to the corresponding print station. An index marking is indicative of a conveyor reference position. The sensor arrangements are responsive to it, thereby providing information about the reference position with respect to the corresponding print station. The printer registers images of different print stations with each other based on the movement and reference-position information.

Abstract: A multicolor-printer has at least a first and a second print station, first and second optical sensors and a surface recordings comparator. The first and second print stations are arranged to print images on a surface of a moving recording medium. The first and second optical sensors view, at the first and second print stations, an area of the recording medium surface to obtain at least one first surface recording, in a manner related to the first print station's image printing, and second surface recordings, respectively. A storage is arranged to store the first surface recording. The surface recordings comparator is arranged to test, during the recording medium movement, for correspondence of second surface recordings with the stored first surface recording.

Abstract: An inkjet apparatus includes a media drive means for moving a medium through a print zone of the apparatus, and also includes a carriage, in which a printhead is mounted, for traversing the pint zone in a second direction. The apparatus also includes restraining means, co-operating with the drive means, to restrain the advance of a first portion of the medium through the print zone when moved by the drive means. A method for controlling undulation on media in a inkjet apparatus includes moving a medium through the print zone, and restraining the movement through the print zone of a first portion of the medium.

Abstract: Methods for treating a neurodegenerative disease in a mammal, specifically methods for treating Parkinson's disease. The treatment is based on administering an effective amount of a TNF-related molecules and/or TNF down regulating molecules, acting preferably in the substantia nigra. The effects of TNF over the substantia nigra are disclosed. Low concentration of TNF provides a neuroprotective activity and high concentration of TNF provides a neurodegenerative effect on the mammal. The method is based on a treatment with TNF wherein the concentration of TNF in the patients affected by the Parkinson's disease is regulated. In addition, a treatment in which molecules activate a survival signal into neurons via TNFR 2 receptors is provided. A new animal model for Parkinson's disease studies is also provided, wherein the adenovirus vector, the CRE/loxP and transgenic knock-in mice are combined.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus includes a media drive roller and an independent media holddown unit. Such holddown unit includes a platen, on which a print zone is defined, and a vacuum source for generating a negative pressure for holding at least a portion of a medium substantially flat on the print zone. The platen is extending towards, and partially overlapping, the drive roller. In addition, a method for holding a medium to be printed on substantially flat over a print zone of a hardcopy apparatus includes indexing the medium over the print zone, generating a negative pressure capable of holding a portion of the medium flat on the print zone, extending the negative pressure generated to the print zone, to achieve a substantially uniform holding force over the print zone.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a first medium in the form of a continuous band or on a second medium in the form of a sheet, in a print zone of the printer, is provided. The printer comprising a movable cover giving access to the print zone for loading said second media, a hold down system for holding said second media in position before and during printing, a first sensor to detect opening of the cover linked to said hold down system, storage means for storing said first medium, a feeder for moving said first medium from the storage means to the print zone, wherein when the cover is opened by a user of the printer the sensor activates the hold down system to accept said second medium without any further action by said user. The printer may have a second sensor for activating the feeder to withdraw the first medium from a ready to print position to a standby position while simultaneously moving the second medium through the print zone.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus includes a media drive roller and an independent media holddown unit. Such holddown unit includes a platen, on which a print zone is defined, and a vacuum source for generating a negative pressure for holding at least a portion of a medium substantially flat on the print zone. The platen is extending towards, and partially overlapping, the drive roller. In addition, a method for holding a medium to be printed on substantially flat over a print zone of a hardcopy apparatus includes indexing the medium over the print zone, generating a negative pressure capable of holding a portion of the medium flat on the print zone, extending the negative pressure generated to the print zone, to achieve a substantially uniform holding force over the print zone.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus including a main roller and a loading mechanism to load a medium into the hardcopy apparatus, said loading mechanism including a vacuum holddown input unit to hold media down onto a surface of said holddown unit. In addition, a method of loading a medium into a hardcopy apparatus including a vacuum holddown unit, a driving roller and a secondary roller, comprises the steps of: manually positioning the medium onto a surface of the holddown unit; by rotating the secondary roller, advancing the medium towards the main roller; and engaging the medium to the main roller.

Abstract: To assemble a printer chassis comprising three structural aluminium beams extending between two structural sideplates, the printer carriage beam is first attached to the sideplates by means of attachment points arranged along a straight line and then the printing beam and lower beam are attached to provide a vibration- and deformation-resistant chassis relative to which all the other printer components are referenced. Slider rods are mounted on the printer carriage beam by means of screws which hold the rods against the beam to keep them straight. The screws also pass through apertures in rod supports, the apertures being sized to permit longitudinal thermal movements of the rods relative to the beam.

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus includes a media holddown unit, having a platen, and a vacuum source for generating negative pressure on a medium positioned on said platen to keep it flat on said platen. The unit includes at least two vacuum chambers, both in air communication with the vacuum source. Each of the vacuum chambers can apply a negative pressure to a different portion of the medium positioned on a corresponding different region of the platen. A method for holding down a medium when placed on said platen. First the vacuum source is placed into independent air communication with a number of distinct regions of the platen, then the medium is positioned to cover one or more regions of the platen, and finally a negative pressure is applied to the back of the medium via the independent air communication.

Abstract: A device for tiltable ejectors of fruit in conveyor carts integrated into electronic classifiers has a lifting-ejector formed by a bent and supported vertical shaft which turns freely by its upper end section and is operationally connected to the tiltable ejector. Its lower end section is parallel to the supported upper part and serves to pass along an axis of advance, first in relation to a fixed rectilinear deflector, followed within an angularly displaceable deflector under electronic control and finally above an actuating ramp. The angularly displaceable deflector has a position of rest in which, together with the fixed deflector, it determines the trajectory of non-actuation of the lifting-ejector. Another position directs it toward a ramp and determines its trajectory of actuation to secure tilting of the ejector and the fruit carried thereby.

Abstract: A print media feeder system to automatically change the supply of a printing medium in a printer between a feeder mode of medium in continuous band form and a feeder mode of medium in cut sheet form, comprising a pair of rollers arranged at a point along a first movement path of a first printing medium in continuous band form, said point being loacated between the input for said first medium and the main roller pulling the same and which rollers can be made to cooperate to, selectively, pull said first medium in one or the other direction along said first movement path; valve means for the printing medium arranged to cooperate with said main pulling roller for the purpose of allowing the passage, along the length of said first movement path, of said first medium towards or from a printing area, and to prevent passage of a second printing medium in cut sheet form from said printing area, around said main roller and along said first movement path, which valve means divert said second printing medium in cut shee

Abstract: A hardcopy apparatus comprising a main roller and an outputting mechanism for moving a medium outside the hardcopy apparatus, said outputting mechanism being characterised by including a vacuum holddown output unit for holding at least a portion of media down onto a surface of the outputting mechanism. In addition, a method of outputting a medium from a hardcopy apparatus including a vacuum source, a main driving roller and a secondary roller, includes the steps of: advancing the medium up to contact said secondary roller; generating a negative pressure, by means of the vacuum source, capable of engaging the back of the medium with the surface of the secondary roller: by rotating the main roller and the secondary roller, disengaging the medium from the main roller; and by rotating the secondary roller, advancing the medium towards the outside of the apparatus.