Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: A dot-matrix printer for printing characters in a matrix of dots wherein columns of dots each column consisting of a suitable number of dots and extending in a given direction are arranged at a predetermined printing pitch in a printing direction intersecting the direction of the columns of dots. The printer has a print head which is moved in the printing direction and has a first and a second group of dot-forming elements for forming dots such that the dots formed by the second group correspond to the dots formed by the first group and are spaced in the printing direction, by a predetermined distance from the corresponding dots formed by the first group, if the first and second groups of dot-forming elements are activated simultaneously.

Abstract: A carriage drive control device to enable printing on a printing sheet from the leading edge thereof. A carriage drive control device repositions a carriage supporting a print head and a paper guide member at the midpoint of a printing line prior to each advance of the printing sheet as long as the leading edge of the printing sheet has been advanced beyond the printing line by a distance less than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A printing device in which a printing ribbon moves in one direction and a printing head moves back and forth parallel to the ribbon. When the head and ribbon move in the same direction, printing is not started until the ribbon is moving at a faster speed than the head. When the head and ribbon move in opposite directions, printing is not started until the ribbon is moving at a given speed which is a fraction of the speed of the head.