Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Smolenski
Lawrence E. Smolenski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220223997Abstract: An installable wireless communications module for a media processing device includes: a body configured for placement into a chamber of the media processing device, the body including an alignment feature configured to engage with a mating feature within the chamber; an electrical interface supported on the body and configured to engage with a connector of the media processing device disposed within the chamber; a communications controller supported on the body and connected with the electrical interface; an antenna support extending from the body and configured for receipt in a channel extending from the chamber of the media processing device; and an antenna affixed to the antenna support and electrically connected to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Kurt Botsai, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Sheila S. Follett
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Patent number: 10265983Abstract: A disclosed media processing device includes a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a platen roller to form a first nip with a printhead, wherein media having a backing is to travel through the first nip; a modular peeler configured to remove the backing from the media downstream from the first nip, the modular peeler including a peel roller to form a second nip with the platen roller, wherein the backing is to travel through the second nip after being removed from the media.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Chris Colagiovanni, Hsinghan Tsai, Randal Wong Mun Hon
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Patent number: 9919540Abstract: A media processing device includes a cavity configured to receive a supply of media; a media exit; a fixed media guide configured to guide the media along a media feed path from the cavity to the media exit; a platen roller configured to move the media along the media feed path from the supply toward the media exit; and a movable media guide extending laterally across the media feed path at a position between the platen roller and the cavity. The movable media guide is biased toward the media feed path and is configured to apply a force to the media. The movable media guide is convexly curved toward the media feed path.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Randal Wong Mun Hon, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Kuan-Ying Lu, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe
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Publication number: 20180065391Abstract: A disclosed media processing device includes a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a platen roller to form a first nip with a printhead, wherein media having a backing is to travel through the first nip; a modular peeler configured to remove the backing from the media downstream from the first nip, the modular peeler including a peel roller to form a second nip with the platen roller, wherein the backing is to travel through the second nip after being removed from the media.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Chris Colagiovanni, Hsinghan Tsai, Randal Wong Mun Hon
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Publication number: 20160059596Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly, a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. An example clutch assembly includes a first spool engagement member defining a first friction torque; a first friction member configured to frictionally engage the first spool engagement member; a second spool engagement member defining a second friction torque that is larger than the first fiction torque; and a second friction member configured to frictionally engage the second spool engagement member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: HSIN-CHIH CHEN, LAWRENCE E. SMOLENSKI, PATRICIA DORINEL BALCAN, JUNG ETHAN HOON LEE, RANDAL WONG, RICHARD ALAN KELLEY
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Patent number: 9211705Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Lawrence E. Smolenski, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Jung Ethan Hoon Lee, Randal Wong
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Publication number: 20150151538Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Richard Alan Kelley, Lawrence E. Smolenski, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Jung Ethan Hoon Lee, Randal Wong
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Patent number: 8882371Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Richard Alan Kelley, Lawrence E. Smolenski, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Jung Ethan Hoon Lee, Randal Wong
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Publication number: 20120141184Abstract: A printer may include a printhead assembly a clutch assembly, and/or a printer ribbon transport assembly. The printhead assembly may include a printhead biasing assembly defining a biasing ramp which may be configured to apply a biasing force to a printhead support bracket so as to at least partially counteract a ribbon force. The clutch assembly may be configured to supply or take-up a printer ribbon with first and second spool engagement members of different diameters that frictionally engage first and second friction members. The printer ribbon transport assembly may include a rotation lock mechanism configured to prevent rotation of a ribbon take-up core when the take-up core is disengaged from a drive assembly so as to prevent a loss in ribbon tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: ZIH CORP.Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Richard Alan Kelley, Lawrence E. Smolenski, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Jung Ethan Hoon Lee, Randal Wong
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Patent number: 6637957Abstract: A ribbon mechanism mounted in the lid of a printer includes a ribbon carriage pivotally coupled to the lid for folding out of the lid by virtue of its mass when the lid is open and for folding in the lid as the lid is closed. The invention comprises a clutch disk made of plastic, which may be used in a printer mechanism. The design utilizes two different injection molded plastic clutch disks that run face to face to produce relatively high dynamic and low static frictional forces. The clutch assembly uses raised areas on one of the pair of clutch disks. The raised areas allow a better overall contact between the disks so as to achieve more desirable coefficients of friction. The materials chosen for the clutch disks not only have the desirable coefficients of friction, but also have good wear characteristics against each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Philip Mastinick, Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Patent number: 6604876Abstract: A system for dissipating electrostatic charge build-up in printers comprises a ribbon frame made of statically dissipative material and adapted to support a printhead bracket on which a thermal printhead is mounted proximate to a rotating platen. The statically dissipative ribbon frame may be grounded to the printer power supply which in turn is grounded to the main printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of the printer which is connected to earth ground. The electrostatically dissipative material in the ribbon frame automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded ribbon frame during printer operation. The printhead bracket may also be made of statically dissipative material and grounded to the PCBA. The electrostatically dissipative material in the printhead bracket automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded printhead bracket.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: ZIH Corp.Inventors: Caleb Bryant, Philip Alan Mastinick, Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Publication number: 20020048479Abstract: A system for dissipating electrostatic charge build-up in printers comprises a ribbon frame made of statically dissipative material and adapted to support a printhead bracket on which a thermal printhead is mounted proximate to a rotating platen. The statically dissipative ribbon frame may be grounded to the printer power supply which in turn is grounded to the main printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of the printer which is connected to earth ground. The electrostatically dissipative material in the ribbon frame automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded ribbon frame during printer operation. The printhead bracket may also be made of statically dissipative material and grounded to the PCBA. The electrostatically dissipative material in the printhead bracket automatically dissipates static electric charge as the moving ribbon comes into physical contact with at least one portion of the grounded printhead bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Caleb Bryant, Philip Alan Mastinick, Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Publication number: 20020041782Abstract: A ribbon mechanism mounted in the lid of a printer includes a ribbon carriage pivotally coupled to the lid for folding out of the lid by virtue of its mass when the lid is open and for folding in the lid as the lid is closed. The invention comprises a clutch disk made of plastic, which may be used in a printer mechanism. The design utilizes two different injection molded plastic clutch disks that run face to face to produce relatively high dynamic and low static frictional forces. The clutch assembly uses raised areas on one of the pair of clutch disks. The raised areas allow a better overall contact between the disks so as to achieve more desirable coefficients of friction. The materials chosen for the clutch disks not only have the desirable coefficients of friction, but also have good wear characteristics against each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Philip Mastinick, Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Patent number: 6068415Abstract: A printhead assembly for a printer with the printhead mounted in the lid of the printer and the platen mounted in the body of the printer. The printhead is spring loaded, permitting it to float in both the vertical and horizontal directions within the lid assembly. Guideposts are located in the body of the printer with a defined positional relationship to the platen. When the lid is closed, the guideposts position the printhead in its correct position with respect to the platen. Mounting the printhead in the lid and the platen in the printer body permits new paper to be loaded quickly and easily by simply pulling the paper past the platen and closing the lid. The cumbersome paper-threading procedure of conventional inexpensive printers is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Eltron International, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Patent number: RE38473Abstract: A printhead assembly for a printer with the printhead mounted in the lid of the printer and the platen mounted in the body of the printer. The printhead is spring loaded, permitting it to float in both the vertical and horizontal directions within the lid assembly. Guideposts are located in the body of the printer with a defined positional relationship to the platen. When the lid is closed, the guideposts position the printhead in its correct position with respect to the platen. Mounting the printhead in the lid and the platen in the printer body permits new paper to be loaded quickly and easily by simply pulling the paper past the platen and closing the lid. The cumbersome paper-threading procedure of conventional inexpensive printers is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Zih Corp.Inventor: Lawrence E. Smolenski
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Patent number: D893410Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Kurt Botsai, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Arvind Chari
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Patent number: D893591Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Lawrence E. Smolenski, Kurt Botsai, Petrica Dorinel Balcan
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Patent number: D939432Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Zebra Technologies CorporationInventors: Kurt Botsai, Petrica Dorinel Balcan, Lawrence E. Smolenski, David L. Garbe, Arvind Chari